Top 30 Anime Openings (with Video Evidence): Part 3

I’m back with the third and final entry in this three part series. This week, the next ten openings will be revealed. There probably aren’t a lot of surprises here, and most are lauded amongst the anime fan community as great openings. There will be, however, a few that I imagine are a bit unexpected. Once you’re done watching, feel free to leave a comment about the entire 30 entry list. Anyway, on to the openings.

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10.) Hellsing – A World Without Logos by Yasushi Ishii

Songs just really don’t get much cooler than this one. The jazzy theme melds nicely with the crazy visuals, making for a very surreal experience. It also manages to fit the tone of the series perfectly.

9.) The Big O – Big O! by Rui Nagai

A very catchy song, an homage to Queen, and awesome retro visuals. This is certainly an incredibly memorable opening.

8.) Berserk – Tell Me Why by PenPals

With so much Engrish, how could anyone not like this opening? It’s short, has a scratchy guitar, and just plain rocks. Plus, anything having to do with Berserk is cool in my book.

7.) X – eX Dream by Myuji

It is beautifully animated and has a nice rock theme. There really isn’t any one thing about that stands out, but all the elements combine well enough to make for a great opening.

6.) Mahoromatic – On the Way Home by Ayako Kawasumi

There is something about the lilting, soothing song that makes this opening stand apart from all others. It really gives you a warm fuzzy feeling, and a little later into the song, the music matches the visuals, which is definitely a nice touch.

5.) Lain – Duvet by BoA

The acoustic guitar and English lyrics (not Engrish) give this opening a unique feeling. Given the show’s high-tech, futuristic themes they could have gone with something electronic. But this music is a nice contrast. The visuals are haunting, and give a sense of isolation and connectivity, two prominent themes of the series.

4.) Read or Die: The TV – R.O.D. by YKZ

Another jazzy number that kicks tons of ass. Just watch it and you’ll agree.

3.) Fullmetal Alchemist – Melissa by Porno Graffitti

This J-pop opening starts out with a lot of energy, and revs up even more near the end. It is a lot of fun to listen to, and gets you pumped for the show.

2.) Ghost in the Shell: 2nd Gig – Rise by Origa

Great visuals that match the beat of the song. It is extremely well animated, and the music suits the tone of the series well. It features all the characters, as well as a healthy dose of action. All the elements combine to make this a flawless opening.

1.) Cowboy Bebop – Tank! by The Seatbelts (Yoko Kanno)

By far, this is the greatest anime opening of all time. Every part of it is outstanding. The jazzy theme song kicks ass, the silhouetted visuals are unique, and it is just plain fun. Anyone who doesn’t rank this someplace in their top ten has no idea what they are talking about. This is a classic among classics, and one that is unforgettable. Awesome.