The 7 Best Anime Openings of 2023
2023 was a banner year for anime. From beloved ongoing series such as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba And Jujutsu Kaisen to long-awaited passion projects such as Pluto And Scott Pilgrim leaves, there was pretty much something for every type of anime fan. While we've already published our picks for the best anime of the year and where to watch them, we also wanted to highlight one of the important yet overlooked elements of any great anime: the opening title.
Opening title sequences in anime serve many purposes, from crediting the staff of animators who put their heart and craft into creating an excellent production to foreshadowing key moments in the series itself. Combined with a particularly memorable theme song, a well-executed title sequence has the potential to make a lasting impression on the audience and fans, even overshadowing the quality of the show itself.
With that in mind, we've put together a list of some of our favorite anime openings of the year to spotlight the work of the animators who created them while sharing our favorite anime-themed bops.
Scott Pilgrim Leaves – “Bloom”
Director: Masamichi Ishiyama
Music by: Necry Talkie
Scott Pilgrim leaves was one of the big surprises of the year, despite being highly anticipated. The anime adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's action-romcom comic series turned the story of Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers' whirlwind romance on its head, reinventing the world as a way to reintroduce characters fans knew and loved. they loved.
Lead animation director and character designer Masamichi Ishiyama's opening sequence was the perfect reintroduction of Scott to new and old fans of the series, taking the comic's video game-inspired visuals and injecting them with vibrant anime flair. Apart from a very smart one blink your eyes and you'll miss it to the opening scene of the 2004 anime Beck: Mongolian Chop Squadwhich the opening scene provides Scott Pilgrim leaves is for how much it doesn't tease the series' big twist. It's just a brilliant distillation of what made Scott Pilgrim such a beloved meeting place in the first place, and that's all it really needs to be. Combine that with a great song “Bloom” by Japanese pop rock band Necry Talkie, and you have a certified banger.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 – “SPECIALZ”
Director: Yuki Kamiya
Music by: King Gnu
This season of Jujutsu Kaisen took a significantly darker turn, and the series' second opening title sequence sums that up. Just as Shōta Goshozono took on the role of directing the show's second season from previous director Sung Hoo Park, Yuki Kamiya also inherited the role of creating this season's opening titles from Jujutsu Kaisen's former animation director Shingo Yamashita.
Of the two sequences Kamiya directed this season, it is the second, created for the “Shibuya Incident Arc,” that stands out as one of the best of the year. It's dark, foreboding and foreboding; It not only foreshadows Yuji Itadori's fraught battle against the cursed spirit Mahito and the rise in fame of the evil jujutsu wizard Sukuna, but also the tragic death of one of the series' most beloved characters. It's a fitting opening to an invigorating, violent and heartbreaking season.
Heavenly delusion – 'innocent arrogance'
Director: Weilin Zhang
Music by: BiSH
Heavenly illusion was one of my favorite anime premieres of the year, so it's no wonder the series' opening title would also find a place in my heart. Weilin Zhang absolutely nails it with this opening, translating the already excellent character designs of the artist known as Utsushita into scenes that feel just as unruly and adventurous as the series' protagonist.
One specific moment in the sequence that stands out to me is a minute in, when Kiruko runs into a pink and purple sunset sky, the outline of their bodies racing out of sync next to them before finally merging together. It's a memorable and impressive artistic decision that, in retrospect, feels like a symbolic metaphor for Kiruko's struggles with body dysmorphia throughout the season. The beautiful sequence is made even more impressive by the perfect complement of BiSH's original theme song “Innocent Arrogance”.
Spy x Family Season 2 – “Ado Kura Kura”
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Music by: Ado
Who will you choose to direct the opening title sequence for the second season? Spy x Family, one of the best animated action comedies in recent memory, if you want it to be absolutely legendary? Why Masaaki Yuasa, former president of Science Saru, of course!
The opening scene for Spy x Family feels like the anime equivalent of an Avengers-style team-up, with Yuasa's whimsical dot animation backed by a theme song performed by Ado (of One-piece film: red-fame) and composed by none other than Cowboy Bebop's Yoko Kanno and the seat belts. The result is a series that feels as promising as the creative team behind it, a wild and compelling adventure in which everyone's favorite family of undercover spy assassins and psychics enjoy a good cup of tea in between performing donuts in their car.
Trigun Stampede – “TOMBI”
Director: None listed
Music by: Kvi Baba
Much has been said about it Trigun stampede, the latest 3D CG anime adaptation of Yasuhiro Nightow's western space manga, and the differences between this manga and the beloved 1998 anime produced by Madhouse. One of the main points of contention that fans of the original anime have is the lack of any equivalent to the 1998 anime. Trigun's rock 'n' roll-inspired score by Tsuneo Imahori, featuring Trigun stampede composer Tatsuya Kato opts for a more electronic and orchestral approach for the new series.
As a fan of the 1998 anime, I completely understand. But I'm happy to go for it, and I absolutely loved Kvi Baba's western-inspired title theme song and its accompanying sequence. Without a doubt, every time I watched this series before a new episode of the series, I was locked in and ready to take on the latest chapter in Vash the Stampede's mission to protect the people of the planet Gunsmoke from his murderous brother Knives . It sets the tone for the series perfectly, striking a balance between sad, adventurous and appropriately epic.
The Fire Hunter – “Usotsuki”
Director: Kenichi Kutsuna
Music by: Leo Ieiri
The Fire Hunter flew under the radar of many anime viewers this year, despite the talent involved in its production. Make time to look at it – Ranma 1⁄2 director Junji Nishimura reunites with Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the shell) about an epic apocalyptic fantasy story And the opening title sequence for the series is absolutely amazing.
Directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, who previously worked as a major animator Puella Magi Madoka Magica And Dororothe opening for The Fire Hunter is a beautiful and memorable sequence that lays out Takuya Saitō's subtly rendered character designs and combines them with elegant pictorial backgrounds. I mean, just look at that shot at the 23 second mark, with the rays of light piercing through the thinly outlined mass of clouds! Art!
Vinland Saga Season 2 – “River”
Director: Yusuke Sunouchi
Music by: Anonymously
Like it Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, the second season of the historical adventure epic Vinland saga took a sharp change in tone from the atmosphere of the first season. Far from being a revenge story, this season focused on Thorfinn's search for a sense of meaning and a life separate from the vengeance that previously drove him.
Directed by Yūsuke Sunouchi, who previously worked as an episode director on the first season of the series Vinland sagathe opening title sequence for Vinland saga season 2 perfectly captures the feeling of someone emerging from the darkness and grasping for a sense of renewed clarity and direction. It's a sequence that brings you straight into Thorfinn's mindset at the start of the season and prepares the audience for the next chapter of his story.