5th Choice
Now THIS is how you start an anime. It's a timeless classic that's probably become one of the most recognized songs to ever come out of Japan. The disco undertones interlaced with the seemingly futuristic SFX creates a whole new sound that gets the viewers totally pumped for the episode that's about to begin.
The animation couldn't be more perfect either. The entire story of Evangelion is told in just a minute and 30 seconds, but it's all cryptic as most of the important details flash by your eye at a tenth of a second. It just pulls you into the story that much more.
Inukami!
"Hikari"
Yui Horie
4th Choice
"Hikari" was another anime song I feel instantly in love with and never looked back from after the first time I ever heard it. It's an incredibly fast song and is performed by my favorite seiyuu, Yui Horie!! With the mix of the ancient wind instruments and the modern-day electronica beat, it's the true master meld of old and new. You feel the immense energy while becoming entranced by the fluttering of flutes.
Fast-paced action fills the screen as you watch the opening sequence, as well. Youko and Keita's battle style is highlighted, though there is also emphasis on Youko's spiritual and emotional side. The supporting cast has a few moments to express their personas, and altogether, this becomes a fun, upbeat start to the show.
CLANNAD TV
"Megumeru ~ Cuckold Mix"
Eufonius
3rd Choice
Eufonius is probably my favorite music group to come from Japan. My joy inflated to ecstatic enthusiasm when I first heard the opening theme to one of 2007's most prolific anime series. The angelic voice of the lead singer not only contributes to making this opening theme incredible, but sets a lovely tone for the episode that is about to begin.
Both the anime and game openings give proper introductions to all of the characters, a feature I really appreciated. They both also show the girls in high-spirits in accordance to their true personalities. I posted the game OP instead of the anime OP because the Key CG Dating Sim adds two more layers to the track: the techno electronica to set a faster beat and the guitar strums to define each interval. Fast and slow combined with an impeccable female voice is nothing short of amazing. A true pleasure for the ears.
Please! Twins
"Second Flight"
KOTOKO
2nd Choice
I absolutely love the way Please! Twins starts off each episode with this song. They kind of overlay the intro of the melody over the dialogue, then hit you with the opening title card to kick off the music. Of all the songs I enjoy on this list, this one probably has the heaviest inclusion of a techno beat. And it's that beat that really gets me movin'. KOTOKO has been one of my most favorite Japanese musicians over the years and "Second Flight" is definitely one of her best.
The animation gives fair attention to all the main characters and really empathizes with their story. You get a sense of the struggle they each feel while at the same time pick up on the positive vibe they all get from being around eachother. And best of all, the incredible artwork the animators designed is showcased beautifully at the start of every episode.
Air TV
"Tori no Uta"
Lia
1st Choice
"Bird's Song" was my number one favorite overall song last year, and even today stands strong as my first choice. Since the first time I ever heard it, it's been at the top of my list. There is just so much powerful emotion behind this tune that I'm beginning to feel as though nothing in existance could ever top it. The music starts of with this ethereal feeling to it, almost giving the viewer this light feeling as if they were soaring high above the ground. Once it picks up its pace, it matches with the energy and seriousness that the story commands.
5th Choice
It's always nice to hear a female vocal for a rock song. And the growling at the end is also something that drew me in. The parts worth mentioning in the whole sequence is the evil vibe it generates in the intro with Ichigo dissolves into hollow Ichigo and that last part where the growling is timed perfectly with the Hollows breaking through the sky.
Naruto: Shippuuden (1st OP)
"Hero's Come Back!!"
nobodyknows+
4th Choice
From the very opening drum beat I had a feeling I would be keeping this song in my MP3. The song had a hip and funky feel to it and so the animation that accompanied it had that as well.
Steam Detectives
"Kimi, Hohoenda Yoru"
Elika
3rd Choice
Starting of mellow with a piano instrumental then the beat comes down hard and fast on you, its not hard to get interested in this song, at least for me. And it compliments the OP animation as well giving off that mellow vibe in the opening part and then some action where the upbeat parts of the song are.
Choudenji Machine Voltes V
"Voltes V no Uta"
Mitsuko Horie, Columbia Yurikago-kai and Koorogi '73
2nd Choice
The last time I watched this was nearly a decade ago. And it still sends chills down my spine. This is the OP that accompanied the very first anime that I have watched in its entirety...
Neon Genesis Evangelion
"Thesis of a Cruel Angel"
Yoko Takahashi
1st Choice
Truth be told I have only seen the full OP of this series recently but even when I was only able to get a hold of the short crappy edited version it still managed to catch my fancy, that is how good the OP is. And coming from an anime that I consider to be revolutionary the OP has done well in complimenting the series.
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