From adrenaline-pumping battles to hauntingly beautiful visuals, 2023 delivered some of the most unforgettable anime openings yet. Dive into our curated list of the seven best anime openings that not only set the tone for their series but also captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their artistry, music, and storytelling flair. Whether it’s the vibrant chaos of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead or the symbolic depth of Vinland Saga, these openings define the year’s anime experience.
2023 was a banner year for anime. From beloved continuing series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Jujutsu Kaisen to long-awaited passion projects like Pluto and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, 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 sequence.
Opening title sequences in anime have a lot of purposes, from crediting the staff of animators who pour their hearts and craft into creating an excellent production to foreshadowing significant moments in the series itself. Combined with a particularly memorable theme song, a well-done title sequence has the potential to create a lasting impression on audiences and fans, if not even possibly eclipsing the quality of the show itself.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite anime openings of the year to highlight the work of the animators who created them while sharing our favorite anime theme bops.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off – “Bloom”
The opening theme for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, “Bloom” by Japanese rock band Necry Talkie, instantly sets the tone for the series with a burst of infectious energy and vibrant animation from Science SARU. The sequence perfectly captures the quirky, indie spirit of Scott Pilgrim’s world, showing Scott with his friends, jamming with Sex Bob-Omb, and meeting Ramona Flowers, while teasing the chaos brought by Ramona’s seven evil exes. “Bloom” stands out as one of 2023’s most memorable anime openings, blending catchy J-rock with dynamic visuals that pay homage to the franchise’s roots and its new, adventurous direction.
Director: Masamichi Ishiyama
Music by: Necry Talkie
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was one of the year’s big surprises, despite being highly anticipated. The anime adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s action rom-com comic series turned the story of Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers’ whirlwind romance on its head, reinventing its world as a way of reintroducing characters that fans knew and loved.
Chief 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 video game-inspired visuals of the comic and injecting them with vibrant anime flair. Aside from a very clever blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nod to the opening sequence of the 2004 anime Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, what makes the opening sequence for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is for how much it doesn’t tease the big twist of the series. It’s just a brilliant distillation of what made Scott Pilgrim such a beloved hang-out in the first place, and that’s all that it really needs to be. Combine that with an awesome track “Bloom” courtesy of the Japanese pop rock band Necry Talkie, and you’ve got a certified banger.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 – “SPECIALZ”
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2’s opening, “SPECIALZ” by King Gnu, stands out as one of 2023’s most electrifying anime themes. The song’s intense energy and catchy melody perfectly capture the chaos and emotional weight of the Shibuya Incident arc, one of the series’ darkest and most pivotal storylines. Visually, the opening uses striking red hues and dynamic animation to foreshadow the arc’s tragic events, while showcasing high-stakes battles and introducing new characters. King Gnu’s powerful vocals and the opening’s unforgettable tune have made “SPECIALZ” instantly recognizable among fans, even sparking a wave of internet memes. The synergy between music and visuals elevates the anticipation for each episode, solidifying “SPECIALZ” as not just an opening, but a cultural phenomenon within the anime community.
Director: Yuki Kamiya
Music by: King Gnu
This season of Jujutsu Kaisen took a significantly darker turn, and the series’ second opening title sequence encapsulates that. Just as Shōta Goshozono took on the role of directing the show’s second season from previous director Sung Hoo Park, so too did Yuki Kamiya inherit the role of crafting this season’s opening title sequences from Jujutsu Kaisen’s former animation director Shingo Yamashita.
Of the two sequences Kamiya directed for this season, it’s the second one, created for the “Shibuya Incident Arc,” that stands out as one of the year’s best. It’s dark, ominous, and foreboding; foreshadowing not only Yuji Itadori’s fraught battle against the cursed spirit Mahito and the increased prominence of the malicious jujutsu sorcerer Sukuna, but also the tragic passing of one of the series’ most beloved characters. It’s an apt opening for a bracing, violent, and heartbreaking season.
Heavenly Delusion – “Innocent Arrogance”
“Heavenly Delusion” stands out among 2023’s anime openings with “innocent arrogance” by BiSH, an audacious and atmospheric track that perfectly matches the show’s cryptic, post-apocalyptic world. The opening’s animation is both stunningly realistic and subtly uncanny, setting an unsettling tone that mirrors the series’ blend of mystery and psychological tension. Symbolic visuals hint at the dual storylines-Maru and Kiruko’s perilous journey and the enigmatic school-evoking comparisons to classics like Evangelion. Ultimately, it’s the seamless fusion of mesmerizing music and evocative animation that makes “innocent arrogance” one of the year’s most memorable and artistically ambitious openings.
Director: Weilin Zhang
Music by: BiSH
Heavenly Delusion was one of my favorite anime premieres of the year, so it’s little wonder the series’ opening title sequence would also win a place in my heart. Weilin Zhang absolutely nails it with this opening, translating the already excellent character designs by the artist known as Utsushita into scenes that feel as unruly and adventurous as the series’ protagonist.
One particular moment in the sequence that stands out to me is at the one-minute mark, when Kiruko is running against a pink and purple sunset sky, the outline of their body racing out of sync alongside them before eventually merging. It’s a memorable and impressive artistic decision that feels, in hindsight, like a symbolic metaphor for Kiruko’s struggles with body dysmorphia throughout the season. The gorgeous sequence is made even more impactful for how perfectly BiSH’s original theme song “Innocent Arrogance” complements it.
Spy x Family season 2 – “Ado Kura Kura”
The opening theme for Spy x Family Season 2, titled “Kura Kura” and performed by Ado, stands out as one of the best anime openings of 2023. Directed by the acclaimed Masaaki Yuasa, known for his eccentric and dynamic animation style, the opening perfectly blends cool and lighthearted visuals that capture the unique tone of the series. The song’s energetic and captivating vocals complement the show’s mix of spy action and family comedy, making it a memorable and fitting introduction to the new season. This opening not only showcases the series’ vibrant animation but also highlights the creative collaboration behind it, including the instrumental performance by Yoko Kanno and the SEATBELTS.
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Music by: Ado
Who do you choose to direct the opening title sequence for the second season of Spy x Family, one of the best animated action comedies in recent memory, if you want it to be an absolute legendary effort? Why Masaaki Yuasa, former president of Science Saru, of course!
The opening sequence for Spy x Family feels like the anime equivalent of an Avengers-style team up, with Yuasa’s whimsical polka-dotted 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 Seatbelts. The result is a sequence that feels every bit as auspicious as the creative team behind it, a wild and rollicking adventure that finds everyone’s favorite family of undercover spy-assassins-psychics enjoying a good cup of tea in-between performing donuts in their car.
Trigun Stampede – “TOMBI”
Kvi Baba’s “TOMBI” sets the tone for Trigun Stampede with a hauntingly emotional opening that perfectly captures the series’ blend of action and existential struggle. The song’s somber lyrics and atmospheric delivery echo the inner turmoil of protagonist Vash the Stampede, reflecting themes of loss, hope, and the desire to protect love at all costs. Paired with dynamic animation and striking visuals, “TOMBI” stands out as one of 2023’s most memorable anime openings, resonating deeply with both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Director: None listed
Music by: Kvi Baba
Much has been said about Trigun Stampede, the latest 3D CG anime adaptation of Yasuhiro Nightow’s space western manga, and the differences between it and the beloved 1998 anime produced by Madhouse. One of the key points of contention that fans of the original anime have is the absence of any equivalent to the 1998 Trigun’s rock-’n’-roll-inspired score by Tsuneo Imahori, with Trigun Stampede composer Tatsuya Kato taking on a more electronic and orchestrally inspired approach for the new series.
As a fan of the 1998 anime, I totally get it. But I will happily go to bat for it, and I absolutely loved the western-inspired title theme song by Kvi Baba and its accompanying sequence. Without fail, every time I watched this sequence before a new episode of the series, I was locked in and ready to take in 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 mournful, adventurous, and appropriately epic.
The Fire Hunter – “Usotsuki”
“The Fire Hunter” opens with “Usotsuki” by Leo Ieiri, a hauntingly atmospheric track that perfectly sets the tone for the anime’s dystopian world. The song’s melancholic melody and Ieiri’s emotive vocals mirror the show’s themes of survival and loss, immersing viewers in a future where humanity’s relationship with fire has become deadly. The opening visuals evoke early 2000s dystopian anime, blending somber landscapes and fleeting moments of hope, making “Usotsuki” a standout among 2023’s anime openings for its synergy of music and storytelling.
Director: Kenichi Kutsuna
Music by: Leo Ieiri
The Fire Hunter flew under the radar of many anime viewers this year, despite the pedigree of talent attached to its production. Make time to watch it – Ranma 1⁄2 director Junji Nishimura reunites with Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) on an epic apocalyptic fantasy story and the opening title sequence for the series absolutely rocks.
Directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, who previously worked as a key animator on Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Dororo, the opening for The Fire Hunter is a beautiful and memorable sequence that expounds on Takuya Saitō’s delicately rendered character designs and pairs them with elegantly pictorial backgrounds. I mean, look at that shot at the 23-second mark with the shafts of light piercing through the thinly outlined mass of clouds! Art!
Vinland Saga season 2 – “River”
Vinland Saga season 2’s opening, “River” by Anonymouz, stands out as one of 2023’s most evocative anime themes, perfectly mirroring the show’s shift from brutal action to introspective drama. The song’s haunting melody and poignant lyrics capture protagonist Thorfinn’s internal struggle-his yearning for redemption and the pain of leaving violence behind-while the visuals amplify the sense of longing and emotional turmoil. Fans have praised “River” for its ability to convey the emptiness and hope that define Thorfinn’s journey, making it not just a memorable opening, but a powerful emotional overture for the season’s themes of loss, healing, and the search for a new beginning.
Director: Yūsuke Sunouchi
Music by: Anonymouz
Like Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, the second season of the historical adventure epic Vinland Saga took a sharp tonal shift from the vibe of its first season. Far from a revenge story, this season’s focus was 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 Vinland Saga, the opening title sequence for Vinland Saga season 2 perfectly captures the feeling of someone emerging out of the darkness and grasping after a sense of renewed clarity and direction. It’s a sequence that drops you directly into Thorfinn’s mindset at the outset of the season and primes the audience for the next chapter of his story.
Which anime opening of 2023 surprised me the most with its visuals and music
The anime opening that surprised you the most in 2023 with its visuals and music is likely The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2. This opening stood out due to its unique concept of a stage play transforming into an empty classroom, with multiple layers moving in the background and creative camera movements in 3D space. The storyboard and color design were especially praised for their brilliance, making it feel like a mini-story on its own. The animation director’s work added fluidity and charm, complementing Junna’s fitting theme song perfectly. Despite some reservations about replayability, this opening was noted as a significant creative step up and a surprising standout of the year.
Which 2023 anime opening’s ominous tone and visuals left me most impressed
The 2023 anime opening that left you most impressed with its ominous tone and visuals is likely Heavenly Delusion. Its opening perfectly matches the show’s dark and mysterious atmosphere, featuring striking and memorable visuals that complement the theme well, making it a favorite for its haunting and immersive presentation. Additionally, Undead Unluck also received praise for its unique visual style and solid song, though it was considered more of a good all-rounder compared to the more intense impact of Heavenly Delusion.
