2023 was a record year for anime. From popular sequel series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba And Jujutsu Kaisen to long-awaited passion projects like Pluto And Scott Pilgrim takes offThere was something for pretty much every 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 but overlooked elements of any great anime: the opening title sequence.
Opening title sequences in anime serve many purposes, from honoring the animators who put their heart and soul into creating an excellent production to foreshadowing significant moments in the series itself. Combined with a particularly memorable theme song, a successful title sequence has that Potential to leave a lasting impression on audiences and fans, if not outright overshadow 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 highlight the work of the animators who created them while also sharing our favorite anime-themed bops.
Scott Pilgrim takes off – “Bloom”
Director: Masamichi Ishiyama
Music of: Necry Talkie
Scott Pilgrim takes off was one of the big surprises of the year, even though it was highly anticipated. The anime adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s action rom-com comic series turned the story of the whirlwind romance between Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers on its head and reinvented its world to reintroduce characters 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 comic’s video game-inspired images and giving them a vibrant anime flair. Except for a very clever one Blink and you’ll miss it. Nod to the opening sequence of the 2004 anime Beck: Mongolian Chop Squadwhat makes up the opening sequence Scott Pilgrim takes off is because of how much it doesn’t tease the series’ big twist. It’s just a brilliant summary of what made Scott Pilgrim such a popular hangout in the first place, and that’s all it really needs to be. Combine that with Japanese pop-rock band Necry Talkie’s great track “Bloom” and you’ve got yourself a certified banger.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 – “SPECIALZ”
Director: Yuki Kamiya
Music of: King Wildebeest
This season of Jujutsu Kaisen took a decidedly darker turn, and the series’ second opening title sequence encapsulates this. Just as Shōta Goshozono took over the role of director of the series’ second season from previous director Sung Hoo Park, Yuki Kamiya also inherited the role of designing the first title sequences of this season Jujutsu Kaisenis a former animation director Shingo Yamashita.
Of the two sequences Kamiya directed this season, it’s the second created for the “Shibuya Incident Arc” and stands out as one of the best of the year. It’s dark, threatening and ominous; This not only foreshadows Yuji Itadori’s fierce battle against the cursed spirit Mahito and the increasing notoriety of the villainous jujutsu wizard Sukuna, but also the tragic death of one of the series’ most popular characters. It’s a fitting start to an exciting, violent and heartbreaking season.
Heavenly Deception – “Innocent Arrogance”
Director: Weilin Zhang
Music of: BiSH
Heavenly deception was one of my favorite anime premieres of the year, so it’s no wonder that the series’ first title sequence would also win a place in my heart. Weilin Zhang nails it with this opening, translating the artist known as Utsushita’s already excellent character designs into scenes that feel just 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 runs against a pink-purple sunset sky, the outlines of her body racing alongside them out of sync before they finally merge. It’s a memorable and impressive artistic choice 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 title song “Innocent Arrogance”.
Spy x Family Season 2 – “Ado Kura Kura”
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Music of: Ado
Who will you choose to direct the first title sequence of season two? Spy x family, one of the best animated action comedies in recent memory, if you want it to be an absolutely legendary performance? 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 dotted animation set to a theme song by Ado (from One Piece Movie: Red-Fame) and composed by none other than Cowboy Bebopis Yoko Kanno and the seat belts. The result is a sequence that feels as promising as the creative team behind it, a wild and rollicking adventure that finds everyone’s favorite family of undercover spy-assassin-clairvoyants enjoying a good cup of tea and doing donuts in their car.
Trigun Stampede – “TOMBI”
Director: None listed
Music of: Qui baby
A lot has already been said about this Trigun Stampedethe latest 3D CG anime adaptation of Yasuhiro Nightow’s space western manga, and the differences between it and Madhouse’s popular 1998 anime. One of the main points of contention fans of the original anime have is this Lack of an equivalent to 1998 Trigunis a rock’n’roll inspired film score by Tsuneo Imahori, featuring Trigun Stampede Composer Tatsuya Kato chooses a more electronic and orchestral-inspired approach for the new series.
As a fan of the 1998 anime, I completely understand. But I’ll happily commit to it, and I absolutely loved Kvi Baba’s western-inspired theme song and sequence. Every time I watched this sequence before a new episode of the series, I was definitely hooked and ready to absorb the latest chapter of Vash the Stampede’s mission to protect the people of the planet Gunsmoke from his murderous brother Knives to record. It sets the tone of the series perfectly, striking a balance between sad, adventurous and appropriately epic.
The Fire Hunter – “Usotsuki”
Director: Kenichi Kutsuna
Music of: Leo Ieiri
The fire hunter remained under the radar of many anime viewers this year, despite the great talent associated with its production. Take your time to watch 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 of the series absolutely rocks.
It was directed by Kenichi Kutsuna, who previously served as lead animator on “ Magi Madoke’s magical girl And Dororothe opening for The fire hunter is a beautiful and memorable sequence that explains Takuya Saitō’s carefully realized character designs and combines them with elegant visual backgrounds. I mean, look at this shot at the 23 second mark as the rays of light filter through the thinly defined mass of clouds! Art!
Vinland Saga Season 2 – “River”
Director: Yusuke Sunouchi
Music of: Anonymouz
How Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the second season of the historical adventure epic Vinland Saga has undergone a significant tonal change from the mood of the first season. Far from a revenge story, this season’s focus was on Thorfinn’s search for meaning and a life beyond the revenge that had previously driven him.
It was directed by Yūsuke Sunouchi, who previously worked as an episode director on the first season of Vinland Sagathe opening title sequence for Vinland Saga Season 2 perfectly captures the feeling of someone emerging from the darkness, reaching for a sense of new clarity and direction. It’s a sequence that plunges you right into Thorfinn’s mindset at the start of the season, preparing the audience for the next chapter of his story.
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