Reviews

15 Best Anime Openings of All Time, Ranked

Sayuri Tanaka

June 01, 2026 • 12 min read

15 Best Anime Openings of All Time, Ranked

A truly great anime opening (OP) is a work of art. It is exactly 1 minute and 30 seconds of pure, concentrated hype designed to set the mood, drop subtle foreshadowing, and lodge a J-Pop or J-Rock melody permanently into your brain. The best ones become timeless cultural anthems. Out of the thousands of openings produced over the last few decades, which ones stand at the absolute pinnacle? We analyzed visuals, music drops, and sheer cultural impact to rank the 15 best anime openings of all time.

The Criteria for a Perfect OP

To make this highly competitive list, the OP had to excel in three categories: musical brilliance, visual storytelling, and synergy.

An OP that just features characters running in a field towards the camera is out. We are looking for incredible thematic direction, flawless sync between animation and rhythm, and iconic memorable hooks.

1. 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

You cannot talk about anime openings without bowing to the emperor. Yoko Takahashi's legendary track is the most recognizable anime song on the planet, consistently topping karaoke charts in Japan for nearly 30 years.

The rapid-fire editing style of the visuals set a blueprint that thousands of anime have been trying (and failing) to copy ever since.

2. 'Unravel' (Tokyo Ghoul)

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure delivered an acoustic vocal masterpiece that perfectly encapsulates Ken Kaneki's tragic descent into the dark underworld of Ghouls.

Visually, the stunning use of sky motifs, glass shattering, and the hauntingly calm opening sequence creates a flawless, unforgettable tone.

The Top 3 At A Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do anime openings always last 1 minute and 30 seconds?

It is an industry standard designed specifically to fit comfortably within a conventional Japanese 30-minute television broadcasting block alongside commercials.

Who is the most famous anime OP group?

Bands like 'LiSA', 'KANA-BOON', 'Aimer', and 'Linked Horizon' are legendary figures who have contributed dozens of massive hits to the anime industry.