10 - 1
10. Mushishi Zoku Shou OP - "Shiver"
x - Link is to a full version of the song due to a lack of a quality video of the opening
The reason for this opening being so high is also pretty personal. There have been so many times these past six months when I've listened to this song when I've been sad or emotional. Because of that, this song has gotten to be very close to my heart.
9. Death Parade OP - "Flyers"
Take a moment and take a look at how many views the video linked above me has. Then remember that this anime only came out last winter. That's how amazing this opening is. The song is catchy, the visuals are amazing, and the overall quality is addicting. Sure, it's known to be extremely misleading when you consider the happy tone of the opening as compared to the rest of the anime, but I don't mind so much, since it gave us this wonderful opening.
8. Deadman Wonderland ED - "Shiny Shiny"
I've already talked about Deadman Wonderland's juxtaposition - well, here's the other side. The song for this ending expresses the youthful hope that also emanates from this show, and perfectly reflects the exciting feeling of being in a theme park. Over time the hopeful and optimistic nature of this song has grown very close to my heart, and had this been a top list of opening/ending songs, you can bet this would've been at the top of the list. But the video isn't that bad, either - well, let's just say there's a reason why every time I'm at an amusement park I try and get on the Ferris wheel at sundown.
7. Zankyou no Terror OP - "Trigger"
This opening feels like a dream. The heavily textured visuals, the floaty nature of the music, and the lyrics... it all feels like a deeply emotional dream, which reflects the deeply emotional nature of the anime very well, and it's this dream-like nature of the opening that makes me love it so much.
6. Daily Lives of High School Boys ED - "Ohi-Sama"
When I was in the process of finalizing this list, I looked at this entry and thought, "Does it really need to be so high? I mean... It's stupid." So I rewatched it and realized "..Exactly." It is stupid. In fact, it could be considered one of the most stupid endings you could find. That's what makes it so hilarious and that's why this ending does, in fact, deserve this spot.
5. Umineko no Naku Koro ni OP - "Katayoku no Tori"
It may be surprising to see this opening on this list, considering the score I gave the anime in my review of it, but if there was one thing I loved about the anime, it was its opening. The great visuals that change with each new game, the dramatic music that added parts in Italian - honestly, I love this opening, and I'm glad I was able to give this show some of the praise that it deserves.
4. Ergo Proxy OP - "Kiri"
It still amazes me how much detail is put into the visuals of this opening. You could literally pause the video and start reading paragraphs on how the world inside the anime came to be - and that's not including the parts that are in completely different languages altogether. Not only are the visuals detailed, but they are beautiful. The music is amazing, too. It's emotionally charged and adds so much to the atmosphere. All in all, it's no surprise that this has become one of my favorite openings.
3. Jigoku Shoujo ED 1 - "Karinui"
Despite being considered a horror anime, I think the feeling I get of this anime is more sadness, not fear. It's so hard seeing the circumstances that get someone sent down into hell, whether they deserved it or not. I've seen so many souls being ferried to the gates right before this ending played, almost as if this song is mourning all those who are sent into hell and those who are the senders. This ending carries such a deep sadness that's lead it to mean so much to me.
2. Death Parade ED - "Last Theater"
x - Video has been flipped left to right
I've mentioned before that what makes an ending great is not only it in itself, but how it's used within the context of the anime. Well, this ending was used incredibly with this anime, helping to create one of the most emotional moments I've ever seen in an anime. Even on its own, it's a brilliant piece so charged with emotion that it's hard to ignore.
1. Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus OP - "Enamel"
Surprised? I sure was, since I had never consciously thought "That's a good opening" until I created this list. Even so, creating this list, I simply could not get over the excitement this opening brought me, the gorgeous visuals (do you see that stained glass?) and the cues they get from the amazing rock song that goes with it. But most of all, I just had to love how it tied into the anime. It reflects my favorite anime so much. Maybe that's the real reason it's number one - sheer, pure, bias for my favorite anime..
