#10
Kill la Kill ED #1
This video features main protagonist Ryuuko in an "alternate universe" setting in which everyone around her is a mannequin. Maybe it's because Ryuuko feels alone in the world. Maybe it's that everyone else is "fake". Or maybe it's because the main theme of Kill la Kill is clothing, and the mannequins are there merely to model their outfits. It's up for interpretation, and I like that. For those familiar with this anime, look closely at the still with all the clothes on display. Does one of them look familiar?
#9
Sailor Moon Crystal OP
When a new episode of Sailor Moon Crystal premiered bimonthly at some crazy hour on Saturday morning, it was a freakin' event! When I did catch it shortly after it was posted, I wasn't quite awake, but by the time they played the OP, my eyes were wide open. The song's message of, "GIRL POWER! YEAH!" feels like it's aimed at an age demographic younger than mine, but then again, it's a magical girl show. What would you expect? Still, the song sounds very pretty and much more energetic than the OP of the original Sailor Moon. Also, props to the animators. I know that the Sailor Moon manga is full of character designs that are hard to animate (hence the simplified look of the original anime), so I really commend the animators for the sheer amount of effort involved with this series.
#8
Naruto Shippuden OP #1
I admit, Naruto Shippuden has a lot of openings, and a lot of good ones, too. Still, somehow the very first one of the bunch was the one that got me most excited. Maybe it was because, I don't know, it was finally getting back to the storyline after three seasons of filler. I was so eager for the plot to advance, that when I saw this opening for the first time, I was internally cheering. But that's not the only reason I like this OP. The different animation styles and the Japanese rap-rock really give the viewer a visual and aural feast.
#7
Fullmetal Alchemist ED #2
Of all the EDs of the original Fullemtal Alchemist, this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. The visuals get off to a slow start when the song's verse is spent panning across a still of female lead, Winry. After that, the sequence starts to pick up with the characters' childhood memories being burned away. It hits the climax when main characters Edward and Alphonse are standing out in the snow. As the snowflakes drift into Edward's hands you can see them melting in his left palm, while they keep their form in his steel right hand. It's a very powerful few seconds, and the music adds a lot of punch to it. Heck, the song kicks butt throughout, whether the visuals are dull or engaging.
#6
Death Note OP #1
The first opening sequence of Death Note gives off the feeling of bleakness, which fits, seeing what protagonist Light's view of the world is. From the muted colors at the beginning to the rain at the end, you know this one is going to be a serious anime. The song may not be frantically "metal" like the one used in Death Note's second OP, but it gives of a dark vibe throughout, accenting the visuals beautifully.
#5
Attack on Titan OP #1
From the initial lyrics in German to the choir, you know that some BAAAD stuff is gonna go down. There are very few shots of the individual characters, which is unusual for an OP. Rather, it shows the desperate situation that the characters are in. Everything is so over the top (the music especially), but since the series is based on such a freaky concept, it really works well.
#4
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP #1
Admit it; you knew this one was going to be here. Though I haven't seen Brotherhood, I have read the manga, and nothing screams FMA more than this OP. The song starts out gently as the characters are introduced. Then, as the song progresses, it becomes darker, and so do the visuals. Speaking of which, the visuals are amazing and filled with vibrant colors. The animated clips are quick (OMG Greed appears for two whole seconds! I timed it!), so you're bound to notice new things every time. Sure, there's a lot to take in, but it's fitting for a complex story.
#3
Cowboy Bebop ED
Hello, my name is Keba Si Rota and I'm predictable as all heck. In my defense, the song is awesome. I already noted that my favorite thing about Cowboy Bebop is the music, so you had to expect this one to rank high. The visuals may not do a whole lot; they're mostly vague suggestions of main character Spike's past. Still they make the viewer curious, and the song about lost love just adds to that. Even without visuals, the song is strong and, at times, unpredictable. I may not have an ear for jazz, but I think this song is a winner. It's the highest ranking ED on this countdown, after all.
#2
Serial Experiments Lain OP
This opening is unlike any other on my countdown in that the song is completely in English. I was actually quite thrown off when I heard it for the first time. Sure, I may be biased towards a song in my native language, but even the musical arrangement is beautiful and clear. Set to scenes of titular character Lain being displayed on people's televisions, interspersed with words, numbers, and patterns captures the unsettling weirdness of the series perfectly. From the strange "present day, present time" beginning to the twist ending, this opening sequence is both eye-catching and ear-catching.
#1
Gurren Lagann OP
There are a number of reasons that the Gurren Lagann OP is my top favorite sequence. First, the animation is bright, energetic, fun, and full of action. Second, the song absolutely rocks from the opening guitar chords to the melodic vocals. Third, the second verse is the opening song for the second half of the series. Now that was a brilliant move. I have yet to find all those elements in any other series' OP-- especially my third point. Until that day comes, Gurren Lagann's OP will always be my #1.
I hope you enjoyed my countdown. Thank you all for either following along with me, contributing with your own countdowns, or both. I would like to take this moment to apologize for the slight inaccuracy of this list. Namely, I forgot to include anything from Inuyahsa. Here are the OP and ED that I would have picked. Then again, I haven't finished the series, so who knows what will wind up as my absolute favorite songs? Anyway, thanks again for sticking with me, even though I finished my list nearly a month late.
