Best Anime Opening Throughout the Years

 

Recently, I've been watching an anime and was inspired to write this post by its opening (OP) music. The challenging part of this post is that there is so much great music in shows especially anime. This will be the first in a series on the best opening music. I also plan to write about good ending (ED) music write on different time periods in future posts. However, in this post, I'll cover my favorite OPs from the last 15 years.

I'll keep this post short and won't go into details because I'm not the best at explaining why this music is notable, but I'm happy to share the songs I've enjoyed while watching anime. Of course, I've included a link to each song so you can enjoy them for yourself!

Note: I tried my best linking the source video this post, but I wasn't able to upload some of them from the source.

2009 Full Metal Alchemist: Again by Yendorami

2010 Bleach: Ranbu no Melody by SID

2011 Steins;gate: Hacking to the Gate by Kanako Itō

2012 Sword Art Online: Crossing field by LiSA

2013 Attack on Titan: Crimson Bow and Arrow by Linked Horizon

2014 Tokyo Ghoul: Unravel by Toru Kitajima

2015 One Punch Man: The Hero by Okoreru Kobushi ni Hi wo Tsukero

2016 Mob Psycho 100: 99 by MOB CHOIR

2017 My Hero Academia: Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu

2018 Darling in the Franxx: Kiss of Death by Mika Nakashima X Hyde

2019 Fire Force: Inferno by Mrs. Green Apple

2020 Tower of God: TOP by Stray Kids

2021 Jujutsu Kaisen: Vivid Vice by Who-ya Extended

2022 Ranking of Kings: Naked Hero by Vaundy

2023 Spy x Family: Kura Kura by Ado

2024 Kaiju No. 8: Abyss by Yungblud 

The Brilliance of Fullmetal Alchemist

 

artist: unknown

Fullmetal Alchemist stands as a monumental pillar in the realm of anime, revered for its intricate storytelling, complex characters, and profound themes. However, while it garners widespread acclaim, it's essential to acknowledge that this anime may not resonate with everyone. This post delves into the reasons behind its greatness and its potential barriers of this captivating series.

artist: Adrian Marcano

 

At the core of Fullmetal Alchemist's brilliance lies its masterful narrative craftsmanship. The story follows the journey of the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse (I tried to convince my wife to name a child Alphonse, but she doesn't like it), as they navigate a world governed by alchemy, seeking the Philosopher's stone, a powerful artifact, to reclaim their lost bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their deceased mother. This premise sets the stage for an epic saga that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, philosophy, and political intrigue. The plot unfolds with meticulous pacing, each episode unveiling layers of mystery, intrigue, and moral dilemmas.

 

One of the anime's greatest strengths is its richly developed characters. Edward and Alphonse are not merely protagonists but vessels through which profound themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of power are explored. Their dynamic relationship, coupled with a diverse cast of supporting characters, adds depth and nuance to the narrative, ensuring that viewers become emotionally invested in their journey. I personally, like that even though the Elrics are the protagonists, they are not always the strongest.

Moreover, Fullmetal Alchemist tackles weighty philosophical concepts with finesse, inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of humanity, the pursuit of knowledge, and the ethical implications of scientific advancement. The series confronts moral ambiguity head-on, challenging conventional notions of right and wrong and prompting viewers to question their own beliefs.

However, despite its undeniable brilliance, Fullmetal Alchemist may not be universally appealing. For some, the anime's dark and mature themes may prove too intense or unsettling. The exploration of topics such as war, death, and human transmutation necessitates a certain level of emotional resilience from viewers. Additionally, the complexity of the plot and the philosophical underpinnings may alienate those seeking a more straightforward or lighthearted viewing experience.

There are two version of the anime that can be watched: Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood in my opinion the latter is the better series. It follows the manga while the former ending up going a different direction. Both are interesting series and have a lot of overlap, but overall Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is favored by the fandom.

Fullmetal Alchemist stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in anime. Its gripping narrative, rich character development, and thought-provoking themes elevate it to the status of a modern classic. However, its darker tone, mature themes, and intricate plot may not resonate with everyone. Nevertheless, for those willing to embark on the journey, Fullmetal Alchemist promises a deeply rewarding and unforgettable experience.

The Anime I like

So in the past couple weeks I’ve felt that all I’ve done on Mormon Geeks is rant. First it was me ripping into TV shows I can’t stand, and then I had a hissy fit over the Kingdom Hearts franchise. I thought I’d talk about something I actually like for a change-well sort of.

Truth be told there isn’t a lot of Anime I like. I think most of the art and character designs are cool, but I just don’t understand the Japanese obsession with watching lovesick teenagers act like idiots, or why every plotline requires an entire Reader’s Digest devoted to it just to explain the convoluted thing. Though there are some Anime that I have seen that I have honestly enjoyed and wouldn’t mind seeing again, and here they are.

Fullmetal Alchemist

I love everything about this show. It follows two brothers, Ed and Al, in their quest to atone for a horrible mistake they made, tampering with the forces of nature to try and resurrect their deceased mother. The process lost Al his body, forcing his brother to use a special kind of magic called alchemy to bind his soul in a suit of armor. Ed came out losing an arm and a leg, which had to be replaced with a type of Steampunk prosthetics. They have adventures and use their special alchemy abilities to help others as they search for a way to restore themselves. The interaction between the brothers is so true it reminds me of my little brother every time I watch it. They banter, bicker, argue and annoy each other. I especially like it when Al gets caught hiding kittens in his chest cavity. It’s just such a little kid thing to do, and to see this giant suit of armor do it is hysterical. Definitely a must for anyone who’s ever had a little brother.

Cowboy Bebop

If Anime tried to make its own version of Firefly, I think Cowboy Bebop would be its attempt. The show is about Spike, a bounty hunter and his ragtag crew as they search the solar system for bounties they can get rich off of. They go undercover, perform covert ops, and when it all comes down to it perform awesome chase scenes to get their quarry. Bebop doesn’t really have a big overarching storyline, or even a message, which is surprising for Anime, it’s just this big space adventure. A warning though: The character Faye Valentine (explain to me the reason so many women in Anime are named Valentine? Jill Valentine, Mai Valentine… It’s ridiculous) is one of those disproportioned Jessica Rabbit-type characters, and while the show is clean she still dresses like she buys her clothes from Baby Gap.

Rurouni Kenshin

Rounding off the list is probably my favorite of the three: Rurouni Kenshin. Taking place after the Japan Civil War at the turn of the century, it follows a legendary assassin known as the Battosai, or Man-Slayer. After a lifetime of killing though, the legendary warrior has decided to swear off killing forever, even going so far as to have a sword with the blade on the wrong side so that he can still perform his legendary techniques without killing anyone if he had to. The series focuses on him helping a failing dojo, while fighting off guys still ticked for what he did during the war. The action is amazing, Kenshin is hysterical and the emotion that goes on with this series will take your breath away.

So there’s some Anime that I actually love. Go ahead and let me know of some others that you think I might like, but just to save some time:

Evangelion: Pretentious and confusing. Hated every minute of it.

Yu-Gi-OH!: Incredibly obnoxious. Comic books were way better.

Dragonball Z: Hate the animation and the story I thought was stupid.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Okay but the story was kind of confusing.

Naruto: Main character makes me want to grind glass into my eyes.

One Piece: Please, I’m over the age of 10.

Digimon: First two seasons rocked, after that the show was just nonsense.

-JOE