The best anime openings of 2023

One of the special ways anime differentiates itself in animation is the art of the opening titles. Anime openings don’t just tell us what a series is; they tell us about the series; its characters, themes, style, why you should watch the series, and tie it all up with fantastic music perfect for replays. The good OPs can excel in any one aspect, but the best master them. In 2023, our eyes and ears were treated to some of the best of the best. InBetweenDrafts’ writers and editors for the Anime and Manga section nominated their favorites, a massive 32 OPs in total, and after some heated voting we present to you the ten best of 2023. 

10. “STARS” – w. o. d (Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War)

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War opened its second cour with this banger that reframes the supernatural conflict into a current year drama. Played against dominos falling to play into the alternate universe idea, all the major players of the cour get a highlight in this “normal” version of Karakura Town while being drippy as hell. The opening highlights the potency of mangaka Tite Kubo’s spectacular fashion sense while calling back to Bleach‘s classic “Asterisk” OP, which similarly focused on the cast’s daily life. There’s a joy in seeing each member of Soul Society and the Stern Ritters simply existing next to each other and seeing what a casual day could be for them. Narratively, “STARS” is robust; practically spoiling every fight – a highlight is Rukia defeating tripping As Nödt by spraying him with a fire extinguisher to symbolize her Bankai’s ice powers. To tie it all up, w.o.d caps off the transition back to the main universe and reflects Ichigo’s own unstoppable drive with “you can’t kill my vibe, oh baby, burning out now like a shooting star.” [Travis Hymas]

Watch Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War on Hulu.

9. “Tombi” – Kvi Baba (Trigun Stampede)

Trigun Stampede declares its tone and differences from the original anime/manga it’s based on in the starting moments of the OP. Backed by a rock-inspired tune from Kvi Baba, the opening perfectly depicts the ongoing journey our protagonist, Vash the Stampede, is going to be going on without literal hints and visual nods to the exact plot of the series. Instead, it uses imagery of quicksand and sandstorms to depict the mounting stress of the show despite Vash’s initial, sunny demeanor. Aside from the plants and bugs, essential elements and features of the series, Vash is the only character given screentime in the opening as it beautifully conveys one of the key messages of his story — that he’ll keep moving, keep running, to find his place amongst humanity, even as buildings and communities he touches crumble around him. Effective from the start, yes, but the OP becomes much more poignant once we’ve watched the first season in total. [Allyson Johnson]

Watch Trigun Stampede on Crunchyroll.

8. “℃” – Luck Life (Tsurune: The Linking Shot)

Tsurune: The Linking Shot delivers some of the most gorgeous, individual moments of animation in detail alone, something that’s signified in the opening. The song itself is infectious and quickly injects the series with a necessary energy but it’s the small features that truly sell the heart of the story and represents what makes this Kyoto Animation production such high tier storytelling. From the half finished bottles of soda, to the spare set of keys, the OP captures the minutiae of their lives which speaks the necessary delicacy of the sport they play. It also offers a strong callback to the season one opening, the ribbons now longer pulling Minato away from people and instead linking him to those who make up his life. [Allyson Johnson]

Watch Tsurune: The Linking Shot on HiDIVE.

7. “innocent arrogance” – BiSH (Heavenly Delusion)

One of the most striking sequences of animation this year comes in the OP for Heavenly Delusion. The divisive series often delivers impactful action emboldened by realistic physicality which the OP captures as Kiriku desperately runs across the frame against the sun setting in the distance. The lines of her body distort and move away from her as she races, a small, yet significant clue on what her journey will be in the series as she deals with two halves of herself and a body that she doesn’t believe is hers. Everything from the colors to the ramping momentum of the song itself by BiSH elevates the opening to craft an intro that perfectly depicts the chaotic nature of the show. [Allyson Johnson]

Watch Heavenly Delusion on Hulu.

6. “Kura Kura” – Ado (Spy x Family Season 2)

After already taking the anime world by storm, Spy x Family could have easily settled into a routine OP of character shots and a single action sequence. Instead, the staff brought on Masaaki Yuasa to direct an OP featuring Ado, one of Japan’s big hit makers. Unsurprisingly Ado is killing the track, but it’s Yuasa’s direction and the staff’s understanding of the series that shines. “Kura Kura” brings more forward the perspective of Loid Forger as he meticulously moves to provide his false family perfect stability as symbolized through afternoon tea, which he serves while deliberately hiding the horrors of war that haunt him. Yuasa’s skillful direction uses a heightened sense of action as the song picks up, which compliments well with the distorted perspective the animation switches between, all the while Loid continues to try to serve Anya that stabilizing tea. This leads to the adorable reveal that the key to his success will be Yor, who’s own secret stills make her his compliment. [Travis Hymas]

Watch Season 2 of Spy x Family on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

5. “Usotsuki” – Leo Ieiri (The Fire Hunter)

Even if The Fire Hunter didn’t amass the same level of hype that other series did in 2023 it at the very least should be remembered for its truly gorgeous opening. With lush, vibrant color pallets that shift and move with vibrancy and life, the opening tells its own story with a fable, mythological aesthetic. The visuals of the OP play with line work and sparse backgrounds and landscapes which depict the isolation of our protagonist in a cruel, ever changing world. It also delivers on the otherworldly atmosphere, a contrast of forlorn imagery and mood with bright vocals that give it the necessary fantastical elements that becomes key to the series story. The animation is in constant motion, even when the frames are still, giving it’s eerie and solemn edge despite the airy, addictive song at its center. [Allyson Johnson]

Watch The Fire Hunter on Crunchyroll.

4. “Song of the Dead” – KANA BOON (Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead)

Originally, the energetic “Song of the Dead” was paired with what seemed like half an OP for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. Instead, it turns out the staff at Bug Films needed more time to cook. The fully animated “Song at the Dead” is a visual delight as it cuts from character profiles to a full on musical performance. The end result perfectly sells the Zom 100 pitch: living life to the fullest at the end of the world. Each member of Akira’s crew gets to shine in their own moments: Kencho matches Akira’s “go for broke” energy, Beatrix is overjoyed to be with them, and Shizuka needs a whole lot of coaxing to even participate but of course expertly knows the dance. Framed against perfectly choreographed zombie hoards, “Song of the Dead” is just as infectious as actual zombification thanks to KANA-BOON, who are longtime makers of unforgettable OP bangers. The band might be calling it quits thanks to some allegations but if so, this track is a hell of a track to go out on. [Travis Hymas]

Watch Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

3. “Mellow” – Keina Suda (Skip and Loafer)

It’s hard for me to watch a slice of life anime and not enjoy its opening. “Mellow” by Keina Suda for Skip and Loafer is no exception. In fact, it might be my favorite opening of the whole year. Keina Suda did a really great job at capturing what the anime is like with this opening. Not only is the song is super catchy, but I found myself dancing along with Mitsumi and Shima as the series went on. There’s just something about this opening that reminds me of the anime I used to watch when I was in high school, so there might be a little bit of nostalgia clouding my opinion. But, don’t let that turn you off from listening to it though! It’s still a great opening and a song that showed up on my Spotify Wrapped this year. [Kayla Chu]

Watch Skip and Loafer on Crunchyroll.

2. “Idol” – YOASOBI (Oshi No Ko)

The best anime OPs are the ones that dramatically heart-pound the story of their respective series. In the case of YOASOBI’s “Idol” for *Oshi no Ko*, we’re talking about an OP that not only has to match the wild, unfiltered energy of Japan’s cutthroat entertainment business, no. It’s also an OP that caps off a triumphant feature-length first episode and accomplishes the implausible job of making the watcher clap, dance, and clamor for more. YOASOBI’s “Idol” is a certified banger, just ask the mile counter on my running app. The mixing of operatic greek chorus and pop idol lyrics isn’t new, but it’s still genius and brilliantly done, highlighting the dark magic of fame that poisons the vein of the show and the manga it’s based on. It’s a wildfire track you go wild to as much as you think about and pain over. [Jon Negroni]

Watch Oshi no Ko on HiDIVE.

1. “Where Our Blue Is” – Tatsuya Kitani (Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2)

Plenty of great anime OPs exist, but Tatsyna Kitani’s “Where Our Blue Is” elevates Jujutsu Kaisen‘s anime by granting it even more to weigh down the hearts of its viewers. Kitani was inspired by both the narrative arc of “Hidden Inventory” and Jujutsu Kaisen‘s first OP, Eve’s “Kaikai Kitan,” and created its inverse, a powerful ode to the end of our youth. Matching Kitani’s music is some of the best work MAPPA’s  overworked animators have ever done. Together, “Where Our Blue Is” gives a look at the high school days of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto that the anime (and even the manga) could not find room for. By doing so, the inevitable tragedy of the arc hits significantly harder than the narrative itself could have; and also brings forward the queer subtext to Gojo and Geto’s bond — which is critical to the first of many painful moments in the “Shibuya Incident” working. This OP is a case study for why the “skip intro” button is a scourge and just how useful a strong opening sequence can be to the actual storytelling of the episode that follows.

Watch Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll.

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Images courtesy ©Tatsuya Endo/Shueisha, SPY x FAMILY Project; © Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project; ©Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot; ©Masakadu Ishiguro, Kodansha/Tengoku Daimakyo Production Committee; ©Haro Aso, Kotaro Takata, Shogakukan/Zom100 Project; Yasuhiro Nightow, SHONENGAHOSHA / TRIGUN STAMPEDE Project; © Misaki Takamatsu, KODANSHA/“Skip and Loafer” Production Committee; ©Rieko Hyuga, Horupu Publishing/WOWOW; ©Kotoko Ayano, Kyoto Animation/Tsurune II Production Committee; Oshi no Ko images courtesy of HiDIVE; Scott Pilgrim Takes Off images courtesy of Netflix