The 2020s already have some stellar opening themes from anime hits that will surely go down as the best throughout this decade. From Jujutsu Kaisen to Spy X Spy, they have already received millions of views online and look set to continue bringing some more memorable music for future episodes.
But for the 2010s, many anime have become hits or cult favourites, with their opening themes playing a significant part to their success. And with millions of views on YouTube, fans may or may not be surprised by some of the entries and who earned the highest clicks and viewership.
Soul Eater - 28 Million Views
Despite only lasting 1 season, the series gained a dedicated fanbase as 3 groups must rid of 99 evil spirits from the human world and 1 witch to achieve the school's highest ranking. But with forces trying to stop them and attack their establishment, these teens sure have a lot on their hands.
Featuring a mix of electric guitar and Japanese rock performed by T. M. Revolutions, "Resonance" is able to capture the exciting and adventurous world and sets up what audiences can expect. Not also is this one of the highest views for an opening theme, but it is also one of the musician's most popular songs on YouTube as well.
My Hero Academia - 28 Million Views
Released in 2016, the anime has quickly become one of the biggest hit action series and is even regarded as the best Shonen Jump anime of all time. The 1st season would introduce everyone to Izuku Midoriya aka Deku, a boy enrolled in a school for young superheroes in a world where they have become commonplace.
The 1st of many opening themes for My Hero Academia, Japanese rock band Porno Graffiti effectively used percussion and vocals to create "The Day". Capturing the energy of the series and its heroes, they have demonstrated once again why they work with action anime to open up the shows with a bang.
Black Clover Opening 3 - 30 Million Views
Released in 2017, Black Clover follows the adventures of Asta, a young man who is set to become the next Wizard King. However, he lacks the magic that many would need to claim the title in a world where everyone has been blessed with them.
Used for the Eye of the Midnight Sun Encounter Arc, Vickeblanka's 3rd opening theme beautifully blended piano and energetic vocals to create a more dramatic piece that fans of action anime series may not have expected. But it brilliantly helps to set the stage for a more dramatic and emotional story.
Black Clover Opening 10 - 32 Million Views
During the Elf Reincarnation Arc, Asta is selected as one of the new Royal Knights. But during the mission to stop the villainous group the Eye of the Midnight Sun, Asta and the likable band of main characters encounter reincarnated elves and the mastermind behind this dark magic.
Returning once again to score another brilliant opening, Vickeblanka mixed piano and percussion to set the stage for these dramatic and intense episodes. But they also create a piece full of energy and heart yet again, showing off just why they have stuck so well with Black Clover.
My Hero Academia Opening 2 - 32 Million Views
After signing up and joining the superhero school, Deku shows determination to test his abilities for the U.A. Sports Festival. But with Pro Heroes watching their every move, this is no ordinary sports competition.
"Peace Sign" was made by Kenshi Yonezu for this story arc and with his use of electric guitar and vocals, he captured the high-octane action that fans could expect. And his opening theme worked so effectively with the build-up towards the showdowns that many were expecting in such an energetic fashion that he won Best Opening at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2017.
Attack On Titan - 39 Million Views
Produced by the acclaimed Wit Studios, the 1st season of Attack On Titan introduced audiences to a savage and steampunk world filled with man-eating giants. Following new recruits of the Survey Corps, this band of misfits discovers the terrifying and heart-breaking truth behind these beings and their attacks.
Performed by Linked Horizon, they brilliantly blended orchestral and rock music to reflect the steampunk technology and dramatic battles that the cast of characters would face. Known for its dramatic moments as much as for its action sequences, the talented musicians were able to capture the spirit of the series with their choice of instruments, vocals, and music stylings.
Beastars- 48 Million Views
Released at the end of 2019, Beastars became one of Netflix's biggest original anime releases with a 3rd season currently in development. Set in a high school filled with anthropomorphic animals, Legoshi the wolf falls for Haru the rabbit while a horrendous murder takes place, dividing the herbivore and carnivore students and making school much harder for the slice-of-life anime protagonist.
Used as the opening for the 1st season, the Tokyo-based band ALI was responsible for creating the jazzy and energetic opening that garnered over 48 million views on TOHO Animation's YouTube page. Creating a theme less than 2 minutes long with high beats and tense dread, the band captured the spirit of the story effectively and the mixed emotions that Legoshi is going through.
Tokyo Ghoul - 58 Million Views
Pierrot has become one of the most successful and recognized studios within Japan, having been responsible for producing series like Boruto, Black Clover, Kingdom, and Bleach. Tokyo Ghoul was one of their productions and tells the story of a half-human, half-ghoul named Ken Kaneki who must keep his secret hidden while fighting off against ghouls that hunt down the citizens of Tokyo.
Used for the first 12 episodes, TK was the singer and musician responsible for the opening "Unravel" and considered to be one of the best anime openings of 2010. Using his voice to sing a more somber piece compared to the other anime on the list, this piece of musical work is used to capture the emotional journey of the protagonist more so than the action and horror that he must face.
Fire Force - 66 Million Views
Unlike other firefighters, Fire Force features a team known as the Special Fire Force, a group of superpowered humans who fight off fires caused by supernatural creatures. And like the other action anime on the list, it too has an amazingly energetic and catchy opening theme.
Mrs. Green Apple's single "Inferno" was used as the opening theme for the 1st season and the band used exciting and vibrant rhythms from electric guitars and drums to reflect the action of the series. And with vocalist Motoki Omori mixing pop and rock styles with his singing, he and his bandmates knew how to reflect the fun and action-filled series.
My Hero Academia Season 3 - 89 Million Views
The 3rd season of the hit series saw the superhero students take on a training camp unlike any other. But with a villainous group infiltrating the camp, Deku and All Might are given some of their greatest foes and battles seen throughout the series.
"ODD FUTURE" was the opening theme used for this exciting season and the band, UVERworld, was able to capture the dramatic and emotional impact that the season was going to offer. Mixing electric and rock, they used the mix of synth and instruments to create one of the best opening themes not just for My Hero Academia, but throughout all of anime.