Some anime viewers have a rule: they watch the opening and the ending only in the first episode, just to get familiar with it, and then they skip it. Sometimes, however, series get such good openings that you simply cannot skip them. And, surprisingly, Fall 2023 has so many shows with unskippable openings that we had to make a list of them.
We will be parting with this opening in the second cour of the season, but in the first one it brought us not only a great song with powerful, engaging vocals but also captivating imagery.
It shows Mao Mao at her finest, in a way that we haven't yet seen her in the show itself, and it's very promising. It's just an extremely beautiful and artistic opening, a truly unskippable one.
Shangri-la Frontier
The wonderful, broken rhythm of this alternative rock track serves great for hyping the viewers up and showcasing the sheer diversity of the anime itself.
The powerful guitars perfectly resemble the action parts of the show, brutal and captivating, while the more mellow ones feel like introspection, a declaration, a manifesto. Something like that suits the anime version of "Let Me Solo Her" best.
For a series that mixes the weirdest romance with the most insane violence, the opening feels a bit too mild. But the song itself is so smooth and glides so wonderfully, and the animation reminds not only of David Production’s previous works, namely Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, but also has something of Mob Psycho 100.
The tune and imagery, however, make it look like more romance than action, but fear not: you'll be surprised.
16-bit Sensation
If only we had a full chiptune track for a series like that, but no: it's just the opening part of the opening, but it's integrated into the whole melody so thoughtfully that you don't mind.
The upbeat, cheerful melody and the imagery of retro technologies merging with the current era ones are extremely satisfying and set the right mood from the first beats.
Vexation of Shut-in Vampire Princess (Hikikomari Kyuuketsuki no Monmori)
You may say that the song feels too generic, but trust us, that's exactly why you'll be hooked after hearing it twice. The rhythm is so catchy, the slightly sped-up animation fits the beat greatly, and the general vibe just sizzles with excitement.
For a show about a person who's not very much into doing her job, this opening creates a bit of moe gap, but it doesn't make the track any less cool.
Ancient Magus' Bride (Mahoutsukai no Yome)
One of the openings that doesn't stray away from the general style of the show visually, this one doesn't only have beautiful visuals — the music is fantastic, too.
The vocals flow and intermingle with the catchy and frilly-feeling music, the rhythm picks you up and drags you into the story. It's simply enjoyable to watch and listen to.
One thing that MF Ghost thankfully inherited from its predecessor, Initial D, is the soundtrack: the upbeat, energizing tunes of Eurobeat. And the opening is no exception: it fuels you better than high-octane gasoline, makes you tap your leg to the rhythm, and makes your blood boil in anticipation.
And despite the pacing being too weird and the fanservice too bold, the races do fit the mood of the opening.
This opening perfectly captures the vibe of the show and tells you what you're in for if you continue watching. And after listening to it only once you'll definitely find yourself cheerfully proclaiming "Desuwa!" from time to time.
That's how powerful this song is. It just seeps into your brain and takes up permanent residence there.
Under Ninja
The flow of this opening, the way the imagery fits the beat and gets distorted with the effects right in time with the synths, is beautiful in a slightly bizarre way. And that's how the show itself is: it's insane, it's weird, but it's mesmerizing in its weirdness.
The opening was able to capture that vibe and prepare the viewers for what they were jumping into. Though, not fully.
Another nod to the 2000s punk rock scene, this opening still has this friendly and flowery vibe, and for a show that shies away from the regular machismo of superhero anime, it works great.
The opening itself feels more like something from a sitcom, and poses the same problem: it gets stuck in your head. And you won't even be mad at it, because the song itself is so refreshing and energizing that you'd want to have it by your side.
Time to update your playlist.
Some anime viewers have a rule: they watch the opening and the ending only in the first episode, just to get familiar with it, and then they skip it. Sometimes, however, series get such good openings that you simply cannot skip them. And, surprisingly, Fall 2023 has so many shows with unskippable openings that we had to make a list of them.
We will be parting with this opening in the second cour of the season, but in the first one it brought us not only a great song with powerful, engaging vocals but also captivating imagery.
It shows Mao Mao at her finest, in a way that we haven't yet seen her in the show itself, and it's very promising. It's just an extremely beautiful and artistic opening, a truly unskippable one.
Shangri-la Frontier
The wonderful, broken rhythm of this alternative rock track serves great for hyping the viewers up and showcasing the sheer diversity of the anime itself.
The powerful guitars perfectly resemble the action parts of the show, brutal and captivating, while the more mellow ones feel like introspection, a declaration, a manifesto. Something like that suits the anime version of "Let Me Solo Her" best.
For a series that mixes the weirdest romance with the most insane violence, the opening feels a bit too mild. But the song itself is so smooth and glides so wonderfully, and the animation reminds not only of David Production’s previous works, namely Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, but also has something of Mob Psycho 100.
The tune and imagery, however, make it look like more romance than action, but fear not: you'll be surprised.
16-bit Sensation
If only we had a full chiptune track for a series like that, but no: it's just the opening part of the opening, but it's integrated into the whole melody so thoughtfully that you don't mind.
The upbeat, cheerful melody and the imagery of retro technologies merging with the current era ones are extremely satisfying and set the right mood from the first beats.
Vexation of Shut-in Vampire Princess (Hikikomari Kyuuketsuki no Monmori)
You may say that the song feels too generic, but trust us, that's exactly why you'll be hooked after hearing it twice. The rhythm is so catchy, the slightly sped-up animation fits the beat greatly, and the general vibe just sizzles with excitement.
For a show about a person who's not very much into doing her job, this opening creates a bit of moe gap, but it doesn't make the track any less cool.
Ancient Magus' Bride (Mahoutsukai no Yome)
One of the openings that doesn't stray away from the general style of the show visually, this one doesn't only have beautiful visuals — the music is fantastic, too.
The vocals flow and intermingle with the catchy and frilly-feeling music, the rhythm picks you up and drags you into the story. It's simply enjoyable to watch and listen to.
One thing that MF Ghost thankfully inherited from its predecessor, Initial D, is the soundtrack: the upbeat, energizing tunes of Eurobeat. And the opening is no exception: it fuels you better than high-octane gasoline, makes you tap your leg to the rhythm, and makes your blood boil in anticipation.
And despite the pacing being too weird and the fanservice too bold, the races do fit the mood of the opening.
This opening perfectly captures the vibe of the show and tells you what you're in for if you continue watching. And after listening to it only once you'll definitely find yourself cheerfully proclaiming "Desuwa!" from time to time.
That's how powerful this song is. It just seeps into your brain and takes up permanent residence there.
Under Ninja
The flow of this opening, the way the imagery fits the beat and gets distorted with the effects right in time with the synths, is beautiful in a slightly bizarre way. And that's how the show itself is: it's insane, it's weird, but it's mesmerizing in its weirdness.
The opening was able to capture that vibe and prepare the viewers for what they were jumping into. Though, not fully.
Another nod to the 2000s punk rock scene, this opening still has this friendly and flowery vibe, and for a show that shies away from the regular machismo of superhero anime, it works great.
The opening itself feels more like something from a sitcom, and poses the same problem: it gets stuck in your head. And you won't even be mad at it, because the song itself is so refreshing and energizing that you'd want to have it by your side.
