Top 15 Anime Opening Themes of 2015

It’s 2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And what better way to celebrate the new year than by contemplating the best of 2015 with some kick-ass openings?

As I mentioned before, I haven’t watched a lot of anime that came out this year, but the ones that I did watch all had one thing in common:  an opening theme that made me come back week after freaking week, and I would like to share them with you guys as one final gift from me before 2016 (yeah I know I’ve been really generous lately).

Just keep in mind that these are all my opinions and that if I haven’t included your favorite opening theme from this year into the list, please express your dismay in a civilized manner down in the comments section.

Ok?

Ok.

So, without further ado, before the clock strikes 12:

What’s up, everyone, my name is Ken, from thebuttonsmashers.com, and today, I present to you the Top 15 Anime Opening Themes of 2015, the opening themes that made this year all the more memorable.

15.)  Nanairo Symphony– Coala Mode

Your Lie in April OP 2

Back in 2014, there was a song that came with the first half of Your Lie in April.  A little known tune named “Hikaru Nara”, no big deal.  Apparently, it was all the rage within the community, and everyone and their mothers were singing this song everywhere.  Until the second-half of the show happened, and although the show plummeted downwards in terms of its shoddy writing, at least its opening-change wasn’t that bad.  I personally thought that anything that came after Hikaru Nara would be crap just because of the high standard that it set, but this one is actually pretty good and complimented the show in a different way.

14.)  Bravely You– Lia

Charlotte OP 1

The only constant in a show filled to the brim with entropy and shitty pacing, Bravely You is a wonderful little song that adds something different to the other Key-style openings we’ve heard while still maintaining their, uh, Key-ness(???).  Also, props to Lia for doing another great job as always.

13.)  Kakushinteki Metamaruphose– Aimi Tanaka

Himouto Umaru-chan OP 1

I feel like a dirty, dirty man for doing this.

Yes, I know Umaru is annoying, but that’s beside the point, is it?  I do feel guilty for liking this opening theme, but with that catchy, upbeat tone, that sudden change of pace on the refrain (reflecting on Umaru’s public persona being sophisticated), and those video game references, how could I not enjoy this every time I start up a new episode?

Yes, I am watching this show……

12.)  &Z– SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki

Aldnoah Zero S2 OP 1

Oh look, another wonderful opening for a trainwreck of an anime.  Hiroyuki Sawano and his buddies were always on-point when it came to opening themes and OSTs, but in my opinion, this opening takes the cake.  It might not be as good as the first one, but this gives just the right amount of action and emotion to keep you pumped for the episode.

11.)  Renegade– Stereo Dive Foundation

Gangsta OP 1

Hey, Stereo Dive Foundation!  I missed you guys!

Yes, one of the reasons I kept coming back to Gangsta every week is this opening.  Great animation and a catchy beat makes this opening a memorable part of the show.  Plus, it just has so much attitude and swag in it.

I already regret using the word “swag”, please forgive me.

10.)  “I’m a Believer”– Spyair

Haikyu S2 OP 1

It’s Haikyu.  I don’t think I need to elaborate myself more.  It sounds great and easily trumps the other two opening themes IMO.  So there.

9.)  Dream Solister- True

Hibike Euphonium OP1

Initially, I didn’t think too highly of this OP.  I thought it was kinda average.  But as I watched on, I found myself watching the whole damn thing every single time, and I guess it kinda grew on me.  The song itself is ok, but what sells it to me is the wonderful animation, especially that camera zoom at the end.

ESPECIALLY THE CAMERA ZOOM AT THE END.

8.)  Talking– Kana-Boon

The Perfect Insider OP 1

Now, if you’re looking for a song that’s both aesthetically pleasing and upbeat, then this song probably takes the cake.  The unique art/animation style makes for great eye candy, coupled with a nice little tune to back that up, and you got something that’s different from all the ho-hum pop you hear from every other anime out there.

7.)  Sono Chi no Kioku End of the World– Jo-Stars

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure:  Stardust Crusaders- Egypt Arc OP 1

Take one cup of pure testosterone, 8 tablespoons of fun, and just a pinch of foreshadowing, and you get yourself this bizarre opening theme that just suits the show so well.

Oh and also, the special version of this opening just kicks ass.

And that ORAORAORAORA that the singers do in the end is just epic.

And a whole bunch of other things.

It’s just awesome.

6.)  Raise Your Flag– Man with a Mission

Mobile Suit Gundam:  Iron-Blooded Orphans OP 1

I don’t watch Gundam.

I don’t plan to watch any Gundam any time soon.

But this opening is making me reconsider watching this particular series.

It’s just so hyped up and fits the action-packed tone of the show.  The english doesn’t sound jarring at all, and that build-up to the chorus just unleashes all the hype in one go.  Pretty neat stuff.

Alright, before I continue, let it be known that arranging the top 5 was no easy task.

Also, it’s time that I put my flame shields on……………..

5.)  Flyers– Bradio

Death Parade OP 1

YES YES I KNOW SETTLE DOWN.

I know that this is a great song, Bradio is a great artist, and that the animation is lovely.

I just feel like it really really REALLY doesn’t fit the show as much as I wish it did, and you can imagine how much I had thought, I HAD THOUGHT, that the show was gonna be anything like this opening theme.

Other than that, though, I really liked this opening.  Don’t let that #5 fool you, this one’s a keeper.

4.)  Kibou no Uta– Ultra Tower

Food Wars OP 1

Yep, I can feel the hate now for placing this over Flyers.

For me, this opening theme is just………hella positive and hopeful.  Its simple melody and upbeat tone makes it energetic, and yet calming at the same time.  Whenever I’m down, I just listen to this and I pick myself back up again.

Plus, it just fits the show to a T.

Plus, it’s great to llisten to on its own.

Plus, that cabbage-chopping and pan-flipping is just amusing to watch every time.

Please don’t kill me.

3.)  Kyouran Hey Kids!– The Oral Cigarettes

Noragami Aragoto OP 1

Now, this opening theme gets the award for “catchiest opening theme 2015”.  The intro just hooks you into this groovy, energetic song that matches the show’s action-orientedness.  And the way the guitars are used in this song:  JUST HEAVENLY.  I thought that the first opening for the Noragami series was great, and then this one came along.

I don’t have much to say, just watch it.

2.)  The Hero– JAM Project

One-Punch Man OP 1

Really, do I need an explanation of this?

Do I really need to explain how that infectious opening scream of ONE PUUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH gets me everytime?

How the heavy-metal riffs just work to the show’s advantage?

How the metal scream at the end just caps-off all of that awesomeness from the chorus?

No, no I do not.

AND NOW…………

THE MOMENT YOU ALL MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

MY #1 OPENING THEME FOR 2015.

THIS MAY COME AS A SURPRISE FOR ALL OF YOU, SO BE WARNED.

MY #1 OPENING THEME OF 2015 IS………………..

JUST LOOK AT IT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN DO YOU SEE HOW GREAT THIS IS.

I’VE NEVER SEEN A BUNCH OF ANIME MASCOTS JUST DANCING TO BRADIO.

EVEN BRADIO IS IN IT.

LOOK AT THAT INFECTIOUS DANCE.

Nah, I’m just kidding.  It is pretty good though.

No, ladies and gentlemen, as shocking as it is, this was not my #1 favorite.

My #1 just has a little more…………………………….

……SHINE, to it.

1.)  Brave Shine– Aimer

Fate/Stay Night:  Unlimited Blade Works OP 2

Yes, call me biased for being a Fate-fanboy.

Yes, say that my musical taste is garbage.

Yes, complain about Death Parade still.

I don’t care.  This opening is just beautiful.  From Aimer’s MAJESTIC vocals that sound like they were crafted from the heavens, to the high-quality animation that we’ve come to expect from ufotable, this opening just has it all.

It might not have the same uniqueness, impact, or relevance that some of the other opening themes do.

But when the song is just this good, I can just throw all of those aside for this.

Also, I got into the Fate series after randomly seeing this opening theme.  And that’s something that I am eternally grateful for.

That alone lets me put Brave Shine on my #1 spot on this list.

…………………………………………………………………..

There we go, another reason for the anime community to cut up my stomach and use my blood for who knows what, like they always do.

But seriously though, this list was pretty fun to make, and I hope that you guys enjoyed what I put up.  You don’t necessarily have to agree with it, and with all of my lists, I ask that if you disagree let me know in the comments below.  I’d like to see what I probably missed.

Again, thank you all for a wonderful 2015!  I hope you guys enjoyed whatever content I’ve put up this year, and I look forward to writing articles that aim to inform, inspire, and infuriate some of you with just a little dash of humour in 2016.

Aaaaaaand, with that, I bid you all adieu.  This has been Ken for thebuttonsmashers.com Anime Reviews, and I’ll see you guys in the future!

Have a fabulous New Year, everyone!