The Top 5 Anime OPs of Winter 2019
The 2019 anime season is well under way. While it's too early to definitively rank the shows themselves, all of the OPs have already made their appearances. Which were the best ones? There were plenty of strong contenders, but this is my personal Top 5.
1. Kaen by Ziyoou-vachi - Dororo
If I had to choose one song to listen to for the rest of my life at the exclusion of all others, I'd probably choose Kaen. It combines a quiet, mournful tone with a crashing, dramatic one, creating something that is truly special. The English lyrics don't sound awkward - in fact, they're some of the best parts. Oh, and the fight choreography is just as high quality as what can be found in the show itself. If you're not convinced that this deserves the top spot, listen to it again.
2. Touch Off - UVERworld
UVERworld already has a great track record when it comes to anime theme songs - they're the force behind ODD FUTURE from My Hero Academia, CORE PRIDE from Blue Exorcist, and more. Their take on The Promised Neverland is great because it adds energy and verve to what is otherwise an abysmally disturbing show. Watching the OP, it's easy to imagine that things might actually turn out okay for the kids at Grace Field House.
3. 99.9 - Mob Choir ft. saijou no hana - Mob Psycho 100
99.9 by MOB CHOIR might not be quite the banger that the first season's theme song was, but that doesn't mean it isn't great in its own right. The darker tone of both the imagery and the song itself do a great job at setting up the more troubling themes of the second season - but it's still energetic and quirky enough to get viewers pumped for the episode ahead.
4. Unknown World - Schrödinger's Cat and Kotringo - My Roommate Is A Cat
While the song itself is bouncy and adorable, the best thing about this OP is the video. Is there anything better than watching an adorable cat topple a giant forest of books, pop out of a pumpkin, and pen a novel? Very little, except maybe the same cat flying on a broomstick or turning into a giant - but don't worry, this OP has all that too. Watch this video for unadulterated cuteness - you won't regret it.
5. Shadow Graph - MYTH & ROID - Boogiepop & Others
Boogiepop & Others is a modern take on the Boogiepop light novels - the first attempt since the early 2000s. The novels are profoundly spooky, so it's appropriate that the anime - and the OP - would have the same vibe. The song is reminiscent of Inner Universe by Origa & Yoko Kanno, the amazing OP from Ghost In The Shell. While MYTH & ROID's song doesn't have quite the same legendary quality, it does have the same mysterious vibe, and definitely one of the best OPs of the season.
Which anime OPs are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.