The anime’s opening is a unique art form that aims to excite viewers and prepare them for the show. Animators can take a variety of approaches to achieving this goal, but often portray the main characters, settings, themes of the series, or happily portray characters in different situations. . These themes can depict a tone that is completely opposite to the content in the series or completely matches the aesthetic of what is to come.
Among the countless anime openings, there are many that have stood the test of time. When it comes to 90s anime openings in particular, there are some timeless openings. Whether it’s stunning visuals, catchy music that accompanies the animation, or nostalgia, the ’90s anime opening is one of the most memorable. Among them, there are some powerhouses that every anime fan is familiar with.
10 HT – Trigun
Trigun’s original anime adaptation from 1998 features the opening theme song “HT” – short for Vash’s infamous title “Human Typhoon” – by Tsuneo Imahori. This opening actually leans into some western elements of the Trigun series, juxtaposing shots of Vash the Stampede alone and wandering in the desert, or posing with the iconic weapon he select.
Other main characters such as Meryl Stryfe, Milly Thompson and beloved mascot Kuroneko also appear. It’s worth noting that the prologue also changes the scene shown in the second half of the animation depending on the episode the viewer is watching, making each viewing feel unique.
9 Moonlight Densetsu – Sailor Moon
The first memorable opening sequence of Sailor Moon’s iconic magical girl anime “Moonlight Densetsu” by DALI, has been used multiple times throughout the franchise’s history. The lyrics focus on the burgeoning romance between Usagi and Mamoru, while the opening image centers around Usagi, her fellow Sailor Scouts, Luna and Tuxedo Mask as well as some of the characters. iconic villain of the series.
Among some colorful and visually striking backdrops is the iconic image of the moon in different phases and flowers throughout. For the English version, which first aired in 1995, the same tune remained, but the lyrics were changed and performed by Nicole and Brynne Price.
8 Theses of an Evil Angel – Neon Genesis Evangelion
When it comes to iconic anime openings, Neon Genesis Evangelion is the perfect example of timeless longevity. Along with the catchy beat of the instantly recognizable song “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” by Yoko Takahashi, the opening strikes a great balance between the slow, thoughtful pacing surrounding the character introductions. main, then moves faster as more elements are introduced. Considering the emotional weight of much of the film’s content, some viewers may find the opening to contradict the source material.
However, the prologue does a great job of introducing viewers to the basic setting of the film, the characters involved, and even the relevant terminology and imagery. Images of the recognizable EVA units that fans have come to know are incredibly detailed and viewers even got to see them in action. Those who are new to Evangelion also have a high level of interest as much of what is presented up front will be detailed and discussed later in the series.
7 Just Communicate – Mobile Suit Gungun Wing
When a series has many successful iterations like Gunma, there are plenty of opportunities for each iteration to stand out with its opening. GTA Wing’s first prologue incorporates visuals that highlight the show’s main characters and their machines in action, fading them in and out along with Two-Mix’s “Just Communication” rhythms. .
Lots of pictures illustrate the mechanics of the robots or battlefield-like ruins in the background before deciding to capture all the main gundam mechs against the backdrop of the destroyed cityscape. In the middle of the action-packed opening, there’s a shot of Relena surrounded by the ruins of the city. She knelt down to brush the crumbs off the filthy teddy bear and her expression changed to something soft and almost regretful. This is like a nod to Relena’s more pacifist nature, which is shown throughout the series.
6 Catch You Catch Me – Cardcaptor Sakura
To put it simply, Cardcaptor Sakura’s anime opening is adorable. GUMI’s “Catch You Catch Me” is a fun, upbeat tune about love that combines fun with a cherry blossom-based opening. Viewers get a glimpse of the main cast of the series and see a bit of Sakura’s abilities as she flies through the sky on her wand alongside Kero.
The show itself has life moments intertwined with more magical elements, so the combination of these story elements working in tandem is a fun and accurate representation of what Cardcaptor is all about. Sakura delivers along with a flowery story filled with extraordinary adventures.
5 Tanks! – Cowboy Bebop
Like many movies, Cowboy Bebop is an iconic enough anime in its own right, and its anime opening is one of many reasons. The main opening theme is the fun “Tank” performed by Seatbelts and is accompanied by powerful and graphic images of the main characters often moving to the beat of the music.
There’s also a certain comic element to the opening that adds depth to the animation for viewers, making “Tank” a compelling movie to watch throughout, every time. This opening is a great example of combining relevant imagery to inform viewers while maintaining an appeal further enhanced by a strong espionage-like feel. that the topic brings.
4 Ohayou – Hunter x Hunter
Keno’s “Ohayou” theme in the 1999 version of the Hunter x Hunter anime is a lovely accompaniment to the playful daily routine depicted in the prologue. It perfectly reflects the sweet, sunny, hopeful tone that moves the beginning of the series forward.
At the start, Hunter x Hunter follows four friends traveling together as they discover their common goal, despite the dark tone the series will ultimately bring. It’s an amusing yet bittersweet reminder of where their journey began and what brought them into each other’s lives in the first place.
3 We are! – A piece
The first opening of One Piece when it aired in the fall of 1999 was called “We Are!” performed by Japanese singer Hiroshi Kitadani. Considering some of the themes in One Piece focus on developing friendships and adventure on the high seas, both the opening song and animation seem to be very impressive.
“We are!” have been re-released in newer variations to celebrate the anime’s anniversaries, some of which feature the voice actors themselves singing along. One Piece’s first prologue is still memorable for many reasons: for its opening to a particularly popular and long-running anime series and for the way it enthusiastically draws viewers into the adventure, one of number of reasons.
2 Angel’s Pledge – His and Her Circumstances
Kare Kano, also known as His and Her Circumstances, debuted an anime adaptation in 1998 with the opening theme song “Angel’s Pledge” performed by Mai Fukuda. This opening has the charm of an upbeat theme and combines animation, photography, and cartoonish elements from the manga to bring the story to life.
The opening sequence does a great job of introducing us to the large cast of characters, while highlighting the main character’s strong personality, while preserving moments that are bold in the romance genre. His and Hers Plot is a fun series with a romance at its core and the prologue illustrates that well for the viewer.
1 Hohoemi no Bakudan – Yu Yu Hakusho
“Hohoemi no Bakudan”, also known as “Smile Bomb”, is a classic for 90s anime enthusiasts and maintains its status as Yu Yu Hakusho’s popular opening theme throughout. 112 episodes. This upbeat tune, performed by Japanese singer-songwriter Matsuko Mawatari, is an engaging accompaniment to the fast-paced action sequences that show our protagonists fighting together.
For the 2002 English-language anime, the English adaptation of the song performed and performed by Sara White has done a great job in preserving the overall tone and integrity of the original. Yu Yu Hakusho’s “Smile Bomb” both in tone and lyrics seems to cover some of the film’s themes including friendship and the complex emotions surrounding growth and change.
For so many reasons, these ’90s cartoon openings still stand strong and are iconic to anime fans everywhere. They not only aim to excite the viewers of the show over and over again, but they also carry elements of intrigue, humor and fun that instantly win the hearts of viewers. Whether it’s the result of an unforgettable tune, catchy lyrics, or the visual delight of the animation, anime themes like these continue to live on in fans’ hearts and memories. anime fans and keep them coming back for more.
