Anime opening songs are more than just music. Their blend of melody with the anime’s theme sets a tone for the entire series. One popular Japanese duo, YOASOBI is known for crafting such anime openings and endings. YOASOBI has recently gained more popularity for its opening songs for:
- Oshi no Ko
- Gundam witch from mercury
- and Frieren.
Infact, YOASOBI’s Idol became Japan’s most played song of 2023 in Japan. Are there more such addictive anime openings like YOASOBI’s Idol?
Well, certainly yes. And how do we even begin to rank these anime openings? The answer is simple, music preferences are subjective so we cannot put ‘ranks’ on these songs particularly, however, we’ve listed top 10 anime openings that will remind you of Oshi no Ko’s Idol
Anime Openings similar to YOASOBI’s Idol (From “Oshi no Ko”)
5) MEMORIA (Fate/Zero)
MEMORIA, the ending theme song for the anime series Fate/Zero, is more than just a beautiful melody. It’s a melancholic song about loss and fading memories. Many fans associate MEMORIA with Kiritsugu Emiya, the protagonist of Fate/Zero.
4) Renai Circulation (From “Bakemonogatari”)
“Ren’ai Circulation” is the 4th opening of “Bakemonogatari”, a part of the popularly known Monogatari series. The song has playful rhythms and the lyrics is lighthearted and simple, talking about love and wanting to be cute. However, many fans claim that Ren’ai Circulation may have a deeper meaning into it. The song uses metaphors and similes. For example, the line “Like a donut, I want to fill this hole with love” uses a donut metaphor to represent a feeling of emptiness.
3) Hold Me Now (From “Carole and Tuesday”)
“Hold Me Now” from Carole & Tuesday is a powerful and uplifting song that serves as the first ending theme for the anime series. Primarily Pop with strong Gospel and Soul influences, this blend creates a soaring, almost anthemic feel. Similar to Idol, this song also emphasizes about achieving one’s dream and make deeper connections as the title itself suggests. “Hold me now, I’m finally fulfilled” is a metaphor for finally achieving a dream.
Get the latest news in the anime community with Spiel Anime’s Newsletter. Subscribe for curated recommendations and detailed breakdowns of your favorite shows. Don’t miss out on the weekly updates—click here to subscribe!
2) Ghost In A Flower (From “A Whisker Away”)
“Ghost in a Flower” (Hana ni Bourei) by Yorushika, the ending theme song from the movie “A Whisker Away” (Nakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu), is a beautiful and melancholic reflection on the story of A Whisker Away. The lyrics focus on the beauty and peace found only in real connections, emphasizing that it’s not always about physical proximity but rather the connection of hearts. Similarly, the Idol song tells us about an idol’s internal struggles in seeking meaningful bonds.
1) BOY MEETS GIRL (Pretty Rhythm Rainbow Live)
“BOY MEETS GIRL” by Prizmmy is the energetic opening theme song for the first 13 episodes of the anime series Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live. The song is pure pop perfection with a bright, bubbly melody and a fast tempo. It sets the energetic tone about pursuing your dreams being an Idol just like the song Idol. The opening animation features the main characters, Naru and Wakana, transforming in their colorful idol outfits and performing energetic dance routines.
“Idol” has gained popularity beyond the Anime Community
“Idol” wasn’t just a hit within the anime community. It became a mainstream sensation in Japan, topping the Oricon song chart and reaching high positions on the Billboard Global 2000. “Idol” is a high-energy song with a blend of pop, hip-hop, rock, and even video game music influences. The lyrics were written by Ayase, a member of YOASOBI, and are inspired by Aka Akasaka’s short story “45510.”
This has set the bar quite high, encouraging more Japanese artists to set their sights for recognition beyond the J-Pop industry. YOASOBI’s success has not only defined that anime music is cool, fun, and really amazing to hear, but also that the previous prejudice of anime being childish is toppling down at an increasing rate.
With more of such amazing feats to come, what’s your favorite anime opening? Comment down below and let us know!