2009 Year-Ender – Anime OPs

The year is ending and it’s time to look back on anime this year in the series of Special Top 12 posts ^^. First up: Anime OPs.

This is the first part of the 2009 Year-Ender series with me listing down my Top 12 favorite stuff this past year, whether it’ll be for anime songs, characters, shows, etc. from Winter 2008-2009 to now… And it’ll be up to you to vote which of the 12 picks listed which is the best one. The most voted out of the nominees of course, wins, and will be on the Final-Year-End-Special-post-awards-thing I don’t even have an idea what name to give ^^;;.

Ok, it’s really itchy to use the word “Best” for something when everyone has different tastes and opinions, so I’m sticking with “favorite”. But since I’m leaving this to everyone’s hands, I’ll use the word “Hottest”, since it’s the one everyone voted most so that makes it hot~;3

Yup~ We’re starting now with the anime openings of this year! I was looking for different OPs this past year and I must say that all aren’t really that amazing, unlike the OPs from last year, which I must admit I got a hard time choosing. It’s a top 12, but there are ties. It’s alright to have ties as long as it’s from the same series but the voting will keep them separated since we only need one winner. Again, it’s up to YOU to VOTE for what you think is the best one, then the choice with the most votes will be awarded ^^.

Ok, let’s head off with the list of my hottest anime OPs this year in no particular order:

01. Sengoku BASARA – “JAP” by Abingdon Boys School

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8XFXUUpHn4

Kicking off the nominees for 2009’s Hottest OP is Sengoku BASARA’s action-packed and raving OP with matching dancing samurais which are so amusing to watch xDD. This OP had been memorable because of them xD. Abingdon Boys School also adds to its awesome points.

02. Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ – “Karma” by KOKIA

No video available everywhere on the OP thanks to Funimation.. blech. But I gotta say that this OP is very atmospheric and dark and it really sinks you in to the mood of the series itself. KOKIA is also doing great with the song. Nice vocals and it’s just haunting.

03. RIDEBACK – “RideBack” by MELL

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzHVIGDZ_eY

I love this OP. Ok, wegotta say that there’s too much Engrish, but I love the song, actually. The animation draws you in to get interested in the anime more as well, I found it very cool~ It’s an overall refreshing anime OP.

04. Maria+Holic – “HANAJI” by Yu Kobayashi

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOHwVZc6QYY

It’s crazy, wacky, twisted, creative, catastrophic and just… SHAFT! Well, SHAFT OPs are something worth keeping an eye on. Maria+Holic’s OP is pure WTF-ness and it’s just an artistic train wreck (heck that’s a good thing). Argh, have your eyes spilled with pain splatter, mannequins, nosebleed and one sadistic trap.

05. Bakemonogatari OPs (Quadruple Tie)

We can’t deny that Bakemonogatari’s openings are definitely awesome~ I also find it hard myself to decide which one I should put in for the nominees so I included them all in here! I’m gonna count this nomination as one, since it’s from one single show anyway. We have the simplistic “staple stable” by Senjougahara, the pedo-bait energetic “Kaerimichi” by loli Mayoi, really nice “ambivalent world” by the resident les Kanbaru, and lastly, Nadeko’s overflowingly cute “Renai Circulation”.

OP1 – “staple stable” by Saito Chiwa

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe9vRDHKxuQ

OP2 – “Kaerimichi” by Emiri Katou

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDo4O6VgYJg

OP3 – “ambivalent world” by Miyuki Sawashiro

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j7kZSZvxPQ

OP4 – “Renai Circulation” by Kana Hanazawa

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aTpkzwuRQU

06. Haruhi Suzumiya 2009 – “Super Driver” by Hirano Aya

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBS0AGgGTnQ

I still prefer the first OP better but Haruhi 2009’s OP is still note-worthy. Really nice visuals on the animations is definitely the sole reason. I love how colorful it is. Not really a fan of Hirano Aya’s singing but I still like the ‘super’ energy the song has, and we can’t deny it’s catchy too ^^.

07. Umineko no Naku Koro ni – “Katayoku no Tori” by Akiko Shikata

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCsfQnGdbys

Well the OP of Umineko is undeniably gorgeous. I’m always a fan of anything with choral singing. It definitely sounds epic. It’s definitely a favorite of mine this year.

08. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu 2 – “Chouhatsu Cherry Heart” by Milan Himemiya

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsW0emDSfew

Not much a fan of the song overall but it’s still quite catchy. Tons more better than the first season. What really made this OP in the list is that it’s really creatively-done with the magazine effects. It’s nice to see such gimmick and it instantly made me fall in love with the OP (the show is shit though =\)

09. Shangri-la – “Kimi Shinitamou Koto Nakare” by May’N

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3Rk-CeRi9I

Phew~ that was a mouthful title for a song… Lol. Anyway, I really love Shangri-La’s OP. In fairness to GONZO (R.I.P.?? T__T), they made the OP look very expensive and well-done, it could have already blew their budget away. lol. Moving on with the song, May’N is really nice to listen to. It’s still has some Sheryl Nome vibes in it as well.

10. Valkyria Chronicles – “Asu E No Kizuna” by HIMEKA

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYsn5GMg9B8

I prefer this one than the second OP, because the second OP is just screwed up spilling major spoilers >:[ lol. Anyway, I really love the song and the animation ^^. HIMEKA is just admirable for singing Japanese and being an anime fan ^^.

11. CANAAN – “mind as judgment” by Faylan

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utXXJam46To

Of course, this OP ROCKS! My favorite part is definitely the first part where it’s slow until a timer comes in and bam~! So awesome~ xDD This is one really kickass OP and definitely one of my favorites this year. Great OP for an action-packed series.

12. Eden of the East – “Falling Down” by Oasis

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwLsw9MlzJQ

Closing the list is of course, who would ever forget about this? Who would ever think that an Oasis song would be used for an anime opening? The animation is just cool. It’s artistic, stylish and in sync so much. I’m such a fan of this OP. Definitely one of the best in its season and maybe for this year.

VOTE!

You can vote up to FIVE (5) choices! Which of the nominees are you voting for and why? Say it on the comments ^^

~VOTING IS CLOSED. RESULTS HERE~