2010 Year-Ender: Anime OPs
It’s that time of year again. So, let’s get, set, ready on taking a journey down the memory lane and remember all the good times. First in line are the Anime OPs~
Yo! I hope this post finds you well. Of course, with December almost at its median point, it’s about time for me to do some drumrolls and recap the year in anime with our year-ender lineup. I’ll try my best to put up a post daily so that the final popular voting gets some time during the Christmas break.
This is the first part of the 2010 Year-Ender series with me listing down my favourites from the anime that released this year (songs, characters, shows, etc.) in no particular order. As I will be listing down many titles, you will have a choice to select the best one(s) as per your liking. Your votes determine, who are the winners by the end of this series of Top 10. The most voted out of the nominees of course win and will be part of our Fan-favourite Year-Ender Special post.
Compared to last year, 2010 was definitely full of some very good music. I had a hard time selecting the final list and couldn’t agree on top 5 so went for a top 7 rather. Let me reiterate that the list is not in any particular order and is based on personal liking.
1. Youjohan Shinwa Taikei – “Maigoinu to Ame no Beat” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
I have loved this group since I heard After Dark. This song specifically is their trademark offering with the right amount of peppiness to the crazy storyline, which is Youjohan. One of the top-notch anime produced this year by Madhouse, actually not only playing with boundary of animation but flowing creativity. Exactly my kind of anime.
2. Shiki – “Kuchizuke” by Buck-Tick
I still like the first OP than the second. Somehow, this was the start of one of the best horror shows out there. I remember first time hearing this and almost feeling goosebumps. Of course, it was not just the song but animation that went along with it but this is the kind of perfect harmony that produces something amazing. Cheers to the 25-employee company Daume for animating this.
3. Soredemo Machi wa Matteiru – “DOWN TOWN” by Maaya Sakamoto
Oh damn, this is SO ADDICTIVE! Everyone knows I love Sakamoto Maaya so her singing this catchy OP was brilliant. The lip syncing was a good idea. Count on SHAFT to make a splash with a weird maido-based comedy. I still have to catch up on the show so can’t really comment on quality but what I hear it’s fairly doing well and at least not a failure like Vampire Bund.
4. Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – “Key” by Jangled Cat (Ono Daisuke)
Fangirl plug! Fufufufuuu~ This is here because I love OD and you would be seeing him on another nomination as well but I’m getting ahead of myself. I don’t like this because of the Engrish but the right mixture of music and visuals to tell the audience exactly what to expect. This is not Shiki-level horror, neither top-quality production (480p releases kill me… I want >720p, yo! T_T), more of a case-by-case series with an underlying character development. You will know what I mean once you get to know our Saitou Yakumo.
5. Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin – ‘”Flying Humanoid” by Shouko Nakagawa
This song is visually breathtaking and gets you totally engrossed in the fast moving images that move fast yet in a very flowing tangent. Shouko does a brilliant job and animation never stops to flow. A win-win situation? Heck yeah!
6. Panty & Stocking with Garter belt – ‘”Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt” by Hoshina Anniversary
Who would think someone would make a streamline animu with Panty & Stocking for a title? On first glance, you could even label it hentai but call this GAINAX SHITE, which is usually good (not brilliant but crazy and wacky, definitely). The song in question, is catchy and you are left singing it even after the show has started. Yeah, GAINAX mind tricks, be afraid, be very, very afraid.
7. Kuragehime – ‘”Koko Dake no Hanashi” by Chatmonchy
Oh Chatmonchy, how I love your music. Not to mention this OP is so WIN that I can’t stop talking about it! Filled to the brim with Hollywood references, it’s always a treat to point out which movies they used; Star Wars, Singing in the Rain, Mary Poppins, 007, Graduate and Dragon are to name a few. Very appropriate for Brain Base and their awesomeness (announce Durarara!! season two already!).
8. Katanagatari – “Katana to Saya” by ALI PROJECT’
I have to be honest; I really didn’t like this OP when I first heard it but came to like it after two/three listens. This is very relevant to the story and gives you the beginning jubilation that was required for all episodes of Katanagatari because well, it released every month and usually left on a cliffhanger making viewers wait. Animation is excellent and properly fits the storyline.
9. Highschool Of The Dead – “HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets
Aha! The anime that trained me for ecchi! Very rocking and catchy. If your feet don’t move and head doesn’t nod, maybe you were born with two left ones? I loved this OP because it honestly told you what to expect from it: LOADS of zombies, lots of boobage, panty-shots, dumb blondes and CRAZZZYY heroes. Yeah, basically the shiznit prOn.
10. The World God Only Knows – ‘”God only knows Daisanmaku” by Oratorio The World God Only Knows
This reminded me of the Oasis OP of Eden of the East. Not because it was a copy of it but rather it was brilliant like that. The animation was quite unexpected but Manglobe sure went an extra mile to rope in some good creativity and not to mention the music is peppy enough to keep this on your playlist for some time.
11. Durarara!! – “Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook
“Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D
You think I can just nominate one song from Durarara?! You must be crazy. Though Complication would never get around Uragiri but if you measure how fast both of these songs get on your mind, you would agree that it is difficult to choose between them. From one of my all-time favourite shows, again with my-kind of story. xD
12. Arakawa Under the Bridge /x Bridge – ‘”Venus to Jesus” by Etsuko Yakushimaru
“Nante Jibun de Kangaenasaina” by Miyuki Sawashiro
“COSMOS vs ALIEN ” by Etsuko Yakushimaru
Again, don’t even think I can make a choice between these. I simply love Etsuko’s sweet voice and she does an amazing job both in honey-coating both Venus to Jesus and Cosmos Vs Alien. The prize is actually taken by Maria (Sawashiro Miyuki), who does a perfect M. I would have liked to add the Kou-sama song by Takai as well but as I’m already over the limit of nominations, I will close this fast before fangirling even more on SHAFT!
13. Angel Beats! – ‘”My Soul, Your Beats!” by LiSa
Ack! Everyone knows that Jun Maeda is brilliant and he shows it even more brightly with the music composition of this emotional anime, which is a few episodes too short. Whatever shortcomings were in the storyline, it is made memorable with the Girls Dead Monster singles and amazing scores.
TIME TO VOTE!
Phew! This ends the first installment of 2010’s Top 10 nominations up for voting. For Best OP selection, you can vote up to SEVEN (7) choices! So, let us know which of the nominees are you voting for and why? Till my next post, comment away~ ^^
POLLS ARE CLOSED NOW. Results are HERE!
About Kyokai
The Boss lady of Metanorn, who makes it all happen. An animanga enthusiast, who watches/reads almost anything that strikes her fancy. Just beware of her Death Perception and always keep her happy. Regularly found at @KyokaiTM & #[email protected].
POWUH: iLurker with 6 comments
This year was pretty epic for anime OPs. o.o
Anyway, my votes go to:
-Kuchizuke by Buck-Tick (Fits the horror theme of Shiki)
-Key by Jangled Cat (I’m an OnoD fan, what? XD)
-Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt by Hoshina Anniversary (It’s strange but it’s just so catchy~)
-Koko Dake no Hanashi by Chatmonchy (I love this for the H’wood references, and I am now a Chatmonchy fan because of it.)
-Uragiri no Yuuyake (How can you not like this song? And how can you not like DRRR! ?!)
-Complication (Same as above)
I’m wondering how the Winter season openings will be now…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
*First post cookie* Also hi-five for being a chatmonchy fan! xD
2010 was definitely epic for producing some really good music. I had difficulty narrowing my list down! ;3;
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 55 comments
AHHH to many good ones. I couldn’t narrow it done to seven >.< I am too addicted.
On another note it has almost been a year since I stumbled upon this place. I believe it made my addiction worse
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Same here and that is why I went for public voting. Happy anniversary for you to stumble upon here~ <3
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 304 comments
My votes are
-“My Soul, Your Beats” by Lia (Lia has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. Combine it with Meada’s great composition and just… wow.)
-“Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D (I love this song. It’s my favorite from Durarara)
-“DOWN TOWN” by Maaya Sakamoto (This song is addictive. xD)
-“Koko Dake no Hanashi” by Chatmonchy (This is such a great opening. The movie references are awesome!)
-“Nante Jibun de Kangaenasaina” by Miyuki Sawashiro (A hilarious opening to a hilarious anime)
-“COSMOS vs ALIEN ” by Etsuko Yakushimaru (Gah! I love Arakawa too much to not put both of those opening in here.)
-“Maigoinu to Ame no Beat” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (I’ve never watched this anime, but I like the song. It makes me feel happy~)
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I got one thing to say, our music taste very similar. xD
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 190 comments
“HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets
“Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook
“My Soul, Your Beats!” by LiSa
“Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D
When I saw that there was no K-ON on this list, I realized their epic songs were actually the ED’s not so much the OP’s. I hope I see Listen!! and No, Thank You on the ED list xD (Though Don’t say Lazy is still the best I heard from K-ON imo)
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
I really liked Fude Pen Ball Pen~~ ^^ But NO, Thank you captivated my heart~ MIO~~~!!! <3 <" I want to see them achieve that goal~ But I'd say many of the character songs were exceptionally good too! KYAAA~~~ I'm getting all excited now x3 Yoko~~~!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@ BL, totally agree on K-On!! Not very impressive OPs this time around but yeah, No, Thank you, made the cut for sure.
@ Tofu, Yes, I know how excited you can be over Mio~ No, Thank you single was really great indeed.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Don’t hate me, but the Angel Beats! opening is MEH for me. I would actually put the super-catchy MM! opening on there if I was doing this, but otherwise, all my favourites are up there XD Nice list, Kyokai~! I remember reading these when I was still a lurker here *nostalgic tear*
That being said, my favourites have to be Kuchizuke, Venus to Jesus, HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD, and Uragiri no Yuuyake. It’s TOO HARD to pick just one, my goodness. @_@
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
NAWH~ That’s sad that you don’t find Angel Beats that amussing BUT! MM should of been on this!!!! YES HELP YOU~~~!!!! xD
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 190 comments
Haha you’re right MM! OP is actually very catchy
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Help you was on my list for sure, but it couldn’t make the final cut, there were so many to choose from! And you can actually select top 7, the votes would decide the top by itself.
So many people getting nostalgic about Metanorn but yeah, it would be very soon a year since I’ve been running this. ^^
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Yeah, I picked 7, but I like being able to put my finger on what I like the best XD
A year is gonna be a big milestone =D Thanks for leading us thus far, Kyokai
POWUH: 800-899 and Self-proclaimed Manga Queen with 874 comments
~It’s so hard for me to pick uwaahhhh…I absolutly love Uragiri no Yuuyake, Kuchizuke, and Koko Dake no Hanashi to death *A*
Uragiri because it totally feels like a Summer/Kick-some-ass pump up song, and I watched DRRR during the Summer so it will always be in my heart hahaha XD Kuchizuke because…ITS KUCHIZUKE! The song really does gives me chills and I love playing it really loud to creep out my sister >:D And Koko Dake no Hanashi because that song is just so adorable, and so is the actual video for it<3
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Choosing one is definitely very difficult indeed. I went the easy way, listing down in no particular order.
We need to talk about the recent episode of Kuragehime! It was soooo win! <3
POWUH: 800-899 and Self-proclaimed Manga Queen with 874 comments
~WE DO!! IT WAS TOTALLY WIN!<3 :'D
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 234 comments
CHAT
MON
CHY
!!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
IS
BRILLIANT! xD
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 107 comments
My pick:
– “Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D => My fave OP in 2010! 🙂 It’s just great in many ways XD
– “Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook => This one can’t beat Complication (in my mind), but I still love it! :))
– “Kuchizuke” by Buck-Tick => The animation was really awesome! It goes so well with the song 😀
– ”Flying Humanoid” by Shouko Nakagawa => Like this for no real reason :p
Too bad, “Sunshine” by Monkey Majik (Nurarihyon no Mago OP02) didn’t make it :((
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I’m glad to see you here~ <3
Definitely good picks and I'm kinda sad to cut Monkey Magik from the list too but I had to make it a 16 list. ;3; I love these guys btw. xD
POWUH: 400-499 and Manly Russians lover with 401 comments
I can’t tell you how glad I am that the Angel Beats OP is there, let alone winning. That song is brilliant.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
How could I leave out Maeda’s work? It is definitely giving hell to Uragiri. ^^
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
Oh wow~ The 7 I picked out of the ones I liked were actually the top 7 in the votes xD I’m so happy Angel Beats is winning!!! It’s such a good song, I can’t get over it!! And omg Complication as well~~~!!1 KYAAA~~~!!! x3
But I didn’t know HOTD opening was gonna rank that far down… I really liked the guitar and drum work 😛 Oh wells, it’s battling for a spot with two other tied songs: “Koko dake no hanashi” and “god only knows daisanmaku”
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Ohhh, I guess you picked the winners. I like all of these so don’t even ask me to pick and choose. Let’s see how this would go once all votes are in. xD
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
LOLS well when I picked them at the time I commented they were all winners but not sure about now so I’m gonna tell everyone just in case xD
These are the ones I picked out of all the OP’s:
“Flying Humanoid” by Shouko Nakagawa
“Koko Dake no Hanashi” by Chatmonchy
“HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD
“God only knows Daisanmaku
“Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook
“My Soul, Your Beats!” by Lia
“Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D
POWUH: 400-499 with 406 comments
So hard to choose seven D;
Anyways, My faves:
-“Key” by Jangled Cat (Ono Daisuke)
-“Flying Humanoid” by Shouko Nakagawa
-“HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets
-“God only knows Daisanmaku” by Oratorio The World God Only Knows
-“My Soul, Your Beats!” by LiSa
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I know right? I wanted to make top 10 nominations so that I could go for top 5 public voting but no way I could finish all the good ones so increased the limit. ^^
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 339 comments
Kuragehime! KURGAHIME! KURAGEHIIIMEEEEEEEE! /gasp
That OP is just an orgy of brillence in both song and animation, goodness.
Angel Beats for awesome song and amazing animation as well.
I don’t know what it is about TWGOK but I like the OP, but not enough to actually download/listen to it. I just like it..Did anyone else reackon the music for the last ep of Shiori’s arc was just..win?
Durarara! Just because I like it, same with Occult Acadamy.
Katanagatari purely because I’m in love with that series and miss it real bad, and it was perfect and and and /too much too say duur.
And for good measure, PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT!
<3
POWUH: 1100-1199 and Meta's Evil rice-flour Product with 1137 comments
Okay don’t get me wrong, PnS is one of my favourate shows, but WE ARE rating the opening themes, and to be honest the OST will be amazing but the OP theme is engrish crap and drivel
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Lol, I can understand your enthusiasm, I fangasm on Kuragehime myself. Such a win series and with such brilliant music! Same for the rest.
I think Shiori arc was the best till now and yeah, more character singles! And I will definitely miss Katanagatari! Such an awesome series. CHEERIOOO!
@ Dan, OST would be great but music in OP is very catchy.
POWUH: 600-699 and Romance Expert with 652 comments
I vote for:
my soul your beats by Lia/LiSa
there were two versions. angel beats is still one of my fave despite the feeling a bit short handed, plus had a lot of great songs(ps. I got all the songs thanks to metanorn)
I also like durarara’s OP songs and arakawa’s OP but I can only pick one…
I think you should do this per season instead of per year since there can be a lot of OPs, because you missed some of my fave songs hiyoku no hane(yosuga no sora OP) and help heaven/hell side(MM OP).
POWUH: 600-699 and Romance Expert with 652 comments
oops, so you can vote for 7?
damn, I only clicked one…
well like I said above, angel beats, durarara and arakawa are my choices
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Angel Beats! sure grew on me and it has one of the most awesome music all credits to Maeda.
MM!’s and even Yosuga no Sora’s OP were on my first draft but I had to narrow it down so that readers can choose at least 7 out of 16. Tough bargain, I know. xD
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 371 comments
Gah, it has been forever since I commented here. I missed out on so much. Hope school will finish quickly so I can get back on track again. And I’m sorry for the delay in replying to your email, Kyo-chan! Please forgive me! I will get back to you when I can! T.T
Anyways, whooo~ End of the year already. I can’t believe it. @.@;
I’ll have to agree that were some impressive OPs this year, even though I didn’t watch some series all the way through (aha~, wondering who will be the top anime choice of the year now xD; ). But the ones that moved me the most would have to be DRRR!!’s. ROAR OUT LOUD!!! xDDD
Can’t wait to see the rest. 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You sure did but welcome back, Metanorn’s Hime-chan~! <333
It's okay and take your time, even I am lazing around to send emails to other blogs to fix our link for ages. xD
2010 has sure gone by fast. I've had the same expression as you when I sat down to do this. Durarara!! will remain to be our favourite for sure. It was a just too good! There's a reason that we cry for MOAR!!! =3=
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
In no order whatsoever :
“Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt” : Because it’s really, really catchy.
“Koko Dake no Hanashi” : Movie references. And a cute song.
“God only knows Daisanmaku” : I love songs in engrish~
“Uragiri no Yuuyake” : ROAR OUT LOUD !
“My Soul, Your Beats!” : Beautiful music, beautiful voice, beautiful animation. A perfect combination
I didn’t vote for the openings from anime I didn’t watch because the impact the opening has before the actual episode starts is important to me. So yeah, no Arakawa, Shiki, HotD, Katanagatari etc. . . Although I do plan on seeing them someday 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Good choices! You should get on to the ones you are missing out. I suggest go for all except for HOTD (this has a lot of ecchi and you gotta have patience while watching this). ^^
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Thanks for the advice 😀
I really want to check arakawa out,it looks like the sort of anime I like 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Great list!!
<3 Durarara ones the most =D
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Thanks! Uragiri sure is giving lots of competition to Angel Beats! xD
POWUH: iLurker with 16 comments
…Most of my favourites aren’t on here D:
But I loved Highschool of the Dead and God Only Knows Daisanmaku (I have a harpsichord fetish xD)
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Then they must be in my first draft and were cut on the second stage, which I had to do to make this list as short possible. Dx
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
While I draft the next post and slowly reply to other comments, just letting you all know that my original list had 20 anime titles, which I narrowed down to this because well, we are more interested in the top 3, ne~? Also, as new series post would be updated daily and so would the sidebar polls, do take out time to vote for all the nominations! Thanks! xD
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
It was SO hard to pick! *O* This year really had a lot of good stuff! (But is it because FMA was just an ongoing this year, that I do not see one of it’s OP sequences?? >>) But anyways…… my picks are:
“Kuchizuke” by Buck-Tick
Flying Humanoid” by Shouko Nakagawa
“Koko Dake no Hanashi” by Chatmonchy
“HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets
“Uragiri no Yuuyake” by Theatre Brook
“My Soul, Your Beats!” by LiSa
“Complication” by ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D
It’s seven ^^” I love ALL of them *O*
So nostalgic, I remember reading last years’ conclusions when I was still a green lurker…. :’) *teary eyes*
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I know right! Very hard indeed but good choices! I skipped FMA because it started airing in 2009 and I have only gone for the titles which released this year alone. Btw, now that you mention it, I should have at least added Yui’s again or let it all out, which I adored.
Aww, now you have become a seasoned Metanorn reader, Namika-chan~ <333
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
Now that you mentioned it….. it’s been more, than a year, since I accidentally discovered Metanorn!!….. I haven’t felt so much time pass. Incredible…. TT^TT
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 20 comments
“My Soul, Your Beats!”, “Complication”, “Uragiri no Yuuyake”, “Katana to Saya”, and “Key”!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Good choices! Big fan of Durarara!! I see! ^^