Anime opening themes are more than just catchy songs—they are emotional rollercoasters, mood-setters, and sometimes even mini-stories that offer a glimpse into what’s to come. From heart-pounding action sequences to subtle visual symbolism, anime OPs (openings) are one of the most memorable parts of any series.
But here’s the twist: Can you guess the anime just by reading a description of its opening animation?
We’ve gathered 20 iconic anime OPs—each described in a vivid, spoiler-free way. Test your memory, challenge your anime instincts, and see how many you can guess right. Scroll slowly, guess first, and then reveal the answer. No cheating!
🔥 Let The Anime Opening Challenge Begin!
🎵 1. A Sprint Through The Leaves of Youth
Three young ninjas dash beneath the cherry blossoms. The camera cuts between a somber stare, a hidden smile, and an explosion of kunai mid-air. A rock track thunders in the background as a red eye opens dramatically in the shadows.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Naruto – “Haruka Kanata” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Why It’s Iconic: This OP captures the perfect balance between youthful energy and the emotional weight of the series.
🎵 2. Walls, War, and a Roar of Rebellion
Marching soldiers. Flash cuts between colossal beasts and terrified eyes. A dark, commanding Germanic-style anthem swells as flames engulf a ruined city. One boy launches into the sky with spinning blades.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Attack on Titan – “Guren no Yumiya” by Linked Horizon
Why It’s Iconic: One of the most goosebump-inducing openings in anime history, with unforgettable imagery and rhythm.
🎵 3. A Clock Turns Back with Burning Resolve
It begins with falling debris. A young boy touches a pocket watch. Quick flashes of alchemy circles, a pair of brothers walking opposite paths, and fire trailing across metal.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – “Again” by YUI
Why It’s Iconic: A dramatic opening full of foreshadowing and symbolic visuals, setting the stage for one of anime’s most emotionally layered journeys.
🎵 4. Neon Lights and Exploding Curses
Urban skylines. A black-haired teen leaps across rooftops. Vibrant graffiti-style animations burst into chaotic energy. A red-eyed monster lunges—and fades into a grinning face.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Jujutsu Kaisen – “Kaikai Kitan” by Eve
Why It’s Iconic: Combines youth and curse energy in a way that perfectly reflects the anime’s tone.
🎵 5. Screams Wrapped in Silk
A solitary figure walks down a ruined street. Strings begin to play. Suddenly, a bloodied face screams in slow motion. The chorus kicks in, and petals fall as the world crumbles behind glass.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Tokyo Ghoul – “Unravel” by TK from Ling tosite sigure
Why It’s Iconic: Beautiful, tragic, and surreal—the opening itself is a visual metaphor for Kaneki’s descent.
🎵 6. A Shinigami’s Cold Gaze
A city at night. Young men pose on rooftops. Vibrant colors splash in rhythm with electric guitar. A hollow mask drifts by. A black-robed figure swings a massive sword toward the sky.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Bleach – “Asterisk” by Orange Range
Why It’s Iconic: It introduced Bleach’s edgy, urban fantasy aesthetic to a generation of fans.
🎵 7. High-Five to the Sky
A green-haired boy clenches his fist. Flames, lightning, and shadows flash across panels of students. A hand reaches upward—cut to a smirking boy in red boots sprinting through wind.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: My Hero Academia – “Peace Sign” by Kenshi Yonezu
Why It’s Iconic: An uplifting and emotional opening symbolizing growth, effort, and heroism.
🎵 8. Born on the Grand Line
Map scrolls, treasure chests, a stretchy punch straight to the camera. Pirates laughing, ships sailing, and a rubber boy pointing at the horizon. Pure joy.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: One Piece – “We Are!” by Hiroshi Kitadani
Why It’s Iconic: Adventure, friendship, dreams—this OP is the spirit of One Piece.
🎵 9. A Girl with a Sword and Eyes Like Fire
A glowing moon. The screen explodes in motion blur as a girl in green charges through demon silhouettes. Red lotuses bloom behind flaming katana strikes.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Demon Slayer – “Gurenge” by LiSA
Why It’s Iconic: LiSA’s vocals, dynamic animation, and Tanjiro’s resolve shine in every second.
🎵 10. The World Spins With Justice and Death
A red apple falls. A shadowed teen looks into the mirror. Flash cuts of a black notebook, police sirens, and a twisting grin. A voice screams from the void.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Death Note – “The World” by Nightmare
Why It’s Iconic: Elegant, theatrical, and ominous—perfectly matching Light’s descent into darkness.
🎵 11. Departure to Destiny
Sunrise. A boy with green hair waves goodbye. A boomerang flies. Forests, battles, and a winking red-eyed assassin. The world spins, and the hunt begins.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Hunter x Hunter (2011) – “Departure!” by Masatoshi Ono
Why It’s Iconic: A surprisingly cheerful opening for an anime that gets emotionally intense very fast.
🎵 12. Chainsaws and Chaos
A man stands alone in the rain. A beat drops. Then it turns into a fever dream—film parodies, headbanging, dancing devils, and hyper-color violence.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Chainsaw Man – “Kick Back” by Kenshi Yonezu
Why It’s Iconic: Pure chaos in the best way. It breaks anime OP conventions.
🎵 13. Bebop, Jazz, and Bang!
Brass instruments blare. A noir-style jazz band intro flashes character names like an old spy movie. Punches, guns, explosions, and a cool guy lighting a cigarette.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Cowboy Bebop – “Tank!” by The Seatbelts
Why It’s Iconic: The coolest opening ever animated. Period.
🎵 14. Operation Family Chaos
A well-dressed man flips a newspaper. A pink-haired child laughs in slow motion. Sharp transitions, hidden weapons, and a mix of spy gadgets and home dinners.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Spy x Family – “Mixed Nuts” by Official HIGE DANDism
Why It’s Iconic: Balanced elegance, humor, and family warmth in one charming sequence.
🎵 15. Game On in a Digital Death Trap
A girl falls. A boy draws his sword in a glowing virtual sky. Data streams across landscapes. Flash to a clock ticking down—only one chance to survive.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Sword Art Online – “Crossing Field” by LiSA
Why It’s Iconic: Captures the urgency and wonder of a new world with high emotional stakes.
🎵 16. Psychedelic Mob Rules
Numbers flicker. A teenager walks calmly while the world morphs around him. Explosions, headbutts, and a giant broccoli tree appear as the beat escalates.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Mob Psycho 100 – “99” by MOB CHOIR
Why It’s Iconic: Visually experimental and rhythmically brilliant—a standout OP for a standout show.
🎵 17. Angels, Giants, and Broken Wings
White feathers fall. A teenage girl floats against a blue sky. Machines, cross symbols, and crying eyes flash in harmony with a haunting J-pop ballad.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Neon Genesis Evangelion – “Cruel Angel’s Thesis” by Yoko Takahashi
Why It’s Iconic: Possibly the most famous OP of all time—layered with metaphors and theology.
🎵 18. Jump, Spike, Repeat!
Orange jerseys. A volleyball soars. Feet leap in slow motion. Wind, sweat, determination—and a boy shouting from the rooftop.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Haikyuu!! – “Imagination” by SPYAIR
Why It’s Iconic: Combines sports passion with raw inspiration. A fan favorite for a reason.
🎵 19. A Viking’s Rage in the Wind
A snowy battlefield. Ships ablaze. A silent warrior stands in shadows while fire burns around him. A scream echoes across a barren cliff.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Vinland Saga – “Mukanjyo” by Survive Said The Prophet
Why It’s Iconic: Gritty, intense, and heavy—just like the anime’s emotional themes.
🎵 20. Love and Mind Games in Pink
Floating roses. A confident girl in a school hallway. Red hearts, sharp cuts, and a guy panicking in the background. It ends with dramatic zoom-ins and sparkles.
Your Guess?
✅ Answer: Kaguya-sama: Love is War – “Love Dramatic” by Masayuki Suzuki
Why It’s Iconic: Over-the-top, classy, hilarious—just like the anime itself.
🎉 How Many Did You Guess Correctly?
Score yourself:
- 0–5: Beginner otaku—time to binge more!
- 6–10: Not bad! You’re on your way.
- 11–15: Certified anime fan!
- 16–20: You’re a true anime opening expert! Go flex this on your friends.
📣 Final Thoughts: Why Anime Openings Matter
Anime OPs aren’t just catchy songs—they’re cultural snapshots, visual poetry, and emotional bookmarks in the anime-watching journey. Whether it’s the first time you heard “Unravel” or the 100th time you saw the “We Are!” crew strike a pose, anime openings stick with us.
These 20 anime opening animations are more than just introductions—they’re invitations into unforgettable worlds. And even years later, all it takes is a few seconds of music or a single frame to transport us back.
📢 Let’s Hear From You!
- How many anime did you guess right?
- Which OP always gives you chills?
- Want a “Part 2” with even harder clues?
💬 Drop your answers in the comments—and don’t forget to share this quiz with fellow anime fans!