Best Anime Openings of 2021

With over 466 million views, Kaibutsu is the most-watched opening of 2021 and one of YOASOBI's biggest hits. The duo delivered a dizzying, high-energy song that captures Legosi's duality — the beast and the sensitive being — with the narrative pop production that made them famous. An opening that transcended the second season of Beastars to become a phenomenon of its own.

Tokyo Revengers was the phenomenon of the year, and Official HIGE DANdism's Cry Baby was its musical engine. The band delivered a complex, addictive pop-rock song with constant tempo shifts and an energy that matched the series' time-travel drama. With over 181 million views, it cemented Higedan as one of anime's most important bands.

Shinsei Kamattechan returned to Attack on Titan with Boku no Sensou, the opening for the first part of the final season. The band, known for its experimental aesthetic and dissonant tones, delivered a theme as unsettling as it is memorable, perfectly aligned with the increasingly bleak tone of the final stretch. Over 72 million views.

YOASOBI placed its second opening of the year with Yasashii Suisei, for the second part of Beastars. Against the frantic energy of Kaibutsu, this theme explores a more melodic, restrained register, showing the series' more introspective side. Nearly 41 million views for YOASOBI's franchise double.

yama's Mahi was the opening for the volleyball series 2.43, and one of the best showcases of the artist's talent. yama's versatile, powerful voice shines on an alternative-rock theme with considerable emotional weight. Over 26 million views for one of the year's most underrated openings.

fhána returned to Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid with Ai no Supreme! for the second season. The band, specialists in bright, colorful pop, delivered a cheerful, catchy opening that captured the series' warm, comedic tone. Over 22 million views for one of the year's most comforting openings.

Tatsuya Kitani, who two years later would break through with Ao no Sumika in Jujutsu Kaisen, was already showing his talent in 2021 with Seija no Koushin. The opening carries the melodic sophistication and polished production that define the artist. 19 million views that foreshadowed his later leap.

syudou, an artist known for his vocaloid work and for composing for Ado, delivered Gamble as the opening for this isekai comedy. The theme carries the artist's nervous energy and distinctive production, with an instant hook. Nearly 17 million views.

J-Pop legend Utada Hikaru delivered PINK BLOOD for To Your Eternity. The song, with the elegance and maturity that define the artist, brought exceptional weight and emotion to the opening of one of the year's most moving series. Over 16 million views.

Mayu Maeshima's Long shot opened the second part of Re:Zero's second season. The theme brings energy and determination to the return of one of the most important isekai series of the decade. Nearly 16 million views to close the year's top 10.

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