We attempt to crown the greatest Anime OP/Opening theme song of all time as we go through a bracket of 32 of the best ones! Hear each OP on the podcast as we go through the match-ups.

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Beatriz Mourad, & Aly Martin.

See the empty bracket to follow along: https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPBracketBefore.png

See the completed bracket (SPOILERS!): https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPBracketAfter.png

Timestamps for the podcast:

• 0:00 – Introduction


• 18:40 – Region #1. 1 Seed: Neon Genesis Evangelion


• 54:00 – Region #2. 1 Seed: Attack on Titan


• 1:24:00 – Region #3. 1 Seed: Cowboy Bebop


• 1:51:45 – Region #4. 1 Seed: Tokyo Ghoul


• 2:17:15 – The Final 4 & Crowning a Champion!

See the complete aggregate rankings used for seeding here: https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPAggregateRankings.png

The 5 rankings used:

• TV Asahi Japanese poll: https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/animesong_sousenkyo/#/?category=variety


• My Anime List: https://myanimelist.net/featured/1065/Top_25_Best_Anime_Opening_Songs_of_All_Time


• WatchMojo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dobTyzla9bk


• FandomSpot: https://www.fandomspot.com/best-anime-intros-openings/


• Ranker poll: https://www.ranker.com/list/best-anime-intros-and-opening-themes/lisa-waugh

The match-ups:

• A Cruel Angel’s Thesis – Neon Genesis Evangelion vs We Are! – One Piece


• Hacking to the Gate – Steins;Gate vs Kuusou Mesorogiwi – The Future Diary


• Lilium – Elfen Leid vs Beatriz’s Wildcard


• Duvet – Serial Experiments Lain vs Gurenge – Demon Slayer


• Guren no Yumiya – Attack on Titan vs 99 – Mob Psycho 100


• Flyers – Death Parade vs Blue Bird – Naruto: Shippuuden


• Inner Universe – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex vs Aly’s Wildcard


• again – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood  vs Battlecry – Samurai Champloo


• Tank! – Cowboy Bebop vs Bloody Stream – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure


• Butter-Fly – Digimon Adventure vs Moonlight Legend – Sailor Moon


• When They Cry – Higurashi When They Cry vs Dylan’s Wildcard


• Cha-La Head-Cha-La – Dragon Ball Z vs The Day – My Hero Academia


• unravel  – Tokyo Ghoul vs Resonance – Soul Eater


• The World – Death Note vs Renai Circulation – Bakemonogatari


• The Hero!!  – One Punch Man vs Connect – Puella Magi Madoka Magica


• Colors – Code Geass vs Asterisk – Bleach