Can you believe it’s been five years since the Bleach anime ended? While our time with it may have been cut short, it undoubtedly had some of the most stylish, hands down badass opening themes of any shonen period. Even when it succumbed to the curse long-running shonen tends to fall to filler hell — the openings were cool enough to make us think “hey, this filler arc might not be too bad.” That said, I took it upon myself to make a definitive, objective, 100%-the-only-way-to-look-at-it ranking* of every Bleach OP – from worst to best. Let’s jump into it!
Harukaze by Scandal (OP 15)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-ejE–Q3UE
There’s no real way to sugar coat this one, unfortunately. This one is dead last. Just not that great of a song, especially by Scandal standards. It tries its hand at too many callbacks to other OPs, but fails to capture the magic. In its defense, the Bleach anime was just dead in the water, so it didn’t stand a chance to begin with.
Anima Rossa by Porno Graffiti (OP 11)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUgxCUd3Bsk
This is another one that just does nothing for me. It’s a bad opening, overall. The song isn’t the best, which is a shame because Porno Graffiti has belted out some classic anime bangers (My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist to name a few). The visuals are boring. I’m very aware that this is a filler arc, so if this opening does one thing right, it’s warning everyone of that.
Shojo S by Scandal (OP 10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9vIpu0kAbE
Contrast to OP 15, this Scandal song is actually pretty good. The issue I have with this opening is the bland visuals. It rides too much on the coattails of the 9th opening (what with the rainbow road, still shots of characters looking cool). The only thing it has going for it is Orihime and Rukia just dancing their hearts out.
BLUE by VIVID (OP 14)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifrTLAd6UQY
This one is the epitome of an average opening, especially in terms of the song. Visually it misses the marks with lazy slide-reveal still images and a weirdly unnecessary soundwave. I’ll admit that the chorus fights are pretty cool, though stupidly all over the place. It looks like filler right off the bat, so I get having to cram as much stuff to interest people who are at this point so fed up of filler as it is, but it’s too busy, and it just doesn’t execute well.
Velonica by Aqua Timez (OP 9)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O87OdsVOIE
Another dictionary definition of an average song. Especially average visuals. I get that at this point, Bleach has a couple dozen characters that are all integral to the plot and need to have equal screentime, but there has to be a more creative way to display them than a slideshow on Rainbow Road.
Rolling Star by YUI (OP 5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r15yXAZ32Fg
Right, now we’re getting into the part of the list where the openings start to get good. Unfortunately for this opening, good is as good as it gets. Stylistically, this opening is one of my favourites. I love the shaky CCTV camera look and quick cuts. The chorus though is when it becomes a letdown. It had so much potential but drops off as it’s getting good.
D-tecnoLife by UVERworld (OP 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeqvhwjYBws
D-tecnoLife’s real crime is having to follow the first opening. It’s not a bad opening. The song is a fantastic. The shots of Renji and Ichigo duking it out towards the end and the zoom-out reveal of the Gotei 13 are great. The fights in the chorus, however, are lackluster. They don’t do the actual fights they represent any justice.
Alones by Aqua Timez (OP 6)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U8NnnYzV7A
Fantastic song, and decent visuals. The shaky shots, the ghosting/overlays, and overall chemistry between the composition and colouring make it a treat. There’s not much colour used here, but when it is, it hits the mark. The only issue I have with this opening is that it falls prey to “shonen anime running and jumping around syndrome” in the chorus.
chAngE by miwa (OP 12)
https://youtu.be/rUuHxyYqUSU
Just a flat out fantastic opening, and pleasurable song. There’s not much I can think that’s stylistically wrong with it except that it could do with less standing around in the sand. Also at this point, I’m pretty bored of watching everyone fly around and fight each other. Needs a bit of a change (pun intended).
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight by BEAT CRUSADERS (OP 4)
This might be my strongest contender for “most fun opening ever”. With the exception of a panning shot of crystals, it’s an opening oozing with the much of the same style Bleach has become loved for. Some might be put off by BEAT CRUSADERS though, as their vocal range is kind of fumbly especially with their Engrish lyrics, which is a shame because the song is such a step down from everything they did on BECK MONGOLIAN CHOP SQUAD.
After Dark by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (OP 7)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvahxFH7IGg
Probably one of the best, if not THE best, Asian Kung-Fu Generation anime opening of all times, but it doesn’t quite make it as the best Bleach opening. Visually, more could have been done than have interlaced shots of fire and credits. The chorus visuals are a massive let down as well apart from the zooming in on Aizen, and Ichigo crashing the party.
Ichirin no Hana by High and Mighty Color (OP 3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2edBgIH7y68
Honestly, don’t have anything bad to say about this one. The only fault is not being any of the next openings. I grew up on Bleach, and like many, this was the Bleach opening. It perfectly captures the arc’s tone, the song is a banger, but unfortunately, some of the visuals are lacking or flat out boring. This would have been the perfect track to spend the entire chorus fighting, but at least Yoroichi’s smirk makes up for it.
CHU BURA by Kelun (OP 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKMybibgt6Q
The character animation has such personality in this one. Even for filler, it manages to capture interest in the show, delivers on the action, and make you wonder just what the hell is going on (in a good way). It might be a strong contender for top shonen filler episode openings. The battle between purple haired dude (whose name flat out escapes me at the moment) and Ichigo are well synced and well choreographed. The massive fight in the entire chorus is also just a treat to watch.
Ranbu no Melody by SiD (OP 13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXjgwpayNoM
I had given up on the anime around OP 11, but picked it back up when this OP came out because it was the only OP to match the synchronicity between tone and style as the first. The 8mm shots of nothing happening (perspective of the average person) are so on point, and spending the rest of the opening showing everyone what a complete bastard Aizen, Gin, and company are, as well as that rewind on Rangiku’s tears and the overlaying shaky cuts are just dripping with style. If the next opening didn’t exist, this would be number 1, no questions asked.
Asterisk by Orange Range (OP 1)
The OG, as the kids might say. Asterisk is the definitive Bleach opening. It’s catchy. It’s stylish. It’s everything an early 2000s anime OP strives be. It captures Kubo’s fashion sense, his vision for the manga, and the series’ tone so perfectly. If I died tomorrow, and was given a choice between heaven, or living in this opening, I’d choose the opening.
What’s your favorite Bleach opening? Sound off in the comments below. And if you’d like to see me rank the openings of your favorite anime, let me know either in the comments or throw me a tweet @zachjgodin!
*J-List takes no responsibility for your favorite opening being the worst, or your most hated opening being the best. Consider your taste in anime openings if you find the results of this issue of Ranking the OPs to be unsatisfactory.
