Now that the Spring 2022 anime season is well underway, it’s time once again to take a listen to our favorite opening themes of the new batch we’ve been given! This time, we’ve got different flavors of retro funk, some truly creative cinematography, and more bops than you can shake a stick at. Let’s get started with the 5 Best Anime OPs of Spring 2022!
5. "GIRI GIRI feat Suu” by Masayuki Suzuki from Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic (Kaguya-sama: Love is War - Ultra Romantic)
Masayuki Suzuki has been behind every single Kaguya-sama OP so far, and the man just does not miss. Like “Love Dramatic” and “Daddy Daddy Do” before it, “Giri Giri” is a funk-inspired number that playfully introduces the battle-of-wits romance concept of the anime, as well as the many absurd characters who inhabit its world. We especially love the visuals this time, which go for a more surrealist style reminiscent of “Great Days” from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable. It really gives off the impression that Kaguya and Shirogane would go through even the craziest of scenarios to be together.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War - Ultra Romantic OP
4. "Narihibiku Kagiri” by YUKI from Dance Dance Danseur
We absolutely adore how well the jaunty tune of “Narihibiku Kagiri” goes with the stunning watercolor visuals of Dance Dance Danseur’s opening sequence. The camera follows protagonist Junpei in first person as he goes throughout his day, unable to stop himself from incorporating ballet into his every move. It then seamlessly shifts from his perspective to that of his two friends Ruou and Miyako, who are just as obsessed with the performing arts as he is. This all leads into the final moment of Junpei bowing in front of a massive audience, which has to be one of the most gorgeous shots we’ve ever seen in an anime OP. It’s the pure essence of the word “graceful”!
Dance Dance Danseur OP
3. "Move the Soul" by JO1 from Gunjou no Fanfare (Fanfare of Adolescence)
Okay, who forgot to tell us that Fanfare of Adolescence, a low-profile sports anime about horse racing, has one of the tastiest OPs of this whole season? Coming from the boy band JO1, “Move the Soul” is a slick and streamlined j-pop number that combines tight harmonies and an effortlessly cool attitude reminiscent of Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake to create a tune we just couldn’t stop listening to. Be sure to check out the full version as well, which has a rap section and some descant harmonies near the end that elevate this high-energy song to a whole new level.
Fanfare of Adolescence OP
2. "Mixed Nuts” by Official HIGE DANdism from Spy x Family
Now we’re getting to the obvious picks, but sometimes things are popular because they’re genuinely that good. “Mixed Nuts” uses every ounce of its visuals and music to represent the story of Spy x Family in as stylish and accurate a way as possible – we particularly love the flat 2D sequences, which have a style that combines children’s drawings with Saul Bass esque poster design to evoke the 1960s setting in little Anya’s eyes. The lyrics also come from her perspective, talking about how her family is like a bag of different nuts all pretending to be peanuts to fit in. But despite that, they’re together, and that makes her happy. She’s just so precious!
Spy x Family OP
1. "Chiki Chiki Bang Bang” by QUEENDOM from Paripi Koumei (Ya Boy Kongming!)
This song and “Mixed Nuts” were both fighting for the #1 spot in our minds, but we had to give it to “Chiki Chiki Bang Bang” for its unique flavor and delightful celebration of music culture. This Japanese adaptation of a 2013 Hungarian club song is awash in neon lights and bassy backing beats, proudly proclaiming the virtues of partying without a care in the world. The smoothly animated dance moves are easy to follow along with, too – we think we’ll be seeing a lot of this one at anime convention karaoke nights and raves for years to come!
Ya Boy Kongming! OP
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for even more entries for your playlist, we’d recommend the openings for Love After World Domination, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, Summer Time Rendering, Tomodachi Game, and Black★★Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall.
What did you think of our list? What were your favorite OPs of the Spring 2022 season? Let us know in the comments, and thanks so much for reading!
Author: Mary Lee Sauder
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