The sweet-as-pie song for this OP is adorable, but even more amazing are the visual elements that sync up perfectly alongside it. Our favorite moment comes during the chorus, when Katarina interacts with all of her friends/harem members as both a child and an adult, each motion flowing into the next until it ends with Maria – the only main character she didn’t meet until she grew up. It’s just so mesmerizing to watch!

Tower of God is the first Korean manhwa to be adapted into a mainstream anime, so it’s only fitting that its OP is sung by K-pop band Stray Kids. The electronica and hip-hop infused track plays over esoteric visuals interspersed with white-on-black credits screens (Evangelion-style), the thumping beat building up hype for the fantasy/sci-fi story to follow. And, to top it all off, Stray Kids recorded versions of the song in Japanese, Korean, and English for each respective broadcast to use!

This opening, inspired by old school swing and big band hits, is as catchy as they come – plus, we’re suckers for any song that incorporates claps. It’s a natural accompaniment to Kaguya and Shirogane’s tsundere mind games to try to force love confessions out of each other, as well as to Chika and the others’ antics in the background. “Daddy! Daddy! Do!” should be on your “anime bops” playlist for sure.

Speaking of jazz-influenced OPs, the opening for Woodpecker Detective’s Office puts the “big” in big band with its huge horn section and energetic vocal performances. The full version also features face-melting saxophone and guitar solos, reminding us of “Tank!” from Cowboy Bebop in a wonderful way. Give this neglected historical anime some love and jam along to its theme tune!

For the best combination of song and visuals, we have to choose “I got it!” from Appare-Ranman. The anime was put on hiatus after three episodes due to the pandemic, but its opening more than makes up for it with its rip-roaring action sequences set to fast-paced upbeat rock. We particularly love the creative use of different time signatures to switch up the beat, which brings to mind a chaotic race with ramshackle machines and sputtering engines. If we have to play this song on loop to make the anime come back, then that’s what we’ll do!