Unmissable Anime Openings You Need to Hear This Winter 2025!

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Summary

  • Blue Box’s opening, ‘Saraba’ by Macaroni Empitsu, perfectly captures the essence of unrequited love.
  • Solo Leveling’s ‘ReawakeR’ provides a powerful mix of K-pop, electro rock, and rap, setting the stage for Sung Jin-Woo’s rise.
  • Ubel Blatt’s opening ‘Zainin’ by GARNiDELiA expertly combines electro J-pop and symphony rock, reflecting the tale’s dark mood.

The Winter 2025 anime season has reached unprecedented levels of awesomeness, thanks to the return of fan-favorites like Solo Leveling and Shangri-La Frontier, as well as the premiere of Sakamoto Days. As is customary with fresh anime releases, we’re also treated to exceptional theme songs that resonate strongly with fans of these amazing series.

This upcoming winter 2025 anime season boasts numerous exceptional opening themes, although opinions may vary as to which ones stand out above the rest. Here’s a breakdown of the top tunes from this fresh wave of anime, taking into account melody, lyrics, audience appreciation, and their suitability for the shows they accompany.

1. Blue Box

‘Saraba’ by Macaroni Empitsu

The “Blue Box” narrative revolves around sports and unfulfilled affection, making it a maturing story about pursuing dreams and forging connections. It showcases tender as well as painful moments. The haunting melody at the start, crafted by Macaroni Empitsu, is remarkably skillful, blending elements of J-pop with hints of garage indie rock. While the fusion may seem common in many romance/sports anime, this band from Kanagawa has arguably reached its zenith with this piece, leaving a lasting impression on most viewers.

Given that Hina’s unattainable love appears to be central in this premiere, fans of the romance series will undoubtedly pick up on lyrics hinting at a love destined not to be, regardless of her efforts. It’s undeniably tragic, yet there’s an undercurrent of optimism for what’s to come. This opening is, without a doubt, one of the standout performances of the winter anime season 2025.

2. Solo Leveling

‘ReawakeR’ by LiSA featuring Felix from Stray Kids

In a fusion of K-pop, electro rock, and rap, ‘ReawakeR’ marks the beginning of one of the most violent and sorrowful chapters in the story of Solo Leveling, known as the Jeju Island Raid. This track amplifies the narrative, reflecting the meteoric rise of Sung Jin-Woo to an S-Rank Hunter, a status that commands respect from all.

The words convey a narrative about challenging the established order, tipping the scales, and the noble spirit of the Hunters sacrificing themselves to shield Earth from the catastrophic Portal Breakdown. It’s quite impressive, and the complete rendition is even more captivating.

3. The Apothecary Diaries

‘Hyakka Ryouran’ by Lilas Ikuta

Incorporating both classical Japanese tunes and contemporary J-pop, Lilas Ikuta offers a captivating and hard-to-resist opening theme that narrates Maomao’s initial encounters within the imperial palace and her endeavor to untangle her emotions amidst navigating the perils of court life.

The opening theme for “The Apothecary Diaries” has gained significant popularity on YouTube and Spotify, thanks to its appealing melody and skilled interpretation. As mentioned on Ikuta’s social media network, she felt privileged to be chosen to perform the opening for the show’s second season. She expressed her desire to bring fresh vitality to the world depicted in the novel by giving her best performance possible.

4. Sakamoto Days

‘RUN SAKAMOTO RUN’ by Vaundy

Vaundy blends alternative rock and funk into a laid-back yet catchy tune that’s fitting for Sakamoto’s recent lifestyle as a dad and store clerk, offering a stark contrast to his former life as an assassin. The song’s strong beat, resonant basslines, and talented vocalist make the opening theme of “Sakamoto Days” one of the standout tracks this anime season.

The lyrics aptly reflect the shift in tempo throughout the story, as Sakamoto and Shin find themselves battling to maintain their tranquil existence against the spectral threats of their pasts resurfacing after decades of easygoing living. It’s hard to argue that this opening theme fits this action-comedy series as snugly as a well-tailored coat (or like a pistol holster).

5. Shangri-La Frontier

‘Frontiers’ by Awich

Surprisingly, a fusion of hip-hop and orchestral tunes (accompanied by the undercurrent of lyrics) strikes a perfect chord in this case. Shangri-La Frontier has consistently opted for something similar at the start, but the rhythmic rap provides the ideal ambiance that the series demands. The introduction further introduces several new characters who will accompany Sunraku on his conquest to rule the VR-Game and his battles against formidable opponents he must confront.

Akiko Urasaki, also known by her non-stage name, has been significantly impacted by the American hip-hop and rap scenes, with Tupac being a particular inspiration she admires deeply. She’s enjoyed a successful career, boasting numerous singles that have garnered high praise from music aficionados. This opening theme fits perfectly for one of the most captivating segments of this sci-fi/fantasy narrative, as the series delves beyond Sunraku’s character and steers towards the Abyss City Arc.

6. Ubel Blatt

‘Zainin’ by GARNiDELiA

As a music enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by the enchanting introduction to Ubel Blatt! It blends electro J-pop and symphony rock in a harmonious fusion that perfectly sets the tone for this gripping fantasy narrative filled with themes of death, rebirth, and revenge. The powerful lyrics woven into the background paint an evocative picture, immersing us deeper into the tale’s dark and brutal essence. GARNiDELiA, the talented duo consisting of Mai Mizuhashi’s awe-inspiring vocals and Yoshinori Abe (also known as Toku)’s exceptional compositions, truly outdo themselves with this masterpiece!

This opening is surprisingly great yet often overlooked. Despite this, it seamlessly matches Ascheriit’s vengeance tale, and its lyrics capture the unsettling ambiance of the ruthless world where no one, not even the most blameless, are immune to wickedness. Though the anime adaptation softens significantly in comparison to the manga, it delivers an intense viewing experience for those who appreciate gruesome and violent action sequences. It’s an excellent choice for fans of series similar to Claymore, Berserk, and Solo Leveling.

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2025-01-29 08:04