Ranking the Top 10 Naruto Openings

Summary

Naruto's openings have captivated fans with their euphoric melodies and powerful messages about perseverance and friendship.

The Naruto and Naruto Shippuden openings flawlessly blend traditional Japanese music with rock, resulting in visually stunning mash-ups that completely engross viewers in the extraordinary world of the series. The article spotlights 10 outstanding openings, including "Hero's Come Back!!" and "Silhouette," which perfectly encapsulate the essence of Naruto through their powerful instrumentals, captivating visuals, and emotionally charged lyrics.

Captivating fans since the series first aired in 2002, the Naruto franchise's openings offer an enchanting blend of traditional Japanese music, rock, and other genres. With mesmerizing visuals and energetic beats, these melodies have endeared themselves to listeners, regardless of their understanding of the lyrics. Throughout Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, the openings convey powerful messages of resilience, the support of loved ones in difficult times, and the strength of friendships. Over the span of 2002 to 2017, fans were treated to 29 remarkable openings, including No Boy No Cry by Stance Punks and Niwaka Ame no mo Makezu by NICO Touches the Walls. Within this collection, a handful of openings stand out as Naruto's finest.

10. Hero’s Come Back!! - Nobodyknows+

Shippuden Opening 1

Naruto Shippuden began with the highly anticipated return of the hero, setting the stage for the new series. The opening scene flawlessly captured the essence of the show, combining drums, guitar, and intense Japanese rap lyrics. Visually, the cast appeared in their updated outfits, accompanied by blurred and grainy imagery. This created a sense of anticipation and hinted at a darker and more mature storyline, which was executed beautifully. The impactful English lyrics, such as "3, 2, 1 make some noise," were juxtaposed with scenes of Gaara, his brother, Konkaro, his sister, Temari, and Naruto displaying concern as he disappeared from the screen, with a hand engulfed in sand. The inclusion of haunting images portraying the Akatsuki and The 9 Tails further established an exciting yet eerie tone for the series.

9. Guren (Crimson Lotus) - Does

Shippuden Opening 15

The 15th opening of Naruto Shippuden, titled Guren (Crimson Lotus) and performed by Does, starts off with a captivating guitar lead and an impactful drum performance. It then transitions into a relentlessly paced and head-banging masterpiece that is visually stunning and awe-inspiring to listen to. Crimson Lotus effectively captures the intensity and animosity of the long-standing conflict between the Senju and Uchiha clans. The translated lyrics mention the constant struggle between opposing forces such as good and evil, light and shadow, and encourage the search for a middle ground. Visually, the music video showcases Naruto and Sasuke separated by a wavering black line, symbolizing their diverging paths. Additionally, it features a depiction of the young First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the legendary Madara Uchiha, with a clear divide between them, representing their ideological differences.

The song's lyrics and saturated visuals demonstrated how enemies or opposites can find common ground or die trying. Crimson Lotus remains with a dark dreamlike hue throughout as it showcases the rebirth of the 4 Kage, Neji's death, the reunion of team 7, the bad blood between Tobirama and Madara, and the battle between Kakashi and Obito.

8. Blood Circulator - Asian Kung-Fu Generation

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The lyrics and vivid visuals of the song exemplify the potential for enemies or opposites to discover common ground or perish in the process. Throughout Crimson Lotus, there is a persisting dark dreamlike tone as it portrays the revival of the four Kage, the demise of Neji, the reunion of team 7, the animosity between Tobirama and Madara, and the clash between Kakashi and Obito.

8. Blood Circulator - Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Shippuden Opening 19

Asian Kung-Fu Generation, the band that perfectly set the tone for Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, delivered an unforgettable opening with Blood Circulator. Beginning with a captivating muffled guitar intro that transitions into an electrifying jam session, the song showcases a vocal performance so powerful it becomes an instrument itself. This phenomenal opening, Naruto Shippuden's 19th, beautifully concludes the War Arc, featuring iconic elements such as Naruto's ultimate adversary Kaguya the Rabbit Goddess, the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and the intense battle between Naruto and Sasuke. The lyrics of Blood Circulator emphasize the importance of never giving up in the face of despair, complemented by visuals of Naruto descending into darkness while Team 7 perseveres and fights on. These elements culminate in an epic climax as Naruto emerges from the shadows and, alongside Sasuke, boldly charges towards Kaguya, accompanied by the resounding solo strings of a guitar and thunderous drum beats.

7. Closer - Joe Inoue

Shippuden Opening 7

The Shikamaru's opening in Naruto Shippuden utilizes malefic tones and instrumentals to convey the intensity of the impending battle between members of the Akatsuki, specifically Hidan and Kakuzu, and Asuma Sensai, accompanied by his Team 10 and Jonin. Closer by Joe Inoue emphasizes the value of life and cherishing it while we have the opportunity, which becomes profoundly evident when Team 10 experiences the loss of Asuma Sensai. The visuals primarily focus on Shikamaru and are captivating, evoking excitement and inspiration among fans to persevere through any challenges, even in the face of death. This opening possesses a more melodic and calming quality, yet the exhilarating sequences within it undoubtedly place it among the top openings in Naruto.

6. GO!!! - Flow

Naruto Opening 4

Naruto's fourth opening, known as "We are fighting dreamers!" perfectly embodies the essence of early 2000s punk and encapsulates everything that fans adore about the series. Flow, with their head-banging instruments and lyrics that fans can't help but sing along to, was able to make every fan feel like a rock star. The combination of dynamic visuals, featuring characters running through moving pastel Manga panels, and the intense gaze of Itatchi Uchia's Sharingan eyes, accompanied by Flow's energetic vocals, promised fans a thrilling and captivating experience. Although this opening may not delve into the intricate and dark storyline that follows, it undeniably captures the exhilarating spirit that Naruto has always possessed, making it one of the franchise's greatest openings.

5. Seishun Kyousoukyoku (Rhapsody of Youth) - Sambomaster

Naruto Opening 5

Seishun Kysoukyoky (Rhapsody of Youth) by Sambomaster went beyond being just the fifth opening of Naruto; it depicted the pivotal moment when boys transition into men. This opening revolved around the youthful ninjas of Konohagakure, engaged in a life-or-death struggle against enemy ninjas of the Sound Village during the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, which is considered one of Naruto's finest story arcs. Rhapsody of Youth delves into the struggle of a friend who finds it difficult to accept the departure of their comrade, encapsulating the overarching theme of Naruto's own journey. The opening evokes heartfelt tears from Naruto's peers and reminisces about the memorable moments shared with Sasuke, culminating in their separation prior to their defining clash. Undoubtedly, this opening stands as one of Naruto's most impeccably executed introductions.

4. Sign - Flow

Shippuden Opening 6

Sign by Flow, one of the most impactful, suspenseful, and melancholic openings in Naruto Shippuden, set the stage for the magnitude of events to follow. With visually stunning scenes of Master Jiraiya's intense battle against Pain, the Akatsuki standing by as the long-awaited showdown between Itatchi and Sasuke finally unfolds, and Naruto becoming consumed by the power of the 9-Tailed Fox, this opening captivated fans by constantly raising the stakes and showing the hardships that their beloved characters had to face, which ultimately resulted in the heartbreaking deaths of Jiraiya and Itatchi. Flow's execution of this emotionally-charged song was both exciting and energetic, giving fans a glimpse of the intense emotions and epic battles that awaited them. Even without knowing the underlying message of this opening, its flawless and ethereal nature is undeniable.

3. Haruka Kanata (Far Away) - Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Naruto Opening 2

The opening that undoubtedly deserves to be at the top, Haruka Kanata (Far Away) by Asian Kung-Fu Generation, falls short of delivering one of the greatest anime openings of all time. However, what sets this opening apart is the pivotal moment it represents for the series. Though visually it reveals little of what is to come, the foreshadowing impact is heightened by the energetic jam session that captivates viewers. The lyrics, which speak of proving oneself, accompany scenes of the victorious teams from Naruto's iconic Chunin Exams, thrilling action sequences of young shinobi, Sasuke being targeted by Orochimaru, and Garra grappling with his inner darkness. This serves as the perfect message for an arc where Naruto and his friends endure battles, fight to demonstrate their abilities, and strive to progress.

2. Blue Bird - Ikimino Gakari

Shippuden Opening 3

Blue Bird by Ikimino Gakari is not just an opening for Naruto fans to gather and chant, but also a profound representation of the ephemeral nature of happiness and the challenge of holding onto it, particularly in difficult times. The captivating melody of Blue Bird resonates with both Naruto and J-Pop enthusiasts, reminding us that we all possess an inner bluebird yearning to soar freely. The visuals in the opening further emphasize this concept, as a bluebird symbolically transitions between scenes featuring the central characters. Despite being part of Naruto Shippuden's filler arcs, Blue Bird's visuals poignantly depict the emotional distance Sasuke has created between himself and Konohagakure, with the exception of Naruto, who struggles immensely to let go. This opening not only carries a beautiful message, but also exudes beauty in its own right.

1. Silhouette - Kana-Boon

Shippuden Opening 16

The peak of Naruto's openings reached its zenith during the climax of the War Arc. Silhouette by Kana-Boon is a near indescribable masterpiece. It encompasses the essence of the characters' importance and the monochromatic imagery that represents the journey fans have embarked on so far. Within the first fourteen seconds, Silhouette surpasses every other opening in the series as the iconic title Naruto ignites on the screen and rises like a majestic phoenix.

The execution of visuals in showcasing the development of the main villains, Obito Uchia and Madara Uchia, as well as the growth of the protagonist Naruto, through stunning transformation running animations, is superb. Silhouette perfectly captures the essence of a Naruto opening with its mesmerizing visuals, melancholic tone, action-packed scenes, and portrayal of the gravity of the conflict. The lyrics seamlessly complement the visuals, creating an inspirational atmosphere that never fails to evoke emotions in fans.

Given the massive scale of the Naruto series, it comes as no surprise that it boasts a multitude of openings. However, these openings are not mere fillers; they were crafted with genuine thought and care, paying attention to both the music and visuals. This meticulous approach has resulted in some of the best anime openings in history. Naruto and Naruto Shippuden's openings effectively convey the series' themes and messages while featuring truly exceptional music. The top openings of Naruto serve as powerful reminders of what makes the franchise so extraordinary and beloved even today.

Both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden are available now on Crunchyroll!