I’ve been an anime fan from as long as I could remember, and I’ve been listening to primarily Japanese music since 2006. But for some reason, despite my huge obsession with ninjas in high school, I just couldn’t get into Naruto. I really tried!
My school had a humble manga collection, and I did take out multiple Naruto books maybe 3 or 4 times. But I don’t like reading fighting scenes, and there was so much black and white streaks due to the forest setting. I would feel myself just scanning and drifting, not really paying attention. I then watched an episode, and it wasn’t bad….but then I watched an episode of Bleach and got into that instead.
Being an anime fan as long as I have, though, I still know quite a bit about Naruto, the characters, the story and so on, even though I haven’t watched it. I have seen a few episodes due to my cousin who is a huge fan, but that’s it.
While I may not be a fan, Naruto has one of the best soundtracks in the business. No question. So I thought it’d be fun to rank my top 10 (now 12) songs from the series as a J-music and anime fan who hasn’t watched the series.
I will say right now, I’ve never been a fan of Blue Bird and Silhouette. I hear it so much due to fans, but I really don’t see the appeal of them. When I read some comment sections, I can see the fandom is divided. Some truly think these are the best, while others think they are overrated and they are better songs.
When I asked my cousin why they were so popular, he said it was due to the arc they were played in. Fans are emotionally connected to these songs and/or they remind them of a big event during the series.
So that got me thinking….why don’t I rank these songs as an individual who isn’t emotionally attached and give it a more fair ranking as someone who has been listening to Japanese music for over 15 years now?
I tend to judge songs for various reasons, such as: how memorable it is (will I forget it 5 minutes after I heard it, or does it pop back easily?), replay value (is it something I would add to my playlist and listen many times, or is dull/annoying?), uniqueness (is the chords and vocals something different and refreshing, or have I heard this before), and feels (does it evoke any emotion in me, even though I don’t know what’s going on)?
So I am rating these songs by the song, and song alone. Not the story, not the animation, just the song.
So without further ado, let’s get started!!
Disclaimer: My word is not law. Everyone will have different tastes and that’s to be respected. Music is subjective. Feel free to share your own rating and reasoning in the comments below 🙂
12. Line
This song is seriously lacking views. It is a slower song, but it only gets prettier and more nostalgic as it goes on. Comments mention that this song should be rated higher and deserves more views, but it took place during a season with lots of filler, so people didn’t really play any mind to it. Hugely underrated.
11. Hero’s come back
This opening definitely feels like a Naruto opening. Not sure what else to say, but it’s a catchy and cool song that will definitely stick in your head even at first listen.
10. Re:member
You ever have those songs where you feel or know you’ve heard it, but you don’t know what you know it or where you’ve heard it? This is the song for me haha
While the song isn’t super special or unique, it definitely has that catchy and nostalgic factor to it. It also has that typical Naruto feel that anyone could guess it belongs to the series. I considered putting it in the honourable mentions, but it also felt like it deserved a spot for some reason.
9. Lovers
Honestly, I’m not usually a fan of high pitched female vocals, but this tracks a bit different. I’m amazed how quickly they say the lines during the chorus, first of all.
The use of guitar riffs and the beat all come together well. It’s definitely an opening that stands out compared to many others and thus it has that memorable factor for sure.
8. Toumei Datta Sekai
This is one of those songs that kinda takes you through a journey. I had to replay it a few times because by the time the song ends, I forgot how the verse sounded…not because it’s forgettable, but because there is such a shift in sound and pace.
The slower/quieter start makes you relax, but then it builds up, and there’s a lot of unusual chord progressions that makes you pay more attention. It feels like there is a key change and so on too. I really like that about this song.
While it has a lot of unique traits, it all fits together really well and gives it a replay factor for a different reason than just catchiness. Thus, I had to give this track a worthy spot. If I wasn’t trying to consider what I felt many people would like, I would personally give this #2 or #3.
7. Blood Circulator (+Sign)
This is one of those songs I’ve heard quite a bit as a fan of Asian Kung-Fu Generation. At times, I hear the intro and I may skip it, but there are other times I want to stick around, because I really, really love how the chorus sounds. I especially love the chord progression and how it makes me feel.
I put Sign in brackets because the two have a similar sound and feel, but Blood Circulator is more unique and pleasing to my ears. I still recognize how good Sign is, but I don’t think it’s great enough to bump another song off this list. Thus, I’ll consider it an equal and share this spot.
6. Closer
I considered switching this with #8, as it does have moments where it sounds quite ‘basic’, but there’s also something about it. Like it has this nostalgic, heart warming feel to it. It’s easy on the ears and enjoyable to listen to.
I do remember watching some of Joe Inoue’s Youtube videos in the past, and I think I didn’t take the opening too seriously since he was somewhat of a comedian (though I can’t seem to find his channel before this opening, which is weird). You also got a lot of fans hyping it up just because they were his followers, but hearing it after all this time, it is a beautiful track. Well deserved.
5. Diver
I will say, the first time this song was ever introduced to me was due to a musician who applied to be in my band (but flaked twice). When I read lists of people rating songs, only a handful seem to mention this song, but it’s a great song.
You could tell it’s a bit on the sad or melancholy side, but the song itself isn’t too slow either. It really makes you just want to sit down and think about life.
4. Kara no Kokoro
This song is just so pretty. It’s bright, inspirational, nostalgic, energetic, and so much more. I will admit, I do favor rock songs with male vocals, but this does something to my kokoro that I can’t even deny.
After writing that, I realized this is the last opening, so I guess it makes sense if they’re ending the series on a positive/high note. Yall deserve it after the rollercoaster ride I’m sure this series led you on.
3. Go!!/Fighting Dreamers
We were all expecting this song. This was probably the first naruto song to get on my playlist, and I’m talking like around 2007 or so. I used to play this multiple times a day, and even a good 15 years later, it’s still enjoyable to listen to.
It’s high energy, fun to sing along to. There’s rapping, singing, a chill guitar solo, etc. This is definitely a song that represents Naruto as he is a fighting dreamer himself.
2. Niwaka Ame Ni Mo Makezu
This is probably the most underrated tracks when looking at views. I only really got into NICO TOUCHES THE WALL last year when I rewatched Haikyuu and realized all the other tracks they made, and man…this is one of their best tracks. Diver, Hologram, Machi Machi is up there too, but this song has everything one can ask for.
It’s catchy, it has a cool guitar riff, has some quieter sections that builds up to a beautiful chorus, like, I don’t get it. The fact that this is one of the least viewed openings really makes me question a lot about the fandom, no offense (..some offense intended).
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Honestly, this list could have been so much longer…and I considered rating them all, but that would just be impossible. I would be scratching my head and reorganizing my list 50+ times.
But just know, even if a song didn’t show up on this list at all, that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed them or don’t appreciate them. Sign, Rhapsody of Youth, ugh, there’s so many songs ;_____; But here’s some gems I feel deserve a bit more love!
Moshimo
Guren
Hotaru no Hikari
Super Honourable Mention:
Totsugeki Rock
Eien desu…..Eien Desu!……EIEN DESU!!…TOTSUGEKI ROCK!
It’s too catchy haha Loved it on my first listen.
1. Haruka Kanata (Far Away)
How could this song not be #1? It’s fun, it’s catchy, and you just can’t get tired of it. I’ve probably heard it over 200 times at this point and it’s still enjoyable to play on my guitar and sing/scream along.
It’s not too slow, not too fast, not too unique or weird, it’s just a song I think any and every anime fan could love. What more can I say? I don’t think there is anyone who could hate this song.
And considering it was 2nd in the whole series, it deserves a huge applause. Asian Kung-Fu Generation has made some of the best openings in anime and you can’t help but listen to it on repeat.
Conclusion
How about you? What are your top 3 or 5 Naruto openings? Any that you feel should have been on this list? Leave your opinions in the comments!
If you’re interested in learning more vocabulary and kanji so you can watch anime and dramas, read manga, sing J-pop at karaoke, or play raw Japanese video games, check out my 250+ Kanji for Japanese Media (+Sentences) article and my Japanese Study Guide!