Kara Dennison
March 12, 2024 
The last few seasons have been great for anime openings. We got Zom 100‘s “Song of the Dead” and Oshi no Ko‘s iconic “Idol,” to name just two. The winter anime season has continued with some absolute bangers of its own… so many that we don’t have room for them all. But we do have room for three!
From returning series trying on a new style to fresh new shows paying tribute to their legacy, here are three opening themes from the winter 2024 season that we’ll never skip. Which ones are your favorites?
Brave Bang Bravern! – “Ba-Bang to Suisan!”
Masami Obari’s Brave Bang Bravern! has been winning over audiences all season long. From its episode 1 twist to its episode 9 twist, we’re never sure what to expect, but we love every second of it. And that includes one of the most hot-blooded anime openings in recent years.
Debuted at the end of episode 1 and performed by Bravern himself, “Ba-Bang to Suisan!” is full of the blaring brass and intense percussion that any self-respecting robot show warrants. The theme is even part of the show, with Bravern blasting it into the cockpit for Isami to hear. (Also, some of the second verse’s lyrics hit different once you’ve seen episode 9.)
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – “Haru”
When it comes to anime openings of recent seasons, YOASOBI’s “Yuusha” ended up being one of the most divisive. While it was undoubtedly a cool song, many viewers didn’t believe it fit the gentle fantasy tones of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. The slow-paced series about an elf living on past her adventuring party got a new opening this season, courtesy of rock duo Yorushika. The band has also done themes for The Dangers in My Heart and the Kaina of the Great Snow Sea film.
If “Yuusha” didn’t hit right for you, “Haru” just might. The tune is simultaneously cheerful and nostalgic, and aligns well with Frieren’s growing pool of acquaintances thanks to the magic exams. Oh, and don’t worry… the ending theme hasn’t changed even though the opening has. We just get the second verse instead.
MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES – “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”
Surely you didn’t think we were covering winter anime openings without mentioning this one! Creepy Nuts, who first landed on anime fans’ radars thanks to Call of the Night, have taken the Internet by storm with their new opening for MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES. The rap track is, appropriately enough, a series of flexes. For a show about a magic-less wizard who brute forces his way through magic school, it seems right.
The video above is an extended music video for the entire song, hosted on the Creepy Nuts YouTube channel. They’ve just passed 1 million subscribers!
How big a hit is the new MASHLE opening? See for yourself!
