Don’t Skip the Intro
Admiring incredible anime opening sequence animation in 2024
Anime, which once used to be a niche interest for people outside Japan, is enjoying unparalleled popularity. Shows can now be watched on Netflix, Prime and Hulu in addition to platforms like Crunchyroll that only stream anime. Cosplay is more widely accepted than ever. Words like ‘otaku’ have now entered the mainstream. Liking anime isn’t weird anymore. I didn’t have to go far for answers to whether the globalization of anime and diversification of its audience is having an effect on the aesthetics of anime. It has been delightfully apparent in the bold opening sequences of shows released in 2024.
The opening sequence of the new anime Dan Da Dan took the anime world by storm in October. The song Otonoke by Japanese hip hop duo Creepy Nuts, sets the tone with fast paced music but it’s the design that really stands out. Bold typography on the edges instead of the usual placement in the center and strong visuals of the characters make each frame spectacular. I wrote to Abel Góngora, a Spanish animator, who directed the video to find out more about the visual inspiration and will update this post should he respond. Screen Rant attributes Góngora’s style and western influence to the striking aesthetic and success of Dan Da Dan’s opening. Some frames of monsters and poses are reminiscent of the opening of Ultraman in the 60’s and posters by Saul Bass and Shigeo Fukuda.
The opening of ‘Go! Go! Loser Ranger’ meld MC Escher’s endless stairs and Shigeo Fukuda’s fluid disembodied arms to create an exciting chase for the anti-hero of the show.
The opening of Mashle gained instant popularity both because of Creepy Nuts’ song Bling Bang Bang Born and its simple yet bold animation. I don’t know if it’s fair to attribute bolder choices of music and aesthetics in new anime to a more diverse audience, diverse workforce, or a change in audience preferences. Either way, as a viewer, there is nothing better than an opening cool enough to make you want to watch the entire thing every episode. You can’t skip the intro anymore.
