We attempt to crown the greatest Anime OP/Opening theme song of all time as we go through a bracket of 32 of the best ones! Hear each OP on the podcast as we go through the match-ups.

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Beatriz Mourad, & Aly Martin.

See the empty bracket to follow along: https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPBracketBefore.png

See the completed bracket (SPOILERS!): https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPBracketAfter.png

Timestamps for the podcast:

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 18:40 – Region #1. 1 Seed: Neon Genesis Evangelion
• 54:00 – Region #2. 1 Seed: Attack on Titan
• 1:24:00 – Region #3. 1 Seed: Cowboy Bebop
• 1:51:45 – Region #4. 1 Seed: Tokyo Ghoul
• 2:17:15 – The Final 4 & Crowning a Champion!

See the complete aggregate rankings used for seeding here: https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AnimeOPAggregateRankings.png

The 5 rankings used:

• TV Asahi Japanese poll: https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/animesong_sousenkyo/#/?category=variety
• My Anime List: https://myanimelist.net/featured/1065/Top_25_Best_Anime_Opening_Songs_of_All_Time
• WatchMojo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dobTyzla9bk
• FandomSpot: https://www.fandomspot.com/best-anime-intros-openings/
• Ranker poll: https://www.ranker.com/list/best-anime-intros-and-opening-themes/lisa-waugh

The match-ups:

• A Cruel Angel’s Thesis – Neon Genesis Evangelion vs We Are! – One Piece
• Hacking to the Gate – Steins;Gate vs Kuusou Mesorogiwi – The Future Diary
• Lilium – Elfen Leid vs Beatriz’s Wildcard
• Duvet – Serial Experiments Lain vs Gurenge – Demon Slayer
• Guren no Yumiya – Attack on Titan vs 99 – Mob Psycho 100
• Flyers – Death Parade vs Blue Bird – Naruto: Shippuuden
• Inner Universe – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex vs Aly’s Wildcard
• again – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood  vs Battlecry – Samurai Champloo
• Tank! – Cowboy Bebop vs Bloody Stream – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
• Butter-Fly – Digimon Adventure vs Moonlight Legend – Sailor Moon
• When They Cry – Higurashi When They Cry vs Dylan’s Wildcard
• Cha-La Head-Cha-La – Dragon Ball Z vs The Day – My Hero Academia
• unravel  – Tokyo Ghoul vs Resonance – Soul Eater
• The World – Death Note vs Renai Circulation – Bakemonogatari
• The Hero!!  – One Punch Man vs Connect – Puella Magi Madoka Magica
• Colors – Code Geass vs Asterisk – Bleach

Welcome to our mega-bracket of Animated TV Theme Songs where we’ll crown the ultimate cartoon theme song! Hear each theme songs as we give our selections for the best Recent, Classic, & Anime theme songs.

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Beatriz Mourad, & Aly Martin.

See the empty bracket to follow along: https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ThemeSongBracketBefore.png

See the completed bracket (spoilers!): https://www.overlyanimated.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ThemeSongBracketAfter.png

Timestamps for the podcast:

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 9:25 – Recent Western Theme Songs
• 1:31:10 – RWBY Themes Face Off!
• 1:53:25 – Western Classic Theme Songs
• 2:36:45 – Some of our Favorite Anime OPs
• 3:35:40 – The Final 4 & Crowning a Champion!

When Marnie Was There is a gorgeous film by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the final Studio Ghibli entry before its temporary closure. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Michelle Anderer, & Delaney Stovall.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• “When Marnie Was There: Ghibli’s Final Film Was ALMOST a Queer Classic” by Anthony Gramuglia https://www.cbr.com/when-marnie-was-there-ghibli-almost-queer/

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is legendary animator Isao Takahata’s final film and perhaps his magnum opus. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Alex Bonilla, & April Collins.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• Isao Takahata and His Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014)

The Wind Rises is Hayao Miyazaki’s adult drama film centered on war and romance. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Aly Martin, & April Collins.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Miyazakiworld” by Susan Napier
• “Ep. 4 No Cheap Excuses” from “10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki”
• “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” (2013)

From Up on Poppy Hill is a gorgeous period-piece romance, Goro Miyazaki’s 2nd film. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Michelle Anderer, & Aly Martin.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• “Hayao Miyazaki’s World Picture” by Dani Cavallaro

The Secret World of Arrietty is a gorgeous fantasy film from Hiromasa Yonebayashi, his directorial debut. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Aly Martin, & Delaney Stovall.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• “Hayao Miyazaki’s World Picture” by Dani Cavallaro

Ponyo features some of Hayao Miyazaki’s most gorgeous animation in such a joyful movie. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Delaney Stovall, & Alex Bonilla.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Miyazakiworld” by Susan Napier
• “Ponyo is Here” & “Drawing What’s Real” from “10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki”

Tales from Earthsea is Goro Miyazaki’s (son of Hayao) directorial debut, an epic fantasy movie that got mixed reviews. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Michelle Anderer, & April Collins.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• “Ep. 3 Go Ahead – Threaten Me” from “10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki”
• “Hayao Miyazaki’s World Picture” by Dani Cavallaro

Howl’s Moving Castle is one Hayao Miyazaki’s most magical films and is beloved by many. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Aly Martin, & April Collins.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Miyazakiworld” by Susan Napier
• “A ‘Positive Pessimist’” by Devin Gordon https://www.newsweek.com/positive-pessimist-119801

The Cat Returns is a fun fantasy film inspired by Whisperer of the Heart. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the films being available to stream for the first time!

Hosts this week: Dylan Hysen, Michelle Anderer, & Maddie Potter.

Referenced on the podcast:

• “Studio Ghibli: The Films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata” by Colin Odell & Michelle Le Blanc
• “The Anime Art of Hayao Miyazaki” by Dani Cavallaro