15 Best Naruto Openings, Ranked

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

The openings of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden combine traditional Japanese music and rock to create visually appealing mash-ups that immerse viewers in the series' epic world.

The 10 openings highlighted in the article, such as "Hero's Come Back!!" and "Silhouette," capture the essence of Naruto with their intense instrumentals, captivating visuals, and emotionally charged lyrics.

The euphoric, heart-pounding, and body-moving melodies of the Naruto franchise's openings, have captivated the ears and hearts of fans since 2002 when the series aired. Naruto's openings consist of a combination of traditional Japanese music, rock, and various other genres, immersing fans into an epic and visually appealing mash-up of animation. Even without a full understanding of the lyrics, that has never kept fans from dancing to or humming along with these songs.

Throughout Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, the openings have conveyed messages about not giving up in the face of adversity, how loved ones will be there when times are tough, and most commonly how friendships can help people persevere even through dark times. These messages have been shared with fans through exciting instrumentals and seraphic voices. Fans were given 29 amazing openings over the two series run between 2002 and 2017, such as No Boy No Cry by Stance Punks and Niwaka Ame no mo Makezu by NICO Touches the Walls, but among those 29 openings, a handful standout as Naruto's best openings of all time.

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15 Light of a Firefly - Ikimono-Gakari

Shippuden Opening 5

Light of a Firefly, like much of Naruto itself, is about Naruto and Sasuke's relationship. Though Naruto clearly remains hopeful that he can redeem Sasuke, the rogue shinobi himself is only falling deeper and deeper into Orochimaru's clutches. The lyrics reflect this as the singer mentions wanting to see someone they've lost again. All of it is a solid concept and is mostly well-executed, but Light of a Firefly's primary flaw is its animation.

Though Naruto is well-known for its solid animation, Light of a Firefly instead primarily features static images of the series' main characters looking pensive and worried. Though the intent is clearly to reflect the darker tone of Shippuden as the characters face uncertainty, the result just isn't as visibly interesting as many of the series' best openings.

14 Turning Sadness Into Kindness - little little

Naruto Opening 3

Fitting with its name, Naruto's third opening Turning Sadness Into Kindness is all about the contrast between Naruto's lonely early life and his time with Team 7. The animation in Turning Sadness Into Kindness is well done, conveying Naruto's journey well and showing just how much he's grown in such a short amount of time. One of the best shots in the opening is the final one, where Naruto starts running alone only for the rest of Team 7 to pop up.

Though Turning Sadness Into Kindness is a great opening with some great animation, what lets it down is the song by little little. The music is good, but doesn't necessarily fit with the opening animation. Overall, this isn't enough to ruin the opening, but it does hurt it at least a little bit.

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13 R.O.C.K.S - Hound Dog

Naruto Opening 1

R.O.C.K.S by Hound Dog is certainly an odd choice for Naruto's first opening, which is actually what ends up making it perfect. The music by Hound Dog has a distinctly 80s vibe to it that feels like a strange fit for a series that largely sold itself on its youthful energy as Naruto did. Not helping matters is how the music ends up contrasting with the visuals. R.O.C.K.S' more chill energy doesn't exactly fit the action scene of Team 7 facing some bandits.

Despite these problems though, R.O.C.K.S ends up working precisely because it's so off. There is a nostalgic feeling to the song, as though a future Naruto is looking back on the early days of Team 7 right alongside the audience. There is an innocence and simplicity to everything that makes R.O.C.K.S a treat to revisit knowing everything that would happen later on in the series. While far from the franchise's best opening, R.O.C.K.S earns its place in Naruto's history as the opening that introduced many fans to the ninja world.

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12 Lovers - 7!! Seven Oops

Shippuden Opening 9

Sakura is one of Naruto's most misunderstood heroes, which is why it's refreshing to see her get a bit of the spotlight in Shippuden's 9th opening, Lovers by 7!! Seven Oops. The opening is a bit scattershot in its approach, showing various groups active in the series at the time. The Akatsuki, the Five Kage, and the members of the Village Hidden in the Clouds are all shown in the middle of action.

Despite the varied subjects though, what anchors Lovers is Sakura and her struggles with Naruto and Sasuke. The opening starts with the young kunoichi caught between the two as their feud breaks apart the land between them while all Sakura can do is pray that the two can settle their differences. The lyrics reinforce this, as the singer is talking to a loved one who can't quite show their true emotions. If the opening featured a little more of Sakura and honed in on these themes, it might have been a classic. As it is, Lovers is still strong, but not Naruto's best.

11 Empty Heart - Anly

Shippuden Opening 20

Empty Heart by Anly has the unenviable task of closing out the entire Naruto saga, and though there are better openings, the series' final introduction accomplishes its goals admirably. The opening shows off the characters in their Blank Period designs as they go about their lives, clearly happy to finally have found some amount of peace despite all the hardships they faced.

Empty Heart's defining moment is the montage of Naruto and Sasuke's fights leading up to their reconciliation as young adults with a high five. The lyrics reinforce the central theme of Naruto and Sasuke's relationship as the singer talks about not giving up on loved ones no matter how dark their life gets. This perfectly reflects Naruto's refusal to give up on Sasuke, making Empty Heart a perfect opening to close out Naruto Shippuden.

10 Hero’s Come Back!! - Nobodyknows+

Shippuden Opening 1

Hero's Come Back!! started Naruto Shippuden with the titular ninja returning to Konohagakure. This opening perfectly set the tone for the new series, with its usage of drums and guitar combined with hard Japanese rap lyrics. The visuals featured the cast in their new gear combined with blurred, grainy images. This insinuated that the series would have a much darker and more mature tone, and it was executed perfectly.

In some of the most notable English lyrics, "3, 2, 1 make some noise," are images of Garra, his brother, Konkaro, his sister, Temari, and Naruto showing concern as he vanishes from the screen and a hand is drowning in sand. With dark images of the Akatsuki and The 9 Tails, this first opening sets an exciting yet eerie tone for the series.

9 Guren (Crimson Lotus) - Does

Shippuden Opening 15

Naruto Shippuden opening 15 Guren (Crimson Lotus) by Does leads with a powerful guitar lead and dominating display of drums that breaks out into a menacingly paced masterpiece that is visually impressive and epic to hear. Crimson Louts captures the depth and malice of the Senju and Uchia feud. Translated lyrics mention, "Heads and tails, good and evil, light and shadow keep looking for the answer in between," with visuals featuring Naruto and Sasuke with a wavering black line to separate them and a young First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha with a split between them as well.

Guren'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

Shippuden Opening 19

The band that seamlessly set the tone for the entirety of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, gave fans and opening that stands the test of time with Blood Circulator. From the muffled guitar intro that breaks into an all-out jam session, followed by a voice so strong it sounds like a perfectly played instrument, Naruto Shippuden opening 19 executed a phenomenal close to the War Arc, Naruto's ultimate villain Kaguya the Rabbit Goddess, Infinite Tsukuyomi, and Naruto vs Sasuke.

The lyrics of Blood Circulator focus on how one should never give up in the face of despair, with visuals of Naruto sinking into darkness while Team 7 continues to press on through battle. Together the lyrics and visuals climax in epic proportion as Naruto rises from darkness, and alongside Sasuke, they charge head first at Kaguya to the solo strings of a guitar and banging of drums.

7 Closer - Joe Inoue

Shippuden Opening 4

The Naruto Shippuden opening that is better known as Shikamaru's opening uses malefic tones and instrumentals to show the magnitude of the coming battle between the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu and Asuma Sensai along with his Team 10 and Jonin. Closer by Joe Inoue focuses on the importance of life and savoring it while we can, which becomes existentially apparent when Team 10 is faced with the death of Asuma Sensai.

The visuals of Closer are focused around Shikamaru and it's all riveting, bringing in goose bump barring excitement that inspires fans to keep moving forward no matter what we're faced with, even death. This opening is more melodic and calming, but the thrill behind its sequences easily makes it rank among Naruto's best openings.

6 GO!!! - Flow

Naruto Opening 4

"We are fighting dreamers!" Naruto's fourth opening which is the epitome of early 2000s punk captures everything that fans love about the series. From the head-banging instruments to the lyrics that fans are positive they can speak fluently, Flow convinced every fan they were a rock star. Visuals of characters running across static, pastel manga panels that moved on the screen, to the eerie glare of Itatchi Uchia's Sharingan eyes paired with the upbeat vocals of Flow meant that fans were in for a treat with an opening that delivered a catchy and exciting way.

Where this opening does not focus on the complex and dark nature of the arc that follows it still is the Naruto opening that captures how exhilarating the series always has and will be, making it one of Naruto's best openings.

5 Seishun Kyousoukyoku (Rhapsody of Youth) - Sambomaster

Naruto Opening 5

Seishun Kysoukyoky (Rhapsody of Youth) by Sambomaster was more than just the fifth opening of Naruto, it was the opening that showed fans when the characters really grew up. This opening was focused around the young ninjas of Konohagakure as they endure a fight for their lives against enemy ninjas of the Sound Village, all in a failed attempt during Sasuke Retrieval Arc, one of Naruto's best story arcs.

Rhapsody of Youth is about a friend who is struggling to accept that their friend is gone, which conveys the overall theme of what Naruto is going through. The opening builds with heartfelt tears from Naruto's piers, and memories of his good times with Sasuke before it ends with the two slipping away from one another before their series-defining battle. Easily making it one of Naruto's best-executed openings.

4 Sign - Flow

Shippuden Opening 6

Holding the spot for one of Naruto Shippuden's most impactful, suspenseful, and melancholic openings Sign by Flow showcased the magnitude of events to come. With visually dazzling scenes of Master Jiraiya battling Pain, the Akatsuki standing by as Itatchi and Sasuke's showdown finally hits the screen, and Naruto becoming consumed by the 9-Tailed Fox this opening was an ever-changing build-up of the stakes' fan's beloved characters have to endure which led to the ultimate deaths of Jiraiya and Itatchi.

Flow executed this song's somber lyrics excitingly and energetically showing fans that emotions and epic battles were awaiting them. Even without knowing the message behind this opening, it is flawless and ethereal in every way.

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

Naruto Opening 2

The opening that deserves to be at the top, Haruka Kanata (Far Away) by Asian Kung-Fu Generation only failed at not delivering one of the greatest anime openings of all time. What's so special about this opening is that this is when the series took off. Little is shown visually of the events to come, yet the foreshadowing is so impactful that it is only amplified by the jam session that is used to show viewers.

Scenes of the teams that passed the first portion of Naruto's iconic Chunin Exams followed by various action sequences of the young shinobi, Orochimaru's eyes on Sasuke, and the evil within Garra, are shared with us by lyrics that translate to proving oneself. The perfect message for this arc where Naruto and his friends battle to show their skills, survive, and advance.

2 Blue Bird - Ikimino Gakari

Shippuden Opening 3

Blue Bird by Ikimino Gakari is the opening in which Naruto fans gather together to chant at the top of their lungs and for good reason. Blue Bird is about the fleeting nature of happiness and how it can be hard to hold onto, especially when things seem difficult, it is important to be determined to keep moving on. The uplifting melody of Blue Bird is what captivates the fans of Naruto and J-Pop as it tells us that we all have a bluebird inside of us waiting to be set free and the visuals of the opening show this as a bluebird is used to transition the scenes around the central characters.

Though it was played during one of Naruto Shippuden's filler arcs, Blue Bird's visuals begin focusing on the distance Sasuke has put between him and Konohagakure, and how all the shinobi have accepted this except for Naruto, for whom it is especially difficult to let Sasuke go. This opening is as beautiful as its message.

1 Silhouette - Kana-Boon

Shippuden Opening 16

The pinnacle of Naruto openings was bestowed upon fans during the culmination of the War Arc. Silhouette by Kana-Boon is nearly ineffable and is nothing short of a masterpiece. From the opening of the pivotal characters to the monochromatic visuals of the journey fans have gone on up until this point. Seeing the main title Naruto burn into the screen and then burst to life like a phoenix, the first fourteen seconds alone of Silhouette trumps every other opening the series has created.

The visuals are superb in their execution of showing the development of the two main villains, Obito Uchia and Madara Uchia, and the growth of the main protagonist Naruto in stunning transformation running animations. Silhouette outlines what a Naruto opening should be, it is visually mesmerizing, melancholic, action-packed, and presents the gravity of the conflict. The lyrics pair perfectly with the visuals and the tone is so inspirational it always brings tears and chills to fans. All of this adds up to making Silhouette the best Naruto opening of all time.