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The Pokémon anime has some of the most nostalgic and iconic opening themes ever. While many fans remember the original opening the best, others have also stood the test of time, like “Pokémon World”. These amazing themes prove the original theme was more than a one-hit wonder. Each opening beautifully encapsulates each interesting anime season.
Aside from epic battles, the anime is known for its flawless openings. With the original theme as a benchmark, many openings have attempted to rival its nostalgia. Many themes fail at this improbable goal. Yet, the Pokémon anime has many amazing opening songs that are just as good, if not better, than the original.
10
“Diamond and Pearl” Demonstrates What the Anime Was Capable Of
Featured in Season 10, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl’s first season was a crucial turning point for the series. While catchy, it is primarily meant to highlight the improved animation quality. Many of the opening battles are leagues beyond the previous seasons. The theme also features the region’s Legendary and most iconic Pokémon, like Dialga.
Overall, “Diamond and Pearl” is an amazing introduction to one of the Pokémon anime’s most well-received seasons. It teases what the audience has to look forward to through the series’ updated art style. Yet, it is relatively far from the most iconic and popular openings. That being said, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl’s first opening theme has earned a special place in many fans’ hearts.
9
Battle Frontier’s Opening Features Many Iconic Pokémon
Featured in Season 9, Pokémon: Battle Frontier
The first few seconds of “Battle Frontier” feature a silhouette of all of Ash’s most iconic Pokémon. This immediately elevates this opening to iconic status. It also heavily exhibits Ash’s Grovyle, his most well-known Pokémon from the current period. The opening also teases May’s upcoming contest challenges and her most prominent opponents, like Drew.
Although Pokémon: Battle Frontier is one of the most popular Hoenn seasons, the opening doesn’t do it justice. Even though it has many of the anime’s fan-favorite Pokémon, it is only for a brief second, and they are mostly obscured. Yet, the theme is still overtly beloved due to the prominence of Pokémon: Battle Frontier. However, it likely wouldn’t be as well-received if another season accompanied it.
8
“The Journey Starts Today” Continues the Theme of Shorter Openings
Featured in Season 23, Pokémon Journeys: The Series
“The Journey Starts Today” perfectly encapsulates how the Pokémon anime has changed forever. It heavily displays the new art style while promising to return to the show’s more comedic roots. Although Pokémon has always been more comedic leaning, before Pokémon Journeys the anime was developing its more serious side. That being said, this season and its successors have some of the most epic and compelling moments in the entire franchise.
In the end, Pokémon Journeys is meant to be a soft reboot of the anime. Therefore, it makes sense that its opening is equally different and ground-breaking. The opening also exhibits Ash’s main companion during the following seasons, Gon. Thus far, Gon is the only protagonist focused on filling up the Pokédex. This is an extremely refreshing change of pace for the series. It also means that Ash rarely has to share his battling spotlight.
7
“This Dream” Is an Extremely Nostalgic Opening For Many Fans
Featured in Season 7, Pokémon: Advanced Challenge
Pokémon: Advanced Challenge’s “This Dream” delivers on the rock-guitar-laden themes the audience has gotten used to. However, it is also enhanced by breathtaking imagery. The scene of Ash and Pikachu staring into the night sky perfectly embodies Ash’s mindset. It’s utterly epic as Rayquaza circles Ash and disappears. The epic lyrics and instrumentals work in tandem to provide one of the most beloved early Pokémon openings.
“This Dream” is the perfect embodiment of Ash’s goals as a trainer. The lyrics affirm his dedication to his journey while promising that he is moving ever forward. Yet, the opening is slightly restricted by the animation limitations of the time. It has withstood the test of time along with many other older Pokémon themes. However, this resistance could be more because of nostalgia than any other factor.
6
“We Will Carry On” Is Sinnoh’s Best Opening By Far
Featured in Season 13, Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors
“We Will Carry On” is the best Sinnoh Opening. The upbeat drums paired with some epic action created an underrated masterpiece. “We Will Carry On” is like a spiritual successor to “Unbeatable”. Like the iconic Hoenn opening, it teases some of the season’s most compelling battles. It uses the opening as an opportunity to foreshadow Dawn’s contest competitions. Although many openings are similar, this feels intentional.
That being said, “We Will Carry On” doesn’t quite live up to the hype of its spiritual predecessor. The music is undoubtedly memorable, but cannot compete with some of Pokémon’s more cherished themes. However, the opening still serves its overall purpose. It excites fans for the upcoming season while demonstrating how, through various changes, Ash’s challenge is still interesting and fresh.
5
X and Y’s Version of the Original Pokémon Opening Is a Fantastic Callback
Featured in Season 17, Pokémon the Series: X and Y
While there have been a few renditions of the original Pokémon theme, none of them are as well executed as the opening of Pokémon the Series: X and Y. Although the lyrics and overall energy are the same, X and Y attempt to take the classic theme in a whole new direction. This is a perfect metaphor for X and Y’s take on the overall Pokémon anime. It has similar moments and energy to the original series, but still somehow feels noticeably unique.
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The team behind Pokémon the Series: X and Y took great care to honor the original theme. It adds some modern twists to what is widely considered an anime classic. There are even some fans who prefer the remake over the original. However, that is not a widespread mindset among fans. It is still the most well-received rendition of Pokémon’s most iconic theme.
4
“Believe in Me” Beautifully Embodies Ash’s Mindset
Featured in Season 5, Pokémon: Master Quest
“Believe in Me” is a beautiful message directly to Pokémon fans. Ash Ketchum is directly asking them to believe in him as he takes on one of his greatest challenges yet. The lyrics also highlight his newfound battling confidence. The song compellingly demonstrates Ash’s perspective as it teases some of his greatest battles. “Believe in Me” expertly foreshadows many of the season’s greatest victories and losses.
Overall, “Believe in Me” feels like it was made directly for the fans. At this point in the series, viewership dropped because of Ash’s tremendous losses. However, he takes these losses in stride and again asks the audience to believe in him. Thankfully, Pokémon: Master Quest proves Ash is just as capable of securing victories as he is losses.
3
“Be a Hero” is a Short but Sweet Opening Theme
Featured in Season 19, Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest
“Be a Hero” is the ultimate culmination of Ash’s journey through X and Y. While he has spent much of the saga training, he is finally ready to soar to his potential. This closely follows the overall ebb and flow of the franchise. Typically, Ash slightly struggles in any new region for the first season and a half, until he finally finds his footing towards the end. Therefore, this amazing opening signals it is once again time for Ash to be on top.
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Despite the opening theme’s promise of success, Ash still struggles through some of Kalos Quest. However, Ash has many colossal victories in line with the amazingly energetic opening. “Be a Hero” remains one of the most beloved modern Pokémon themes. Just like with its rendition of the original opening, X and Y proves that it truly understands the overall Pokémon formula. Its popularity is also because of its concentrated inclusion of Greninja, one of the most beloved Pokémon of all time.
2
“Pokémon World” Is a Super Nostalgic Blast From the Past
Featured in Season 2, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Island
“Pokémon World” is the perfect successor to the original theme. It goes in a completely different direction while still going all out instrumentally. This theme beautifully demonstrates how anime is consistently growing and changing. Yet, Ash’s true dream remains the same no matter his team or the region he finds himself in. That said, this remains one of the most nostalgic Pokémon openings of all time.
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Many older fans of the series consider “Pokémon World” in the same tier as the original opening. Although it might not be as memorable, it is just as good musically. However, the original theme has an advantage lyrically. Either way, as the second Pokémon opening, “Pokémon World” had a lot of pressure to live up to. Thankfully, the well-renowned theme succeeds under insurmountable pressure and then some.
1
“Unbeatable” Is One of the Most Iconic Pokémon Opening Themes
Featured in Season 8, Pokémon: Advanced Battle
“Unbeatable” is probably the only opening theme to rival the original in popularity. Its epic electric guitar riffs paired with compelling vocals are a masterclass in music-making. “Unbeatable” is widely considered the best theme among the Pokémon audience. Even the opening is enough to give any fan goosebumps. The scenes with all the Pokémon running in their respective climates are nearly breathtaking.
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Pokemon: Advanced Battle is one of the most nostalgic and best-animated early Pokemon series.
Although Pokémon: Advanced Battle might not be the franchise’s most well-received season, it has what many consider the anime’s penultimate opening. There are a select few who even prefer “Unbeatable” to the original theme. That being said, the opening doesn’t quite have the same level of nostalgia as the original. Nonetheless, it stands the test of time as what could be the best opening in the entire franchise.
Pokémon
Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
- Release Date
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April 1, 1997
- Seasons
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25
- Studio
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OLM
- Network
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TV Tokyo
, TV Osaka
, TV Aichi
, TVh
, TVQ
, TSC - MyAnimeList Score
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7.40
