Board 8 > Maniac Rates Openings

(+) Yeah! (+)

I want to do more board projects this year so Im going to start with something Ive been itching to do for a long time.

1 Nomination per user, at least until I get through all initial noms.

Providing a link is appreciated, if I cant find an easy way to watch it on my computer I will skip it.

This will be a purely subjective rating and is not meant to speak to the true quality of any show openings.

I will be giving ratings using the following categories:

• Song = 10 points How much do I like the song/singing
• Video = 10 points How much do I like the video
• Does it make me want to watch = 5 points I feel like that is kind of the purpose of an opening.
• Maniac factor = -5 to 5 points The x factor. Do I have good or bad memories attached to the OP? Do I feel like the song and the video dont go together? Is there something I cant explain that makes me like or dislike it more? This is the place where I let my pure unfiltered bias come into play. EXAMPLE: There is a certain One Piece opening that spoiled a big twist way too early. That would get -5 points.

If people want me to adjust or change the ratings scales I am open to discussion at least until I post the first rating. I plan to start watching and rating tomorrow and will post results as I go.

Attack on Titan - Season 3, Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swwUoExDIng

MVP Baseball 2005
https://youtu.be/TUr8kT2o3jA

Sometimes you wanna make a ranker chase your nostalgia, that's exactly what you saw right there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivPEYjYd20

X-Men: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sAkL2-vh2Sk&feature=emb_title

That's some great variety to start.

Baccano!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XlXTSPG6ak

Succession (Season 3)

https://youtu.be/G29EyeGzm9w

I actually slightly prefer the season 2 version but the upload cuts off the ending of that so season 3 then.

Gravity Falls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2DUpDxFJyg

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Bangaichi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBDkRwa5eSc

The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

https://youtu.be/fP8UoU3Pxyw

Last Exile - Cloud Age Symphony

https://youtu.be/j14nx50tzsQ

Odd Taxi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI_cLtW3PnA

Batman: The Animated Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmUk2YUm14

School wars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7OwQt4vfIk

tag

Cowboy Bebop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL-D9LrFJd4

Suikoden III

https://youtu.be/d5JnlNtx_mM

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrgpX-_bFqM

Fresh Prince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCqRmx3Dnw

Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTrJGaGXdRE

NOJI: Natural Overpower Japanese Ironman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA5s23sj_AA

Please rate the London Opening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49H728S_VjM

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk6iJNSv-vY

Ranking of Kings OP

https://animethemes.moe/video/OusamaRanking-OP1.webm

Snake5555555555 posted...

Attack on Titan - Season 3, Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swwUoExDIng

I should probably say first off that I have never watched AoT.

Song: 8/10. It's a nice soft sad little song. I was definitely expecting something more exciting and fast paced for AoT but this opening was clearly sending a message about the characters instead of trying to make me hype. The singer was good as was the music. The lyrics were dark which seems fitting. Overall a good song

Video: 7/10. This was very pretty but very slow. It feels like the opening for a slice of life drama. This is where me not watching definitely hurts it. I'm sure this would be much more meaningful and/or emotional if I knew the characters. Overall it tells a nice little story of some happy kids that are still together but have lost their joy, along with some other side people. But I did have some struggle staying focused.

Does it make me want to watch: 1/5. Again it looks like a slice of life drama which is not my thing. And a very sad show which is also not typically what I go for. The focus on character story peaks my interest to actually watch AoT a tiny bit but not enough to make me actually add it to me to watch list.

Maniac Factor: -2. This is a beautifully put together opening, but man does it not match at all with what I know of the show. If that was my intro to the series and then I tried it out only to find naked giant monster people eating people while soldiers zip around fighting them in a violent action show? Man would I feel super deceived.

Total score: 14

Rewrite OP2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yegE5ai9abQ

Snake5555555555 posted...

Attack on Titan - Season 3, Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swwUoExDIng

I wanted to post AOT and was glad to see someone posted a AOT opening in the first post
But uh...that one? this is by far the weakest and most out of place AOT opening

Attack of Titan Season 2 Opening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKP-vZvjbh8

Edit : I read that you didn't watch AOT so I am not sure I feel comfortable posting this, you can skip it if you prefer not to be spoiled on things because it does and I wouldn't wish AOT spoilers on anyone if you ever want to watch it

I think I have casual spoilers on a lot of stuff and dont currently plan to ever watch it.

Such as:
various deaths
The main guy bites himself to become a Titan
there is a Titan in the basement
Titans were normal people I think?

Am I safe to watch it?

Well at least one of those is wrong so I'd say sure you are

Nanis23 posted...

But uh...that one? this is by far the weakest and most out of place AOT opening

Can't help your favorites I suppose! I know it's a little out of place but can't help but love how beautiful and emotional the whole thing is.

Mega Mana posted...

MVP Baseball 2005
https://youtu.be/TUr8kT2o3jA

Sometimes you wanna make a ranker chase your nostalgia, that's exactly what you saw right there

Song: 8/10. That's a pretty hype song for a game opener. Definitely gets you in the right mood. Not a huge fan of the singer but its got a great beat.

Video: 5/10. I mean it looks like an early 2000s MLB game. The hook with the Red Sox big win is smart, to bad I'm not a Red Sox fan. Everything looks good for the time, though there is a weird amount of time spent showing manager animations, who cares about that? Showing the minigames was a great idea.

Does it make me want to play it? 1/5. Its got some interesting looking minigames shown, but I feel like the pitching mini game could be annoying, and they don't really show what is going on with all the arrow pads? I assume they launch your ball farther to make HRs easier? Interesting quick on a derby minigame, and points for hitting objects. But no I really don't want to go play an old MLB game.

Maniac Factor: -4. I hated the Astros before it was cool. When they were in the NL Central they were my most hated team. So opening with 10 seconds of Berkman is a big turn off.

Total Score: 10

WarThaNemesis2 posted...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivPEYjYd20

Song: 9/10. Iconic. Such a perfect song for the show. Just a soft classy little piece of music that perfectly fits the White House setting.

Video: 8/10. I love the style of this opening. Mixing show clips with black and white documentary/history book style photos and clips all over a US flag background. Brilliant. It doesn't show the humor or pace of the show but it works so well and I don't think they were trying to match it to the show as much as set up the White House/This is where history is made setting. It loses a point because the waving flag can be a bit too distracting at times and by the end I wish it waved less or was just a ripple. Also if you aren't already into it like me it would be very boring.

Does it make me want to watch it? 2/5. A little bit. It really brings back some nostalgia and makes me want to watch a few of my favorite episodes. That said I don't think just watching the opening without being a fan would really make anyone want to watch unless they just love the setting.

Maniac Factor: +2. I'm a fan of the show and its from an early season which were the best. This was a show I would watch with my family which was always fun.

Total Score: 21

MarkS222222222222222 posted...

X-Men: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sAkL2-vh2Sk&feature=emb_title

Song: 10/10. I mean how could it not be, one of the best cartoon opening songs ever. So good, so memorable. I could literally hear the entire song in my head from the moment I saw the link. Its perfect.

Video: 10/10. Love it. Each Xman has their own little opener showing a bit of their powers with a matching background and font. They are so good. All the little action moments they put in are great and the stand off with the Brotherhood at the end is awesome. Even just the beginning with everyone in the ship but the two fliers while they all fly around the logo. Just great. As a kid (and now) this video just gets you excited. The one thing I don't remember from my childhood is the white X flash between each seen being annoying. Maybe its just because I'm watching in a dim room.

Does it make me want to watch it? 4/5. Yes it really does. If I didn't have stuff to do tonight I would probably watch an episode. I'm so excited for the new episodes coming out.

Maniac Factor: +5. Its one of my favorite openings ever. It got me in to Xmen which are one of my favorite comic book franchises and introduced me to personal favorite characters like Nightcrawler, Beast, Storm, Gambit, and Wolverine. I will just always have a bit of bias to the characters and outfits that appeared on this cartoon (except Jubilee).

Total Score: 29

hombad46 posted...

Baccano!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XlXTSPG6ak

Song: 9/10. I love when a song just fits a show. Its unique and fun and upbeat and gets your mind into the right period. And what a great opening hook, those first 9 seconds are perfect. It does get a bit repetitive but that's like the only criticism I can muster.

Video: 10/10. This video is amazing. I love how it uses different objects to flow between characters. Everyone is showing off a bit of personality. I love the pauses with the name plates, kind of reminds me of like Law and Order or something. This opening has Style. Its just a blast to watch and it is so well thought out. Only thing I didn't like is how the animation sometimes feels like its got a low frame rate that makes it a bit choppy, but not enough of an issue to take away a point from this awesome opening video.

Does it make me want to watch it? 5/5. I have watched Baccano! and would love to watch it again. This opening just makes that desire greater. Plus I feel like if this opening was my first exposure to Baccano! I would 100% keep watching.

Maniac Factor: +3. I love how the music and video come together to really just make a perfect opening for the show. This is definitely a case where one makes the other stronger. Plus I really enjoyed Baccano! years ago when I watched it. It loses a point for the fact that now I want to watch it but I can't easily (and legally) do so.

Total Score: 27

I had forgotten just how good Baccano's opening was.

And that will be all for today I think.

Ratings so far:
X-Men the Animated Series = 29
Baccano! = 27
The West Wing = 21
Attack On Titan Season 3 opening 1 = 14
MVP Baseball 2005 = 10

Danny Phantom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2djx83-4XNQ

Appare Ranman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak1ORL-stJ4

Lightning Strikes posted...

Succession (Season 3)

https://youtu.be/G29EyeGzm9w

I actually slightly prefer the season 2 version but the upload cuts off the ending of that so season 3 then.

Song: 4/10. It definitely sets a mood. Kind of creepy, like something at the start of a murder mystery. Which I'm not sure its going for? And man is it forgettable. As in when I started to write this I had to stop and replay the song because in a few seconds I had already forgotten it.

Video: 7/10. I like the old home video style that much of it has, and cutting from that to the modern day scenes was striking. Clearly the show has something to do with politics and a rich family. I found it weird that the only time we cut from the old to the current was one shot at the table where you can't really see anyone clearly except the back of the Dad's head. Like it is avoiding showing the actual cast for some reason except in the old videos. Its also kind of slow with to many random building shots imo. Maybe sky scrapers or the city this is in is important.

Does it make me want to watch: 0/5. Nope, still no desire to watch this show.

Maniac Factor: 0. The song and video come together to give it a creepy vibe, but I don't think this show is supposed to be tense or scary or creepy at all? Like from that opening I would say this is a mystery about the death of a young family years ago, but I'm pretty sure its about the family trying to see who gets to take their Dad's place when he dies. If I'm wrong on that and it the mood really does fit the show let me know and I'll give this a +3 for doing a very good job of getting that across.

Total Score: 11

Hbthebattle posted...

Gravity Falls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2DUpDxFJyg

Song: 7/10. Its a good song and it fits the show well. Lighthearted but just a touch creepy, honestly I feel like it could have played a bit more into that mystery tone and that would have been even better. But I do immediately recognize it as the Gravity Falls theme despite only seeing a couple of episodes.

Video: 9/10: This video does an excellent job of setting the mood and showing you what you are going to get from this show. Big foot tracks and weird symbols. Mystery and locations that seem perfect for a scary story (especially the last second of the postcard and flashing images). But also very silly characters because this is still a kids cartoon. You definitely get a taste of the location and for the different main characters. It gives a bit of that Scooby Doo vibe of goofy people dealing with mysteries and the supernatural. I love the time passing that they have going in the landscape shots, I feel like you don't see that as much in cartoons as you do in live action. And the hints of all the creepy things around them are great.

Does it make me want to watch: 2/5. It definitely doesn't look like your typical kids cartoon and I love Scooby Doo so I do think about giving it a try with the wife sometime. I've heard good things. Based just on this opening though Mabel really stands out as just being pure silliness and makes me worried I will just find her annoying.

Maniac Score: +2. As you can probably tell at this point I love openings that set a mood and really go together and this one does that.

Total Score: 20

For my own amusement I played the Gravity Falls video with the Succession theme song and that also works well with it, though the video is definitely too silly for that song at points.

I also worried that Mabel would be annoying, but she's great.

Mac Arrowny posted...

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Bangaichi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBDkRwa5eSc

What the fuck did I just watch.

Song: 3/10. The beat was rocking but the singing was awful. I hated listening to the main male singer and the women weren't much better. Maybe subtitles would have helped so I could have known what the little repeated shout sequence was, but given the rest of it that might have just hurt it. And it felt repetitive overall to boot.

Video: 2/10. I give it two points for the paper cut out styling. But first minute of the video might be the worst things I've ever watched. It got better after that but still not good. And then there was the long apple sequence. I'm sure there are people that would find this funny but I am not one of them. Absurdism is often not my style.

Does it make me want to watch: 0/5. Quite the opposite. If I had set out to watch the show and that opening kicked it off I would stop watching. I would give negative points here if I could.

Maniac Factor: -5. But I can give negative points here! That was bad. And long. But mostly bad. I can safely say I have never hated an opening more.

Total Score 0

I promise that Maniac Factor score wasn't me intentionally making it a 0. If I was starting off with a total score in mind I would have lowered a different score so this could have been a negative. Why did you make me watch this Mac?

Leonhart4 posted...

I also worried that Mabel would be annoying, but she's great.

My wife is a huge scooby doo fan, maybe I will see if she wants to give this a try.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure OP5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5up_4wO8fs

I'm a pretty big fan of Zetsubou Sensei myself, but, well, if you're giving minus points for absurdism, the score for it turning you off the series is pretty appropriate too.

Some absurdism I can handle. Opening with women shooting lasers out of both sides of their panties for a minute is a rather huge turn off for me.

And most of the other absurdist stuff was just ugly or generally unappealing to me.

Just to check since Hb submitted a second nom, when you say

1 Nomination per user, at least until I get through all initial noms.

Does that mean once a user's nomination is ranked they can submit a second one, or is it done in groups?

Ringo mogire beam means apple-picking beam. You know, like beams of light you use to pick apples from their trees.

Haha, at least it got a big reaction. I find it extremely delightful, personally.

Concrete Revolutio - Wareru Doukoku
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jph381cvtJs

The thing that fascinates me the most about Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei's openings are how it just...evolves and mutates from each iteration. This topic was the first time I saw that opening in particular and I recognized some shots and parts of the song...