Few anime have opening themes as iconic as Naruto and its sequel series, Naruto Shippuden. Over the years, the series delivered a soundtrack of pure emotion, hype, and nostalgia. These intros weren’t just catchy songs, but the heartbeat of each arc, carrying the weight of the intense battles, character struggles, and the bonds created throughout the series. Many even spawned countless memes and remixes, turning these songs into a cultural phenomenon that extended far beyond the anime. Their legacy continues to thrive online, proving just how deeply these openings resonated with fans.
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What makes these openings truly unforgettable is how they echo Naruto’s journey from a lonely outcast to a hero who carries the hope of the shinobi world on his shoulders. Each theme had a message of growth, perseverance, and friendship, leaving fans with memories that go far beyond the screen. Certain tracks became iconic not just for the arcs they accompanied, but for the way they echoed through fan culture, inspiring countless memes and tributes. Whether it was a song fueled by pure excitement for the next battle or one that moved fans with its heartfelt lyrics, each opening added something unique to the series. In the end, they stand as timeless pieces of anime history that fans will continue to love forever.
10) Hero’s Come Back!! (Naruto: Shippuden OP 1)
“Hero’s Come Back!!” by nobodyknows+ exploded onto the scene with pure energy, marking Naruto’s long-awaited return to the Leaf Village after the timeskip. Its mix of rap and rock gave Shippuden a bold, fresh identity that separated itself from the original series, while instantly hooking fans from the first episode. The visuals not only reintroduce an older Team 7 but also highlight the updated looks of the Konoha 11, showing that Naruto wasn’t the only one training during this time. It even gave us a look at the new Kazekage, Gaara, alongside his siblings, Temari and Kankuro, showing how much had changed in Naruto’s absence. With all these reveals packed into one sequence, the opening felt like a celebration of how far the story has come.
The song’s lasting appeal comes from its unforgettable rhythm and charismatic delivery. With its hype-filled verses and catchy hooks, it definitely defined Shippuden’s early atmosphere as something louder and more ambitious than the original story. Even now, hearing “Hero’s Come Back!!” takes fans back to that rush of excitement when Naruto returned to the screen. It still stands as not just an opening, but a declaration that the story had entered a new era.
9) Niwaka Ame ni mo Makezu (Naruto Shippuden OP 13)
“Niwaka Ame ni mo Makezu” by NICO Touches the Walls dropped right in the middle of the Fourth Great Ninja War arc, and its intensity matched the scale of the conflict perfectly. The instrumentals and vocals gave the scene a sense of urgency, as if every second mattered. The visuals capture the chaos of the battlefield, highlighting the Kage’s battle against the newly reanimated Madara. This marked the band’s second contribution to the Naruto franchise after their earlier hit “Diver”, and this time they elevated the high stakes of the ongoing war.
What makes this opening memorable is how well it balances hype with emotional weight. One of its most striking visuals is the sequence of lanterns floating against the darkness, which may symbolize the countless people who believe in and support Naruto. As the series progressed, Naruto earned the trust of the Kages and the Allied Shinobi Forces, making him the beacon of hope in this war. The opening also teased the upcoming legendary confrontation of the Five Kages versus Madara, a battle that reminded fans just how high the stakes were. With its symbolism and incredible visuals, “Niwaka Ame ni mo Makezu” stands as one of Shippuden’s greatest openings.
8) Distance (Naruto: Shippuden OP 2)
“Distance” by LONG SHOT PARTY was Shippuden‘s second opening, and carried an upbeat energy that contrasted with the series’s increasingly serious tone at the time. The song set the stage for one of the most anticipated moments in the story, Naruto finally coming face-to-face with Sasuke after the timeskip. The visuals emphasized their bond and rivalry, reminding viewers that their relationship remained at the heart of the narrative. The tone of the song almost feels like Naruto’s own voice, showing just how far he is willing to go to bring Sasuke back to the village, even reminiscing about that battle on that day.
With a mix of liveliness and emotional weight, “Distance” stands out as one of Naruto’s best openings. Even though the track is much lighthearted and fast-paced, the imagery hints towards the deeper struggles the characters face, showing Naruto’s determination against Sasuke’s cold resolve. LONG SHOT PARTY managed to capture the pure emotions and weight of this encounter into this one opening, easily making it a standout among fans. To this day, the song is remembered as the opening that marked the true beginnings of the conflicts of Shippuden.
7) Blood Circulator (Naruto: Shippuden OP 19)
“Blood Circulator” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation marked the band’s return to the franchise years after their classic hit “Haruka Kanata”, which defined early Naruto. Their comeback late in Shippuden felt like the franchise had come full circle, linking Naruto’s beginnings to the final few episodes of the series. The song’s high-paced instrumental carried a sense of urgency as a new threat, Kaguya, appears. The visuals evolved across three versions of the opening, beginning with the chaos of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, shifting to the climactic battle against Kaguya, and finally culminating in the legendary showdown between Naruto and Sasuke.
The power of this opening lies in how it blends nostalgia with maturity. Hearing the band again instantly transported fans back to the series’ early days, yet the darker, heavier tone of “Blood Circulator” reflected the stakes going into the final parts of the war and the battle that would decide the fate of the shinobi world. In the third version, the visuals constantly flash back to every major clash between Naruto and Sasuke, highlighting their shared history while contrasting the paths they chose. By showing their similarities and their opposing destinies, the opening perfectly set the stage for their final battle. It’s remembered as one of the most impactful late-game openings, bringing both Naruto and Sasuke’s journey full circle with the same energy that kicked it off.
6) Closer (Naruto: Shippuden OP 4)
Inoue Joe’s “Closer” brought a refreshing burst of optimism to Shippuden’s lineup of openings, but it also carried some of the series’ most emotional undertones. The visuals are tied directly into Asuma’s fateful fight against Hidan, with Shikamaru’s desperate pursuit to save him being one of the most iconic moments from the arc. Fans familiar with Japanese culture will notice the Red Flowers foreshadowing Asuma’s tragic demise, adding a layer of tragedy to this optimistic song. The duality in tone made the track unforgettable, showing that even the brighter songs could have a deeper meaning.
The lyrics themselves resonated with the themes of loss and perspective. Lines like “the closer you get to something, the tougher it is to see it” spoke directly to Sasuke’s conflict of trying to sever his bond with Team 7, but he couldn’t escape his memories with them. Meanwhile, “And I’ll never take it for granted, let’s go!” echoed the pain of Shikamaru and Team 10, who didn’t realize the full weight of Asuma’s presence until it was gone. Inoue Joe’s heartfelt delivery tied these two struggles together, making “Closer” both a song about gratitude and a reminder of how fragile yet powerful bonds can be.
5) Haruka Kanata (Naruto OP 2)
It goes without saying that “Haruka Kanata” by Asian Kung-Fu Generations stands out as one of the best early Naruto openings with its pure raw energy, setting the tone for the “Chunin Exams arc”. The sharp guitar riffs and energetic rhythm gave the edge that matched the intensity of the battles Team 7 were about to face. The visuals highlight the Konoha 12 as they step into the exams, the introduction of Gaara, and the ominous presence of Orochimaru. More than showcasing youthful rivalries, the opening captured the growing sense of danger ahead in the story for Team 7.
What makes “Haruka Kanata” unforgettable is how it’s paired with the tonal shift of the story, especially compared to the slower-paced opening “R.O.C.K.S.” Where the first theme gave viewers a playful, almost relaxed introduction into the shinobi world, “Haruka Kanata” cranked it into overdrive, giving viewers a feeling of the intense stakes that were soon to come. Fans remember this opening not only for its sound, but for the way it elevated the “Chunin Exams” into one of the most legendary arcs in shonen anime. Even now, “Haruka Kanata” stands as a battle cry for early Naruto, the song that told fans this series wasn’t just fun and games.
4) Blue Bird (Naruto: Shippuden OP 3)
“Blue Bird” by Ikimono-gakari is often considered among one of Naruto’s best openings and is a track that resonates beyond the anime’s circle. Its gentle vocals and powerful melody gave the series a moment of reflection after Team 7’s first encounter with Sasuke post-timeskip. The opening, much like “Distance”, focuses mostly on Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship, with the beginning highlighting their last encounter in a monochrome slideshow. The blue bird emphasizes the ideal future of Naruto reuniting with Sasuke and achieving peace, something that could be seen as unreachable.
Funny enough majority of the opening’s run was during the “Twelve Guardian Ninja” filler arc. Despite the story briefly slowing down at the time, the song stands out among fans with its symbolic visuals and heartfelt delivery. The constant use of the blue bird and its feathers represents Team 7’s bond slowly flying away as Sasuke tries to flee from his past. While many other openings emphasized chaos or despair, this one highlights the hope and the future. More than a decade later, “Blue Bird” continues to soar above the rest, celebrated as one of the most iconic and emotionally resonant anime openings of all time.
3) Sign (Naruto: Shippuden OP 6)
“Sign” by FLOW marked a dramatic tonal shift in Shippuden, carrying the emotional weight of both Jiraya and Itachi’s deaths. The opening scenes highlight the bond between Naruto and Jiraya, showcasing how much his mentor’s loss devastated him, while also showcasing the complicated relationship between Sasuke and Itachi. The imagery conveys grief and conflict, paralleling the two protagonists as they wrestled with loss in their own ways. FLOW’s ability to move between softer verses to explosive choruses enhanced the emotions that matched the pain during this part of the story.
What makes “Sign” unforgettable is how it embodied the arc it accompanied. Naruto was forced to confront life without his mentor, while Sasuke’s grief over Itachi’s death pushed him deeper into revenge and isolation. The opening showcases the tragic clash between Jiraya and Pain, a battle that cost Naruto his greatest source of guidance and left him with a wound that would pave his path forward. FLOW’s passionate delivery elevated the emotions of this moment, turning the song into one of the most impactful openings of the series. Showcasing even at their lowest, Naruto and Sasuke’s bonds are still tied together by fate.
2) Go!! (Naruto OP 4)
“GO!!!” by FLOW is pure unfiltered hype, the kind of opening that makes you jump out of your chair and shout along with it. The opening debuted during the Search for Tsunade arc, a stretch where Naruto was growing rapidly in strength while the stakes around him continued to rise. It’s a song with pure adrenaline that captures the youthful energy at this point of the series, with Naruto and his friends pushing themselves to new limits. The visuals, for the most part, aren’t relevant to the story outside of a few shots highlighting Naruto’s and Sasuke’s training, the first appearance of the Akatsuki and Tsunade, and Naruto’s impending fight against Kabuto.
Few songs capture the heart of Naruto at that time as perfectly as “GO!!”. From the first note, this truly feels like a new era, reflecting Naruto’s training that brought him to heights we hadn’t seen before. FLOW’s explosive delivery made the opening impossible to ignore, with the chants of “Fighting Dreamers!” quickly cementing it as a favorite among fans. Every beat radiates youthful adrenaline, embodying the passion and drive that pushed Naruto and his friends forward after the Third Hokage’s death. Even now, “GO!!!” remains a timeless song that continues to excite fans whenever the track plays.
1) Silhouette (Naruto: Shippuden OP 16)
When it comes to Naruto openings, it’s hard to argue that “Silhouette” by KANA-BOON stands among them as one of the best. Releasing during the height of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the song delivers a catchy, adrenaline-pumping song that hypes the viewer for the upcoming fights. The opening dynamically shows just how far Naruto has come from a young outcast to a shinobi who now carries the weight of the entire world on his shoulders alongside the friend he has been chasing, Sasuke. More than that, we see the overwhelming force of Madara as he takes on the entire Allied Shinobi Forces as well as the revived Hokage. Finishing off with the iconic shot of Naruto holding out a hand to Obito, reminding Obito of his younger self.
The brilliance of “Silhouette” lies not only in its emotional impact but in its presentation. The animation was top-tier for its time, with crisp, fluid motion and striking transitions that elevated the song’s impact. Iconic sequences like Naruto running after Sasuke from his younger self to his current self perfectly symbolize his lifelong determination. While the brief glimpses of Madara facing Naruto, Sasuke, and the First Hokage capture the magnitude of this war’s climax. On top of that, the opening became a cultural phenomenon outside of the anime, spawning countless memes and parodies that kept it alive long after its debut in the anime. Silhouette rose above being just an opening, becoming a defining part of anime culture and one of the most iconic anime openings of the last decade.
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