Tigers boss Steve Bruce this week admitted he had endured the most difficult three months of his 17-year managerial career in the aftermath of Hull's relegation from the top tier.
Despite losing 10 players during a tumultuous close-season, Bruce knows what it takes to lead a team to Championship promotion – the former Manchester United star achieved that feat twice with Birmingham and once with the Tigers – and Hull's lively showing in their first match of the new campaign suggests he might have assembled a squad capable of doing just that.
Former Chesterfield winger Sam Clucas opened the scoring at the KC Stadium with a debut goal in the 38th minute when his first effort from an Ahmed Elmohamady cross came back off Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies and he fired in the rebound.
Akpom, a 19-year-old winger on a season-long loan from Arsenal, also struck on his debut, shooting high into the net in the 71st minute after working space on the right side of the area.
QPR, relegated along with Hull, fared less well on their return to the second tier as they slumped to 2-0 defeat in a London derby against Charlton.
Chris Ramsey's side included sought-after striker Charlie Austin and four new signings, but they were out-played for long periods at the Valley.
Former Celtic forward Tony Watt, who once scored for the Scottish club against Barcelona in the Champions League, netted seven minutes after his introduction as a halftime substitute.
And Morgan Fox produced a fine strike for his first Charlton goal to kill off the lacklustre visitors with 18 minutes remaining.
Burnley, the third of the three relegated teams, left it late to salvage a 1-1 draw at Leeds.
Sean Dyche's side were given a tough test by the hosts, who looked to have secured victory when Mirco Antenucci stepped off the bench to curl home a superb effort in the 83rd minute.
But Burnley substitute Sam Vokes' fine 86th-minute header rescued a point.
Derby, expected to mount a promotion challenge under the management of former Chelsea and Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement, were held to a 0-0 draw at Bolton, who had midfielder Jay Searing sent off in the closing minutes.
Elsewhere, Milton Keynes Dons launched their first ever season in the second tier with a 4-1 win at Rotherham.
Brentford struck twice in stoppage-time to snatch a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Ipswich at Griffin Park.
Birmingham secured a 2-1 win against Reading, for whom Orlando Sa missed a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Goals from Benik Afobe and Dave Edwards clinched Wolves a 2-1 victory at Blackburn.
Sheffield Wednesday's new Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal made a winning start with a 2-0 success against Bristol City at Hillsborough.
Craig Noone produced a stunning late equaliser to give Cardiff a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.
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