Best Anime Series of All Time - Top 10 (You Shouldnt Miss)
by Surya
Updated Apr 05, 2023
Good Animes to Watch
For many anime fans, their introduction to the genre may have been through Dragon Ball Z which was highly popular in the 90s. However, not all of those viewers became long-term fans. A similar thing almost happened to me, but I eventually became an avid fan after getting back into anime due to some circumstances. Having watched numerous anime series and rewatched some of my favorites, I feel confident in sharing my personal favorites. However, I acknowledge that others may have different preferences. Anime, which refers to animated productions from Japan, has been around for over 100 years since its inception in 1917. Its popularity grew in the 1960s when the first anime was aired on TV, and it continues to gain more popularity each year with hundreds of new anime series being produced annually.
Best Anime Series of All Time
S.No
Name of the Anime Series
Attack on Titan
Darker Than Black
Samurai Champloo
Fullmetal Alchemist
Steins;Gate
Ghost in the Shell
Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai
Naruto
Death Note
Re: Zero − Starting Life in Another World
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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Re: Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Re: Zero is an anime that starts off simple but quickly becomes a series focused on time loops, character development, and unique villains. It's based on a light novel series by Tappei Nagatsuki. The protagonist, Subaru Natsuki, is transported to the Kingdom of Lugnica in Isekai, where he meets Emilia, the heroine. Subaru, an extreme loner, tries to predict his surroundings based on his anime knowledge but things don't go as planned. He gains the ability to Return by Death from the Witch of Envy, Satella, and becomes Emilia's personal Knight. The ability lets him return to unpredictable moments before his death, making him immortal in a way.
Death Note
The series Death Note follows a high school student named Light Yagami who discovers a notebook that can kill people by writing their names in it. Light, with a strong sense of justice, decides to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. However, his actions don't go unnoticed, and the public soon starts calling him "Kira," the entity responsible for the killings. The anime is based on a manga of the same name and is enjoyed by both Japanese and international audiences for its mystery, horror, and psychological thriller themes. The story is concise, spans less than 40 episodes, and doesn't deviate too much.
Naruto
Naruto is an anime series based on the manga by Masashi Kishimoto released in 1999. The series spans two parts, with Naruto running from 2002 to 2007, and Naruto: Shippuden airing from 2007 to 2017. The show is set in the fictional anime world of Shinobi, where Naruto Uzumaki learns to become a ninja master alongside his friends. Naruto is a Jinchuriki, with a demon sealed within him since birth to save the world from destruction. The show deals with themes of strong bonds, betrayal, and overcoming obstacles, and is widely regarded as a top anime, with a large fan base across the genre.
Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai
Rurouni Kenshin is an anime about a former assassin known as Hitokiri Battosai who tries to leave his past behind and become a protector of life. He takes on the name Himura Kenshin and becomes a Rurouni, a wandering samurai, in Japan's Meiji era. Kenshin vows to never take another life but is forced to fight to protect his country. He stumbles upon a martial arts school and decides to help out, leading him on various adventures. The anime emphasizes the importance of humility and helping those in need, and is well-known for its great action and style.
Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell is a futuristic anime series set in 2030 where humans can become cyborgs with varying abilities. Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg, and leader of Public Security Section 9 fight high crime with her team around Japan. She questions her own humanity as her entire body has been replaced by cybernetics. The anime deals with themes of identity, technology, and the impact it has on society. It has inspired other anime, TV series, and movies with its unique art style and concepts, directed by Mamoru Oshii. Despite the mixed reception of its live-action adaptation, it remains a highly regarded anime series.
Steins;Gate
Steins; Gate, one of the top-rated anime series, boasts of its unique sci-fi and time-travel themes set in Akihabara, Tokyo. The story follows Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, and his friends as they discover time travel and face off against an evil corporation. Okabe's eccentric personality, paired with plot twists and surprises, makes for an intriguing watch. Despite his gullibility, Okabe's genuine nature makes him willing to help anyone in need. Steins; Gate's popularity has earned it a dedicated fanbase and recognition as one of the best anime of all time.
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist is a popular anime series based on a manga, split into two series: Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. After an alchemical attempt to bring their mother back to life goes wrong, two brothers are left badly injured. Edward loses an arm, and Alphonse's body is lost, leaving him in the form of metal armor. They embark on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone to try to undo their mistake but soon find themselves caught up in a larger adventure, facing challenges and trying to stop an evil group from achieving their goals.
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo follows the adventure of Fuu Kasami, a teenage waitress who enlists two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin, to accompany her in search of the Samurai who smells of sunflowers. Mugen is characterized by his erratic personality and love for fighting, while Jin is serious and skilled in kenjutsu. Set in Edo-era Japan, the show attempts to be historically accurate and features great sword battles accompanied by hip-hop music themes. The show's comedic elements make it an easy watch for first-time anime watchers, and it's a personal favorite of the author's fiance.
Darker Than Black
Heaven’s Gate and Hell’s Gate appeared in South America and Tokyo, respectively, causing the stars to disappear and be replaced with fake ones linked to people with special abilities known as Contractors. Governments have trained these Contractors as spies and assassins, but using their abilities comes at a cost, such as losing their humanity and suppressing emotions. Despite this, the lead character Hei battles against other Contractors through the Syndicate, using his ability to control electricity or molecules. He often takes on false identities and is surprisingly emotive, never truly losing his caring nature, despite becoming more ruthless as he becomes more powerful. Darker Than Black is a highly-rated, short anime series that requires at least two watches to appreciate all the details and meaning.
Attack on Titan
"Attack on Titan" is a highly popular ongoing anime series based on a manga released in 2009. Set on Paradis Island, the story follows Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert as they join the Survey Corps to seek revenge on the Titans who destroyed their home and killed Eren's mother. As the series progresses, the trio uncovers more about the Titans and the secrets beyond the walls. With rich lore and plot twists, the show has a dedicated fanbase, and its emotional connections are enhanced by the voice actors in both the Japanese and English dubs. Despite the series coming to an end, there is still plenty of potential for a prequel series.
Best Animes
Anime is a type of animation that originated in Japan and is created using a combination of hand-drawn and computer-generated techniques. When the term anime is used in English outside of Japan, it refers specifically to animated works produced in Japan. However, in Japanese, the term anime encompasses all animated works regardless of their style or country of origin. If animation is produced outside of Japan but with a similar style to Japanese animation, it is commonly referred to as anime-influenced animation.
To elaborate, anime is a unique form of animation that has gained worldwide recognition and popularity. The term anime has also become a cultural phenomenon that encompasses various forms of media such as manga (Japanese comics), light novels, and video games. Outside of Japan, anime has inspired countless creators and artists who have adopted and adapted its style and techniques in their own works, leading to the emergence of anime-influenced animation.
Best Anime Series of All Time - FAQs
The Top 10 Best Anime Series of all time Re: Zero − Starting Life in Another World.
Death Note is a psychological thriller anime where a high school student named Light Yagami finds a supernatural notebook that can kill anyone whose name he writes in it.
Fullmetal Alchemist follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy to try to bring their deceased mother back to life, but it goes wrong, resulting in the loss of their bodies.
Naruto is an action-packed anime about a young boy named Naruto Uzumaki who dreams of becoming a powerful ninja and becomes embroiled in various battles and political machinations in his quest to become Hokage, the leader of his village.
Cowboy Bebop is a space western anime about a group of bounty hunters traveling on their spaceship, the Bebop while trying to capture various criminals across the galaxy.