Top 30 Anime Series of All Time
The top 30 anime series of all time-future updates if necessary. This list is all about the quality: captivating stories, character development, etc. Bias and nostalgia goggles are not included. Do not expect Naruto or Pokemon. Furthermore, some of the anime series in this list may be demoted or entirely removed due to inferior following season/story arc (One Punch Man, The Promised Neverland).
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30 titles
- StarsMamoru MiyanoAsami ImaiKana HanazawaAfter discovering time travel, a university student and his colleagues must use their knowledge of it to stop an evil organization and their diabolical plans."El Psy Congroo"
Pros:
+ Amazing Writing
+ Best Time Travel Tale
+ Emotional and Intellectual Experience
+ Excellent Voice acting
+ Superb Character Development
+ Open the Steins Gate (ep 23)
Con:
Slow Start - CreatorHiromu ArakawaStarsKent WilliamsIemasa KayumiMatthew LeonhartTwo brothers search for a Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their deceased mother goes awry and leaves them in damaged physical forms."Anime Landmark"
Pros:
+ Emotional, Humorous, Political Storyline
+ Endearing Characters
+ Great introduction into the anime world
+ Incredible Voice Acting (Dub & Sub)
+ Episode 4 - StarsRikiya KoyamaKôhei KiyasuSteve StaleyIppo, a teenage boy with a pure heart and unrelenting determination, discovers a passion for boxing after veteran fighter Takamura saves him from bullies."Best Sports Anime Ever Produced"
Pros:
+ Animation
+ Character Development
+ Engaging, Humorous, Underdog Tale
+ Sports fans will love it - StarsYûichi NakamuraDavid MatrangaLuci ChristianA sequel to the anime based on the recently concluded Key Clannad franchise. After Story is a new path that opens in the original visual novel after all other options have been traversed."Dango, Dango, Dango Family"
Pros:
+ Emotionally Heartbreaking Story
+ Great mix of Romance & Sci-fi
+ Loveable Characters
+ Best Romantic Anime Series
+ Ushio Arc
Con:- Outdated Art Design (character models)
- CreatorShin'ichirô WatanabeHajime YatateStarsKôichi YamaderaUnshô IshizukaMegumi HayashibaraThe futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners."Bang!"
Pros:
+ Charismatic gang of misfits
+ Jazz & Funk Inspired Score
+ Smart Dialogue
+ Stylish & Cinematic Feel/Look
Con:- Slow Pace
- CreatorYoshihiro TogashiStarsIssei FutamataMegumi HanCristina ValenzuelaGon Freecss aspires to become a Hunter, an exceptional being capable of greatness. With his friends and his potential, he seeks out his father, who left him when he was younger."The x Holy x Grail x of x Shonen"
Pros:
+ Best Shonen Series
+ Character Development
+ Epic Coming of Age Tale
+ Quimera Ant's Arc
+ Zero x and x Rose
Con:- Slow Start (1st Arc)
- CreatorGorô TaniguchiIchirô ÔkouchiStarsJun FukuyamaTakahiro SakuraiJohnny Yong BoschAfter being given a mysterious power to control others, an outcast prince becomes the masked leader of the rebellion against an all-powerful empire."A Political Thriller"
Pros:
+ Best Character of All Time (Lelouch)
+ Character Development
+ Dark, engaging, political story plot
+ Best Anime Ending of all time - StarsNatsuki HanaeRisa TanedaAyane SakuraA piano prodigy who lost his ability to play after suffering a traumatic event in his childhood is forced back into the spotlight by an eccentric girl with a secret of her own."An Ending for the Ages"
Pros:
+ Tear-jerking Ending
+ Engaging Storyline
+ Best anime about music
+ Classical Score - CreatorNaoki UrasawaStarsHidenobu KiuchiLiam O'BrienMamiko NotoTenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy. The boy, now a charismatic young man, reappears 9 years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders."The Only thing Humans are Equal is in DEATH"
Pros:
+ Best Anime Thriller
+ Fantastic Direction
+ Psychological Drama
+ Superb Writing - CreatorHaruichi FurudateStarsAyumu MuraseKaito IshikawaYu HayashiDetermined to be like the volleyball championship's star player nicknamed "the small giant", Shoyo joins his school's volleyball club."Volleyball?... You Won't Regret It!"
Pros:
+ Amazing Sports Drama
+ Brilliant Pacing
+ Compelling Characters - CreatorYuki UrushibaraStarsYûto NakanoMika DoiTomomi SaitoThey are creatures only known as 'Mushi'. While their existence are unknown to the humans, there are a few like Ginko who is a 'Mushi-shi' that travels around to investigate and find out more about the 'Mushi.'"Beautiful, Japanese Folklore Series"
Pros:
+ An enjoyable, calm storytelling flow
+ Enchanting Audio & Visuals
+ Thought-Provoking Tales - StarsManaka IwamiLaura BaileyNobunaga ShimazakiAfter Tohru is taken in by the Soma family, she learns that twelve family members transform involuntarily into animals of the Chinese zodiac and helps them deal with the emotional pain caused by the transformations."The Most Foolish Traveler in the World"
Pros:
+ Every Zodiac Member Background Story (Soma's "Family Bonds")
+ The Better Adaption
+ Sweet, Sad, & Uplifting Tale
Cons:- Side Characters (Prince Yuki Fan Club, Student Council members, mostly all high school characters)
- Slow start
- StarsAaron DismukeAoi KogaMakoto FurukawaThe proudly privileged top two students of an elite school each makes it their mission to be the first to extract a confession of love from the other."Strategy, Manipulation, Fear, and Love Detective ... RomCom at its Finest"
Pros:
+ Funny and Lovable characters
+ Romantic Comedy at its finest
+ Shuchiin After Party Episode
Con:- Takes a while to get used to the narrator (Sub)
*Recommendation watch the Dub way better narrator* - StarsJessie James GrelleBryce PapenbrookTrina NishimuraAfter his hometown is destroyed and is traumatized, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction."To Surpass Monsters, you must be willing to Abandon Your Humanity"
Pros:
+ Amazing Characters
+ Fantastic Concept
+ Superb Animation
+ Final Season
Con:- Ending
- CreatorEiichirô OdaStarsMayumi TanakaAkemi OkamuraLaurent VerninMonkey D. Luffy sets off on an adventure with his pirate crew in hopes of finding the greatest treasure ever, known as the "One Piece.""The King of Pirates has joined the rankings!"
Pros:
+ Luffy
+ Character Development
+ Wano Country Arc
+ Balances Drama, Comedy, & Storytelling Perfectly
Cons:- Pacing Issues
- Too many FILLERS!
- StarsLuci ChristianBrittany LaudaMiyu TomitaA girl and her robot companion search for her mother, who's lost within a vast chasm."An Amazing Adventure"
Pros:
+ Gorgeous Art-style (similar to Studio Ghibli)
+ Loveable Characters
+ Rich Story-building - StarsNatsuki HanaeZach AguilarAbby TrottA family is attacked by demons and only two members survive - Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko, who is turning into a demon slowly. Tanjiro sets out to become a demon slayer to avenge his family and cure his sister."The Anime That Made History"
Pros:
+ Episode 19
+ Best Looking Anime of all Time (for now)
+ Loveable Main Characters
+ Rewatchability
+ Top Tier Shonen
Cons:- Comedic Scenes/Gags (E.g.Tsuzumi Mansion)
- Swordsmith Village Arc (excluding the season finale)
- StarsHiroshi TsuchidaAyu MatsuuraAtsuko MineA man adopts his six-year-old aunt and raises her as his own kid."Adorable & Heartwarming"
Pros:
+ A joy to watch ("60 Smiles per Hour")
+ Compelling main characters
+ Heartwarming, adorable parenting Story
Con:- Some rough animations (low-budget scenes)
*Avoid the manga at all costs* - StarsRie KugimiyaCherami LeighKayleigh McKeeA lonely little boy moves into a ramshackle apartment building all on his own and makes friends with the broke manga artist who lives next door."A Sweet Heartbreaking Tale of Friendship and Independence"
Pros:
+ Kotaro
+ Rivals Usagi Drop
+ A unique, joyous, sweet, & wholesome experience - StarsKengo KawanishiKhoi DaoAi KayanoA 17 year old socially awkward orphaned shogi player, dealing with adult problems like financial difficulties, loneliness, and depression."Understanding Humanity + Shogi"
Pros:
+ A unique tale of depression, family, and hope
+ Loveable characters
+ One of the best coming to age tales
Con:- The Shogi games are kind of dull in comparison to other tv shows about board/card game competitions like Queen's Gambit, Chihayafuru, etc.
- CreatorRifujin Na MagonoteStarsYumi UchiyamaTomokazu SugitaAmber Lee ConnorsA 34-year-old underachiever gets run over by a bus, but his story isn't over. Reincarnated as an infant, he'll embark on an epic adventure."Greatest Isekai Anime of all Time!"
Pros:
+ Best Isekai Anime Series of all time
+ World Building
+ Amazing Art Design & Animation
Con:- Main character's perverted characteristic (tiresome anime trope)
- Lower Animation Quality (S2 pt.1)
- StarsNatsuki HanaeMike McFarlandDarius Marquis JohnsonIn a city which should be familiar, there is the feeling of something a little different."A Caring Driver with an ODD View of the World"
Pros:
+ Simple yet Captivating Plot
+ Fun & Witty
+ Superb Ending
Con:- Some useless quirky characters
- CreatorAki HamajiStarsYoshino AoyamaSayumi SuzushiroSaku MizunoHitori "Bocchi-chan" Gotoh is a lonely high school girl whose heart lies in her guitar. One day, she meets Nijika Ijichi and joins 'Kessoku Band'. After that, her daily life starts to change little by little."'Y-Yaaay! W-W-Welcome!' - Bocchi the Introvert"
Pros:
+ Anime References
+ Creative Art Direction
+ Funny & Relatable Storyline
Con:- Supporting Characters
- StarsMakoto FurukawaKaito IshikawaMax MittelmanThe story of Saitama, a hero that does it just for fun & can defeat his enemies with a single punch."The Folly of SuperHeroes is another Bald Man's Treasure"
Pros:
+ Animation
+ Epic Battle Scenes
+ Humorous take on Superheroes
+ Saitama
Con:- Season 2
- CreatorKazuki NakashimaStarsTetsuya KakiharaShizuka ItouYuri LowenthalTwo friends, Simon and Kamina, become the symbols of rebellion against the powerful Spiral King, who forced mankind into subterranean villages."The Drill that will Pierce the Heavens!"
Pros:
+ Amazing Main Characters
+ Perfect blend of Comedy, Action, & Drama
+ Top-notch, Stylish Animation
Cons (Spoiler):- Best Character dies too early on
- Underdeveloped Antagonists
- CreatorSosuke TokaStarsHinata MinamiAyumu MuraseSungWon ChoThe people of the kingdom look down on the young Prince Bojji, who can neither hear nor speak. They call him "The Useless Prince" while jeering at his supposed foolishness."Storybook Brought to Life"
Pros:
+ Beautiful, Emotional Tale
+ Marvelous first three episodes
+ Story Book Aesthetic
Con:- Slower Pace Midseason
- StarsTakahiro SakuraiSetsuo ItoChris NiosiA psychic middle school boy tries to live a normal life and keep his growing powers under control, even though he constantly gets into trouble."Genuinely A Good Show"
Pros:
+ Humorous Storyline
+ Mob's Character Development
+ Reigen
Cons:- Underdeveloped villains
- Animation
- StarsMamoru MiyanoBrad SwaileVincent TongAn intelligent high school student goes on a secret crusade to eliminate criminals from the world after discovering a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written into it."Top Tier Characters trap in an Overstay Anime"
Pros:
+ Amazing main characters
+ Clever & Witty Storyline
+ Great Art Style
Cons:- Too long (omit half of the show)
- The best character doesn't get enough screen time
- CreatorYoshihiro TogashiStarsNozomu SasakiJustin CookChristopher SabatAfter a teenage delinquent is killed while saving a child's life from an approaching car, the rulers of the underworld send him back to become an "Underworld Detective" investigating demons apparitions in the human world."Spirit World Detective"
Pros:
+ Chapter Black Arc
+ Great Character Development
+ Humorous, Dramatic, & Romantic Storyline
+ Strong Ancillary Cast
Cons:- Needs a Reboot (like what Hunter x Hunter got)
- Final Arc was Rushed
- CreatorKaiu ShiraiStarsSumire MorohoshiMariya IseShinei UekiWhen three gifted kids at an isolated idyllic orphanage discover the secret and sinister purpose they were raised for, they look for a way to escape from their evil caretaker and lead the other children in a risky escape plan."Fascinating Anime with a Rush Finale"
Pros:
+ Amazing art direction
+ Captivating Thriller
+ Creative Narrative
+ Outstanding Season Finale
Con:- Second Season
*Recommendation: Avoid season 2 and only watch season 1. It ends on a satisfying note*