The 15 best anime of all time

In recent years, Japanese animation has been gaining more and more fans around the world. It differs significantly from traditional animation, especially in its plots and visual style, which is why it can be considered a distinct form of art, separate from others.

There are a vast number of anime series of various genres, making it difficult to highlight the very best. However, despite this, there are universally recognized masterpieces. These are usually recommended to anyone interested in the genre. In this article, I have compiled a list of the best anime based on my experience watching over a hundred titles. There will be both unforgettable classics and newly popular releases.

Hunter x Hunter

This anime tells the story of the adventures of Gon Freecss, a boy who strives to become a Hunter and find his father. Hunters are elite specialists who explore uncharted territories, search for rare artifacts, and hunt dangerous creatures.

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The main advantage of this title is the well-developed world with the Nen ability system, which allows characters to use unique powers. Each character can create any ability they want, but the stronger it is, the more conditions there are for its use.

The plot of Hunter x Hunter delights with a wide variety of themes, locations, and interesting characters. Each arc has its own style and sometimes even genre, inspired by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The characters are deeply developed, and the relationship between Gon and his best friend Killua is one of the central themes.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War

There are plenty of romantic comedies in anime, but in most cases, no matter how many seasons the show runs, the relationships between the main characters don't progress at all.

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Kaguya-sama: Love is War initially appears to be just another rom-com where the goal is to delay the romantic plot as much as possible. However, it turns out to be quite the opposite, with the main plot even mocking this concept. You could say it's the KonoSuba of rom-coms.

It’s a lighthearted and funny anime with memorable characters. While it may not be considered a masterpiece, there’s very little in the genre that reaches the same level.

For those who want an anime about people already in a relationship, rather than striving to form one, I recommend Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku. It tackles entirely different problems, more understandable to an adult audience.

Death Note

With great power comes great responsibility. Spider-Man has nothing to do with this, but this phrase perfectly conveys the moral of Death Note. The title tells the story of a high school student who comes into possession of a mystical object with terrifying power. If you write someone's name in the notebook, they will die. Light Yagami finds a use for his discovery.

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Death Note is definitely the best anime thriller. The author managed to make the investigation intriguing even though the viewer knows who the criminal is. This is only possible thanks to a masterful approach to the plot and characters.

If anime can be said to have cinematography, then it’s top-notch here. The excellent visuals are complemented by an atmospheric style and music. It’s also worth noting that Death Note makes good use of biblical references, which are appropriate and used sparingly.

Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden is the best dramatic anime series. Watching this title may bring tears in almost every episode, as such deeply emotional events unfold throughout the story.

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The plot revolves around Violet, a girl who has returned from the war and struggles to understand people and their emotions. After observing the work of Auto Memory Dolls, she decides to become one of them. To do so, she must learn to convey human feelings and experiences onto paper in the form of letters.

The visual aspect of Violet Evergarden is beyond praise. Such detailed backgrounds can only be seen in some anime films.

This is a very beautiful anime in every sense. There is no complex lore, epic storyline, or action, but none of that is needed here, and it would distract from the main point. Human feelings and emotions are the core of this work.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a cult anime that tells the story of Lelouch, an exiled prince of Britannia who gains the power of Geass and starts a revolution against the Holy Empire of Britannia. The action takes place in a world where Britannia has conquered Japan, renaming it Area 11. Lelouch, hiding under the alias Zero, leads a double life as a student and revolutionary.

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The main character is a complex figure whose methods and goals make you ponder the price of power. His counterpart is Suzaku, Lelouch’s friend, who chooses a different path in the struggle.

The anime explores themes of revolution, betrayal, and self-sacrifice, standing out with dynamic mecha battles, well-designed characters, and a powerful soundtrack.

Chainsaw Man

Perhaps some expected to see Demon Slayer in this list, but, you know, I have a better demon hunter for you — Chainsaw Man. It's an extremely captivating and brutal shonen where the main character dreams of a peaceful and happy life.

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In structure, Chainsaw Man resembles a typical shonen like Jujutsu Kaisen, but in reality, it’s one of the most unique anime you can watch. It constantly surprises with unexpected plot twists and well-justified character motivations. There’s no Deus ex machina.

Excellent animation, stunning battles, and realistic, crazy characters are the three pillars of Chainsaw Man. These are the three reasons why I recommend you check it out — if you can handle frequent on-screen violence.

Cowboy Bebop

A cult anime combining the genres of science fiction, noir, and western. The story takes place in 2071. A crew of space bounty hunters travels aboard the ship Bebop, hunting down criminals and trying to make ends meet.

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Cowboy Bebop stands out for its unique atmosphere, created by a combination of futuristic technology and retro aesthetics. This is complemented by a fantastic jazz soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno.

The title explores themes of loneliness, the inability to escape the past, and the search for redemption. Almost every episode is a standalone story, often resembling a western or detective plot, but also connected to Spike's past and his conflict with the Red Dragon crime syndicate. The characters and their development are one of the strongest aspects of the series, particularly Spike's journey and his complex relationships with former allies.

Gintama

Gintama is one of the best comedic titles. The story takes place in an alternate Edo period of Japan, where the country has been invaded by alien Amanto. The main character, Gintoki Sakata, is a former samurai who now works as a "jack-of-all-trades", taking on various tasks with his friends Shinpachi and Kagura.

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Gintama is known for its witty parodies of other anime, movies, and pop culture, often breaking the fourth wall. However, despite its comedic tone, Gintama is capable of surprising viewers with powerful dramatic moments and intense battle scenes. The series’ ability to balance absurd situations with deep emotional story arcs is what makes it so popular.

Great Teacher Onizuka

Next up is a comedic anime about a former biker, Eikichi Onizuka, who decides to become the coolest teacher in school. Naturally, he’s assigned to teach the worst class possible, and the school administration does everything they can to fire him.

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Strangely enough, Great Teacher Onizuka is a highly educational work. Onizuka teaches life lessons to his students and viewers, but he does so in unconventional and sometimes controversial ways. Since everything is presented through the lens of humor, the events never turn into boring moral lessons. The action on screen is motivating, much like in Golden Boy (1995).

GTO has a distinct art style typical of 90s anime, giving it a unique charm. Even if the visual style doesn’t appeal to you at first glance, give the title a chance, and after a few episodes, you may grow accustomed to it.

Steins;Gate

This anime is an amazing blend of science fiction, thriller, and slice of life. You’d think I’d be here to tell you how well these elements mix, but no, they don’t, and that causes problems. The scale of the tragedy is so great that many people who start watching Steins;Gate quit after the first few episodes.

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The thing is, the creators thought it necessary to devote over seven episodes to exposition, introducing the characters into the plot and their rather peculiar daily lives. This is where viewers often stop watching. Honestly, I can’t imagine what it must have been like to watch Steins;Gate when it was ongoing. To anyone planning to check it out, I recommend binge-watching both seasons.

As for the content of the title, it’s hard to describe anything without spoilers. In the second half of the series, the plot becomes extremely complex and engaging, and the charismatic characters will stay in your memory long after you finish watching. The second season, Steins;Gate 0, delves even deeper into the characters, and the excellent movie Steins;Gate Movie: Fuka Ryouiki no Dejà vu puts a definitive end to the story.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

A cozy and melancholic journey with rare battles and reflections on the fleeting nature of time.

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In recent years, there have been so many identical isekai that a regular high-quality fantasy anime without a "transported to another world" trope feels like a breath of fresh air. It's something you want to enjoy for as long as possible and tell all your friends about. As a result, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End took first place on MyAnimeList, surpassing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

There may be long debates about whether it deserves this spot. In my opinion, it's hard to compare them, as both are only loosely considered shonen and have more differences than similarities. It’s like preferring a book over a bicycle or vice versa.

The author breaks the rules of dramaturgy and does so with skill. The characters don’t necessarily have to achieve their goals. Nothing will happen if they simply do something else, yet the story is still fascinating to watch. The evolving magic system, excellent characters, and themes that touch everyone are all waiting for you in this anime.

Mob Psycho 100

This is the story of Shigeo Kageyama, a teenager with powerful psychic abilities. Unlike other psychics who seek more power and influence, Shigeo aspires to live a normal life. Despite his strength, he avoids conflicts and strives for personal growth.

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Mob Psycho 100 has a unique art style that truly shines during the battle scenes.

For me personally, this is the best shonen in the conventional sense of the genre. None of the "big three" (Naruto, Bleach, One Piece) explores all the key themes of the genre as effectively as Mob Psycho does in fewer episodes, without drawn-out fights or constant flashbacks. It's a concise work. Drama and humor are well-balanced, the characters are interesting because of their personalities, and the battles are incredibly epic.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells the story of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who, after a failed alchemy experiment, seek a way to reverse the tragic consequences.

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Their journey in search of the Philosopher’s Stone is filled with political intrigue, philosophical reflections on human nature, and the principle of equivalent exchange. The title stands out for its remarkable plot and well-developed characters.

Before Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, there was Fullmetal Alchemist in 2003, whose plot diverged from the manga because it wasn’t completed at the time. Many, including myself, who watched the older version first, prefer it, but I understand why Brotherhood is more popular now.

It has updated animation, and the plot is much closer to the source material, which is why manga readers often give more positive feedback about this adaptation. I’d recommend watching both versions. They turned out to be quite different. After watching the 2003 version, don’t forget to check out the movie Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie – Conqueror of Shamballa, which excellently concludes the story.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is something more than any genre you could use to describe it. Overall, it’s a thrilling and often surreal spectacle. Between arcs, not only do the locations and plot change, but so do the main characters, time, and even the genres. If you watch the first and fifth seasons, you might feel like they’re two different titles.

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What ties everything together is the blend of humor, charismatic characters, and the craziness of their adventures. It may seem like these are comedic elements, but JoJo is so multifaceted that it evokes not just laughter but also tears at the most unexpected moments.

To get more specific about what you can expect in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Italian mafia, vampires, prisons, fights using solar energy, battles between spiritual manifestations, detective investigations, journeys in Africa… This list could go on endlessly, so I’ll stop at this small portion of key elements.

I should also highlight the brilliance of all the opening themes. Each one is great in its own way, and some are even enhanced as the seasons progress. The music is so amazing that you’ll want to listen to it even after you’ve finished the show.

Attack on Titan

This is the story of humanity’s struggle for survival in a world where giant Titans threaten their existence. The main character, Eren Yeager, and his friends join a military organization to uncover the secrets of the Titans and protect the remnants of human civilization. The anime is renowned for its intense atmosphere, dramatic plot twists, and themes of fighting for freedom and humanity.

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This title can truly be called a masterpiece. Throughout the story, your perception of the events may change several times. The characters also grow and decide which ideals they want to fight for against enemies of incredible power.

It’s one of those rare cases where each season makes the story more intriguing, the plot twists not only shock but also make sense within the setting, and the epic finale masterfully ties up all the storylines. Yes, it’s Game of Thrones with a quality ending. It sounds like the best title out there. Is it the best? I think it is. Let’s see what the anime industry surprises us with in the future.

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Of course, there are many other amazing titles that could have been included in this list, but unfortunately, space is limited, and my opinion might differ from yours. Everyone has their own list of favorite or best works, and you can share yours in the comments.

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