Hello, Alysers, I am excited to bring you the top 20 best anime of all time, including both classic anime franchises and new TV series. This list is based on a selection of experts from reputable sources.
Top 10 Best Anime of All Time
1. Attack on Titans (TV series 2013 – present)
- Genre: Drama, Action, Science Fiction, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.8
- Director: Tetsuro Araki, Masashi Koezuka, Hiroyuki Tanaka, and others
- Music: Hiroyuki Sawano, Yoshiki Hayashi
Based on the manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama, the series combines action, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic action. It is cruel, bloody, and at the same time exciting, intriguing, and will not let you sleep at night, waiting for the denouement. Attack on Titans takes place in a world where humanity lives in cities surrounded by huge walls that protect them from giant man-eating humanoids called titans.
Eren Yeager, whose mother died in the attack on titans, vows to cleanse the world of these monsters. For their cause, Eren and his friends join the Survey Corps, an elite group of soldiers who fight the Titans.
2. The Demon Slayer Blade (TV Series 2019-present)
- Genre: Action, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Director: Haruo Sotozaki
- Music: Yuuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
Launched in 2019, this new best anime has already made history as the best anime series thanks to its amazing graphics, superb soundtrack, and most importantly, a storyline that harmoniously blends drama, fantasy, action, and humor. The battle scenes between demon slayers and unique demon characters are very atmospheric and beautifully rendered. This anime superbly reveals the past and biography of every character, including even the villains.
The best anime takes place during the Taisho period (1912-1926) in Japan, where demons coexist with humans. The protagonist Tanjiro Kamado discovers that his family was killed by the attack of a demonic creature, and only his sister Nezuko survived but turned into a demon. He decides to become a demon slayer and find a way to turn his sister back into a human.
3. Pokemon (TV series 1997 – present)
- Genre: comedy, family, children, fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Director: Kunihiko Yuyama, Norihiko Sudo, Masamitsu Hidaka, and others
- Music: John Leffler, Shinji Miyazaki, Manny Corallo, etc.
You may have outgrown this best anime movie a long time ago, but you can’t deny its influence on the anime industry and popular culture in general (remember at least the super popular game for gadgets Pokémon Go). It was first shown in Japan in 1997, and the release of the new series continues to this day. The plot of the anime is childishly simple: the boy Satoshi (aka Ash Ketchum in the English dub) travels around the world with various Pokémon such as Pikachu to become the best Pokémon master. It is curious that in honor of Pikachu the protein pikachurin, which was found by scientists on the retina of the eye, got its name.
4. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
- Genre: fantasy, romance, adventure
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Music: Jo Hisaishi
Another beautiful creation by Hayao Miyazaki, which can and should be watched by the whole family. As Miyazaki himself said, the prototype for the Howling Castle was the house of Baba Yaga – a hut on chicken legs. The main character – the girl Sophie, by the will of the wicked witch ended up in the body of an old woman. She flees the city and meets a mysterious castle, which is home to a young wizard named Howl and a small fire demon Calcifer. Sophie decides to stay at the castle and work there as a cleaner. Gradually, she draws closer to Howl and realizes that some kind of spell rests on him.
5. Ghost in the Shell (TV series 2002 – 2005)
- Genre: sci-fi, action, thriller, crime
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Director: Kenji Kamiyama, Masaki Tachibana, Itsuro Kawasaki
- Music: Yoko Kanno
The legendary cyberpunk best anime series was originally released in 1995 as a feature film directed by Mamoru Oshii, followed by the first season of the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Loner Syndrome directed by Kenji Kamiyama. The anime takes place in Japan, a parallel world, in which the line between people and machines, reality and virtual are practically erased. Division 9, led by Major Motoko Kusanagi, works to prevent cybercrime. Fun fact: Ghost in the Shell was the inspiration for the then Wachowski brothers when they created The Matrix.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV series 2009 – 2010)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 9.1
- Director: Yasuhiro Irie, Ikuro Sato, Kiyomitsu Sato
- Music: Akira Senju
Complex world-building with a balance of memorable characters, iconic moments, and thrilling combat is what makes Fullmetal Alchemist the best anime of all time. And the ticket to this vast world is sympathy. We understand why the Elric brothers practiced forbidden alchemy in an attempt to resurrect their deceased mother. And despite the fact that divine intervention hit them in the face, saying “no” to them, the brothers continue to search for the lost. This quest paves the way for the heroes through the world of monsters, government conspiracies, and divinity.
7. One Piece (TV series 1999-present)
- Genre: fantasy, action, drama, romance, adventure
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Director: Sakai Munehisa, Konosuke Uda, Hiroaki Miyamoto, and others
- Music: Shiro Hamaguchi, Kohei Tanaka, Elik Alvarez, etc.
There is a reason why One Piece has been a consistently top-tier anime series since 1999 and has spawned all sorts of theatrical and television side effects. We just can’t get enough of the hilarious and addictive saga of the flexible pirate captain Monkey D. Luffy and his constant quest to become the next Pirate King. And in the world of “One Piece,” there are devil fruits that give a superpower to those who eat them. The scenes of powerful fighting between the Devil Fruit Eaters, including Luffy, are stunning. The plot of the series is endlessly fascinating, but it is the unusual, vivid, and numerous characters that are what attracts the most throughout 956 episodes (and their number continues to grow, and it is planned to release 1,682 episodes in total).
8. Mob Psycho 100 (TV series 2016 – 2019)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa, Takefumi Andzai, Katsuya Shigehara
- Music: Kenji Kawai
The series is both a parody of shonen best anime and a perfect example of it. The plot revolves around an eighth-grader named Mob, a quiet, reserved boy who specializes in casting out evil spirits. The catch is that Mob’s own supernatural powers are tied to his emotions. If he is thrown off balance 100%, the whole world will be in danger. This series is loved and popular due to the power of humor, a small but memorable cast of characters, and extremely unusual visual style.
9. Evangelion (TV series 1995 – 1996)
- Genre: fantasy, action, drama
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Director: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Hiroyuki Ishido, and others
- Music: Shiro Sagisu
This anime is full of references to the Jewish and Christian religions, and its last two episodes are so controversial that they still generate controversy among fans. However, there is no controversy over Evangelion’s continued superiority, both as a groundbreaking take on the mecha anime genre and as a harrowing and incredibly lengthy study of depression. Such an anime should not be shown to elementary school students due to the rather cruel and confusing plot, however, adolescents and adults will certainly be interested not only in battle scenes and impressive musical accompaniment but also in psychological, as well as moral and ethical dilemmas that Evangelion is full of.
10. Dororo (TV series 2019)
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
- IMDB Rating: 8.4
- Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi
- Music: Yoshihiro Ike
The story of the cursed child of Hyakkimaru, who served as a gift for the demons, and the tomboy Dororo, a cheerful and resourceful child with a dark past. A story was full of family secrets and battles with supernatural beings in a country mired in feudal strife. A story that teaches compassion, humanity and presents a choice: can a person who commits terrible acts in the name of the highest good be considered bad?
11. Code Geass: Lelouch Risen (TV series 2006 – 2012)
- Genre: Thriller, drama, adventure, fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.6
- Director: Goro Taniguchi, Noriaki Akitaya, Katsuo Miyake, etc.
- Music: Kotaro Nakagawa, Hitomi Kuroishi
Originally released in 2006, this series has stood the test of time for two things: a captivating setting of meticulous world-building and storytelling based on stunning thriller-like twists. The story takes place in an alternate world where the world consists of three superpowers: the Holy British Empire, the Chinese Federation, and the European Union. Before the story begins, the Holy British Empire conquered Japan with the help of huge anthropomorphic war machines, depriving the country of its name and freedom. The protagonist, Lelouch, an exiled British prince now living in Japan, vows to destroy his father’s empire.
12. My Hero Academia (TV series 2016 – present)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Director: Kenji Nagasaki, Tomo Okubo, Setsumi Dokawa, and others
- Music: Yuki Hayashi
Superhero stories are a dime a dozen, but My Hero Academia offers a unique twist on a familiar genre, focusing on a hero who was born without superpowers in a world full of people with superpowers. With stunning animations, an impressive roster of well-crafted supporting characters, and a talent for coming up with some of the most ridiculous and unique superpowers ever to appear on screen, My Hero Academia is one of the best animes worth watching.
13. Cowboy Bebop (TV series 1998 – 1999)
- Genre: fantasy, action, drama, comedy
- IMDB Rating: 8.9
- Director: Shinichiro Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Takei, Ikuro Sato, etc.
- Music: Yoko Kanno
This anime takes place in 2071 when bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his partner Jet Black chase criminals through habitable space. Then new partners join their small team – the adorable gambler Faye Valentine, the teenage hacker Ed and, theoretically, the smartest dog in the world Ain. Although Cowboy Bebop was released back in 1998, it remains popular today. This is evidenced by the fact that in 2021 the eponymous series (no longer anime) will be released, directed by Michael Cattleman and Alex Garcia Lopez.
14. Naruto (TV series 2002 – 2007)
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
- IMDB Rating: 8.3
- Director: Hayato Date, Harume Kosaka, Rion Kujo and others
- Music: Toshio Masuda, Musashi Purojekuto
The long-term anime series “Naruto” has become a cult following due to its wild popularity all over the world, and for good reason. It’s full of action-packed battles, hilarious moments, and dramatic scenes that will make your heartbreak. The main character has a very long way to go to become the Hokage – the head of his village and the strongest of all ninjas. And there are a lot of them in the series! In Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles, the story takes on a darker and more serious tone as the characters get older and face more serious challenges.
15. Ranma ½ (TV series 1989-1992)
- Genre: fantasy, action, romance, comedy
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
- Director: Tsutomu Shibayama, Tomomi Mochizuki, Kazuhiro Furuhashi and others
- Music: Kenji Kawai, Hideharu Mori
While the anime’s animation may be dated by today’s standards, Ranma 1/2’s stunning humor is still relevant today. At the center of the action is the young man Ranma, a martial arts master who fell into the Drowned Girl’s Well during training. Now, when doused with cold water, he turns into a girl, and hot water can return to his original appearance. Ranma is engaged to Akane Tendo, although neither he nor she is delighted with this “honor.” And numerous fans of Akane, as well as fans and admirers of Ranma, further complicate the lives of both heroes. Few anime can make you laugh more than Ranma 1/2, mainly because its story and characters are absurd and full of comedic possibilities – be it Ryouga’s incredible ability to “get lost in three pines”, Shampoo’s ill-fated plans as she tries to win Ranma’s love. or Haposai’s passion for lingerie.
16. Dragonball (TV series 1986 – 1989)
- Genre: fantasy, action, thriller, comedy
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Director: Daisuke Nishio, Minoru Okazaki, Kazuhisa Takeuchi
- Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
The plot of the series is not deep, as it mainly revolves around martial artist Goku and his friends, who test their strength against an increasingly powerful and outlandish series of enemies. But what Dragonball lacks in terms of plot is more than offset by humor, quirky characters, and incredible action. How can you not enjoy a martial arts fantasy where most of the characters are strong enough to destroy planets with their bare hands?
17. Black Butler (TV series 2008 – 2010)
- Genre: Drama, comedy, crime, detective
- IMDB Rating: 7.8
- Director: Hirofumi Ogura, Tosiya Shinohara
- Music: Taku Iwasaki
It is the perfect combination of detective, drama, and comedy, with unpredictable twists and turns, and captures the beauty of the Gothic Victorian aesthetic. The main characters are Ciel – an adult mind in a charming childish body, and his butler Sebastian, who is too handsome and cunning for a person. Each of them has their own motives for cooperation, and on the way to the final goal, they will have to face many dark, funny and cruel characters.
18. Beauty warrior Sailor Moon (TV series 1992 – 1997)
- Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama, Romance, Comedy
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
- Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara, Junichi Sato, Takuya Igarashi, etc.
- Music: Takanori Arisawa
This 200-episode series is more than the sum of its already fantastic parts, with gorgeous animation, an inspiring story of friendship and love, and rich mythology. and characters, each of whom, including the villains, have their own merits and demerits, goals, and character. The main characters – Usagi Tsukino, Rei Hino, Ami Mizuno, Makoto Kino, Minako Aino, and the mysterious Tuxedo Musk – use the various powers that their patron planets have endowed. They are ready to sacrifice their lives without hesitation in order to protect the Earth from the Dark Kingdom (each season will have its own villains). Sailor Moon has stood the test of time as the foundational anime from which many of the modern anime about witch girls have evolved.
19. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Genre: fantasy, adventure, family
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Music: Jo Hisaishi
If you need an anime that can be safely shown even to young children, then “My Neighbor Totoro” is ideal. Its plot is simple and kind, the soundtrack is amazingly beautiful, and the characters are unique and funny. That there is at least Catbus – a huge cat-bus that moves with great speed and releases yellow rays from its eyes. Totoro himself is entirely Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy, not a spirit from Japanese folklore. He is the guardian of the forest and it is with him, as well as with other magical creatures invisible to adults, that two girls meet – Satsuki Kusakabe and her sister Mei.
20. Death Note (TV series 2006 – 2007)
- Genre: fantasy, thriller, drama, crime
- IMDB Rating: 9
- Director: Tetsuro Araki, Tomohiko Ito, Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, etc.
- Music: Yoshihisa Hirano, Hideki Taniuchi
If you were given a notebook whose power can kill any person the moment you write his name, who would you write? This is exactly the idea behind the Death Note anime. It is a 37-episode Japanese television series based on the manga of the same name by Tsugumi Oba and Takeshi Obata. In the center of the story is the schoolboy Light Yagami, who found the Death Note, thrown into our world by the bored god Ryuk. Deciding that only law-abiding and kind people deserve to live in the world. Light begins to write down the names of all the criminals about whom the media write about in a notebook. Death Note ranks among the best anime of all time because of its gripping storyline and a dynamic storyline that doesn’t spill over into multiple sidelines and stays true to the core concept. Another interesting point: instead of the general plot of a weakling who gradually turns into a hero through training and adventure, we have a character who starts out as a hero and gradually becomes a villain.
