10 Anime Everyone Agrees Are Literally Perfect
Likes and dislikes regarding an entertainment medium are subjective, and it is impossible to make everyone agree on the nuances of a story after just one watch. However, even within the very opinionated anime community, there are a select few series virtually everyone would recommend.
The most flawless anime have gained such legendary status for their captivating plots and exceptional characters that they enjoy the label of being perfect. When it comes to the all-time best anime, fans swear nothing can beat the greats in terms of their creative storytelling and long-lasting entertainment value. Though this claim is not unanimously accepted, hardly anyone condemns the most widely beloved anime series thanks to their all-around amazing quality.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is Absurd Comedy Anyone Can Enjoy
It is difficult to perfect a comedy anime, but The Disastrous Life of Saiki K comes close to achieving that feat. The jokes land most of the time because of Saiki K‘s ridiculous premise, but it is the well-written side characters who make this show a hit. The distinct personalities and specific quirks woven into Saiki K‘s characters give their funny scenes the kind of authenticity that forced gags can never replicate.
The plot is simply absurd, with Saiki, a very powerful psychic, trying to navigate life like a normal high schooler and survive in the world without standing out. Saiki K‘s main character goes to comically extreme lengths and avoids unnecessary interactions just to ensure nobody learns about his abilities. However, Saiki’s lengthy inner monologues stand out, as they humanize him, while entertaining the audience with his relentless stream of thoughts.
Barakamon’s Wholesome Humor Works Like Therapy
Barakamon is not a show with conflicts or conspiracies; rather, Barakamonis an experience that soothes souls with its light-hearted storyline. The plot of Barakamonrevolves around Handa, a talented calligrapher, who, just like many, moves to the countryside in search of inspiration and respite. However, what should have been a quiet and relaxing time for Handa turns into utter chaos because the village folks just do not care about personal space.
However, these annoying moments give Handa and the audience what they need the most, which is genuine laughter. Barakamon is ridiculous, with equally silly characters who charm with their personality and heart. Their presence showcases the beauty of village life and proves how, at times, simplicity is all that matters. Amidst that, Naru, who becomes Handa’s unlikely friend, emerges as the cutest highlight of the entire show.
Haikyuu!! Makes Volleyball More Exciting Than Real Matches
There are many great sports anime like Slam Dunk that came before Haikyuu!!. However, this show on high school volleyball is pretty much responsible for popularizing the sports genre to a wide variety of audiences. Many viewers find it difficult to connect with these kinds of anime because they might not understand the plot if they are unfamiliar with the games. That is not the problem here, as Haikyuu!! does an excellent job of familiarizing the sport, even to a non-sports fan.
Haikyuu!! simplifies the technicalities and showcases the strategies in ways that every layman would understand. However, where Haikyuu!! excels is its character development and emotional payoff. By the end of Haikyuu!! Episode 1, fans are guaranteed to root for Hinata and Kageyama to win every match for the rest of their careers.
Hunter x Hunter Stands Out as an Intellectually Engaging Shonen Anime
Hunter x Hunter is another shonen anime that is crafted really well. While carefully navigating around the familiar tropes, Hunter x Hunter serves up a cast of very likable characters. Gon is the typical hero with a big heart, and his escapades with his newfound friends serve as the core of the story. Hunter x Hunter leans into being an entertaining shonen anime in the beginning, with great training montages and interesting battles, but the tone steadily gets grittier.
Despite being pretty long, Hunter x Hunter’s Chimera Ant arc is especially considered one of the best story arcs across all anime in general. The Chimera Ant Arc presents profound themes about moral complexity and explores the extremes to which humans can go when it comes to survival and self-preservation. The main complaint fans have about Hunter x Hunter is the very delayed updates of the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi.
Made in Abyss Is Hauntingly Beautiful and Deceptively Dark
If the concept of being unpredictable became an anime, then it would be Made in Abyss, as no fan can guess just how dark things will get before watching. Though the cute-looking characters might indicate a show where children go on little quests, the truth is far more gruesome. Yes, Riko, an aspiring cave raider, and Reg, a mysterious robot boy, do embark on an adventurous journey, but what happens there is a completely different story.
Made in Abyss is also brilliant because it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with its breathtakingly beautiful underworld and all the magical beasts. It also provides some of the best music scores ever, with a divine song integrated in the first episode that aptly captures the magnificence and allure of the never-ending Abyss.
Attack on Titan Accurately Depicts the Brutality of War
Attack on Titan indulges fans with incredible action through warfare while imparting enough philosophy to resonate with real issues. The story of Attack on Titan is set in a bizarre world where humanity lives inside walled cities to protect themselves from huge monsters called Titans, who roam outside these barriers. Despite such captivity, the people inside continue living their ordinary lives, which has become their definition of normalcy.
However, there are also kids like Eren and his friends who dream of true freedom and wish to venture outside to see what the world is truly like. Their aspirations eventually come true, but the things they had to accomplish to achieve that are a nightmare far from what they dreamed of finding. Attack on Titan is a thoughtful meditation on how and why history repeats itself, and, perhaps most importantly, a gruesome commentary on war.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Teaches the Value of Time
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a unique adventure anime with an atmosphere that is less intense and more relaxed. It begins after the hero’s party has already defeated the Demon King, completely flipping the usual fantasy narrative. The protagonist is also not the hero, Himmel, but his companion, Frieren, the elf mage. As Frieren has a longer lifespan than her human friends, the Elf mage struggles to form deep connections, knowing that time will eventually take them away.
However, Frieren finally decides to go on a second journey, not for slaying demons, but to reconnect with a special someone. The anime is like a painting that draws fans in with its breathtaking landscapes and beautiful animation by Madhouse. Frieren‘s heartwarming moments highlight the importance of bonds, while its well-crafted action ensures the plot remains entertaining.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is everything a shonen anime series dreams to be. The Fullmetal Alchemist reboot is such a well-rounded show that fans of every genre are bound to enjoy its world and characters. There are moments of hilarious comedy, high-stakes action sequences, and even slow-burning romance throughout FMA‘s fantasy adventure. However, it also has profound junctures that show the terrifying consequences of asking for too much.
In a setup like this, alchemists are common who are capable of supernatural feats if they are willing to sacrifice something of equal value. Two brothers, Edward and Alphonse, who have their own traumatizing past, embark on a path to retrieve something they lost, while uncovering darker secrets about alchemy. Though the entire storyline of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is great, the perfect ending makes this series one of the most satisfying shows of all time.
Pluto Presents Some Timeless Questions on Humanity and AI
Pluto is an underrated gem that deserves way more recognition than it gets. It is the brainchild of Naoki Urasawa, the mastermind behind Monster. He adapts an arc from the legendary Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy and reinterprets it as a suspense thriller, depicting the same characters in a darker and more complex light. The anime showcases themes that are very relevant in today’s world, where people also fear a rise of robots and artificial intelligence.
Pluto actually revolves around Gesicht, a Europol detective who is a humanoid robot. Gesicht, just like other robots, functions in an integrated society where robots and humans live together. Despite its harmonious appearance, a string of robot and human deaths exposes the faults within. The Pluto anime analyzes how the line separating humans from robots grows increasingly blurred, and that is where the central conflict exists.
Monster Introduced The Best Anime Villain of All Time
Many consider Monster by Naoki Urasawa an undisputed masterpiece, and they aren’t wrong. The Monster anime series revolutionized antagonist reveals and introduced Johan, one of the best manipulators in anime history. Through Johan’s character, Monster presents some hard-hitting inquiries into the nature of good and evil. Monster asks if someone can be bad from birth or if they are corrupted after receiving a traumatic upbringing.
The narrative of Monster is also unique, as the story is set in Germany, where a brilliant Japanese neurosurgeon, Kenzo Tenma, completely alters his life for the worse after saving a child. What should have been a noble deed by him becomes his life’s greatest oversight, giving birth to someone who lives for chaos. Here, the world-building is exquisite, and the animation by Madhouse is perfect to highlight European aesthetics.
