Unfortunately, that last point disqualifies some notable fan favorites.
ThoughNarutoandBleachare both incredible series, their abundance of poor filler eliminates them from ranking.
It also wouldn’t be fair to count any currently ongoing series.
The show blends elements of suspense, horror, and science fiction.
From being involved in a terror plot to helping out convicts,Gintamaisone of the funniest anime ever.
46Haikyuu!!
Animated By Production IG, Based On The Manga By Haruichi Furudate
Haikyuu!!
The series highlights their journey to national tournaments, emphasizing themes of perseverance and sportsmanship.
Despite volleyball being a fairly niche sport globally,Haikyuu!
The sports aspect ofHaikyuu!
With exciting games, an amazing cast, and incredible animation,Haikyuu!!
The series captures the essence of high school experiences with a blend of relatable moments and whimsical humor.
Custom image created by Evan D. Mullicane
Slice-of-life is an important genre in anime, and few have captured the genre’s appeal quite likeAzumanga Daioh.
Ostensibly a comedy, the series follows six high school girls over the course of three years.
The main cast are distinct characters who bounce off each other in fun ways.
Summer Time Rendering is an anime series based on Yasuki Tanaka’s manga. The story follows Shinpei Ajiro as he returns to his hometown for the funeral of a childhood friend, only to uncover mysterious and supernatural events. As Shinpei digs deeper, he realizes that the island and its inhabitants are caught in a perilous loop of time and fate. The show blends elements of suspense, horror, and science fiction.
The result is a series that makes viewers feel like they’re hanging out with friends.
Unfortunately, ifAzumanga Daiohhas one central flaw, it’s the lone male character, the teacher Mr. Kimura.
However, dark shonen definitely saw a renaissance after the runaway success ofAttack On Titan.
Mega-hit manga and anime likeJujutsu KaisenandChainsaw Mancertainly owe a debt of gratitude toAttack On Titan.
This series explores themes of love, loss, and healing within a post-war setting.
The titular heroine ends up working as an Auto-Memory Doll, someone who transcribes letters.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU follows the socially isolated Hachiman Hikigaya, who, under teacher guidance, reluctantly joins a school club led by the equally anti-social Yukino Yukinoshita. The series explores the complex dynamics of high school relationships, personal growth, and the social challenges faced by the members.
Through this straightforward premise, the series tackles a variety of emotional topics with its mostly episodic structure.
Despite the grounded premise,Violet Evergardenis nothing short of decadent with its art style and music.
The result is one of thebest-animated anime series of all time.
Gintama is a Japanese anime series based on Hideaki Sorachi’s manga. Set in an alternate Edo-period Japan overrun by extraterrestrial invaders, it follows the eccentric samurai Gintoki Sakata and his odd-jobs crew as they navigate a world of adventure, humor, and rebellion.
While fans may grumble about the infamous Endless Eight, it’s still a move that feels suitably Haruhi.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a Japanese anime series set in an alternate future where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan. The series follows Lelouch vi Britannia, an exiled prince who gains a mysterious power called Geass and uses it to lead a rebellion against the imperial power. Lelouch balances his dual life as a student and a masked revolutionary leader, driven by a desire to avenge his mother’s death and create a better world.
Haikyuu!! is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Haruichi Furudate that follows Shoyo Hinata, a high school student determined to become a top volleyball player despite his short stature. Through resilience and teamwork, Hinata joins Karasuno High’s volleyball team and forms a dynamic partnership with former rival Tobio Kageyama. The series highlights their journey to national tournaments, emphasizing themes of perseverance and sportsmanship.
Azumanga Daioh is an anime series that follows the daily lives of six high school girls and their teachers, exploring their unique personalities and humorous antics. Based on Kiyohiko Azuma’s manga, the show delves into themes of friendship and adolescence, creating a slice-of-life narrative enriched with wit and charm. The series captures the essence of high school experiences with a blend of relatable moments and whimsical humor.
Based on the manga, Attack on Titan is a dark-action fantasy series set in a world where humanity has been corralled into walled cities from fear of monstrous human-eating Titans that exist outside of them. When protagonist Eren Yeager’s mother is killed in front of his eyes at a young age, his thirst for vengeance leads him to join an elite group of soldiers created to fight back against the Titan menace.
Violet Evergarden is a Japanese anime series that follows the titular character, a former child soldier, as she reintegrates into society by becoming an Auto Memory Doll, a professional letter writer. Through this role, Violet embarks on a journey to understand and convey human emotions, seeking to comprehend the words of her late commanding officer. This series explores themes of love, loss, and healing within a post-war setting.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya centers on high school student Kyon, who inadvertently becomes involved with the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya and her unusual club, the SOS Brigade, which seeks to find aliens, time travelers, and espers. Unbeknownst to Haruhi, she possesses the power to alter reality, leading to a series of strange and supernatural events that Kyon and the other brigade members must navigate.
Fist of the North Star is an animated series set in a post-apocalyptic world, following the story of martial artist Kenshiro. As the successor to the Hokuto Shinken, a deadly martial art, Kenshiro travels across desolate landscapes battling various warlords and rescuing the oppressed. Released in 1984, the series combines elements of action and drama, illustrating the hero’s journey through a devastated world in search of justice and retribution.
