Did your favorite make the list?
Anime can be many things: meditative and intense, funny and sad, cute and cruel. But here are only five of the best anime titles in history.
1. Attack on Titan, 2013-2023
Attack on Titan became an instant classic when it first aired in 2013.
Three friends – Eren, Mikasa, and Armin – fight alongside the greatest warriors against giant Titan creatures that have lived outside the city's high walls for a long time. Humanity is fighting to defend its right to exist in this world.
Starting out as a typical shonen anime, this series has evolved into an amazing work of art touching on themes of war, class inequality, and other important social and political issues.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, 2009-2010
In an attempt to resurrect their dead mother, brothers Alphonse and Edward practice forbidden alchemy, but the experiment costs Alphonse his physical body, condemning him to a ghostly existence.
Despite fate's obstacles, the brothers continue their search for a way to return Alphonse's body. Their desire to resurrect their mother propels them on a winding journey through a world of monsters, government conspiracies, and divine design.
3. One Piece, 1999-...
Over 20 years later, One Piece continues to entertain viewers worldwide with more than 1,000 episodes. It's hard for any anime to keep new and old fans engaged for as long as the pirate journey has lasted.
One Piece does just that, thanks to Eiichiro Oda's amazing mind. Its world-building, deep characters, hilarious adventures, and amazing visuals, which sometimes surpass the manga, elevate this series to the top of shonen anime history.
Oda's vision has made a strong impact on viewers over the years, and there's no sign of it slowing down anytime soon.
4. Monster, 2004-2005
This dark thriller tells the story of Kenjo Tenma, a good man and neurosurgeon who loses everything. In the past, Tenma saved a boy who grows up to become a serial killer.
The plot is an intense story of transformation and descent into the abyss of guilt. The main character must undergo a transformation and take a difficult path to correct his mistake.
5. Neon Genesis Evangelion, 1995-1996
After watching Evangelion, viewers find themselves desperately trying to understand the ending, which is still being deciphered 20 years after the anime's release.
The mythology behind Hideaki Anno's groundbreaking anime has become as much a part of its story as the anime itself. The final two episodes continue to cause controversy and spark debate.
Evangelion has stood the test of time by offering a philosophical take on the mecha anime genre and an incredibly personal exploration of depression and the unconscious.