Top 30 Anime Series of All Time

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Yep, I’ve finally put together a top shows list. As I hopefully made clear in part one and part two of my critical biases post, this is obviously my list – it represents the things I think are most valuable in stories in the way I think they’ve best been articulated. It’s also just a list of shows I enjoy – there’s no hard criteria here, so I wouldn’t stress the numbers too much. Also, it’s a bit front-loaded – I only started watching anime seasonally about two years ago, so the last couple years are disproportionately represented. Incidentally, I’m not including movies here either – I think direct comparisons between shows and films are a bit of a stretch, but if they were included, this list would certainly be somewhat different. And finally, I’m absolutely (and thankfully) certain this list will change over time – there are still piles of widely beloved shows I’ve never seen, so I’m sure the current rankings will be filled out in the years to come. So with that all said, let’s get to the list – Bobduh’s Top 30 Anime of All Time.

-edit- I have now created a Top Shows Addendum for shows that have either fallen off or just barely missed this list. Please enjoy these additional almost-top shows!

30. Flip Flappers

Flip Flappers marries the blossoming artistic vision of many of anime’s most talented young animators to a story teeming with the rich psychological inquiry that anime does so well. Centered on a girl on the verge of young adulthood who feels too paralyzed by consequences to decide who she wants to be, Flip Flappers takes her on a wild adventure through a series of evocative alternate realities, all of which ultimately reflect back on the human interiority of her own world. Flip Flappers appreciates the inherent beauty of our distinct internal worlds, and pairs a wild tour through the human experience with a core character arc that reflects thoughtfully on the complexity of love, identity, and growing up. Slotting somewhere thematically between FLCL and Evangelion, it is a can’t-miss addition to anime’s coming-of-age pantheon.

Here’s my review of Flip Flappers.

Flip Flappers is available streaming on Crunchyroll.

29. Gatchaman Crowds

Gatchaman Crowds Best Anime List

Gatchaman’s a goddamn busy show – in the course of a 12-episode run, it covers everything from internet culture to crowdsourcing to the necessity of leadership to social responsibility to human nature to… well, you get the idea. And it explores all these ideas while also staying remarkably light and breezy – you could enjoy the show purely as a fun, visually interesting, musically brilliant adventure without even thinking about how identity is constructed in the digital age, or whatnot. And when you combine these two strengths, you get a show that proves you don’t have to be dry to be smart – you can make awesome points about how the internet will change the world without ever giving up a sense of fun and moment-to-moment excitement. Brain food and comfort food at the same time.

Here’s my review of Gatchaman Crowds.

Gatchaman Crowds is available at Amazon and streams on Crunchyroll.

28. Giant Robo

Giant Robo Best Anime List

Giant Robo is Bombast Incarnate. Featuring an epic clash between the Experts of Justice and Big Fire, there’s no room for subtlety in this production – it’s all massive robots and deadly superspies and fights for the fate of the world. It’s also a beautiful thing – a series of seven OVAs released over most of a decade, the show is a gorgeous ode to classic super robot storytelling, brought to life with strong animation and rich colors and epic orchestral scores. And yet for all its larger-than-life size, the show also tells a gripping story, full of fully-articulated characters and reflections on family and human ambition. Giant Robo essentially feels like the final act of the Greatest Robot Story Ever Told – it has absolute confidence, and earns the viewer’s trust through constant dramatic hooks and total polish in execution. Even if you generally like smaller stories, I’d give Giant Robo a chance.

Here’s my essay on Giant Robo.

Giant Robo is vaguely available on Amazon.

27. Bokurano

Bokurano manages the difficult feat of staying tonally downcast and even desolate at all times while simultaneously conveying an unflinching message of optimism, and belief in humanity as a species. Its premise is terribly arbitrary and cruel, and very few members of its young cast survive, but the stories they tell in their leaving reflect the kaleidoscopic spectrum of the human experience. Its compelling scifi narrative ultimately becomes little more than a stage for its young stars to shine, as they each take up an impossible mantel and fight on behalf of their species, their cruel guide mocking them all the while. But Bokurano does not believe in its guide’s cynicism; though the world it posits is harsh, its young heroes shine all the brighter for it.

Here’s my review of Bokurano.

Bokurano is available streaming on Crunchyroll.

26. Sound! Euphonium

Sound! Euphonium Best Anime List

Kyoto Animation excel at making quietly excellent little dramas, and Sound! Euphonium counts as one more feather in their distressingly pincushioned cap. The show is as gorgeous as you’d expect, the drama is understated but well-articulated, and the episodes are full of those alternately funny or poignant little moments that KyoAni’s mastery of animated storytelling always provokes. And Kumiko is one of the most fun people you could possibly follow around a story like this, with her snark and clumsy bluntness making her a refreshing and relatable protagonist. You can enjoy this show for its close viewing of the classic band experience, for its funny mess of jokes and characters, or for its well-articulated personal drama and reflections on goals and identity. It succeeds on all levels, making it one of the most impressive and fully realized high school dramas around.

Sound! Euphonium is available streaming on Crunchyroll.

25. Hunter x Hunter 2011

Hunter x Hunter 2011 Best Anime List

As the only long-running shounen on my list, HxH’s a bit of an outlier. But HxH is not your typical shounen – directed by Madhouse (likely my pick for the best studio of all time) and adapted from a source by the writer of Yu Yu Hakusho, Hunter x Hunter is basically a master class in what makes adventure entertaining. Though it starts off “only” demonstrating it knows how to make challenge-based television entertaining (in lieu of actual fights, it generally sets up compelling puzzles of all shapes and sizes for its heroes), it ends up jumping from genre to genre, dabbling in crime thriller, tournament shounen, and even war drama. And through it all, the show’s fantastic aesthetics elevate it above almost everything out there – in direction, in sound design, in pacing, in animation, in basically every relevant aesthetic metric, Hunter x Hunter triumphs. That it’s been maintaining this level of quality for well over a hundred episodes is nothing short of astonishing – in fact, I’d say Hunter x Hunter has only gotten better over time.

Here’s a critical breakdown of HxH episode 116, and here’s an essay on the recently concluded (and breathtaking) Chimera Ant arc.

Hunter x Hunter 2011 is available streaming on Crunchyroll.

24. Mushishi

Mushishi Best Anime List

Mushishi is one of those strange, special shows that seem to just emerge confident and fully constructed, exude excellence for all of their running time, and then go quietly on their way. Its vignettes are dreamy and ambiguous, full of resonance and compelling ideas but never didactic. Its world is mysterious and enchanting, evoking both a more resigned and possibly more dangerous version of Miyazaki’s mystical forests. Its production is fantastic, with beautiful backgrounds matching a wonderfully understated musical score and a great sense of pacing to conjure its powerful, singular atmosphere. And all this works in service of a show that’s fundamentally just incredibly calming and sedate – a series of long, lazy afternoons spent enjoying the company of a master storyteller.

Here’s my essay on Mushishi.

Mushishi is available at Amazon and its sequel streams on Crunchyroll.

23. Gunbuster! + Diebuster!

Gunbuster vs Diebuster Best Anime List

Grouped together because they really do feel like two sides of the same coin, both of Gainax’s Buster shows would also make this list independently. Flippant and heartbreaking, cynical and triumphant, personal and universal, each of these OVAs tells a story of humanity’s struggle against all the forces of the universe with style and heart. And each can stand alone, as well – Gunbuster is helmed by a pre-Eva Anno already exhibiting his unnerving style of direction, and Diebuster offers a very appropriate conclusion to the FLCL era of Gainax production. Only six episodes each, too – it’s pretty remarkable how much story each of these manage to tell.

Here are my essays on Gunbuster and Diebuster.

Both Gunbuster and Diebuster are available at Amazon.

22. Shinsekai Yori

Shinsekai Yori Best Anime List

Shinsekai Yori is basically tailor-made for fans of fantasy and scifi novels. Heavy on worldbuilding and questions of human nature, its story unfolds on a scale far greater than most anime, exploring a compelling dystopian society by following one generation from childhood through adolescence and well into adulthood. Though I often feel its characters fade into the background of its storytelling pretensions, it all works in service of an incredibly compelling central narrative, and its devastating conclusion justifies everything that came before. It’s a rare and valuable thing – few shows work on the scale of Shinsekai Yori.

Here’s my review of Shinsekai Yori.

Shinsekai Yori is available at Amazon and streams on Crunchyroll.

21. The Idolm@ster

The Idolmaster Best Anime List

An idol show?!? I could actually go on for a while about what makes various idol shows great (and I have), but as far as Idolm@ster specifically goes, this show is just a solid episodic drama that succeeds in almost everything it attempts. It’s got a rich and well-developed cast of characters, lots of great little character stories, and a bunch of fun adventures like “the team runs a Sunday game show” or “one idol ends up as a runaway bride while another fights yakuza goons.” On top of that, Idolm@ster features one of the best creative teams in recent memory – a bunch of former Gainax staff and other great creators combine to make this one of the most beautifully directed and animated shows I’ve seen. Even if you don’t have any interest in idols, Idolm@ster’s combination of fun stories and gorgeous execution makes it a rare and impressive show.

Here’s my review of The Idolm@ster.

The Idolm@ster is available streaming on Crunchyroll.

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2,750 thoughts on “Top 30 Anime Series of All Time”

  1. your number 1 is evangelion? your entire list is now invalid
    thanks for coming out bud

    • Evangelion is a PIECE OF ART! and you my friend are an ignorant PIECE OF SHIT!

    • DUDE NEON GENESIS EVANGELION IS ONE OF THE BEST ANIME OF ALL TIME!!! (Its also my all time favorite)

    • everyone has different tastes ok. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean they have shit taste so please take your loud ass attitude and get out.

    • number one should have been either Soul Eater or Attack on Titan! plus what about Fairy Tail, Naruto, Beyblade Zero G, Bleach, Death Note, Etc. Come on man.

      • No way is Soul Eater all-time. All the relationships are rather flat. Not a lot of character growth. Though I did like it, I was a little disappointed. Death Note I believe should be there (but the last ten episodes 🙁 ) and also Ouran High School Host Club 😀 and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood <3. I agree that Attack on Titan! is very good, and would make my list too. But just like you seem to like more shounen and I like shoujo (For example, Free! would be on my list and pretty high too), this guy just has different tastes.

  3. your list sucked!!!! Code Geass should be #1. Clannad After Story should be #2. and Death Notes, Ouran High School Host Club, Mirai Nikki, Lovely Complex, and Attack on Titan also deserves to be on this list!!!!!

      • Code Geass … really … that was a load of crud … almost as ‘good’ as that Naru… whatever show.
        #1: Cowboy Bebop
        #2 Eva
        Done, nuff said.
        Get some class.

    • I completely agree
      The list would be better if they gave a small summary of the series

      • ATTACK ON TITAN IS THE BEST ANIME EVER SO SUCK MY DICK U PIECE OF SHIT FAGGOT GO FUCK UR SELF

      • Attack on Titan. NO. Watched it in one sitting. Please pay attention. The big surprise at the end was the same information given in episode 8. 18 more filler episodes to sit through and no conclusion other than figuring out what you know is true in episode 8?! This is why I say pass.

        Visuals? fine, artwork? fine Music? Fine. But any actual story being presented?not fine. PASS! “BUT THE MANGA ISN’T FINISHED.” Then read the manga since that is better and more informative than the anime which is an incomplete story taking 23 episodes to not tell you anything.

    • Awww you must be new to anime, most of the notably rich, diverse, amazing anime came out before 2003 with SOME exceptions.

    • Mirai nikki fucking sucked. For me at least. The viewer was thrown automatically into bloodshed and gore without any buildup or character explanation. Evangelion had realistic characters, not to say there are no creepy psychopathic pink haired girls out there who want to kill everyone their crush talks to, but it had characters who reacted realistically (for the most part) to the strange and violent situations they were put in. The characters had relatable backstories. Being left behind, abandoned. Feelimg as if no one really cared. Im sure most have felt this in our lives, unlike most people who havent murdered for their crush before. This is a really biased response, but it’s hard not to be biased when almost every comment i see is not trying to understand why the author of this put their list in this order, but are saying things like “this list fucking sucked! _____ should be number one!!!” and are only upset because their favorite was not on it or wasn’t number one. I can see why people watch Mirai Nikki, if only for the gore.

    • You both have obviously different tastes so stop judging their list. How would you like it if I said that Clannad was a retarded constipated bloody piece of shit? Goddammit just keep your mouth shut if you’ve got nothing nice to say

  4. There will always be difference of opinion the world , not everybody can be pleased ! Awesome list and i admire your sense of appreciation for life ! I compliment your heart sir !
    Thank you 🙂

  6. So far I have only seen two of the animes from your list (Spice and Wolf and Psycho-Pass) . But I am sure that as I continue watching, I will fall in love with more of them.
    Thanks!

  7. This is a really great list. I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Madoka! I look forward to watching a number of others on the list. Be sure to check out (if you haven’t) Death Note, Clannad After Story, Another and Ghosthound.

  8. for gods sake where the hell is death note?!?!!? 😐 it deserves to be no.1 !!! ^_^

  10. I know favorite anime is subjective, but this is missing so many classics, so many mutually agreed upon great anime that it almost isn’t even a matter of opinion… it should really just be called “Anime I like”. No FMA/FMA: Brotherhood, no Death Note, no Code Geass, no DBZ, no GTO, no Trigun, no Berserk, no Wolf’s Rain, no Attack on Titan, no Welcome to the NHK, no Gundam Wing, no Rurouni Kenshin. Probably missing a few… so many classics are missing.

    • edit: I don’t get the joke.. it’s supposed to be wrong? The reviews don’t elude to any kind of joke or sarcasm and neither does the list. If Sailor Moon was number 1 and some other over rated anime, It might be mildly funny, if that is the intention.

        1. ” As I hopefully made clear in part one and part two of my critical biases post, this is obviously my list – it represents the things I think are most valuable in stories in the way I think they’ve best been articulated.”

        2. The name of the website is part of a quote from a certain anime series which is high up on this list: “If someone tells me it’s wrong to hope, I’ll tell them they’re wrong every time.”

      • drcakey had the best answer to your statement, but let me clarifty. It wasn’t supposed to be a joke as point A stated… it was his list based on what he found was the most valuable characteristics each anime portrayed. You have a difference of opinion in regards to what describes a truly good anime. I have a similar opinion to the writer of this article, which is why I enjoy his list. And many of the anime you listed aren’t anywhere close to worthy of a top spot in my opinion. The only one’s I’d consider are Death Note, Attack on Titan, and Wolf’s Rain, with FMA: Brotherhood being a very iffy one at best. However, if you actually looked at the list and read each of his descriptions of why he chose that anime you’d understand his values. And none of the anime you listed would trump any on his list in regards to his values.

    • Elfen Lied gave me at least two depressed boners when I watched it. I didn’t even know what that was before that show (don’t think about it too hard, see what I did there :P). But anyways I guess DBZ is hiding somewhere in it or else this list needs to be thrown in the trash.

  13. I don’t understand why some people are so angry that their favorite anime is not in this list.This is his list and therefore his favorite animes, not yours. If you don’t like this list then create your own. To be honest I have watched both Death Note and Attack on Titans and I didn’t them.

  15. thx best list ever i realy liked tatami galexy being number 4 but think monster and berserk were good too.but psycho pass wasnt all that good and also baccano should be placed higher

  17. You missed, just to say some name of different genres: One Outs, Death Note, Code Geass, MM!, Bimbougami-ga!, No game no life, Slam Dunk, Slayers Next, Fate-Stay Night, Macross Frontier…

  18. how is one piece naruto fairy tail attack on titan bleach and kuroko no basket not here

    • This is not for 15yr olds who want to have fun and see boobs. Its for adults who understand human psychology and art. Maybe in 20 yrs you’ll appreciate Evangelion…

      • You mad??? Naruto is much more mature and realistic(without powers) than any show listed here. You must be 10 years old to not comprehend this.

    • How did you forget to add commas to your shitty question that had no question mark?

  20. Geezus freaking christ, what the hell’s wrong with people these days? Why are you all so worked up on this list? “Where is anime this?” “Where is anime that?” “This should be higher than this and that”. Make your own damned list for chrissakes.

  24. Why do a lot of people always recommend (what I call) generic anime? Now, I call it generic because EVERYONE knows about them (DBZ, Death Note, Attack on Titan, etc.). Of course, I know people love those shows because they are really good (I love some too), but when you critisize someone else’s favorites because you’re too single-minded to understand why this person liked these 30 animes is just rude.

    To be honest, I haven’t watched even a fourth if the ones he put on this list and I am very happy that he even put some that are my favorites (Hyouka, Ore Gairu, ToraDora!, and Chunnibyou). But that doesn’t mean I’m going to bash him because (insert generic anime here) wasn’t in the list. Instead, since we at least have some one the same tastes, this entire list just became a plethora of anime that I should try out! (Thanks btw)

    Now for the other side. Let’s assume an anime you enjoyed did not appear on this list. That just goes to show that you two have probably very little if not nothing in common when it comes to taste in anime. From here you should leave and find another list fanboy over or create your own list to share to the internet.

    All in all, please stop hating people for their opinions, thanks! 😀

  26. Full metal alchemist brotherhood number one I do agree that madoka magica should be number but evangelion isn’t even entertaining to watch I don’t see what people are talking when they say is true I don’t believe it shows humanity for its true manner.

  27. I want to recommend No Game No life and Death Note for you to watch… Hope you like it 🙂

  30. I have watched Psycho Pass, Kill La Kill, FLCL, Cowboy Bepop, and after reading the list, Madoka, because Urobuchi is brilliant. I’m looking forward to watching Gargantia and Shinsekai Y

  31. So after reading all the comments and with a tremendous amount of respect for this list i will say this… It ignores most of the shonen genre and i think that’s a bit unfair. In many ways shonen anime capitalizes on animes potential as a story telling medium more so then other genres favored heavily on this list. For example Naruto (excluding all filler) creates a universe that hugs the line perfectly between imaginative/all encompassing and easily digestible. Combine with solid action and plots twist Naruto creates an experience that is fun memorable and somewhat meaningful despite being a little immature. Attack on titian deserves similar praise. Compared to lets say gurren laggen, which seem overly silly with a plot that was only decent, Id say the shonen genre is not getting enough credit.

  34. Angel Beats should be #1 at least on my list but everyone has there opinions

  35. First, dragonball z should have made this list for sure because that show got a lot of people watching anime in the first place.
    Second, where the hell is death note?
    Third, why are all the top anime ancient as hell. No one even remembers those shows or watched them. This list needs a serious update my friend

    • Dragon Ball Z probably did not get a lot of people into anime. DBZ makes me cringe so bad.

  41. Hey, I’d just like to say that I loved your list! It was actually this list that convinced me to watch Gunbuster, Diebuster, Kyousougiga, and Kino’s Journey, and I really liked all of them.

    Have you considered doing a commentary for Kino’s Journey? I’d be really interesting to read more of your thoughts on the series (there doesn’t seem to be a lot of people talking about or reviewing the show, which is a shame).

  42. Bobduh, a question: If you’ve watched Welcome to the NHK, what’s your opinion about it? Thanks.

    • Seeing as he hasn’t answered this yet (probably because it’s a question he’s received fairly frequently and therefore answered several times), I will answer that, while he hasn’t seen the series (and doesn’t, I think, have any intention to), he has read the manga and liked it quite a bit, although I don’t think he’s detailed why to any large extent.

  43. Please watch Death Note, I don’t know a single person who hasn’t enjoyed it. It’s my favorite anime series, the characters and plot draw you in and don’t let you leave the show incomplete. Only 37 episodes about 20 minutes each. Should be a piece of cake for you! I love your list by the way. Wouldn’t wholeheartedly agree with your #1 choice but oh well. Please do give Death Note a watch, I promise it will not disappoint.

  47. you don’t have on your list? as a veritable paragon of good taste, i declare your opinions immediately worth nothing and your life a lie.

  48. Hrmm what about some older stuff, since it is a list for all time?
    Nadia: Secret of Bluewater
    Great Teacher Onizuka
    Rurouni Kenshin
    Monster
    Trigun
    FLCL
    Houshin Engi
    Flame of Recca
    Outlaw Star
    Yuyu Hakusho
    Detective Conan
    Yaiba
    Golden Boy
    Berserk
    Escawflowne
    Ranma 1/2
    Slayers
    Gundam Wing Zero
    Gunsmith Cats
    Azumanga Daioh
    Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
    and some slightly newer ones
    Speed Grapher
    Ghost in the Shell: SAC
    Sakamichi no Apollon
    Shingeki no Kyojin
    Hellsing
    Full Metal Alchemist
    Gankutsuou
    Accel World
    Durarara
    Gantz
    Mononoke
    Steins; Gate
    Samurai Champloo
    Black Cat
    Midori no Hibi
    No Game No Life
    Black Bullet
    Attack on Titan
    Akame Ga Kill

  49. its all about naruto,bleach,onepiece,fairy tail,hunerxhunterand dbz mate and if u dont like these animes ur a sideman

  50. You shonen-loving narutards are like school in july, no class. Gain some perspective in life and mature a little then you might be able to appreciate a great number of these fantastic choices.

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