I found it extremely difficult to break down my favorite anime. I found it somewhat arduous to rank what I would call the top 10 anime that everyone should watch from so many awe-inspiring shows to choose from. So before I continue, shows like Dragon Ball, Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece will not feature in this list. All of them are true masterpieces in their own right. But for this list, I felt like going a different route. Yes, most are very popular anime for the fan of anime. But which shows would most likely get the average “this is not for grown-ups” person to sit and take notice.
So, here’s my list of Top Ten Anime!
10 – The Promised Neverland (Yokusoku no Nebarando)
CLOVERWORKS
Anime Director: Mamoru Kanabe
Anime Series Writer: Toshiya Ono
Most might disagree about this entry, with the second season not delivering. But the first season of this anime was exceptional. With truly complex characters and an eery feeling, the first season will stay with you long after finishing it. What is it about?
When Emma, Ray, and Norman find out the truth behind their seemingly peaceful orphanage and the sinister nature of their Housemother Isabella, they must fight the odds and try to escape from the horrific fate that awaits them.
Trailer: The Promised Neverland
9 – Is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon? (DanMachi)
J.C Staff
Anime Directors: Yoshiki Yamakawa (Season1) Hideki Tachibana (Season 2 & 3)
Anime Series Writer: Hideki Shirane
Next, we head to the fictional city of Orario, where the gods themselves came down to experience the thrills and excitement of the lower world. They created a dungeon where adventurers could go and fight different monsters. We follow the adventures of Bell Cranel under the goddess Hestia. Upon defeating a nightmare, the adventurer receives its crystal shards. With good animations and solid fight scenes, this is an anime you do not want to miss.
Trailer: Is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon?
8 – Claymore
MADHOUSE
Anime Director: Hiroyuki Tanaka
Anime Series Writer: Yosuko Kobayashi
With so much to say about Claymore, from glorious fight sequences to a unique look at medieval times, I will try to keep it brief. Yoma plagues the land, shape-shifting humanoid demons that are on the prowl for human flesh. Now, what makes the whole idea of Yoma terrifying is that they can take on the appearance of a human and is completely undetectable. That is where the Claymore comes in as Human-Yoma hybrids. They are the only ones who can detect Yoma in their human forms. What the series does exceptionally well is creating an emotional bond between you and the main protagonist Clare.
Trailer: Claymore
7 – Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)
UFOTABLE
Anime Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Anime Series Writer: Ufotable
To put it simply, watch Demon Slayer. The praise and recognition that this show has garnered are well deserved with an opening episode that will rip out your heart, beat it, and stuff it back into place. Demon Slayer is nothing but awe-inspiring. I cannot recommend this show enough with a deep and rich-driven story, well-designed characters, and the rich environment this plays off of. We follow TanjiroKamado to join the Demon Slayer Corps and find a cure for his sister Nezuko, a newly christened demon. This show has it all; you will find yourself laughing in one scene only to be jerked into tears in the following. Demon Slayer is one of the best new anime out.
Trailer: Demon Slayer
6 – Jujutsu Kaisen
MAPPA
Anime Director: Sunghoo Park
Anime Series Writer: Hiroshi Seko
What makes Jujutsu kaisen relatable? You might wonder. It is about negative emotions that create cursed energy, not hard to imagine negativity is in the order of the day. In this unfortunate world, cursed energy creates curses, and curses are out to harm the human populace. It is up to the gifted sorcerers to combat these curses and keep the world at peace. Yuji Itadori, the main protagonist, has amazing physical abilities, which would make him a superstar in sports. Still, he rather joins the Occult Club at school as this gives him more freedom. Normal as normal can be as far as anime goes. After consuming a high-grade cursed talisman, he is recruited by Jujutsu High. Thus begins Yuji’s transformation from a high school student to Jujutsu Sorcerer. With some brutal fight scenes and smooth animation, your week won’t be complete without this show.
Trailer: Jujutsu Kaisen
5 – Goblin Slayer (Goburin Sureiya)
WHITE FOX
Anime Director: Takaharu Ozaki
Anime Series Writers: Hideyuki Kurata / Yosuke Kuroda
One of the most controversial shows of recent memory, Goblin Slayer is a challenging watch even for the most hardcore anime lovers. This dark fantasy anime does not hold back on violence, sexual violence, and just being all out savage. However, if you take the time to watch the show, you will find it rewarding with notable character building and an in-depth look at the vile nature of goblins. This show is a diamond in the rough. This is a pure vengeance story following Goblin Slayer and his brutality and mercilessness towards all goblins. If you are a goblin, from fully grown to very young, best stay away from the Goblin Slayer.
Trailer: Goblin Slayer
4 – Food Wars (Shokugeki no Soma)
J.C Staff
Anime Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani
Anime Series Writer: Shogo Yasukawa
This ecchi anime is a feel-good over-the-top rollercoaster ride from the first episode to the last. The pacing in this show is on point, never feeling rushed or slow together with rich characters, remarkable animation, and a soundtrack that helps propel the show forward. This is a classic and easily one of the best anime in its genre. Yet a warning, you might want to watch this with headphones on and away from nosey onlookers. The sounds and visuals might lead people to think that you are watching something else. Set that aside and this is one brilliant show. Soma Yukihira is an aspiring young chef working in his family restaurant, constantly challenging his father Joichiro to food wars, always coming up short of victory. Soma gets transferred to the most prestigious culinary school in Japan, Totsuki Culinary Academy. It is here that Soma’s journey begins to greatness.
Trailer: Food Wars
3 – My Hero Academia (Boku no Hiro Akademia)
BONES
Anime Directors: Kenji Nagasaki / Tomo Okubo / Masahiro Mukai
Anime Series Writer: Yosuke Kuroda
Quirk – rough definition – peculiar trait. Perfect for describing the superpowers that most of this population have. One of the shows I would recommend to anyone. If you have never watched a single episode of anime in your life and you are looking for a show to get started in, consider MHA. It is relatable, although this is set in a fictional world. It follows Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, a young man whose only desire is to follow in the footsteps of the greatest hero, All Might. However, there is a small problem Deku was born without a Quirk. But with determination and some borrowed power, Deku enrolls in U.A High School, joining Class 1-A with his childhood friend/rival Katsuki “Kacchan” Bakugo. The battle is on to see who will reach the top first. You will come for the quirks and epic battles and end up staying for the story.
Trailer: My Hero Academia
2 – Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)
WIT STUDIO / MAPPA
Anime Directors: Tetsuro Arari / Masashi Koizuka / Yuichiro Hayashi / Jun Shishido
Anime Series Writers: Yasuko Kobayashi / Hiroshi Seko
This anime will survive the test of time. True, it is too violent for most teenagers and sensitive adult viewers. But with exceptional storytelling, world-building, and some of the greatest twists in any animation, not even mentioning the diverse group of characters. AOT stands on its own. AOT is an extremely intense, violently brutal show and perfect in more ways than one. Eren Yaeger is the main protagonist, an intriguingly complex character. Eren joins the Survey Corps with childhood friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert to avenge the death of his mother. With the walls breached, it is up to Eren and the company to save humanity.
Trailer: Attack on Titan
1 – Jobless Reincarnation (Mushoku Tensei)
STUDIO BIND
Anime Director: Manabu Okamoto
Anime Series Writer: Manabu Okamoto
This anime explores serious themes like coming of age, second chances, and redemption delivered in a fresh and exciting way. However, you are either going to love Mushoku Tensei or give it a hard pass. A 34-year old workless loafer is evicted from his home after the death of his parents. While wandering the streets, he tries to save a group of teenagers in the path of an out-of-control truck. In giving his life to save the lives of others, he believes that at least he has done one meaningful thing in his ultimate pointless life. However, this is not the end of his journey. He is reincarnated as an infant. Rudeus finds himself with a new family, name, and a magical new world with all his memories from his former life intact. Will he become a better man, or will he revert to his old useless self?.
Trailer: Jobless Reincarnation
Honorable mentions
1 – Castlevania
2 – Bungo Stray Dogs
3 – Fate: Zero
4 – Death Note
5 – Vinland Saga
Final Word
This might not be everyone’s cup of tea due to various reasons. But I can almost guarantee you that you will find something relatable in one of these shows listed above.