Due to the advent of the internet and word of mouth, some anime become global sensations before a single episode is released. This is also partly because fans have read the source material, if any, and are anticipating the anime’s release.
As a result, many anime have been hyped by fans of the source material and clever marketing but have failed to meet the expectations of general audiences. However, not these selected titles. The hallmark of a near-perfect anime is its ability to take a familiar premise and execute it with such precision that it transcends the typical tropes of that genre.
In this case, despite fans’ initial scepticism, several anime have not only lived up to the hype but have gone on to blow it out of the water. Accordingly, this list highlights ten anime projects that have put fans’ doubts to rest and solidified their status as classics in their own right.
Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away is lauded as one of the greatest anime of all time and is generally considered a classic. It is a coming-of-age story that follows a young girl, Chihiro Ogino, as she takes a job at a bathhouse for the Shinto gods to spare her parents from being turned into pigs forever.
The film stands out as a genre-defining masterpiece through its masterful use of hand-drawn animation and its thematic exploration of the transition from childhood to adulthood. As Chihiro goes through the story, she carefully evolves from an insecure girl to a confident young adult. It therefore earned its Academy Award as the non-English-language film to win Best Animated Feature.
Furthermore, Spirited Away is not just a must-watch; it is one of the few anime that has stood the test of time as a class of its own, delivering an amazing musical score, superb storytelling, and a deeply emotional backdrop. It is hardly a surprise that it has remained a global top pick for more than two decades since its release.
Your Name
Your Name has been a staple of the romance and coming-of-age genres since its 2016 debut. Its impact cannot be overstated, as it became the highest-grossing anime movie of all time upon its launch, grossing over $400 million worldwide. Your Name played a role in boosting tourism to rural areas of Japan and repopularising the romance genre.
The story follows Mitsuha, a girl living in the rural town of Itomori, and Taki, a high schooler in Tokyo. Mitsuha, wishing to be reborn as a boy, is mysteriously granted her wish as the pair switch bodies. They come to understand and care for each other as they attempt to solve the underlying mystery and avoid a catastrophic event.
Fans who are looking for the perfect blend of gut-wrenching drama and gut-punching comedy will not be disappointed. The film achieves the arduous task of drawing viewers into the characters within its limited runtime and delivers a satisfying conclusion to the story and characters. The film is only heightened by the colourful, explosive display of exquisite animation.
Akira
In terms of hype, not many anime have more than Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira. Both figuratively and literally, Akira is a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm. The film is an innovative use of revolutionary animation techniques and inspired movies such as The Matrix and Inception, popularising anime in the West.
The story follows Kaneda, the leader of a biker gang, as he tries to save his best friend, Tatsuo, after Tatsuo is kidnapped by the government and experimented on, only to reemerge with godlike telekinetic powers. Set in a futuristic 2019, a mysterious explosion triggered World War 3, and it’s up to Kaneda to stop Tatsuo from repeating history.
Akira has stood the test of time for a reason. The film’s themes of post-war trauma, the corruption of power, and the terrifying potential of human evolution are still relevant today. The animation is a testament to the animators’ craftsmanship, which garnered global appreciation, and it not only holds up today but also sets the bar for contemporary anime movies.
Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg field commander for a covert division of the Japanese government. In a world where humans have cyberbrains that allow them to interact with the global network, Kusanagi is tasked with apprehending a hacker known as Puppet Master, who hacks into cyberbrains, compelling others to commit crimes on his behalf.
In a world where the line between man and machine is blurred, the film explores what it means to be human. With AI becoming more prevalent, Ghost in the Shell remains relevant in today’s society. Its heavy themes are complemented by its stunning visual design and stellar set pieces, making it irresistible to fans of the cyberpunk aesthetic.
The film excels across all metrics as a thought-provoking psychological thriller. Its ability to weave a compelling narrative while delivering visual spectacle transcends the hype surrounding it.
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is a gripping, emotional tale about the harsh realities of war. Set in the final months of WWII, it follows two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as an American firebombing destroyed their home and killed their mother. Having no one to support them, they find a hillside shelter to wait out the fallout of the war.
What makes this movie so compelling is its unapologetically honest portrayal of the brutal impact of war on civilians. The fireflies serve as a metaphor for life: beautiful and bright, but gone too soon. The movie achieves artistic precision and uncompromising honesty about the realities of war and the loss of childhood.
Studio Ghibli’s signature animation style works as a contrast to the emotionally charged story being told. The story warns viewers of the dangers of isolation and that good intentions are not sufficient on their own. Fans can expect to be blown away by this timeless masterpiece.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is a sweeping epic that delivers a brutal, visceral gut punch of truth. It revolves around Ashitaka, a prince who, after being poisoned by a sick boar deity, must set out to find a cure. He meets a group of complex characters, most notably the industrialist Lady Eboshi and San, a human girl who defends the forest.
The film goes beyond with its masterful exploration of themes of man vs. nature, environmentalism, and ecology, inspiring critical thinking and prompting viewers to reflect on their environmental impact. Additionally, Studio Ghibli lends the film its signature vibrant animation style. Princess Mononoke sets out to prove a point, and it does so in a manner that surpasses all expectations.
Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is an exemplary illustration of what happens when the Shonen formula is perfected. It is a combination of fluid animation, an interesting story, and amazingly choreographed fights, only heightened by its clever use of a narrator.
The story is about a boy named Gon Freecss who discovers that his father, whom he thought was dead, is alive and a hunter. Hunters are experts in this world who do a wide range of things, from finding rare treasure to catching dangerous criminals. He sets out to find his father and makes some unlikely friends along the way.
What shocks most is not just the typical Shonen tropes; Hunter x Hunter stands out as a class of its own by ensuring its side characters have well-fleshed-out backstories and compelling convictions. Best of all, it has an interesting and well-thought-out power system that keeps the viewer wanting more.
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is the ultimate tear-jerker, never failing to leave viewers in an emotional wreck. It follows Violet, a young girl raised exclusively as a tool of war. At the end of a four-year war that left her with prosthetic arms, her commanding officer leaves her with a cryptic message: “I love you.”
The beauty of Violet Evergarden is in its exploration of the human experience. Violet takes up a doll as a ghostwriter, an Auto Memory Doll, tasked with transcribing other people’s feelings into letters. In doing so, she slowly discovers her own humanity and uncovers the true meaning of the words “I love you”.
Kyoto Animation took special care of the animation in Violet Evergarden, making it their magnum opus. Everything, from the water to the characters’ hair, is meticulously animated to movie-quality standards. The good animation only augmented an already satisfyingly emotional narrative that fans can rely on to tug on the heartstrings in every episode.
Haikyuu!!
Haikyuu!!, not that its name suggests, is a high-energy sports anime that follows Shoyo Hinata, a short but explosive volleyball player who falls in love with the sport after watching a player, “Little Giant”, on TV. He joins the Karasuno High School team and encounters his rival, the arrogant genius Tobio Kageyama. They must work together to achieve their shared goal.
Beyond the standard sports tropes, Haikyuu!! offers a gritty, inspiring look at teamwork and personal growth. The story is made more realistic by focusing on skill-building and strategy rather than the “superpowers” seen in shows like Kuroko no Basket. This way, success is earned through hard work instead of over-the-top abilities.
Conclusively, Haikyuu!! offers an unexpectedly unique and fresh take on the sports anime genre. With a more grounded, personal story than fans are accustomed to, it is an anime more accessible to even those who are not fans of the sports genre but are seeking a spectacular anime to watch.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood presents the perfect iteration of how to adapt a story correctly. It is an anime that excels in all the areas that make up a masterpiece. Its compelling characters, mature themes, high-octane action, and smooth animation, all compacted into a digestible 64-episode run, are why it dominated MyAnimeList (MAL) for over a decade.
The story revolves around the Elric Brothers, Edward and Alphonse, who lose their mother and attempt to revive her using alchemy, with grave consequences, resulting in Edward’s loss of an arm and Alphonse his entire body, due to the laws of equivalent exchange. What follows for the pair is an arduous journey of redemption and restoration.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood made its mark with complex, multi-dimensional characters and political plots that culminated in a perfect ending. With a story that gets to the point and avoids fillers, an intricate power system, and lovable characters, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood leaves little to be desired.
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Maxey Whitehead
Alphonse Elric
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Vic Mignogna
Edward Elric
