Top 10 Best Anime Series Of All Time

Originating in Japan, anime has become a popular form of entertainment all around the world. In the US and other Western cultures the term “anime” can relate to any form of animation produced in Japan. More importantly the word anime distinctly separates common western animation styles.

Anime is very different from Western animations often termed Cartoons. Anime takes on adult themes and wrestles with important moral issues, so it’s certainly not aimed towards an immature market. Anime can include both TV series and animated films, however does not include Japanese comics which are often mistakenly called Anime when they are in fact Manga.

Over the years, there have been many Anime TV series and films, and so we’re going to talk about the best of the bunch. Which ones have stood the test of time and are worth a watch, here’s our top 10 Best Anime Series of All Time:

10. Dragon Ball Z

Probably one of the most famous anime series to hit the west, Dragon Ball Z is now a household name. In fact many of today’s hard core anime fans began life watching Dragon Ball Z. Many people are critical of the series due to its extended combat and fight scenes spanning several episodes and lack of intense story and dialogue. However no one can deny the impact Dragon Ball Z had on cultures around the world and it certainly resulted in many anime converts.

9. Naruto

Naruto is an amazing anime series and has a thrilling storyline and original concept. Let’s just think about the outline for moment….a story about Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who throughout his tale strives for acknowledgment and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is seen as the leader and the toughest of all.

Naruto has everything you could possibly want, including tonnes of action, martial arts, suspense and a dash of romance for good measure. Naruto is seen by many as a more realistic take compared to other anime series out there. So if you like anime with little exaggeration of extreme fantasy, then this one is a great option.

8. One Piece

One piece is a story about the journeys of Monkey D. Luffy, a young adult male who unexpectedly eats a Devil fruit and gains a super power, meaning he has rubber like properties.  He then goes on a journey to search the seas for the “One Piece”, a treasure that once he finds will make him the new Pirate King.

This is a class anime series offering both a very unique take on a traditional pirate treasure hunt and intense fight scenes. Certainly worth a watch if you haven’t yet experience One Piece.

7. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan offers the best aesthetics in terms of anime and together with the extreme fantasy, makes for great entertainment and stunning visuals to boot. This dark fantasy anime is set in the future where humans are living with communes protected by huge walls to guard against the Titans, giant humanoids that consume humans for breakfast.

This anime series is certainly a thrilling ride, full of suspense and twists along the way. What people like about this series is the moral lessons and insight into human emotions. It serves as a reminder of what being human means, how in the grand scheme of things we are quite hopeless.

6. Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is definitely a fan favourite. Influenced by the European industrial revolution, this series takes place in an alternate reality where alchemy is one of the major scientific techniques. The story is about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse, who are on a journey to find a philosopher’s stone to heal their bodies after an attempt to bring their mother back to life with alchemy failed.

This is an incredibly unique story, offering a blend of emotional turmoil, action and adventure. The character development in this relatively short series is highly praised and for this reason made it to the top 10.

5. Bleach

Bleach follows the tales of wild teenager Ichigo Kurosaki after he gains the abilities of a Soul Reaper an embodiment of death like the famous Grim Reaper.

These new abilities gained from another Soul Reaper impart their own responsibilities to Ichigo Kurosaki, and so he soon begins defending humans from dark entities and guiding souls to the afterlife. Bleach is another highly recommended anime series with a variety of things to offer including emotional storytelling, intense battles and lots of suspense.

4. Sword Art Online

Like the name suggests Sword Art Online is a series set in the near-future and tells the story within multiple virtual reality MMORPG worlds.

More specifically in the year 2022, thousands of humans get trapped in the virtual world, and the main character Kirito, attempts to escape.

This is a very unique take, offering a refreshing story with well-developed characters and lots of action. Some people call it the anime of 2012! And for us it certainly lives up to that name.

3. Code Geass

At number 3 is Code Geass, this classic anime series will certainly stand the test of time with its beautiful aesthetic and fantastic story.

The series takes heart in an alternative timeline and tells the story of how the former prince Lelouch VI Britannia receives abilities referred to as Geass and then uses them to destroy the Holy Britannian Empire, an imperial monarchy that has taking over countries.

This is a deeply intellectual anime series, offering action, beauty and thought provoking concepts.

2. Fairy Tail

At number 2 is Fairy Tail, a story following the story of Lucy, a wannabe wizard who befriends the very strong and powerful wizards Natsu, Grey, and Erza, who belong to the legendary wizard guild.

The story is set in a world called Earth-land and is home to humans as well as many other celestial creatures, including giants and dragons. This is well deserved at number 2 and offers a whole range of different things to satisfy almost every viewer, it’s emotional, dramatic, serious, funny, and adventurous and includes intense battle scenes. It’s got everything!

1. Death Note

And at number 1, Death Note is the winner! It follows the story of Light Yagami, a high school student who finds a supernatural notebook from a shinigami named Ryuk. This supernatural book gives its user the power to kill anybody whose name and face they are familiar with.

The story’s main plot is focused on Light’s plan to create and rule a world where all evil is cleansed from existence, by acting as God using the Book. And the continuous efforts of a detective called L to prevent him from carrying out those plans.

The Death Note is an unforgettable adventure, filled with characters developed perfectly and a solid plot offering epic battle scenes and emotional turmoil.