Anime is a growing medium that is constantly evolving and getting better with each passing year. From its stunning animation to its unending creativity, anime has delivered some of the most entertaining shows of all time. Despite being a newer form of TV, it still produces legendary and classic works, many of which can be described as essential, such as newer hits like Dandadan or iconic series like Naruto.
With so many great anime, it can be challenging to choose one to watch, which is why this list will break down the ten most essential anime every fan needs to watch at least once. It will rank the entries based on iconicity, influence, genre-defining/re-defining aspects, critical acclaim, and standing in the anime community. Simply put, if fans only watched ten anime, it should be these ten shows because they are the perfect blend of importance and entertaining.
10
‘Ashita no Joe’ (1970)
Creators: Ikki Kajiwara and Tetsuya Chiba
Boxing is a universal appeal and one of the most popular sports. This also applies to anime, with many popular series such as Hajime no Ippo. But the most influential is Ashita no Joe, which follows the titular character trying to scam his way into a living until a hopeless boxing coach sees his potential. Despite many hardships, Joe and Danpei rise to the ranks in the boxing world, not knowing what challenges they face next.
Ashita no Joe is the oldest anime on this list, which makes it one of the important shows here because of its classic influence and historical impact. This show revolutionized animation, with Osamu Dezaki, one of the greatest anime directors, creating postcard memories, a staple of anime. Its profound and tragic journey of a desperate boxer and artistic expression of animation make it an essential show that most anime fans have yet to watch.
9
‘Demon Slayer’ (2019)
Creator: Koyoharu Gotouge
While anime’s popularity is thanks to many different shows, Demon Slayer played a significant part in bringing a new wave of fresh anime fans. The series is a typical battle shōnen known for its stellar animation and distinct art style. Tanjiro goes on a journey, killing demons in order to find the one responsible for turning his sister into a demon. He teams up with other hunters to eliminate demons while fighting the strongest opponents.
Demon Slayer ranks near the bottom because it is the newest anime on this list, making it an impressive feat to be an essential anime already. It earned this title because of its astonishing animation and mass appeal, which brought countless new fans into the world of anime. It doesn’t do anything new or revolutionize anime, but Demon Slayer is a perfect action series and is responsible for new-age anime fans.
8
‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989)
Creator: Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball Z is the most popular anime around the world, breaking age and language barriers to establish itself as one of the most essential anime ever. The series follows the iconic character, Goku, who must fight dangerous opponents wishing to destroy Earth. From Vegeta, Cell, Majin Buu, and Frieza, Goku and his friends overcome each challenge one by one and the path to ultimate strength.
Some fans might be surprised that Dragon Ball Z isn’t higher. While the series is the most influential and important anime of all time, it isn’t as much of a must-watch as other shows. However, this shouldn’t diminish its legacy, as it defines shōnen anime and revolutionizes action in animation. Dragon Ball Z is pure fun, providing fans with some of the most entertaining fights in anime.
7
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998)
Creator: Shinichirō Watanabe
Created by the legendary director Shinichirō Watanabe, Cowboy Bebop is an iconic sci-fi anime set in a time when criminals and bounty hunters roam the galaxy. Spike Spiegel and his crew make a living hunting criminals, going on crazy adventures each episode. However, after Spike’s dark past catches up with him, he must face his rival head-on so he doesn’t drag his friends down with him.
While Demon Slayer brought in many new anime fans, Cowboy Bebop was the first series that proved anime isn’t just for kids to the West. This anime became one of the most distinct and unique through its stylistic animation, jazz music, and New York noir influences. Cowboy Bebop is perfect for non-anime fans, influencing and inspiring other shows by combining different elements and defining the sci-fi genre for anime.
6
‘One Piece’ (1999)
Creator: Eiichiro Oda
Spanning over 1000 episodes in 25 years, One Piece is one of the longest-running anime ever. Inspired by Dragon Ball, One Piece is now a major influence on new shōnen anime with its expansive worldbuilding and fun characters. The anime follows Monkey D. Luffy, a happy-go-lucky pirate with dreams of finding the one piece. But to do so, he must form a crew, establish a name, and collect clues to find the elusive treasure.
It is a rite of passage to at least attempt to watch the show, even if fans don’t follow through. It’s hard to blame them with over 1000 episodes, but those with unwavering dedication understand how incredible the journey is. One Piece is a perfect anime; from its colorful cast to its epic moments and arcs, this show has a little bit of everything. Every anime fan needs to dip their toes in it because it is a legendary show that has shaped anime as they know it today.
5
‘Attack on Titan’ (2013)
Creator: Hajime Isayama
Attack on Titan is a historic series and one of the most popular shows of all time, that even non-anime fans enjoy it. After the Titans destroy Eren Yaeger’s home, he vows revenge, only to gain the power to turn into a Titan. With this newfound ability, he sets off outside of the wall to learn the truth and defeat his true enemies across the sea. Attack on Titan highlights the best of anime, from its creativity, animation, and over-the-top dramatic story.
There aren’t many anime bigger than Attack on Titan, with its ending serving as an important landmark in anime history where fans united to watch the finale. It has some of the best animation in anime, delivering thrilling fights within its complex story and intriguing mystery. It is a critical success and monument in anime culture, defining the top stories of the medium and establishing itself as an anime that every fan must watch.
4
‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011)
Creator: Yoshihiro Togashi
Many newer battle shōnen feel the same, falling into familiar trends to deliver repetitive stories and dull concepts. Hunter x Hunter changed the game with its original concept, fresh story, and combination of shōnen and seinen elements. The series follows Gon in an imaginative world full of specialized hunters. He becomes a hunter to find his dad, following multiple clues which take him on wonderous and horrifying adventures.
Hunter x Hunter is infamously known for never finishing, despite the anime having a satisfying conclusion. While manga fans wait for more chapters and a new anime adaptation, it is paramount for anime fans to give this series a try. Despite Yu Yu Hakusho defining the shōnen genre, Hunter x Hunter re-defined it, becoming a staple battle anime. This perfect anime doesn’t need a remake and is an essential show for newer or old anime fans with the perfect blend of mature themes and appealing fun.
3
‘Death Note’ (2006)
Creators: Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
While it is no longer at the peak of its popularity, Death Note is still a revolutionary anime that even non-anime fans recognize. Its staying power is ridiculous, as it is still an anime every early fan must watch. The series follows a genius high schooler who uses a book’s mysterious power to eliminate criminals. However, power goes to his head, prompting the world’s smartest detective to learn his identity and stop this madness.
The 2000s was an essential era of anime, from its dark and edgy aesthetic, moving anime away from typical shōnen and shaping the way fans watch anime today. Death Note was at the peak of this revolution, with every fan of this decade possessing a notebook in the fashion of the iconic book. There isn’t a better crime mystery drama than Death Note, which became a cultural icon and one of the best anime in history.
Creator: Hiromu Arakawa
Nobody ever agrees on what the greatest thing is for its specific medium, but most people can agree on a few names. The Godfather for best movie, Breaking Bad for best TV show, Ocarina of Time for best video game, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood for best anime. While everyone may not agree, it’s hard to argue against its overall quality, making it one of the most essential anime of all time.
For years, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was at the top of the rankings, and many fans still consider it the greatest anime ever because of its gripping story. This anime has it all, appealing to every kind of anime fan. It has a bit of story, action, drama, comedy, romance, worldbuilding, character development, mystery, and great animation. With a perfect anime ending, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is arguably the greatest anime ever, but one other series proves to be more essential.
1
‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995)
Creator: Hideaki Anno
One of the most recognizable anime ever is Neon Genesis Evangelion, known for its distinct designs, 1990s animation, and relatable themes. Despite having a bit of hate, any major anime will face criticism, but that doesn’t change the fact that this anime changed the game. The series follows Shinji piloting a mecha to stop Angels from destroying Earth but struggles more with responsibility and his father’s schemes.
While it may be a polarizing series with its avant-garde tones, Neon Genesis Evangelion is the most essential anime, whether fans like it or not. There comes a time in every anime fan’s life when they finally give Evangelion a chance, which changes the course of their viewing history forever. It isn’t for newer viewers, but it is an important series for everyone to see at least once because of its influence on Japanese and popular culture, its defining sci-fi and mecha, and re-defining anime as a whole. Its profound themes and complex narrative might be confusing for some, but every fan is encouraged to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion at some point.
