When it comes to watching movies and shows, there are so many genres to examine but completing the task of choosing may not be complete without considering anime shows or series. As in all movie or series genres, one show or movie may be a favorite, while another person sees it as of poor quality.
Anime shows are close to cartoons for some, and since not everyone loves watching cartoons, some may balk at the idea of watching a huge robot battling its enemies, because that is simply nonsense. However, lovers of anime series or shows have been growing in large numbers in recent times as never before.
Those who were not interested in watching anime shows in the past now have one reason or two to watch more, after they may have seen one show or series. The anime shows we explore below have a wide audience spread across the world. You may see them as universal crowd-pleasers, having appeal in every continent and every country of the world. Take note that many of these are modern-day classics that have appeal to the younger generation of movie lovers.
Note that the arrangement of these shows doesn’t have anything to do with how important they are among movie fans.
1. Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World
This show started as a fan fiction online. It was inspired by the novel, “The Familiar of Zero”.
Synopsis of Re: Zero
It is a story of hermits (hikikomori) who suddenly saw themselves in a fantasy world. One of them, Natsuki Subaru only goes out if it is extremely necessary – when he needs supplies. However, one day, he ventured into a world dominated by elves, witches, and other magical creatures. He’s murdered but he resurrects and comes to realize that there were things that were not possible for him in the past, that he could do now.
The show brought a new lease on the literature that brought them to life.
2. Elfen Lied
This show is about a mutated species of humans with invisible telekinetic appendages that are also called Vectors.
Synopsis of Elfen Lied
The show begins with one of the vectors, Lucy, escaping from a government facility where she was held. She killed many of her captors in the process. But she was injured during the fight for escape. After the experience, she experienced a split personality. The former is hardened by the inhumane experimentation she was subjected to at the government facility but her second personality is an innocent, sweet character. After her escape, she found succor with some kind strangers who knew nothing about her old personality. They sought to protect her from those seeking to capture her.
3. Paranoia Agent
This is an original anime series from the now late great Satoshi Kon, who was known for other good films in the past.
Synopsis of Paranoia Agent
The story is about a large group of people who have been affected by the same social phenomenon. One of them, Tsukiko Sagi is attacked by a baseball bat-wielding child thug while he was strolling on the street one evening. She didn’t know who attacked her but she could tell he is a small boy of elementary school age. He wielded a baseball bat as a weapon. She reported the attack but authorities won’t believe that such attacks are possible. They are forced to acknowledge it when more people came forward with reports that described the same boy.
4. Pokemon
The show is about a Japanese export (game) that impacted greatly pop culture more than many other anime shows.
Synopsis of Pokemon
The first season still holds a special place in the hearts of kids in the 90s, who have become adults today. It is about the adventures of Ash and his sidekick Pikachu. They had to battle creatures that reside in little red and white balls.
5. No Game No Life
It is a 12-episode anime show about a pair of orphaned step-siblings who are transported to a world centered on gaming.
Synopsis of No Game No Life
After losing their parents, Sora and Shiro become hermits, shunning the outside world and relying on each other solely. So, both started gaming together and became a fearsome duo to contend with. They took on the name Blank and became so successful that they were contacted by the god Tet who challenges them to a game.
6. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
This is a show portraying a time when the planet is divided into three superpowers.
Synopsis of Code Geass
Europe and Africa join forces to become Europa United but Asia becomes the Chinese Federation, while America is known as the Holy Britannian Empire. A fictional Queen Elizabeth fled her Stateside colonies after she lost the war against Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar – she never returned. Now, the new king is launching an assault on the Japanese islands, causing great havoc.
7. Dragon Ball Z
It comes after the original 1980s ‘Dragon Ball’ series. Dragon Ball Z becomes more popular and successful than the original series.
Synopsis of Dragon Ball Z
Goku, is now a young adult with a child of his own. Together the two must fight to stop an alien race to which they unknowingly belong. Suddenly, Raditz shows up on Earth, dropping a huge truth bomb on Goku, that they are brothers by blood. But Goku has a sinister purpose in mind. Later he suffers a head injury and forgot about his initial mission.
8. One-Punch Man
This is another anime series that started as a webcomic. It centers on the hero; a man on his own.
Synopsis of One-Punch Man
Saitama, a very powerful creature could destroy any foe with just one punch. He is the sort of guy that’s capable of adapting his life to the world that surrounded him, only armed with his immense power. But he faces one obstacle. His problem is mundane things like running short of money. Later, he becomes a reluctant mentor to another, whose sole intention was to get revenge for his family and his city which was razed to the ground by a killer.
9. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders
This anime show has thrilled viewers in many countries up to date. Each season is based on a different arc from Hirohiko Araki’s manga series.
Synopsis of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
The protagonist, Jotaro Kujo initially believed that his Stand is an evil one, and he believes he was possessed by some evil spirits. Later, he gets to know that he’s not possessed and that his Stand is only a manifestation of his fighting spirit. But there’s another character, Dio, who managed to cheat death by attaching his own head to Jonathan Joestar’s body. Dio wants to use his Stand to take over the world.
10. Naruto: Shippuden
Naruto is a very popular character, so you must have heard about him. He is well known for his iconic sprinting style.
Synopsis of Naruto: Shippuden
Ambitious young ninja, Naruto Uzumaki longs to become the head of his village, Konoha. However, he’s not a popular choice but his father had sealed a demon in him when a nine-tailed fox attacked the village. That led to Naruto being shunned by his peers. That didn’t dampen his spirit as he fought to prove himself a worthy leader of Konoha.
11. Monster
The title of this anime show already tells you to brace up for an adventurous treat.
Synopsis of Monster
Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a Japanese brain surgeon working in Germany during the cold war becomes an outcast when he refused to abandon an East German child in favor of treating a West German politician. Later, he discovers he didn’t choose wisely, for the kid he saved became a serial killer. He became a suspect when doctors who opposed him died one by one. But the police couldn’t find a reason to arrest him.
12. One Piece
This is the best-selling manga series of all time. It leaves others with a considerable distance after having shipped in excess of 450 million units. The closest contender doesn’t even come close.
Synopsys of One Piece
Pirate captain, Monkey D. Luffy and his crew search a Grand Line, an ocean route filled with danger and mystery, for a treasure called One Piece. The treasure belonged to the pirate king, Gol D. Roger. He challenged other pirates to locate it just before he was executed by the world government. Luffy longs to get the treasure and become the next pirate king.
13. Gintama
This one attracts samurai saga lovers and science fiction mongers. It is also one of the best anime shows of all time.
Synopsys of Gintama
Terrified by the power of the Amanto, also known as Sky People, the shogun backs down and allows the invaders into his country. However, the samurai would not allow the country to be taken over so easily. The samurai break the laws of the shogun, refusing to stop carrying weapons. They set about ridding Earth of the unwanted alien pests. Samurai Gintoki Sakata gets support from other samurais.
14. Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma
Strange to see animated characters eat animated food. You find two anime – Ponyo and Sosuk – eating ramen. If food anime is your thing, you will really enjoy this anime show.
Synopsys of Food Wars!
Teenager Some Yukihira dreams of following his father’s footsteps and taking over his restaurant. But to match or exceed his father’s prowess, he has to attend and graduate from Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, Japan. That’s the most popular culinary school in Japan. The children of famous cooks look down at Soma, who is just the son of a common cook. Soma is ready to prove everyone who has negative impressions about him wrong.
15. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
This is a seminal classic of the 90s ‘Ghost in the Shell’ anime film. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex came about in 2002, boasting some fantastic animation production.
Synopsys of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
The members of Section 9 uncover corruption within other branches of government, expanding on many of the philosophical questions posed in the manga. The difference between anime and the real human race grows blurred in this anime vision of things to come.
16. My Hero Academia
This one is based on the manga by Kohei Horikoshi. It is one of the latest huge anime shows that people are still enjoying in 2022.
Synopsys of My Hero Academia
Izuku Midoriya lives in a world where about 80 percent of the population has some form of superpower. However, Izuku is one of the few who doesn’t have the privilege of having a superpower but he wants to be a hero. His tenacity won him a favor from All Might, Japan’s most famous hero. All Might takes Izuku under his wing and trains him in Japan’s heroics institution. Soon, new secrets unfold about All Might.
17. Made in Abyss
This is good for your eyes alone, as the anime show starts innocently and later took on dark stunts.
Synopsys of Made in Abyss
The action moves into the giant hole that Orth is built around. An orphan, Riko, whose mother was a popular cave raider – a person who went frequently into the Abyss in search of secrets. That venture is a dangerous one, as people who spend too much time there could inherit the “Curse of the Abyss.” But Riko follows in her mother’s footsteps. Later, she unravels the mystery of the hole, and the mother’s mysterious disappearance.
18. Neon Genesis Evangelion
In this mecha anime series, you take note of humans doing battle by using giant robots. It portrays Evangelions as living, organic creatures that were created from scraps of the first Angel.
Synopsys of Neon Genesis Evangelion
Giant creatures are awakened during an experiment gone wrong. A team of scientists caused an explosion that melted the polar ice caps and it caused widespread destruction, wiping out 50 percent of humankind in a cataclysmic event known as the ‘Second Impact’. But a third impact looms, and humans must do everything they can to stop it. The Evangelions can help, or so thought the humans.
19. Assassination Classroom
This is one anime series that if you don’t observe well, may be nonsense to you. However, it is a hilarious story about underestimating kids.
Synopsys of Assassination Classroom
A class in middle school refused to be tasked with saving the world from a yellow, tentacle alien. The creature has destroyed most of the moon, and now, its attention is turned to the earth, where he wants to become the teacher of Class 3-E. he wants Earth to meet the same fate as the moon, so decides to mold low-achieving students into skilled assassins.
20. Parasyte: The Maxim
This anime show combines feel-good vibes with ultraviolence skillfully. It has gotten mentioned as being one of the most memorable horror anime of all time.
Synopsys of Parasyte: The Maxim
17-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi is forced to coexist with an alien. Another race of parasitic extraterrestrials arrives on Earth. The small creatures like worms enter human bodies, making unsuspecting victims by their hosts. The human shape is kept to hide their presence but they could transform into monstrous forms at any time they wish. Shinichi is fortunate because on the night the aliens arrived, he was listening to music on his headphone, so they couldn’t gain entrance into his body.
Conclusion
These are the top 20 best anime shows of our time. Even if anime shows or movies are not your thing, you won’t be disappointed when you check out these great shows today.
