Hello everyone, or should I say, Konichiwa Everyone! Well, that's the introduction, today I want to discuss my top ten favorite anime. Let me say right away that this list is, as always, based on my subjective opinion. Make yourself some tea, stock up on some snacks, and let's go!
Meeting best friends, most of whom no longer even remember you; the excitement of your first, second, or any other argument sparked by baseless malice; the joy of a tired joke; rivalry, intrigue, and fear of an inevitable future full of responsibility and uncertainty. Vague memories, overwhelmed by faded shame, are constantly replaced by the warmth of something we involuntarily push from memory. This is me, and this is the reality of the characters in the truly adult detective animated series "Odd Taxi" from OLM (Oriental Light & Magic), the studio that brought us Pokémon.
In the foreground, as described in the anime's synopsis, stands, or rather sits, a walrus taxi driver named Odokawa, unassuming in demeanor but possessing an extraordinary intelligence. The driver, bristling with a protruding mustache and seemingly completely disconnected from the world around him, never misses an opportunity to crack a caustic joke and, often reluctantly, engages in dialogue with the "local fauna" inhabiting Tokyo—a place alien to both him and us. From the backseat of his car, attention-seeking bloggers, alcoholic comedians, passionate fans of local singers with short-lived spotlights, doctors, and even gangsters peer at him in the rearview mirror. After work, Odokawa enjoys stopping by a bar he once liked, where he met a loser friend desperately trying to find a soulmate online. But at some point, the boredom of everyday life disappears, giving way to a tangled web in which the walrus taxi driver turns out to be a key link.
Over the course of thirteen episodes, we're not only given a detailed look at Japan and its exotic everyday life, told a gripping detective story, and tenderly caressed by hearts hardened by years of life, but also vividly reminded that we all influence one another in one way or another. Our environment shapes us as individuals, but it's far from the pressure our parents exerted on us. What do we want? How will we achieve it? Will we achieve it, or will we remain in the shadow of our parents' ambitions and our own hidden aspirations? Each character in "Odd Taxi" will find answers to all these questions, just as the anime itself brings every apparent detail to its fullest, which is incredibly satisfying.
An ordinary taxi with an ordinary driver plies the streets of Tokyo. However, the ordinary only appears at first glance, and it's not just that Odakawa, an anthropomorphic walrus, is an ordinary sight in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. What makes him special is his unusual ability to remember and recognize people he's seen before in a crowd, a talent born from the tragic events of his childhood. When a young woman last seen in his taxi disappears from the city in late autumn, Odakawa finds himself caught in a whirlwind of events that affect only he and his friends.
This season featured many unique anime, and this is certainly one of them. It seemed like a simple anime where everyone was an animal with a multitude of different backstories. However, what made it one of the best of the season was how interconnected all of these stories were, despite their seemingly unrelated nature. Each episode contained an incredible number of details that later proved crucial.
Watching this anime weekly can be a mistake because you might forget details, which is what happened to me. So I decided to rewatch everything before the final episode, and I'm glad I did. Realizing that the stories were connected, I became increasingly captivated and eagerly awaited the ending. It was a big mystery that gradually grew.
The characters were incredibly engaging. Over three episodes, each of the three characters delivered a monologue, telling their backstories. They were sad, shocking, and dangerously realistic. The main character was the walrus taxi driver, but many of the other characters' stories were also engaging. I also have to mention my favorite, Yano, who was definitely one of the coolest characters. He rhymed when he spoke, and whenever he appeared, his lyrical, rap-like dialogue almost always followed the beat. He stole the show in every scene he appeared in.
As I mentioned, the stories were interconnected and meticulously crafted. However, the details were so detailed that even the opening sequence offered clues about the series' mysteries. It's also great that many viewers of this anime put forward theories, which mostly turned out to be correct. One of them concerned the animation of the plot.
As for problems, I felt like one particular story about two comedians didn't really connect with the other stories. I also had problems with the final episode, which dealt with what happened to our taxi driver after a major accident.
The series is based on a real-life narrative. It reflects the lives of some people today. I think some viewers will be able to empathize with the characters.
And the last thing I'd like to point out is the final revelation in the final episode. Honestly, I didn't expect it, and the final shot was quite creepy.
Just as the colorful, shimmering façade of the city conceals dark alleys, so the bright, cartoonish world and characters conceal a multitude of serious issues: loneliness, mental illness, obsession, social inequality, betrayal, unfulfilled dreams, and dashed hopes. Over the course of 13 episodes, we follow a multitude of characters, each with their own lives, problems, and aspirations. The series is part noir, part Guy Ritchie crime comedy. Humor is seamlessly intertwined with drama.
As often happens, the plot gradually picks up steam, and by episode 6, I couldn't stop watching. The final plot twist (yes, there's a plot twist at the end), while it sheds light on many of the main character's character flaws and seems perfectly appropriate, for me personally, it ruins the charm of the anthropomorphic world.
The best part of the series is that the characters are so well-written that you can empathize with them, sympathize with them, and understand their motivations. The show is entirely dialogue-driven, and they use this advantage to develop the characters as deeply as possible. They don't just constantly spout exposition, but take the time to let the characters express themselves and their feelings while simultaneously advancing the detective plot. The dialogue is snappy, sharp, and dynamic. This allows viewers to immerse themselves in the conversations and stay glued to the screen, even when nothing "exciting" is happening.
The series is very different from typical anime. You could easily imagine it as an Adult Swim series, and not much would change.
The series' main problem is certain aspects of the script. While I praised some aspects, such as the fast pace of the narrative and the excellent character interactions, the series does have its flaws.
Some of the scripts feel smug, like they were written by an emo teenager in high school. Characters force pop culture references, talk about depression and self-doubt as if they're the only ones on earth who've experienced it, and imbue characters with quirks like rapping and martial arts that make them feel awkward. I rolled my eyes too often to admit it. Someone's trying to emulate Quentin Tarantino, but they often lack the talent. The ridiculousness is overdone and does more harm than good to the show.
In the second half, the series' writing and logic began to suffer. Many plot elements didn't come together. The series started off promisingly, so I was very disappointed when it lost momentum after the first half. Even the best episodes of the first half had massive logical errors that threw me off track. Characters lost data on their phones, which were usually backed up based on the game they were playing, characters only appeared at key moments despite being able to track their enemies 100%, and other plot inconsistencies.
I completely understand why this series is so popular. It's a breath of fresh air for anime, and I wish more anime would adopt some aspects of this series. Most people will enjoy it, and if you're on the fence, I recommend giving it a try. You might be surprised, like I was.
A captivating family anime comedy from the old days. Spies and assassins—a cast like that could have made for an action movie, but it turned out to be a very funny comedy.
Spy. A rather rare profession. But it appears frequently in art. Intelligence officers can be found in literature and cinema, and of course, the diverse world of Japanese animation couldn't escape this theme.
Like many anime, this one is based on a manga of the same name. Only one season has been aired, but it's already sure to make you laugh out loud and fall in love with the series.
I was quite surprised that this series has such high ratings, and especially considering the fact that this is a new anime, and an unfinished one at that, that TV Tokyo, WIT Studio, CloverWorks, and Toho Animation renewed it for a 2nd and even a 3rd season, and although one can guess how many seasons it will last, although considering who is the director of this work, one should not be surprised that this anime turned out so wonderful and kind.
The story follows the mastermind Agent Twilight, aka Lloyd Forger, the top spy in his homeland. He's sent on a crucial mission, the outcome of which will determine the fate of his country. But this mission demands more than just Twilight's skill; he must also create a false family, as without one, the operation will be impossible. The agent needs a daughter to enroll in a prestigious academy and gain access to meetings where the enemy government's bigwigs gather, and he needs a wife to raise a complete family. These circumstances greatly complicate matters for the mastermind, as spies typically work alone.
The success of the operation will depend on the adopted daughter Anya and the surrogate wife named Yor. It turns out that it's not just Twilight, but also his telepathic daughter and murderous wife, who have skeletons in their closets. Twilight, or rather Lloyd Forger, his daughter Anya, and his wife Yor—all three of them will be featured prominently in the series, and they will develop their relationships and be adorable throughout the first season. Anya and Yor have consistently delighted us with their endearing behavior. All three will be unaware of each other's secrets, and all three will do their best to hide theirs. Beyond the secrets of the key trio, it's worth remembering the main plot, which will unfold in parallel. These circumstances will drive the plot and also serve as comedic elements. The comedy is quite good and is a worthy component of the series. Other aspects like animation, soundtrack, and acting (that is, the original Japanese voice acting) are also done well.
But despite this, the series does have some flaws. For example, there are some silly plot twists that were designed for comedy. Or there are smaller moments common to any anime, like flashbacks that seem tailor-made for the most inattentive viewer. But these flaws are overlooked, as the series has more positive aspects.
The series is laid-back and lighthearted, but not silly or vulgar like other lighthearted anime. It's packed with just the right amount of spy action, comedy, action, and good slice-of-life moments, making it a great evening anime. It might also seem a bit childish at times, but that's perfectly normal and expected (assuming you're a VB fan, of course).
The main trio of characters are very well written, and the supporting characters mostly serve merely to advance the plot. The twelve episodes currently available have provided a compelling and intriguing storyline. I hope the writers will rise to the occasion in the sequel and deliver some great episodes that you'll remember fondly long after viewing.
Being a huge anime skeptic, I started watching Attack on Titan as a joke. I turned it on to laugh at the exaggerated emotions and pathos. For the first season and a half, I treated the series as an unpretentious cinematic "guilty pleasure," perfect for munching on popcorn between viewings of "high cinema." So what's there to expect? Episode after episode, teenagers fly between tiled rooftops and battle evil giants, periodically whining, sorting out their relationships, and prevailing. Is there supposed to be some kind of brilliant twist? I bet I already know it. Shounen is still shonen, even when it's "wow, it's meaningful." You can't jump above your head...
Expectations were pleasantly disappointed. By its fourth season, Attack on Titan doesn't just leap above its weight—it sprouts wings and soars into the sky. Honestly, I can't recall another work that has so deeply, thoroughly, and consistently explored the cycle of violence, the pendulum of repentance and resentment, the dichotomy of right- and left-wing ideologies, the nature of fascism, the essence of anti-colonialist discourse, and so much more. By the fourth season, the naive shonen transforms into an allegorical philosophical epic, filled with complex references to twentieth-century history. At the same time, the elegance of Attack on Titan's handling of historical parallels is simply exemplary. Instead of unambiguous, stale metaphors, history is understood at the level of phenomena and processes, preventing the series from descending into historiosophical speculation or shallow political propaganda.
By its finale, Attack on Titan has veered so far from its beginning that it's tempting to wonder why it spent so long disguising itself as a swashbuckling action adventure about battling giant cannibals. It was done precisely to allow the viewer to fully connect with the characters, to be immersed in their struggle, to share their misconceptions, to journey alongside them. Much of the final season's impact is derived from the contrast with those same teenagers prancing between tiled rooftops from the first season. Only those who haven't shunned the naive shonen it initially pretends to be will be able to fully appreciate the depth of the philosophical epic that Attack on Titan accelerates toward.
Open your heart to this series with irony, and it will certainly turn into an unironic catharsis for you.
I've been wanting to watch this anime for a while, but I never got around to it. More pressing matters kept me busy, and I kept finding titles that were more appealing. Finally, with a heavy heart and clenched teeth, I prepared myself to watch this 300-plus episode series (it's a very long series for me, after all, and I'm a perfectionist—once I start watching, I have to finish). And now, after a considerable amount of time, I want to express my opinion.
The story takes place in the modern world, or more accurately, in modern Japan. On a street corner, a red-haired man beats up a group of less-than-polite individuals who knocked down flowers in memory of a deceased girl. Nothing foreshadowed the plot's interesting development until we learn that the man, Ichigo Kurosaki, can see the souls of the recently deceased. That evening, a girl in black with a sword at her waist jumps into Ichigo's room, and he rather less-than-politely attracts her attention. Events unfold further, more bizarre than anything Tarantino has ever seen, resulting in Kurosaki gaining a certain power. Now the man finds himself caught in the thick of it, balancing between two worlds.
Although the anime initially stalls a bit, leading up to the main events, this buildup pays off by establishing the core cast of characters – Urio, Orihime, Chad, and Rukia. Each of them, to some extent, shapes the charming and captivating plot of this anime. Ichigo Kurosaki is practically a household name in shonen anime – upright, persistent, honest, and strong-willed. Urio is a level-headed and cold hero, the brains of the gang I've described. Orihime is a girly girl who might not fit in with the all-male crowd, but is ready to help at the most critical moment or maintain morale. Chad is a brutal man in appearance and demeanor, but at heart he's constantly doubting and hesitating.
The secondary characters, by positioning but not by importance – Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, Kenpachi – also have their own individual traits and characters that constitute a kind of counterbalance to the titan Kurosaki, and I would say that it is quite good.
Overall, this anime sets a high bar in terms of characters (their number) and settings, and maintains it well. This means that interest remains high throughout the entire show, even though half the plot consists of so-called filler arcs that don't advance or develop anything. The development of the Japanese world is flawless; it's done smoothly and unobtrusively. But Soul Society and Hueco Mundo are developed in a way that commands respect (which is unsurprising). I can't ignore the films, which are supplementary and quite good, as they reveal the Soul Society Captains, as well as new locations and participants, who are only briefly mentioned in the main story—Squad Zero, Hell.
There are no complaints about the art and fight choreography—the main component of shonen anime. The animation here is good, solid (the first season is downright nostalgic). Some might criticize it, but I liked it. The fights here are oh-so-good—long, thoughtful, vibrant, and exciting. I especially like how the fights build up—first the standard feints, then each character's signature moves, then Bankai, and then the Hollow powers (especially Ichigo's form in the battle with Ulquiorra—a real blast).
Along with the compelling plot and characters, there's also a rich, meaningful narrative, which is once again standard for this genre: friendship, mutual support, love, the replacement of old and rotten "correct" orders with new ones that are no less correct and fundamental. In short, a motley collection of the rational, the kind, and the eternal.
There's only one thing I can say about the music, dialogue, and humor: it's wonderful. Nothing superfluous, everything is spot on. You can listen and enjoy it endlessly, and the jokes are hilarious.
You can rant about the flaws, but they're insignificant. If you don't like it, skip it and continue enjoying the main plot. But the fillers here feel like a kind of respite, so to speak.
And so what do we have in the end? Bleach is a captivating spectacle with interesting, vibrant, often generic characters and settings, yet somehow reminiscent and familiar. In short, it's a pillar and classic of Japanese animation, which, as we know, is always on trend and will never become outdated or fade.
This anime is captivating, although at first I was reluctant to expand my Japanese offerings of full-length projects. The stories, which lasted for an hour and a half, were sufficient for the genre's time requirements. But a good script can captivate, and when the twenty-minute episode ends at the most crucial moments, you're eagerly awaiting more. So, whether you're watching a series or a full-length film, the important thing is to be engaged.
The picture is bright, the animated characters are detailed, there is no "Pokémon" style of the 90s, but the frame rate limitation has an effect, which is why repetitions of the same frames can be seen in different time periods, or the same frame can be shown for several seconds.
We've become accustomed to superhero movies over the years, so the series' core theme fits in well. In the world, most people develop abilities (quirks) that manifest in childhood. Being born with a genetic mutation is commonplace. The story is told from the perspective of protagonist Midoriya Izuku, who introduces viewers to the story and, unfortunately, doesn't fit in with the crowd. The script brilliantly builds a life among the characters, showing a desire to emulate them, and establishes an idol who will serve as a symbol (of peace!)
From a psychological perspective, it's incredibly compelling to place an ordinary, untalented boy in a superhero setting. Both villains and heroes are featured, observed by Midoriya through his diary. This meshes so well with the plots of familiar characters, based on popular American comics, that you can't help but compare the story arcs and events.
The boy is inspired by one and only: All Might, the embodiment of Peace, comparable in strength to Superman. The first episodes of the season introduce the boy, continually introducing more villains and heroes in episodic moments. But what if... An surreal encounter with an idol allows dreams to come true, giving the opportunity to become a hero themselves. Since this is a long-running series, the reveal of important details is unhurried, allowing the viewer to feel all the emotions, and the Japanese are adept at accentuating this. Long takes are reminiscent of these moments, and it is through them that one can truly feel the emotions. The emphasis on the character is accompanied by a lack of backgrounds, no sets, and all the attention is focused on the facial expressions.
In a world where you're considered an outcast because you lack powers, the opposite detail in X-Men comes to mind. Such are the opposites of a superhero project. It's a show about a hero academy, so we're off to school.
The characters in the main character's classroom are well-developed. And here the comparison to... Harry Potter begins. We only know the main character, but we're shown an entire school where students will learn to develop their abilities to earn licenses for rescue missions. You don't know anyone yet, you don't know their powers, so through the lessons we're introduced to new personalities who will become beloved in the future.
The teachers create conditions that would have long since killed the kids, but this is anime, and they have a great healer. For the rest of the first season, we're shown entrance exams, the abilities of our classmates, and my favorite teenage theme. The relationship between the main character and the class bully, Katsuki Bakugo, is an example of opposing views, childish affection, and envy. Everyone in the class gets attention, but these two create excellent chemistry, portraying adolescence, which, combined with superpowers, can be nerve-wracking.
Education presents complex challenges for the protagonist. Rather than focusing solely on school, events in a world where villains unite have a direct impact on the students. Class rivalries demonstrate the development of strengths and weaknesses, revealing the students' strengths and weaknesses, and bringing the audience closer to the characters. A single scene (preparing for battle) can span the entire episode, thus highlighting the participants' emotions and thoughts.
The season one finale shows a brilliant training session suddenly confronted with a real threat. These shots drew comparisons to Hogwarts, where every year presented mortal dangers. Once you've met all the students and teachers, the tournament begins, watched by the entire world. A tournament between the academy's classes. It's like the second stage of unfolding—first between classmates, now between classes.
The new heroes no longer press, no longer overwhelm with their numbers; you already enjoy observing their new quirks. At this stage, young Midoriya demonstrates leadership qualities, analyzes threats, and creates excellent allied combinations with his classmates' abilities. Tellingly, the villains are also watching the tournament, studying the students' abilities and drawing conclusions. This approach already equates the students with heroes: the heroes are famous, everyone knows what they're capable of.
New relationships develop between the boys, revealing certain personalities that impact the protagonist and the overall plot. These are teenagers with their own secrets, which weren't foregrounded at the beginning of the series, but now you're given more food for thought, more plot lines. After the tournament, the characters have changed; they understand their place in the world, especially since they've become famous. This development thrusts them into the real world, where they embark on a course to develop their powers.
The anime is perfectly divided into seasons, focusing on the stages of character development. From beginners to licensed specialists. You can pinpoint your favorite aspects that will develop gradually: abilities, self-acceptance, and relationships between students. Over three seasons, you become so attached that every little detail becomes intriguing. The emphasis on vulgarity is concentrated on one character, bringing this aspect to a comedic point.
This isn't a story about superheroes doing good; it's about developing a personality, accepting yourself for who you are, and preparing for adulthood. The villains' motives are well-reasoned, and the intensity reaches heart-wrenching moments. It's a good teen show, but at first glance, it doesn't seem like it will turn out to be what it eventually becomes.
5. Bakugan Battle Brawlers
When ordinary children discover extraordinary creatures, a simple game turns into a battle for worlds beyond imagination.
To succeed in the toy market, there are two options. The first is to have a cartoon that doesn't hate advertising, or to offer customers something new and original. For example, the creators of the Bakugan series, Spin Master, SEGA Toys, and Takara Tomy, managed to combine both factors. These toys were presented as a series of collectible card games with the effect of transforming miniatures. In 2007, the Japanese television channel TV Tokyo aired an animated series from the studio TMS Entertainment. Bakugan are huge monsters from another galaxy, after a cataclysm, migrating en masse to Earth in the form of small metal balls. Cards fall from the sky, children find them, and they figure out how to play it, simultaneously getting involved in epic interplanetary veils. The toys feature a mechanism that allows the ball to open and transform into a monster when it hits a magnetic card. This interactive feature allows any child's imagination to imagine themselves as a true, desperate Bakugan fighter. This quickly led to the series gaining popularity. Kids collected and collected balls and cards, and dueled each other without even knowing the rules of the game, although official tournaments were also held.
Bakugan Battle Brawlers began as an anime series and multimedia franchise, combining collectible toys, card mechanics, and animated storytelling. The series follows Dan Kuso and his friends the "Battle Brawlers" (Runo Misaki, Marucho Marukura, Shun Kazami, Julie Makimoto, and Alice Gehabich). as they discover Bakugan, mysterious creatures that emerge from small spheres during battles. What begins as a game quickly escalates into an interdimensional conflict, with the fate of Earth and the world of Vestroia hanging in the balance.
The series successfully blends action and strategy. Each duel is presented not only as a spectacular monster battle but also as a test of tactical thinking and teamwork. This distinguishes Bakugan from other toy-based series, emphasizing the interplay of chance, skill, and friendship. The developing bond between people and Bakugan, especially Dan's partnership with Drago. adds emotional depth that makes the show more realistic.
Visually, the animation is colorful and dynamic, and the battles are choreographed to maximize energy and excitement. The Bakugan creature designs are unique, appealing to young viewers and creating great merchandising potential. However, the story tends toward formulaic arcs, often revolving around tournament battles and confrontations with villains. While repetitive at times, the pacing ensures consistent tension and development of the main characters.
Beyond its entertainment value, Bakugan Battle Brawlers gained worldwide popularity, joining a wave of anime franchises in the early 2000s that combined gameplay and storytelling.
An extremely... fascinating work. A mighty band of "pirates" (well, I can't help but use quotation marks here; they're nothing like "regular" pirates; especially since two of the original crew members are a pirate hunter and a pirate-hating man) travel through a diverse world, a world where the rule applies: "In this ocean, the only thing worthy of doubt is common sense... Even though it contradicts common sense, there's no point in doubting it. That's the common sense of this sea."
They do whatever they want. One of the main themes is (individual) freedom. All the main characters strive for is to achieve their "dream" (some distant, unlikely goal each of them has chosen for themselves) and have fun together along the way. Consequently, the cartoon is charged with a pronounced anti-authoritarian sentiment, directed both against the despotic government that maintains the privileges of a small class of descendants of its founders at the expense of everyone else, and against "ordinary" private pirate oppressors. The political views here are clearly something close to left-wing anarchism.
They travel the world, solving political, psychological, and other problems of the characters they encounter along the way. Not all of them, of course, but the political discussions and psychology are depicted in quite a detailed way for a children's cartoon (or even for a non-children's cartoon).
The style, though, is not entirely without its differences, even though this anime was made by the same Japanese animation studio, Toei Animation, which also produced Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Glitter Force, Yu-Gi-Oh, and other anime-related projects. One Piece is somewhat reminiscent of, for example, the famous Undertale. The same combination of incongruous elements, the same jokes built on the unexpected, the same vibrant characters. Only here there's so much more of it. It's no joke, the series turns 26 this year (2024) (counting from the manga's inception), and, as the author says, it's not planned to end for another few years. Unlike Undertale, there's no overt pacifism; fighting and the struggle for oneself and one's values are a significant part of the on-screen narrative.
Lengthy. Or, if you prefer, detailed. The series doesn't begrudge your time, fortunately, no one forbids you from skipping uninteresting parts. I'm not used to anime in general, and shonen in particular, so I was surprised that a single battle could be shown in detail over the course of four or five episodes at first, and then even over a dozen. Not the least reason for this is the weekly series format: to avoid outpacing the manga and introducing self-invented plots (although why not, it was good at first?), starting mid-series, the battles become so drawn out that I have to skip almost entire episodes to maintain interest (battles aren't my main focus).
There's a near-total absence of romantic relationships. However, the impact of love in general (not just romantic love, but any love at all) and other emotional phenomena on a character's character, and on the healing of very deep emotional trauma, is shown repeatedly and, in my opinion, quite well, more profoundly than most other works of popular culture I know. If one were so inclined, I think one could even explore the psychology of some of the characters.
The overall mood is resolutely positive, despite both extremely sad moments and the world's brutality, which is depicted in detail. The main cast is a diverse collection of characters, but also (mostly) very cheerful. Some might find this "frivolity" coupled with exaggerated anime emotions off-putting or too childish, but if you need a mood lift, One Piece can be just the ticket. Moreover, all this "frivolity" doesn't cause the characters to lose touch with reality or "negative" emotions: their composure when needed and the characters' strength aren't compromised by the frequent comedic elements, and when drama strikes, it's just as vividly portrayed. In fact, the dramatic story and emotions of Nami, the team's navigator, initially hooked me (like, I know, many others).
In conclusion, I can recommend One Piece to anyone who enjoys creativity and/or strong dramatic emotions: the series offers enough variety for a dozen, if not a hundred, "regular" ones. But, of course, that's assuming you're not put off by the "childish" nature of the series.
Apparently, the franchise isn't about to go into freefall just yet, and continues to evolve: a live-action series has already begun streaming on Netflix, and there are rumors of plans to release a shortened version of the anime with a modernized visual style. The already huge fan base of One Piece around the globe, as far as I can see, is only growing and will continue to do so. This wave has finally reached me, and I've found many interesting (and thought-provoking) moments in the work.
The bronze medal in this top goes to Dragon Ball Z, another Toei Animation creation. It's a timeless series. It's interesting to think that the episodes you watched aired in the US in the late 90s and early 2000s, and in Japan even earlier, in the 80s and 90s. Watching this series years later, it doesn't look old and hasn't lost its appeal, although the graphics in the older episodes, especially Dragon Ball, look a little dated. Dragon Ball Z is the version that was originally shown in the US before Dragon Ball, thinking Dragon Ball Z would attract more viewers. It used to air on Cartoon Network's Toonami. Later, Dragon Ball was added to Toonami to show the origin of the story. Then Dragon Ball GT came along, but Dragon Ball GT is non-canon and written by a different author. Most of us don't like GT as much. In any case, Dragon Ball Z was a huge success. I read an interview with the manga's author, Akira Toriyama. He didn't expect the series to last this long. From what I've read, Toriyama didn't really think about continuing after the first Emperor Pilaf saga when he started the series. He later decided to end it after the Frieza and Cell sagas. But the series' success compelled him to continue working on it and come up with new, exciting storylines. Apparently, the series was good enough for him to keep writing it. Although, some of the things he wrote seemed ill-conceived, and he was probably trying to rush the series. For example, most of us didn't like the ending of Dragon Ball Z. There were also some things that Toriyama apparently either forgot or stopped paying attention to as he moved from older episodes to later ones. Personally, I'm amazed by the success of Dragon Ball Z. People still regularly talk about this series, even though it's no longer on air. I worked at Amazon, and some of the most popular franchises I saw on the shelves were Dragon Ball Z, mostly on DVD. YouTube has tons of clips from the series, and Google searches for Dragon Ball Z are plentiful, proving it's a living legend. On YouTube, if you want to hear from fans and find answers to your questions, you can check out Blackenfist and Qaamans Land. You can also Google any episode of the series, any attack, any character, even minor characters from any given episode. In fact, you can search for any noun from the Dragon Ball Z universe, and your first results will likely be from the DragonBall Wiki, where you can get a full and detailed breakdown of what's known about your search. So, I've covered Dragon Ball Z's success, now I'll talk about what makes it a good anime series. Well, this series has a really good plot that will likely keep you engaged, and like any soap opera, even though it's not a soap opera, the storyline is continuous: each episode builds on the previous one and often ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting to know what happens next. The series is definitely inspiring. When I watch it, I feel motivated to try harder by watching the characters train and get stronger. Sometimes they even show real-life workouts that we could do. So the fact that we see characters who love to train and are constantly striving for more is very motivating. The series has amazing fights, which is one of the main reasons for its popularity – the action. But I don't understand how anyone can't appreciate the action in some episodes as something epic. The characters in this series can also serve as role models, especially Goku, since he's the main protagonist of the series. Goku is always cheerful and friendly. Goku has such a never-give-up attitude that he always finds a way to win even the toughest fights. Well, thanks for reading. It's a pleasure to review a series I've been a fan of for so long and never tire of.
Naruto takes the Silver Medal in this list. It was a bit of a challenge to tackle it, having already picked up some spoilers regarding the series' structure, but after One Piece, it was acceptable. Plus, it's one of the top three anime, so it was bound to happen sooner or later.
While the story focuses the lion's share of attention on the protagonist and his thorny path, it doesn't forget those who meet him. This includes, first and foremost, Sasuke, whose fate is arguably even more tragic than Naruto's, and Sakura, who gradually, through the example of these two, realizes her own helplessness and decides to follow Naruto's path. Rock Lee, Gaara, Hinata, and many other distant secondary and secondary characters have relatively short screentimes, but it's enough to become attached and to view each of them as a distinct, strong individual.
There are many antagonists here, but only one main one, and it turns out that all of them, from the least to the greatest, have rather mundane and dull goals that are unlikely to surprise or impress modern viewers. But again, thanks to the well-developed characterization and fate, a good half of them come across as truly vile, cruel outcasts, disregarding humanity and pursuing only their own goals.
The world of the series, its diversity, uniqueness, and cult status are endless. It features numerous countries, various ninja castes (Anbu, jounin, etc.). I believe it's impossible to find a better ninja series, even an animated one. All those masks, katanas, kunai, and shuriken are an undeniable part of Japanese culture, seamlessly conveyed in what's essentially a children's show. It's also worth mentioning the incredible number of techniques, devices, and tools the characters employ. It's truly captivating to watch how they run up a multi-meter tree, how they use their unusual eyes to completely block an opponent, or how they can destroy their advantage with a single touch of their fingers.
The anime's art is, to put it mildly, very average, but I think it's worth noting that the series was from the early 2000s (One Piece was roughly on par), and with the technology of the time, releasing episodes weekly would hardly have allowed for better results. The battles are well-choreographed, as they are the theme of all shonen anime. The battles are spectacular and large-scale, which is especially noticeable during key plot moments (the Hokage battle and the Sasuke recovery mission).
Humor is also a key component of the series. Yes, in some places it's so flat and childishly naive that it can only be irritating, but the majority of it can still elicit genuine laughter, such as the "Hollywood" scenes of Rock Lee and Sensei Gai against the backdrop of water and sunset, or the identical scent of Sakura and the dog. Some episodes are downright heartbreaking from the absurdity of what's happening on screen.
But what's truly depressing and off-putting is the disproportionate, even shameless, number of episodes that have no connection whatsoever to the truly compelling main plot—filler episodes. As a staunch perfectionist, I couldn't bear to drop the last third of the series, but I think it's simply disrespectful to the viewers and a waste of time.
In the end, I want to say that despite this title's one big drawback, it's a truly worthy work that deservedly holds its place at the top, which suggests that similar stories remain interesting even after decades.
And finally, the gold medal in this top goes to Pokémon. When I think of my childhood, the first thing that comes to mind is the Pokémon anime. Pokémon isn't just about catching and training Pokémon, but also shows the bond between trainers and Pokémon, making you think about the love of animals. The friendship between Ash, Misty, and Brock is a key aspect of this anime. It's a cartoon I would recommend for children aged 7 and up. In India, Pokémon held a special place in the childhood of many, including mine. Even though Pokémon games aren't played as often in India as in Japan or the US, the anime has become a popular topic of discussion in schools. For those who haven't watched Pokémon yet and want to, I'd recommend starting with the very first episode, and then, after watching each season, watching the movie based on that season. Pokémon isn't limited to the virtual world; it also instills a love and affection for nature and animals in young minds. So, with adventure, comedy, battles, friendship, and nature, Pokémon takes the top spot on my list. Looking back on the first five seasons, they seem absolutely amazing. After Season 5, Ash's two new friends (May and Dawn) played a good role, but after Season 13, the anime doesn't seem to be going down the same path as before. The new characters aren't as good as the trio of Ash, Misty, and Brock. If a company wants to focus on characters from the games, that's fine, but even the games have one character, so while they could have kept that, they could have brought back Misty. Pokémon fans have a lot of unanswered questions, like, "Who is Ash's father?" and "What's in the GS Ball?" Longtime Pokémon fans like me find the new seasons a bit unsettling because we know how much excitement there was around Pokémon in the early seasons. Ash and Misty's battles, Psyduck's madness. Sometimes I really hope to see the return of Richie and Sparky, as they would make great companions for Ash on his journey. We really hope to see the triumphant return of the Pokémon anime.
Pokémon is a show aimed at kids, but many teenagers and adults (myself included) absolutely adore it, or at least the first season. Many of us think the first season was the only good one and the rest were terrible. Personally, I think the first season was the only good one precisely because it was the first season. You see, Pokémon is essentially a replay of the same events happening over and over again. Each episode (sometimes a group of episodes) represents a new adventure, and when that adventure ends, the next one begins, then the next, and so on endlessly. There's no single major adventure that takes up more than a few episodes or a significant portion of a season, although all the adventures are tied to the main character's development within the Pokémon world.
Pokémon is constantly repeating itself, which is why many people find the first season the most appealing—it was the first season they watched, and it's associated with nostalgia. In reality, all seasons are the same; they might get better over time, but they're essentially repeats of themselves. That's why, starting with the second season, Pokémon becomes incredibly boring to watch, because the second season is exactly like the first!
Of course, there's a reason why Pokémon is so repetitive, and it makes perfect sense (in case you thought all the writers, directors, and producers were idiots). Pokémon is aimed at kids, and the idea is that a kid should be able to start watching Pokémon with any episode and be hooked for at least a few seasons. That's why every episode begins with an introduction. If the show had a particularly large subplot, a kid watching it for the first time wouldn't be able to figure it out from any random episode. Because each episode is a new adventure, anyone can start watching any episode without having to watch the previous ones. To me, that makes perfect sense.
So, if you want to watch Pokémon, watch it! You don't have to start from the beginning; it doesn't matter which episode you start with. Feel free to watch random episodes from the roughly 900 or so; it doesn't matter! You might like it at first, but I promise you'll find it boring and repetitive over time. That's by design, so if you feel that way, it's not your fault you decided to watch this anime, nor is it the fault of the directors who created it. It's a great series, and I'm sure you'll enjoy at least the first few episodes you decide to watch. The cute and powerful animals and incredible battles are what make Pokémon a classic of Japanese animation and why it earns first place on this list.
Honorable Mentions: Berserk (1997), Berserk (2016), One Punch Man, Death Note, Beyblade X, Detective Conan, GACHIAKUTA, Doraemon (1979), Kill Blue
Congratulations to the Winners!
This concludes the list of my top 10 favorite anime, and be sure to write in the comments which anime you liked the most.
Template: https://www.deviantart.com/artchanxv/art/Top-Ten-Favorite-Animes-Template-1068460164
Odd Taxi Belongs To Kazuya Konomoto, Baku Kinoshita, Shogakukan Inc. DENPA, LLC, P.I.C.S. Co., Ltd. OLM Team Yoshioka, OLM, Inc. IMAGICA Lab. Inc. AT-X, AT-X, Inc. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Spy × Family Belongs to Tatsuya Endo, Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Ichirō Ōkouchi, Rino Yamazaki, Shōnen Jump+, Jump Comics, VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, WIT Studio, Inc. CloverWorks, Inc. TOHO Animation Studio, Toho Co., Ltd. AT-X, AT-X, Inc. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, BS TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Attack on Titan belongs to Hajime Isayama, Yasuko Kobayashi, Hiroshi Seko, Shōnen Magazine Comics, Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC, WIT Studio, Inc. Kodansha Ltd. Pony Canyon Enterprise Inc. Pony Canyon Inc. MAPPA Co., Ltd. Production I.G, Inc. Dentsu Group Inc. Qooop Inc. MBS Television, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. MBS Media Holdings, Inc. NHK General TV, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo, Noriyuki Abe, Masashi Sogo, Tsuyoshi Kida, Kento Shimoyama, Jump Comics, Shonen Jump, Weekly Shōnen Jump, Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, Studio Pierrot Co., Ltd. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, YTV, YTV Canada, Inc. Corus Entertainment Inc. Toonami, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, The Cartoon Network, Inc. Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
My Hero Academia belongs to Kōhei Horikoshi, Yōsuke Kuroda, Weekly Shōnen Jump, Jump Comics, VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, Bones Film Inc. Bones Inc. My Hero Academia Production Committee, TOHO Animation Studio, Toho Co., Ltd. MBS Television, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. MBS Media Holdings, Inc. TBS Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. TBS Holdings, Inc. Yomiuri TV, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Yomiuri Chukyo FS Broadcasting Holdings, Nippon TV, Nippon Television Network Corporation, Nippon Television Holdings, Inc. Toonami, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, The Cartoon Network, Inc. Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Bakugan Battle Brawlers Belongs to Atsushi Maekawa, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. Odex Pte. Ltd. Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd. Spin Master Entertainment, Spin Master Ltd. Spin Master Corporation, SEGA Toys Co., Ltd. TMS Entertainment Co., Ltd. SEGA Corporation, Japan Vistec Inc. Dentsu Group Inc. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, Nelvana Enterprises, Inc. TELETOON, Cartoon Network, The Cartoon Network, Inc. Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. TELETOON Canada Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc.
One Piece Belongs To Eiichiro Oda, Junki Takegami, Hirohiko Kamisaka, Shōji Yonemura, Jump Comics, Weekly Shōnen Jump, Shonen Jump, Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, Toei Animation Co., Ltd. Toei Company, Ltd. Fuji Television Network, Inc. Fuji Media Holdings, Inc. 4Kids TV, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. 4Licensing Corporation, 4K Media Inc. Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. FOX Broadcasting Company, LLC, FOX Media LLC, FOX Entertainment, FOX Corporation, Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Dragon Ball Z Belongs to Akira Toriyama, Takao Koyama, Jump Comics, Weekly Shōnen Jump, Shonen Jump, Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, Toei Animation Co., Ltd. Toei Company, Ltd. Fuji Television Network, Inc. Fuji Media Holdings, Inc. Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, Hayato Date, Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Junki Takegami, Jump Comics, Shonen Jump, Weekly Shōnen Jump, VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, Studio Pierrot Co., Ltd. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, YTV, YTV Canada, Inc. Corus Entertainment Inc. Toonami, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, The Cartoon Network, Inc. Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Crunchyroll, Funimation Productions, Ltd. Funimation Entertainment, Funimation Global Group, LLC, Crunchyroll, LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. Sony Entertainment, Inc. Sony Corporation of America, Aniplex, Inc. Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. And Sony Group Corporation
Pokémon (TV series) Belongs To Satoshi Taijiri, Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, OLM Team Ota, OLM Team Iguchi, OLM Team Kato, OLM Team Kumemura, OLM, Inc. IMAGICA Lab. Inc. The Pokémon Company, Creatures Inc. GAME FREAK Inc. Nintendo Co., Ltd. Summit Media Group Inc. 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. 4K Media Inc. 4Licensing Corporation, Konami Cross Media NY, Inc. Konami Group Corporation, Pokémon USA, Inc. The Pokémon Company International, Inc. VIZ Media, LLC, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Shogakukan Inc. Shueisha Inc. Hitotsubashi Group, JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc. TV Tokyo Medianet, Inc. TXN Network, TV Tokyo, TV Tokyo Corporation, TV Tokyo Holdings Corporation, Kids' WB! The WB, The WB Television Network, Inc. Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC. Tribune Media Company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Cartoon Network, The Cartoon Network, Inc. Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks, Warner Bros. Television Studios, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WarnerMedia, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Disney XD, Disney Branded Television, Disney–ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution, Disney General Entertainment Content, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, Disney Entertainment Television, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, And Netflix, Inc.
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