ranking my top 15 anime i've watched so far
this is ranked by personal enjoyment NOT by what's objectively the best! so i can't be wrong! :) also i went from 10 to 15 bc I love too many now!
Honorable Mention: Chainsaw Man
The movie is what brought this up in the rankings for me. Cause holy shit it's so good. The animation of this anime is outstanding and the story only gets better and better imo. (I caught up with the manga, I couldn't wait) I love how hilarious this anime can be while also being dark with an underlying message and point to it all. Denji is a great main character who deviates from the standard shonen/super-hero MC. There's so many great characters too, but Denji does a good job of carrying the load of being interesting himself. Yeah, I think this story is like something I've never experienced and I love it for that. Sure, it's weird as fuck at times and even borderline gooner, but it's deeper than that and the humor hits perfectly as well as the action and heavy hitting moments.
15. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop was the first anime I ever liked. I was introduced to it by my cousin when I'd sleep over and we'd be watching Adult Swim all night together. I do hold some nostalgia for it, but also it holds up well in all aspects (story, animation, OST, characters). The animation in this show is probably my favorite in all anime. It's such a vibe. It's probably the anime I rewatch the most just because I always throw it on for the vibes. Plus, I love the sci fi setting.
14. 86 Eighty-Six
It's such an incredible story with a beautiful OST. This actually is one of the anime that hit the hardest/deepest emotionally for me in a similar manner to Attack on Titan. I find that funny because Hiroyuki Sawano made the OST for both. It's not just the music though, the story is impressively profound. It deals with topics such as government corruption, discrimination, racism, and war extremely well. I particularly loved the journey of Shin's reasoning to continue to fight and exist. Additionally, Major Milize's journey to make a difference and fight despite her privilege made for a great character arc. I think this has one of my all time favorite endings out of all media, it feels perfect after everything we experience each character go through. This really is an incredible story, one of the very best I've watched.
13. Parasyte: The Maxim
This show gave me some fucked up dream I absolutely loved it though. It's a psychological horror done right. I loved the psychological and philosophical questions about what makes us human. I also loved Shinichi's journey of losing his humanity due to sharing a body with a parasite. It was cool seeing the parasites react to fitting in human society by organizing together so that they can thrive while not being hunted themselves. This is such a solid story that I was hooked on.
12. Death Note
I'm actually surprised at how much I enjoyed Death Note. Like, I know it's beloved by so many, but I had tried it years ago and dropped it (probs due to my undiagnosed ADHD at the time). Regardless, it's fuckin good. There's so much tension and scheming that kept me absolutely hooked. I love the psychological war between Light and L. L might be one of the best characters out there. The only reason why it isn't in my top 5 I'd say is because I don't love the ending. I think the stronger points were before a major thing happens that I think anyone that's watched knows what I'm talking about. With that said, I still had a good time watching the whole thing. If the ending had stuck then this could have easily been one of the GOATs and a masterpiece, but regardless, it's still very much worth watching and I still loved it.
11. The Summer Hikaru Died
Queer horror at its finest. I'm adding this one in after contemplating where it would be on my list for a long time. Well? It's definitely one of my favorites. I love the queer subtext! The whole idea of Yoshiki loving a monster with the subtext of queerness in a conservative small town. ohhhh I love it. The whole idea of your best friend, who you were in love with, dying and coming back as something else is such a cool idea. It leads to questions about existence and if Hikaru is truly dead or if his body is alive, is he still alive somewhat? Is he still Hikaru? Yoshiki goes through a realistic grief, while at the same time becoming attached to the new Hikaru and no wanting to let go. It's understandable and relatable.
The animation does a good job at making the small town Japan feel alive. Plus, the horror elements are marvelous; it's genuinely a creepy show at times. So yeah I started reading the manga simply because I love this series. Can't wait for more.
10. Fruits Basket
I have a history w/ this story. I lowkey watched the early 00s version of this like way back in junior high maybe? or high school? I remember loving it, but not finishing it. I had forgotten most of the story over the years and forgotten it even existed for all these years. The only things I can remember from then is that the guys turned into zodiac animals for some reason and Tohru and Kyo had a thing going on.
So, watching the 2019 version this year was such a treat. The story really hits you in the feels. I LOVE that every single character is developed strongly. Tohru is the best girl. It's just such a wonderful story with both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments throughout. I truly love this show SO much. I think I binged the final season in one day. Tohru and Kyo's slow burn romance had me DYING for more moments each episode.
9. Mob Psycho 100
I was surprised by how much I loved mp100. It comes across as a silly anime with a unique animated style, but it's so much more than that. I actually am considering this being top 5, but I'll keep it here for the moment. This has some of the coolest fights I've watched for a show where the theme doesn't even revolve around fighting as the main conflict. I found it easy to connect to the characters on an emotional level. Seeing Mob's growth as a person, who at the start only had his insane psychic powers going for him, was beautiful. What I loved about this show was the focus on each character growing and learning to accept themselves and appreciate the people (or spirits heh) in their lives. I never thought I'd watch this show and cry lmfao. It's so damn good.
8. Haikyu!!
Who would have thought a show about playing volleyball would be THIS good? There are so many hyped moments that had me tearing up out of pure joy. I found myself cheering like I was watching a real live sports match ahahah. The volleyball aspect of this show is quite accurate. It's wonderful to see each player's hard work pay off throughout the seasons/matches. Haikyuu is brilliant at character development and character interactions. It's crazy how it gets you to even feel bad, root for, and even love the players on the opposing teams. I love my main boys at Karasuno so much more though. This show can cure depression. Especially if that depression is from your irl sports team -.- lmfao.
7. Serial Experiments Lain
This show can get a bit absurd with what's going on and that's exactly why I love it. Sometimes it doesn't even make sense at first and you're like "what the fuck?" and those head fuck moments give me life! I love the existential questions this show asks. The psychological deep dive of figuring out one's own existence. This show was ahead of its time when dealing with the way the internet would change the world. The wired leaking into real life is such a cool concept to explore. It has me questioning my own life and for that, I have to say it's one of my favorites!
6. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Well, Frieren is #1 on My Anime List for a reason. I think the first season we got was perfect in literally every single aspect when it comes to anime. Frieren has my favorite modern animation and artstyle out of everything else I've watched. It's become my comfort show. It's hard to say much more than it's just perfect. The story, the OST, the world building, the characters, the animation. It's all perfect. It's a beautiful reminder to appreciate the people in your life and to live in the moment.
5. Nana
This show emotionally damaged me. I was HOOKED. I couldn't stop watching it. Nana and Hachi's relationship was beautifully haunting. Also, I definitely viewed this as comphet (but it's still good even if you view them as platonic soulmates). I mean, both Nanas confess their love for each other in various ways throughout the whole series. It's always about their need to be in each other's lives... and that's why it hurts even more. I wish we got a true ending and I wish we got more of the happy days! The characters and their relationships are what make this show special. It still lives rent free in my mind months after finishing.
4. The Apothecary Diaries
Okay, it might be recency bias, but I'm surprised how much I LOVED this one immediately. Something clicked for me with it. Maomao is one of my favorite protagonists in any show ever - she absolutely makes this show. Of course, the animation, soundtrack, story, etc etc etc are excellent as well. I thought the humorous moments were well-timed and didn't overdo it. Plus, I usually think anime humor is cringe, but this show actually had very funny moments to me. I enjoyed the mysteries of each episode and couldn't stop binging until I finished. This is definitely one of those shows that I connected with on a personal level and for that, it's immediately one of my favorites. I loved getting to see such an incredible character, who is a woman in a patriarchal society, navigate said society by using her knowledge and skills while also helping her fellow women she crossed paths with. I love so much about Maomao's personality, I'd probably write way too much if I explained why.
3. Steins;Gate
This is one of the best stories in anime. I also think that it is the best time traveling story I have ever watched. I know people say up until episode 12 is a slow burner, but I never thought it felt that way. I could just watch all the characters do weird science experiments and random shenanigans together for a whole season or two. Plus, the building up of the mystery and tension during the first half of the show is exquisite. It all pays off in the 2nd half when shit gets crazy. Seriously, this story gets so good it's *chefs kiss* Also, the ending is great and REWARDING after all the suffering Okabe goes through. (Even more after watching Steins;Gate 0!). It's a goddamn masterpiece.
2. One Piece
It happened, Steins;Gate finally got dethroned at #2... and I'm afraid the glazers were right... One Piece is life changing. I refused to start for the longest time because of the episode count, but once I did I realized that it doesn't matter how long this show is, I could watch it forever at this point. The journey is what matters and sometimes my favorite moments are the random shit they get into in between major arcs. I actually love the filler. The world building is the most in depth you can find, I swear. I've already cried many different times smh like I didn't know this wacky show could get so emotional as well. It's funny, it's goofy, it's emotional, it's deep, it's fun as hell. There's so many peak moments and I'm still what you could consider not far into the show. As of writing this, I'm on episode 318, still pre-timeskip, and that's CRAZY to think I have so much more to watch and it makes me happy that I do. So yeah, the glazers were right and it's the most popular anime in the world for a reason. This show fucking rules.
update: I'm at 579 and yep, still peak.
1. Attack on Titan
Watching Attack on Titan was one of the rare pieces of media where I started watching because of all the hype and it still exceeded my expectations. Before I started this show, I didn't even really think I'd like it because of the dumbest reasons: I didn't like the colors and the story didn't seem interesting to me at all (humans vs titans seemed lame and boring to me?). AND OH MAN I WAS SO WRONG! I knew by the middle of s1 that I was watching something special tbf lol.
AoT is the only anime that no other anime can even touch when it comes to brilliance imo. I keep trying to find another tv show that hits as hard for me. This is one of THE greatest stories of all time. I truly wish I could erase my memory of this show and watch it again for the first time.
It has the craziest plot twists. There's so many mysteries throughout the first 3 seasons that kept me absolutely hooked. I love how it takes an even darker and realistic turn in s4 too. It's one of the rare shows where it keeps getting better and better as it goes on. Rewatches of this show are insane as well because of all the foreshadowing that you don't recognize the first time. And to top it all off, the OST by Hiroyuki Sawano is absolutely breathtaking. I seriously can't stop listening to itttt. This has genuinely become my favorite show of all time (sorry Arc*ne, I still love you). It's insane how invested I became in the story and its characters. I still think about it daily. It has some of the PEAK moments in fiction, especially in season 3 and 4. I never thought I'd actually cry watching anime until this one; there were many moments that had me bawling. I could go on and on about this show.
TLDR?: AoT is simply a 10/10 goddamn masterpiece that everyone should watch.
Okay... that's all. I think this list will most likely change as I watch more anime. I got a long watchlist still.
