Below are 10 anime gems that every viewer should experience at least once.
10. FLCL
FLCL is designed to transcend the boundaries of anime, not adhering to any specific rules. This OVA consists of 6 episodes directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. The unique animation style of Gainax studio allows for a creative narrative that stands out.
FLCL follows the adventures of Naota Nandaba, an ordinary middle school student whose life takes a radical turn when the extraterrestrial Haruko Haruhara crashes into his life.
9. Gurren Lagann
The mecha genre is always a pioneer of unique anime, and Gurren Lagann by Hiroyuki Imaishi is a classic masterpiece that captivates audiences. This story is about Simon, who rises from the depths of an oppressive underground society to become a hero fighting for humanity’s survival against the stars, inspiring viewers with its powerful message.
Set in a world where humans are oppressed by the Beastmen, Simon’s journey begins when he accidentally activates a buried mech—Gunmen—and escapes with his friend Kamina to fight for humanity’s freedom.
8. Paranoia Agent
Directed by the legendary Satoshi Kon, known for creating many iconic films, Paranoia Agent delves into the fragile line between reality and imagination, distorted by societal anxiety in a psychological thriller narrative.
Paranoia Agent revolves around a series of mysterious attacks in Musashino, Tokyo, committed by a figure known as Lil’ Slugger. The plot follows a diverse group of characters affected by these incidents, often becoming either victims or investigators of this phenomenon.
7. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
This is a long anime series created by Sunrise, directed by Gorō Taniguchi and based on a story by Ichirō Ōkouchi, featuring character designs by the mangaka group CLAMP.
The story explores an alternate history where Britannia dominates the world, following the exiled prince Lelouch as he wields supernatural powers to lead a rebellion against oppression. As the masked Zero, Lelouch engages in a battle for justice and freedom.
6. Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain is a complex narrative about a girl who becomes immersed in the world of Wired—a global communication network similar to the Internet. Lain Iwakura, a high school student from a middle-class family in suburban Japan, finds herself navigating this digital landscape.
Her life spirals into chaos as she receives an email from a deceased classmate named Chisa Yomoda. Chisa reveals that she is not truly dead, urging Lain to explore the boundaries between reality and the digital world, leading her into a series of incomprehensible events.
5. Revolutionary Girl Utena
Director Kunihiko Ikuhara created the surreal masterpiece Revolutionary Girl Utena, which features magical girls in a unique setting. The anime begins as a typical shoujo story about a teenage girl named Utena Tenjou, who enters a duel to win the heart of the Rose Bride—her classmate at Ohtori Academy, rumored to possess immense power.
However, Revolutionary Girl Utena quickly evolves beyond its initial premise, transforming into a symbolic exploration of gender roles and societal expectations, challenging the very fabric of the narrative.
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion shattered the conventions of the mecha genre, presenting a starkly different narrative focused on Shinji Ikari, a reluctant teenager forced to pilot a giant mech to combat extraterrestrial threats, all while grappling with profound existential dilemmas.
3. Texhnolyze
Texhnolyze is set in the dystopian underworld of Lux, a city engulfed in darkness and violence. The story follows Ichise, a fighter who loses everything and is forced to undergo a process called “texhnolyzation,” enabling him to survive in a brutal world.
Texhnolyze’s atmosphere is haunting, featuring slow pacing and profound existential themes, appealing to viewers drawn to deep and thought-provoking stories.
2. Psycho-Pass
This psychological thriller anime presents a futuristic society governed by the Sibyl System—an objective assessment of each individual’s potential for crime. Psycho-Pass delves into the moral implications of a utopian society while exploring the lives of those who enforce the law.
The first episode of Psycho-Pass is a gripping introduction to a world where crime is predicted before it happens, serving as a brilliant example of the innovative storytelling that anime can achieve.
1. Cowboy Bebop
When discussing the milestones of anime, one cannot overlook Shinichiro Watanabe and his stunning work, Cowboy Bebop.
Cowboy Bebop follows a group of bounty hunters traveling through space, each member bound together by their desire to escape their troubled pasts.
(Source: CBR)
