We all love anime. Some of us pride ourselves on watching the most obscure shows imaginable. The more obscure, the truer the fan that you are so to speak. However, is there a comprehensive list of mainstream anime that needs to be watched before you shuffle off into the afterlife? Here are my recommendations for some of the most popular anime to watch before you die Part 2.
20 Recommended Series Part 2:
11. Cowboy Bebop
Stylized illustration of Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop.
Plot
Fairly episodic in nature, this show follows the lives of four unlikely teammates (five if you count Ein and we always count good boys on this website), as they travel across space.
Genre
The term, ‘space western’ doesn’t get thrown around all too much nowadays with regards to anime. However, whenever the genre is mentioned in conversation, this is the anime that should come to mind.
It’s amazing just how timeless these characters and this story can be some twenty years down the line. While the lack of polish pales in comparison to much modern-day anime, that grit only adds to the overall experience in my opinion, when you remember the genre that we are dealing with.
Background
Cowboy Bebop has garnered incredible amounts of fame and has gone on to win several science-fiction awards at that. Many people cite this anime as the greatest of all time and describe it as an entry into the world of anime in general. While I personally do not agree with either of those statements, Cowboy Bebop deserves the praise it has received over the years and will go down in history as one of the greatest anime of all time.
Memorable Moment
I really like this barroom brawl scene just because it gives a perfect portrayal of our protagonist, Spike. As a bar fight erupts behind him, he nonchalantly continues about his day until he is compelled to take action. What follows is a display of the true power of someone who, upon first glance, appears no more different than you or I.
12. Code Geass
Plot
Japan has been conquered by the nation of Britannia. Former Japanese citizens have been reclassified as Elevens occupying their once-proud homeland (renamed to Area 11).
The former prince of Britannia Lelouch discovers a mysterious girl on the run from the law. After being granted the power to enact an irrefutable command using a power known as Geass, Lelouch sets out on a quest for revenge against his father, the king, for abandoning both him and his ailing sister.
Genre
This isn’t your average mech rodeo. While I think many would be quick to write this off as a mech anime and nothing more, the true beauty of the story comes in its plot. The cunning characters, the scheming, the deception; all reminiscent of a certain book-loving, potato chip devouring genius we have all grown to love over the years.
Background
Somewhat of an unspoken rivalry, I believe. The Death Note fans stand in one corner, shouting abuse at the use of mechs in a psychological thriller, while the Code Geass stans question how using a book as the driving force of the plot is any less ridiculous.
Gun to my head, I have to move all of my chips onto Code Geass. While Death Note is a masterpiece no doubt, something about this anime just puts it in another league.
Memorable Moment
I love this moment. This show defines the well-known trope of ‘all according to keikaku (plan)’. No matter what goes wrong in the lives of Lelouch or any protagonist similar to him, rest assured that he had anticipated this fault occurring and is still inherently in a winning position when you look at the big picture. He will always be at least ten steps ahead of all his adversaries.
13. Fairy Tail
Plot
The story follows the adventures of a guild of magic users known as Fairy Tail. Lucy, an aspiring magic user, meets Natsu, a hot-headed fire mage who invites her into his guild. Through many trials and tribulations, the group overcomes all hardships through trust and friendship.
Genre
I’m sure you can already guess the genre of this series after reading the plot description. Another Shounen and similar in a sense to Hunter X Hunter. Not in overall storytelling or animation but in the way it has always stood on the sidelines, while the big three conducted round after round of Double Dutch, biding its time to make that pounce and join in the fray.
Background
This show is nice. Every time I watch this show I can’t help but feel all fuzzy inside. One of the true leaders in comedy Shounen, Fairy Tail pulls no punches with regards to its jokes. Anime like Naruto and Bleach have jokes to break up the tension but that’s all they are – a break from the tension. Fairy Tail jokes, however, make up a large percentage of this show’s overall enjoyment.
Don’t get me wrong, there are serious moments aplenty and great fight scenes to boot. Yet, no Shounen has managed to tickle my funny bone quite in the way that Fairy Tail has.
Memorable Moment
The Jiggle Butt Gang. The Jiggle Butt Gang!
Fillers aside, one of my favourite moments in this series was the humbling lesson Natsu was taught by his mentor, Gildarts. In a world where Shounen protagonists aren’t allowed to bat an eyelid as they bulldoze their way through an onslaught of foot soldiers, it was nice to see Fairy Tail shift this paradigm on its axis, leaving its protagonist a quivering mess in the face of real power.
Fairy Tail has always been a god-killer in my eyes. Skittering along on the periphery, while the big three paraded about; peacocking their lengthy run times and multiple movie adaptations. While Fairy Tail was never in such limelight, it was always just outside of the running for potential best Shounen and moments like this that differentiate it from its competitors, distinguish why.
I still have nightmares about their jiggling buttocks to this very day…
14. Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)
An action figure of Mikasa Ackerman from Attack on Titan. Source: Pablo Martinez
Plot
Long has the populace been protected from the titans (colossal monsters) thanks to a large wall keeping them at bay. Once this stronghold is breached, however, the titans invade and wreak havoc on humanity. Eren Jaeger is determined to wipe out all titans from existence and save mankind.
Genre
Attack on Titan is a Shounen mixed with thriller elements or elements of dark fantasy. Taking one look at the titans should give you a sense as to why that is but many of the episodes find themselves devoted to not only fighting the titans out in the open, but often running from them, creating plans with which to combat them, or simply cowering in fear due to their sheer number.
Background
Attack on Titan is up to its third season at the moment with a fourth and final slated to be released very soon. If you aren’t up to date as of yet, be sure to catch up as soon as you can to be able to witness the thrilling conclusion once it starts to unfold.
Memorable Moment
My favourite moment from this series comes in the very first episode. The sense of dread that we as an audience are met with upon seeing the dreaded colossal titan rear his ugly head from over the protective wall just encapsulates the sense of fear that runs ever-present throughout this series as a whole.
15. Sword Art Online
Plot
After becoming trapped in VR, where death in the game results in death in the real world as well, young swordsman Kirito sets out to beat the game and escape back into reality.
Genre
Wait, wait, wait! Before you close the tab and report the article for being verbally abusive, please hear me out.
Sword art online is something to behold. Never before have I seen an anime divide a community in the way this show has managed to do. Not so much in recent years perhaps. Alicization, while not perfect, is a quality show. However, when this show’s first, second (ALO), and arguably third season (GGO) was released, it was like the Crips and the Bloods roamed the streets once more.
On the one hand, you had those praising the action, praising the characters, and all-around loving their experience in this world. On the other, you had those criticising its genericity, complaining about another cliché Shounen, that couldn’t hold a candle to its predecessors.
What do I think? Having witnessed such a war being waged between like-minded individuals has led me to the conclusion that; it doesn’t matter what I think and It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks either.
Give it a watch and decide for yourself. Just get your trigger fingers ready for whenever you have to type up that scathing retort to combat your enemies in the YouTube comments section.
Background
Originally based on a light novel of the same name. Definitely worth a read for those looking for a more in-depth view of the world of SAO.
A new season is scheduled to be released (‘SAO Progressive’), which is set to return to the original world of SAO and develop on several of the stories we missed during its initial running. It’s set to be a great time and now more than ever is the best time to get into this show.
Memorable Moment
Two moments spring to mind when I recollect this show’s original series. The first took me by surprise. As someone who has not read the light novels, I didn’t expect someone to confess their love in my sword swinging, shouting out your special move’s name as you land the killing blow, “sTaRbUrSt StrEaM”, action-adventure series. Yet, here we have Kirito baring his heart out after defeating an enemy.
You need to make all the moves you can to give your story some stakes…
16. Tokyo Ghoul
Plot
After being attacked by a cannibalistic monster known as a ghoul and suffering severe injuries, he awakes to discover that he has undergone organ transplant surgery with the said ghoul. Now, with the taste for human flesh growing inside him, he soon realises just what he has become.
Genre
Taking elements from dark fantasy and horror, Tokyo Ghoul is an anime that wasn’t made for young children. Scenes of graphic violence are par for the course in this anime and when the dish of choice is human flesh, you can imagine just how messy these scenes can get.
Background
Talk about a slow burner, I was ready to drop this show after a few episodes. Perhaps my patience levels need to be looked into but after persevering to the very end, I can without a shadow of a doubt say that the final scene in the final episode of the first scene, made it all worth it.
Memorable Moment
As just mentioned, my favourite scene is as follows. Look away if you don’t want the ending of the first season to be spoiled.
Having been fairly disappointed with the story’s progression up until this point, this scene made me realise that Tokyo Ghoul was here to tell a story and didn’t care about my desire for immediate satisfaction. It was going to take its sweet time doing what it did and I can only apologise for my over-eagerness.
17. Goblin Slayer
Plot
In a world of fantasy, hunting goblins and chasing fairies is the norm. However, when a young priestess encounters her first interaction with the overbearing goblins that lurk throughout this world’s dungeons, she comes to realise that perhaps this wasn’t the fairy tale world she was expecting.
After being rescued by a man clad in armor, his face masked in its entirety, the two join forces and seek to rid the planet of the goblin race.
Genre
Goblin Slayer is a strange case where it subverts fantasy tropes and molds them into mounds of darkness. The world is cheery and bright throughout the day, what one would expect from an early episode of Fairy Tail perhaps. However, as soon as night falls and the goblins make their appearance, the tone shifts drastically as blood and sexual violence become commonplace.
Background
Some viewers may be interested to know that this show was originally a collection of ASCII art paired with dialogue, that was posted to an online text board in October 2012. It was eventually rewritten in the form of a light novel before being picked up for an anime adaptation.
Memorable Moment
I love the first appearance of Goblin Slayer himself for several reasons. This odd coupling truly exemplifies what this show is trying to do.
In one corner, you have the bloodied priestess representing the fairy tale we all thought we were going to receive. Our once naïve thoughts have been battered and bruised before unveiling the true direction this story intends to take.
Goblin Slayer in all his glory effortlessly defeats the horde of enemies before gesturing to our still quaking bodies. He offers us his name as an invitation to join him on this journey should we wish to proceed and leave behind our sensibilities.
18. Dragon Ball Z (Cell Saga)
A collection of seven Dragon Balls from the *Dragon Ball Z* series, featuring the distinct orange color and red star count.
Plot
The popular sequel to the original Dragon Ball, this series takes place five years later, with Goku now a fully-fledged adult. This particular saga revolves around an imperfect Cell attempting to reach its perfect form and our heroes’ attempts to prevent it.
Genre
The grandfather of all Shounen, this show spawned a generation of anime that tried to emulate its style and inspired countless creators to get to work at making their own anime. While it suffers from several outdated concepts (namely, powering up for fifty-five episodes straight) it will live on in history as one of the greatest Shounen of all time.
Background
DBZ has a lot of episodes. A lot of episodes. Inferring that you have some familiarity with the series and aren’t looking to devote too much time to watching everything, the Cell saga (a 3 part saga involving the character Cell and his quest to attain his perfect form), is my recommendation for a must-watch series of episodes.
Memorable Moment
While I would love to include “even…further…beyond! AHHHHHHHHHHH!” on this list, for my favourite moment in the Cell Saga specifically, It would have to be this truly epic moment of Gohan achieving SSJ2 for the very first time.
This scene is what these shows are all about. Building up impossible threats and having our characters achieve impossibly strong levels of power with which to combat them is truly a masterpiece of a scene. With lots of shouting.
19. Soul Eater
Plot
The story follows aspiring students who wish to achieve the rank of demon hunter. All students are divided into groupings where one subset (known as demon weapons) has the ability to transform into traditional weapons and the other subset (known as Meisters) wields them.
Genre
While incorporating many dark fantasy elements into its appearance, the story is fairly lighthearted in all honesty. Jokes are found in abundance throughout this show and while the action scenes hit hard and fast, you never have to wait too long for a good hearty laugh.
Background
Having one of the most unique, engaging, and colourful art styles I have ever seen in anime, it contrasts greatly with the ominous setting that our characters occupy. It does a great job of supporting serious fights with light-hearted comedy through its use of colour.
Memorable Moment
A contender for (if not decidedly) my favourite fight scene of all time, I have to give it to Black Star vs. Mifune Round 2.
Yes, the entire fight.
Just an absolutely incredible combination of fluid animation, amazing music, and great character usage; the fiery Black Star is met with an enemy he cannot defeat but even more so, who is actually a nice person. Soul Eater has always prided itself on its aesthetic and this scene showcases exactly why that is.
Truly a masterpiece.
20. Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)
Plot
A Battle Royale or last man standing game being played by twelve different individuals, each with their own diaries that can predict the future to some degree. The winner will become the heir to the God of Time and Space, taking up his throne as master of the universe once he perishes.
Genre
This show is a psychological thriller and pushing the romance aspect onto it is the same as advocating the Joker and Harley Quinn’s relationship. The romance plays an integral role in the story, allowing us to uncover the personalities of our two leads, Yukiteru and Yuno, but this is not a romance story and you should look away if that is what you were looking for.
Background
Mirai Nikki is a show that always wants to keep the audience guessing. Setting up so many mysteries, plot holes, and red herrings to always keep the viewer in the backseat. My advice is to not go out looking for the twists and allow yourself to be deceived as to the writer originally intended.
Yuno herself, while not the first, definitely added to the universality of the ‘yandere’ type of character. A character with so much love to give that they become obsessed with their partner, often acting out in fits of violence or aggression.
Memorable Moment
My favourite moment comes later in the season. After learning some crucial information about Yukiteru’s circumstances, Akise attempts to reveal said knowledge. This turns out to be quite troublesome when his throat has been sliced, rendering him unable to voice any of his thoughts.
We as the viewer are unaware of anything at this point and as an almost defeated Akise stumbles toward Yukiteru, Yuno is in hot pursuit. After literally beheading him, he finally manages to show Yukiteru a typed message. We cannot see it. The episode ends. The following episode airs next week. I hate my life.
Endings like this where you can’t click the next episode fast enough are what make Mirai Nikki and plot twist anime great. The desire to keep watching is what stops these shows from peaking too early and Mirai Nikki does not disappoint in any regard.
