15 Anime Series That Can Be Called Masterpieces

Breaking Bad, The Godfather, The Lord of the Rings—all of these are masterpieces in their own medium. Each medium has multiple masterpieces, making it only natural that anime would also have a fair share of legendary shows. It may be newer than movies/TV/novels, but the medium has had plenty of time to develop and evolve to deliver some stand-out shows such as One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen.

While there are loads of phenomenal anime, becoming a masterpiece isn't easy, which is why this list will rank ten anime series that can be considered so. This list ranks the anime based on writing quality, story, characters, philosophical/political/psychological themes, essential messages, fan opinion, and critical acclaim. Not every series needs to be flawless or popular, but these anime are still revolutionary stories.

A lot of this list won’t feature typical shōnen anime series since they don’t usually delve into profound themes. However, one of the exceptions on this list is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which follows brothers Ed and Al, who go on a journey to find the philosopher’s stone after losing parts or all of their bodies. However, they uncover a government conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire world.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the greatest anime of all time, which naturally makes it a masterpiece as well. It has everything a fan could want, from action to mystery to well-written characters and worldbuilding. Still, it is a masterpiece because of its philosophical nature that explores history, good versus evil, and life.

14 'Death Note' (2006–2007)

The 2000s were a golden era for anime, with some of the most popular series coming out, such as Death Note. When Light discovers a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it, he uses it to erase crime on the planet and become a god of the new world. However, the world’s greatest detective is on the case to catch this killer.

Death Note took a severe dip in quality towards the end of the series, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a masterpiece. The biggest highlight of the anime is its philosophical discussion and ethical themes, which sparked a global debate that continues to this day. This nuanced and complex ethical discussion makes a riveting series that is undoubtedly a masterpiece.

13 'Legend of the Galactic Heroes' (1988–1997)

This list features many anime series, but the oldest is Legend of the Galactic Heroes, a true classic. After a century-long ceasefire ends due to new leadership, two young, opposing generals lead their sides in a grand sci-fi war of ideals.

Legend of the Galactic Heroes is all about good versus evil, exploring this through philosophical subtlety and political tension. The dual protagonists are intriguing and well-written, reflecting their beliefs that lead to the conflict on a grand scale and their ambition. Legend of the Galactic Heroes is mature and narratively flawless, making it a phenomenal show that more fans need to watch.

12 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' (1995–1996)

One of the most iconic anime series of all time is Neon Genesis Evangelion, and it's perfectly fitting for this list. In a post-apocalyptic world, the remnants of humanity fend off angel-like aliens through giant mechs, which only teenagers can pilot. But the mental toll proves too much for Shinji.

Some fans vehemently hate Shinji because he is “weak” or a crybaby. However, he is actually a breath of fresh air compared to generic protagonists and is masterfully written. The psychological expression is absolutely stunning, and this profound insight into the characters is a dazzling experience, which made it one of the greatest anime series ever.

11 'Cowboy Bebop' (1998–1999)

Shinichiro Watanabe is one of the most prolific and influential anime directors, and his magnum opus is Cowboy Bebop. Spike and his crew hunt criminals for a living, but when his dark past resurfaces, he must deal with it himself or risk putting his friends in danger.

Cowboy Bebop is a stylish anime that draws on its noir, jazz, and 1980s action-movie aesthetics to dazzle viewers. Still, this anime isn’t just a nice coat of paint; it features poetic writing that is a nice change of pace for the sci-fi genre. However, fans can expect another series from Watanabe later on in this list, and one of the best-written anime series ever.

10 'Banana Fish' (2018)

Nowadays, the most popular manga become anime faster and faster, with older series finding it harder to get an adaptation. However, that wasn't the case with Banana Fish, a manga from 1985 that got an adaptation in 2018. When Eiji, a Japanese reporter, researches American gangs, he and the gang's young leader, Ash Lynx, get involved in a dark drug conspiracy involving the government and Ash's past.

Banana Fish may not be perfect, with a shaky plot towards the end, but it is still an underrated masterpiece in its own right. As an overlooked anime series, for decades, no one knew how incredible this story was. It is an uncommon setting and story for an anime, which makes it a masterpiece, delivering a mature and realistic experience with grim real-world connections that force viewers to think about heavy topics.

9 'Psycho-Pass' (2012)

Psycho-Pass is a challenging series to rank because the first season is remarkable, but the remaining seasons aren't up to snuff, which is why this entry only includes the first season. In 22nd century Japan, the Sibyl system is an objective way to determine who is or will be a criminal in the future based on their mental state. Inspectors and Enforcers enact this rigid justice, but one rookie's doubts may shake the system.

While the rest of Psycho-Pass is okay, the first season excels as one of the greatest pieces of fiction in anime. This is a perfect sci-fi anime series reflective of classic literature and the origins of cyberpunk. The philosophical and psychological themes of justice and oppression aren't unique. Still, they are original to anime and handled in such a way that elegantly displays its messages while also entertaining.

8 'Attack on Titan' (2013–2023)

Most popular anime series are battle shōnen that aren't worthy of being masterpieces. However, Attack on Titan is one of the few exceptions that prioritizes its writing while remaining one of the most famous anime shows. After Titans destroy his village, Eren vows revenge, only to gain the ability to turn into one. Using his newfound power, he leads humanity against its true enemies.

Attack on Titan manages to be deeply entertaining and well-written at the same time, providing mass appeal and critical acclaim. The interconnected mystery is a thing of beauty, and the characters are also perfectly written, creating an unpredictable and shocking plot that enveloped the world. Attack on Titan is a rewatchable anime that always has a few surprises in store, but it should be no surprise that it is a masterpiece.

7 'Samurai Champloo' (2004–2005)

Shinichirō Watanabe is one of the most influential anime directors, mostly known for Cowboy Bebop, with fans hoping Lazarus will be just as good. But Samurai Champloo is arguably his best work. Fuu is searching for a man with only the clue that he smells like sunflowers, but to reach him, she hires two ronin, Mugen and Jin, who must learn to work together on this chaos-filled adventure.

Samurai Champloo uses the same idea as Cowboy Bebop, mixing a time period with a style of music and other genres to create a unique experience. It may not be too thought-provoking or philosophical, but it is a visual and aesthetic masterpiece. The trio of characters is one of the best in anime, and their journey is meticulously written, but the best part about Samurai Champloo is the music.

6 'Orb: On the Movements of the Earth' (2024–2025)

Most shows need some time after the ending before fans can call them masterpieces, but Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is so good that viewers can't help but shower it with praise. Heliocentrism is a fact today, but before Nicolaus Copernicus came along, people thought the Earth was at the center of the universe. This story tells the long and trying journey to prove Heliocentrism and the hardships the multiple protagonists face.

Ending in early 2025, Orb has already proven to be a masterpiece through its gripping story and endearing characters. Despite having a new protagonist every few episodes, Orb somehow manages to instantly make them likeable and interesting and carry the story in a new direction. Orb is one of the best anime series of 2024, with its philosophical approach and themes highlighting the passion of humanity and a reflection on society then and now.