It wouldn't take long for an anime fan to mention The Suitor: Beyond Journey's End as one of the best written anime today. The story of the near-immortal elven magician Frieren has completely hooked viewers, with the first two seasons being highly praised for its heartfelt storytelling, rarely seen in most fantasy and adventure anime.
5 strongest elves in Frieren, Ranked
Elves are extinct in the Frieren, but their kind have no shortage of incredibly powerful elven mages.
Fixed The Suitor reign supreme as the new standard for well-written anime, the classics still command respect from viewers. In particular writing in these classic anime rivals The Suitor in every way, from compelling characters and thoughtful plots to emotional depth that resonates just as strongly with fans.
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
- Release date: April 13, 1990
- Number of episodes: 39
Before Hideaki Anno worked on Neon Genesis Evangelionthere was Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. For some reason, most anime fans tend to forget about this series, but it is undoubtedly a classic gem with a well-written story.
Blending steampunk, adventure, mystery and sci-fi elements flawlessly, it delivers Nadia's story with deep and satisfying character arcs. The series also does a brilliant job of exploring thought-provoking themes such as racism, colonialism and the ethics of using modern technology.
The anime is set in 1889 and follows Nadia, a troubled circus performer with a mysterious blue pendant in her possession. With thieves plotting to steal Nadia's pendant, she meets Jean, a young boy with a knack for invention. They quickly became allies, escaped from these thieves, and later found themselves drawn into the journey of a lifetime.
Kino's journey
- Release date: April 8, 2003
- Number of episodes: 13
From one journey to another, Kino's Journey, originally released in 2003 and directed by Ryutaro Nakamura (Serial Experiment Lain), deserves a spot on this list for having a fascinating story that was simple and complex at the same time. It's episodic in nature and has no overarching plot, but ironically that's what makes it so compelling.
The series revolves around Kino and her talking bicycle, Hermes, as they visit one country after another. Just like the Friar and her party, Kino and Hermes meet different kinds of people along the way, gaining knowledge and understanding of their norms, dilemmas, laws and many more. But instead of Kino being proactive in changing the countries she visits, she remains an observer, giving fans a more reflective and contemplative viewing experience.
Rearrange the casings in the correct Japanese release order.
Start
Rearrange the casings in the correct Japanese release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Mushishi
- Release date: October 23, 2005
- Number of episodes: 26
Mushishi takes a very minimalistic approach to telling Ginko's journey. It doesn't require high-octane action or unnecessary drama to provide engagement. Instead, it naturally attracts viewers with its quiet, almost lyrical storytelling that does Mushishi feels like a folktale or a chapter out of a storybook rather than an anime show.
Just like Kino's journey, Mushishi allows viewers to visit different locations from episode to episode throughout Ginko's adventures. He is a Mushi master who wants to understand “Mushi” better, as these supernatural beings subtly shape the lives of people around them, bringing sorrow or wonder.
Monster
- Release date: April 7, 2004
- Number of episodes: 74
The most basic question that probably comes from watching Monster is, “What makes a person a monster?” Is it their actions and decisions or the circumstances that drove them to commit the most unspeakable deeds? Well, the right answer is up to you to decide.
Monster is the kind of anime that fans need to see at least once in their lifetime. It released 74 episodes that told the story of Johan Liebert, a notorious serial killer in anime, remembered for his plans to commit the “perfect suicide” at the hands of Dr. Tenma, the same neurosurgeon who once saved Johan's life at the cost of a high-ranking politician's life.
Monster is not a show for everyone, as the anime starts slowly, but once it picks up and all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, it becomes an intense psychological thriller that invites viewers to return to it time and time again.
Anne of Green Gables
- Release date: January 7, 1979
- Number of episodes: 50
Anne of Green Gables made waves in Japan for a very long time, and still is today, with the proof being the recently released remake of the 1979 anime directed by Isao Takahata. The series tells the inspiring story of Anne Shirley, an orphan who finds a new home with her siblings Cuthbert. The anime has standalone stories, but it doesn't sacrifice a satisfying ending.
The story of Anne of Green Gables is simple and straightforward, but its charm lies in the warmth of its world and the depth of its characters, especially Anne, who viewers watch grow into a fine and mature young lady. The other characters are also realistic, from their personalities to their inner struggles that fans would easily relate to.
The pet store of horrors
- Release date: March 2, 1999
- Number of episodes: 4
The pet store of horrors isn't exactly a well-written anime, considering it only released four episodes which leaves little to no room for any crucial character development or world-building that fans love in The Suitor: Beyond Journey's End. Still, this four-episode classic OVA has so much potential that fans need to experience it at least once, if only to witness people falling prey to their own weaknesses. If the anime had released more episodes, it could have reached its full potential.
If Tales of the Crypt is an anime, then it is The pet store of horrors. The story simply follows Count D., an enigmatic pet store owner based in Chinatown in Los Angeles, where he sells pets to various customers. However, Count D's pets are not ordinary animals but humanoid monsters that surprisingly resemble mythological creatures according to the customer's preferences. The store also has three rules that Count D. wants everyone to follow, but as is often the case, people inevitably ignore them.
- Release date
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September 29, 2023
- Network
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Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, KBCY, RKCRY,
- Directors
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Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji
- Author
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Tomohiro Suzuki
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Atsumi Tanezaki
The Suitor (voice)
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Kana Ichinose
Fern (voice)
