Countless anime series have received high praise from critics and viewers alike, with many heavy hitters boasting incredibly fluid animations, inspiring soundtracks, lovable characters and engaging plots. However, some releases stand above the rest, standing the test of time and remaining relevant and beloved years after their debut. The period between 2000 and 2009 was packed with unforgettable series, from Samurai Champloo and Code Geass to Toradora and FLCL. As iconic and beloved as these series are, they haven't received a particularly elusive accolade: a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite the huge number of memorable series released between 2000 and 2009, only five series currently have a perfect score on the review aggregation siteand some may surprise even the most devoted anime fan. Whether you consider these shows 100% deserving or not, there's no denying that they had a huge influence on the anime community at the time of their release and continue to make their way into fan favorite lists to this day.
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Soul Eater
An adaptation of Atsuki Ohkubo's manga series of the same name, Soul Eater burst onto the scene in 2008, with viewers immediately obsessed with its gothic aesthetic and unique animation style. The 51-episode dark comedy series takes place at the Death Weapon Meister Academy and revolves around weapon masters and people who can turn into weapons. The goal of the series' three main teams is to collect 99 evil human souls and one witch soul, to transform a weapon into a powerful Death Scythe to be used by the academy's headmaster. If they don't do it in that order, they have to start over.
Soul Eater managed to reach a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes due to its Tim Burton-inspired graphics, explosive action scenes, dark humor and memorable characters. Its fast pace engages viewers from start to finish, and its soundtrack features hit after hit, with Studio Bones (Ouran High School Host Club, Wolf rain) is producing yet another incredible series that will likely continue to attract fans nearly 20 years after its initial release.
Death Note
After the anime series was released in 2006, Death Note quickly took the world by storm and even appeared in Western mainstream media (though not for the best of reasons, admittedly). The premise was simple, but one that made viewers think: one unassuming day, high school student Light Yagami stumbles upon a strange notebook that claims to have the power to kill anyone whose name is written on its pages. The writer can even state the time and cause of death, as long as their full name is known. Light decides to use this power for good – or so he thinks – and immediately starts killing criminals, before things get complicated. After all, those who get in his way clearly do not see his vision of a grand utopia.
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The driving force behind Death NoteThe 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes lies not only in its suspenseful stories and characters, but in the big questions it asks. Would anyone have the right to use such a notebook, regardless of good intentions? Would the very act of using the Death Note be immoral? Fans of the manga series have also applauded the anime for staying close to the original story, and both Light and the genius detective L remain hugely popular characters to this day. Death Note still hasn't lost its luster, and the critics seem to agree.
Paranoia Agent
While not everyone remembers this bizarre anime series, those who do will watch Paranoia Agent on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block in the mid-2000s would probably agree with its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. The series, created by the famous director and animator Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers), begins when Tsukiko Sagi, a character designer known for her work designing the popular mascot character Maromi, is reportedly attacked by a young boy on roller skates carrying a bent baseball bat. The child, dubbed “Bat Boy”, is soon blamed for several street assaults in Tokyo, although none of the victims can remember his face. However, all is not as it seems.
It doesn't get much weirder than that Paranoia Agentand its depiction of angst and disturbing beats has made it a cult classic among more discerning anime fans. Those looking for something unique and one-of-a-kind need look no further, as it remains one of the most daring and well-written series out there today. It may only be 13 episodes, but there isn't a dud in the bunch.
Gurren Lagann
Dubbed a modern classic by its large fan base, Gurren Lagann doesn't skimp on high-octane mecha action and an over-the-top approach to almost everything it does. The show follows Kamina and Simon the Digger, who live in an underground village on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Simon lacks the confidence to explore the outside world, but that's all Kamina wants to do – escape to the surface. One day, Simon finds a little drill-wielding robot that lets them break free, but life on the surface isn't all it's cracked up to be. Earth has been conquered by the Spiral King and his army, but a resistance is on the way, and Simon soon learns how to become a hero.
Balance the critics' averages
Start
Balance the critics' averages
Light (6) Medium (8) Hard (10)
At first glance, Gurren Lagann is just a silly adventure series with a touch of age, but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. Its animation, characters and writing have all received top marks from critics, with its storytelling and chaotic energy keeping audiences engaged throughout its 27 episodes. The team at Gainax really shows the depth of their creativity with this series, from its crazy transformation sequences to its deep world-building. It may be a ton of fun, but it doesn't lack substance.
When you ask a longtime anime fan what their favorite series of all time is, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains a common response over 15 years after it hit the small screen. The second anime adaptation of the manga series, Brotherhoodreleased in 2009, is a more faithful adaptation that sticks to Hiromu Arakawa's published works. Edward and Alphonse Elric, two alchemist brothers, are in search of the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their mother left Edward without arms and legs and Alphonse's soul attached to a clumsy suit of armor. Encountering countless friends and enemies along the way, the series' emotional storyline, soundtrack and action have made it a landmark in the anime world.
Digging through the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, critics largely applaud Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood for the emotional roller coaster it puts viewers on, with many claiming to have shed their fair share of tears over the show's 64 episodes. Its perfect rating on the review aggregator site isn't its only impressive accolade, as incredibly, Brotherhood was the top-rated anime series on MAL until it was dethroned by the latest fantasy series, The Suitor: Beyond Journey's End.
