**This list is not designed to be a beginner's recommendation list**, or to cover the broadest spectrum of genres and styles in anime. I have purposely left out quite a few popular anime, as generally most of these anime are somewhat 'advanced' and may not appeal to newcomers. Nevertheless, this is a good place to start for people who enjoyed titles like Cowboy Bebop, FLCL and Ghibli films, yet are looking for more.

The primary purpose of this list is to showcase a selection of above-average anime, and to promote 'quality awareness' within the medium. The shows here were selected because I think they are original, influential, controversial or are regarded as clasic, considered a representative specimin of a particular genre, or otherwise demonstrate exemplary quality in storytelling, character development, or artistic experiment.



**Akira**

*Scifi, Action, Psychological*

Movie

Considered by many to be the most important and influential anime for western Audiences.It's visceral and violent imagery challenged western perceptions of animation.It's often credited for starting the 'second wave' of anime fandom during the early 90s.

**Azumanga Daioh**

*Comedy, Slice of Life*

26 Episode TV

Charming, mellow and somewhat moe, but completely innocent.
Manages to avoid the pitfalls associated with the genre through a 'zen-like' quality, reminiscent of the 4-panel manga it was based on.

**Baccano**

*Action, Comedy, Fantasy*

16 Episode TV

Pulp fiction, gangsters and a mashup of classic American movie themes come together in a web of intersecting plots.
Graphic, violent and complex, it has recieved universal critical acclaim as well as a strong following.

**Bakemonogatari**

*Romance, Occult Detective, Comedy*

12 Episode TV, 3 Episode ONA

A truly amazing anime about a high school student who comes across a large number of oddities. The series primarily focuses on conversations between characters; it contains a fair number of parodies of other series, as well as Nisio Isin's trademark word play and meta-humour.

**Barefoot Gen**

*Historical, Action, Drama, Anti-war*

2 Movies

Depicts WWII Japan through the eyes of a young boy trying to help his family.
Interesting for a Japanese view of the war, and the Hiroshima bombing.
A sometimes heartwrenching pair of movies. Until the late 90s, the first was required watching for many Japanese school children.

**Berserk**

*Dark Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Action*

25 Episode TV

Based on the highly acclaimed manga of the same name, this show has caused some polarization in its fanbase.
Often criticized as an example of 'where the anime goes wrong', with low production values and cut-short storyline.
It stands on it's own as a cult classic.

**The Big O**

*Mecha, Action, Mystery, Science Fiction Noir*

26 Episode TV

Most notable for its unique style and noir atmosphere - later seen in the American Batman animation - this show was cut short before a planned third season, leading to a controversial ending which often requires guidance to understand.

**Black Lagoon**

*Action, Adventure, Crime Fiction, Black Comedy*

24 Episode TV, Ongoing OVA

The quintessential 'shoot-em-up', this high action series about crime and the south-sea underworld can be described simply as 'badass'.
It has picked up a large fanbase composed mostly of people seeking a mature action anime.

**Claymore**

*Fantasy, Action, Supernatural*

26 Episode TV

Eye popping action scenes and a sharp visual style are the main draws for this series.
Like Berserk, it is heavily propped up by its manga.
It follows the storyline of a swordswomen with supernatural powers on her quest for revenge.

**Cowboy Bebop**

*Scifi, Action, Adventure, Crime Fiction, Comedy*

26 Episode TV, Movie

Possibly the most watched and easily identifiable for western audiences over 16.
It is consistently ranked mong the top anime of all time. It has stood the test of time and is widely regarded as a 'must watch' for all anime fans.
Also noted for its highly episodic flow, with focus on individual characters.

**Dennou Coil**

*Slice of Life, Drama, Mystery, Cyberpunk*

26 Episode TV

In production for over 10 years, this show is as innovative as it is fun to watch. The plot is thick and the filler is enjoyable. Don't be fooled by the school girls the story centers on.

**Ergo Proxy**

*Cyberpunk, Scifi, Post-Apocalyptic*

23 Episode TV

With its dark visual style and the strong pedigree of its production crew, this show has sparked many a critical debate due to a perception of being 'overtly deep' and pretentious. Make your own judgements.

**Eve No Jikan**

*Scifi, Drama *

6 Episode ONA

Original and having high quality animation, this show raises questions about Asimov's three laws, human-android relations and machine intelligence. Also worthwhile are shorts by the same director **Aquatic Language** and **Pale Cocoon**

**FLCL**

*Comedy, Action, Scifi, Romance*

6 Episode OVA

Another 'must watch' classic. Noted for it's crazy characters and over-the-top action. If 'ridiculous' was a genre, this anime would be it's representative'

**Freedom**

*Action, Scifi, Post-Apocalyptic, Drama*

7 Episode OVA

The story of a post-apocalypse utopian moon colony, and those left behind. From the same creators as Akira and Steamboy. Extremely high quality animation.

**Gankutsuou**

*Scifi, Artistic, Action, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller*

24 Episode TV

Based on one of the best books of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo. This show takes it to the future while retaining the same themes and overall 'vibe', while loosely adhering to the storyline. Notable for its complex plot and unique artistic style.

**Ghost in the Shell**

*Cyberpunk, Psychological, Action, Scifi*

52 Episode TV, 2 Movies, 3 Alternative Retellings

The original cyberpunk anime, based on the work of famed artist Shiro Masamune. Pretty much everything that comes out of this franchise is good, but the two original movies are especially amazing. Noted for smart, multi-layered, intrigue and waxing philosophy.

**The Girl Who Leapt Through Time**

*Drama, Scifi, Romance*

Movie

This was a sleeper hit among western and Japanese fans. It won awards at international film festivals before it was discovered as an exemplary 'drama with a twist' and spread by word of mouth over the internet.

**Grave of the Fireflies**

*Historical, Drama*

Movie

A heart-wrenching movie about a young boy and his little sister surviving the fire bombings of Kobe during WWII. Robert Ebert reviewed it as 'one of the most powerful anti-war movies ever made'. This profoundly deep Ghibli classic will make you cry.

**Gurren Lagann**

*Mecha, Action, Adventure, Comedy-drama*

27 Episode TV, 2 Movies

This anime is pure fun and a personal favourite. Known for making wants want to jump out of their seat and fist-pump the air. People will be talking about this show for another 20 years. Criticized by some as 'junk food', it draws thematically on stereotypes about classic over-the-top shounen super robot anime, and could be considered a parody.

**Heibane Renmei**

*Drama, Fantasy*

13 Episode TV

Heartwarming and genuine, yet at times melodramatic. It is highly regarded for fans seeking an emotional show which contains more depth. It has a lot of atmosphere, centring around a group of young girls who are 'reborn' into a mysterious walled town, without memories, who have developed angel-like features.

**Jin Roh**

*Psychological, Action, Drama*

Movie

From the creators of Akira and Ghost in the Shell, it is everything you'd expect from it's pedigree. Worth watching just for 'one of the most chilling moments in anime'. This movie has been described as heavy, and has possibly one of the deepest endings of any animated action film.

**Kaiba**

*Scifi, Artistic, Drama, Romance*

12 Episode TV

Most immediately noticed for its unique experimental art style and atmosphere, below the surface is a beautifully told story of memories and a romance lost. This show has been claiming effect on some people. Don't let the artistic style fool you, it contains fairly mature content.

**Kemono no Souja Erin**

*Fantasy*

50 Episode TV

Another show which has picked up a following of devoted fans. It's a heart-warming and heartbreaking story centred around a young girl living in a feudal fantasy setting, and the people's lives she touches.

**Kemonozume**

*Drama, Supernatural, Romance, Artistic, Horror*

13 Episode TV

Featuring an amazing artistic style, it's astory of forbidden love. A modern Beauty and the Beast, with a graphic twist. A man who hunts monsters and a woman who is one. Worth watching for the visual pleasure alone.


**Kino's Travels**

*Adventure, Fantasy, Scifi*

13 Episode TV, 2 Short Movies

Kino's journey explored what director Ryutaro Nakamura describes as a 'radical sense of beauty' and brutality, loneliness, nonsense, oppression and tragedy are often juxtaposed against compassion and a fairy-tale atmosphere. Excellent story, atmosphere and philosophical themes.

**Last Exile**

*Steampunk, Action, Adventure*

26 Episode TV

A respected steam-punk series, with designs done by famed character artist Range Murata and universally positive reception outside of Japan. Described as a 'retro-futuristic space-opera in the sky' with a WWII meets industrial revolution atmosphere.

**Legend of the Galactic Heroes**

*Military Science Fiction, Drama, Space-Opera*

110 Episode OVA

With a 9 year OVA run through the late 80s and 90s, this anime has seen a recent revival in a devoted cult of hardcore fans. It's the definition of 'space opera', with massive naval battles, a detailed political universe and complex plot lines. One of the few true epics.

**Memories**

*Experimental, Scifi, Psychological*

3 Short Movies

A compilation of three 40 minute movies, overseen by Katushiro Otomo, the man responsible for Akira. The first, Magnetic Rose, is the main draw for the compilation, being both technically stunning and deep, and carrying the other two less impressive movies.

**Millenium Actress**

*Romance, Psychological*

Movie

Straight from the mine of legendary director Satoshi Kon. Like in many of his works, reality and fantasy become blurred illusions of the human psyche, with the complex interwoven narrative style of a 'play within a play'.

**Monster**

*Drama, Mystery, Psychological Horror*

74 Episode TV

Based on the manga of the same name by award winning mangka Naoki Urasawa, best known for 20th Century Boys. Monster is often cited as a show that wouldn't seem out of place as a primetime live action drama on western network TV.


**Mushi-shi**

*Myster, Supernatural*

26 Episode TV

The most common adjective used to describe this anime is 'mellow'. It has a relaxing atmosphere, almost meditative, following a 'quite genius' main character as he helps people solve problems with supernatural organisms known as Mushi.

**Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind**

*Action, Fantasy, Drama, Post-Apocalyptic*

Movie

The movie that started Studio Ghibli, based on one of the best manga of all time, both by Miyazaki. The indomitable spirit of its lead character, Nausicaa, as she fights to save her people, make it a must watch classic.

**Neon Genesis Evangelion**

*Mecha, Psychological Horror, Drama, Action*

26 Episode TV, 7 Movies (Ongoing)

This is a must watch, when I say must watch, I mean, if you haven't seen it yet, watch it now. This franchise is controversial and has generated more debate, criticism and derivative fan work than any other anime ever. The reasons it's hated are as varies as the reasons it's loved. Be your own judge.

**Outlaw Star**

*Scifi, Action, Adventure*

26 Episode TV

A classic shounen scifi, with a well written plot and unique character designs. Many fans grew up watching this show on midnight Toonami (fuck yeah), so it holds a special place in the fandom. Some have called it a less-mature Cowboy Bebop with overarching storyline.

**Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt**

*Action, Comedy*

13 Episode TV

No other anime has divided the anime quite like Panty & Stocking has. It features a very unique art style, an original concept and an arguably amazing soundtrack. However, it is aimed at mature audiences and contains a lot of sexual references (not fanservice) that may offend some people. You will think it is the best anime ever, or will despise it completely.

**Paprika**

*Psychological, Drama*

Movie

Satoshi Kon's magnum opus. The vivid animation is as trippy as the plot. Leveraging on Satoshi's usual experimental themes, it asks 'what happens when our dreams get loose'. Scored by ggenius composer Susumu Hirasawa.

**Paranoia Agent**

*Psychological, Drama*

13 Episode TV

Wherein Satoshi Kon 'plays around with different ideas and characters'. It's as much a window into the mind of a genius as it is a genius work itself. Overarching themes having to do with social pressures and the resulting psychological breakdowns.

**The Place Promised in Our Early Days**

*Drama, Romance, Scifi*

Movie

Excellent artistic quality and detailed backgrounds set this anime apart. It takes place in an alternate history where Japan was divided up at the end of WWII, and follows the story of 3 teenagers as they unravel the secrets of their world.

**Planetes**

*Drama, Romance, Scifi*

26 Episode TV

In a technically-accurate plausible scifi setting, it tells the story of the relationships and ambitions of a lowly space-garbage collector. Notable for it's many complex themes, including the artificial division of mankind, the relationship between space, humanity and the individual and existentialism.

**Princess Mononoke**

*Action, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural*

Movie

One of the most highly reviewed anime classics, winning more awards than any other animated feature film during it's time. It is classical Miyazaki and a fitting spiritual successor to Nausicaa.

**Read Or Die**

*Action*

3 Episode OVA

What it lacks for in depth, it makes up in spades with thrilling action, With protagonists sporting superhero-like specializations, and a supervision plot to destroy the world of any American comic book, this unique anime is worth its 1.5 hour runtime.

**Samurai Champloo**

*Action, Adventure, Historical*

26 Episode TV

Directed by the creator of Cowboy Bebop, this series continues his 'mash-up style', this time with hip-hop in Edo period Japan. Often recommended as a show for people suffering post-Bebop depression.

**Serial Experiments Lain**

*Cyberpunk, Psychological*

13 Episode TV

'The hacker anime'. This dark series is rife with psychological questions, depth, symbolism, conspiracy theories and a fair amount of subtle hacker trivia.

**Shigurui**

*Action, Drama, Historical*

12 Episode TV

Graphic, bloody and violent. The show is reminiscent of classic samurai movies. It's based on an excellent manga of the same name. Sharp visuals and attention to detail make both worth checking out.

**Spirited Away**

*Supernatural, Fantasy*

Movie

Possibly the most highly decorated Japanese animation of all time, being the only anime to win an Academy Award, and only second to win an Oscar. It's the fantastic tale of a young girl's journey through a world of spirits, by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

**Steamboy**

*Steampunk, Action*

Movie

In production for over 10 years, it holds the title of most expensive anime movie to date. From the same creator as Akira. It is a representative work of the rare Steampunk genre.

**Tekkon Kinkreet**

*Drama, Action, Artistic*

Movie

Most notable for it's eye popping background porn and vibrant use of colour. This movie, while produced in Japan, had an American director. It tells the story of two orphans who patrol Treasure Town, beating down any Yakuza or thugs that get in their way.

**Vampire Hunter D + Bloodlust**

*Action, Horror*

2 Movies

D is a lone wolf knight-errant who wanders through a far-future post nuclear Earth, that combines elements of pulp genres; western, science fiction, horror and high fantasy. The 1985 film was one of the first anime released in the west and the 2000 film is noted for it's advanced technique.

**Welcome to the N.H.K.**

*Psychological, Comedy, Romance, Drama*

24 Episode TV

What many people expect to be a light hearted Otaku comedy actually turns out to be a fairly dark show about a man's descent into antisocial escapism. It leaves a bitter taste for some anime fans who relate a little too well with the main character.

**Wings of the Honneamise**

*Scifi, Drama, Action*

Movie

Best known as Gainax' first commercial full length animation. It's considered a classic, with a 2 hour length and amazingly high quality animation, voice acting and attention to detail for it's small budget and then garage-band crew. It received positive reviews and is credited for Gainax' success as an early studio.

**Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou**

*Slice of Life*

Two 2 Episode OVAs

Set in a peaceful, post-cataclysmic world where mankind is in decline after an environmental disaster. It depicts the daily life of a robot who runs a coffee shop. It is noted for it's beautifully spare pen-and-ink drawing style, as well as it's calm, meticulously paced stories and engaging characters.

**5 Centimeters per Second**

*Romance, Drama*

Movie

One reviewers said “[It] pierces the veil of the everyday to reveal a poignant evanescent beauty most of us notice only in rare moments”. It's a deeply beautiful animation about love and the progression of life.