Professional otaku ProZD tweeted out his top 30 anime, anime movies, and manga this week, and I enjoyed his recommendations greatly—they cover series old and new, and lift up a number of those that I would say are underrated, forgotten, or just relatively unknown to the new generation of anime fans. The tweet also made me want to share my own list! So here they are, my top 30 anime!
As I noted when tweeting this list out yesterday, it does not include movies, though OVAs are included. Also, I considered the entire breadth of anime series, meaning I couldn’t put my favorite single season (Oregairu S2) in isolation, as I do on my anime lists, and some series would be significantly higher based on a single season or OVA (ex. Genshiken, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Tenchi Muyo!). Finally, this list is accurate right now, meaning I’ve probably already changed my mind since posting it (and in fact, did change it after I originally tweeted it out).
- Cowboy Bebop
- Oregairu
- Toradora
- Silver Spoon
- Honey and Clover
- Cross Game
- Chihayafuru
- Kimi ni Todoke
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Shirobako
- Steins;gate
- Haibane Renmei
- Hourou Musuko
- Trigun
- March Comes in Like a Lion
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Genshiken
- Maison Ikkoku
- The Ancient Magus Bride
- Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki
- Clannad
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Made in Abyss
- Kanon
- The Perfect Insider
- Kids on the Slope
- Mawaru Penguindrum
- Usagi Drop
So, how did I do? Any surprises? Any series that you can’t believe I left out, or likewise, that you are shocked I would include? I’d love to hear your feedback on my list, and see your own top 30 (or top 20 or top 10)!
Pretty nice list. I was happy to see some of my favorites on this list like Evangelion, Madoka Magica, and Steins; Gate. Also with other shows I plan to watch like Clannad, FMA and The Ancient Magus Bride. Thanks for sharing! 🤩
Thank you for the kind feedback! I’m glad you enjoy Madoka…I feel like it’s not nearly as loved as it once was.
I might actually re-watch Madoka Magica sometime hehe! Been 2 years since I last watched it and would be nice just to relive everything.
Not loved as much as it once was? I find that hard to believe 😮 There’s still a good chunk of discussions regarding it, an apparent surge of interest since the 2nd season arrived and lot of people still cosplay as those characters at conventions. I still see bits of the show’s popularity well-represented there!
I hope you’re right!
Wow, I guess Maison Ikkoku is really famous. Great picks, I got so many new animes to plan from your list.
Oh I’m glad to be of help!
What an interesting list! Thank you. Mine is currently this:
1. The Promised Neverland
2. Now and then, here and there
3. Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids from the Slope)
4. Nichijou
5. Haibane Renmei
6. Serial Experiments Lain
7. Erased
8. Toradora!
9. Chihayafuru
10. Kino’s Journey (2003)
11. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
12. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
13. Princess Tutu
14. My Hero Academia
15. Clannad & After Story
16. The Melancholy & The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
17. Teasing Master Takagi-San
18. Ore Monogatari
19. March comes in like a Lion
20. OreGairu (My Teen Romantic Comedy is Wrong, as I Expected!)
21. Honey and Clover
22. The Idolm@ster & The Idolm@ster: Beyond the Brilliant Future
23. Shirobako
24. Silver Spoon
25. Barakamon
26. Fruits Basket (2001)
27. Nagi no Asukara (From The Calm Tomorrow)
28. Mawaru Penguindrum (discretion advised)
39. Mugen no Ryvius
30. Your lie in April
Fascinating list! Princess Tutu is one that I’ve long wanted to watch.
[…] TWWK recently posted his “top 30” anime series. Although I’ve quit following current shows, I still frequently review old favorites, and I thought it might be fun to assemble my own list. TWWK doesn’t define what he means by “top,” and neither shall I. […]
[…] admit, I dropped this show three times upon trying episode one, though now, the series is one of my all-time favorites. ~ […]
Oh man, 30 anime?!? I haven’t really thought about organizing a top list in ages…
So I guess for now, all I can say is your 30th ranked title would definitely be higher on my list, andddd I think 2011 Hunter x Hunter would be somewhere on my list too xD A good portion of the titles on your is great though (Silver Spoon, Penguindrum, Chihayafuru!)