When it comes to new anime, most adaptations you’ll see come from an already established source material, like a Manga or light novel. Contrary to popular belief, though, the medium of anime has built its reputation on its own, with some of the biggest cultural staples being anime originals.
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Anime originals stand out because fans don’t know what to expect, and animators are given far more creative liberty with the series. However, there is so much anime out there, and no-one has time to swift through to find the good ones. That’s why it can be best to stick to the ones that made the culture of anime what it is today, along with some new titles that are shaping the current era.
10Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
2021 was a good year for anime, and one of the reasons for this was Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song. Coming from Tappei Nagatsuki, the creator of Re Zero, Vivy follows an android who is tasked with preventing an inevitable war between humans and robots. To do this, Vivy must disrupt several catastrophic events on the timeline.
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This stood out as one of the hits of the year, due to the brilliant way the story tracks the flow of time for our protagonist. She is a robot, so years to humans are only seconds to her. Add some well-animated action pieces and music that would get anybody ready to save the world, and you have perhaps the best science fiction anime of 2021.
9Lycoris Recoil
If you’re looking for something more recent, 2022’smost celebrated anime original, Lycoris Recoil, might be what you’re looking for. Japan has managed to become the most peaceful country in the world, eliminating all threats using a secret service of assassins.
Though it’s a terribly dark concept, you couldn’t tell by the tone of the show. Our story begins with the calm and collected Takina, who is reassigned to her new partner, the light-hearted Chisato. The show follows their adventures as they undercover government secrets and protect Japan from a terrorist threat.
Lycoris Recoil managed to capture fans around the world with its great character designs and gunslinging action. The series is the perfect blend of slice-of-life and action, sure to please any anime fan.
8Psycho-Pass
In the distant future, humanity has managed to control crime via the Sibyl System. This computer-generated AI predicts crime before it happens, similarly to the Precrime unit of The Minority Report. Akane, our main girl, works as an inspector, tasked with the job of apprehending or killing those the system deems a threat.
By the concept alone, this anime hit the ground running, gathering quite the fanbase as it continued. Since the premiere, the series has grown to three seasons and two movies, one of which is set to release in May 2023.
The thrills don’t stop there. Odd Taxi was the underrated anime original of 2021. It just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Odd Taxi may look like a daytime children’s show, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The show follows Odokawa, a walrus taxi driver, as he gets mixed up in a gang war when he offers some dangerous people a ride. You soon meet a variety of colorful characters as you begin to put together the mystery of a missing idol star and how all this connects to the larger story at play.
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Odd Taxi is critically acclaimed for its excellent dialogue, jaw-dropping mystery, and one of the biggest plot twists in anime. You’ll never see it coming.
6Neon Genesis Evangelion
A true cultural icon, and the anime that revolutionized a whole genre.Evangelion’s influence can be seen in almost every mecha anime that came after. In a post-apocalyptic world, monsters known as Angels have returned threatening the safety of humanity. The only way to stop them, of course, is battling them with giant robots. Follow along and discover the mystery behind the Angels and the conflict the characters go through to survive in this world.
Evangelion is a massive franchise (fantastically dubbed too), so make sure you watch the original series, The End of Evangelion film, and the four rebuild films to enjoy the full experience. The series is beloved because its stands as the best anime to present the difficult themes of trauma and the hardships of growing up.
5Kill La Kill
Studio Trigger’s first major hit,Kill La Killwas praised as the anime that saved anime when it first came out, and for good reason. The story is about a highly unconventional war, where it’s up to our main girl Ryuko and her sentient sailor uniform Sengoku to set everyone free.
Get ready for a bombastic, wild, and self-deprecating journey, filled with non-stop action, comedy, and some of the wildest personalities in all of anime. This show provides a surprisingly deep commentary on the world we know, and that’s the main appeal. Viewers come in for breathless entertainment and leave with a thought-provoking message on humanity. It’s anime at its best.
4Cowboy Bebop
you may’t really list the best of anything anime without mentioningCowboy Bebop. Thisoutstanding 90s classicfollows the adventures of bounty hunter Spike and his crew, as they travel through space trying to make an honest living. The more you watch, the more the crew’s past comes back to haunt them, and the more engrossed you become in their remarkable tale.
Cowboy Bebop is a must-watch for new and old fans alike, mixing cool jazz, great animation, and a lovable cast of characters. This show is truly a timeless classic.
3Code Geass
In the iconicCode Geass, Japan has been conquered by the Britannia Empire and the citizens are stripped of their rights. Unfortunately for the empire, the power of Geass falls into the hands of our revolutionary protagonist, Lelouch, giving him the ability to control the minds of others with a simple look. Lelouch forms his revolution under the disguise of Zero and begins to terrorize the Britannia Empire in hopes that Japan will one day be a free country again.
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If you want some of the best political drama anime has to offer, then look no further. Code Geass is not only rated as one of the best anime ever created, but many would also claim it has the best ending as well.
2Gurren Lagann
Mecha, or the giant robot genre, is a cultural staple, especially when it comes to anime originals. Gundam may have created the genre, Evangelion may have revolutionized the genre, but Gurren Lagann helped popularize it. Humanity lives underground in fear of the Spiral King. One day Simon finds a drilling robot, and with the help of his bombastic older brother figure Kamina, the two use it to break free from underground and fight the Spiral King to reclaim the surface world.
Unlike most mecha, the political storyline takes a back seat to the comedy and action, giving this show a less serious feel than others in the genre. This is from the same director as Kill La Kill, so you can expect the same level of hype, eccentricity, and adventure!
1Samurai Champloo
It may sound like common knowledge today, but before Samurai Champloo released, samurai plus hip-hop was not an equation most people put together. Yet it works so well. Follow Fu as she hires two ronin samurai, Mugen and Jin, to escort her to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers.
The series is episodic for most of its run. Viewers travel with the trio, learning more about them and watching them connect to one another. The soundtrack for this anime was also made by the late Nujabes. ensure to add the whole soundtrack to your playlist, you won’t regret it. Samurai Champloo is a timeless anime and one of the best originals you will ever experience.
