The never-ending cycle of cliffhangers and agonizing waits between episodes can really take a toll on anime fans. However, completed anime series offer a rewarding viewing experience free of impatient waiting and loose narrative threads.
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Theirconclusive endingsgive fans the satisfaction of finishing a compelling narrative arc. And with no sequels on the horizon, you may enjoy them at your own pace without having to worry about keeping up with new releases.
10Food Wars (2015 - 2020)
Food Wars hits all the right flavors, seamlessly blending comedy, drama, andmouthwatering dishesthat will leave you hungry for more. The savory story follows Soma Yukihira, a talented young chef who enrolls in the hyper-competitive Totsuki Culinary Academy.
Here the students engage in intense food wars, cook-off battles where their culinary skills and creativity are pushed to the limits. The over-the-top reactions to tasting Soma’s food will have you chuckling one moment and pumped up the next.
9Shirobako (2014 - 2015)
Following five friends pursuing their dream jobs in the animation industry, Shirobako offers a unique behind-the-scenes look into the hectic world ofanime production. Through the eyes of Aoi and her friends, we get an insightful peek into the daily struggles, last-minute catastrophes, and hard-won triumphs faced by real anime creators.
The show handles these topics with care, presenting the technical details in a way that is engaging rather than dry. We also come to appreciate the myriad skills and tireless efforts required to bring our favorite anime productions to life.
8Odd Taxi (2021)
This stylishnoir animefollows the gruff walrus taxi driver Odokawa as he navigates the seedy underbelly of Tokyo and gets embroiled in a mysterious disappearance. With its hip-hop soundtrack, vibrant animal cast, and mystery thriller plot, Odd Taxi sucks you into its world from the first episode.
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The animation is also a marvel, employing a minimalist aesthetic that’s somehow bursting with expressive details. For those craving something surprising, thoughtful, and wonderfully eccentric, Odd Taxi is a must-watch.
7A Place Further Than The Universe (2018)
A Place Further Than The Universe tugs at the heartstrings and ignites a sense of wanderlust. This 13-episode anime follows four high school girls – Mari, Shirase, Hinata, and Yuzuki – as they embark on an ambitious expedition to Antarctica.
Their perseverance reminds us that with courage and passion, we too can achieve our own places further than the universe. We are reminded that the greatest discoveries often await just outside our usual orbits. Few anime capture the thrill of venturing into the unknown so poignantly.
6Your Lie In April (2014 - 2015)
Your Lie in April stands out for its gorgeous animation, bringing Kousei and Kaori’s musical performances blazingly to life. Each swelling crescendo and delicate piano run leaps off the screen. Furthermore, it’s easily thebest romantic animeout there.
While the visuals delight, it is the characters that truly steal your heart. Kousei’s quiet strength and vulnerability in the face of tragedy makes you cheer him on with each step forward. Meanwhile, Kaori’s vibrancy and seizing of life reminds you to embrace each day.
5Mob Psycho 100 (2016 - 2022)
Based on the webcomic by ONE,Mob Psycho 100follows Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, an otherwise unassuming middle schooler who happens to be an incredibly powerful esper. Despite having enough psychic power to destroy the world, Mob would rather join the Body Improvement Club and win his childhood crush’s heart.
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But keeping his emotions in check isn’t easy when his shady mentor Reigen drags him on wild misadventures. With Mob’s deadpan sincerity playing against Reigen’s slippery antics, the contrasting duo delivers nonstop hilarity. And when Mob finally snaps, prepare for fight scenes that ooze style with sakuga animation.
4Samurai Champloo (2004 - 2005)
With its smooth hip-hop flair, Samurai Champloo stands out as a true anime original. This 26-episode series created by Shinichirō Watanabe is well acclaimed for its inventive blend ofhistorical dramaand modern style. At first glance, the show’s juxtaposition of feudal Japan with anachronistic elements like graffiti art and rap battles seems jarring.
Yet the meshing of past and present works beautifully. The show follows Mugen and Jin, two skilled swordsmen with contrasting personalities, who join forces with the spunky Fuu on her quest across Edo-era Japan. While maintaining a wicked cool vibe, Samurai Champloo also brings a sense of gravitas through its flawed but sympathetic characters.
3My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (2013 - 2020)
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, also known as Oregairu, is a coming-of-age anime that subverts stereotypical high school romance stories in a refreshingly realistic way. Centered around the cynical andapathetic Hachiman Hikigaya, SNAFU takes an insightful look at the social dynamics and pretensions of high school life.
Unlike typical anime protagonists, Hachiman avoids idealism and emotional investment, approaching relationships with a pragmatic, if cynical, attitude. SNAFU earns its comedy and drama not through outlandish antics, but through keen observations about the little hypocrisies and fragilities of adolescence.
2Gintama (2005 - 2021)
Gintama is arguably one of the greatest anime series that has come to an end. This long-running shonen jumps off the page with its colorful cast of characters, off-the-wall humor, and unexpected moments of feels.
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One minute you’re laughing at Gintoki picking his nose and the nextyou’re holding back tearsas he confronts the demons of his past. This emotional rollercoaster is part of what makes Gintama so special. It blends comedy and tragedy seamlessly.
1Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995 - 1996)
Hideaki Anno’s legendarymecha animeNeon Genesis Evangelion first premiered in 1995, and over 25 years later it remains one of the most influential and discussed anime series of all time. The show frequently veers into the surreal, using visual symbolism and psychedelic imagery to explore the inner turmoil of its characters.
Perhaps what really cements Evangelion’s masterpiece status is its controversial and genre-defying ending. Love it or hate it, the ending perfectly encapsulates the psyche of its disturbed protagonist Shinji and remains a bold and thought-provoking narrative decision.
