What Is The Greatest Anime Ever Made?
Youtuber The Anime Man (3.22 million subscribers) took on the Herculean task of asking more than 100 digital content creators – Youtubers, streamers, animators, musicians, and others – one question: “What do you think is the greatest anime ever made?”
Then, with his editor Mudan (who voted for Death Note), he collected 107 responses and put them together in an hour-long video. We watched the whole thing, took notes, and organized the picks in a list below. While we do think our list is a fun breakdown, we also suggest watching at least some of the video to see the level of excitement shared by most of the participating responders. It’s clear that the question means a great deal to nearly all of them, and the stats don’t tell half the story.
Although the question asked was: “What do you think is the greatest anime ever made?” many streamers picked their favorite. Some picked both. For our purposes, we only included the anime they chose as “best,” except when only a favorite was offered. Additionally, a few refused to limit their answer to just one title, so we went with the first they named.
The most popular titles were fairly predictable. One Piece was selected six times, leading the pack. Fullmetal Alchemist/Brotherhood, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Gurren Lagann, and Neon Genesis Evangelion each pulled four votes, while Cowboy Bebop and Attack on Titan both got three. After that, 16 titles were picked twice, with another 45 each getting one vote each. That means almost half the titles picked were only picked once. The range was incredible.
The overwhelming contributing factor among responders seemed to be at what point of their life they first watched their pick. Most referred to formative years, giving their selection a great deal of credit for molding them into the person they are today. Beyond that, the reasons given were as diverse as the list itself. Among them: quality of animation, voice acting performance, characters, storylines, violence, human anatomy, and level of creativity, to name a few.
Some participants laughed, some cried, and almost all gave emotionally charged responses that proved how strongly their choices continue to resonate with them to this day.
As for The Anime Man himself, he picked Serial Experiments Lain.
Below is a list of all the selected titles, how many people voted for each, and who.
One Piece (6): Alpharad, Ohara, Dj-jo, Rustage, Sharmeleon, Domics
Fullmetal Alchemist/ Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (4): Gigguk, ProfessorLando, Tokidoki Traveller, LeeandLie
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (4): Blluist (Blue), Robcdee, CDawgVA, Pewdiepie
Gurren Lagann (4): AnimeUproar, Mori Calliope CH., Nick Wolfhard, RubberRoss
Neon Genesis Evangelion (4): EricVanWilderman, Hakumai, Noriyaro, Freamm
Cowboy Bebop (3): Kuro_Ken, HighGai, Ninja Sex Party
Attack on Titan (3): Anything4views, Leon Chiro, Twomad
Death Note (2): SSSniperWolf, Mudan, Internet Historian
Dragonball Z (2): KickThePj, CaptainSauce
Berserk (2): Hidori Rose, MeatCanyon
Great Teacher Onizuka (2): Abroad in Japan, Alex Moukala Music
Hunter x Hunter (2): Blluist (Grey), Airani lofifteen
Sword Art Online (2): CallMeCarson, jakenbake
Monster (2): Dogen, Sydsnap
Fruits Basket (2): Frankie, Jessica Nigri
Cardcaptor Sakura (2): Ken Bolido, HarukaKaribu
One Punch Man (2): Chris Ramsay, CrankGameplays
Re:Zero (2): Chibi Reviews, DigitalNex
Baccano (2): Ladybeard, LordAethelstan
Mob Psycho 100 (2): Apricot the Lich, Octopimp
Parasyte (2): Pokimane, YonkouProductions
Azumanga Daioh (2): PeanutButterGamer, Whang!
Eureka Seven (2): Dakota Broskie, Slushii
Serial Experiments Lain: The Anime Man
Ghost in the Shell: Elvis the Alien
Sailor Moon: Johnstone
Bleach: Shu Uchida
Steins;Gate: Brandon McInnis
Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!: D Piddy
Kuroko’s Basketball: HappiLeeErin
Mind Game: Jackisboy
Sound! Euphonium: Revel House
Clannad: After Story: Daidus
Ranma 1/2: Mecha Maiden
Nichijou: Emirichu
Space Patrol Luluco: Nick Robinson
Drifters: Gaijin Goombah
Made in Abyss: Glass Reflection
Trigun: Jonahscoot
His and Her Circumstances: James Landino
Earth Maiden Arjuna: Kevin Penkin
Odd Taxi: A.I. Channel
Naruto: Ksonsouchou
Beastars: Projecktmelody
Vampire Hunter D: LaynaLazar
Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro: MystaRias
Gintama: Ironmouse
Toradora!: Nyanners
Highschool the Dead: Miyune
Welcome to the N-H-K: Ludwig
Code Geass: Pengiunz0
Detective Conan/Case Closed: Nano
Samurai Champloo: None Like Joshua
Nana: PeachMilky
Ninja Scroll: PremierTwo
Daily Lives of High School Boys: Reina Scully
Dorohedoro: RetroGaijin
Haikyu!!: RoomieOfficial
Jujutsu Kaisen 0: Shibuya_Kaho
Perfect Blue: Super Eyepatch Wolf
Major: Susuru TV
Outlaw Star: Takahata101
Dororo: Tectone
Fist of the North Star: TheMasterOfDooM
Bakuman: Trihex
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: Violet Myers
K-On!: Wolfychu
Hikaru no Go: Egoraptor
Mushishi: Jennalynnmeowri
Pictured Above: “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” “One Piece,” “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”