10 Anime From the Last 10 Years That Are Perfect From Start to Finish
Being perfect isn’t something that should be taken lightly, even though fans throw around the term for almost every show, including anime. Series like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen are fantastic, but they are far from perfect. With the modern boom in anime since 2015, new shows have improved their quality, but often lack the longevity for fans to deem them perfect.
However, just because they are newer doesn’t mean they can’t be perfect. This list will rank ten perfect anime from the last ten years based on the consistency and quality of writing, story, animation, characters, as well as originality, critical acclaim, and fan opinion. This list will feature only new anime that debuted in or after 2015 and have since finished, so shows like Vinland Saga won’t be included since they are still ongoing.
10
‘Sonny Boy’ (2021)
Studio: Madhouse
Original anime aren’t as common as series adapted from a manga, but fans can be sure that these shows will be something special. Sonny Boy follows a classroom of students suddenly transported into a new dimension with unique rules and laws. When they start developing superpowers, they establish a hierarchy and stop working together, halting their cooperation in order to escape.
Sonny Boy is a perplexing anime that employs unconventional storytelling to convey its message. However, this approach results in many fans not understanding the complex story. Regardless, Sonny Boy is an excellent avant-garde anime that uses its unnatural ways to produce a touching and fascinating story. Even if fans can’t understand it, the visual appeal and worldbuilding are still interesting.
9
‘Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction’ (2024)
Studio: Production +h.
Inio Asano is a legendary creator known for making Goodnight PunPun, but while that will never get an anime adaptation, his other series did: Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction. Two girls have the whole world in front of them, but after an alien invasion threatens the safety of the world, they must deal with their problems before it is too late.
2024 was an excellent year for anime, with another series making it onto this list. However, DDDDD is one of the few series that were completed, which wowed fans with its touching and emotionally charged story. Blending drama with comedy and slice-of-life, this anime is a unique mix that never delivers a dull moment. DDDD became one of the best anime releases of 2024, thanks to its heavy topics and unique perspective, providing an unforgettable experience.
8
‘Summer Time Rendering’ (2021)
Studio: OLM
Disney+ doesn’t have a lot of anime, but its limited selection is still impressive, with the underrated title Summer Time Rendering being a nice addition. Going back to his home island to attend a friend’s funeral, he suddenly encounters a supernatural conspiracy that keeps sending him back in time whenever he dies. He must expose the deity’s plan and save the island from a horrific fate.
Summer Time Rendering may not be on every fan’s mind when they hear a perfect anime. While the ending got a bit out of control, it is consistently incredible for the most part. The riveting mystery bounced everywhere from thrilling moments, grounded drama, supernatural frights, and fascinating lore. This self-contained mystery is one of a kind and a perfect anime for this summer.
7
‘Death Parade’ (2015)
Studio: Madhouse
Games are a fun way to pass the time, but when life is at stake, they become much more intense and dangerous. Death Parade is set between the living world and the afterlife, where it brings contestants into a bar to determine their fate in the next life. They compete in games, and the host, Decim, decides which should go to hell and which goes to heaven.
With only twelve episodes, Death Parade doesn’t have a lot of room for mistakes, and thankfully, it delivers a worthwhile experience that has fans wishing there were hundreds of episodes. The high-stakes competition is captivating, but the characters, their growth, and the worldbuilding are the best part, as they question their role. This psychological thriller is one of the best original anime series and a must-watch show.
6
‘Megalo Box’ (2018)
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Ashita no Joe is one of the most influential anime ever, and Megalo Box is an homage to the legendary show. Set in the future, it follows Joe, a scrapyard boxer who refuses to fight with modern machinery. However, when the champ lays him flat, he uses the exoskeleton to join the tournament in order to get another shot at beating the best.
Some seasons are so perfect that a second season would just ruin it, and while Megalo Box wrapped up nicely, they decided to add to perfection with another flawless season. The first season is the ideal underdog story, with its share of ups and downs, but it ultimately delivers a satisfactory ending. The second season brings Joe to his lowest point, dealing with heavy issues such as addiction and depression. Megalo Box is one of the best completed anime that delivers different experiences with the same phenomenal quality.
5
‘The Disastrous Life of Saiki K’ (2016)
Studio: J.C. Staff
Being the world’s strongest psychic sounds amazing, but two anime on this list prove otherwise, and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is the first one. The titular character just wants an everyday high school life without any trouble, but his eccentric friends make concealing his power tough, as he must protect them from themselves.
Perfect shows usually consist of renowned stories and dramatic moments, but Saiki K proves comedy can also be perfect. Each episode is a coffee jelly treat in this anime, using its wacky cast of characters to make life a living hell for Saiki. However, every moment is fun and entertaining, making it one of the most rewatchable anime shows due to its laugh-out-loud comedy that fans enjoy with each episode.
4
‘Orb: On the Movements of the Earth’ (2024)
Studio: Madhouse
As previously mentioned, 2024 was one of the best modern years for anime, and Orb: On the Movements of the Earth proves that. Set in 15th-century Poland, knowledge and truth drive a group of individuals who refuse to let the church’s restrictions hinder their pursuit of learning. Following multiple protagonists, they each try to reveal the truth of Heliocentrism and change the world.
Orb took the world by storm, and while it isn’t the most popular series, it is one of the most renowned modern works of art. Its philosophical questions and themes about life, knowledge, and passion create one of the most exhilarating and unique anime in recent times. Each character is deeply written and never becomes boring, resulting in one of the best historical anime series.
3
‘Pluto’ (2023)
Studio: Studio M2
Naoki Urasawa is an iconic manga artist responsible for Monster and 20th Century Boys; however, one of his most notable works is Pluto, a reimagination of Osamu Tezuka‘s Astro Boy. When a string of murders related to the top robots and their creators happen around the world, Gesicht must investigate the cause, which just so happens to involve him and his war-torn past.
Urasawa is known for his deep mysteries, and Pluto undoubtedly delivers that experience to the fullest. However, the heart of the anime is through its emotion and themes, begging the question of whether robots deserve to love and hate. This philosophical debate weaves itself into every aspect of Pluto, creating a perfectly written sci-fi anime that surpasses most new shows with its complex story and emotional depth.
- Release Date
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2023 – 2022
- Directors
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Toshio Kawaguchi
- Writers
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Tatsuro Inamoto, Heisuke Yamashita
2
‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016)
Studio: Bones
Mob Psycho 100 is arguably the best modern anime, and while it doesn’t take the first spot, it excels in almost every category. Shigeo is the world’s strongest psychic, but only wants an everyday life. However, because of his withheld emotions, his powers explode in psychic bursts when his feelings overwhelm him.
Mob Psycho 100 will find itself on almost every list about good anime, but it doesn’t take the top spot even though it is perfect, because of some fan opinions. Regardless, Mob Psycho 100 has almost everything viewers could want in an anime: stunning action, stellar animation, endearing characters, hilarious comedy, and character development. Mob Psycho 100 is a masterpiece and a complete package, making it a perfect anime.
1
‘Dororo’ (2019)
Studio: MAPPA
Anime remakes are becoming increasingly common nowadays, but no one has perfected the craft as much as Dororo, which adapts the classic 1967 manga. After his father sells his soul, Hyakkimaru is born without skin, eyes, and limbs, and is sent to his death. However, he miraculously survives and hunts down the demons that stole his parts on a gruesome quest for revenge.
While a few anime on this list are probably better than Dororo, it has the perfect amount of consistency and quality to take the top spot. This anime never falters in delivering its story, with a steady pace and consistently intriguing developments. Dororo is a must-watch series that will have fans’ attention from start to finish. The thematic depth and story are perfect, and the action delivers on every fight to make the show entertaining as well, creating a perfect action anime series.
