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It takes a special kind of «good» for an anime series to join the ranks of the most GOATed anime, those being the greatest of all time. Even when the anime field is broad and subjective in quality, the community at large has settled on a handful of series that are the undisputable best. These anime go beyond seasonal hits like Bocchi the Rock! or up-and-coming new titles like Jujutsu Kaisen — the GOAT anime have a kind of quality that only shows up a few times per decade.
The most GOATed anime have lofty qualities like incredible thematic depth to make viewers think hard about certain subjects, and they often have serious emotional resonance to make viewers care about the characters and their struggles. Some GOAT anime also have top-tier production values for their time and sharp writing, and some have that elusive «it» factor to make them industry legends. Any anime with the «it» factor has a winning blend of style and substance with just the right creative flair to tie it all together into something more.
9 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Has Some of the Best Action Anime Fans Have Ever Seen
Streaming on Netflix
The sheer creative flair and off-beat styles of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure made it one of the most GOATed anime out there, and fans might call it a gamble that worked. Author Hirohiko took a few risks with his reliance on wacky humor that could have annoyed fans and worn out the anime’s appeal, but the outcome was highly favorable. The humor is truly bizarre and absolutely works, reinforced with charming and fun characters.
Other successful gambles included the ideas of killing off or writing out various Joestar heroes to make room for new ones in each arc, which has become an essential part of the lore, not to mention the change to the Stand combat system. Not just any anime can overhaul its combat system, but JoJo’s did it to astounding effect, and it didn’t even have to provide in-depth explanations on how or why this happened. Stands arrived, and fans immediately loved them at face value, and it’s been a winning formula ever since.
8 Mob Psycho 100 Carefully Balances Humor, Everyday Life, and Overpowered Battles
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Creator ONE is best known right now for his creation One-Punch Man, which has plenty of merit as GOAT material, but fans still favor his slightly older Mob Psycho 100 anime. The Mob Psycho 100 anime is one of several examples of a wacky, off-the-wall story with quirky humor that absolutely lands, a creative gamble that worked 100%. Reliance on whimsical nonsense can backfire if the audience isn’t receptive, but everyone adores what Mob Psycho 100 has to offer in that department.
On top of that, Mob Psycho 100 is a delightful example of an overpowered anime character done right, with Shigeo Kageyama/Mob being a cherished hero whom fans find quite entertaining. In contrast to his power and wrathful side as an OP esper, Mob is a gentle, kind boy who just wants an ordinary life, but Reigen and the many spirits and villains have other plans for him. It’s noteworthy how Reigen has no special powers but is still one of the most popular anime characters of all.
7 Hunter x Hunter 2011 Is Easily One of the Best Shonen Anime Ever Made
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The original shonen «big three» did not include the Hunter x Hunter manga, but many devotees would argue that Hunter x Hunter definitely belonged in that trio to make it a quartet. At a glance, Hunter x Hunter‘s 2011 anime looks like just another colorful and fun action adventure, but fans know it’s more than that. It’s one of the GOATs because of its brilliant creative flair and its impressive balance of light vs dark.
Hunter x Hunter is one of several true GOAT anime to carefully balance its humor and positive side with its heavy, dark side to add some weight and meaning to the narrative. In this case, Hunter x Hunter may feature goofy leads like Gon and Killua, but they both have a serious side that fans find impressive and scary at key points in the story, such as Gon vs Neferpitou. The anime also has one of the very best combat systems with the near-endless possibilities with Nen.
6 Steins;Gate Starts Slow Before Treating Fans to Intense Time Travel Drama
Streaming on Crunchyroll
The slow start to the Steins;Gate anime might test the patience of new viewers and make them wonder how this visual novel adaptation anime became a certified GOAT. About halfway through, the Steins;Gate series will provide the answers, transforming Okabe’s carefree time travel experiments into a dire, convoluted quest to save his friends from certain doom. What is more, Okabe is practically the only character to fully understand what is happening.
As time shifts around and people appear or disappear, Okabe will find his emotional state strained to the limit, and that adds to the dramatic fun. Okabe will transform from a goofy amateur scientist to a heartfelt hero who resonate with anime fans as he scrambles to save Kurisu, Mayushi, and the others from their fates in the tangled time stream.
5 Death Note Challenges Viewers On an Intellectual and Ethical Level
Streaming on Netflix
Death Note ranks in the middle among the most GOATed anime because it’s an incredible battle of wits with more than a few ethical conundrums. The anime also borrows the basic formula of shonen adventures while eschewing action in favor of crime thriller action, which makes it hugely refreshing to watch. Even fans of seinen or non-anime crime thrillers are sure to respect what Death Note is doing.
It’s all tied together by protagonist Light Yagami, who will push the boundaries of heroism and villainy as he goes from an idealistic teen to a monster known as Kira. Even now, it’s not easy to figure out the boundaries of good vs evil with Light and his nemesis L, giving Death Note fans plenty to ponder. And of course, Death Note has plenty of memorable scenes, sharp lines of dialogue, and fantastic investigation sequences.
4 Cowboy Bebop is as Unique as it is Amazing
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Cowboy Bebop is one of those anime that’s beloved mostly for the vibe and sheer feel of it all something that anime fans find easier to experience and share than describe in words. Cowboy Bebop‘s individual elements may not feel that unique or GOATed, such as the found family concept, outlaw shootouts, and heavy personal drama. But they do combine into a wonderful, compelling package with that elusive «it» factor making it feel like so much more.
Protagonist Spike Spiegel sums up all of this with his own character arc. He is cool and stylish, moody, cheerful, dangerous, and a good friend all in one. Spike is a legendary outlaw antihero with a rough side but also magnetic charm as a fellow trying to make his way on the fringes of society. Anime fans also adore Cowboy Bebop‘s fun blend of the Wild West and outer space along with its iconic jazzy OST.
3 One Piece is Rightfully Known as "One Peak"
Streaming on Crunchyroll
There are good reasons why anime fans and manga readers have nicknamed One Piece as «One Peak.» The story has enough content for at least three full shonen series, and it does practically everything a shonen anime could while doing it all well. One Piece features unparalleled worldbuilding and interconnected lore, creative character designs, deep personal themes, and a fantastic combat system all in one.
The anime is admittedly held back by the dated production values of the early episodes and the famously slow pacing of the Dressrosa and Wano arcs. Fortunately, fans have ways to deal with that, such as the «One Pace» adaptation, and the actual story is worth the time to consume. To round things out, One Piece is GOATed because it handles mystery and discovery better than any other anime, with gradual and foreshadowed reveals of all kinds.
2 Attack on Titan Immersed Anime Fans in a Stunning World of War, Mystery, and Conspiracy
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan often enters conversations about the most GOATed anime, and for good reason. This is a busy, brutal, and absolutely unforgettable shonen anime experience on many levels, starting with the combat system and initial premise. Other anime may involve kaiju and giant aliens or robots, but Attack on Titan reworked the idea into people fighting giant humanoids, which ended up being far more interesting than it sounds on paper.
Such battles are greatly enhanced by the tension and savagery found in them, and that’s just the start. Attack on Titan also has some of the finest mysteries and conspiracies in anime, making fans absolutely desperate to find the answers that lay beyond the walls. Attack on Titan also treats anime fans to one of the best zero-to-hero-to-villain arcs of all time with Eren Yeager. He does far more than power up, because he also challenges Attack on Titan fans to wonder at what point someone is going too far for their own people.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is Still the King of Anime
Streaming on Crunchyroll
It’s true the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End anime has caught up to or even surpassed Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in some regards, but Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains the #1 GOAT because it’s even deeper than Frieren and has finished its story. From beginning to end, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the ultimate shonen anime, doing everything at once and doing it all with sharp execution.
Fans can name every last aspect of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as a reason why it’s the GOAT, from its smart pacing and engaging plot concerning the Philosopher’s Stone to the unfolding mysteries of Father and the conspiracy in the Amestris military. This anime also boasts unmatched thematic and historical depth with its real-world parallels and symbolism, not to mention some truly great character arcs for Ed, Scar, Roy Mustang, and more. The action, drama, and humor are all on point too, ensuring Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the anime to watch, one with no equal in the industry.
