Here is a complete list of all anime I’ve watched that are at least 8/10s in my book. The demographic categories they belong to are determined by the people who make these anime, not me. For those where I couldn’t find their intended demographic, I just made the call myself. This list excludes movies and only includes seasons I have watched. Click here to see this list by genre instead (coming soon).

1. Josei
   1. Chihayafuru
   2. Nodame Cantabile
   3. Osomatsu-san
   4. Usagi Drop
2. Seinen
   1. San Gatsu no Lion
   2. Barakamon
   3. Boku Dake ga Inai Machi
   4. Clannad
   5. Death Parade
   6. Hinamatsuri
   7. Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai
   8. Kaze ga Tsutyoku Futeiru
   9. Made in Abyss
   10. Mononoke
   11. Monster
   12. Mushishi
   13. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
   14. Sora Yori Mo Tooi Basho
   15. Steins;Gate
   16. Udon no Kuni
   17. Yuru Camp
3. Shoujo
   1. Ao Haru Ride
   2. Fruits Basket 2019
   3. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
   4. Natsume Yuujinchou
   5. Ore Monogatari
   6. Princess Tutu
4. Shounen
   1. Anohana
   2. Boku no Hero Academia
   3. Death Note
   4. Dororo
   5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
   6. Gin no Saji
   7. Haikyuu
   8. Hataraku Maou-sama
   9. Hunter x Hunter
   10. Jujutsu Kaisen
   11. Kimetsu no Yaiba
   12. Mob Psycho 100
   13. Naruto
   14. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
   15. Shingeki no Kyojin
   16. Spy x Family
   17. Tsurezure Children
   18. Yakusoku no Neverland

Josei

Seasons 1 – 3: 9/10

Chihayafuru takes the unfamiliar sport of Karuta and really makes it shine through the characters’ passion. It presents its characters in an extremely honest way and you really get invested in their world. Watch if you think a good love triangle is not possible – it’s impossible to hate these people.

Season 1: 9/10 • Season 2: 8/10

This anime has chaotic energy that cannot be understated. Nodame is simultaneously one of the weirdest and most endearing characters I’ve ever seen. This show has introduced me to so much great classical music; as it follows these musicians from university and beyond.

Season 1: 8/10

Nothing like its source material, Osomatsu-san has really modernised its comedy to suit today’s audience, in that it is extremely out of pocket. The characters are all distinct despite looking exactly the same.

Full series: 9/10

For what it is (anime only), Usagi Drop is an adorable look at the everyday challenges of becoming a new parent. It doesn’t shy away from the sacrifices one has to make to raise a kid, especially when it comes to being a single parent.

Seinen

Seasons 1 – 2: 10/10

San Gatsu is a masterpiece. I ranked it as my favourite show of the 2010s and still stand by that. It follows an orphaned boy who stumbles upon a family of 3 sisters. There are simple truths of life that this show just understands. It is a human story with all of life’s joys and miseries.

Full series: 10/10

Barakamon is what happens when you stick a pampered city boy in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of curious kids with little better to do than irritate him. It never fails to make me laugh and has some of the most likable children ever put to television. I’ve watched this show multiple times and its consistently enjoyable.

Full series: 8/10

I think Erased is a time travel show with its highs and lows, but the highs are worth it. When his mother is killed, our protagonist goes back in time to find her killer. Although its mystery elements may be lacking, the heart the show has really brings life to some sad circumstances that the show deals with.

Season 1: 8/10 • Season 2: 9/10

Clannad surprised me in that I found both parts interesting in very different ways. Of course, Clannad Afterstory remains legendary for its family drama; and deservedly so. But I liked many of the characters in the first part as well. If you’re not yet aware – this one is a cry fest.

Full series: 9/10

This show is stylish and a really feels fresh even after all these years. It involves departed souls as they compete in games to determine their fate – to prove if they’re worthy of reincarnation. It questions the source of morality and the ability to corrupt – how cool is that?

Full series: 9/10

Hinamatsuri follows an alien girl as she is adopted by a man in the Japanese mafia. If that hook doesn’t sell this show I don’t know what will. Hinamatsuri is great because it’s funny, but also (oddly) very heartfelt. Even side characters shine here.

Season 1: 8/10

Kaguya-sama is what happens when you take a high school romance show and mix it with battle shounen. There is an undeniable charm to this show an its characters, as you follow them while they try to navigate the dating game. I will say that this show was really over-hyped when it aired, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great.

Full series: 9/10

This show was made with a lot of passion, and it shows. Every single character brings something to the table in this show, and God damn does it have an amazing ending. Who knew running could seem so wonderful. Even if you don’t like sports anime, please watch this one.

Season 1: 10/10 • Sequel movie: 9/10

Made in Abyss has, hands down, some of the most disturbing things I’ve seen in my life. But as gruesome as it is, this show also has a sense of adventure like no other. The dangers and wonders of the Abyss that the characters venture into are as terrifying as they are amazing.

Full series: 9/10

Mononoke is completely unique and so stylish! It tells 5 separate stories involving a medicine seller, who encounters strange supernatural happenings along his travels. Charming and unsettling, Mononoke is a must-watch for any fans of psychological horror.

Full series: 10/10

Monster is the best of the best in the psychological thriller genre. It follows a surgeon as he comes to realise that the boy he once saved grew up to be a mass murderer. This show is a contemplation on morality and humanity and has one of the best anime villains of all time.

Season 1: 8/10

Mushishi is more akin to a string of folktales about strange spirits that inhabit the world presented. Ethereal, melancholy and mysterious, the mushi simply exist like nature itself. Highly recommend for those who enjoy slow burns or unique anime series.

Season 1: 9/10

This show is not what it seems; but that may already be known due to its infamous reputation. Madoka Magica remains iconic for its unique take on the magical girl genre. The animation in this one is nothing short of spectacular.

Full series: 10/10

The power of friendship at its best. I have never seen a show portray female friendship in a more accurate way. I love these girls to death and the story is nothing short of inspirational. If there’s something you’re scared to do, watch this show.

Season 1: 10/10

Stop reading and go watch this right now. Steins;Gate is the closest thing to perfection in the time travel genre; I genuinely don’t think there will ever be any better. The pure frustration of our main character is very much felt throughout the series.

Full series: 9/10

Udon no Kuni is a love letter to the Japanese countryside in the form of a sweet little adoptive family story. I love how this show highlights how becoming a parent changes your relationship with your own parents. A mature & delightful show.

Season 1: 8/10

If you need something to de-stress, this one’s for you. Camping in the winter has never been more relaxing. These girls build fires, set up tents, cook and talk – and it’s great. Expect nothing but good vibes.

Shoujo

Full series: 9/10

High school romance shows are hard to come by these days. Ao Haru Ride remains a staple in the genre and tells a really sweet story to a pretty satisfying conclusion. This show reminded me of the feeling of butterflies you get in the innocent budding stages of romance.

Season 1 – 3: 9/10

The fact that Fruits Basket 2019 exists is a small miracle. This show is basically the healing process in anime form. Fruits Basket is a truly legendary Shoujo manga that asks – what if every time you hug someone of the opposite sex, they turn into a zodiac animal? If that sounds ridiculous, I implore you to watch this. You will never judge a book by its insane premise again.

Full series: 10/10

Imagine a Shoujo anime where everything constantly goes wrong, all the time, because the characters are too dumb to understand their roles in the anime. That’s Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun. An all time favourite, this show understands satire like nothing else.

Season 1 – 6: 10/10

This anime is special to me. Natsume Yuujinchou knows what it means to have good character growth. It tackles feelings of loneliness and the fear of loss with such kindness. It knows how scary it can be to open up and trust people when you’ve felt different all your life. It understands the pain of letting go. I love this show to death.

Full series: 8/10

Ore Monogatari is an adorable story about an unconventional couple and first love. The main leads are so wholesome and like each other SO much. This show is a romantic comedy where two people actually spend time actively being in a relationship, finally. And the men in these show are DEFINITELY written by a woman. That is all.

Full series: 9/10

Music, ballet and defying fate. Princess Tutu is unbelievably good – if this received a high quality reboot with today’s budget it would be over for literally every other show. If you think only shounen has the best fights in anime you’ve never seen 2 girlies in a ballet showdown.

Shounen

Full series: 8/10

For the most part, Anohana is really about complicated friendships and the trauma of having a friend die. The kids in the series all handle it very badly and it’s really sad. The show, through its supernatural elements, also allows the characters to heal slowly, together. It’s a really interesting watch.

Season 1 – 2: 8/10 • Season 3: 9/10

Boku no Hero was good, for what it was. I honestly never found it spectacular, but really enjoyed the classic shounen feel. It also helped that the animation was great. Although, honestly, I always found the fights to be rather lackluster. No, I have not watched beyond season 3 so I won’t comment on the quality beyond this point.

Full series: 8/10

Death Note is legendary. There’s no reason to not watch this psychological thriller. The first 25 or so episodes are some of the most exciting media ever made. The rest of it is also good. The cat and mouse chase; the mind games, it’s just so good! The fascination around this series that still endures is imo, completely justified.

Full series: 8/10

Dororo tell the story of a child whose body parts get stolen by demons. He goes on a quest, together with a child he meets, to recover them. The characters are the strength of this show, and I didn’t mind it’s episodic nature. Do note that Dororo has 2 really bad episodes – 14 & 15. I actually fully believe that this show would have benefited from removing these episodes entirely.

Full series: 10/10

FMA:B is yet another legendary series and is easily the best recommendation for those new to anime. When 2 brothers attempt to bring their mother back from the dead, they instead accidentally lose their own bodies. The series then follows them as they become alchemists, try to recover their bodies and discover some sinister happenings in their world. This show is a 10/10 from start to finish.

Season 1- 2: 9/10

Gin no Saji begs the question – is it really that bad if you don’t know what you want to do with your life? This show is such a mature look at the concept of kids trying to figure out their place in the world, especially as those from small towns. It also sheds light on agriculture in modern Japan, which is extremely fascinating. If you feel lost in life, watch this show.

Season 1: 8/10 • Season 2: 9/10 • Season 3: 10/10 • Season 4: 9/10

Haikyuu is THE sports anime. It is everything a sports anime should be – passionate, fun, exciting, with both wins and losses that feel significant. Characters learn and grow, and all throughout the show volleyball shines. Season 3 is a 10-episode masterpiece. Can’t recommend this one enough.

Season 1: 8/10

This show is perhaps one of the most bizarre premises in recent memory – the demon lord gets expelled from his world and integrates into normal society by getting a part-time job at a fast food chain. But I promise that the show makes the most out of it and is actually a really enjoyable watch.

Full series: 9/10

What can I say about HXH that hasn’t already been said? The best of HXH is the best anime has to offer, period. Plot wise, the show goes everywhere after our main 4 become hunters, but still remains interesting. Its characters (both the protagonists & antagonists) are phenomenal. The show slows down at the beginning of each arc but it doesn’t really matter. HXH is great.

Season 1: 8/10

I ain’t gonna lie, yes I watched this show for Gojou. The humour falls entirely flat for me but I think Jujutsu Kaisen works well as a shounen. The magic system really reminded me of early Naruto (hand signs!) which I personally enjoyed. Animation is great and characters are mostly endearing. Also, talking panda.

Season 1: 10/10 • Sequel movie: 9/10 • Season 2: 10/10

Aside from its so-so humour, KnY is a fantastic shounen anime that has killer animation. Demon Slayer has no qualms about getting right to the action, as soon as Tanjirou’s family get killed (and Nezuko becomes a demon). Solid show with a great cast of characters, that really does the concept of ‘justice’ justice (ha!)

Season 1 – 2: 10/10

Dear lord Mob Psycho 100 is so good. Every single arc is great. Mob is an adorable cinnamon roll and Reigen is an internet sex symbol (verified). Mob’s motivations are so genuine and inspiring, Reigen is irritating (lovingly). This show has some of the best discussions on morality and is genuinely terrifying at times. Love it!

Main & Shippuden: 8/10

Naruto is a childhood favourite, even if a little outdated. I will always standby the fact that I believe Naruto is really compelling, especially for kids who felt isolated or ostracized. Also, Naruto has some downright amazing fights, even by today’s standards. Just remember to search & skip the fillers.

Full series: 9/10

I thoroughly dislike this show’s interpretation of processing childhood abuse, but honestly everything else in Shigatsu is done really well. The music is such a good medium to express the main character’s inner conflict. There’s a line in this show that genuinely changed my life. For that this show is somewhat special to me.

Season 1: 9/10 • Season 2 – 3: 10/10 • Season 4: 9/10

Do I really need to convince you to watch one of the greatest shows ever made? Attack on Titan was revolutionary – it brought back brutality and gore in anime. It’s iconic in so many ways, from its characters to its dialogue and even costumes. It started the recent trend of monsters in anime. Watch it for a great story that will go down in history.

Season 1: 10/10

What happens when a spy, assassin and telepath form a family unit? – You get the cutest thing ever. Every single episode makes me so happy to the point that I think this show genuinely makes the world a little bit better. It’s just all wholesome goodness as our little found family make their way into each others’ hearts.

Full series: 9/10

Tsurezure children takes all the best bits of highschool rom-coms and mashes them in 20 minute episodes. It follows several couples, and although some are better than the others, Tsurezure Children still works so well. Finally a rom-com without the convoluted bs!

Season 1: 10/10

Oh I love this show. The thriller elements of this prison escape show is phenomenal. The twists! The turns! I just think it’s all great and was rooting so hard for the kids to escape their fate.

Those are all my recommendations!