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You can't go wrong these gems! Join Ashley as we look over the anime that are as close to perfection as can be
Transcript
00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for 10 anime series that are
00:11 nearly perfect.
00:15 Number 10, Fate/Zero.
00:17 The Fate franchise in general has an excellent level of quality, but Fate/Zero is arguably
00:23 the best.
00:30 Depicting a contest between disparate characters seeking the Holy Grail, as well as their summoned
00:36 heroes, Fate/Zero has some absolutely spectacular animation.
00:41 Animation studio Ufotable's seemingly unlimited budget works help make each and every battle
00:48 jaw-droppingly gorgeous and exciting, but the series is more than just spectacle.
00:59 The story has plenty of shocking developments.
01:01 Additionally, it features poignant themes like the nature of leadership and the way
01:06 one's goals can be corrupted.
01:09 Fate/Zero is as magnificent an anime as you could wish for.
01:19 On paper, Code Geass probably shouldn't work.
01:22 A mecha-military thriller that also has school elements.
01:35 And yet, all these genres blend beautifully together into one of the most celebrated anime
01:40 of the last few decades.
01:42 Lelouch V. Bretagne's quest to avenge those dear to him and to overthrow the Bretannian
01:48 Empire is full of twists and turns, not to mention epic robot fights.
01:58 From its morally grey hero to its outstanding supporting cast, Code Geass delves deep into
02:04 its characters and their complexities, with all of them developing in nearly as fascinating
02:09 ways as the plot.
02:11 Code Geass is so enthralling, you'll swear you'll have been hit by the titular mind-control
02:16 power yourself, because you won't be able to look away.
02:27 Vikings in general are a recipe for success, but Vinland Saga takes its semi-historical
02:33 genres to new heights.
02:35 The series follows Torfinn, a young boy from Iceland, as he gets caught up in the Viking
02:41 Wars in England.
02:47 Vinland Saga depicts not only the horrors of war, but also the caustic nature of revenge
02:53 and the price of violent acts on victims, as well as those who commit them.
03:02 In the series, vibrant characters and themes are all brought to life with equally vibrant
03:08 and beautiful animation.
03:09 It may be a modern take on the Viking Age, but it's just as epic as the history and
03:15 tales that inspired it.
03:25 Space operas are a familiar anime genre, but Legend of the Galactic Heroes stands out even
03:30 among its peers.
03:37 While it's an older title, those looking for an epic story will be well satisfied.
03:43 While Legend of the Galactic Heroes is primarily about the rise of two rival military geniuses
03:48 from opposing factions, the show also features a huge supporting cast from all walks of life.
04:00 The degree of depth and characterization given to the cast, as well as the galaxy they
04:06 inhabit, is rarely found in anime.
04:09 It may not have the name recognition of some of our other picks, but Legend of the Galactic
04:14 Heroes is still truly legendary.
04:28 If you're looking for a little bit of everything, it's hard to go wrong with Steins;Gate.
04:35 This time travel anime has romance, comedy, thrills, drama, and plenty more going for
04:42 it.
04:43 Okabe Rintaro and his friends experiment with time, continually have us busting our guts
04:52 – that is, when we're not crying our eyes out.
04:55 While many time travel series can feel repetitive, Steins;Gate manages to keep things fresh,
05:00 with constant character introspections and dramatic development.
05:07 By the time you're through with it, you're going to wish you could send your past self
05:11 a message to watch it sooner.
05:18 While not the first anime adaptation of this story, this version of Hunter x Hunter is
05:26 likely the most definitive we'll get.
05:28 The journey of Gon and his friends is an adventure that begins with deceptive simplicity and
05:34 brightness.
05:45 It gradually evolves into stranger and darker places, though.
05:49 The series has beautiful, detailed animation, fascinating locales, and one of the most well-realised
05:56 power systems in any story.
06:03 The characters are all exceptional, with even the villains possessing surprising charisma
06:09 and dramatic arcs.
06:11 Hunter x Hunter is a rich tapestry of shonen goodness that anime fans will never tire of
06:16 pursuing.
06:26 Widely acknowledged as one of the all-time greats, Cowboy Bebop is, broadly speaking,
06:32 a sci-fi western, though it has influences from noir, horror, and plenty of other genres,
06:38 depending on the episode.
06:44 The crew of the Bebop are an iconic set of misfits whose perennial bad luck makes for
06:49 some fantastic stories, some of which stand alone, and others that connect to a larger
06:55 narrative.
07:01 Featuring animation that holds up to this day, and an eclectic, phenomenal soundtrack,
07:07 Cowboy Bebop is a stunning work of art.
07:10 This is absolutely an anime that any self-respecting space cowboy needs to see.
07:29 The ultimate hot-blooded mecha series, this one follows Simon the Driller and his best
07:34 bro Kamina as they pursue greater heights above ground and to the stars themselves.
07:41 The scale of the battles are as ridiculous as they are awesome.
07:45 The cast is lovable, and each develops organically over time.
07:49 The music is outstanding and incredibly catchy.
07:52 Yet, for all it has going for it, it's Gurren Lagann's themes that help it really shine.
08:04 The pursuit of one's dreams is never easy, but persistence, audacity, and the support
08:09 of others can make them pierce the heavens and beyond.
08:13 Gurren Lagann will make your heart soar and leave you wanting to reach for the stars.
08:31 Perhaps the biggest anime of the last decade, Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy masterpiece.
08:42 The series, in case you've been living outside the walls, follows the apparent last of humanity
08:48 and their struggles against the giants that have taken over the world.
08:52 Attack on Titan truly fires on all cylinders, featuring epic battles, shocking twists, and
08:59 complex characters.
09:07 The animation and music are equally as perfect.
09:11 It's a beautiful and terrible spectacle that you have to see to believe.
09:16 Attack on Titan has helped show the world how hype anime can get, winning over many
09:21 sceptics.
09:46 Alchemy may work via equivalent exchange, but Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood delivers
09:51 more than anyone bargains for.
09:54 At its core, the series follows two brothers in their quest to restore their bodies.
10:07 However, its expansive cast and fascinating world also bring up questions about the nature
10:19 of humanity, war, and other weighty topics.
10:22 The battles are epic, and the comedy and tragedy both hit harder than techniques passed down
10:28 through the Armstrong family for generations.
10:37 Every single solitary character gets their moment in the sun.
10:41 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is made full metal, and there's no higher praise than
10:46 that.
10:52 Is there a 10/10 anime we forgot?
10:55 Does one of these anime go to 11 instead?
10:57 Shoot us your picks in the comments below.
11:12 [music]