10 anime series that are 10/10, no notes

As the number of high-quality anime releases is on a steady climb, fans are bound to find themselves in trouble while deciding what to watch and what to skip. However, not every intriguing anime can be provided with a 10/10 rating among fans and critics. That prestigious claim is reserved for those series that have excelled in storytelling, animation, character development, and more.

Not only do some anime deliver an engaging tale, but they also leave a lasting impact on the minds of their viewers. While it is rare to find a perfect 10/10 anime, it is not an entirely impossible task, and the growing number of recent releases has definitely helped expand the medium.

Frieren Is a Celebration of the Mundane

Despite being a fantasy anime, Frieren avoids every stereotype associated with the genre. Neither does it have a final destination per se, nor does it ride on power scaling, and it definitely isn’t fond of instant gratification-fueled plot progression. Instead, Frieren moves at a leisurely pace, introducing one character at a time and allowing them to marinate for a couple of episodes before moving on with the journey.

In Frieren, there are action scenes and aura farming moments, but it’s the menial jobs, like stockpiling necessities, going out for a stroll or buying souvenirs that are its mainstay. There are barely any flaws in Frieren, which follows an elf mage’s journey of self-discovery along with her companions, who are at least a millennium younger than her.

Food Fuels the Fantastical Adventure in Delicious in Dungeon

While fantasy anime are known for their escapism, Delicious in Dungeon holds onto realism and creates a unique juxtaposition. Unlike most fantasy anime, where potions or magic circles are able to heal, grow a limb, or even revive someone, such events are extremely rare in Dungeon Meshi and come with their own set of trade-offs to maintain the story’s coherence.

Delicious in Dungeon does justice to its name by presenting viewers with the most mouth-watering meals. The subtle twist is the fact that these heartwarming dishes are derived from the same monsters they find grotesque in the dungeons. Animated by Studio Trigger, Delicious in Dungeon is about an older brother’s journey to retrieve his sister from a dragon, and no one can complain if he grabs a few snacks on the way.

My Love Story Is the Cutest Rom-Com to Ever Exist

My Love Story wears its heart on its sleeve. Everything begins with Takeo, a giant high school boy often mistaken for an adult, who falls in love at first sight with the doll-like Rinko after saving her from a train groping incident. Initially, the kind-hearted giant was a bit hesitant, due to his past experiences, but his perspective changes when Rinko reciprocates his feelings.

Besides the heart-fluttering romance in My Love Story, it’s the unwavering brotherhood between Gouda and his childhood friend, Makoto, that acts as the seasoning to a hearty rom-com dish. While the characters’ liveliness and authentic romance tug at viewers’ heartstrings, it’s the unmatched humor in the anime that glues these elements together and makes it a 10/10 series.

Shoshimin Is the Spiritual Successor of Hyouka

Written by the author of Hyouka, Honobu Yonezawa, Shoshimin is yet another introspective school mystery focusing on two high school students known for solving pocket-sized mysteries with their great deduction skills. However, when uninvited trouble finds its way to these teenagers, they start yearning for an ordinary life.

Unlike most mystery anime, Shoshimin creates and solves mysteries through prolonged dialogue exchange, which is brought to life by the active visualization of viewers. That’s also why Shoshimin has been pushed into a corner despite being such a complete anime in more ways than one. The anime’s striking color palette and creative storyboarding style add vibrancy to the series and help viewers immerse themselves in its universe.

Run With the Wind Focuses More on the Athletes Than the Sport

Run With the Wind refused to confine itself to the traditional tropes of sports anime. It is a running anime that takes a closer look at a bunch of ordinary folks who end up becoming amateur runners against their will, only to find out they will be challenging the most renowned and treacherous marathon in Japan. Run With the Wind’s depiction of teamwork is unique, and the anime cheers on amateurs in any field.

Because of its grounded nature, Run With the Wind resonates with viewers. Every new hurdle becomes a learning curve, and overcoming them not only makes the characters stronger as athletes but also as a team. Released during Production I.G.’s golden era of sports anime, Run with the Wind is blessed with breathtaking animation. The subtle humor in the anime also helps lighten the building tension towards the dreaded marathon.

Bocchi the Rock! Skyrocketed the Demand for Girl Band Anime

Bocchi, the protagonist of Bocchi the Rock!, is anything but a social butterfly. However, in the solitude of her room, she’s an aspiring guitarist who wants to create a band. While Bocchi soon achieves her dreams, her extreme social anxiety leads her to wear a cardboard mask to her first-ever live performance.

Bocchi the Rock! might not be for everyone, and even its humor revolves around Bocchi’s anxiousness. That being said, it is a one-of-a-kind music anime with an excellent soundtrack and a resonant cast of characters. Bocchi the Rock! is a love letter to those who can’t gather the courage to make friends, showcase their talent, or go about their day without being startled to death.

Mushoku Tensei Is More Mature and Thoughtful Than Meets the Eye

Mushoku Tensei came at a time when the isekai sub-genre was churning out the same old stories and tropes with tedious execution. Not only did Mushoku Tensei strip away the monotony, but it dipped its toes into a convoluted mess, which not only divided its audience but also created a buzz that repelled any new viewers.

Mushoku Tensei picked each of its controversial elements and addressed them in a way that the parts that felt messy became the foundational pillars of the storyline. Besides its masterful storytelling and execution, Mushoku Tensei also excels in animation and complex character dynamics. As the story progresses, Mushoku Tensei turns out to be a thoughtful human drama hiding under the facade of a hyped isekai anime.

Vinland Saga Is a Timeless Human Drama

Vinland Saga is an essential story, especially at a time when humans are undergoing collective desensitization. Written by Makoto Yukimura,Vinland Saga carries an anti-war rhetoric and a strong message against violence, which it conveys through the life of Thorfinn, whose growth from being a vengeful warrior to a pacifist is a tale of enlightenment that’ll inspire generations.

As a renowned seinen anime, Vinland Saga carries purpose and a life lesson behind every act of violence, something very few anime try to portray. Even though it’s known for its messages, Vinland Saga is powered by brilliant animation, be it of character acting or action sequences, not to mention its mindful character development.

Witch Hat Atelier Is a Refreshing Take on the World of Witches

Witch Hat Atelier evokes the urge to seek knowledge. Contrary to known fantasy tropes, where one is either born special or a commoner, Witch Hat Atelier doesn’t discriminate. In this coming-of-age fantasy anime, everyone is born equal, and in theory, anyone should be able to learn magic if they wish. However, the knowledge of magic is safeguarded by existing witches in the name of maintaining power balance.

In Witch Hat Atelier, the fragile ego of witches discriminates and divides people among classes to protect the status quo. Interestingly, it’s the antagonists who, despite their dirty tricks, are trying to make magic available to everyone. These elements make Witch Hat Atelier an anime that not only questions the world order but also questions right from wrong, and points out the hypocrisy that hides behind its seemingly perfect world.

Silver Spoon Provides a Detailed Insight Into the Food Industry

Silver Spoon reminds its viewers that it’s okay to look out for oneself, even if taking a step back is criticized in the never-ending rat race of life. Written by the author of Fullmetal Alchemist, Hiromu Arakawa, Silver Spoon follows the life of Yuugo, who goes against his parents’ wishes and joins an agricultural high school to break away from a cycle of being pushed against his wishes.

Silver Spoon is a slice of life shonen anime that provides a detailed insight into the behind-the-scenes of the food industry. From cattle farming to raising horses, dabbling in food science, and even birthing animals, Yuugo receives an unforgettable experience in a school that he had severely underestimated. The anime neither glorifies nor criticizes life on farms, but only shows their heartbreaking reality. Above all, Silver Spoon teaches how to live mindfully and to respect those who put food on the table.