Writing is, obviously, the most important part of any story and series, but anime has proved that animation, art, and entertainment value are enough to make a series renowned. However, that often leads people to wrongly assume that anime isn’t well-written, but this list is here to prove them wrong by comparing the best-written anime to the greatest author of all time, Shakespeare.
Shakespeare defined classic and modern literature, establishing what makes a story well-written. While One Piece and Dragon Ball are close, no anime will have the same legacy and impact, but these ten at least have writing as good or better. Based on consistency, dialogue, story, lack of flaws, moments, connecting themes, originality, and how iconic they are.
10
‘Vinland Saga’ (2019-)
After 20 years of revolutionary storytelling, the Vinland Saga manga finally came to an end, but the anime still has a few seasons. When the Vikings kill his father, Thorfinn joins their crew until he is strong enough to avenge his father’s death. However, fate has something else in store for Thorfinn, who goes on an adventure of self-discovery and pacifism.
The first season is renowned for its action, drama, setup, and themes, with the second season being acclaimed for its monumental character development and plot. But either way, fans can find something to love in Vinland Saga. The poetic and slow growth is meticulously crafted, forging Thorfinn into one of the most well-written protagonists.
9
‘Psycho-Pass’ (2012-2020)
Justice is hard to define and even harder to enforce, and the world of Psycho-Pass proves that. With a device capable of detecting crime before it happens, a rookie officer questions the ethics of the situation, especially when forced to confront hard truths, such as corruption. Each season follows its own story with some connected aspects, but the first season is widely regarded as the best.
Psycho-Pass has one of the most intriguing political conversations in anime, debating ethics, justice, and the means to get them. The sequel seasons and movies don’t hold a candle to the first season, which displays its masterful writing through a grey lens of ambiguity and realistic characters. With intelligent themes and an engaging plot, the writing of this show set a new standard for sci-fi.
With a blend of popularity and critical acclaim, there isn’t another anime like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. When brothers Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, they go on a journey to find the philosopher’s stone. However, they uncover a government conspiracy that threatens to engulf the entire world unless they intervene.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the best anime of all time, which means it is also one of the best-written. It has a little bit of everything for everyone, from plot, drama, and comedy to worldbuilding and fantastic characters. With one of the best stories in anime, the events build on each other, creating an interconnected narrative that is riveting to experience. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood proves that entertainment value doesn’t need to be sacrificed to deliver a phenomenal story.
7
‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes’ (1988-1997)
Some of the best-written anime series are sci-fi, and fans will encounter a few in this list, with the first being Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Two rival nations call off a century-old ceasefire when two young and ambitious leaders take command. After a century of peace, these two fight to prove their ideology in an epic galactic war.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is one of the best space operas of all time, from its grand battles to political themes and discussion. In short, this anime is an artistic expression that clashes ideals against each other. There are so many moving parts that change with the slightest development, creating a politically complex and poetically profound anime.
6
‘Ping Pong The Animation’ (2014)
Table tennis isn’t the most exhilarating sport, butPing Pong the Animation will quickly change everyone’s mind. Smile and Peco are best friends who enjoy playing table tennis together, but when they go competitive, Smile is too good at the competition and finds no joy in the sport, and Peco can’t compete with anyone.
Ping Pong the Animation uses its striking visuals and experimental animation to create an unconventional story rich in imagery and symbolism. This anime develops each character with nuance and precision, giving everyone the perfect ending that fits their goals. The messages about sports, winning, and losing are expertly handled and come across with grace and beauty.
5
‘Monster’ (2004-2005)
Naoki Urasawa is a legendary author with numerous manga that are better written than Shakespeare’s, but his magnum opus is Monster. Dr. Tenma saves the life of a young boy, but years later, that child grew up to be a serial killer. Tenma plans to take matters into his own hands, but will he change his mind when he sees Johan’s dark past?
No anime has a plot as tense and suspenseful as Monster, which uses its slow-burning mystery to build the story with masterful writing. The dynamic between Johan and Tenma is fascinating and a highlight of the series. No one can predict where Monster will go, with too many twists and turns to keep track of. By the end of the anime, fans will be completely engrossed, asking for more despite being fully satisfied by its perfection.
4
‘Ashita no Joe’ (1970-1981)
Never sleep on the classics; otherwise, fans will miss iconic anime like Ashita no Joe. When a washed-up boxer sees potential in a street punk, he tries to get him into the boxing world. While initially unsuccessful, Joe changes his mind after spending time in prison, forming a lifelong rivalry that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
There aren’t many better sports anime than Ashita no Joe, especially when it comes to character development. Joe’s motivations shift with every new challenger and event, creating a dynamic series with present themes and messages. Shakespeare is known for his tragedies, but Ashita no Joe is a tragedy of its own, with magnificently bitter writing which makes it a masterpiece.
3
‘Steins;Gate’ (2011-2018)
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Sci-fi in anime isn’t as popular as it once was, but there are still modern classics such as Steins;Gate keeping the genre alive. When a self-proclaimed mad scientist accidentally creates a Time Machine that can send texts into the past, he must fix his timeline or risk breaking the timelines in multiple universes.
Time travel is hard to write; even Shakespeare would struggle with the genre. But the perfect execution of the genre comes from Steins;Gate, which executes the story with so few flaws and expert consistency. Everything makes sense in the end, despite its complex plot that twists and turns. Steins;Gate is a rite of passage for anime fans, considering it is one of the best-written anime of all time. It stays true to its themes and remains wonderfully consistent, truly making it a flawless narrative.
2
‘Monogatari Series’ (2009-)
Anime is weird, and the Monogatari Series embodies that sentiment, but not without the medium’s staple creativity. When Araragi gains the powers of a vampire, he uses them to solve the troubles of the residents in his village. However, the supernatural beasts he needs to fight are the physical manifestations of mental health issues.
Monogatari isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and for good reason; it features some controversial and uncomfortable themes. However, no one can deny that its writing, dialogue, and portrayal of mental health are some of the best in anime. Sure, some arcs feel repetitive, but that only underscores the message that our troubles don’t disappear so easily. Monogatari is imaginative, one-of-a-kind, and employs daring editing that accentuates the dialogue, allowing fans to listen for hours on end without getting bored.
1
‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ (2016-2017)
A lot of the anime on this list are well-known, but Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is perhaps the most obscure out of all of them. This performing arts series features Yotarou, a former Yakuza member who has just been released from prison and is looking to pursue a new passion: rakugo. This comedic acting style is fading away, but he wants to learn from the man who inspired him.
This anime goes back and forth through time, showing the different eras of rakugo, what has remained the same, and what has changed, offering a profound look at the history and influence of the medium. Showa Rakugo is a human story that depicts the tragedy, drama, comedy, and delights of life, sharing similarities with Shakespeare’s best works. The subtle and nuanced take involves layered storytelling to portray realistic developments and emotions, plus the abundant historical context and compelling themes make this anime a true masterpiece.
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
- Release Date
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2016 – 2016-00-00
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, BS-TBS
- Directors
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Naoki Murata, Kenichi Takeshita, Hiroaki Akagi, Tomoe Makino, Yujiro Abe, Fumihiro Ueno, Chikayo Nakamura
- Writers
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Jun Kumagai, Yasuhiro Nakanishi, Yuko Kakihara
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Tomokazu Seki
Yotarou (voice)
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Koichi Yamadera
Sukeroku Yuurakutei (voice)
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Kōji Yusa
Mangetsu Tsuburaya (voice)
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Akira Ishida
Yakumo Yuurakutei (voice)
