Some of the best written TV shows are anime series. Adult animations are often underrated because of the animated aspect, but they're more often than not incredible heavy hitters. Japanese anime writers especially have the ability to reach a certain core with their intricate dialogue and strong characters. And yes, there are silly anime series that often feel absurd, but they can carry strong messages in their core. Similarly to Western shows like The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Rick and Morty, for example, anime can be a social critique, a character study, and satire just as much as the next live-action show.
Some anime writers are well-known in that world, and people often get attached to a specific author's work. Writers like Chica Umino and Gen Uobuchi are typical examples of great anime writers fans trust; when their name is attached to a project, anime lovers usually opt for those series and rarely regret their choices. Since the list only presents ten of the best written anime series, some honorable mentions go to One Punch Man, a hilarious and core-reaching show, Erased, a mystery thriller with a brilliant twist, and Ping Pong, an anime series unique in visual and storytelling style, among many others, of course.
10
'Violet Evergarden' (2018)
Written by Reiko Yoshida
Image via Kyoto Animation
When it comes to one-season anime, Violet Evergarden is often listed as one of the best. With anime often going over one season, it's rare to see a heavily packed storyline told in fourteen episodesthat arejust a bit longer than 20 minutes. Yet, Violet Evergarden is, from start to finish, an emotionally gripping fantasy story that can easily bring anyone to tears. It follows the titular character returning from war after losing both arms; Violet was a child soldier and raised in the army, and as such, grew up out of tune with her emotions.
After Violet is welcomed by the friend of the Major who raised her, she gets prosthetics and is adopted by the Evergardens. There, she sees they own a private company that sends letters to people as a form of emotional connection. Since Violet doesn't understand emotion, the series follows her slowly filling out her human shell with an innocent, kind, and curious soul that becomes Violet once again. Reiko Yoshida wrote the screenplay, and her most notable work includes the anime Boys Over Flowers, which was based on the manga of the same name. Interestingly, that story was also adapted into a live-action series in Japan, China, and South Korea (among other Asian countries), with all shows becoming modern cult classics.
Violet Evergarden
Release Date
2018 - 2018
Directors
Taichi Ishidate, Haruka Fujita
9
'Mob Psycho 100' (2016–2022)
Written by Hiroshi Seko
Image via TMXJP
If there's anything anime creators (and fans) love, it's a social misfit. Set in middle school, Mob Psycho 100 follows Shigeo Kageyama aka Mob, as he navigates life as a socially awkward student; along with a booming adolescence and emotional changes, Mob needs to keep his immense psychic powers in check, which are often brought out during moments of intense emotions. He's also continuously followed around by a spirit called Dimple, who sometimes gives him incredibly offbeat social advice and is often the comic relief of the show.
The series was animated by Bones Inc., a popular Japanese animation studio that's most famous for superhero anime shows. Mob Psycho 100 was, like most anime series, based on a manga of the same name; the screenplay was penned by one of the more famous Japanese anime screenwriters, Hiroshi Seko. Seko wrote Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaizen, and the most recent anime hits, Chainsaw Man and Dandadan. Mob Psycho 100 is a funny and endearing coming-of-age anime with greatly relatable characters and brilliant dialogue; it's often considered to be perfect from start to finish.
Mob Psycho 100
Release Date
2016 - 2022
Directors
Yuzuru Tachikawa, Takahiro Hasui
8
'Monster' (2004–2005)
Written by Tatsuhiko Urahata
Image via VIZ Media
As one of the best psychological thriller shows - yes, including live-action stuff - Monster has big shoes to fill. Fortunately, with its bone-chilling storyline and tight writing, the show is more than able to do so. Monster follows the expert Japanese neurosurgeon Kenzo Tenma, situated in Düsseldorf, Germany. It seems his hospital's director prefers prestige and status over saving lives, which is against Dr. Tenma's principles; when Tenma gets the order to save a functioner over an injured little boy, Johan, he chooses to go against the director and save the child. However, Johan becomes an integral part of the doctor's life, causing him to question himself, his decisions, and his purpose.
Monster actually gets scary at times, thanks to the animation's atmosphere; there's a lot to keep viewers guessing during all the 74 episodes, with a brilliant ending to wrap up the story. The only disadvantage is that sometimes the pacing of the show slows down, though the plot never lets loose any of its initiated storylines. Madhouse, one of the biggest Japanese anime studios, was in charge of the animation, and the story itself was so faithfully transferred to the screen that it's sometimes identical frame by frame. So, besides being a great thriller, Monster is one of the best manga for screen adaptations, too.
Monster
Release Date
April 7, 2004
Directors
Masayuki Kojima, Morio Asaka
Writers
Tatsuhiko Urahata, Naoki Urasawa
7
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' (2011)
Written by Gen Urobuchi
Image via Crunchyroll
What if making a wish wasn't as great as promised? Puella Magi Madoka Magica - often just Madoka Magica - deals with this question. This anime seems light and airy at first glance, which was purposely done by one of its creators, Akiyuki Shinbo; he avoided putting the darker aspects of the series into the trailer. The "magical girl" trope is often cutesy and full of innocent storylines; hiring Gen Urobuchi, the writer of Fate/Zero, to dive into the genre felt off to him, too, at first. Because of his involvement, though, Madoka Magica is one of the best written anime shows around, with complex storytelling, realistic and relatable characters, and a great plot.
Madoka Magica follows Madoka Kaname, the main character, and her best friend, Sayaka Miki, as they encounter a cat-like creature named Kyubey, who promises them a granting of every wish if they sign a contract to become magical girls. When Madoka learns more about this world, she becomes uncertain of its benefits, and the world around her dissolves, never being the same again. The darkness of the anime is offset by the cutesy character design, but the two contrasts coming together make the story heavier. For fans of anime, Madoka Magica is often among the best shows of all time.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Release Date
2011 - 2011
Directors
Akiyuki Shinbo, Yukihiro Miyamoto
6
'Death Note' (2006–2007)
Written by Tetsurō Araki
Image via Nippon TV
One of the most globally famous anime shows, Death Note has become a massive franchise over time. It all started with a manga, as it's the case with most animes, and evolved into several TV and movie adaptations. We won't get into why they all pale in comparison to the original anime series from 2006, they simply do, as the show displays incredible dialogue, clever writing, and a tight storyline with plenty of life questions and plot twists. Death Note follows Light Yagami, a high school student and genius, as he discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone just by writing their name in it.
Of course, Yagami's wish is to rid the world of injustice, but with each name, his actions become more and more suspicious, raising the flags of international organizations such as Interpol. A mysterious detective called L promises to find and catch Yagami, and the entire series becomes a cat-and-mouse chase between the two. Tsugumi Ohba wrote the manga, and Tetsurō Araki adapted it into the anime, holding onto the manga's biggest themes and designs. The Japanese live-action movie kind of worked, but for anyone eager to get into the story, the anime is the right way to go.
Death Note
Release Date
October 4, 2006
5
'Paranoia Agent' (2004–2005)
Written by Satoshi Kon
Image via Adult Swim
The only anime series by Satoshi Kon, Paranoia Agent, was made in a similar vein to all of his movies; one look at the anime will evoke the memory of watching Tokyo Godfathers or Paprika. Interestingly, though, Paranoia Agent came before those two feature films, and it's a powerful predecessor to some of Kon's best work, showing his signature animation style and storytelling. Paranoia Agent is a miniseries made up of thirteen heavy-hitting episodes connected by a single thread - a local bat-wielder who attacks and brutally beats people.
Paranoia Agent shows how the appearance of an imminent and random threat impacts the emotional and psychological health of various people in the neighborhood, focusing on a different story in each episode. Kon is known for using themes that make differentiating between imagination and reality difficult; he also often showcases people dealing with mental health issues. Every episode in the series is an artistic masterpiece, though some are slower than others, which is also fine. For anyone looking for an anime that'll leave them staring at the wall after most episodes, Paranoia Agent is the one.
Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is often cited as one of the best-written and most beautiful anime series, for great reason. The show is visually stunning, with fantasy-like scenes, and has a brilliantly crafted script by Jun Kumagai. It belongs in the historical genre of manga and anime, and the word 'Showa' in the name refers to a historical period in Japan of the same name, while 'genroku' means 'golden age,' and 'rakugo' refers to a storytelling art form in Japan that's often comedic.
The story of Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjufollows Kyoji, a man released from prison who wishes to continue the tradition of rakugo storytelling, and decides to learn about it from one of the best rakugo artists alive, Yurakutei Yakumo. As Kyoji and Yakumo bond, Yakumo's tragic story is revealed in fragments, while Kyoji grows and learns more about himself and his mentor. Historical anime isn't always popular, but there are many myths, tales, and legends in Japanese history that inspire the creators of today. This anime series is an example of how that history impacts its biggest admirers.
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Release Date
2016 - 2015
Network
TBS, MBS, CBC, BS-TBS
Tomokazu Seki
Yotarou (voice)
Koichi Yamadera
Sukeroku Yuurakutei (voice)
Kōji Yusa
Mangetsu Tsuburaya (voice)
Akira Ishida
Yakumo Yuurakutei (voice)
3
'Cowboy Bebop' (1998–1999)
Written by Keiko Nobumoto
Cowboy Bebop is an iconic anime with lots of admirers and fans around the globe. Though Netflix attempted to revive the show often called the best sci-fi anime of all time with a live-action adaptation, the story could never really replicate the brilliant storytelling of the anime or the significance of its protagonists to popular culture and beyond. Leaving the live-action discussion in the past (where it belongs), it's common for people to still be talking about Cowboy Bebop as a model for other anime shows that can give a story several overarching plots and smaller storylines in a beautifully comprehensive combo.
Cowboy Bebop follows bounty hunters Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, who travel around space and earn their keep by catching criminals. Their ship, the Bebop, attracts other passengers over time, like the mysterious gambler Faye Valentine, a genius Corgi, Ein, and a tech wizard teen girl, Radical Ed. Over the course of 26 episodes, each of the characters' pasts intertwine with their present bounty-hunting cases, never once becoming overly complex or entangled. Besides, the characters are easy to fall in love with, making Cowboy Bebop an essential watch for anime fans.
Cowboy Bebop
Release Date
1998 - 1999
Network
Adult Swim
2
'March Comes In Like a Lion' (2016–2018)
Written by Yukito Kizawa
Image via Crunchyroll
March Comes In Like a Lion is often cited as one of the best-written anime shows, covering themes like depression, belonging, and family. It's a brilliant portrayal of Rei Kiriyama, a professional shogi player (shogi is a strategic game, much like chess) who is an introvert by nature, and, besides shogi, doesn't feel much confidence in any other part of his life. When he begins bonding with his school friend Hinata's family, specifically her and her two sisters, Rei leaves his shell of solitude and begins socializing and learning about various parts of life.
The anime March Comes In Like a Lion was written by Yukito Kizawa, but the material was directly adapted from the manga by Chica Umino, one of the most famous Japanese manga writers. Though her work isn't extensive, she's known for writing emotionally gripping stories, which she noted were mainly inspired by Western books like Anne of Green Gables and Heidi. In March Comes In Like a Lion, the story delves into childlike wonder and how learning about life can come at any age; Rei Kiriyama learns about himself through observing his reactions to others, showing a relatable and emotional story.
March Comes in Like a Lion
Release Date
October 8, 2016
Cast
Kengo Kawanishi
Rei Kiriyama
Kana Hanazawa
Hinata Kawamoto
1
Steins;Gate (2011–2015)
Written by Jukki Hanada
Image via White Fox
Steins;Gate is iconic, and not just for its mad scientist protagonist, Rintaro Okabe, but for its brilliant use of time travel; this is potentially the best and most developed depiction of time travel in any anime series, or even a live-action one. Okabe is voiced by the anime's MVP, Mamoru Miyano, who is as impactful for his career and voice-over contributions as Troy Baker is in the Western media, for example. The show's mix of comedy, romance, science-fiction, and even horror in some parts, is written so well, it never collapses onto itself with hefty explanations and confusing plot points. Yeah, Steins;Gate is cool, but it also has the potential to move viewers and cause a shift in how they observe anime.
The story, as mentioned, follows self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintaro Okabe; Okabe desperately wants to be "mad," in a sense of using any means to an end, but turns out to be nothing of the sort. He has a lab of companions; his best friends, Shiina Mayuri and Hashida Itaru. When Okabe one day meets Makise Kurisu at a science convention, his life turns upside down, and he realizes his future self may have invented a time machine. Okabe tries to achieve the invention to solve a crime, leading the story into a complex and surprisingly emotional rollercoaster.
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