With every passing decade, the definition of classic anime changes according to modern influence and preferences. As anime reaches every corner of the globe, its fandom expands, welcoming new fans who are in search of their next favorite anime. Watching the classics is probably the most foolproof way to begin the auspicious journey into the world of anime.
While there are countless classic anime to choose from, one needs to tread carefully not to deter new fans. These classic anime not only showcase the strengths of the medium of anime, but they also captivate viewers with unforgettable storytelling, engaging characters and breathtaking animation.
Hajime No Ippo Is a Classic Underdog Tale
Hajime no Ippo is a tale of persistence, resilience, and belief in oneself. It follows the life of Ippo Makunouchi, a timid high school student who gets bullied for helping out his mom run their fishing business. Ippo’s life takes a turn for the better when he pursues boxing, not for the sake of getting back at those bullies, but to understand the true meaning of becoming strong.
Hajime no Ippo is a boxing anime that portrays an aspiring boxer’s life in and out of the ring. Besides showing the diligence of an up-and-coming boxer through his hard work and necessary sacrifices, Hajime no Ippo also gives a breather in the form of comedy that never misses its mark. Meanwhile, everything is put together perfectly by Studio Madhouse’s life-like animation, especially the boxing matches.
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Monster Is the Benchmark for Psychological Thriller Anime
Written by the genius storyteller Naoki Urasawa, Monster is a psychological thriller anime where every character, conversation and minute exchange of glances plays a significant role in the bigger picture. However, it’s the cat-and-mouse chase of Johan Liebert and Kenzo Tenma that takes center stage, which not only ruins the lives of people around them but also their own.
Monster presents a lot of elements to ponder over, but in reality, it’s about understanding what separates good from evil and redefines the two concepts. Animated by Studio Madhouse, Monster is one of the most faithful anime adaptations, both in terms of plot and character designs, not to mention its excellent English dub.
Slam Dunk Is a Youthful Sports Anime, a Forever Classic
Despite being a sports anime, Slam Dunk is known for its sidesplitting comedy, accompanied by a cast of characters who are vibrant enough to have their own standalone anime series. Animated by Toei Animation, Slam Dunk is known for its basketball matches, which are as adrenaline-rushing as they are humorous and full of life, all thanks to its witty writing.
Written by Takehiko Inoue, Slam Dunk revolves around Hanamichi Sakuragi, a self-proclaimed genius who picks up basketball just to impress his new crush. Much to his surprise, basketball soon became an integral part of his life. As the story progresses, Sakuragi transitions from being a bench warmer to replacing a senior player on the main roster, the objective being to outshine his rival, Kaede Rukawa, on the court.
One Piece Is the Grandest Adventure in the History of Anime
Ostensibly an action-adventure anime, One Piece is actually anti-authoritarian rhetoric that advocates for freedom above all. Luffy aspires to become the King of the Pirates after being saved by Shanks, a pirate friend of his. To achieve his goal, Luffy gathers a crew of eccentrics who not only match his mojo but are also capable enough to support his voyage to find the grand treasure of One Piece.
Animated by Toei Animation, One Piece has been airing since 1999, with a new reboot by Wit Studio in the making. Every new fan must watch One Piece for its never-ending adventure, mind-boggling action sequences, unrivaled humor, and a masterfully crafted story where every event is a fragment of a massive puzzle waiting to be solved.
Golden Boy Is the Best Ecchi Anime of All Time
Golden Boy is one of those rare educational anime that are only released once in a lifetime. It revolves around Kintaro Ooe, who seeks knowledge through real-life experiences rather than books. As educational as it is, Golden Boy is also one of the most entertaining anime ever made, mostly because of its tasteful display of ecchi.
With only 6 episodes to its name, Golden Boy delivers pure excellence by effortlessly blending comedy and ecchi. However, it’s the animation that brings this sharp comedy to life. Besides an endless stream of entertainment, Golden Boy is surprisingly sneaky with its regular dose of enlightenment.
Not Many Action Anime Dare to Explore Emotion Like Naruto Does
Naruto is one of the most influential shonen anime of all time. Not only did it inspire an entire generation of creators, but it also saved countless fans’ lives through its character-driven story, where every combat led to a life-long lesson. Despite being one of the most celebrated battle shonen anime, Naruto, at its core, is about one boy’s journey of understanding what it means to be loved and cared for.
Naruto is about bonding, making friends and having a family that’s not bound by blood, all while experiencing the delight and grief that comes along with the journey. If one looks carefully, they won’t find any other shonen protagonist as layered and philosophical as Naruto. That alone is reason enough for every new anime fan to give it a shot.
Unlike most anime, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood takes an unorthodox approach to moral placement. It starts from the grey zone and gradually breaks it down to black and white as the story progresses, a trait unique to FMA:B. It is a story about two brothers, who, in their desperation to resurrect their late mother, carry out a forbidden alchemy that drags them through living hell.
What makes FMA: B a must-watch anime for a new fan is its central theme of “Law of Equivalent Exchange,” where one must give up something of equal value to gain something in return. Not only does it help ground the fantastical elements of the story, but it also makes the anime plausible enough to resonate with viewers on a deeper level.
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