I Slept On These 10 Animes and Now I Regret It

10. Odd Taxi (2021)

Set in a modern-day Tokyo populated by anthropomorphic animals, Odd Taxi follows Hiroshi Odokawa, a middle-aged walrus taxi driver. What begins as a series of disconnected conversations with his eccentric passengers—ranging from a viral-obsessed hippo to a cynical cop—slowly unspools into a tight, hardboiled mystery involving a missing high school girl and the yakuza. It is celebrated for its razor-sharp dialogue and a plot where every single detail, no matter how small, pays off in a stunning finale.

9. Space Brothers (Uchuu Kyoudai, 2012)

In the year 2025, Hibito Nanba is about to become the first Japanese astronaut to walk on the moon. Meanwhile, his older brother Mutta has just been fired from his engineering job. Driven by a childhood promise they made to each other after seeing a UFO, Mutta decides to apply for the astronaut program at age 31. The series is a grounded, inspiring look at professional ambition, sibling rivalry, and the technical realities of space travel, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream.

8. Kemono no Souja Erin (2009)

A high-fantasy epic that follows the life of Erin, a young girl who can communicate with "Beast Lords" and "Touda" (war lizards). Unlike typical fantasy, this is a slow-burn coming-of-age story that tracks Erin from childhood to motherhood. It explores heavy themes of animal ethics, political manipulation, and how knowledge can be weaponized by the state, all while maintaining a beautiful, storybook art style.

7. Cross Game (2009)

Created by legendary manga artist Mitsuru Adachi, Cross Game is ostensibly a baseball anime, but it is truly a masterclass in grief and "show, don't tell" storytelling. The story follows Kou Kitamura and the four sisters living down the street. After a tragic event in the first episode, the characters spend years dealing with their loss through the game of baseball. It is famous for its understated character beats and the way it handles adolescent romance without melodrama.

6. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)

This is a radical sci-fi reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, set in the year 5053. The story is told from the perspective of Albert de Morcerf, a naive young aristocrat who befriends the enigmatic Count. The anime is visually breathtaking, using a unique digital texture technique where patterns on clothing remain stationary as characters move. It transforms a 19th-century revenge tale into an operatic, interplanetary thriller.

5. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, this 11-episode series uses a raw, "sketchy" animation style that might be jarring at first but perfectly captures the intensity of high-stakes sports. It focuses on two childhood friends, Peco and Smile, and their diverging paths in competitive table tennis. It’s less about winning games and more a philosophical exploration of talent, hard work, and what it truly means to be a "hero" to someone.

4. Ashita no Joe 2 (1980)

While the original Ashita no Joe is a foundational piece of Japanese culture, the sequel (directed by Osamu Dezaki) is where the animation catches up to the legendary weight of the story. It follows Joe Yabuki’s return to the boxing ring after a traumatizing tragedy. It is a gritty, poetic portrayal of a man who refuses to live a "lukewarm" life, eventually burning his life out to a "brilliant white ash." Its impact on the "shonen" genre and Japanese social history cannot be overstated.

3. The Tatami Galaxy (Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei, 2010)

This avant-garde series follows an unnamed university student in Kyoto who is obsessed with achieving a "rose-colored campus life." Each episode resets his timeline, showing how his life would have gone if he had joined a different student club. It is known for its incredibly fast-paced narration, surreal visuals, and the profound message that the perfect life doesn't exist—meaning you should embrace the messy reality in front of you.

2. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu (2016)

A historical drama centered on the dying art of Rakugo (traditional Japanese comedic storytelling). The story spans decades, focusing on the complex, tragic bond between two performers: the perfectionist Yakumo and the boisterous Sukeroku. It is an adult drama in every sense, exploring the weight of tradition, the cost of artistic genius, and the changing landscape of 20th-century Japan.

1. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, 1988)

Often called "The War and Peace of Anime," this 110-episode OVA is a space opera on a grand scale. It depicts a multi-century war between the Galactic Empire (an autocracy) and the Free Planets Alliance (a corrupt democracy). Through its dual protagonists, Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li, the show offers a deep dive into political philosophy, military strategy, and the cyclical nature of human history. There are no clear "good guys," only different perspectives on how humanity should be governed.