10) Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak Academy
If there’s any truly contrarian opinion on this list, it’s this one. A large majority of Danganronpa fans were disappointed by this canonical conclusion to the storyline of two main series video games, one spinoff game, and a slew of supplementary light novels. I, on the other hand, was thoroughly entertained during me entire time watching. Sure, this show has issues, but it nails the Danganronpa theme and style, and both enhances the story and the characters in interesting and engaging ways.
9) Avatar the Last Airbender
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: this show is really good. Like, really good. Chiefly, this show is two things. One, it’s one of the best encapsulations of what an animated kid show should be (i.e., character development, story arcs, themes and stakes, etc.). Two, it demonstrates how monumentally effective a writing technique it is to plot out and outline your full story before beginning. This show knew what it wanted to be from the very first episode, and it delivers. Barring the occasionally dropped character or filler-y episode, this show is near perfect.
8) RWBY
RWBY, or as I like to think of it, “the little web show that could”. RWBY had it’s humble beginnings as an admittedly shaky 3-D animated anime. Still, the promise of greatness was there, and the showrunners had a clear grasp on the fun characters, sweeping soundtrack, and energetic action scenes. Now, RWBY’s an internet phenomenon, with eight seasons, a board game and a card game, four different video games, spinoff shows, two manga series, and a raving fan base. Even when the show stumbled through clunky exposition or dodgy animation, it picked itself back up stronger than ever.
7) Red vs Blue
Red vs Blue isn’t your typical show. It’s like a mockumentary, wherein much time is spent following the characters standing around and talking. It’s also part parody of sci-fi entertainment. It’s also a fairy serious drama from time-to-time. Later seasons even continue lengthy, jaw-dropping animated set pieces and fight scenes. This is a hard show to define, but the one thing you can unequivocally define it as is “hilarious”. You’ll hardly find a funnier show out there. There’s just so much to love with this one.
6) Riddle Story of Devil
Man, this show just grows and grows on me. Every time I re-watch it, or spend time thinking about it, I come to love it more and more. Just a bit ago I talked at length about why this show’s central theme is so amazing, so I’ll try not to reiterate too much. Let me just emphasize that this is one heck of a show, and well worth the breezy 12 episode commitment. Great animation, action, and acting abound, and the heartfelt conclusion is stellar. A solid introduction to anime if there ever was one.
5) Cobra Kai
In the vast sea of remakes, reboots, and nostalgia pandering, Cobra Kai stands above them all by making one simple change: respecting the past while embracing the future. Longtime fans of the Karate Kid franchise are rewarded with fun easter eggs, while newcomers are welcomed into the fold with quick-paced storytelling, rapid-fire heart and humor, and excellently choreographed fight scenes. It’s pure, unadulterated feel-good television entertainment, super bingeable, and infinitely rewatchable. That’s rare these days.
4) Fairy Tail
Anime can become one crazy obsession, and like most widespread obsessions, there’s usually a gateway. Fairy Tail was my gateway anime, the show that blew the doors open to a whole world of animated awesomeness I was only vaguely aware existed. This show’s got issues, but I love each and every second of it regardless. Unforgettably amazing characters, fist-pumping action scenes, genuinely moving emotional beats (I’ve cried so many times watching this show), and the greatest soundtrack in all of anime. My pick for the king of the Shonen genre.
3) Agents of Shield
Agents of Shield had a rocky launch, with most writing the show off as cliched, boring, or wholly uninspired. Then, halfway through season one, the show rewarded its most patient fans with a roller coaster of epic and emotional proportions that didn’t once pump the breaks for its entire seven season run. This show is spectacular from start to finish, and a must-see for any and all super hero fans. The cast (and the characters they portray) are excellent, the story is a wild ride, and the soundtrack is superb. Outside of the films, this is the best the MCU has to offer (and its a fair bit better than quite a few of the films, too).
2) Star Wars The Clone Wars
It’s no secret that I love Star Wars, and it is absolutely no secret that I love this show. It’s my favorite piece of Star Wars media…ever. I grew up alongside this show, and it has been both a big part of my childhood and my young adulthood (for crying out loud, I wrote a 500+ page novel about this show). What can I do but heap praise upon it? Astounding characters, stellar soundtrack, jaw-dropping animation, engaging action scenes, considerable heart and humor. I could go on and on. Please watch this show.
1) Akame Ga Kill
Has Star Wars the Clone Wars impacted my life more than Akame Ga Kill? Yes. If I’m in the mood for some nice binge watching, will I watch Fairy Tail over Akame Ga Kill? Also yes. Even still, I have to acknowledge anime perfection when I see it, which is why Akame Ga Kill takes this top spot on this list. It’s just that good. The animation, voice acting, soundtrack, fight choreography, emotional investment, characters, and central theme are all almost too good to be true. This is a magnificent and unforgettable show that’ll stick with you long after the resonant final episode.
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 