12 Modern Anime That Truly Deserve a Perfect 10/10 Rating

12 Modern Anime That Truly Deserve a Perfect 10/10 Rating

Anime has evolved into one of the most powerful storytelling mediums in modern entertainment.

From heart-wrenching dramas to mind-bending thrillers, today’s anime series and films push creative boundaries in ways that captivate audiences worldwide.

These 12 titles stand out not just for their popularity, but for their masterful execution, emotional depth, and lasting impact on viewers of all ages.

1. Mob Psycho 100 (2016–2022)

Shigeo Kageyama, nicknamed Mob, possesses incredible psychic powers but wants nothing more than to live a normal life and improve himself as a person.

The animation style explodes with creative energy, using bold colors and fluid motion that makes every battle scene unforgettable.

What truly sets this series apart is how it balances laugh-out-loud comedy with surprisingly deep messages about self-acceptance and emotional maturity.

Mob’s journey from bottling up his feelings to expressing himself authentically resonates with anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood.

The show proves that real strength comes from kindness, not power, making it both entertaining and genuinely inspiring for viewers of all backgrounds.

2. Steins;Gate (2011)

Rintaro Okabe and his friends accidentally invent a device that can send text messages into the past, completely unaware of the catastrophic consequences waiting ahead.

At first, the series feels like a quirky comedy about eccentric scientists goofing around in their makeshift lab.

Everything changes when the stakes become life-and-death, transforming into an emotional roller coaster that explores sacrifice, determinism, and the weight of impossible choices.

The writing is incredibly tight, with every small detail from earlier episodes becoming crucial later on.

Time-travel stories often get confusing, but this one maintains perfect clarity while delivering gut-wrenching moments that stay with you long after the final episode ends.

3. Your Name (2016)

A rural high school girl, Mitsuha, and Taki, a Tokyo city boy, mysteriously begin swapping bodies intermittently, communicating through notes and phone messages.

Director Makoto Shinkai crafts breathtakingly beautiful visuals that capture both the quiet charm of countryside life and Tokyo’s dazzling urban energy.

What starts as a body-swap comedy gradually transforms into a romantic fantasy about connection, fate, and the painful beauty of memories we can’t quite grasp.

The film explores how people can profoundly impact each other’s lives even without fully understanding why.

Its emotional climax hits with devastating force, leaving audiences simultaneously heartbroken and uplifted by the power of human connection across impossible distances.

4. Hunter × Hunter (2011–2014)

Young Gon Freecss sets out to become a Hunter and find his absent father, beginning what seems like a straightforward adventure story filled with colorful characters and exciting challenges.

The bright, cheerful art style initially suggests a lighthearted journey suitable for younger audiences.

However, the series gradually reveals itself as one of anime’s most sophisticated examinations of human nature, exploring what happens when power goes unchecked and ambition overrides morality.

Characters face genuinely difficult moral dilemmas with no easy answers, forcing viewers to question their own values.

The Chimera Ant arc alone contains more character development and philosophical depth than entire seasons of most other shows, cementing its legendary status.

5. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Madoka Kaname receives an offer to become a magical girl and fight witches, granting her one wish in exchange for risking her life in battle.

The adorable art style and cute character designs deliberately mislead viewers about the show’s true nature.

By episode three, the series reveals itself as a psychological horror masterpiece that deconstructs everything audiences expect from magical girl anime.

The soundtrack by Yuki Kajiura creates an haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the increasingly dark narrative twists.

Every character’s wish backfires in tragic ways, exploring how good intentions can lead to devastating consequences and questioning whether hope itself might be a cruel illusion.

6. Made in Abyss (2017–present)

An orphan living on the edge of a massive mysterious pit, Riko, dreams of exploring its depths like her legendary mother once did.

The adorable character designs and whimsical art style create a false sense of security before the abyss reveals its true horrors.

This series presents some of the darkest, most disturbing content in modern anime, yet balances it with genuine wonder at the bizarre creatures and ancient mysteries hidden below.

The world-building is extraordinarily detailed, with every layer of the abyss feeling alive with its own ecosystem and deadly rules.

It forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about the cost of curiosity and whether some knowledge is worth the suffering required to obtain it.

7. A Silent Voice (2016)

Former bully Shoya Ishida seeks redemption by reconnecting with Shoko Nishimiya, the deaf classmate he tormented years earlier, confronting the lasting damage his actions caused.

Director Naoko Yamada handles incredibly sensitive subjects like disability, depression, and suicide with remarkable care and authenticity.

The film never offers easy forgiveness or simple solutions, instead showing how healing from trauma is messy, painful, and requires genuine effort from everyone involved.

Visual symbolism, like X marks over people’s faces, brilliantly represents Shoya’s social anxiety and self-isolation.

It’s a profoundly moving experience that teaches empathy and accountability while acknowledging that some wounds never fully heal, only become easier to live with over time.

8. Violet Evergarden (2018–2020)

Violet, a former child soldier struggling to understand human emotions, becomes an Auto Memory Doll who writes letters for others, searching for the meaning behind her commander’s final words.

Kyoto Animation’s production quality is absolutely stunning, with every frame looking like a painting brought to life through meticulous attention to detail.

Each episode tells a self-contained story about different clients, exploring themes of loss, regret, and the healing power of expressing feelings we’ve kept bottled inside.

Violet’s gradual emotional awakening mirrors viewers’ own journey as the series teaches us to appreciate the people we love before it’s too late.

Few anime can make you cry as consistently and genuinely as this masterpiece of empathetic storytelling.

9. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)

Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric search for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their mother through alchemy went horribly wrong.

The series masterfully balances intense action sequences with philosophical discussions about equivalent exchange, the value of human life, and the nature of truth.

Every character, even minor ones, receives meaningful development and contributes to the overarching narrative in surprising ways that reward careful attention.

The world-building is exceptional, creating a fully realized alternate history where alchemy functions as both science and magic.

Many consider it anime’s gold standard because it executes every element near-perfectly: plot, characters, themes, pacing, and emotional payoff all working in harmony.

10. Attack on Titan (2013–2023)

Humanity lives behind massive walls protecting them from giant humanoid creatures called Titans that devour people without reason or mercy.

What begins as survival horror gradually reveals layers of political intrigue, historical conspiracy, and moral complexity that completely reframe the entire narrative.

The series asks impossibly difficult questions about freedom, revenge, and whether violence committed for protection differs from violence committed for conquest.

Characters you initially root for make increasingly questionable decisions, while supposed villains reveal understandable motivations.

Its controversial ending sparked intense debate, but perfectly captures the show’s central theme: cycles of hatred only end when someone chooses mercy over vengeance, regardless of personal cost.

11. Vinland Saga (2019–2023)

Young Thorfinn seeks revenge against Askeladd, the mercenary leader who killed his father, spending years as a warrior in the brutal Viking age.

The first season delivers visceral, historically-grounded battles that showcase the harsh reality of medieval warfare without glorifying violence.

Season two completely transforms the show’s focus, examining whether someone defined by violence can find redemption and build a life based on peace instead.

Thorfinn’s journey from vengeful warrior to pacifist farmer explores profound questions about breaking cycles of violence and finding purpose beyond revenge.

It’s a thoughtful meditation on the true cost of war and the courage required to choose nonviolence in a world that rewards strength and aggression.

12. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023–present)

Centuries after defeating the Demon King, elf mage Frieren realizes she barely knew her former adventuring companions and embarks on a journey to understand humanity and connection.

The show’s contemplative pacing allows moments to breathe, creating space for reflection on mortality, memory, and what truly matters in life.

For an immortal being, human lifespans pass like seasons, making every friendship bittersweet because loss is inevitable and constant.

The series redefines heroism by showing that understanding others and preserving their memories matters just as much as defeating monsters.

Its quiet, melancholic beauty offers something rare in modern anime: permission to slow down and appreciate fleeting moments before they slip away forever.