Entertainment
10 Modern Anime Where Every Episode Is a Masterpiece
Anime shows have a harder time than most maintaining their quality because the stories can drag on for too long. One Piece is renowned as one of the best entries into the medium of all time, but with over a thousand episodes, it has its fair share of lows. However, when an anime series achieves a true level of consistency in every episode, it goes down in history as a must-watch title, and that is what we will be focusing on.
This list will feature ten modern anime series where every episode is a masterpiece based on writing, animation, memorability, consistency, relevance, themes, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality. To be considered a modern anime, the show needs to be released in the 2020s. Maybe it is a bit of a stretch to say every episode of these anime is a masterpiece, but at the very least, each of them is nearly perfect in its own right.
‘Sonny Boy’ (2021)
Avant-garde anime are getting increasingly rare, with almost none in the modern age. This is proven by the fact that Sonny Boy, from 2021, is one of the most recent. After a group of students mysteriously get transported into a supernatural realm, they all slowly gain superpowers. From forming a hierarchy to infighting, the group struggles to find their way back home, potentially being trapped in the bizarre land.
It may be one of the lesser-known shows here, but hopefully that allows it to gain more popularity, especially since every episode is a masterpiece. Sonny Boy is a quick twelve episodes, but the mind-bending adventure it takes fans on will feel like an eternity in a good way. Some of it may be confusing, but this thought-provoking anime will have fans contemplating each profound episode.
‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022-present)
More seasons of Chainsaw Man can’t come soon enough, because after the movie, fans are desperate for more content. Denji and his chainsaw devil have lived a life of debt, but when a devil hunting organization hires them, Denji can experience his lifelong dreams. However, human luxuries come with a price, as he must fight against vicious foes who all want his heart.
There are more episodes on the way, but as Chainsaw Man is now, every episode is a wild ride of action, gore, drama, comedy, and bizarreness. A lot of fans claim that it has one of the best power systems in anime, and each episode showcases these extreme abilities with prestigious animation. The action is phenomenal, and the plot is crazy in the best way possible.
‘Summer Time Rendering’ (2022)
This list features an assortment of popular and lesser-known works, but one of the most underrated anime on here is arguably Summer Time Rendering. After living on an island for his entire life, Shinpei moved away to Tokyo to continue his studies. Years later, a close friend of his dies, bringing him back to the nostalgic island, only to get caught in a supernatural plot involving the deity of the island.
Summer Time Rendering is a magnificent mystery anime that is one of the greatest of modern times; unfairly, however, it hasn’t reached a broader audience. At first, the plot is putting pieces together and slowly building the dark setup, but as it progresses, more is revealed and the reveals are shocking. Whether it is build-up or pay-off, Summer Time Rendering is constantly flawless.
‘Nippon Sangoku’ (2026-present)
2026 isn’t over yet, but it already contains some incredible series that will make a run for anime of the year, including Nippon Sangoku. After nuclear fallout led to global cooling, the world has reverted to a past state with technology not working anymore. Japan is split into three factions, and while everything has been at a standstill, one young genius hopes to change the tides of war.
As the most recent anime on this list, Nippon Sangoku has quickly established itself as a must-watch series due to its unique art direction, fascinating characterization, and beautiful animation. Each episode is visually striking, but this show is more than eye candy; it also boasts magnificent characters that further develop its strategically brilliant plot, proving why it is a contender for the best anime of 2026.
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022-present)
After the first season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, it wasn’t supposed to get another, but it was only recently that a second season was confirmed. After the death of his mother, David is left with nothing but an advanced cybernetic spine, leading him to join a gang looking for revenge. However, this path only leads to more pain, trauma, and suffering.
With a new season coming out soon, now is the best time to watch this anime gem, and if it is as good as the first season, it might be the best modern anime ever. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is flashy, over-the-top, and absolutely exhilarating from start to finish, highlighting the beauty and tragedy of every chapter. Some episodes are brilliant and fun, but others are dark and depressing; either way, it is engaging all the same.
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020-present)
The Hole is a decrepit location where residents live in fear of sorcerers who practice their magic on them. Dorohedoro follows one such experiment, Caiman, who is left with no memories of his past and the head of a crocodile. He now sets off on an adventure to find whoever did this and reverse the effects, and he doesn’t care how many sorcerers he will have to kill to do so.
After six long years of waiting, Dorohedoro finally returned for a second season, making it the perfect time to watch this anime. Fans are in for a wild ride with this one, which somehow manages to simultaneously be one of the darkest and funniest modern anime shows. The mystery is flawless, and each character has a key role, making every episode an intriguing piece in the grand puzzle of Dorohedoro.
‘Takopi’s Original Sin’ (2025)
It is easier for shorter anime to have each episode be a masterpiece compared to longer shows, which gives Takopi’s Original Sin the edge over most series on this list. The titular octopus-like alien finds its way to Earth looking to spread joy and laughter wherever it goes. His first step is getting a depressed and bullied child to smile again, but this mission takes a sinister turn.
Takopi’s Original Sin looks wholesome on the outside, but that shouldn’t fool fans, because it is one of the bleakest series viewers will watch. It may be a depressing watch, but this anime portrays its themes of bullying, substance abuse, and suicide with subtlety and nuance. Takopi’s Original Sin is only six episodes, but that short runtime is enough to leave a lifelong impact.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023-present)
Fans are not starving for modern fantasy anime, because every year seems to reveal the next perfect anime, and in 2023, it was Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Years after the immortal titular elf and her party defeated the demon king, she goes on as those close to her pass away. Wanting to say unsaid words, she travels with her former member’s protégée’s on a nostalgic adventure.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a modern show, but it is already one of the best anime series of all time. Its meteoric rise to fame is thanks to its structure, which redefines the fantasy genre by focusing on the side quests on the road to the main goal. Each episode is simple, fun, gorgeous, and atmospheric. Whether it showcases brilliant action or wholesome moments, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is full of episodic masterpieces.
‘Pluto’ (2023)
Naoki Urasawa is one of the most prolific manga authors of all time, boasting a classic and modern anime where every episode is a masterpiece. Pluto follows Detective Gesicht, who is investigating the murders of the most advanced robots. However, when he realizes the case involves him and his dark past, this mystery becomes deeper than he ever thought.
Pluto has a vastly different structure than most anime, boasting eight episodes, each of which is an hour long. This format gives each episode more time to develop the plot, focusing on the mystery, the characters, and the themes. It discusses love, hate, and who has the right to them, blending emotional and profound storytelling alongside a phenomenal mystery that has fans hooked every episode.
‘City The Animation’ (2025)
Anime is all about creativity and gorgeous animation, and that is exactly what City The Animation embodies. This series takes place in a quaint city, but its residents are anything but normal, consisting of eccentric individuals who enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life. From citywide races to old men reliving the glory days, every day brings something new!
City The Animation doesn’t feature drastic fights or high-stakes tension, but it is a masterpiece regardless because of its uniqueness. The directing is among the best of modern shows, boasting genuinely innovative moments that find new ways to showcase the story. Besides being one of the most visually impressive and stunning anime of the modern day, City The Animation is full of charm, life, endearing characters, and a nostalgic vibe that brightens up every episode, proving it earns the title of a modern anime masterpiece.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login