In the U.S., animation has struggled to earn the same level of critical respect as live-action films. A few animated movies have eked out Oscars here and there, but animated television shows are often sidelined as “just for kids.” While adult animation exists, it’s mostly in the form of lighter, episodic sitcoms, and long-form, serialized dramas are nearly nonexistent.
Recently, with the growing popularity of anime, that perception has started to shift a little. While we’re probably a long way from seeing an animated show win Outstanding Drama Series at the Emmys, many series have still gained passionate fanbases and even critical praise. These shows have managed to overcome the usual hurdles of animated television and create unforgettable characters and stories.
According to IMDB ratings, these animated TV shows reign supreme as the best-reviewed animated series of all time.
1. Avatar: The Last Airbender (9.3)
Avatar: The Last Airbender; image credit: Nickelodeon
For those who didn’t have the privilege of watching this show as it aired, it’s hard to explain how much of a phenomenon it was among fans. The fan art was plentiful, the fanfics were booming, and the shipping wars left casualties in their wake. People were (and still are) extremely passionate about this show, and for good reason. The character development, particularly for our favorite angsty firebender, was unheard of in animation at the time. The plot was both episodic enough to be a casual watch, while still somehow progressing a long-term story with remarkable pacing. Combine that with a truly unique magic system and extremely detailed, coherent worldbuilding, and you get something truly special. Standing at a 9.3 rating, the show deserves every accolade it receives.
2. Attack on Titan (9.1)
Attack on Titan; image credit: Kodansha
Anyone who wandered past a Gamestop or F.Y.E. store in 2015 remembers how utterly inescapable this show was when it aired. The series sets the tone in the very beginning and never backs off. From about halfway through Season 1 all the way to its heart-wrenching finale, the show is almost nonstop action and drama. What started as a grim survival horror about humankind fighting naked, man-eating giants eventually mutates into a political drama that raises some seriously dark and probing questions about humanity, justice, and the cycle of hatred across generations. Plus, “On your feet, Dad,” was such a remarkable twist that it has become one of the most recognizable lines in anime.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.1)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood; image credit: Aniplex of America
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is often held up as a gold standard in anime. In contrast to Attack on Titan, it features a cast of incredibly likeable protagonists while still tackling complex themes like sacrifice, corruption, and the cost of ambition. The magic system is praised for its strict rules and is effectively used from the very first episode, setting the tone and raising the stakes immediately. The action scenes are fun to watch, progress the story, and few shows manage to stick the landing so well.
4. Rick and Morty (9.0)
Rick and Morty; image credit: Warner Bros. Discovery
Rick and Morty has established a reputation for having one of the most insufferable fanbases of all time. That being said, it’s immensely popular. Dan Harmon is a comedic genius who doesn’t shy away from the absurd and instead uses it to great effect. The series takes the high-concept sci-fi tropes we love and drags them through a gutter of childlike potty humor, yet somehow twists them into a philosophical exploration of existentialism and family trauma. Due to its tonal whiplash and disarmingly clever writing, the show has earned some serious critical acclaim.
5. Arcane (9.0)
Arcane; image credit: Riot Games
Arcane is a unicorn for two reasons: it’s not only a mature, action-focused, serialized story in animated form, but also a video game adaptation that manages to please both fans and new viewers. The blend of CGI and traditional 2D animation gives it a unique visual style to accompany the cyberpunk setting, but it’s really the story that got people excited. The tragedy between sisters Vi and Jinx was riveting enough for Shakespeare and earned it a rabid fanbase right from launch.
6. Batman: The Animated Series (9.0)
Batman: The Animated Series; image credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment
I think it’s fair to say that BTAS changed the way we saw Batman (and the DCU as a whole) for an entire generation. This show aired in 1992, and with its film noir style Gotham, snappy writing, and iconic portrayals of classic characters, it took Batman from the campy Adam West days into a gritty, modern era. For a kids’ show, the tone is surprisingly dark, offering a psychological, crime-drama feel in every episode. Even 30 years later, it holds up incredibly well in both writing and animation.
7. Death Note (8.9)
Death Note; image credit: Viz Media
Death Note hit U.S. audiences at the absolute perfect moment in time. In the mid-2000s, when alternative and emo aesthetics dominated, moral absolutism felt edgy, and brooding antiheroes were all the rage, the show felt like the perfect encapsulation of the era. It was dark, stylish, and edgy, keeping viewers hooked by the palpable tension of the cat-and-mouse plotline between Light and L. Fans loved that it confronted difficult matters of justice and morality, woven into a satisfying psychological thriller.
8. Gravity Falls (8.9)
Gravity Falls; image credit: The Walt Disney Company
Despite the Disney Channel logo, Gravity Falls is not to be dismissed as a silly kids’ show. The summer adventures of Dipper and Mabel Pines are packed with cryptids, codes, and mysteries, giving it a decidedly Twin Peaks feel. Despite being funny, fast, and approachable, it has a depth to it that really shines upon a rewatch, especially once you’ve seen the very satisfying conclusion to the madness.
9. Vinland Saga (8.8)
Vinland Saga; image credit: Vinland Saga Production Committee
Vinland Saga begins as a revenge story set against the backdrop of the Viking Age, following a young warrior shaped by loss and an all-consuming need for payback. While you may have signed up for some high-stakes Viking violence, the show grabs you and forces you to come to terms with the consequences of the classic warrior lifestyle right alongside the protagonist.
10. Bojack Horseman (8.8)
Bojack Horseman; image credit: Tornante Company
A show about a talking horse has no right to be the most realistic depiction of depression on television, but here we are. BoJack Horseman starts as a satire of Hollywood culture and slowly morphs into a devastating character study of trauma, addiction, and accountability. It uses animation to great effect for both visual gags and grounded moments, all while delivering scripts that cut deeper than most prestige dramas. It’s hilarious, at least until it isn’t, and that emotional whiplash is exactly why it’s a masterpiece.
These series demonstrate how animation can stand up against the kings of premium television. They vary in tone and style, but all of them trust their audiences to follow complex stories and complicated characters. As Hollywood and foreign studios continue to take baby steps toward unlocking animation’s potential, hopefully, we’ll see more top-tier series down the road.
Are you a fan of animation, anime, or even just good TV? PixlParade covers the shows fans love to argue about and revisit over and over. Stick around for more rankings, polls, and pop culture lists from all your favorite corners of media.
See more:
- The Top 10 Highest-Rated Animated Films of All Time, Ranked by IMDb User Rating
- The 10 Highest-Grossing Japanese Anime Films of all Time (Plus Fun Facts About Each!)
- Top 10 TV Episodes of All Time, According to IMDb User Ratings
Source: IMDb
Leave a Reply