whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best award winning anime you can start from the beginning

25 award winning anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Sousou no Frieren, Koe no Katachi, Kimi no Na wa..

Recommend me one award winning anime

Narrow it down: Drama 84 · Sci-Fi 37 · Adventure 35 · Fantasy 29 · Comedy 29 · Psychological 25

The list

1. 1 Sousou no Frieren Frieren: Beyond Journey's End TV · 2023 · 28 episodes · Madhouse · #1 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Koe no Katachi A Silent Voice Film · 2016 · Kyoto Animation · #22 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
3. 3 Kimi no Na wa. Your Name. Film · 2016 · CoMix Wave Films · #37 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi Spirited Away Film · 2001 · Studio Ghibli · #47 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
5. 5 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
6. 6 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
7. 7 The First Slam Dunk Film · 2022 · Toei Animation · #68 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
8. 8 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
9. 9 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
10. 10 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann TV · 2007 · 27 episodes · Gainax · #89 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
11. 11 Ping Pong the Animation TV · 2014 · 11 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #97 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
12. 12 Odd Taxi TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · OLM · #103 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
13. 13 Look Back Film · 2024 · Studio DURIAN · #111 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
14. 14 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
15. 15 Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki Wolf Children Film · 2012 · Studio Chizu · #135 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
16. 16 Perfect Blue Film · 1998 · Madhouse · #136 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
17. 17 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
18. 18 [Oshi no Ko] [Oshi No Ko] TV · 2023 · 11 episodes · Doga Kobo · #154 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
19. 19 Jujutsu Kaisen TV · 2020 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #170 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
20. 20 Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Production I.G · #213 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
21. 21 Spy x Family TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · Wit Studio · #228 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
22. 22 Kimetsu no Yaiba Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba TV · 2019 · 26 episodes · ufotable · #244 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
23. 23 Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Shaft · #246 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
24. 24 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
25. 25 Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Film · 1984 · Topcraft · #276 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's award winning ranking. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.