Anime series are no longer unfamiliar to the youth of Vietnam and the world. They have strongly influenced the lives of many due to the profound human values they convey. Below, Mytour presents the top 20 best Anime series to date.

20. The Place Promised in Our Early Days
The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Beyond the clouds where we made a promise, directed by Makoto Shinkai and released in 2004. This is a quite impressive and meaningful animated film set in post-World War II Japan. The story begins with a promise between two ninth-grade classmates and a girl in the same class that one day they will overcome a certain tower with a plane they are building. Little do they know that the girl has a deep connection to the mysterious power of the tower through her dreams. One day, the girl disappears... The film has received a rating of 7.6 on IMDb.

19. 5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second (5cm/s) is a Japanese animated film directed by Makoto Shinkai, released in 2007. The title refers to the speed at which cherry blossoms fall – a symbolic representation of the gradual separation of people over time. The final scene, where two young individuals are separated by a train, remains one of the most controversial endings worldwide. Although they once shared the same world and heartbeat, like falling petals, they drifted apart. Will they ever find each other again?

18. The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises – Directed by Miyazaki Hayao and released in 2013, tells the story of Horikoshi Jirō, the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M (featured in the film) and its famous counterpart, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero – both fighter planes used by Imperial Japan during World War II. The film also portrays the romantic and tearful love story between Jiro and Naoko. It received an Oscar nomination.



15. The Feline Homecoming
The Feline Homecoming – Directed by Hiroyuki Morita, this cinematic marvel graced the screens in 2002. The plot revolves around Haru, a 17-year-old seemingly ordinary girl, devoid of conventional beauty and extraordinary talents. Haru finds herself unable to make decisions independently, often relying on others' opinions to avoid inconvenience. One day, she daringly risks her life to save a cat, unknowingly rescuing the feline prince of a secret cat kingdom. Subsequently, the cat community invites her to their realm, only for it to be an elaborate kidnapping scheme, ensuring she never returns to the human world. Baron, determinedly, explores every avenue to rescue her from this nefarious plot.

14. Correspondence to Momo
Correspondence to Momo – Crafted by director Okiyura Hiroyuki, this cinematic gem premiered in 2011. The narrative follows the central character, a young girl named Momo, navigating a secluded life, emotionally detached from society and her mother after her father's maritime accident. Thanks to three mystical spirits, Momo embarks on a solitary journey, learning to adapt to life and rediscovering joy alongside her mother.

13. Temporal Symphony
Temporal Symphony, also known as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, is a Japanese animated masterpiece directed by Hosoda Mamoru, released in 2006. The story revolves around a girl with a unique ability – time manipulation. This power enables her to enhance academic results, salvage friendships, and navigate the affections of two close male friends. However, excessive use of this ability leads to unforeseen catastrophes.

12. Blossoms Overlooking the Sea
Blossoms Overlooking the Sea – Set in Japan in the 1960s, this tale follows Matsuzaki Umi, living with her family atop a hill overlooking the sea. Her father went missing in the war, and every day, Umi patiently raises signal flags in a flower-filled courtyard, a hopeful gesture that her distant father might recognize the way home. Umi encounters Shun, a fellow student. Together, they strive to renovate their old school instead of demolishing it and building a new one. Despite suspicions of a blood connection, the silent affection they share persists unbroken.

11. Aquatic Inventor
Aquatic Inventor, also known as SteamBoy, tells vibrant tales of a boy fascinated by water-powered inventions. His father and grandfather, explorers of a steam that could alter humanity, face numerous forces seeking the ultimate steam secret, leaving the boy's family shattered. Determined, he sets out to rediscover his happiness.

10. Your Name
Your Name, the epitome of romantic Anime, unfolds a tale of magic and love around two central characters, Mitsuha and Taki. Mitsuha, a high school girl, resides in a rural town nestled against a mountainside. Her father, the mayor, spends little time at home, leaving her with her younger sister and grandmother. Despite being kind and honest, Mitsuha dislikes the family tradition of worshiping the Shinro shrine and her father's involvement in political campaigns. Yearning for an exciting life in Tokyo, she dreams of escaping the secluded rural existence. On the other hand, Taki, a high school boy in the heart of Tokyo, enjoys spending time with friends and working at an Italian restaurant. Passionate about architecture and art, he one day dreams of being a boy, while Mitsuha dreams of being a high school girl in a remote mountain town, leading to unforeseen events.

9. Titans' Assault
Voted the best animated series by Ranker, Attack on Titan is truly an anime phenomenon. After his homeland is ravaged, and his mother is killed, Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the Earth of the giants that brought humanity to the brink of extinction. This anime excels on multiple levels: storytelling, visuals, vision, and atmosphere. The underlying premise of unconscious giant cannibals might sound bizarre and even absurd on paper, but watching it will leave you with an entirely different sensation.

8. One Punch Man
Each genre holds its allure in a long list, but 'One Punch Man' truly stands out, capable of defeating them all. The protagonist, Saitama, defeats each opponent with a single punch. 'One Punch Man' began as a webcomic, but its growing support led to its publication as a manga. It gradually gained the necessary backing to become a fully-fledged and influential manga series.

7. Epic Journey - One Piece
Regarded as one of the most beloved anime and manga of all time, not only in Japan but globally, One Piece holds records in the Guinness World Records for the most printed comic book series by a single author as of 2015. Its humorous style and adventurous plot have earned One Piece unparalleled acclaim from fans worldwide.

6. Naruto - Tale of Growth
Alongside One Piece, Naruto stands as a worldwide classic anime. The story successfully depicts the growth and progress of the main character, Uzumaki Naruto, and his friends. Naruto's success is such that nearly every character in this tale is etched into the memories of fans.

5. Enchanting Odyssey - Spirited Away
Spirited Away, a groundbreaking masterpiece in Japanese anime history, stands as the first and only film to date to win the prestigious Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Miyazaki's tale follows the human and meaningful adventures of Chihiro, who becomes lost in a spirit-infused land. Here, she experiences fascinating encounters with mystical creatures and humans, filled with mystery and magic. The film not only captivates audiences with vibrant, emotional visuals but also imparts profound lessons about humanity, the environment, living, and ideals for survival. Spirited Away is truly a masterpiece, a legendary anime symbolizing the otherworldly realm of cinema.

4. Space Symphony - Cowboy Bebop
“Cowboy Bebop” revolutionizes storytelling from its very first introduction. It not only excels as an outstanding animated series but also delves into original themes with genuine depth, making them feel real and truly solitary. While the plot of “Cowboy Bebop” is straightforward, it is the first present-day animated series. The story revolves around a bounty hunter group led by Spike Spiegel, wandering through planets to capture criminals. The stakes rise when a notorious criminal attempts to assassinate their rival. With only 26 episodes, there's truly no reason not to watch this series at least once.

3. Endless Enigma - Conan
A never-ending tale like “Detective Conan” only intensifies everyone's curiosity about Shinichi's fate and the secrets of the characters. The unique plot, intriguing cases, and intense clashes with the Black Organization, along with the mysteries of each member, keep this anime undefeated in the list of Japan's best.

2. Legendary Quest - Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball, needless to say, stands as one of Japan's most famous anime series, with its manga version serving as a timeless childhood memory for youth worldwide. The story of righteousness and determination to become the strongest in the universe, following Son Goku's journey in search of the 7 Dragon Balls, has become the dream of countless children.

1. Dark Chronicle - Death Note
For some, the imagination runs wild with thoughts of heinous crimes, all the dreadful things they've done. But most of us aren't foolish or brave enough to pursue the hero lifestyle (we can't all be Batman, can we?). Luckily, we all survive alongside the sinister and cruel imaginings in 'Death Note,' a tale of a high school student who stumbles upon a magical black notebook. It can kill anyone whose name is written inside it: perfect for someone with a personality disorder to wipe out the world of demons. 'Death Note' carries more meaning than a systematic killing machine, a complex mystery of deaths that draws viewers into a game of cat and mouse, turning us into antagonists against the Japanese police and a detective team seeking to expose and bring the kid to justice. 'Death Note' isn't a continuous action series, but the story is intricately woven, surprising and certain to evoke frustration right then and make you anticipate more.

Here are the top 20 best Anime cartoons ever compiled by Mytour. Hope you find your favorite. Thank you for following along!