5 perfect anime shows where every episode is a 10/10 masterpiece
Polygon selects anime it considers consistently exceptional, prioritising strong animation, character complexity, thematic depth and stories without filler. It argues that such sustained quality is rare, even among widely acclaimed series.
– Monster: a 74-episode psychological thriller about surgeon Kenzo Tenma pursuing Johan Liebert, the child he once saved who becomes a serial killer.
– FLCL (OVA): a six-episode, surreal coming-of-age story using wild animation and science-fiction chaos to explore adolescence.
– Steins;Gate: included as another example of an anime regarded as maintaining exceptional quality episode by episode.
- Polygon highlights anime with no perceived weak episodes.
- Monster centres on morality, guilt and a chilling pursuit.
- FLCL uses surrealism to depict adolescent growing pains.