In the 24th century, on the planet Aqua in "Aria," the city of Neo-Venezia is a place where young girls aspire to become Prima Undines, professional tour guide gondoliers. Akari Mizunashi, Alice Carroll, and Aika S. Granzchesta are among those striving to achieve this dream.

Guided by the city's top Prima Undines - Alicia Florence, Athena Glory, and Akira E. Ferrari, known as the "Water Fairies" for their unparalleled skills - these apprentices work hard to overcome challenges and hone their abilities.

As one of the best animes by Production I.G., "Aria The Origination" offers a glimpse into the daily lives and trials of these determined young girls as they navigate the enchanting waterways of Neo-Venezia in their pursuit of becoming skilled tour gondoliers.

Release: 2008

MyAnimeList Score: 8.48/10

Another non-skippable name, "Haikyuu!!" is regarded by many anime lovers as one of the best animes by Production I.G.

Since his encounter with the awe-inspiring "Little Giant" and the captivating world of volleyball, our main character in "Haikyuu!!", Shouyou Hinata, has been attracted by the dynamic nature of this sport. Despite facing disappointment during his middle school debut as a regular, Hinata remains determined to prove that his modest height won't hinder his path to success.

Upon enrolling in Karasuno High School, the alma mater of the Little Giant, Hinata believes he's one step closer to his dream of becoming a professional volleyball player. However, his enthusiasm takes a hit when he discovers that Tobio Kageyama, the prodigy who had previously bested Hinata's middle school team, is now his teammate.

To leave his mark in the world of volleyball, a realm often dominated by height and strength, Hinata must reconcile his differences with Kageyama. Only by learning the true meaning of teamwork can he join the race to the top with determination and purpose.

Release: 2014

MyAnimeList Score: 8.44/10

In "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru," Kakeru Kurahara, once a star runner at Sendai Josei High School, finds himself fleeing a convenience store after being accused of shoplifting. As he evades his pursuers, he crosses paths with Haiji Kiyose, a fellow student at his university. Impressed by Kakeru's speed and agility, Haiji persuades him to move into Chikusei-sou, a run-down apartment building where Haiji resides with eight other students. Kakeru reluctantly accepts this offer after losing his apartment deposit at a mahjong parlor.

To Kakeru's surprise, Haiji reveals a hidden truth during his welcoming party: Chikusei-sou is actually the dormitory of the Kansei University Track Club. He shares his goal of competing in the Hakone Ekiden, one of Japan's most prestigious university marathon relay races.

The challenge lies in the fact that apart from Haiji and Kakeru, the other residents have no running experience, and they are far from enthusiastic about Haiji's seemingly unrealistic dream. With only a few months before the event in "Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru," Haiji faces the daunting task of convincing them to join him in the pursuit of his dream to compete in the Hakone Ekiden.

Release: 2018

MyAnimeList Score: 8.39/10

"Usagi Drop" revolves around Daikichi Kawachi; at 30 years old, he is a bachelor leading a fairly ordinary life, albeit with no clear direction. His life takes an unexpected turn when his grandfather passes away, and he returns to the family home to attend the funeral. There, he encounters a young girl named Rin, who, to Daikichi's surprise, is his grandfather's illegitimate child.

Rin, a shy and introverted child, is considered an embarrassment to the family. In the wake of the grandfather's death, she is shunned by his relatives, who refuse to take responsibility for her. Outraged by their heartlessness,

Daikichi decides to take Rin under his wing despite being a young, single man with no prior experience in childcare. "Usagi Drop" delves into Daikichi's journey through parenthood as he navigates the challenges of raising Rin with love and care.

Release: 2011

MyAnimeList Score: 8.35/10

In the 22nd century, Japan adopted the Sibyl System, a method for assessing citizens' mental states to identify potential criminal threats, referred to as their "Psycho-Pass." Inspectors are responsible for maintaining order by apprehending individuals displaying even the slightest signs of criminal intent. They often employ lethal force in carrying out their duties, assisted by Enforcers - seasoned Inspectors turned latent criminals, who are given some freedom in exchange for undertaking the more unsavory aspects of law enforcement.

Akane Tsunemori, a young and idealistic woman committed to upholding justice and the main character of "Psycho-Pass," joins this complex world. She collaborates with the experienced Enforcer Shinya Kougami, only to realize that the Sibyl System's judgments may not be as infallible as her fellow Inspectors believe. As her understanding of justice undergoes a profound transformation, Akane grapples with the question of whether true justice can be maintained through a system that might already be tainted by corruption.

Release: 2012

MyAnimeList Score: 8.34/10

Earth's once lush landscapes, painted with green hills and expansive blue oceans, now stand desolate, ravaged by the relentless planet bombs launched by the expansionist Gamilas Empire. By the year 2199 (hence the name "Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199") humanity seeks refuge in underground cities to escape the pervasive radiation.

Amidst this bleakness, a glimmer of hope emerges from the distant planet Iscandar, offering Earth its potential salvation: the Cosmo Reverse System, capable of restoring the irradiated surface. Fueled by desperation, the Earth Defense Force channels its remaining resources into the Yamato - a cutting-edge battleship equipped with the revolutionary Wave Motion Engine, an infinite energy source.

The crew of the Yamato in "Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199," ranging from young talents like Tactical Officer Susumu Kodai to seasoned veterans like Captain Juuzou Okita, is a diverse ensemble with varying battlefield experiences. Despite their differences, a singular goal unites them all: to embark on a perilous 168,000 light-year journey to Iscandar and rescue humanity from impending doom.

Release: 2012

MyAnimeList Score: 8.33/10

In the realm of Ryoza, the once-harmonious provinces of Shin-Ou and Tai-Kou find their longstanding peace threatened by rising tensions. Queen Shinou governs Ryoza, and the formidable Grand Duke Taikou, her chief general, safeguards the kingdom with his army of mighty war lizards known as the "Touda."

Within the village of Ake in Tai-Kou, tasked with nurturing the Grand Duke's army, resides Erin, our titular character in "Kemono no Souja Erin"; she is a spirited girl who observes her mother Soyon, the village's chief Touda doctor, at work. Their peaceful existence takes a dark turn when a calamitous incident befalls the Grand Duke's mightiest Touda under Soyon's care. The tranquility Erin and her mother enjoy shatters, and Soyon faces severe consequences.

In a desperate bid to save her mother, Erin finds herself swept away by a river, leading her to Shin-Ou. Stranded and unable to return home, Erin must adapt to a new life among unfamiliar faces. As she grapples with the truth behind both beasts and humanity, tensions between the two regions continue to escalate, painting a complex portrait of Erin's journey in "Kemono no Souja Erin."

Release: 2009

MyAnimeList Score: 8.31/10

"Ghost in The Shell" takes place in 2029; Niihama City now stands as a beacon of technological advancement, offering its citizens the ability to enhance their bodies with cybernetic parts. With this interconnected world comes the responsibility of Public Security Section 9, tasked with addressing corruption, terrorism, and emerging threats in the era of globalization.

At the forefront is the determined Major Motoko Kusanagi of Section 9, the main character of "Ghost in The Shell"; she is leading an investigation into the enigmatic hacker known as the "Puppet Master." This elusive figure erases the memories of their victims, navigating the world with a mostly robotic body, a testament to the era's technological prowess.

As Motoko and her team pursue the Puppet Master, other factions, including Section 6, enter the fray. Amidst philosophical musings about the meaning of life, Motoko realizes that the answers she seeks lie in the hands of the Puppet Master, which further complicates the already challenging investigation.

Release: 1995

MyAnimeList Score: 8.27/10

A string of unfortunate events propels Makoto "Edamame" Edamura, the main character of "Great Pretender," into a life of crime - engaging in pickpocketing and scams to make ends meet. However, a fateful encounter with a seemingly unsuspecting tourist reveals Makoto as the one being conned, and to make matters worse, the police are now on his tail.

In his attempt to escape, Makoto finds himself face-to-face with the tourist, who turns out to be another con artist named Laurent Thierry. Following Laurent to Los Angeles, Makoto, eager to uphold his claim as "Japan's Greatest Swindler," challenges his newfound rival to determine the superior scammer. Embracing the challenge, Laurent sets their sights on the mansion of the most prominent mafia boss on the West Coast.

As they traverse different cities, "Great Pretender" unfolds the exploits of Makoto, the crafty Laurent, and their vibrant crew in the realm of high-stakes fraud on the global stage. Makoto soon discovers that his self-proclaimed skills are put to the ultimate test in ways he never anticipated.

Release: 2020

MyAnimeList Score: 8.22/10

Fifteen years ago, in "Tengoku Daimakyou," a catastrophe befell humanity, and now the remnants of civilization are plagued by perilous man-eating creatures, threatening the existence of the surviving population. Amid this chaos, a secluded facility provides refuge for children, nurturing them in tranquility. However, as some of these youngsters become aware of the world beyond the confines of their nursery, their curiosity about it begins to blossom.

Meanwhile, in the external realm, young survivors Maru and Kiruko join forces to seek out a special place known as Heaven, each propelled by their individual motivations. Carrying the weight of past traumas and concealed sorrows, the two protagonists of "Tengoku Daimakyou" aspire to unravel the mysteries behind the harshness they've encountered in their lives and in a world that remains fractured.

Release: 2023

MyAnimeList Score: 8.22/10