Shows both young and old are represented, with at least one show for everyone no matter their age, gender, or sexuality.

These anime are great, and you’ll find many of the expected takes on this list, but in compiling this I tried to consider every genre’s most exemplary offerings. Prestige anime is often centered around a man and his struggles, themes that often disclude varied viewers and create an echo chamber of impenetrable, inarguable taste for fans to discuss. I’ve long enjoyed shoujo for its florid style and high melodrama, but when I thought of anime that deserved to be on a list of the best ever, only shows with male protagonists came to mind. Working on this list allowed me to examine my own taste and the sort of aesthetic that guides me. So why is it that lists like this leave out anime made by women, for women? And why can’t these anime be enjoyed by men, too?

Hobbyists and fandoms have long had distinctive, individualized communities, lively groups that often do not intersect except, maybe, at anime conventions, given over half of North America’s attendees are female. With lists like this, diverse demographics are often left unconsidered, effectively sidelining female and LGBT viewers. At Paste, we believe there’s an anime for everyone.

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