What looks like a monster survival show at first, becomes a brutal meditation on war, nationalism, and moral collapse, making even prestige writers uncomfortable. Must watch to know why people are anime-obsessed.
A slow, philosophical Viking epic about living without violence as identity. Thorfinn, the protagonist, spends years becoming someone I wasn't unsure to root for, and then the show quietly makes you understand him completely.
Late 2023 Netflix release, this Edo-era tale follows a mixed-race swordsman seeking revenge. The painterly animation is stunning and keeps me hooked on its season 2 release.
Yes, it’s mainstream, but worth it. A simple demon-hunting story elevated by absurdly stunning animation. Infinity Castle proves why anime dominates right now.
Based on the life of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's most mythologised swordsman, this manga is breathtaking with ink-wash art, study of obsession and mastery. Musashi isn’t a good man, and that’s the point.
The gateway for many: dark medieval fantasy, a shattered protagonist, and a betrayal still unmatched. Start with 1997 anime, then move to Kentaro Miura’s obsessively detailed manga.