6 Classic Anime With Writing That Rivals Frieren

Anime fans quickly point to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End as one of the best anime currently available. The show, which follows the story of Frieren, an elf who lives for centuries, has captivated audiences. Its first two seasons have received a lot of positive attention for its emotional story – a quality not often found in fantasy and adventure anime.

While Frieren is setting a new high bar for anime storytelling, classic anime remain highly regarded. The writing in these older series is just as strong as Frieren’s, offering memorable characters, clever plots, and emotional impact that deeply connects with viewers.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

Release Date: April 13, 1990
Number of Episodes: 39

Before creating the famous anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno worked on Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. While many fans have forgotten it, Nadia is a truly excellent series with a strong and memorable story.

This series expertly combines steampunk, adventure, mystery, and science fiction to tell Nadia’s story with compelling and well-developed characters. It also thoughtfully examines important issues like racism, colonialism, and the moral implications of new technologies.

This anime takes place in 1889 and centers around Nadia, a circus performer who is haunted by a mysterious blue pendant. When thieves try to steal the pendant, she teams up with Jean, a clever young inventor. Together, they escape the thieves and embark on an incredible adventure.

Kino’s Journey

Release Date: April 8, 2003
Number of Episodes: 13

Originally released in 2003 and directed by Ryutaro Nakamura (known for Serial Experiments Lain), Kino’s Journey is a truly captivating anime. While it’s structured as a series of standalone episodes without a single, overarching story, that’s actually what makes it so interesting – each journey is both simple and surprisingly deep.

The story follows Kino and her talking motorcycle, Hermes, as they travel from country to country. Similar to the group in ‘Frieren,’ Kino and Hermes encounter diverse people and learn about their cultures, problems, and rules. But unlike ‘Frieren,’ Kino doesn’t try to change the places she visits – she simply observes, offering viewers a thoughtful and introspective journey.

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Mushishi

Release Date: October 23, 2005
Number of Episodes: 26

Mushishi tells the story of Ginko in a simple, understated way. It doesn’t rely on exciting action or over-the-top drama to keep you interested. Instead, its gentle, poetic storytelling feels more like a traditional folk tale or a beautiful storybook chapter than a typical anime series.

Similar to Kino’s Journey, Mushishi takes viewers to a new location each episode, following the travels of Ginko. He’s an expert in Mushi – supernatural beings that quietly influence people’s lives, often causing either sadness or amazement – and he’s dedicated to understanding them better.

Monster

Release Date: April 7, 2004
Number of Episodes: 74

After watching Monster, many viewers wonder: what truly makes a monster? Is it the terrible things they do, or the difficult situations that led them to do those things? Ultimately, the series leaves it up to you to decide what you believe.

Seriously, if you’re an anime fan, you need to check out Monster. It’s a 74-episode masterpiece that completely blew me away! It centers around this incredibly chilling character, Johan Liebert – he’s a notorious serial killer, and the story revolves around his twisted plan to essentially force a doctor, Dr. Tenma, to kill him. The really wild part? Dr. Tenma actually saved Johan’s life years earlier, but it came at a huge cost – the life of an important politician. It’s a dark, complex story that just stays with you.

Monster isn’t immediately captivating – it begins slowly. However, once the story gains momentum and its mysteries unfold, it transforms into a gripping psychological thriller that stays with you and encourages repeat viewings.

Anne of Green Gables

Release Date: January 7, 1979
Number of Episodes: 50

For decades, Anne of Green Gables has been incredibly popular in Japan, and that popularity continues today. A recent example of its enduring appeal is the new remake of the classic 1979 anime series directed by Isao Takahata. The story follows Anne Shirley, an orphan who finds a loving home with the Cuthbert siblings. While the anime is made up of individual stories, it still delivers a fulfilling conclusion.

While the plot of Anne of Green Gables is quite simple, the story is beloved for its heartwarming atmosphere and well-developed characters. Viewers especially enjoy watching Anne grow up and mature, and the supporting characters feel real and relatable, with their own believable personalities and challenges.

Petshop of Horrors

Release Date: March 2, 1999
Number of Episodes: 4

While not a perfectly crafted anime like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, the four-episode OVA Petshop of Horrors is still worth watching. It doesn’t have much time for detailed characters or a complex world, but it’s packed with potential and offers a fascinating look at human flaws. Had it been given more episodes, it could have truly shined.

If you enjoy the anime Tales of the Crypt, you’ll likely appreciate Petshop of Horrors. The series centers around Count D., a mysterious pet shop owner in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, who sells unique pets to a diverse clientele. These aren’t typical animals, though – they’re humanoid monsters that often reflect the mythological desires of the customer. The shop operates under three rules set by Count D., but predictably, people tend to break them.

2026-03-31 14:35