5 Finished Anime Without A Single Bad Episode

Those looking for finished anime to binge have many great titles to choose from, but the best options are the series that don’t have any bad episodes — and those are exceptionally rare. It’s difficult for any story to maintain a high quality from beginning to end, and even those that manage it typically have at least one or two installments that don’t land. Every episode is a gamble, and it’s hard to please viewers so many times in a row, whether you’re looking at one 26-episode outing or multiple seasons.

And there are plenty of bucket-list anime worth watching regardless of episodes — or even entire arcs — that dip in quality compared to the rest. A few bad chapters won’t ruin an otherwise solid series. However, the absence of such installments will elevate an anime to greatness. From an episodic sci-fi story about space-faring bounty hunters to a tale that pits humans against man-eating monsters, these series are basically perfect. All their episodes contribute to that.

5) Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a classic for a reason, and the anime’s consistently strong episodes are, in part, why it’s held in such high regard. With a 26-episode run, the sci-fi series successfully juggles many episodic adventures with an overarching narrative centered on Spike and the villain Vicious. Both the plot-forward and contained installments land because of how lovable the characters are (though the anime’s comedic beats and existential themes also help).

Going so far as to assert that Cowboy Bebop has no bad episodes might be controversial, but even the series’ worst-rated chapters (looking at you, “Boogie Woogie Feng Shui” and “Wild Horses”) still excel when it comes to characterization, world-building, and action. They may be weaker than additions like “Ballad of Fallen Angels” and the two-part “The Real Folk Blues,” but they aren’t bad — and that’s an important distinction.

4) Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 is basically a masterpiece, and despite the anime having three seasons, it’s difficult to pinpoint one installment as memorably bad. There are slower chapters, sure, but the anime remains incredible, even at its quietest. In fact, I’d argue the quiet moments are what makes the series so successful. Without the day-to-day character dynamics, we wouldn’t care as much about the big-picture conflicts. The writers strike an impressive balance in that regard, making us care before dragging us into the action.

It’s telling that only one episode of Mob Psycho 100 sits below a 7.5 rating on IMDb (Season 3’s “Transmission 1 ~Winter Break~”), and even that has a 7.2 on the platform. Even the less well-regarded chapters uphold the series’ commitment to its coming-of-age themes, and they’re all stunningly animated, even when not much is happening. Claims that the animation dips in places ignore that Mob Psycho 100‘s strongest scenes still outshine many other series. The anime’s worst visuals are many other titles’ best.

3) Erased

At just 12 episodes, Erased is on the shorter side of finished anime, making it easier to deliver strong chapters at every turn. And it’s a good thing that it does, as the series is a mystery-thriller at its core. It uses time travel to solve a murder and a string of disappearances, and such storylines can easily go awry. Most of us have had the experience of being disappointed by a story’s answer to a long-running question, and time travel is hard to nail on its own. Erased makes every chapter count, though, whether it’s building to its satisfying reveal or looking more deeply at the lore and characters.

All of Erased‘s episodes boast a rating of 8 or higher on IDMb, with the final installments coming in particularly strong. The anime’s ending might be controversial — it’s not identical to Kei Sanbe’s manga, since the source material was ongoing when the finale aired — but it still covers everything it needs to. Clearly, it resonates with some viewers, as Erased continues to have a strong legacy. It’s a rare addition to the thriller genre that satisfies throughout.

2) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood clocks in at 68 episodes, with its premiere hitting the ground running and the anime getting better from there. The series pays careful attention to detail, setting up its twists from the beginning. Looking back at lower-rated installments (via IMDb), like Episode 27 or Episode 32, it’s safe to say that the series doesn’t work without them. They may not be the most gripping additions, but they lay the groundwork for what’s to come, and they do so without glaring issues.

Like many other series on this list, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood‘s weakest moments are comparable to other anime’s strongest. And the vast majority of its episodes rank highly, excelling at the political intrigue, emotional beats, and action the series is now known for. That’s why the show has aged so well.

1) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan has one of the strongest anime openings of all time, making it difficult to put the series down. And despite having a grand total of 89 episodes, the series continues to live up to its incredible premiere. It only gets better and better, and even during its lulls, it boasts a higher quality than similar offerings. The action and well-placed twists ensure there’s rarely a dull moment though. And the series’ ending sticks the landing, working in favor of any installments that initially seem weaker.

For example, Attack on Titan‘s jumps into the past or shifts in perspective may feel out of place on a first viewing. However, they serve the narrative by the end. Watching the series a second time around clarifies this, making those chapters easier to appreciate in hindsight. Taking a bird’s eye view of the anime, it doesn’t have many low points.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

5 Anime Masterpieces You Can Finish in a Single Weekend