After all, if they did it once, they might just do it again. We’re diving into TMS to rank the absolute best shows they have to offer.
10. Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro
We’re going to start with Miss Nagatoro as it’s pretty polarizing. People seem to either hate this show with a burning passion or swear loyalty to Nagatoro like she was the second coming of Jesus. This is mostly because Nagatoro really pushes the limits of flirting – to the point where it just comes off as bullying. And that might not be the best look for a high school romance. However, I’m sure you enjoyed the show if you don’t mind that sort of thing (no kink shaming here) or if you happened to read the source material. Overall, the show might not be for everyone – but it’s honestly very decent. And depending on your views of romance, it might be your number one pick.
9. D.Gray-man
Although this show is a bit old (with the original having ended in 2008), it still holds up rather well. For one, the main antagonist is equal part fascinating and horrifying. This is mostly due to him perfectly channeling that “let’s make a deal” devil type of energy. The show itself is more-or-less episodic, with a new “corrupted” person showing up every episode. But there is a certain sense of progression throughout the entire show – which is always a good thing. The art style might come off as slightly outdated, but I don’t think that’s enough of a reason to drop the show altogether. Plus, the second season is relatively new, so you have that to look forward to.
8. Sweetness & Lightning
This show is just wholesome as all hell. It’s only 12 episodes long, and I’ll be darned if it doesn’t manage to put a smile on your face. We have two wholesome angles in the show. First off, a single father who wants to be there for his adorable kid and spend quality time with them. Secondly, a lonely teenager who just wants to have someone who she can have a meal with. Regardless of which path you look at, it’s just brilliant. The story is simple and straight to the point but it does what it set out to do extremely well. Definitely worth a watch if you want an emotional pick-me-up but don’t feel like investing time into a longer show.
7. Orange
This show has a very similar vibe to the previous one – in that it’s relatively short (although it does also have a movie) and it’s bound to stir up some emotions. But unlike the previous pick, those emotions aren’t all going to be positive. After all, the show deals with some pretty heavy stuff – like how you can save a friend from the deepest depths of depression. The show does also feature a time-traveling element (which is usually a hit or miss) but it’s not too intrusive. In fact, it just feels like a normal high school drama about 90% of the time.
6. Lupin III
This is one of those IPs that’s so huge that you forget it even has a creator. But it was all started by TMS. And boy will this keep you occupied. With dozens of different serializations and movies, you could probably spend an entire week just catching up on all the Lupin III lore. And while the original series is probably older than most of the people reading this ranking, it holds up surprisingly well. It’s just some good-old action with just the right amount of hijinks to keep you entertained. Not to mention that it also feels like living through a part of anime history.
5. Detective Conan
If Lupin III somehow wasn’t long enough for you (because you’re a One Piece fan or something), Detective Conan is sure to be up your alley. Plus, there’s even a crossover movie of the two – which is always fun to see. With over 20 movies and 1000+ episodes, you can really start to feel like Detective Conan takes up more time in your life than any other series. And with simple mysteries being the main theme, if you loved one, you’ll probably love them all. Especially if you miss all those old-school detective shows.
4. ReLIFE
ReLIFE is one of those shows whose concept is brilliantly simple – going back to high school as an adult. Because let’s face it, if you’re over the age of twenty, this exact idea must’ve crossed your mind at some point. However, the show also isn’t a power fantasy. The MC doesn’t just go to high school and live his best life with no worries. Because God knows that you forget everything you learned in high school the second you leave it. So the show just boils down to the MC adjusting to his new life, and hopelessly trying not to make the same mistakes as when he was young. The show is just a huge mood. It made me happy, it made me nostalgic, and it made me depressed. A pretty good emotional ride if I do say so myself.
3. Megalo Box
Sports anime aren’t too common, but they somehow always end up being bangers. And Megalo Box is no different. If your friends have been hounding you to watch Hajime no Ippo but you aren’t really into the art style, just watch this instead. The boxing is just as intense while the art style is a lot more polished. Not to mention that it also has sci-fi elements, with the MC literally having a robotic arm. Of course, there’s also the underlying underdog story – because two people just punching each other for no reason isn’t all that fun.
2. Dr. Stone
I honestly knew I was going to enjoy this show way before I ever watched the first episode. That’s because its hook is too good to ignore. Humanity being brought back to the stone age and a genius MC doing his best Elon Musk impression and spearheading technological advancement – that’s just a banger plotline. Plus the show even manages to work some drama and some action into the mix. A move that I didn’t really see coming but I’m endlessly grateful for. And I really can’t stress enough how fun the show’s approach to technology is. You really feel like you’ve learned something after each episode. Not to mention that some of the advancements he makes I would’ve never seen coming. It isn’t all as straightforward as “create the internet”, or “create a gun”.
1. Fruits Basket
While going down this listicle, you might’ve noticed that there are quite a few high school romcoms. That’s because TSM sunk their teeth into this genre and borderline perfected it. This is most evident in Fruits Basket as it’s one of the most beloved high school shows in all of anime. The concept has fantasy elements (people turning into animals) but somehow manages to still feel down-to-earth and relatable. All of the relationships presented seem believable and deep (which isn’t something a lot of high school shows can say). And you get way more attached to the main cast than you’d think. Overall, I do believe this show is TSM’s magnum opus – and a must-watch for any anime fan.
