Typically, the understanding is that being perfect means being without flaws. But when it comes to art, being called perfect is far more than being without faults. A perfect piece of art steps beyond good to be something exceptional. They are the stories, songs, and images that stay with us long after the moment they play out before our eyes or linger in our ears has passed. They are the creations that hit us just as hard, if not harder, every time we return to them.
Creating a Perfect Episodes of Anime list took looking back through over two decades of watching anime to find the episodes that stood out. Bearing a variety of themes, genres, and focuses, these entries are truly representative of the best in anime. While not all-encompassing, the best anime episodes reflect the full range of what the medium has to offer.
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One small note before we continue: While this list is numbered, don’t consider them as ranked. These are all perfect episodes. Given their wide range of styles and goals, trying to weigh them against each other is an unnecessary effort in futility. In my eyes, they are all Number One.
10) Lycoris Recoil – Episode 3 “More Haste, Less Speed.”
Lycoris Recoil is best known for its charming characters and dazzling action sequences. But at its heart is a meaningful story that centers on Takina (Shion Wakayama, Ghost of Yôtei), the loss she experiences, and how she comes to discover what a home truly is. And the key moment to that wonderfully realized plot resides in Episode 3.
The insult and mockery that Takina endures from the moment she steps back into DA sets a painful tone for the episode. Despite saving her comrade and doing nothing wrong, she is ridiculed for having the audacity to think for herself. But despite all the shame they send her way, Takina still single-mindedly wants to return.
What makes Takina’s need to return to her former home so powerful is perfectly illustrated by Chisato’s (Chika Anzai, Gnosia) attempts to reach out to her new friend. Despite clearly thinking Takina’s devotion to DA is misplaced, the young woman never tries to dissuade her from her feelings. Rather, she asks her to be open to the possibility that leaving DA isn’t the end of the world, but perhaps the start of a new one for her.
“More Haste, Less Speed” finds the perfect way to galvanize Takina’s spirits. When her former squad leader, Fuki, mocks her too far, she and Chisato find themselves challenged to a mock duel with their fellow Lycoris. While unwilling at first, Chisato’s unwavering support proves too infectious for her, and she throws herself into the fray with a well-placed punch.
How all the struggles and eventual acceptance come together creates a moving story that’s perfectly executed, leaving teary-eyed happiness in its wake.
9) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – Episode 7 “Shall We Gundam?”
Stating that the best episode of a mecha anime is one that doesn’t have a single shot fired would seem unlikely. But accomplishing the unlikely is something every entry on our Perfect Episodes of Anime list does to earn its spot.
The politicking, the manipulation, and what we learn about so many of the characters at the Incubation Party create a striking, memorable episode that shifts the entire series’ path. We see Prospera hint at her dark side in brief but striking moments, making her the standout among several noteworthy supporting performances. Playing out on a background of extravagance, Episode 7 sparkles visually as much as it shines narratively.
But what truly separates “Shall We Gundam?” from other greats is the lady of the hour, Miorine (Lynn, Fire Force). The speed, determination, and sheer presence the character projects as she commands the entire room after accusations ambush Sulleta creates an incredibly powerful character moment. Lynn delivers every declaration and challenge with her whole chest, showcasing just how much Sulleta has come to mean to Miorine, and how sincere she is when she promises to protect her.
The only way the moment could shine brighter is if Miorine even had the strength of character to plead to the one person she despises most for help in saving her betrothed from the danger she’s unwittingly walked into. Oh, wait, she does that too.
The power and presence of Miorine, coupled with the flawless support of a varied and realized cast of supporting characters and a narrative that grabs you with its surprises, make this episode a shining example of this list.
8) DanDaDan – Episode 7 “To a Kinder World.“
From the frenzied action of its opening to the heartbreaking final shot, the DanDaDan episode “To a Kinder World” never misses a beat, crafting an exceptional narrative that is as varied as it is polished. The opening action is both creative and visually satisfying, thrusting the viewer into the story at full speed. The action sets up the emotionally intense back half, as the shift in gears leaves the viewer unprepared for what happens next.
The tragic story behind the yokai Acro-Silky is a brutal tale of a mother’s love for her daughter. The joy, sorrow, pain, and loss of the sequence are captured skillfully through some of the most gorgeous visual work anime has ever delivered. Fluid camera work flows through the sequence, always delivering the perfect angles and views. Gorgeous color work further breathes both warmth and coldness into the sequence when appropriate.
Bringing it all together is the music. The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack weaves into the near-silent narrative, coating the gorgeous visuals in a layer of sound that elevates the joy of family and amplifies the pain of loss—a truly perfect performance.
7) Darling in the Franxx – Episode 6 “Darling in the Franxx.”
Bringing a battle that will see Hiro (Yûto Uemura, 86) pilot Strelizia with 002 (Haruka Tomatsu, Call of the Night) for the third time, potentially marking his death, the emotions ride high with everyone involved as they struggle to come to terms with what they feel and what they should do with those feelings.
Every moment in this perfect anime episode is brimming with emotion and tension. From Ichigo’s (Kana Ichinose, Bocchi the Rock!) fumbling attempts to tell Hiro not to pilot with 002 again, to the final strike that finishes the klaxosaur’s threat, there isn’t a light moment in the whole story. But rather than becoming overbearing, it pulls you in deeper.
As the battle spirals out of control, the emotional turmoil of the episode collides with the physical threat of the attack as Hiro’s body succumbs to strain and collapses, leaving 002 alone before the might of the giant klaxosaur. As he struggles to remain conscious, he sees his partner in a near feral state, screaming and ripping at the inside of the cockpit, as she believes death has taken her “darling.”
Up until this point, 002 has been portrayed as a strong loner, frequently showing disregard for others’ well-being. All the talk about what happens when someone rides with her for a third time has focused on her partners, never her. Only in this moment does Hiro realize the truth. 002 bears every loss as well. She doesn’t want to be alone, but she’s never been given a choice. And now, when she’s finally found someone who wants to ride with her, rather than being ordered to, he’s being taken away.
The potency of her rage is only equaled in impact by the swiftness with which Hiro can calm her. Rising from the floor and taking her in his arms, the momentarily feral teen is instantly restored, knowing that this person, the one person who wants to be with her, hasn’t left. They’re together. And they always will be.
6) Violet Evergarden – Episode 10 “A Loved One Will Always Watch Over You.”
From the first time we meet Violet (Yui Ishikawa, NieR Automata Ver1.1a) to the final chapter of her journey, the series creates emotional, meaningful moments that break our hearts and uplift us. Its explorations of sadness and loss are always colored with beauty and the hope of what is to come. Nowhere is this formula more perfectly implemented within the series than in Episode 10.
The way the story builds to its finale, as we witness the struggles of the young girl Ann (Sumire Morohoshi, Skip and Loafer) as she watches her ailing mother’s health worsen, and flails to grasp why she is being kept from her so Violet can write her letters, is as skillfully handled as it is painful to watch. As each character tries to make the best of this agonizing situation, the kindness and comfort do what they can to warm the deteriorating situation.
As it all comes to a head, Ann’s emotions burst forth against her mother. Once set free, Ann’s pain is delivered through fantastic voice acting and animation, making every worry and heartache the girl bears wash over the scene. At times, Ann’s verbal accusations towards her mother and her priorities are terrible. Still, even so, taken from the perspective of a child who knows her mother is dying, they are all too understandable.
But, like so much of Violet’s story, the pain eventually subsides, leading to one of the most emotionally cleansing endings ever crafted. But even as the beauty of the Mother’s final actions unfolds, one thing is certain: anyone watching will continue to cry. Pain and love, beauty and sorrow, they all merge and balance each other in this perfectly delivered story, in a way that is painfully authentic and inspiringly real.
5) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Episode 21 “Eraser.”
The aftermath of the raid on the non-profit Sunflower Society plays out in a tense, anger-fueled entry in this fantastic series. As they struggle to process the information and emotions imparted to them by their injured comrade’s memories, Section 9 races against a DEA hit squad to save the man who could bring everything to light about the reasons behind The Laughing Man Case. But little do they know the kind of armor their foes are bringing.
On top of this race against the clock, several fantastic elements make this entry in our Perfect Episodes of Anime series deserving of its spot. The emotional conflict that bubbles up during the brain dive shows the usually in-control members of Section 9 far less composed, creating a unique light in which to exist. A superbly executed confrontation between the individual being hunted and a hacked servant controlled by The Laughing Man delivers the final pieces of the puzzle to the audience, making it so much more than exposition.
But what elevates this episode from great to perfect is its final, brutal confrontation. Pitted against an arm-suit, Major Kusanagi (Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) finds herself with her back against the wall to a degree we rarely see. With one arm already ripped off by high-caliber gunfire, she nearly has her head crushed if not for the timely arrival of Saito and his artillery-sized sniper rifle.
Once the tables are turned, the rage that has been bubbling underneath her placid exterior comes to the surface. Seeing her methodically, one-arm reload Saito’s monster gun and repeatedly fire, point-blank into the inoperable suit as the pilot begs for mercy, is a sight that is both terrifying and striking. This is the Major, with all the control and discipline stripped away, facing a foe who tried to kill not only her, but her friend. She is a truly terrifying figure. One that we happily don’t see often.
The tension, anger, and danger that flow through this episode make for a perfect entry into the ongoing drama of the series. It showcases several characters in a different light than they are usually seen, creating a striking element that elevates the story to the highest levels of quality.
4) My Hero Academia – Season 3 Episode 49 “One For All.“
Everything a fan could ask for is here in such abundance that it seems impossible it fits into a half-hour episode. The narrative impact of “One For All,” the reveal of Shigaraki’s origins, and the final battle of an empowered All-Might alone make the episode a key moment in the series. But what elevates the entry to a level of perfection is the narrative’s complexity and sheer emotional weight.
The conflicting feelings of despair, hope, pain, and triumph create an emotional vortex that anyone cannot help but be pulled into. The cheering crowds as they urge on their champion vie with the mocking tones of Akio Ôtsuka‘s (Ghost in the Shell) masterful performance as the arch-villain All For One in a tug-of-war to reinforce or break All-Might (Kenta Miyake, Kaiju No. 8).
The weight of All-Might’s peril and the power of his eventual triumph are further enhanced through the dueling musical elements of the episode. One For All’s haunting, operatic theme plunges the story’s darkest moments even further into the emotional abyss, as all chance of victory seems to slip away. This makes the elevating chords that accompany All-Might’s iconic final punch and triumphant stance at the fight’s end ring all the louder as they expel the audible darkness from the moment.
Adding the final layer to the epic emotional conflict that drives this episode is the stellar animation. Bones always makes the biggest hits and most heart-wrenching moments of My Hero Academia shine, and it remains one of their finest works. The power, the pain, and the impact of every moment of this episode are given all the love and attention that one could ask for, rounding out its perfect performance.
3) Sabikui Bisco – Episode 8 “Fiendish Trap.“
A standout element of what makes this anime series so tremendous comes from the focus of Episode 8. Coming at the lowest ebb for the heroes, “Fiendish Trap” delivers a phenomenal performance largely thanks to its lead villain, Kurokawa.
Egotistical and unhinged, Kurokawa is at his most ruthless here as he searches for the secret to the Rust Eater formula. From the episode’s opening moments, when he is torturing protagonist Pawoo (Reina Kondô, Undead Murder Farce) on live TV to goad her brother Milo into revealing himself, to his final deranged admissions about why he wants the formula, the character exhibits the absolute best elements of the arch-villain, whose only purpose is to be terrifyingly dangerous to the heroes and loathed by the audience.
Further driving home the character’s sinister nature is an all-time top performance by Kenjiro Tsuda (Jujutsu Kaisen). The way the voice actor leans into every spitting insult and hateful declaration elevates the monster to new heights of treachery and disdain.
Off-setting the maniacal brilliance of Tsuda in this episode’s pivotal confrontation is the strength of the heroes, most notably through the emotional work of Natsuki Hanae (DanDaDan) as Milo. The hero’s determination and pain as Kurokawa’s nefarious deeds unfold, leading Milo to do the unthinkable, play out in powerful concert to the villain he strives to overcome. This hurricane of hate, pain, and resilience earns this tremendous episode its spot on our list.
2) Cowboy Bebop – Episode 15 “My Funny Valentine.”
When it comes to Cowboy Bebop, one could easily make a 10 Perfect Episodes of Anime list out of its 26 episodes alone. But while timeless style and compelling characters mix with a perfect balance of drama and humor throughout its run, this episode stands apart as it explores one of the series’ core characters: Faye Valentine (Wendee Lee, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War).
From the moment the story first introduces Faye in Episode 3, she seems selfish, manipulative, and willing to screw over anyone to get out of a jam. But as “My Funny Valentine” plays out, we learn why Faye is the way she is. How her new life after being frozen for half a century goes awry, and leaves her with her trademark disregard for others.
Part of what makes Faye’s story so powerful is how real it feels. When she’s thawed out after her long cryo-freeze, she awakens to a monstrous debt virtually no one could afford. This debt, followed by further betrayal throughout, clearly lays out how Faye came to be who she is. Looking back on her first appearances in the show, it’s easy to understand her contempt for others, as well as her certainty that Spike and Jet will screw her over if she doesn’t do it to them first. The look into her past recontextualizes her journey, making the growth she exhibits throughout the series all the more potent.
Like all episodes of Cowboy Bebop, this narrative is accompanied by incredible musical selections that further drive home the sorrow of Faye’s early days in her new time period. Coupled with the best of vintage ’90s animation, and the powerful story of this Sleeping Beauty is given an extra level of potency, one that elevates it to a spot on our list.
1) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Episode 1 “The Journey’s End.“
The only thing rarer than a perfect episode of anime is a perfect pilot. Faced with the daunting task of introducing characters, plots, and even whole worlds, it’s often accepted that a pilot may be a bit rough, sacrificing itself so that future episodes may run smoothly. However, this entry in our 10 Perfect Episodes of Anime list manages to do all that and more. And it never even breaks a sweat.
Despite having seen this entry at least a dozen times, I still find it incredible how much the episode packs into its narrative, even with its purposeful pacing. Major themes like Frieren’s unique perception of time, her relationship with her friends, and searching for meaning through her regrets are all laid out for her. Some as cleanly as with a single sentence. Yet, even with just that one sentence, “The Journey’s End” often gets the viewer thinking more than many series can manage through an entire run.
Just as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End delivers its perfect opening through its unique pacing and fluid thematic introductions, it also creates a gorgeous visual and auditory presentation. While we most frequently associate gorgeous visuals with huge explosions and great anime music with bopping opening themes, Frieren delivers just as much power and majesty through subtler presentation.
The beauty of nature, the warmth of friendship, and the pain of loss are all captured through both sensory elements. The gorgeous montage sequences that move the story forward take your breath away and showcase the world in all its splendor. Add to this the incredible voice acting performances of skilled artists like Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren) and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel), and the entire production takes on a powerful life that compels the viewer to follow along, beyond the journey’s end.
What did you think of our 10 Perfect Episodes of Anime list? Did you get to spot some of your favorites, or maybe discovered a new series? In any case, I hope you enjoyed the read, and keep watching anime. With more series launching all the time, another perfect episode could be right around the corner.
