Thought-provoking anime titles are hard to appreciate at first because they reveal the underlying context of each series. While an anime's intrinsic theme is unclear, the title provides the biggest clue as to what the artist intends. The title of an anime can be anything from the protagonist's name to a long description of the show's events.
However, the perfect anime titles capture the deeper meaning in a few short words. When an anime's title reflects its essence, the show feels more meaningful. Anime resonate more with fans when they touch on everyday problems in a fictional world. Unforgettable anime titles linger in the back of fans' minds, making them consider the complexity of each series.
10 Fruits Basket Symbolizes The Pain Of Social Exclusion
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is an unconventional name for an anime about zodiac spirits, and that's precisely why it works. The title doesn't make sense at first, but as the anime progresses, the true meaning of its name falls into place. When Tohru shares her experience of being excluded from a school game called fruits basket, suddenly the theme of social exclusion presents itself in the anime.
Tohru is never chosen to be a fruit, so she waits for social acceptance that will never come. Her experience echoes the isolation of the cat spirit Kyo, who is considered an unofficial member of the Sohma family. Fruits Basket symbolizes the pain of social exclusion, making it the perfect title for the shojo anime.
9 Kimi Ni Todoke Explores The Difficulty Of Communication
Kimi Ni Todoke / From Me To You
The English translation of Kimi Ni Todoke is "from me to you," and the phrase truly captures how communication feels. Intentions are often lost in translation, and Sawako Kuronuma knows that best of all. Sawako's peers mistake her shyness for malice, but she just finds it hard to communicate her feelings.
The students ostracize her based on false rumors, so when Kazehaya befriends her, she doesn't know what to think. Kazehaya indirectly shows love for her, but she misinterprets his feelings. The title Kimi Ni Todoke perfectly demonstrates how two people can misunderstand each other while communicating.
8 Horimiya Is The Cutest Ship Name Ever
Horimiya
Horimiya is a simple yet effective title for this shonen anime. The series is equally focused on Hori and Miyamura, detailing the budding romance between the high schoolers. Miyamura has trouble relating to classmates because he hides his true self, but Hori sees through all his secrets. Hori has the kind of social life that Miyamura craves, and her hidden soft side pulls at his heartstrings.
Horimiya is not only a cute ship name but also a symbol of their seamless connection. The title matches the harmonious energy of their relationship and proves how perfect the couple is for each other.
7 Devilman Crybaby Is A Tragedy Waiting To Happen
Devilman Crybaby
This seinen anime's title sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen, and the show really delivers. Devilman Crybaby centers on high schooler Akira Fudo as he becomes part demon and fights against an inevitable apocalypse. The anime changes the meaning of tragedy with its destructive ending, as Satan obliterates the entire Earth and leaves no one alive.
Devilman tries and fails to save everyone, and his tears symbolize the hopeless reality of humans throughout the anime. The title is perfect because it refers to the helplessness of humans, and Devilman represents that as the last human soul on Earth. Devilman Crybaby spells out a tragic reality where humans have no control over their fate.
6 Blue Spring Ride Summarizes The Feeling Of Youth
Ao Haru Ride / Blue Spring Ride
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This spring romance focuses on high schoolers Futaba and Kou, who meet again after separating in middle school. Kou is a different person than Futaba remembers, so the pair have trouble connecting after their time apart. Nostalgia plays a key part in the anime, as their rekindled romance reminds them of the past.
Kou and Futaba reconnect as different people, but their childhood feelings remain intact as they navigate a new romance together. Blue Spring Ride is the perfect name for this shojo anime because it symbolizes the changing seasons of youth and the nostalgia attached to rekindling old friendships.
5 Fullmetal Alchemist Shows The Dark Side Of Transformation
Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 / Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The theme of Fullmetal Alchemist is an alchemy law called "equivalent exchange," and the title fully embraces that concept. Edward Elric is known as the Fullmetal Alchemist for many reasons, but most notably his automail limbs and his brother Al, whose body is a suit of armor.
After trying to use human transmutation to bring their mother back to life, the brothers face harsh judgment from a being who moderates alchemists. Edward's nickname represents the plight of all alchemists, who must trade parts of their souls to practice alchemy. The title embodies the dark side of transformation, which makes it perfect for the moral of the show.
4 Tokyo Ghoul Shows How Monstrous Humans Can Be
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul blurs the line between humans and ghouls throughout the series, and its title reflects that energy. This anime shows how human investigators act no better than the monsters they're hunting down. Ghouls kill humans in order to survive, just as humans kill ghouls to protect themselves.
Kaneki sees the similarities between both species because, although he's a ghoul, a part of him will always remain human. The title Tokyo Ghoul is a perfect balance of the two worlds because it normalizes the experience of ghouls living like humans. The anime's title gives perspective to Kaneki's life and shows how humans and monsters are not so different.
3 Erased Is A Fantasy About Changing The Past
Erased
Erased is the perfect show for someone who fantasizes about going back in time. Once Satoru Fujinuma travels to the past, he does everything he can to prevent his mother's murder and find the person who kidnaps his friends. Like most time travelers, he tries to right all the wrongs in his life by preventing them from happening.
Erasing the past to change the future is the ultimate goal of time travelers, and the anime's title reflects that perfectly. Erased represents the fantasy of changing the past and starting over without the tragedies in life.
2 Ghost In The Shell Links Cyborg & Human Consciousness
Ghost In The Shell
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The title Ghost In The Shell evokes an eerie feeling, bringing to mind the complex nature of human consciousness. With a focus on the connection between the mind and body, this cyberpunk anime questions the essential state of being. Major Motoko Kusanagi questions her reality often as a cyborg with human memories.
Motoko contemplates the sentience of government weapons and notices that each robot contains a ghost or human soul. Ghost in the Shell links the existence of cyborgs to human consciousness through Major Kusanagi, who investigates the similarities. The title is perfect because it reminds humans that minds and bodies are coexistent, but not seamlessly connected.
1 Bleach Represents The Finality Of Death
Bleach
Bleach's title is confusing at first because there is no direct correlation to the anime. No one uses the cleaning solution or mentions the subject throughout the series. However, the title Bleach symbolizes how death wipes away the color of life. The meaning is in the white masks of Hollows, who lose their humanity and become vengeful spirits.
Hollows show the loss of death, as their hearts harden into masks and their souls are lost forever. The Espada Aspects of Death represent the many forms of loss, just as Ichigo's transformations show the inevitable changes afterward. Bleach is the perfect title for an anime that contemplates the finality of death and the change that comes with loss.