Anime has a very young audience. Many fans get into the medium in their teenaged years, and gravitate towards shows that feel more relatable. This reflects itself in how most shows have child and teenaged main characters. However, many of those fans grow up and stick with the medium. With time, they will want to see their level of maturity and circumstances represented as well.
While not as common, there are a lot of shows that have a primarily adult cast. Typically, these shows center around young adults who are in their early 20s, but rarer examples will have a cast with a majority in their 30s to 40s. No longer concerned about the plights of kids, high schoolers, or college students, these stories have the freedom to focus on topics that may not resonate with younger viewers.
10 Lupin III Is Jovial, Frenetic, And Occasionally Somber
Notoriously, Lupin III's initial run alienated young anime viewers with its murky morality, violence, and focus on mobsters. Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki were brought in to curb the overly mature tone of the show, making it a series that appealed to all ages. All the central characters of the show are in their late 20s to early 30s.
Despite the turn away from flagrant violence, the show would still have instances when Lupin would have to fire a shot and end someone's life. This worked in the show's favor, giving those select moments a sense of gravitas.
9 Showcasing The Work-Life Imbalance Of Shirobako
Shirobako is just as much about the naivety involved in intensive production work, as it is about anime creation. The drama about being a new hire, striving to climb up the ladders of a profession, is where the surprising greatness of the show lies. Many young adults rush into their dream field just to have the cold truth of the work douse them.
These professions are difficult and do not reward hard work equally. For fans of the medium, Shirobako also gives perspective on what goes into making anime. It tackles the business and office aspects of production, which are not settings younger characters would be privy to.
8 House Of Five Leaves Makes A Story Of Unlikely Bandits Feel Personal
House of Five Leaves does not get enough credit for how poignant its story is. Every member of the Five Leaves has a grounded reason to follow Yaichi's lead, no matter how morally dubious it is. This focus on Yaichi, along with the fragile bonds surrounding him, is what makes the show shine.
This is a rare anime that is empathetic and critical of those forced into crime. People in the periphery do whatever is needed to become something. Masa functions as Yaichi's foil. Soft-spoken and cowardly, they are polar opposites. Despite that, it is their bond that elevates the show for its older audience.
7 Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Chronicles The Lives And Deaths Of Artists
The crux of Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is the exploration of guilt within a talented artist. Yakumo reflects on his life and his legacy, especially his relationship with Sukeroku. The guilt he feels over taking his friend's spot in the Rakugo world, and not being able to save him, haunts him and influences his actions towards Yotarou and Konatsu in the present.
The different ages of the characters allows for diverse personal stories to latch on to. The drama is harrowing to watch, but the pay-off is extremely cathartic. Pain evolves over decades, but the anime proves that living through it can still be meaningful.
6 Hyouge Mono Requires Specific Interests And Sensibilities To Appreciate
Hyouge Mono is a historical anime with an adult cast discussing politics and warfare through the perspective of tea ceremonies and artisans. It is a hard sell even among older viewers. It requires that the audience buys into its eccentricities and slower pacing before they can see what really makes the anime work.
This is a difficult thing to ask, especially for a show that is 39-episodes-long set in 16th Century Japan. With that said, it is unbelievably good at what it does. It manages to highlight how the politics of artistic sensibilities with Japan's elites influence policies, secret coalitions, coup d'etats, and philosophy. It does it all while being funny, expressive, and beautiful.
5 The Labyrinthian Storytelling Of Baccano! Is Brutally Fun
Without a great cast, Baccano!'s dizzying story would not work. The anime's zany and distinct collection of characters is what sets it apart. They are charming, hilarious, shocking, smooth, and lovable. The connection viewers make with them is not predicated on the viewer's ability to relate, but on impact.
Isaac and Miria are infectiously silly, Claire is terrifying but suave, Ladd is twisted, and Luck is intensely professional. They keep the shifting perspectives and timelines grounded. The anime thrives whenever its splendid cast is allowed to interact with each other.
4 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Modernizes The Space Opera Genre
Space Battleship Yamato 2199 took manga creator Leiji Matsumoto's legendary series and updated it for a modern audience. In a sense, a classic space opera that appealed to children was allowed to grow up. The cast was still relatively young, outside for the chief staff, the admirals, and the generals.
Most of the characters were in their early to late 20s. The adventure they embarked on was grand and perilous. Dessler was a fantastic antagonist for the story. The plot evolved and became complex organically. The audience received ample time to really immerse themselves into the setting and understand the stakes.
3 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Demands Active Participation
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex reinvents its franchise. As a series, it allows itself more time to focus on how Section 9 operates. Everyone on the team is an elite in their field. The cases across the show's 2 seasons, including the Laughing Man and the Individual Eleven, are intelligently written.
They require the audience pays attention to the philosophy and mystery behind the attacks for the full gravity of the anime to show. The anime keeps itself from being a slog by having one of the best soundtracks in anime, a surprisingly engaging cast, fluid combat, and stellar animation. It lives up to its gigantic reputation.
2 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes Is As Large As They Come
There is no better epic example within the medium than Legend of the Galactic Heroes. 110 episodes worth of space politics with a massive cast. It chronicles the battles between Reinhard's Empire and Yang Wenli's Alliance. It is dramatic, grandiose, and emotionally devastating.
Almost every character gets time to develop or establish themselves. It explores the effectivity of an efficient monarchy over a tumultuous democracy, while also touching on the philosophical implications of the results. All the actions are impactful and push the story forward. While the story is long, it cements itself as an essential watch.
1 Horror And Dread Are Synonymous With Monster
Monster's greatness cannot be understated. It is arguably the single most thrilling anime ever made. The story is painfully tense, introducing new questions every time the viewers believe they have inched closer to an answer. All the characters are dynamic and have their own goals.
Tenma is on a quest to correct his actions, Lunge is set to prove his assumptions true, Eva selfishly wants to destroy those who took her away from luxury, and Grimmer wants to be more than his upbringing. However, all of these goals revolve around John Liebert's plans. No one is privy to his motivations. His cruelty and composure makes him one of anime's most dangerous villains. Everyone in the show fears him, and the audience gradually finds out why they should too.