Today, we’ll be talking about Highest Rated Anime by Toei Animation, regardless of the over-rated and under-rated debate. There are two things to keep in mind before we jump in: only one anime per franchise is included and only TV anime are included in this list.
There’ll be some surprising entries on this list. So, without any further ado let’s dive into the list of highest-rated anime of Toei Animation.
10Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
MAL Rating: 7.95
Rated by: 57K users
Sailor Moon is at the peak of Mahou Shoujo, commonly known as the Magical Girl subgenre. It has not only popularized this subgenre but has also set a standard that’s quite hard to top. As the final installment of the iconic series, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars doesn’t disappoint and ends up as the highest-rated of the entire series and is one of the top-rated anime for Toei Animation.
9Fist of the North Star
MAL Rating: 7.96
Rated by: 45K users
“Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru”
You would be lying if you said that you have never heard this dialogue, especially if you have been watching anime for a while now. The dialogue, which translates into “You Are Already Dead,” became an iconic meme that transcends beyond the medium of anime and is still referenced in the early 2020s, the latest reference being in 2022.
Kenshirou is betrayed and is left to die in a post-apocalyptic world. He journeys to find his rival Shin, who has kidnapped Yuria, his fiancée. Along the way, he faces mighty enemies using his fighting style, Hokuto Shinken, being the 64th successor of the technique. If you love martial arts and sci-fi, this is a must-watch.
8Silver Fang
MAL Rating: 8.02
Rated by: 12K users
Silver Fang is a 1986 anime, and its Anthropomorphic theme makes it the most unique entry on this list. It’s about the power struggle between dogs and bears.
Gin is a tiger-striped Akita destined to be a bear-hunting dog. After his father gets killed by Akakabuto, a man-eating demon bear; Gin is made his father’s successor. While Akakabuto gathers allies, Gin must find his own by traveling across Japan. At heart, it’s a pure shounen; if you want a canine as your main protagonist, Silver Fang should be on your watchlist.
7Lovely Complex
MAL Rating: 8.03
Rated by: 294K users
Very rarely would you find a rom-com as one of the highest-rated anime for a studio known for its battle-shounen heavy line-up. But that also indicates how good of an anime it is. Toei’s adaptation of Lovely Complex is one such high-rated anime that justified the numbers.
It’s a story that revolves around two characters’ height syndrome. Atsushi is shorter than the average male, while Risa is taller than the average female. When both of their love interests fall in love they find solace in each other’s presence. Unexpected feelings bloom.
6Girls Band Cry
MAL Rating: 8.10
Rated by: 6K users
Recency bias? Yes.
But how recent? Well, it was released in April 2024 and still airing.
The first thing you’ll notice in Girls Band Cry is that it’s animated in CG, something Toei has been experimenting with in the recent Dragon Ball movies and the new Slam Dunk movie, and successfully so.
Besides that, this original anime is about a 17-year-old girl, Nina Iseri, whose apparent bad luck leads her to unexpected events in life where she starts a band with her favorite guitarist. Dreams, Challenges, and Passion for Music lead this band of girls behind their journey as musicians in an oversaturated music industry.
5Dragon Ball Z
MAL Rating: 8.18
Rated by: 848K users
Everyone knows Goku; even people who have barely watched anime know who Goku is. From where? Of course, Dragon Ball Z. That’s how popular and globally loved anime DBZ is. Without a doubt, you can say that if not for DBZ, the medium of anime wouldn’t be as popular as it is now.
Even with this franchise’s new sequels and movies, Dragon Ball Z stands tall because it introduced us to three levels of Super Saiyan aligned with villains like Frieza (who is still a force to reckon with), Cell, Buu, and so many more. It’s one of those series that remains a major childhood memory for all the 90s kids out there.
4World Trigger S3
MAL Rating: 8.25
Rated by: 45K users
Recency bias? Maybe. Overrated? Not a chance.
World Trigger Season 3 delivers and makes up for everything missing in its prequels. From the storytelling to the fantastic action to the animation quality, World Trigger S3 overcompensates, making the upcoming sequel a much-awaited release. Once you watch all three seasons, you will agree to it as well. Hence, the rating is justified with a pinch of recency bias.
Tamakoma-2 is desperate to join the mission to the Neighbor’s dimension, but the B-rank Wars are more intense than ever. With a new member joining the squad, Tamakoma-2 has to give their all to participate in the upcoming mission.
3Mononoke
MAL Rating: 8.42
Rated by: 94K users
Mononoke’s presence is like a morning walk, where you inhale the fresh air and hear the birds chirping without distraction. That is why Mononoke is so highly rated in the anime community. The art, the color palette, the storytelling, and everything else about this anime are refreshing.
The story is about a medicine seller who travels across Feudal Japan to exorcise Mononoke, evil spirits. Mononoke is a perfect psychological horror from head to toe, especially if you’re a fan of this genre.
2Slam Dunk
MAL Rating: 8.54
Rated by: 137K users
Like many, I hesitated to watch Slam Dunk because I judged the book by its cover. But I decided to give it a try, and believe me when I say this, it is the BEST decision I’ve ever made. There are shortcomings, but its overwhelming strengths in every other aspect easily make up for them.
Sakuragi Hanamichi gets dumped by a girl who has taken an interest in a basketball guy. His hate for sports is sky-high until a chance encounter with a girl who drags him into the world of basketball. Soon, Sakuragi finds himself fighting for a place on the basketball team to impress the girl he has fallen head over heels with.
1One Piece
MAL Rating: 8.72
Rated by: 1.3M users
One Piece is Toei Animation’s highest-rated anime and also its strongest pillar. And it shouldn’t be surprising, considering how the anime has continued to deliver quantity and quality without much compromise. There are noticeable ups and downs, but the anime has been one of the best, if not the best, adventure-shounen ever.
Inspired by a certain pirate, Luffy dreams of becoming a pirate, and not just any pirate; he wants to become the Pirate King. Although initially he isn’t taken seriously, his increasing bounty sends a warning across the seas that the Pirate King’s throne won’t be empty anymore.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure more than a couple of names on this list are completely unknown to you. You might want to check them out to see if those ratings are overrated or underrated. Also, if you want a list of the Highest-rated Movies of Toei Animation, let me know.
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