Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design.
Anime is currently one of the most popular mediums, with shows like Solo Leveling and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End dominating the scene right now. However, some anime shows become more predictable and stale as trends become more popular.
Despite some recent lack of creativity, anime as a whole is imaginative and unpredictable, which are some of its best aspects. The best part about a story is that the viewers don't know what will happen, so they anticipate every step of the way, making the unexpected series even better. This list will rank the ten most unpredictable anime based on unconventional storytelling, plot twists, amount of surprises, quality of surprises, and fan opinion. These ten shows never go the way the audience thinks, making them valuable anime in today's landscape. 10 'One Piece' Created by Eiichiro Oda Many anime run for years, maybe even decades, but One Piece is one of the longest-running anime series with over 1000 episodes. Monkey D. Luffy is a pirate who aims to become the King of the Pirates by finding the titular treasure. After creating a crew and journeying to every wacky island, they battle other pirates, the Navy, and the world government in an epic quest for freedom and joy. Battle shōnen aren't known for being unpredictable; in fact, they are some of the most predictable anime, with their sole focus on entertaining through action. However, One Piece is different, focusing on storytelling, characters, and worldbuilding to deliver an expansive plot and lore that could appear anytime. The moments always seem to be fresh, and the worldbuilding keeps surprising fans. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed One Piece TV-14 Comedy Action Adventure Anime Fantasy 25 9.5/10 Release Date October 20, 1999 Network Fuji TV Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 9 'Gintama' Created by Hideaki Sorachi Like One Piece, Gintama is also a battle shōnen, but instead of fans knowing it for fights and action, it is renowned because of its comedy. After aliens took over Edo Japan, the past and future combined to create a technologically advanced feudal Japan. Gintoki now works in an odd jobs company with Kagura and Shinpachi, involving themselves in bizarre situations and the peculiar people of the district. While some of the serious arcs can be predictable, the majority of the show is a random mess of perfection. Fans must always be on guard because they never know when Gintama will switch between comedy, action, or drama. This randomness makes Gintama an unpredictable masterpiece, whether it be jokes, moments, or characters, making this show one of the best sci-fi anime series. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been savedPowered by Expand Collapse 8 'Attack on Titan' Created by Hajime Isayama After dominating the anime scene for over a decade, Attack on Titan finally came to an end in grand fashion, making it one of the most prominent conclusions to an anime. After Titans destroy his village, Eren Yaeger joins the Survey Crops to enact revenge. However, after gaining the ability to turn into a Titan, he uses his newfound power to lead humanity's struggle against their enemies. Mystery anime are supposed to be unpredictable, but they don't always end up that way. Attack on Titan manages to create an unpredictable mystery, shocking lore, riveting worldbuilding, and unexpected plot twists. The show's appeal is its unpredictable nature, which continues to surprise fans, especially with its monumentous plot twists, making this show an unforgettable anime masterpiece. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been savedPowered by Expand Collapse 7 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' Created by Magica Quartet One look at Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and fans would assume it is yet another magical girl anime targeted towards children. However, it is a dark series that subverts expectations to deliver a psychological story. After the titular protagonist and a classmate encounter a mysterious cat, they both get magical powers, but this fantasy is more like a nightmare. On the outside, Madoka Magica is a wholesome-looking anime, but on the inside, it is a dark and twisted genre deconstruction. Fans don't expect the tone to shift from the art style, but the anime continues to surprise viewers with drastic plot pivots and shocking moments. The story never goes in a straight line, and it feels like it is done in spite of the audience, always keeping them on their feet and awaiting the next disturbing moment. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV-14 Action Magical Girl Thriller Release Date 2011 - 2011 Directors Akiyuki Shinbo, Yukihiro Miyamoto Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 6 'Odd Taxi' Created by Baku Kinoshita and Kazuya Konomoto Odd Taxi is one of the few new-gen anime on this list and the most recent series, proving its unexpectedness in a sea of predictable modern anime. Odokawa is a walrus taxi driver who makes it his business to keep out of other people's business. However, things change when multiple of his customers are linked to a crime, making him the last piece of the puzzle to solving this grisly murder. This anime is mostly a slow-burn of buildup and suspense, making it an unpredictable mystery that no one could guess until the end. However, what makes Odd Taxi unpredictable is the massive plot twist at the end, delivering an unexpected conclusion that shook the community to the core and has stuck as one of the most incredible anime twists, making the show an underdog anime masterpiece. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Odd Taxi TV-14 Animation Comedy Mystery Release Date 2021 - 2021-00-00 Network TV Tokyo Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 5 'Death Note' Created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata Death Note was one of the most popular anime series of the 2000s, having a stranglehold on the culture and community during that time. After an intelligent high schooler finds a note that can kill anyone, he uses this power to create a new world free of crime. However, his noble cause quickly gets out of control, prompting him and the world's smartest detective to have a battle of wits. The ingenious cat-and-mouse game between Light and L was a nonstop thrill fest that kept fans guessing, never using the same plot twice and consistently delivering the unexpected. Death Note is one of the most rewatchable anime shows because of its surprises, which still entertain the viewers after already seeing them. With plot twists and unconventional storytelling, Death Note isn't afraid to do the unexpected and make something masterful out of it. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been savedPowered by Expand Collapse 4 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' Created by Ichirō Ōkouchi and Gorō Taniguchi The mecha genre is a staple of anime, with legendary series such as Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. But the most unpredictable is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, which follows the titular protagonist who leads a revolution against the tyrannical empire after gaining a special ability. Despite being an anime about tactics and strategy, it doesn't go as far into its battle of wits as Death Note but still delivers a high-level story. Code Geass is so unpredictable because of its numerous plot twists that shake the story's core, taking it in a completely new direction. It is one of the best anime of the century because of its political tension and unexpected moments, which are cemented in anime history. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV-14 Action Release Date 2006 - 2008 Directors Gorō Taniguchi Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 3 'Mawaru Penguindrum' Created by Kunihiko Ikuhara Avant-garde anime are extraordinarily unpredictable and confusing, meaning this entire list could be filled with them. However, Mawaru Penguindrum is the most unpredictable. Following three siblings, one is in critical condition, and the other two desperately look for ways to save her. After an entity possesses the sister, it sends the other siblings on a wild goose chase to find the titular object. While Penguindrum is extremely confusing, it is just as unpredictable and changes the plotline every few episodes with a new twist. It has a lot to say and is an important story, but it fits so much into it that the plot can deviate at any point. Penguindrum is one of the best avant-garde anime because of its countless plot twists and unconventional story, providing unique moments and messages. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Mawaru Penguindrum TV-14 Animation Comedy Drama Fantasy Release Date 2011 - 2010 Directors Kunihiko Ikuhara, Shouko Nakamura Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 2 'Nichijou - My Ordinary Life' Created by Keiichi Arawi Comedy anime are some of the most unpredictable shows ever, and while this list could be flooded with them, Nichijou is the figurehead of surreal humor. Following three high school girls, they go about their daily lives, trying new things and having fun. But their life is anything but normal, causing chaos with the other students, townspeople, and a genius child and her robot. Nichijou's charm comes from its unpredictable, surreal, and chaotic humor, which will give the audience whiplash. One moment, fans are watching a wholesome game of tag; the next moment, buildings are crumbling from a laser. Its dramatic style also makes the simplest of games become a world-ending event. Nichijou is a distinct show and one of the best comedy anime that isn't afraid to confuse viewers. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Nichijou - My Ordinary Life TV-14 Animation Comedy Release Date 2011 - 2011 Directors Tatsuya Ishihara Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 1 'Samurai Flamenco' Created by Takahiro Omori Samurai Flamenco may be the least popular and worst-rated anime on this list, but that doesn't make it any less unpredictable. Obsessed with superheroes since a young age, a model decides to live out his dreams in a grounded world with no heroes. Only stopping petty crimes at first, he and his cop buddy encounter increasingly bizarre obstacles and dangers in the quest for justice. This anime starts as a grounded superhero show that incorporates realistic issues, but it quickly detours into one of the wackiest superhero plots it was trying to parody. Samurai Flamenco has a big twist that defines the show and is the only reason to watch the anime. Regardless, this anime switches genres multiple times and introduces new characters and plotlines on a whim, making it an unpredictable mess that feels like a different show every episode. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Samurai Flamenco Animation Action Sci-Fi Comedy Release Date October 10, 2013 Cast See All
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