5 Anime With Near Perfect Storyline That Are Better Than Shakespeare

Shakespeare is always considered the gold standard in storytelling. However, it’s hard to deny that some anime storylines can easily hold their own against the greatest works of literature. From intricate mysteries to mind-blowing twists, the narratives of some anime are just remarkable from beginning to end.

With that said, some anime have such brilliant storylines that they might just make Shakespeare nervous.

1 Steins;Gate Turns Time Travel Into One Of The Most Brilliant Narratives

At first glance, Steins;Gate seems like a story about a group of friends experimenting with a time machine. However, beneath its bizarre humor, this anime is a beautiful yet somewhat tragic tale about fate and consequences.

What makes Steins;Gate really interesting is that it uses seemingly insignificant details from its early episodes later in the story. In fact, not a single plot detail goes unused by the end of the story. We see Okabe traveling through different timelines to save the people he loves, making the journey quite emotional and heart-aching. But the anime never loses touch with its original, complex sci-fi premise. Of course, Shakespeare’s stories are also mostly built around tragedy and consequences, but Steins;Gate gives it a modern flair with time travel and alternate timelines.

2 Code Geass Delivers a Political Thriller With an Almost Unforgettable Ending

Code Geass is one of those anime that perfectly blends themes like political rebellion and personal tragedy, and the anime does it in a way that always keeps us guessing what’s next.

The anime is about Lelouch, who launches a rebellion against the empire that destroyed his life. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward, traditional premise about good versus evil, but honestly, it is much more complicated. Each of Lelouch’s victories comes with devastating consequences, making him the most unusual protagonist who makes difficult choices every step of the way. Shakespeare features heroes who face downfall because of their difficult personal choices. Well, Lelouch is no different, but what makes his tragedy more impactful is that it’s his ambition, which is also his greatest strength, that causes his downfall.

3 Monster Proves You Don’t Need Superpowers to Tell a Masterpiece of a Story

Monster is probably one of the most grounded anime stories, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful than stories with intricate power systems or over-the-top battle sequences. It’s a deeply layered psychological thriller that explores themes such as morality and human nature.

What’s truly fascinating about Monster is that it features a villain who doesn’t have supernatural powers. Yet, the character is written in such a way that it can send shivers down your spine. Unlike Shakespeare’s tragic villains, Johan Liebert isn’t built around power or authority. Instead, he proves how an ordinary human with no power can become the source of unimaginable evil. Overall, Monster is a slow-burn mystery filled with dilemmas and complex characters that make every revelation meaningful.

4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Has One of The Most Perfectly Written Stories

Hands down, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the best stories ever written. Initially, it seems like a story about two brothers going on a journey to correct their own mistakes. But over time, we learn that it’s a much larger and more complex narrative that involves war, politics, and sacrifice.

Honestly, we see a lot of minor, separate storylines in FMAB, but the anime never, ever loses sight of the Elric brothers. Every single character or event we witness in the story serves a larger purpose, and the anime very effortlessly connects all narrative threads to deliver a fulfilling conclusion.

5 Attack on Titan Blows You Away With Every Major Revelation And Foreshadowing

Attack on Titan is one of those stories that catches fans off guard at every turn. It starts off as a story about the last of humanity struggling to survive against terrifying titans. But over time, AoT’s plot gets much more complicated than that. Every time we think we know what’s ahead, the anime bursts the prediction bubble with yet another mind-bending twist.

AoT is truly special because it plants clues and foreshadows events long before they become relevant in the story. And that’s exactly why this story gets better on the second watchthrough. Everything from the mystery of the walls to the history of the titans is genuinely meticulously planned instead of just being randomly predictable. Shakespeare often dove into lore-heavy political themes, and it’s almost like Isayama tore a page from Shakespeare’s playbook before creating this masterpiece.

Which anime do you think has the best story? Do let us know in the comments!