"Masterpieces"

What series (anime or manga) would you consider to be a masterpiece and why? And I'm not asking you to reel off a huge list of your favourite anime, really think about it.

For me, Clannad/Clannad After Story is a masterpiece. I don't need to say much about this one as I'm sure the majority of you have seen it. Never before has a series taken me through so many emotions.

Also:
- All the Studio Ghibli films
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Elfen Lied
- Death Note
- Steins;Gate

I definitely agree with you about Clannad being a masterpiece. Never has a series before it made me feel so many different emotions.

I'd also consider Cowboy Bebop, Gurren Lagann, and Neon Genesis Evangelion for that title as well.

One Piece.

Darker than Black
NGE
Vision of Escaflowne
FATE/STAY FUCKING NIGHT

It goes without saying, that Clannad is (imo) THE BEST thing I've ever seen on a screen.

I thought Ef-A Tale of Memories and Ef-A tale of Melodies were masterpieces. The whole design, story, and execution was fantastic. Each character was developed really well. As much as I love comedy anime, these two really held my attention because of how deep and meaningful they were despite the lack of humor.

Oh, and I love the music, openings, and endings of these two anime.

Just the opening of memories for those who might be interested.

I would have to say Elfen lied. Out of all the anime i've watched so far I found it to be the best. Emotional, suspensful and ofc the gore was a nice touch.

I agree with the OP about Clannad. No series has ever stirred that much emotion in me.

Clannad is definitely a masterpiece when it comes to anime. I'd like to add:

Code Geass
Air
TTGL
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (1st Season)

Clannad, is ONE of them. Also, Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Outlaw Star.

I rewatched Elfen Lied the other day, it is really good. I still haven't read the manga yet; it supposidly ends unhappier than the anime.

If someone is going to spoil it then use spoilers! I will get around to reading it eventually.

All of Miyazaki's films. Seriously, the art, the level of detail, the story, the characters, the music (Joe Hisaishi, fuck yeah)...every little thing is amazing.

As far as series go, I'd consider Elfen Lied, Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, Baccano, and Code Geass as masterpieces.

Cowboy Bebop. Reason being, it's got it all. Action, comedy, romance, suspense, story's awesome, art's awesome. I'm really trying hard to think of an anime that I've seen that could be considered a "masterpiece" or as close to the definition as possible, but the only one I can think of is Cowboy Bebop. It's pretty much the measuring stick to which all anime is compared, in my opinion. Bold statement, I know, but, to me at least, it's the god-honest truth.

I guess Clannad/After Story, NGE, and One Piece got the title by default.

Well, to add more.
GTO (manga) is very well written. While it contain morals, criticism and such, GTO still can give the readers a good read without the need to set the reader's brain into "comprehend complex story" mode.

Full Metal Alchemist (manga) and its own anime adaptation, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood.
This is my favorite from all time, and i think it's more than just worthy for me to call it as a "Masterpiece". In my opinion at least.

You, sir, deserve internets.

Grave of the Fireflies
Mononoke Hime
Kara no Kyoukai
Jinroh: The Wolf Brigade
Last Exile
Ghost in the Shell
FLCL:Furi Kuri
Saikano: The Last Love Song
Hellsing Ultimate OVA
Clannad
Cowboy Bebop
Karas: The Prophecy
Casshern Sins

Hrm I'm losing my memory again, cuz theres a few more I must post.

We all have to agee that NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is a must watch

other would be:
Code Geass
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Lucky Star
Death Note
Ghost in the Shell
Cowboy Bebop
Trigun
Baccano


None of the big three(One piece, Bleach, Naruto) should be on it because they are all to long and have good parts and bad parts.

YES

No.

Clannad/After Story and Code Geass for me, despite all the hate that CG gets for some reason.

Death Note manga is definitely there too. Not so sure about the anime though.

Code Geass, the Ghibli films (i.e. including GotF), NGE, Gurren Lagann and FLCL. I'm still watching Cowboy Bebop and Clannad because I'm a terrible person. :p

Death Note and Elfen Lied are tied for the worst endings in the history of everything, so no dice there.