Best anime of 2003 — top 28 ranked

The best anime that premiered in 2003, ranked by MyAnimeList user score. Tokyo Godfathers leads with a score of 8.29, followed by Kino's Journey and Fighting Spirit: Mashiba vs. Kimura. The 28 titles below average 7.89/10 and are drawn from MyAnimeList's top 2,000.

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  1. 1 Tokyo Godfathers poster

    Tokyo Godfathers

    Movie · 1 ep · Fall 2003 · Madhouse
    Adult CastAward WinningChildcareComedyDrama
    ★ 8.29
    337.6K members
    #347 on MAL
  2. 2 Kino's Journey poster

    Kino's Journey

    Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
    TV · 13 eps · Spring 2003 · A.C.G.T.
    AdventureDramaFantasy
    ★ 8.28
    364.2K members
    #357 on MAL
  3. 3 Fighting Spirit: Mashiba vs. Kimura poster

    Fighting Spirit: Mashiba vs. Kimura

    Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs. Kimura
    OVA · 1 ep · Summer 2003 · Madhouse
    Combat SportsShounenSports
    ★ 8.26
    131.2K members
    #374 on MAL
  4. 4 Fighting Spirit: Champion Road poster

    Fighting Spirit: Champion Road

    Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road
    TV Special · 1 ep · Spring 2003 · Madhouse
    Combat SportsShounenSports
    ★ 8.25
    160.9K members
    #394 on MAL
  5. 5 Planetes poster

    Planetes

    TV · 26 eps · Fall 2003 · Sunrise
    Adult CastAward WinningDramaRomanceSci-Fi
    ★ 8.24
    286.9K members
    #415 on MAL
  6. 6 Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island poster

    Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island

    OVA · 8 eps · Winter 2003 · Nippon Animation
    ActionAdventureFantasyShounen
    ★ 8.19
    184.9K members
    #469 on MAL
  7. 7 Fullmetal Alchemist poster

    Fullmetal Alchemist

    TV · 51 eps · Fall 2003 · Bones
    ActionAdventureAward WinningDramaFantasy
    ★ 8.12
    1.6M members
    #571 on MAL
  8. 8 Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem poster

    Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

    Movie · 1 ep · Fall 2003 · Toei Animation
    Adult CastAdventureDramaMusicSci-Fi
    ★ 8.12
    84.3K members
    #575 on MAL
  9. 9 Fighting Spirit Special poster

    Fighting Spirit Special

    Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi
    Special · 1 ep · Winter 2003 · Madhouse
    Combat SportsShounenSports
    ★ 8.09
    64.4K members
    #621 on MAL
  10. 10 Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu poster

    Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

    TV · 12 eps · Summer 2003 · Kyoto Animation
    ActionComedyGag HumorSchool
    ★ 8.02
    315.3K members
    #740 on MAL
  11. 11 Kaleido Star poster

    Kaleido Star

    TV · 51 eps · Spring 2003 · Gonzo
    ComedyDramaPerforming ArtsShowbizSupernatural
    ★ 7.91
    93.9K members
    #923 on MAL
  12. 12 Cromartie High School poster

    Cromartie High School

    Sakigake!! Cromartie Koukou
    TV · 26 eps · Fall 2003 · Production I.G
    ComedyDelinquentsGag HumorParodySchool
    ★ 7.88
    157.8K members
    #999 on MAL
  13. 13 Gungrave poster

    Gungrave

    TV · 26 eps · Fall 2003 · Madhouse
    ActionAdult CastDramaGoreOrganized Crime
    ★ 7.82
    222.5K members
    #1,135 on MAL
  14. 14 There She Is!! poster

    There She Is!!

    Tteotda Keunyeo!!
    ONA · 5 eps · Spring 2003
    AnthropomorphicComedyRomance
    ★ 7.82
    25.7K members
    #1,153 on MAL
  15. 15 InuYasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler poster

    InuYasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler

    InuYasha Movie 3: Tenka Hadou no Ken
    Movie · 1 ep · Fall 2003 · Sunrise
    ActionAdventureFantasyHistoricalMythology
    ★ 7.80
    120.6K members
    #1,188 on MAL
  16. 16 Detective Conan Movie 07: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital poster

    Detective Conan Movie 07: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital

    Meitantei Conan Movie 07: Meikyuu no Crossroad
    Movie · 1 ep · Spring 2003 · TMS Entertainment
    AdventureComedyDetectiveMysteryShounen
    ★ 7.79
    58.2K members
    #1,216 on MAL
  17. 17 Wolf's Rain poster

    Wolf's Rain

    TV · 26 eps · Winter 2003 · Bones
    ActionAdventureDramaFantasyMystery
    ★ 7.79
    358.2K members
    #1,226 on MAL
  18. 18 Last Exile poster

    Last Exile

    TV · 26 eps · Spring 2003 · Gonzo
    ActionAdventureSci-Fi
    ★ 7.78
    191.1K members
    #1,246 on MAL
  19. 19 Mujin Wakusei Survive poster

    Mujin Wakusei Survive

    TV · 52 eps · Fall 2003 · Madhouse
    ActionAdventureFantasySci-FiSlice of Life
    ★ 7.76
    33.9K members
    #1,307 on MAL
  20. 20 Detective School Q poster

    Detective School Q

    Tantei Gakuen Q
    TV · 45 eps · Spring 2003 · Studio Pierrot
    ComedyDetectiveDramaMysteryShounen
    ★ 7.76
    38.4K members
    #1,313 on MAL
  21. 21 Texhnolyze poster

    Texhnolyze

    TV · 22 eps · Spring 2003 · Madhouse
    Adult CastAvant GardeDramaMysteryOrganized Crime
    ★ 7.76
    299.3K members
    #1,314 on MAL
  22. 22 Saint Seiya: The Hades Chapter - Recaps poster

    Saint Seiya: The Hades Chapter - Recaps

    Saint Seiya: Meiou Hades Juuni Kyuu-hen - Yomigaerishi Gold Saint-tachi no Shinwa
    Special · 2 eps · 2003 · Toei Animation
    AdventureSci-FiShounen
    ★ 7.70
    10.8K members
    #1,486 on MAL
  23. 23 Tomorrow's Nadja poster

    Tomorrow's Nadja

    Ashita no Nadja
    TV · 50 eps · Winter 2003 · Toei Animation
    AdventureDramaHistoricalRomance
    ★ 7.63
    37.2K members
    #1,682 on MAL
  24. 24 Haré+Guu Final poster

    Haré+Guu Final

    Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu Final
    OVA · 7 eps · Fall 2003 · Shin-Ei Animation
    Award WinningComedyGag HumorShounen
    ★ 7.62
    11.1K members
    #1,729 on MAL
  25. 25 Chrono Crusade poster

    Chrono Crusade

    Chrno Crusade
    TV · 24 eps · Fall 2003 · Gonzo
    ActionHistoricalMythologyRomanceShounen
    ★ 7.60
    240.3K members
    #1,789 on MAL
  26. 26 Initial D: Project D to the Next Stage - Project D e Mukete poster

    Initial D: Project D to the Next Stage - Project D e Mukete

    Special · 1 ep · Winter 2003 · A.C.G.T.
    ActionDramaRacingSeinen
    ★ 7.58
    13.9K members
    #1,879 on MAL
  27. 27 My Sister Momoko poster

    My Sister Momoko

    Momoko, Kaeru no Uta ga Kikoeru yo.
    Movie · 1 ep · Summer 2003 · Magic Bus
    DramaSchool
    ★ 7.57
    6.3K members
    #1,929 on MAL
  28. 28 Zatch Bell! poster

    Zatch Bell!

    Konjiki no Gash Bell!!
    TV · 150 eps · Spring 2003 · Toei Animation
    ActionAdventureComedyShounenSupernatural
    ★ 7.56
    139.7K members
    #1,958 on MAL

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