By Wikipedia definition, a masterpiece is a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill, or workmanship.silmarilen wrote:
by the definition of masterpiece there is not a single masterpiece in anime.
the best you're going to get anywhere when you are looking for "masterpieces" in anime is people's favourite anime, or anime that people think are really good even when they arent their favourite.
There's more to a work of art than whether or not someone considers it their favourite. Every art medium has its master works, whether that may be on a technical or story level (or, in the case of most masterpieces, both). There are definitely individual creators with distinct, overpowering styles and touches in anime, just like in film. For the most part, these auteurs do have their premier works, what many consider their best in addition to solidifying themselves as works of art.
You also don't have to necessarily love something to consider it a master work. I mean, I dislike Evangelion, but still consider it an anime masterpiece.