One can always argue about things, but we think that anime is one of the most successful Japanese exports of all time. What’s so special about it, you ask? Well, it is not just some kiddie cartoon, as anime series often don a dark visual style, presenting the viewers with inappropriate amounts of gore (always depicted in the most visually pleasing way, of course). Besides that, even if the tone of a particular anime is light, the visuals significantly differ from the Western aesthetics - these animations are full of visual clues, and almost everything bears a meaning. And what about the topics? Well, if Western animations are more likely to touch the topics of friendship and love, the issues in anime span from romance to thriller. And that indicates that anime series aren’t really meant for kids. In fact, you should take them and view them as your regular TV series, just animated and not live-action.
So, whether you are a seasoned anime fan or just poking around to see if you’d like it, you’ve come to the right place. For the aforementioned pros - this list consists of 181 entries, and we doubt that anyone has seen them all. So, even if you claim to have done so, we bet even you will find something new on our anime series list. As for the ones that are just checking around - the top 30 submissions are supplied with descriptions that will hopefully make your choice easier. Now, all there’s left to do is to scroll down below and check out our comprehensive list of the best anime series of all time! From such classics as Dragon Ball to newer series as The Promised Neverland, you will definitely find something worth your time. After checking out our top anime picks, vote for the ones you deem to be the best, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends! Domo arigato~!
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#1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second series based on the original manga Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. Unlike the previous adaptation released in 2003, Brotherhood is incredibly faithful to the manga, directly following the events depicted there. The Brotherhood series ran for 64 episodes from 2009 to 2010. It follows the story of two brothers - Edward and Alphonse Elric - who are both aspiring alchemists, traveling the world and learning the secrets of their craft. It all isn't so simple and rosey, of course, as the brothers' failed attempt to bring their deceased mother back ends up horribly, and that's exactly the point where all of their dark adventures begin. From deep government conspiracies to unbelievable quests, the heroes have exactly zero time to relax.
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98points
#2 Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan is a Japanese dark fantasy anime series based on a manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama. The series premiered on April 7, 2013 on local TV channels and worldwide streaming platforms. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by giant Titans, this anime series follows the journey of Eren Jaeger seeking revenge on the Titans that killed his mother. He then joins an elite force called Survey Corps, wanting to fight and obliterate said enemies while also discovering facts of their eerie history. Everything about Attack On Titan got its fair share of praise - starting with characters and ending with the dark themes. No wonder that it is beloved among critics and fans alike!
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94points
#3 Death Note
The Death Note anime series, based on a manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, ran for 37 episodes from 2006 to 2007. The story depicts Light Yagami, a teenage genius who finds a mysterious notebook (the Death Note) that once belonged to Ryuk - a supernatural spirit. Of course, Light then tries to carry out a purge of humanity by killing off anyone who he deems immoral in hopes of creating a crime-free society. As with any Japanese story, it isn't all so simple, and Light gets into plenty of obscure and life-threatening events. The Death Note series isn't just gore and obliteration as it also talks about profound questions of justice and murder, all the while managing to stay highly entertaining throughout its run.
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94points
#4 Naruto: Shippuden
Naruto: Shippuden, directed by Hayato Date, is the sequel to the original Naruto anime, corresponding to Part II of the manga. It debuted on Japanese TV in 2007 and concluded in 2017 - a solid ten-year run! Here, Naruto is back from his training with the legendary ninja Jiraiya, and we meet him two and a half years later. His story is full of plot twists, deaths, ultimate battles, betrayal, and reforms - an entertaining series full of action and redemption. However, if you want to watch Naruto: Shippuden in all its gory glory, search for the original Japanese version with English subtitles, as the American broadcast was heavily edited in parts referencing alcohol, Japanese culture, sexual innuendo, and the appearance of blood and death.
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91points
#5 Naruto
The Naruto anime, directed by Hayao Date, ran from 2002 to 2007 and consisted of 220 episodes, the first 135 of which followed the original events of Naruto manga, while the latter episodes used completely new plot elements that are not in the manga. Nonetheless, the Naruto series (well, the 135 episodes of it) corresponds to Part I of the manga, and here's where we get to meet Naruto, Team 7, the ninjas, and to discover the universe that the story is set in. And although the original Naruto series wasn't as warmly met by the critics as its successor, it nevertheless is a great example of what anime is all about.
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90points
#6 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is an anime adaptation of a manga of the same name written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge. It follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, who sets out to become a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered and his sister is turned into a demon. The Demon Slayer series ran for 26 episodes in 2019 and later spawned a sequel film which, in turn, became the highest-grossing anime film and Japanese film of all time. In addition, the series itself was heavily praised for its seamless animation, gorgeous action choreography, and character arcs. And, with just 26 episodes, it won't hurt to binge-watch it!
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86points
#7 One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise featuring an anime series created by the artist under the pseudonym ONE. In a nutshell, it tells the story of Saitama, a superhero who can defeat anyone with just one punch. But, of course, he soon gets bored by the lack of challenge and sets out to find a worthy opponent. You know, just to add a little spice to the dull life of a superhero. While the original webcomic was released as early as 2009, it got adapted to an anime only in 2015 by the legendary Madhouse animation studio. The first season of One-Punch Man enjoyed massive success and was praised for its unorthodox hero, amazing animation, and kooky sense of humor.
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84points
#8 Hunter X Hunter
We've added Madhouse's 2011 Hunter X Hunter anime series to our list, leaving the original adaptation, released in 1999, out. Why? Well, simply because this second edition tried its best to stick to the original events from the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi. And we do love ourselves an accurate adaptation! So, Hunter X Hunter follows Gon Freecss - a young boy about to take the Hunter examination to become licensed for tracking down secret treasures, rare beasts, and other individuals. And that's basically enough to know that the plot will be soaked in action and adventures.
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81points
#9 My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a Japanese anime series based on a superhero manga of the same name by Kōhei Horikoshi. The series first aired in Japan in 2016 and now spans five seasons, with the sixth one in line. The story of My Hero Academia is set in a world where around 80% of its population has gained the ability to develop superpowers (called Quirks). A few of those with prominent Quirks gain a status of a Hero by helping the authorities on various operations, hence My Hero Academia. The main man of the series is Izuku Midoriya, and it is his story of becoming a Hero that the series centers on.
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76points
#10 Assassination Classroom
The Assassination Classroom anime series is based on the creation by Yusei Matsui. More specifically, his science fiction comedy manga of the same name. The story here, well, is quite an unusual one - it follows the daily life of a powerful octopus-like being working as a junior high teacher. That's not all, of course - the octopus' students are on a task to assassinate him, thus trying to prevent the obliteration of the Earth. And it gets even more complex with each episode! Let's just say that the story draws you in with its tentacles, and there's no way to stop binge-watching Assassination Classroom.
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69points
#11 Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is an anime series based on a manga of the same name created by ONE. It follows the story of Shigeyo Kageyama - an average schoolboy with a lack of presence, thus nicknamed Mob (モブ, Mobu, wasei eigo for "background character," and not "mobster"). Although he looks like a meek person, he's actually a powerful esper with vast psychic abilities. A train of miseries follows Shigeyo and his suppressed emotions threaten to unleash his hidden powers, but right at the tipping point, he meets other espers. The series got praised for its unusual visual style, character story, and the concepts of heroism and society. A series worth watching!
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68points
#12 One Piece
One Piece, an anime series based on a manga of the same name by Eiichiro Oda, is one long watch as, since its release in 1999, it has aired over 1000 episodes. Now that's impressive! The series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gains rubber-like qualities after he unintentionally eats a Devil Fruit. His main quest is to find the ultimate pirate treasure, known as One Piece, to become the next pirate king. Of course, Luffy isn't alone on his adventures and is followed by a loyal band of pirates called the Straw Hat Pirates. And, although One Piece has been running for 22 years as of today, the series still holds its position as one of the most-watched animes worldwide. Longevity to be envious of!
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68points
#13 Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion is one of those pretty rare anime series that is not based on a manga but is rather an original concept of its own. The action is set in an alternate timeline, and the story centers around an exiled prince, Lelouch vi Britannia. Upon meeting a mysterious woman, C.C., he obtains a supernatural power known as Geass. Right then and there, he starts a rebellion against the rule of the Holy Britannian Empire, battling it with a series of mecha attacks. Since its release, Code Geass has garnered plenty of favorable critics' reviews and gained a myriad of devoted fans.
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66points
#14 Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim is an anime series based on the 1988 Parasyte science fiction horror manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. In 2014, Parasyte got its adaptation as an anime series, closely following the original events. Which, in a nutshell, are these - Shinichi Izumi gets infested by an alien entity with whom he forms a kind of a bond in fighting other Parasytes that have fully taken over human beings. Besides being creepily entertaining, the series explores philosophical questions, such as the humans' relationship to their environment and other beings. Topics that are even more relevant today than they were at the time of the original manga's conception. It's quite a cerebral piece of entertainment if you're looking for that.
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64points
#15 Haikyu!!
Haikyu!! is an anime series based on a manga of the same name created by Haruichi Furudate. Compared to the rest of the lot, this series has a very unusual premise, and it is… Volleyball!! (or Haikyu, if you want to say it in the original language). It follows the story of a junior high school student, Shōyō Hinata, and his journey of becoming a professional volleyball player. The Haikyu!! series ran for four seasons and 85 episodes in total. It was praised for its accurate portrayal of professional-level volleyball, its fluid animation, and beautiful visual metaphors.
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63points
#16 Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul is a Japanese anime based on a dark fantasy manga series by Sui Ishida. The series ran for two 12-episode seasons where the action is set in an alternate reality with human flesh-eating ghouls roaming around. Besides eating humans, they are also much stronger and more resilient. There are also half-humans and half-ghouls here, one of which is our protagonist Ken Kaneki. It's his story of adapting to the life of a half-ghoul (eating humans and all) and hiding his new identity from his human friends. Of course, there's action, and there are adventures, and it all is unbelievably entertaining to watch.
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62points
#17 Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is an anime series based on a manga written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by the South Korean artist Boichi. The manga became an anime in 2019 with two full seasons and the third one in talks. This is what happens in Dr. Stone - 2038 marks the year when a mysterious flash petrifies all humanity, and everybody spends the upcoming 3,000 plus years as stones. Then comes a fifteen-year-old prodigy named Senku Ishigami, who revives himself, finds out what caused it, revives a martial artist and their classmate in hopes to start a new society. And that's your main premise and the main plotline! The series is full of interesting factual information on chemistry and engineering (come on, it's always nice to learn something new!), memorable characters, and most of all - fun.
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62points
#18 Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop, a neo-noir science fiction anime, was created by Sunrise Inc. and originally ran in 1998 for 26 episodes. The events are set in an eerily near future - the year 2071. The series follows a bounty-hunting crew and their adventures of capturing those wanted. Since it's all in the future, they travel aboard a spaceship called Bebop, just like in the series name. However, it isn't all just fun and games, as the most prominent topics in Cowboy Bebop are those of existential ennui, loneliness, and the inability to escape your own past. Since its release, Cowboy Bebop has been consistently named one of the best animated series ever, not only because of its commercial success but also because of the animation style, characters, story, voice acting, and soundtrack.
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62points
#19 Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a part of the Dragon Ball franchise and a sequel series to the 1986 original adaptation. Dragon Ball Z picks up five years after the end of the Dragon Ball series, with Goku now an adult and a father to Gohan. Now, there are even more extraterrestrial characters, and we even get to learn that Goku is one of them - a Saiyan. Then Goku dies, is revived again, then Gohan is an ape, and then Vegeta is, perhaps, obliterated. That's to summarize it in two sentences, but there are actually so many more plotlines and events in Dragon Ball Z! In fact, the series is so huge that with time, the Dragon Ball franchise has become synonymous with iconic.
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56points
#20 The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins is an anime series based on a manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki. The action is set in a universe somewhat similar to that of the European Middle Ages - there are knights, castles, princesses, and all the other attributes of the period. The main protagonists are a group of knights representing the seven deadly sins, who embark on important missions to safeguard their honor. Although The Seven Deadly Sins falls under the shōnen (youth-oriented) category, the series' graphic violence and minimal fan service prove it to be anything but a kiddie show.
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55points