This world has seen so many trends, but the craziest one with the maximum hype is Anime. What started as a small, animated business in Japan has traveled worldwide, engaging millions of anime fans with their creative characters and storylines.

Cartoons were always a big part of every kid’s life, and Anime brings back the same feel as those cartoons with bizarre plots. Anime books, movies, or TV characters have a fan following because of the raw emotions they show, despite being an animation and being too excellent for their own good. Anime has its own world altogether, with different genres revolving around it, from romance to science fiction to horror, and more. Here are 65 best anime series you must watch!

1. Best Anime Series: Death Note

• Director: Tetsurō Araki, Shusuke Kaneko (First Two)
• Writer: Tsugumi Ohba in Manga Series.
• Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong
• IMDb ratings: 9/10
• Platform: Netflix

You have truly experienced Death Note only if you have read it in the Manga Comics. But to the non-comic book readers, there is not one but two above-average Live Action adaptations. Intelligent and handsome 17-year-old Light Yagami comes across a mysterious book called “Death Note,” which turns his life upside down.

The notebook is a magical killing machine; whoever’s name is mentioned in the book is killed. All the initial doubts are gone from Light’s head as one by one evil people or people who mess with the newly acclaimed “the God of the new world” aka Light, himself are murdered.

The increasing number of murders reach the International Police organization where the series antagonist is shown to be the clever detective, L. This show is then all mind games between Light and L and frantic attempts to kill each other.

The Death Note movie adaptation is R-rated and can make the adults very uncomfortable to the point where they would rather squint and watch. However, the 2006 adaptation does some justice to the comics and has humor and thrill in all the right places. So, choose your fighter.

2. Tokyo Ghoul

• Director: Kentarô Hagiwara
• Author: Sui Ishida
• Publisher: Viz Media
• Stars: Natsuki Hanae, Austin Tindle, Sora Amamiya.
• IMDb ratings: 7.7/10
• Platform: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

Another Manga hit got its own live-action series, which definitely raised the bar for action anime plots. Tokyo Ghoul is a dark drama with many bloodsheds and can make your insides turn. It has a good amount of suspense, making this one of the best anime, but only if you are ready to get grotesque.

The very shy Ken Kaneki survives a disastrous date with Rize Kamishiro, who turns out to be a ghoul and attacks Ken, leaving him in the state of Half Human and Half Ghoul. The plot picks up when fellow Ghouls who run a coffee shop, Anteiku, become his mentors and guide him through his new flesh-eating life.

If you can’t get enough of Tokyo Ghoul, luckily, two live-action movies are made back in 2017 and 2019. Another best part about it is that this anime has two completed seasons on Netflix called Tokyo Ghoul, released back in 2014, so the binge-watching experience won’t be delayed. But, beware, it is not for the faint-hearted.

3. Best Anime Series: Fullmetal Alchemist

• Director: Seiji Mizushima
• Author: Hiromu Arakawa
• Stars: Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Romi Pak.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
• Platform: Netflix

This one-season series on Netflix will most definitely blow minds. Fullmetal Alchemist gained so much attention because of the genius and honest plot and setting. From the title itself, it’s easy to figure out that there will be a lot of science involved.

Alchemy is the process of a wonderful mixture of two elements or objects. The story revolves around the two Alchemist brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are on the hunt for the ambiguous Philosopher’s stone, which would help them revive their bodies, which they had given up bringing back their dead mother.

As confusing as the plot seems, it’s very neatly made and explained in 51 episodes. The show pretty much covers all the riveting genres from action-drama to war and science.

4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

• Director: Yasuhiro Irie
• Author: Hiromu Arakawa
• Stars: Kent Williams, IemasaKayumi, Vic Mignogna.
• IMDb Ratings: 9.1/10
• Platform: Netflix

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second installation of this series, which sticks a lot to the original manga story and is longer than the previous one. This is one of the best shounen anime creations and targets the correct audience.

This story has been said to be better than the first part, so it shouldn’t be confused with the first one. The story of this part follows Fullmetal Alchemy but contains more emotions and teaches us a lot of life lessons. In addition, they have introduced a few more characters with strong development in every aspect, making this one of the greatest anime series.

The plot doesn’t have any loopholes, and nothing seems out of order here, making the story such a good ride. Brotherhood is a fictional piece of art and can also be enjoyed as a slice of life anime. Both the series is a must-watch.

5. One Punch Man 

• Director: Shingo Natsume
• Author: ONE
• Illustrated by: Yusuke Murata
• Stars: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Max Mittelman.
• IMDb ratings: 8.8/10
• Platform: Netflix and Hulu

Looking for some comedy-filled action? This is your man. This anime hero currently resides on Netflix and Hulu with two good seasons. Fans fell for the uniqueness of the idea of the story and the One Punch Hero.

The story is quite simple but sounds definitely absurd, making it better; Saitama, a reluctant superhero, can knock anyone out with just one punch. There is absolutely no one who can defeat this powerful, bald superhero, which obviously gets boring for him.

So, he starts finding a worthy opponent for himself for his own entertainment. The characters’ voiceovers could get a bit annoying, but the performance by the cast of the characters cover up for it. Fortunately, the second season doesn’t lose the quirk and wit present in the first one, which makes One Punch Man a fun series with a different animation style, which was greatly appreciated by true anime fans.

6. Best Anime Series: Mob Psycho 100

• Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa
• Author: ONE
• Stars: Setsuo Ito, Takahiro Sakurai, Akio Ôtsuka.
• IMDb ratings: 8.5/10
• Platform: Netflix

From the author of One Punch Man, here’s another banging anime that is a total joyride. Mob psycho 100 is a 2 seasons series streaming on Netflix, with gorgeous animations and easy-to-like characters. The 3rd season is expected to come out in April 2021 in Japan, which is excellent news for all the Mob Psycho lovers.

The plot of this show is another thing that catches a fan’s attention. It’s about a boy, Shigeo Kageyama or “Mob,” who is in middle school with a seemingly normal life. That’s where the plot twist happens, and he is a middle school student with 6th sense. In layman’s terms, he has powers.

As the plot escalates, it shows how he lives under the threat of losing his powers and tries to use these powers to get the girl he likes to fall for him. This anime has some very complex characters who are, at times, more loved than the lead himself. The setting is beautiful, and that keeps a viewer in awe. The storyline is incredibly well balanced and exciting,making this show perfect for a light watch with little action or drama. This series is almost as perfect as an anime.

7. Fate/Zero

• Director: Ei Aoki
• Author/Creator: Akira Hiyama, Akihiro Yoshida.
• Stars: Ayako Kawasumi, Kari Wahlgren, Sayaka Ôhara.
• IMDb ratings: 8.3/10
• Platform: Netflix

The second anime transformation of Type-Moon’s Fate establishment of light books, this 25-scene seinen, coordinated by Ei Aoki, follows a gathering of mages as they contend in a fight royale called the Fourth Holy Grail War over a legendary cup (firmly not the Cup of Christ, but instead sharing its name) equipped for allowing the wish of its holder.

Three groups of mages have customarily battled for control of the Grail. Yet, each war is pursued among seven mages (called Masters) who bring Servants (hugely ground-breaking figures of legend and world history) to battle as their agents in the contention—implying that thrill-seeker history buffs.

Those who have consistently pondered who might win in a fight between King Arthur (once more, it’s truly not that Holy Grail) and Alexander the Great will find this show amply fulfilling. Unfortunately, the reasonably bananas premise is offset a lovely activity style, multifaceted nature of the character, and authentically terrible unexpected developments.

8. Naruto

• Director: Hayato Date
• Author: Masashi Kishimoto
• Stars: Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Kate Higgins.
• IMDb ratings: 8.3/10
• Platform: Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Crunchyroll.

Anyone who is not even an anime fan has heard the ever-so-great Naruto’s name, a shounen anime classic. Naruto has a series of video games, action figures, and 220 episodes in the series adaptation of the hit two, one-shot manga series by Kishimoto.

Many people grew up with this anime and continue to re-watch it on Netflix and call it a “legacy” to pass it on to fellow anime fans since it is one of the most incredible anime series ever. It has managed to garner such a loyal fan base that their best level starts and ends on “Naruto.”

This series can definitely be classified as a classic. For a lot, Naruto was the “first anime ever watched,” so it is highly sacred. This action anime is about a young boy, Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja with big aspirations and dreams; one of them is to be the “Hokage,” the leader of his village.

9. Best Anime Series: Bleach

• Director: Noriyuki Abe
• Author: Tite Kubo and Atsushi Oba
• Stars: Johnny Yong Bosch, Michelle Ruff, Stephanie Sheh.
• IMDb ratings: 8.1/10
• Platform: Netflix and Hulu

This adventure anime opened up paths for storylines containing ghosts and all the mystic creatures in one dimension. The action is well planned and different, making it a total package.

Ichigo Kurosaki is a high school student and a reluctant soul reaper who goes on a mission to save Rukia Kuchiki, another soul reaper who failed in her task, which was to defeat a powerful ghost “hollows.”

Along with his friends who have magical powers and a calling for these spiritual energies, which would definitely help the battle between the students and soul reapers and ghosts, they go off on their mission. There are 15 seasons, 366 episodes on Adult Swim, a go-to network for anime series, and Netflix. The plot is gripping, and once you start it, there’s no going back. After that, it’s just a lot of binge-watching, which you wouldn’t mind. 1

10. Dragon Ball Z

• Director: Daisuke Nishio
• Author: Takao Koyama
• Stars: Doc Harris, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil.
• IMDb rating: 8.7/10
• Platform: US – Funimation (Sub and Dub); Hulu (Sub); Yahoo (Sub) and Canada – Funimation (Sub and Dub).

Another classic anime that people can’t get enough of. There are games and a phase for every anime fanatic to get Goku’s hairstyle. It can be said without any doubt that Dragon Ball Z made people look at animation as a proper genre along with a few other classics.

The adventure-themed, action anime keeps the fan wanting more to this day. Viewers long to see Goku and his powerful friends who defeat villains of different kinds one by one. There’s a buffet of villains in this show, from space to conquerors. No season of Dragon Ball has ever been disappointing.

Several films are based on this fantasy to feed the DBZ hungry fans. To understand the authenticity of Dragon Ball Z and its characters, apparently, Shounen anime followed the footsteps of Dragon Ball z and became a proper type after it. This cult classic is available on Amazon and Hulu.

11. Baki

• Director: Hitoshi Nanba, Katsuyoshi Yatabe
• Author/Creator: Atsuhiro Tomioka
• Stars:  Tôru Furuya, Kirk Thornton, Troy Baker.
• IMDb ratings: 6.7/10
• Platform: Netflix

Baki is an exciting feature of hyper-manly legends instituting an original storyline of a youthful contender preparing to outperform his dad. This high activity shonen is loaded with tense confrontations between the buffest folks that might be drawn.

Indeed, if Netflix delivered a short video of the relative multitude of shots of folks utilizing and straining their muscles, it very well may be its own scene.

On the off chance that the muscles and hyper-extreme voices weren’t sufficient, the knowing grins and jeers make these characters exemplify the dimwit instrument soul that drives the arrangement. Baki certifies regular thoughts of solidarity; however, it moved its pertinence to leniency and opportunity.

12. Best Anime Series: Revolutionary Girl Utena

• Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara
• Author/Creator: Chiho Saito
• Stars: Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Sharon Becker.
• IMDb ratings: 8.2/10
• Platform: Netflix

This anime could be a slice-of-life anime with a symbolic meaning hidden in it. However, the series has a lot of surprising themes, and the storyline isn’t monotonous or too much. Revolutionary Girl Utena leaves a mark in people’s minds in just one season.

A girl called Utena, who a Prince saves, changes all her ideas and dreams to make a vow to become the prince who saved her, and the prince promises to see her again.

There’s a beautiful message in the show. But, for some, it might come off a bit too bizarre, from the sexual innuendos to the harsh reality checks which are given and a bit too abstract.

The series needs a lot of understanding and is deep thinking as it’s filled with metaphors. But the show definitely affects your ideas and changes your perception regarding specific things in life, which is one of the magnificent factors of the show.

13. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

• Director: Naokatsu Tsuda
• Author/Creator: Hirohiko Araki
• Stars: Matthew Mercer, Daisuke Ono, Fuminori Komatsu.
• IMDb ratings:8.4/10
• Platform: Netflix

There are many anime series that are so gruesome, and one would want to puke. Luckily, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure isn’t like that, at least not to that extent.

The range of elements in this series may come from different dimensions, but the writing binds them together so exceptionally that nothing seems odd or strange. The show has 4 seasons, all packed up and ready on Netflix.

Jojo’s world is an actual world but with supernatural beings, and as the name suggests, it is about the adventures taken by the members of the Joestar family. All the main leads in this series are on a different tangent and have their own struggles and challenges, which gives a lot of variety to the TV Series.

The manga series is a lot more famous than the live-action productions purely because of the authenticity. But the characters in the series are the main attraction, making you cry, laugh uncontrollably and love them wholeheartedly. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure might have a cliche storyline for an adventure anime, but it is enough to get you hooked.

14. Ranma ½

• Director: Rumiko Takahashi
• Writer: Rumiko Takahashi
• Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Noriko Hidaka.
• IMDb rating: 7.9/10
• Platform: Netflix

Even though its activity might be obsolete by the present principles, both the heart and (the majority of) the diversion of Ranma ½ still hold up today.

Moreover, hardly any anime is greater at droll parody than Ranma ½, generally because its reason and characters are so ridiculous, thus brimming with potential comedic outcomes. Regardless of whether it be Ryoga’s inconceivably terrible internal compass, Shampoo’s doomed plans to attempt to win the warmth of Ranma, or Genma’s funny panda emulating.

15. Best Anime Series: My Hero Academia

• Director: Kenji Nagasaki
• Writer: Kohei Horikoshi
• Stars: Daiki Yamashita, Justin Briner, Nobuhiko Okamoto.
• IMDb rating: 8.5/10
• Platform: Netflix

Super-hero stories are very common; however, My Hero Academia offers an exceptional contort on the recognizable kind by zeroing in on IzukuMidoriya, a saint conceived without powers (yet resolved to spare) individuals in any case) in a world loaded with people with capacities.

Between its dazzling activity, loveable list of all-around created supporting characters, and the ability for concocting the absolute generally ludicrous and unique superpowers ever dedicated to the screen, My Hero Academia is a much-needed refresher – now and again senseless, frequently sweet, and reliably amazing.

16. Cross Game Miownime

• Director: Sekita Osamu
• Writer: Mitsuru Adachi
• Cast: Miyu Irino, Haruka Tomatsu, Kenji Nomura, Takahiro Sakurai.
• IMDb Rating: 8.4
• Platform: TV Tokoyo, Netflix, Gogoanime.

Cross Game is a Japanese animation series which had made a special part in the heart of its watcher by portraying different emotions to the viewers. It’s a worth watching story of Aoba and Kou, who turn out from rivals to friends through a baseball game that was the dream of Aoba’s elder sister, Kou’s sister.

To know the series of scenarios that went on in between to make all this happen and go on an enjoyable ride filled with emotions, do watch this fantastic series on the streaming platforms.

17. Fruits Basket

• Director: Akitaro Daichi
• Writer: Higuchi Tachibana
• Cast: Manaka Iwami, Laura Bailey, Yuka Imai, Parisa Fakhri.
• IMDb Rating: 8.6
• Platform: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation.

Fruit Basket is a Japanese animation series with great characters. The story starts with a girl named Tooru who has to live with her granddad after her mother dies. Now, as the house’s renovation she shares with her granddad starts, she has to go and live somewhere else

. With everything going on, our female lead does not want to burden anyone in her friend’s group, so she seeks her resorts in a tent with secrecy. With lots of twists and turns that await Tooru in Somu’s house about her new friends’ supernatural abilities, Will Tooru’s life become better or more disastrous?

18. Best Anime Series: Komi Can’t Communicate 

• Director: Kazuki Kawagoe, Ayumu Watanabe
• Writer: Tomohito Oda
• Cast:  Aoi Koga, Gakuto Kajiwara, Rie Murakawa, Rina Hidaka.
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Platform: Netflix

Komi Can’t Communicate is a romantic anime series that shows how a little bit of effort and the company of the right people can help you become a better version of yourself at any time you want.

The story starts when Hitohito Tadano, a very simple person, comes on the 1st day of his high school and sits beside one of the most beautiful girls named Shouko Komi.

Though Tadano had no plans to get into trouble in his high school, this one incident makes him look like a threat to other boys like Komi.

When we talk about our beautiful anime character Shuoko Komi, she is one of the most popular girls in her school, but she has communication problems and faces social anxiety. The story gives us a view of how both of them share their problem with each other by fate and become close friends.

Will this new friendship become the reason for them to come out of their shelves and be the best version of themselves?

19. Kamisama Kiss

• Director: Akitaro Daichi
• Writer: Julietta Suzuki
• Cast: Tomoe, Kurama, Mizuki, Numa-no-Himemiko ,Nanami Momozono ,Ryūō-Sukuna.
• IMDb Rating: 8.1
• Platform: Netflix, HULU, Prime Video

Can Magic happen anytime in your life? Have you ever heard of it? If not, then Kamisama Kiss, which is a series about how Nanami Momozono, who is a homeless girl as her father has lost their house due to gambling, meets and helps a stranger, and her life changes after that in a total sense.

Her kind heart and helping nature bring her a home that makes her a deity; with soo much going on in the series, it’s worth watching.

The story of Nanami, who becomes a magical girl, will keep its viewers hooked to their screen. Watch this fantastic series on the streaming platforms to know how she uses this power and what she gains through it.

20. Horimiya CB

• Director: : Masashi Ishihama
• Writer: HERO
• Cast: Haruka Tomatsu, Koki Uchiyama, Seiichiro Yamashita, Zeno Robinson.
• IMDb Rating: 8.2
• Platform: Netflix, Hulu, Funimation.

Horimiya is a Japanese animation series that portrays how a disastrous life can also be the most beautiful one. It tells about the importance to have the right people around us.

The story of Kyouko Hori, who is one of the most beautiful and intelligent girls in school, and Izumi Miyamura, who is a very meek and distant boy, is something similar.

They both have some hidden selves that they don,t bring out infront of their other classmates but somehow reveal them to each other. What secret personalities are Hori and Miyamura hiding from the world, and how will their friendship impact it?

21. Best Anime Series: Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is still a fantastic anime with a great cast of characters and some wonderful story threads, even though its plot has grown a little muddled over time. Although the graphics are excellent, those who have a problem with violence might want to avoid this one because it’s a very grim and bloody affair from the get-go.

The story revolves around Eren Jaeger, a character who inhabits a world where a race of enormous, human-eating creatures known as Titans has driven humanity to the verge of extinction. Eren joins the Survey Corps with a vow to banish Titans from the world after his hometown is destroyed and his mother is devoured. However, as the story continues, things quickly get more difficult.

22.Demon Slayer

Despite being a relatively recent anime series, Demon Slayer can still be discussed alongside the greatest anime series of all time.

After all, it has managed to bring in about $10 billion in revenue in the roughly six years since its inception, which is comparable to longer-running media franchises like Sesame Street and Thomas the Tank Engine, both of which have been around for well over 50 years.

The phenomenal success of Demon Slayer can be attributed to a variety of factors, including its intriguing cast of characters and fantastic plot. It helps to bring the source material to life in a way that very few other shonen anime series have been able to. The animation is also excellent.

23. Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is sometimes criticized for being exalted, and to some extent, this may be true. Even though it’s far from the ideal anime series, it would be foolish to ignore the influence it has had on the genre.

Over the years, it has served as an inspiration for countless other anime and manga series, in addition to a number of western films and television programs.

24. Best Anime Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Although mecha anime has been popular since the 1960s and 1970s, the genre didn’t really take off until the 1990s. Throughout the decade, many excellent mecha anime series were released, but none have been as well-liked or as enduring as Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion and its numerous spin-offs and big-screen adaptations.

The show packed a lot into its initial 26-episode run, and it still holds up incredibly well today, from masterfully crafted storylines to breathtaking set-piece showdowns.

The majority of what came after has also been excellent, though it can be challenging to watch it all in the best order, which has occasionally sparked fierce debate among Evangelion fans.

25. One Piece

One Piece took a little longer to gain popularity in the west than some of the other top shonen anime shows did. But once it did, it never had a problem keeping western audiences interested.

In Japan, where several generations have grown up with the well-known manga and anime series, the same could be said about their popularity.

The former was the best-selling manga for eleven straight years between 2008 and 2018 and actually holds a Guinness World Record for the most copies published by a single author.

To the delight of series fans, the anime adaptation has been equally successful and, aside from a few minor changes here and there, has largely stayed true to the original.

26. FLCL

It was intended for FLCL to feel completely different from anything else you’ve ever watched, anime or not. The band The Pillows provided an outstanding Japanese alt-rock soundtrack for the film. The editing is hurried. Manic, moody, or desolate interactions between the characters are all extremes.

Its plot, in which robots emerge from a young boy’s swollen, injured head to announce the appearance of a strong extraterrestrial being, is kind of irrelevant.

27. Best Anime Series: Tatami Galaxy

• Originally published: December 2004
• Author: Tomihiko Morimi
• Directed by: Masaaki Yuasa
• Episodes: 11 (List of episodes)
• Genre: Dark comedy; Psychological; Romantic comedy;

Almost any of Masaaki Yuasa’s works could be included on this list, but Tatami Galaxy from 2010 stands out as the filmmaker’s most iconic piece. The characters speak with a rapidity that would make Aaron Sorkin blush; the style is lovingly surreal, while the subject matter is delightfully banal; and the content is both intellectual and immediately relatable.

The main plot of Tatami Galaxy follows our unnamed protagonist as he enrolls in college, gradually loses hope, meets two people who will forever be connected to him, and then a terrible event resets his college experience.

28. Aku No Hana

• Author: Shuzo Oshimi
• Adaptations: The Flowers of Evil (2013)
• Volumes: 11 (List of volumes)
• Released: September 27, 2019
• Published by: Kodansha
• Genres: Shonen manga, Psychological thriller, School story, Human drama

Aku No Hana won’t likely appeal to you. Certainly not on your initial viewing. The show, which takes its name from Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal, is consistently perverse and makes references to both Rimbaud and Baudelaire.

Baudelaire was the most troubled of his Romantic contemporaries, battling alcoholism, mounting debts, and syphilitic insanity.

29. Monster

• Adaptations: Monster (2004)
• Volumes: 18 (List of volumes)
• Published: 21 June 2002
• Magazine: Big Comic Original
• Studio: Madhouse
• Genres: Crime fiction, Mystery, Psychological thriller

The literary world in and outside of Japan adores Naoki Urasawa, one of the most lauded manga writers of his generation. He is the creator of some of the most intricately plotted, character-driven, and experimental manga ever released.

Therefore, it makes sense that Monster, Urasawa’s fifth serialized manga and one of his best known outside of Japan, would be adapted into one of the best anime series ever produced.

30. Best Anime Series: Michiko and Hatchin

• Genres: Anime, Adventure, Girls with guns, Adventure fiction, Action fiction, Action/Adventure, Animation
• First episode date: 15 October 2008 (Japan)
• Created by: Manglobe
• Language: Japanese
• Final episode date: 18 March 2009

With its cross-country road trip, unquenchable sense of adventure, funky samba soundtrack composed by Brazilian artist Alexandre Kassin, and two of anime history’s most compelling leads, Michiko and Hatchin has all the makings of an instant classic.

The show’s real strength lies in Sayo Yamamoto’s direction, as each scene deftly captures the harsh allure of South America.

31. Sailor Moon

• Final episode date: 8 February 1997
• First episode date: 7 March 1992 (Japan)
• Genres: Anime, Drama, Magical girl, Adventure, Action fiction, Fantasy, Animation
• Adapted from: Sailor Moon
• Directed by: Junichi Sato (season 1); Kunihiko Ikuhara (R–SuperS); Takuya Igarashi (Sailor Stars)

Many young girls learned from Sailor Moon that they can be naive saviors and that the best weapon is kindness. Over the course of the five seasons of Sailor Moon, Usagi Tsukino grows significantly but never loses her more repulsive characteristics.

32. Galaxy Express 999

• Release date: 4 August 1979 (Japan)
• Director: Rintaro
• Narrator: Tatsuya Jô
• Adapted from: Galaxy Express 999
• Film series: Galaxy Express 999

This space opera classic, is the ideal starting point for any anime fan wishing to delve into the mysterious world of ’70s animation.

Galaxy Express 999’s melancholy slowburn is the series’ creator Leiji Matsumoto’s crowning achievement despite the fact that his sci-fi works Space Battleship Yamato and Space Pirate Captain Harlock all loosely take place in the same universe.

33. Best Anime Series: Paranoia Agent

• Program creator: Satoshi Kon
• Writers: Satoshi Kon, Seishi Minakami
• Genres: Anime, Horror, Drama, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Thriller, Supernatural fiction, Animation
• First episode date: 2 February 2004 (Japan)
• Final episode date: 17 May 2004
• Language: Japanese

Except for his 1993 OVA adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, the only television series created by the great Satoshi Kon was released six years prior to his passing at age 46 from pancreatic cancer.

Even though it wasn’t as well-received as his last feature, the experimental masterpiece Paprika, which came out two years later, or even his debut effort as a director,

34. Mobile Suit Gundam

• Genres: Anime, Mecha, Mecha Anime, Action, Drama, Space opera, Military science fiction, Animation, Real Robot
• Final episode date: 26 January 1980
• First episode date: 7 April 1979 (Japan)
• Program creators: Yoshiyuki Tomino, Bandai Namco Filmworks, Hajime Yatate

In 2018, it’s simple to forget that this legendary mecha anime from 1979 was… really, really freakin’ good given the countless spinoff series, movies, manga, and model kits. The animation might seem stale.

The character models and mechanical designs might not move as consistently as the later series. Its world-building, in which a separatist faction of humans leaves Earth for space colonies, wasn’t entirely thought through.

35. Hunter X Hunter

• Network: Nippon TV
• First episode date: 2 October 2011 (Japan)
• Adapted from: Hunter × Hunter

Numerous shonens (and even American TV shows) center on a cast of young people who use paranormal skills and inductive reasoning to solve problems. In this homogeneous archetype, Hunter X Hunter is a rare find due to its focus on detail and emotional investment.

This anime is full of amusing side stories that don’t always culminate in a significant event but nonetheless let you know the characters in this world were real people before you began watching them.

36. Best Anime Series: Serial Experiments Lain

• Genres: Anime, Horror, Cyberpunk, Psychological horror, Science fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Animation
• First episode date: 6 July 1998 (Japan)
• Final episode date: 28 September 1998
• Networks: TV Tokyo, TX Network
• Language: Japanese

You could create this psychologically perplexing seinen by taking every dense, philosophical cyberpunk thriller from the late 1980s and early 1990s, filtering them through The Matrix and Ghost in the Shell, and then purposefully chopping and screwing the timeline.

37. Kuragehime

• First episode date: 15 October 2010 (Japan)
• Final episode date: 31 December 2010
• Genres: Anime, Romance, Comedy, Romantic comedy, Animation

In Kuragehime, men and women are depicted in ways that are uncommon in television media. Since she went to an aquarium with her dying mother, Tsukimi Kurashita has developed an obsession with jellyfish, which she has continued to do as an adult in order to feel closer to her memory.

38. The Big O

• First episode date: 13 October 1999 (Japan)
• Final episode date: 27 March 2003
• Networks: Adult Swim, Wowow
• Created by: Hajime Yatate; Kazuyoshi Katayama
• English publisher: ^NA Viz Media

This detective noir-meets-mecha seinen, directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama, would be the offspring of a world in which Batman: The Animated Series and the Gundam franchise could get married.

The Big O is set in Paradigm City, a town where everyone has a mysterious amnesia, and it follows Roger Smith, a Bruce Wayne-like protagonist who works as a freelance Negotiator—sort of a private eye/lawyer hybrid—when he’s not controlling the titular megadeus (read: giant robot) Big O.

39. Best Anime Series: Mononoke

• First episode date: 12 July 2007 (Japan)
• Genres: Anime, Horror, Mystery, Ghost story, psychological horror, Fantasy, Animation
• Networks: Noitamina, Fuji TV

It is a psychedelic nightmare that deftly combines supernatural horror and a Christie-style murder mystery. Mononoke revels in maximal beauty and twitchy sound design, mimicking the shadowless ukiyo-e painting style of 17th century Japan, but it also succeeds in its emotional endeavors, proving that it is more than just a director’s experiment.

 40. Nichijou

• First episode date: 12 March 2011 (Japan)
• Final episode date: 26 September 2011
• Genres: Anime, Comedy, Animation
• Network: TV Aichi
• Adapted from: Nichijou

It is based on the same-named manga by Keiichi Arawi, it excels at depicting daily life in exaggerated detail. Nichijou is primarily an absurdist interpretation of the slice-of-life genre, which attained critical mass around the time of its debut in 2011.

41. Princess Tutu

• Genres: Anime, Comedy, Adventure, Magical girl, Animation
• Program creator: Ikuko Itoh
• First episode date: 16 August 2002 (Japan)

Nearly any anime with a young female lead can now be considered a magical girl anime due to the genre’s extensive re-examination, deconstruction, and bastardization over the past couple of decades.

Princess Tutu stands out from the crowd by giving life to anime’s most formulaic genre while retaining the elements that keep us coming back to adorable mascots and magic wands.

42. Best Anime Series: Lupin III

• Written by: Monkey Punch
• Published by: Futabasha; Chuokoron-Shinsha
• Magazine: Weekly Manga Action
• Volumes: 14 (List of volumes)
• Adaptations: Lupin III: The First (2019),
• Genres: Action fiction, Comedic genres, Mystery

The most recognizable gentleman thief in anime is Lupin III, a rakish criminal genius who first appeared in manga runs from the late 1960s, when Sean Connery was still establishing James Bond. Lupin follows a similar strategy

He fights, he fucks, he steals things, and he is the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the original gentleman thief. The adventures of Lupin III have been a franchise for more than 50 years, but what’s more notable is how many anime series use the character.

43. The Vision of Escaflowne

• First episode date: 2 April 1996
• Genres: Anime, Romance, Drama, Mecha Anime, Adventure, Fantasy, Action fiction, Action/Adventure, Animation
• Final episode date: 24 September 1996
• Network: TV Tokyo
• Languages: English, Japanese

Even though all of the elements are easily recognized, the chemistry is flawless. Escaflowne is still a blast to watch, but its most noteworthy aspect is likely the list of murderers who inspired it.

The series was created by Shoji Kawamori (co-creator of the Macross franchise), Ryota Yamaguchi (One Piece, Ranma 12, Sailor Moon), Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop), Kanno (also from Cowboy Bebop), Hiroshi Osaka (co-founder of the anime studio BONES), and Yasuhiro Irie (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

44. Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances

• Originally published: 3 March 1999
• Author: Masami Tsuda
• Genre: Romantic comedy
• Volumes: 21 (List of volumes)
• Adaptations: His and Her Circumstances (1998)

Hideaki Of course, Anno’s interpretation of the romantic comedy subgenre is an odd investigation of typical subgenre tropes. Masami Tsuda famously detested Anno’s adaptation of Kare Kano: His and Her Circumstances, but because of its jovial exuberance and psychological take on melodrama, it nonetheless became a cult favorite among shoujo fans.

45. Best Anime Series: Wandering Son

• Author: Takako Shimura
• Adaptations: Wandering Son (2011
• Volumes: 15 (List of volumes)
• Episodes: 12 (aired as 11) (List of episodes)
• Genres: Seinen manga, School story

For Wandering Son to be an authentic anime original, long arcs and big explosions are not necessary. A transgender girl named Shuichi and a transgender boy named Yoshino deal with middle school and puberty in the show.

Given the amount of information it offers, Wandering Son is a genuinely unique trans narrative. All of Shuichi and Yoshino’s classmates are aware of their dysphoria and help them as much as they can in their quest for confirmation.

46. Yuri on Ice

• Writers: Sayo Yamamoto
• Genre: Anime
• Original network: TV Asahi, BS Asahi, STS, NCC, Sun TV, AT-X
• Original run: October 6, 2016 – December 21, 2016

Even real Olympians like Miu Suzaki and Adam Rippon enjoy the figure skating anime Yuri On Ice by Sayo Yamamoto and Mitsurou Kubo. The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, an achingly beautiful sexploitation spin-off of Lupin III, and Michiko & Hatchin, both directed by Yamamoto, a Shinichiro Watanabe student, respectively, in 2008 and 2012.

47. Best Anime Series: Berserk

• Author: Kentaro Miura
• Volumes: 41 (List of volumes)
• Published by: Hakusensha
• Adaptations: Berserk (1997), Berserk: The Golden Age Arc, MORE
• Genres: Seinen manga, Fantasy

One of the most well-liked action series of the 1980s is Kentaro Miura’s Berserk. Over the course of its nearly 30-year existence, the lengthy manga, which follows Guts the Black Swordsman’s Sisyphean quest for vengeance across the desolate plains of Midland, has amassed 40 volumes and counting. There have been a few anime adaptations since then, some funnier than others.

48. Hack//SIGN

• Program creator: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
• Networks: TV Tokyo, TX Network
• First episode date: 4 April 2002 (Japan)
• Genres: Anime, Adventure, Fantasy, Action fiction, Animation

In its time, hack//SIGN was innovative. SIGN was one of the first anime to capitalize on the now oversaturated isekai genre, taking place entirely in an online game called The World and foretelling the future of how we interact with a rapidly modernizing world. SIGN was criminally underrated upon its release.

The show centers on Tsukasa, a young boy with no memory who awakens as a digital avatar in one of The World’s dungeons and is unable to log out.

49. Baccano

• Director: Takahiro Omori
• Writer: Noboru Takagi
• Cast: Various voice actors for the characters.
• IMDb:  8.3/10.
• Platform: crunchyroll 

Although it’s not the simplest anime to get into, once you do, you’ll be hooked. This gruesome, spooky historical drama is based primarily on the first four books in Ryohgo Narita’s light novel series of the same name.

However, it combines all of the novels into one non-linear plot instead of adapting the books one at a time, keeping viewers on their toes. The occasional moment of bewilderment is more than worthwhile when the stories come together, and the light bulb goes out.

50. Super Dimension Fortress Macross

• Director: Noboru Ishiguro
• Writer: Sukehiro Tomita
• Cast: Voiced by various actors in the Japanese version.
• IMDb:  8.0/10.
• Platform: crunchyroll 

Unknowingly, you may have previously watched some of “Super Dimension Fortress Macross”. America first saw the release of the “Robotech” television series in 1985. Three unrelated anime programmes were combined to create this programme, which was then altered to create a new narrative for American viewers. “Super Dimension Fortress Macross,” one of the most significant anime series ever, was one of those programmes.

The 1982 television series “Super Dimension Fortress Macross” not only contributed to the creation of the “Robotech” Frankenstein’s Monster, but it also gave birth to an entire franchise in Japan that includes films and animated television series.

The original series is still the finest, even though many of the entries that came after it are worthwhile to see (the 1994 four-part OVA “Macross Plus” is a must-see). It is a space saga about a conflict with an alien race known as the Zentradi that is set in the distant future of 2009 (yes, it is that old).

The plot begins when one of their ships shows up to warn Earth’s inhabitants that a spacecraft they’ve been studying—and which crashed on the planet a decade earlier—belonged to their enemy. The fight is started when the ship recognises them and overrides the humans within to start firing on the Zentradi. The music, which is frequently used to advance the plot, is what distinguishes “Macross” from other mecha series.

51. Best Anime Series: Erased

• Director: Tomohiko Itou
  
• Author: Kei Sanbe
  
• IMDb rating: 8.5/10
  
• Platform: Netflix

The story of Erased centres on 29-year-old Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who has the extraordinary capacity to go back in time to shortly before terrible things happen. This ability, called “Revival,” enables him to stop mishaps and rescue lives. Satoru’s ability unexpectedly transports him back to his early years after his mother is brutally murdered. Here, he has to solve a mystery regarding the disappearance of Kayo Hinazuki, one of his classmates. Satoru faces long-kept truths that endanger not only his own life but also the safety of everyone around him as he attempts to save her from being abducted. Erased examines issues of guilt, atonement, and the permanent effects of childhood trauma through its gripping tension, profound emotional depth, and unexpected turns.

52. The Promised Neverland

• Director: Mamoru Kanbe
  
• Author: Kaiu Shirai
  
• IMDb rating: 8.7/10
  
• Platform: Hulu

A bunch of bright and apparently content children reside in Grace Field House, a well-kept orphanage, in The Promised Neverland. But the reality of their existence is more worse than they ever could have guessed. Three of the older kids, Emma, Norman, and Ray, plot a bold escape after learning the terrible reality that they are being reared as devils’ cattle. They have to outsmart the evil “Mama” Isabella and the powers of evil that govern their destiny, thus their quest turns into a race against time. As the orphans fight to outwit their captors and live, this compelling psychological thriller alternates periods of tremendous action with deep moral reflection.

53. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

• Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
  
• Author: Kazuki Nakashima
  
• IMDb rating: 8.7/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is an anime that centers on Simon, a shy young boy, and Kamina, his brave and gregarious “brother.” The story takes place in a world where people are compelled to live underground in order to avoid fierce foes on the surface. In order to escape their underground life and combat the repressive powers that have kept humanity hidden, they set out on an amazing adventure together. They come across more courageous comrades, enormous robots, and epic fights that put their bravery and determination to the test along the way. Beyond simply being action-packed, the series tells a tale of perseverance, self-belief, and the strength of human willpower. Every moment is made unforgettable by the lively animation and compelling narrative, and its sincere themes of optimism, friendship, and tenacity are relatable.

54. Best Anime Series: Death Parade

• Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa
  
• Author: Yasushi Ōtomo
  
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

In the enigmatic tavern where the souls of the recently departed are transported to be judged, Death Parade is a psychological thriller. Decim, the bartender, is in charge of a number of games, including as bowling and darts, that are used to decide whether the souls are consigned to the abyss or reborn. Through these intense, high-stakes activities, the participants—who are unaware of their death—are forced to disclose their actual selves. Each episode of the show offers a distinct and provocative look at human nature while delving deeply into questions of morality, judgment, and life’s purpose. Decim and Chiyuki, his assistant, start to doubt the justice of the system they work for as they get more insight into the souls they meet.

55. Black Lagoon

• Director: Sunao Katabuchi
• Author: Rei Hiroe
  
• IMDb rating: 8.0/10
  
• Platform: Funimation, Hulu

Black Lagoon is a fast-paced action series that immerses viewers in Southeast Asia’s harsh and perilous underbelly. The Lagoon Company, a band of mercenaries that undertake perilous tasks in a lawless area plagued by corruption and violence, is the focus of the narrative. From the cool-headed captain Dutch to the fiery and lethal gunfighter Revy, the crew consists of a variety of memorable individuals, each with their own challenges and motives. Their adventures are replete with dramatic confrontations, extreme brutality, and difficult moral choices. The show explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the fuzziness of morality as the protagonists negotiate the chaos of their surroundings. The series strikes a mix between action, incisive storytelling, and poignant moments despite the brutal truths it depicts.

56. Psycho-Pass

• Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani
  
• Author: Gen Urobuchi
  
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10
  
• Platform: Funimation

Psycho-Pass, which is set in a dystopian future, examines a society run by the Sibyl System, a sophisticated artificial intelligence system that can read people’s mental states to forecast criminal action. Citizens are continuously watched in this planet, and their “Psycho-Pass” score indicates how likely they are to commit crimes. The narrative centers on Akane Tsunemori, a recently hired inspector who collaborates with enforcers—people whose criminal tendencies make them valuable in apprehending other criminals. Akane is compelled to consider the nature of freedom, justice, and whether an AI-run society is indeed just as she wrestles with the system’s moral ramifications. The show is an exciting examination of surveillance, authority, and the philosophical issues raised by a technologically controlled society.

57. Best Anime Series: Kaiba

• Director: Masaaki Yuasa
• Writer: Masaaki Yuasa
• Cast: Houko Kuwashima, Romi Park, Hisao Egawa
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll

Set in a distant future where memories can be digitized, transferred, and stolen, Kaiba follows a boy who wakes up with no recollection of his past, carrying only a locket with a picture of an unknown girl. As he journeys through a world where the rich live forever by switching bodies and the poor struggle to keep their identities, Kaiba uncovers the hidden truths about himself and the corrupt system controlling memories. Despite its deceptively simple, surreal art style, Kaiba explores deep existential themes of identity, love, and the meaning of self, making it a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

58. Great Teacher Onizuka

• Director: Noriyuki Abe
  
• Author: Tohru Fujisawa
  
• IMDb rating: 8.5/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

Eikichi Onizuka, a former gang leader with the only ambition of becoming the best high school teacher in history, is the subject of Great Teacher Onizuka. Onizuka has a sincere desire to assist troublesome pupils despite his difficult history, and he does it by employing unusual teaching strategies that frequently incorporate comedy, disobedience, and life lessons. He is a well-liked and occasionally contentious figure among staff and students alike because of his unconventional teaching methods and eccentric demeanor. The show skillfully strikes a mix between humor and weighty subjects including bullying, social expectations, and personal development. The program is both endearing and humorous because it uses Onizuka’s journey to emphasize the value of empathy, understanding, and the transformational potential of education.

59. Steins;Gate 0

• Director: Kenichi Kawamura
• Author: 5bp, Nitroplus
  
• IMDb rating: 8.1/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

The tale of Rintarou Okabe, who is having a hard time dealing with the horrific events that transpired in the first series, is continued in Steins;Gate 0, a sequel to Steins;Gate. In desperation, Okabe gives up his livelihood of time travel and scientific research after failing to save his beloved Kurisu Makise. But Okabe and his pals are thrown back into the tumultuous realm of time travel when a new AI system appears and the repercussions of their earlier deeds become apparent. Whether fate can ever be reversed, the weight of regret, and the emotional and psychological toll of time manipulation are all explored in the series. Steins;Gate 0 examines the sinister effects of time travel while continuing to do so with its intricate story and profound emotional depth.

60. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

• Director: Masaharu Watanabe
  
• Author: Tappei Nagatsuki
  
• IMDb rating: 8.3/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

Subaru Natsuki, a typical adolescent who is suddenly thrust into a fantasy world, is the subject of Re:Zero: Starting Life in Another World. At first excited by his new environment, Subaru quickly learns that he possesses a special ability: the capacity to resurrect himself after dying. But every time he passes away, he is compelled to relive the terrible events that preceded his passing and must deal with fresh, terrible repercussions. Subaru develops ties with people worldwide as he works through this agonizing cycle, learning about sinister secrets and facing the anguish of his recurrent deaths. With a distinctive take on the isekai genre, the series is an intense and poignant examination of pain, sacrifice, and the pursuit of redemption.

61. Best Anime Series: Parasyte -the maxim-

• Director: Kenichi Shimizu
  
• Author: Hitoshi Iwaaki
  
• IMDb rating: 8.4/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

An extraterrestrial parasite species invades Earth and takes over human bodies in Parasyte: The Maxim. High school student Shinichi Izumi is the main character of the novel. One of these parasites infects his right hand, which he calls Migi. Migi, unable to completely control his body, makes an uncomfortable partnership with Shinichi, who now has to fight against other parasites that want to exterminate mankind. Shinichi encounters moral quandaries and fights for life in a world where humanity’s existence is in jeopardy as his struggle to live with Migi grows more intense. Body horror, exciting action, and profound philosophical queries regarding humanity’s role in the universe are all combined in this series.

 

62. Fire Force

• Director: Yuki Yase
  
• Author: Atsushi Ōkubo
  
• IMDb rating: 7.9/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

Fire Force centers on Shinra Kusakabe, a young man who joins Special Fire Force Company 8, a team of firemen entrusted with putting out “Infernals”—people who transform into flaming monsters as a result of the phenomenon—in a world where spontaneous human combustion is a problem. Shinra must face perilous foes, defend his allies, and develop his own pyrokinetic skills as he unearths the truth about the enigmatic phenomena and a sinister plot. Fire Force is a gripping story that blends firefighting drama with supernatural conflicts and a developing mystery regarding the origin of the combustions. It is full of fast-paced action and a strong sense of brotherhood.

63. Ergo Proxy

• Director: Shuko Murase
  
• Writer: Dai Sato
  
• Cast: Rie Saito, Koji Yusa, Akiko Yajima
  
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
  
• Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Funimation

Set in a dystopian future where humans and androids (AutoReivs) coexist under strict surveillance, Ergo Proxy follows Re-L Mayer, an investigator unraveling a sinister conspiracy tied to enigmatic beings known as Proxies. As she delves deeper, she encounters Vincent Law, a man unknowingly linked to the mystery, and together, they embark on a journey that challenges their perception of reality. With its noir-inspired aesthetic, psychological depth, and philosophical themes of identity, consciousness, and free will, Ergo Proxy delivers an intellectual and visually striking experience that lingers long after the final episode.

64. Best Anime Series: Sword Art Online

• Director: Tomohiko Itou
  
• Author: Reki Kawahara
  
• IMDb rating: 7.6/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

Players of Sword Art Online, a brand-new virtual reality MMORPG, are locked in and unable to exit the game once the developer locks them in. Clearing every level in the game is the only way to get out, and the bosses on each floor get harder and harder to kill. Asuna, a fellow player, and Kirito, a talented gamer, collaborate to overcome life-or-death situations in the game’s universe. Relationships get more complex, the stakes increase, and the distinction between virtual and real life becomes more hazy as the plot develops. Sword Art Online enthralled viewers and established itself as a mainstay of the isekai genre with its exciting combat, romantic themes, and examination of human emotions in a virtual setting.

65. The Ancient Magus’ Bride

• Director: Norihiro Naganuma
  
• Author: Kore Yamazaki
  
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10
  
• Platform: Crunchyroll

Chise Hatori, a young girl sold to Elias Ainsworth, a non-human sorcerer, who subsequently becomes her master and fiancé, is the subject of The Ancient Magus’ Bride. Chise starts her adventure as Elias’ apprentice, learning the craft of magic and uncovering her own hidden abilities as she is dragged into a world of magic and bizarre animals. The show combines aspects of drama, romance, and fantasy with themes of love, self-discovery, and belonging. The Ancient Magus’ Bride is a poignant and aesthetically spectacular examination of the relationship between master and apprentice as well as the restorative power of love and acceptance, all set in a masterfully designed universe that blends English mythology with a rich, mystical tale.