181 Of The Best Anime Series So Far

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bleach, a 2014 anime series based on Tite Kubo's manga, follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki. He's not just some simple dude, but a man who obtained the powers of a Soul Reaper (similar to Grim Reaper). Now, Ichigo takes the duty of defending humans from evil spirits and safely guiding newly departed souls into the afterlife. Although the anime series strays a bit from the original manga, the gist is still the same. All in all, Bleach has all the ingredients that made it into a very successful adaptation - there's the supernatural, comedy, action, and even a bit of romance.

Steins;Gate is a 2011 anime series based on 5pb. and Nitroplus' visual novel of the same name and is a part of the Science Adventure franchise. The action in Steins;Gate is set in 2010 and follows Rintaro Okabe, who, together with his friends, discovers a way to time travel. The group starts sending messages to the past with the aim to change the events in the present. Although some critics weren't too happy about the pacing of the first half of the series, Steins;Gate nevertheless was named one of the best anime of 2010. Mainly because of its unique characters, captivating story, and ingenious writing.

The anime series Black Clover is an adaptation of a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Yūki Tabata. It follows a boy named Asta, who lives in a world where seemingly everyone has a magic power but him. However, Asta gains a powerful grimoire, and despite having no magic in him, sets out to become the next Wizard King. And there's your main conflict that the adventures in Black Clover are based on. In January 2021, Crunchyroll (an American licensing and anime streaming platform) revealed that Black Clover was its most-watched series of the year before, and if that's not a quantifier for an excellent watch, we don't know what is!

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a 1993 anime series based on the manga of the same name by Hirohiko Araki. Although the original manga is divided into nine story arcs, each with a new protagonist bearing the 'JoJo' nickname, the series went on adapting only the third arc, called Stardust Crusaders. In this arc, the main villain is Dio Brando - a vampire who once destroyed the estate of Jonathan Joestar, the series’ protagonist. Jonathan's descendants (with him now being dead) are set to destroy Dio and his henchman. While it all sounds a bit complex, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure manages to pace it all out in a very understandable way, making it into a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Your Lie In April is the only submission on our list that falls under the romantic drama anime category, but there wasn't a chance that we would skip it. Based on a manga of the same name, Your Lie In April follows the story of a young pianist, Kо̄sei Arima, who loses the ability to hear the piano after his mother's death. However, not all is lost, and upon meeting a violinist Kaori Miyazono, he slowly regains his footing. The series director, Kyōhei Ishiguro, wanted his adaptation to be appealing to those people who normally do not watch anime, and in our eyes, he succeeded at this task with flying colors.

Noragami is a Japanese anime series based on a manga of the same name that was created by Adachitoka. It follows the story of Hiyori Iki, a seemingly normal schoolgirl up until she gets involved in a bus accident. Her soul momentarily slips out of her body during it, and she becomes aware of an alternate reality. One that is occupied by demons, deities, and gods. Now Hiyori forms a bond with a couple of them, and the trio goes on various adventures.

The original Dragon Ball series was adapted from the first 194 chapters of Akira Toriyama's manga and was aired from 1986 to 1989. This is the first time that we get to meet the monkey-tailed Goku on screen (here, still a young boy) befriending teenager Bulma and then follow them embarking on a mission to find all seven of the mystical Dragon Balls. There are a couple of plotlines (or sagas if you want to get fancy) that span the series besides the Dragon Balls one - the Martial Arts Tournament saga, the Red Ribbon Army one, and the ones about King Piccolo and Piccolo Junior. So, with this many separate storylines beautifully uniting into one series, there's no way that Dragon Ball could ever get boring!

Akame Ga Kill! is a 2014 anime series based on the manga created by Takahiro and Tetsuya Tashiro. The story here centers around Tatsumi, a young country boy who goes to the Capital in means of raising money for his home. Of course, upon arriving, he finds out that the system is rotten and corrupt beyond repair. Because of his exasperation, Tatsumi becomes a recruit for an assassin group called Night Raid battling against the Empire. Without a doubt, there are plenty of chilling moments, near-death experiences, and thrilling adventures in a series with a premise like this! But, besides that, Akame Ga Kill! is also a brutal commentary on corruption and various social issues.

2019 The Promised Neverland is an anime series based on Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu's manga of the same name. Although the series starts by showing us a group of cheerful kids living their joyous lives in an exceptionally cushy orphanage, we soon get to discover that they are actually being raised to become food for demons. A very dark twist very early on, but that's how we like it! The kids then set out on a mission to save all those destined to become someone's food, and, undoubtedly, it isn't as easy as one might think. The narrative sucks you right in, and there's no way you won't binge-watch this series.

Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma is a 2014 anime series based on a manga of the same name by Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki. The series is set in an elite culinary school in Tokyo and follows a couple of young chefs' stories as they enter, study, and graduate from said school. Although the original manga was scolded for over-the-top fan service that didn't go well with the premise, the anime, however, garnered a respectable amount of fans happily invested in the plotlines and the adventures of the young chefs.