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!