What started as a rare Japanese art has become a worldwide hit beloved by millions. Only the most remarkable shows manage to reach audiences worldwide with impressive storylines, amazing art and unforgettable characters. These pieces have changed the way animation is created and have inspired many new fans for many years. The finest anime includes shows with epic plots continuing for many episodes, as well as those that focus on a handful of characters. Regardless of whether you’re a veteran anime fan or a beginner, these ten series show what the best anime has to offer.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Rating: 9.1/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
The Brotherhood series shows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric as they try to recover from losing their bodies in an alchemical experiment by finding the Philosopher’s Stone. Action, philosophy and feelings are all carefully combined in this series while it looks at themes of sacrifice, morality and the effects of playing god. Because it is correctly paced, complex and wraps up well, Brotherhood is seen as anime’s best and finest story.
2. Attack on Titan
Rating: 9.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
With its groundbreaking approach, Attack on Titan describes people’s difficult fight with giant humanlike creatures. A basic survival tale starts out, but soon expands to a political thriller that looks at war, freedom and how hatred can return again and again. Pretty much anything that happens in the Shard trilogy is likely to leave the viewer wondering.
3. Dragon Ball Z
Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Dragon Ball Z made millions aware of anime and forever changed how battle shonen shows were done. After Goku defended the Earth in DBZ against progressively tough foes, the show helped make power scaling and remarkable transformation sequences well known. Because of Dragon Ball, many anime tropes we see today were first established. The show manages to make viewers feel deeply during the most impressive fights.
4. One Piece
Rating: 9.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Bar this story follows Monkey D. Luffy’s journey to being Pirate King, looking at the themes of friendship, reaching for dreams and cherishing freedom. Even though it has a huge number of episodes, One Piece satisfies fans with amazing settings, many different characters and storytelling that spans plenty of time. The series keeps its quality and amazes viewers after 1,000 episodes, proving that its creative skill is very rare.
5. Death Note
Rating: 9.0/10
Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Radically altering Light, a top student who begins to use mysterious notebook to seek vengeance by removing criminals from the world, is the drive of Death Note. How Light and detective L both win and lose and the way they view justice and morality, make this show very exciting. Because there are only 37 episodes and the series addresses important concepts, it suits anime enthusiasts and those seeing anime for the first time.
6. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Rating: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
A settings full of monsters and robots conceal the psychological work of exploring depression and identity in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Being animated, that didn’t block Evangelion from influencing many media forms outside anime. Since the film uses symbols that need careful study, tells the story from different viewpoints and exposes its characters’ emotions, many people see it different times and keep discussing it for years.
7. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Rating: 9.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Gon Freecss lives in Yoshihiro Togashi’s story, as he looks for his father and joins the Hunter profession. Being distinct is Hunter x Hunter’s choice of approaching shonen genre with uncommon battle methods, detailed power descriptions and mature ideas. The series surprises the audience but still ensures viewers feel for the characters.
8. Spirited Away
Rating: 9.3/10
Where to Watch: HBO Max, Netflix (select regions)
Using art more uniquely than any other studio, Studio Ghibli produced Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film with a young girl lost in a spirit world. Even though Spirited Away is a movie and not a series, it has greatly helped anime gain reputation worldwide. The way anime deals with environmental topics, features outstanding hand drawing and focuses on a universal experience show its great artistic ability.
9. Cowboy Bebop
Rating: 8.8/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
This science fiction series follows a group of bounty hunters on the Bebop while mixing in jazz music, a noir look and thoughtful subjects. The way the story is shared in episodes lets Cowboy Bebop have different stories, all leading up to a heartbreaking ending. By shaping both Western animation and live-action TV, anime shows how it is understood worldwide.
10. Demon Slayer
Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Anime’s elite list now includes Demon Slayer, in which Tanjiro Kamado searches for a solution to his demon-transformed sister. During action scenes in their works, Ufotable has changed the way films are animated and are now followed by others. The series uses Japanese art, as well as modern digital animation, to show a touching story of family, willpower and showing kindness.
