35 Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked

April 22, 2023, 7:20 p.m.

Movies

35 Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked

0 0

Summary Fist of the North Star ushered in a new era of gritty and violent anime, leaving a lasting legacy on the medium.

Death Note revolutionized the shonen genre with its psychological battles and edgy charm.

Neon Genesis Evangelion changed anime forever, exploring themes of depression and the psychological toll of saving the world.

For a medium as diverse and wide-spanning as Anime, it can be difficult ranking the best anime series of all time. Looking at the wide range of metrics fans use to judge the quality of any individual anime makes the ranking even tougher.

Though no metric is necessarily wrong, ultimately things such as animation quality, industry impact, direction, atmosphere, and consistency can quantify how to rank each anime. Unfortunately, that last point disqualifies some notable fan favorites. While Naruto and Bleach are both incredible series, their abundance of poor filler eliminates them from ranking. It also wouldn't be fair to count any currently ongoing series. While One Piece, Spy x Family, Ranking of Kings, and Kaguya-Sama are all masterpieces in their own right, it's impossible to rank them without knowing their endings.

35 Fist of the North Star Created an Entire Era of Gritty Action

Based on the Manga Created By Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

Fist of the North Star (1984) Cast Akira Kamiya , Shigeru Chiba , Teiyu Ichiryusai , Tomiko Suzuki , Kenji Utsumi , Takaya Hashi , Yuriko Yamamoto Release Date October 11, 1984 Seasons 4 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) fist of the north star Writers Hiroshi Toda Directors Toyoo Ashida Main Genre Action Creator(s) Yoshiyuki Okamura , Tetsuo Hara

Studio Toei Animation Release Year 1984 Number of Episodes 109 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll

Running from 1984 to 1987, Toei Animation's Fist of the North Star is a series whose influence is wide-reaching. Fist of the North Star is about a martial artist named Kenshiro who fights against the warlords and bandits who have risen in the wake of a nuclear apocalypse.

Perhaps the definitive anime of the 1980s, Fist of the North Star ushered in a new era of gritty and violent anime that defined the medium for more than a decade. The series' legacy can still be felt today, as it's not only been referenced by countless other anime and manga, it served as an inspiration for masterpieces like Berserk and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. As if its legacy wasn't enough, Fist of the North Star is just a blood-pumping good time even outside of its historical context.

Watch On Crunchyroll

34 Death Note Redefined What Was Possible in Shonen

Based on the Manga Created By Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

Death Note Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Mamoru Miyano , Brad Swaile , Vincent Tong , Ryō Naitō , Trevor Devall Release Date October 21, 2007 Seasons 1 Main Genre Animation

Studio Madhouse Release Year 2006 Number of Episodes 37 Where to Stream it Youtube Premium, Pluto TV, Tubi, Peacock, Roku, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime

Death Note completely rewrote the book on what was possible in a shonen series. Far from the high-octane battles of a series like Naruto or Dragon Ball Z, Death Note's 'battles' are far more cerebral. Few other series make a psychological game of cat and mouse as fascinating as Death Note.

Related Death Note's Artist Puts His Spin on Comedy in New Manga Show-Ha Shoten! In a new Shonen Jump manga series, two high schoolers dream of becoming the next comedy duo sensation if they can overcome a few basic obstacles.

The art design and direction are what make this anime series truly stand out though. Anime fans might have made a meme out of Light's infamous potato chip scene, but it's a brilliant little moment that uses strong direction and sound design to suck viewers into Light's twisted perspective. Yes, the series' commitment to being edgy can sometimes come across as a touch goofy, but that often adds to its charm in a way that many lesser series have failed to replicate. Though its controversial second part knocks it down a few ranks, Death Note is essential viewing for any anime fan.

Watch On Hulu

33 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a Beautiful Story of Accepting Grief

Original Anime Series Created By Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Okada, & Masayoshi Tanaka

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day Cast Brina Palencia , Jarrod Greene , Amanda Lee , Tabitha Ray , Mallorie Rodak , Ariel Graham , Bill Jenkins , Tyler Walker , Kyle Phillips Release Date April 6, 2018 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) Hinamatsuri Writers Keiichirō Ōchi Directors Kei Oikawa Main Genre Comedy

Studio A-1 Pictures Release Year 2011 Number of Episodes 11 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day follows a young hikikimori named Jinta who suddenly starts seeing the ghost of his former best friend, Menma. What follows is a heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming journey that sees Jinta reconnect with his old friend group so they can all fully process Menma's death. While that premise carries an undeniable emotional charge, Anohana is one of the most heartfelt slice-of-life anime of all time.

With an anime industry so focused on an idealized view of high school, Anohana's more grounded take on trauma and growth will resonate with anime fans wanting something a little more mature out of their coming-of-age anime. Though it might rank low compared to some anime, that speaks more to the strength of the other entries than any flaw inherent with Anohana's beautiful and gripping story.

Watch On Crunchyroll

32 Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is One of the Most Moving Anti-War Anime Ever

Based on the Franchise Created By Yoshiyuki Tomino & Sunrise

Studio Sunrise Release Year 1989 Number of Episodes 6 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll

Gundam is one of the most important anime franchises ever created, with countless incredible series. Though Western fans may prefer the incredibly popular Gundam Wing or Gundam SEED, it's difficult to deny that one of the franchise's most effective entries is Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket.

Taking place in the series' main continuity, War in the Pocket follows a rookie pilot named Bernie who's tasked with destroying a prototype Gundam. While Bernie waits for his own mech to be repaired, he befriends a young boy named Al who views war as exciting and cool. Bernie also becomes infatuated with a woman his age named Chris who, unbeknownst to him, is the prototype Gundam's test pilot. What follows is a heartbreaking story about the emotional cost of war.

If there's one thing consistent across most Gundam series aside from the iconic mechs themselves, it is the prevalence of anti-war themes. Never have Gundam's anti-war themes more apparent than they are in War in the Pocket. There's an almost tragic sense of inevitability to the series as viewers dread the moment Bernie and Chris finally come to blows. All of it is grounded by Al, a character who is far from the annoying kid sidekick he could have been.

Bernie isn't some next evolution for humanity like many of the newtype heroes of other Gundam series, he's one of thousands of faceless mooks who would die an unremarkable death in any other Gundam series

Gundam, just like many other anime franchises, is filled with tales of special individuals who are uniquely talented. In contrast, War in the Pokcet flips the script by focusing solely on normal people just trying to survive. Bernie isn't some next evolution for humanity like many of the newtype heroes of other Gundam series, he's one of thousands of faceless mooks who would die an unremarkable death in any other Gundam series. Filled with many twists and turns, War in the Pocket remains the absolute peak of Gundam.

Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is Unavailable on Streaming

31 Nichijou - My Ordinary Life Uses Animation For Comedy Gold

Based on the Manga Created By Keiichi Arawi

Nichijou - My Ordinary Life Cast Morgan Garrett , Leah Clark , Brittany Lauda , Monica Rial , Jad Saxton , Anthony Bowling Release Date April 3, 2011 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) Nichijou Writers Jukki Hanada Directors Tatsuya Ishihara Main Genre Comedy Creator(s) Keiichi Arawi

Studio Kyoto Animation Release Year 2011 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll

Nichijou - My Ordinary Life is a 2011 anime from Kyoto Animation. This good-natured slice-of-life story follows high school students Yūko, Mio, Mai, and Nano and the increasingly absurd events of their day-to-day lives. Comedy is often difficult to translate across cultural lines, but that barrier never stops Nichijou from being uproariously funny.

Nichijou is a series that always puts the maximum amount of effort into making its jokes land, often using animation and art direction to enhance gags instead of just relying on clever dialogue. Even beyond the incredible animation though, Nichijou's characters are some of the most endearing group of weirdos to ever grace a comedy anime. Either of these aspects alone would make Nichijou great, but together, they make the series a certified classic. Adapting gag manga is notoriously hit or miss, but with Nichijou, it's all hits.

Watch On Crunchyroll

30 Trigun is a Unique Series That Left a Huge Impact

Based on the Manga By Yasuhiro Nightow

Trigun Created by Yasuhiro Nightow First Film Trigun: Badlands Rumble First TV Show Trigun Upcoming TV Shows Trigun Stampede First Episode Air Date April 1, 1998 Cast Johnny Yong Bosch , Lia Sargent , Dorothy Elias-Fahn Current Series Trigun Stampede

Studio Madhouse Release Year 1998 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu

Trigun is a classic case of an anime that's much bigger in America than it was in Japan. Given the wild west theming and the reliance on Judeo-Christian themes, that's not terribly surprising. What is surprising though is how well Trigun holds up so long after its original release. The series follows Vash the Stampede, a gifted gunslinger whose high bounty means hunters are after him. As a result of the rampant destruction left in the wake of Vash's fights, insurance agents Meryl and Milly are sent to follow him and report on the damage he leaves.

Fans wanting more Trigun should watch the series' reboot, Trigun: Stampede.

It's not uncommon for anime heroes to shy away from killing their foes. Characters like Naruto, for instance, famously prefer to talk things out with their opponents whenever possible. What makes Vash so remarkable is how he makes a commitment to non-violence his guiding life philosophy. For Vash, choosing peace isn't a cop-out or a sign of weakness, it's a sign of his resolve. Vash might be the first anime hero to make pacifism look genuinely badass.

Even beyond Vash, the characters of Trigun are incredibly likable. Meryl and Milly balance each other out well and have a fun dynamic while Wolfwood is an excellent counterpoint to Vash's pacifism. Those characters, combined with the series' fascinating world, make Trigun more than deserving of a high rank among the best anime series of all time.

Watch on Crunchyroll

29 Wolf's Rain Was Far Ahead of its Time

Original Anime Series Created By Keiko Nobumoto & Studio Bones

Wolf's Rain Cast Johnny Yong Bosch , Crispin Freeman , Mona Marshall , Sherry Lynn , Jessica Strauss Release Date July 23, 2003 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) Wolf's Rain Writers Keiko Nobumoto Directors Tensai Okamura Main Genre Drama

Studio Bones Release Year 2003 Number of Episodes 26 + 4 OVAs Where to Stream it Crunchyroll

Few anime are quite as much of an emotional gut-punch as Wolf's Rain. The anime takes place in a dystopian future on the verge of collapse. At the end of the world, four wolves with the ability to take human form seek out the Flower Maiden so that she can lead them to paradise. Wolf's Rain was ahead of its time as its plot had a large focus on the emotional fallout of living in a world doomed by climate change. Each character's response to the impending apocalypse shows the psychological toll of being burdened with saving a doomed world.

As if the deep themes weren't enough, Wolf's Rain is also gorgeous with beautiful visuals and an absolutely haunting soundtrack from the legend herself, Yoko Kanno. Wolf's Rain does have its missteps, but none of them are enough to damage this profound anime.

Watch On Crunchyroll

28 Megalobox is the Perfect Science Fiction Sports Anime

Original Anime Series Created By TMS Entertainment & 3xCube

Megalobox Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Kaiji Tang , Jason Marnocha , Lex Lang , Erica Mendez , Erika Harlacher , Jamieson Price , Greg Chun , Jake Eberle Release Date April 4, 2021 Seasons 2 Franchise(s) Megalobox Writers Katsuhiko Manabe , Kensaku Kojima Directors Yō Moriyama Main Genre Sports

Studio TMS, 3xCube Release Year 2018 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu, Pluto TV, Peacock, Tubi

Made in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the incredibly influential manga series Tomorrow's Joe, Megalobox is a gritty sci-fi boxing anime that doesn't pull its punches. The story is simple, as Megalobox follows a young man known as Junk Dog (later given the name Joe) as he rises through the ranks of Megaloboxing. Like boxing but with added cybernetic exoskeletons, Megalobox is a deadly sport that can have life-altering consequences for its combatants.

Megalobox is one of the greatest sports anime of all time, with fluid animation and bouts that are just as tense as the best boxing matches in the real world. Beyond all the incredible technical details that make the series really shine, there's just something undeniably cool about its premise that easily earns it a spot among the best anime ever.

Watch On Crunchyroll

27 Your Lie in April is a Gorgeously Animated Tragedy

Based on the Manga Created By Naoshi Arakawa

Your Lie in April Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Max Mittelman , Erica Lindbeck , Erica Mendez , Kyle McCarley , Erik Scott Kimerer , Erika Harlacher , Stephanie Sheh , Wendee Lee , Carrie Keranen , Christina Vee Release Date October 9, 2014 Seasons 1 Franchise(s) Your Lie in April Writers Takao Yoshioka Directors Kyohei Ishiguro Main Genre Drama Creator(s) Naoshi Arakawa

Studio A-1 Pictures Release Year 2014 Number of Episodes 22 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu

Your Lie in April is a 2014 anime produced by A-1 Pictures. Your Lie in April is about former piano prodigy Kōsei and his relationship to the free-spirited violinist Kaori. Though the manga the series is based on is interesting in its own right, Your Lie In April is the rare anime that actually improves on its source material.

The series' music is exquisite, and the art direction gives this tragedy-tinted series a bright edge that makes its darker moments stick out and hit all the harder. Most importantly, Your Lie In April's characters are its main strength. The dynamic between the reserved Kōsei and the free-spirited Kaori has been done a thousand times before but rarely has this type of romance been as moving or as heartfelt as it is in Your Lie in April.

Watch On Crunchyroll

26 The Rose of Versailles is a '70s Anime With an Incredible Legacy

Based on the Manga By Riyoko Ikeda

The Rose of Versailles (1979) Cast Reiko Tajima , Tarô Shigaki , Hisashi Katsuta , Nachi Nozawa , Keaton Yamada , Keiji Mishima , Miyuki Ueda , Noriko Ohara , Rihoko Yoshida , Yoneko Matsukane , Yoshiko Kimiya , Yoshito Yasuhara Release Date October 10, 1970 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crackle , Amazon Freevee Franchise(s) The Rose of Versailles Writers Riyoko Ikeda , Yoshimi Shinozaki , Keiko Sugie , Masahiro Yamada Directors Tadao Nagahama , Osamu Dezaki , Mizuho Nishikubo , Shunji Ôga Main Genre Romance Creator(s) Riyoko Ikeda

The Rose of Versailles is a boundary-breaking shojo anime based on the manga of the same name by the visionary Riyoko Ikeda. The series takes place right before the French Revolution and follows a young woman named Lady Oscar who was trained in fighting from an early age. Oscar is tasked with bodyguarding Marie Antoinette. As the plot develops, the poverty and destitution throughout France combined with Antoinette's careless spending tests Oscar's loyalty toward France and the nobility.

Ahead of its time doesn't even begin to describe The Rose of Versailles. For an anime series from 1979 to tackle themes such as wage disparity, the weight of gender expectations, and revolution is nothing short of a miracle. More than that though, The Rose of Versailles handles its themes with a deft hand, leaving the anime an absolute classic that has been influencing anime and manga for close to half a century now.

25 Neon Genesis Evangelion is an Existential Masterpiece

Original Anime Series Created By Hideaki Anno & Studio Gainax

Neon Genesis Evangelion Created by Hideaki Anno First Film Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth TV Show(s) Neon Genesis Evangelion Character(s) Shinji Ikari , Rei Ayanami , Asuka Langley Soryu , Toji Suzuhara , Kaworu Nagisa , Mari Illustrious Makinami , Gendo Ikari , Misato Katsuragi Video Game(s) Neon Genesis Evangelion

Studio Gainax Release Year 1995 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Netflix

Despite its controversial nature, Neon Genesis Evangelion was a landmark series that changed anime forever. Mech anime are a staple of the medium, but Evangelion's take on it is still unique even with a tide of imitators rising in its wake. Though some have labeled it pretentious, the series' unique mech/monster designs and memorable characters more than earn this series its mythic status.

Evangelion is a story about the depths of depression and the psychological trauma of living in a world on the brink of collapse. Shinji might come across as whiny to many, but a closer look paints a much more nuanced portrait than the series' critics give it credit for. In the real world, young adults are frequently told that they're the future and that responsibility for saving the planet is on their shoulders, but the psychological effects of that burden are made abundantly clear in Evangelion.

Though the original Evangelion is only on Netflix, all of the Rebuild films are available with a dub on Prime Video.

Teenaged heroes like Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are not the cause of the world's sorry state, powerful people like Gendo are, and yet the burden for fixing that mess too often lies with the children. Each young adult illustrates a different response to that burden. Rei is cold and emotionless, Asuka's perfectionism and need to feel valued makes her quick to anger, and Shinji is psychologically broken by his father's neglect.

Related Neon Genesis Evangelion's 17 Original Angels Explained A look at all 17 of the Angels seen in the original Neon Genesis Evangelion, what powers they possess, and what role they have to play in the story.

Unfortunately, Evangelion ultimately loses ranking for its philosophically interesting, but plot-devoid finale. Given the last few episodes had to be rewritten due to unintended similarities to the 1995 sarin gas attacks, these faults are understandable, but worth mentioning. Evangelion also suffers from having a better version of its story exist with the Rebuild films. Given all this, Neon Genesis Evangelion should probably rank lower... but sorry Your Lie In April, A Cruel Angel's Thesis just slaps too hard.

Watch On Netflix

24 Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Proves How to Modernize a Classic Franchise

Original Anime Series Based on the Graphic Novels By Bryan Lee O'Malley

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Michael Cera , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Satya Bhabha , Kieran Culkin , Anna Kendrick , Brie Larson , Alison Pill , Aubrey Plaza , Brandon Routh , Jason Schwartzman Release Date November 17, 2023 Seasons 1 Franchise(s) Scott Pilgrim Writers Bryan Lee O'Malley , BenDavid Grabinski Directors Abel Góngora Showrunner Bryan Lee O'Malley , BenDavid Grabinski

Studio Science SARU Release Year 2023 Number of Episodes 8 Where to Stream it Netflix

Scott Pilgrim is a fascinating franchise in that it's incredibly consistent. Whether it be the original graphic novels, the movie adaptation, or the videogame, there's no wrong way to enjoy the story of Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers. Given that the series is so beloved, Netflix's Scott Pilgrim Takes Off had a lot to live up to, especially given that fans were hotly anticipating a faithful adaptation of the graphic novels. Nobody could have predicted just how far Takes Off would deivate from its source material, but the result is undeniably for the better.

To say too much about the plot would spoil the series' greatest trick but suffice it to say that fans who wanted to see more of the series' cast definitely get their wish with Takes Off. More than just extra time with likable characters though, the anime series develops Scott Pilgrim's villains in new and interesting ways, complicating and fleshing out characters who had previously been far more one note.

Scott Pilgrim's creator has had time to reflect on his most famous creation and drill down into the psyche of its cast in ways that are occasionally uncomfortable but are always emotionally fulfilling

If Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has one thing going for it though, it's that it was made almost two decades after the original graphic novel. With the benefit of a decade, Scott Pilgrim's creator has had time to reflect on his most famous creation and drill down into the psyche of its cast in ways that are occasionally uncomfortable but are always emotionally fulfilling. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has now become an essential companion piece to the original graphic novel, the rare reboot that actually makes going back to the original even more rewarding.

Watch on Netflix

23 Ouran High School Host Club is a Hilarious Parody of Shojo Romance

Based on the Manga Created By Bisco Hatori

Ouran High School Host Club (2006) Cast Caitlin Glass , Vic Mignogna , J. Michael Tatum , Todd Haberkorn , Greg Ayres , Luci Christian , travis willingham Release Date April 5, 2006 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll Franchise(s) Ouran High School Host Club Writers Yoji Enokido Directors Takuya Igarashi Main Genre Comedy Creator(s) Bisco Hatori

Year Released Bones Release Year 2006 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, Tubi

Ouran High School Host Club is a 2006 anime series produced by Studio Bones. The series follows a young woman named Haruhi who is forced to pay off a massive debt by pretending to be a male and working for the titular Host Club. With a great premise that artfully plays with gender, Ouran seemed destined to be a hit from its first episode. More than just a great premise though, Ouran High School Host Club wonderfully skewers popular anime tropes in a way that's always fresh and hilarious.

Ouran also deserves applause for its wide-ranging influence. While far from the first anime centered on a woman's relationship to a series of attractive young men, the anime helped codify many tropes that make this unique brand of wish fulfillment what it is today. The series' portrayal of gender and gender roles is also a fascinating topic that is handled well. Given all this, Ouran High School Host Club is a no-brainer for ranking among the best anime series.

Watch On Crunchyroll

22 Gurren Lagann is the Birth of an Anime Titan

Original Anime Series Created By Studio Gainax

Gurren Lagann Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available

Studio Gainax Release Year 2007 Number of Episodes 27 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu

Gurren Lagann is a 2007 anime produced by Gainax. This mech anime is initially about a young man named Simon and his older brother figure Kamina as they fight in the titular Lagann against the oppressive Spiral King and his army of Beastmen. Not content to redefine the mecha anime genre once with Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gainax did it again with Gurren Lagann, and the result is just so over-the-top that it's hard not to love.

Under its ridiculous surface, Lagann is a deeply thoughtful series with a lot to say about human nature and freedom. Even beyond its original 26 episodes though, Gurren Lagann has had a massive effect on the industry. A great deal of the crew that worked on Lagann went on to found Studio Trigger. Gurren Lagann might not be the best mech anime, but its earnestness and historical importance make it a standout series.

Watch On Crunchyroll

21 Hunter x Hunter Distills Everything Great About Shonen

Based on the Manga Created By Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunter x Hunter Cast Issei Futamata , Megumi Han , Cristina Valenzuela , Mariya Ise , Michael McConnohie Release Date April 17, 2016 Seasons 1 Main Genre Animation Creator(s) Yoshihiro Togashi

Studio Madhouse Release Year 2011 Number of Episodes 148 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Netflix, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Peacock

Hunter x Hunter is a shonen battle anime produced by Madhouse that ran from 2011 to 2014. The series begins with a boy named Gon Freces who's on a quest to find his dad, one of the series' enigmatic Hunters. Along the way, Gon is joined by a young man named Kurapika looking to avenge his murdered clan, a man named Leorio who wants to be a hunter to pay for medical school, and a boy Gon's age named Killua who is part of a family of notorious assassins.

Related Hunter X Hunter's Creator Confirmed The Series’ Return - So Where is It? Yoshihiro Togashi announces that a new Hunter x Hunter chapter is ready and that he is working on a new “production system” to guarantee publication.

What makes Hunter x Hunter so special is how much it distills everything that makes classic shonen battle anime so compelling. Gon might be a stereotypical shonen hero, but his enthusiasm and energy make him easy to love. Nen isn't just another shonen power system, it's so intricate and well-thought-out that it comes close to being the genre's best. More than just refining classic shonen tropes though, Hunter x Hunter uses those tropes to say something meaningful about the pursuit of dreams and the cost of violence. It's no exaggeration to say that Hunter x Hunter is peak shonen, earning it a solid rank.

Fans of Hunter x Hunter may want to check out series creator Yoshihiro Togashi's other well-known shonen series Yu Yu Hakusho.

Watch On Crunchyroll

20 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is Cyberpunk Noir at its Finest

Based on the Manga Created By Masamune Shirow

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available

Studio Production I.G. Release Year 2002 Number of Episodes 52 Where to Stream it Sling TV, Adult Swim

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a 2002 anime created by Production I.G. The cyberpunk series follows Major Makoto Kusanagi and her team of Public Security Section 9 as they investigate a mysterious cyber-terrorist known as The Laughing Man.

Though not as historically important as the groundbreaking 1995 film that launched the franchise into the global spotlight, Stand Alone Complex is a seminal work of cyberpunk that is actually better than its more famous movie counterpart in many ways. With the added breathing room a TV series affords, Stand Alone Complex can actually dive deeper into the characters, world, and themes inherent to Ghost in The Shell.

Related Ghost in the Shell Fuses Afrofuturism & Cyberpunk in Underrated Sequel When an investigation takes members of Section 9 out of Tokyo’s familiar setting, the crew finds themselves knee-deep in an Afrofuturistic mystery.

Strangely enough, one of the best aspects of the series is its structure. Each episode is labeled as Stand Alone or Complex, marking whether an episode is its own story or whether it's contributing to the overall plot. This simple addition of labeling each episode appropriately sets viewer expectations and leads to the story being quite easy to follow. With its interesting structure, compelling characters, and fascinating themes, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is one of the best cyberpunk anime ever made.

Watch on Adult Swim

19 Space Dandy is an Absurdist Take on Cowboy Bebop

Created By Shinichiro Watanabe & Studio Bones

Space Dandy Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Ian Sinclair , Alison Viktorin , Joel McDonald , J. Michael Tatum , Micah Solusod , Kent Williams , Alexis Tipton , Colleen Clinkenbeard , Johnny Yong Bosch Release Date January 4, 2014 Seasons 2 Franchise(s) Space Dandy Writers Shinichirô Watanabe , Dai Sato , Kimiko Ueno , Ichirō Ōkōchi , Keiko Nobumoto , Toh EnJoe , Masaaki Yuasa , Hayashi Mori , Kiyotaka Oshiyama Directors Shinichirô Watanabe , Shingo Natsume Main Genre Comedy Creator(s) Shinichirô Watanabe

Studio Bones Release Year 2014 Number of Episodes 26 Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Tubi, Hulu

Though not as well known as creator Shinichiro Watanabe's other big sci-fi series, Space Dandy is a goofy series with a lot on its mind. The anime follows a ridiculous goofball of a man named Dandy, his robot companion QT, and their companion Meow as they travel through space in search of new alien species. If the series stuck to that basic premise, it'd probably make for a fine if forgettable episodic show. Instead, Space Dandy chooses to do something a lot more weird and wonderful.

The twist of Space Dandy is that each episode takes place in a slightly different continuity from the last. 8 years before Everything, Everywhere, All at Once explored the existential dread of living in a multiverse of infinite possibilities, Space Dandy showed that multiverses could be so much more than just a cynical excuse for franchise crossovers. The result is an experimental show that pushes animation to its absolute limit. Space Dandy is one of the best anime for its animation alone, but much like Dandy himself, it's the genuine heart underneath that makes it the anime an all-time great.

Watch On Crunchyroll

18 Monster is the Anime Equivalent of Prestige T.V.

Based on the Manga Created By Naoki Urasawa

Monster (2004) Cast Liam O'Brien , Keith Silverstein , Karen Strassman , Richard Epcar , Laura Bailey , Tara Platt Release Date April 7, 2004 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Tatsuhiko Urahata , Naoki Urasawa Directors Masayuki Kojima , Morio Asaka Main Genre Crime Creator(s) Naoki Urasawa

Studio Madhouse Release Year 2004 Number of Episodes 74 Where to Stream it Netflix

Monster follows a surgeon named Kenzo Tenma who feels personally responsible for saving the life of serial killer Johan Liebert. What follows is one of anime's best thrillers as Tenma deals with the guilt of saving a mass murderer, inevitably going to extraordinary lengths to rectify what he feels was his biggest mistake.

Perhaps the most un-anime anime series, it's not impossible to look at Monster's premise and see it easily given the prestige of an HBO series like True Detective (and indeed it almost was an HBO series). Like all good anime series though, any potential live-action adaptation would miss out on what makes Monster so special and unique. The series' atmosphere and tension would be completely lost without the beautiful animation provided by Studio Madhouse. Naoki Urasawa's original manga is a classic, and luckily, the series' anime adaptation is worthy of its beloved source material.

Watch On Netflix

17 Fruits Basket is the Absolute Pinnacle of Shojo

Based on the Manga Created By Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket (2019) Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

rent

buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Laura Bailey , Eric Vale , Jerry Jewell , John Burgmeier , Elizabeth Maxwell , Mikaela Krantz , Colleen Clinkenbeard Release Date April 6, 2019 Seasons 3 Franchise(s) Fruits Basket Writers Natsuki Takaya Directors Yoshihide Ibata Main Genre Drama Creator(s) Yûichirô Kido , Natsuki Takaya

Studio TMS/8PAN Release Year 2019 Number of Episodes 63 Where to Stream it Hulu

Fruits Basket is one of the most beloved Shojo series of all time for good reason. The series follows a young woman named Tohru who comes to live with the Sohma family after the loss of her mother. Though the family is divided in many aspects, what unites them is the shared curse that turns them into one of the Chinese Zodiac animals when they're under duress. What follows is a story about trauma and healing as Tohru helps the Sohmas reconnect with one another and become a true family.

What makes Fruits Basket such an incredible anime is how it refines what makes Shojo such a compelling genre. Without flashy battles or action scenes, drama series like Fruits Basket need to pay extra attention to things like characterization and theme. All the series' characters are trying to process loss in their own way, and that thematic consistency allows the series to examine the theme of grief from many different angles. As one of the most well-loved Shojo series of all time, Fruits Basket more than earns its rank among the best anime series ever made.

Watch On Hulu

16 Mushi-Shi is Beautiful & Haunting in Equal Measure

Based on the Manga Created By Yuki Urushibara

Mushi-Shi Cast Yûto Nakano , travis willingham , Kôjun Itô , Jennifer Seman , Mika Doi , Hiroshi Shimozaki , Ryō Naitō , Brina Palencia Release Date October 23, 2005 Seasons 1 Main Genre Anime

Studio Artland Release Year 2005 Number of Episodes 46 + 2 Specials Where to Stream it Crunchyroll, Hulu

Mushi-Shi is a supernatural anime series by Artland that ran from 2005 to 2006 before getting a second season in 2014. The series follows a man named Ginko who helps people deal with mysterious spirits known as Mushi. Ginko makes for a suitably mellow protagonist and it's consistently delightful to watch his process for working with each Mushi. Ginko's respect for these mysterious creatures ultimately fits so well with the series' themes about man's relationship with nature that it's difficult to imagine anyone else filling his role.

What stands out most about the series though is its quietly beautiful depiction of Edo-era Japan. Fitting for a series so concerned with nature, Mushi-Shi's atmosphere is its real star. Like a lullaby, the soundtrack and art direction beautifully harmonize to imbue every scene with quiet terror or wonder. Serene, poignant, and dripping with atmosphere, Mushi-Shi is the perfect anime to watch right before bed.

Watch On Crunchyroll