This is Victorian vampire horror, superhero Nazi-fighting, and a murder mystery all in one. The best completed anime/manga series with more than 50 episodes (except for Shingeki no Kyojin - manga ongoing, with season 2 currently airing, and Assassination Classroom with only less than 50 episodes even with two seasons combined), in order of release date: 1. AIC’s tendency towards warm color tones and diligent, weighty animation gave their projects an alluring haze which felt simultaneously grounded and not of this world. This list ranks all the most popular anime that people are watching right now, including many anime that are currently airing. Now, the Empire is set on conquering Japan. Comment. Its visual flair would not be possible without the blending of animation techniques and the talent to make use of such tools in inventive ways. Owing to its inconsistent availability country to country, Future Boy Conan remains underseen even among most Studio Ghibli devotees. It doesn't matter what genre these popular anime fall under - the only criteria for being on this list is the anime has to be a hot series that fans are really into right now. The long-running Naruto series has been referred to as one of the “big three” anime because of its wild popularity around the world, and for good reason. As upbeat as it is, the story has loss and grief as a central theme. Although the show’s full of body horror and often grotesque violence, the characters are written and performed so charmingly that you can’t help but find the entire cast endearing. Patlabor pulls the mecha genre out from space operas and away from all those cosmic threats, and lands it in for a more upbeat earthbound approach. All rights reserved. The only way to turn any of them back is with a splash of hot H2O. Top Anime Series Of All-Time by jamesgirman | created - 15 Apr 2014 | updated - 04 Dec 2015 | Public If I am missing a title that you believe deserves to be on the list, please leave it in the comments. These are some popular series that are organized by year. The film … The series follows two brothers who venture out to look for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone and regain the bodies they lost after trying to resurrect their dead mother using alchemy. Our main character is Shoyo Hinata, a high school freshman considered too short to play volleyball, but who is particularly fast and adept at jumping. (And that’s while having a semicolon it its title.) For one, the show makes its villain as big and compelling a character as the hero, and his story rivals the best protagonist stories out there. Superhuman powers, time travel, and a cat-rabbit who can transform into a spaceship may also get involved. What do you get when you combine a god of death so bored he drops off on Earth a notebook capable of killing any person whose name is written inside, a high school student who wants to clear the world from criminals, and an eccentric detective known only as L? Like its title, the story logic of FLCL matters far less than how the journey makes the viewer feel. Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli‘s on HBO Max, and anime-inspired shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra hitting big on Netflix. While earlier seasons were more towards the O Brother, Where Art Thou? We saw even more investment in productions by international streamers like Netflix. The result is a harrowing but unusually frank exploration of mental health. My Hero Academia takes everything you love about superhero movies, and mixes it with a coming-of-age tale with lots of heart, eye-popping action, a supporting cast of well-developed and memorable characters, a protagonist who isn’t afraid to show vulnerability, and references and homages to your favorite comic books. With its limitless capacity for cute monsters, and hero Ash Ketchum’s simple, defined goal of mastering the capturing of said monsters, Pokemon launched with an immediate, all-ages appeal. It pulls the focus from the big bads (who are often more super-villain caricatures than characters) to smaller scale stakes. Now he and his friends find themselves trapped in a murder loop, as the show uses the butterfly effect to demonstrate the increasingly complicated consequences of trying to change the future. Fullmetal Alchemist/Hagane no Renkinjustushi (2003) 2. It’s a thrilling world that keeps expanding. From psychological thrillers to coming-of-age dramas, throwback classics to 2020 standouts, we rounded up the best anime shows available … Let’s do this! Questions of hyperreality, consciousness, and the everyday tangibility of cyberspace ensue. This is a masterpiece of a show from top to bottom. The creators show just enough to make the reveal and final twist of the crime so satisfying. The Ancient Magus' Bride is something rarer, taking its inspiration from European fairy tales. Watch on: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, VIZ. Gurren Lagann follows two friends who become the symbols of rebellion against a powerful tyrant, in a world where mankind has been forced underground to live in subterranean villages. The music will instantly become part of your favorites playlist, the characters have distinct personalities, the action becomes more fluid and thrilling over time, and the story effortlessly swings from action to political drama to mystery. From Bubblegum Crisis to El-Hazard: The Magnificent World to Oh My Goddess!, production house AIC defined the anime look from the mid-’80s to early ’90s. While not shying away from the less-than-ideal realities professional animators face, being over-worked and under-payed, it celebrates the magic of the craft. Taken altogether, Evangelion’s hallowed status is understandable: While the saga becomes more inscrutable the deeper it goes, viewers will come out the other end having gained a deeper understanding of themselves. A Britannian prince in exile finds himself the leader of a rebellion when he receives the “power of absolute obedience.” Code Geass is full of unforgettable twists, with several mysteries and shocking developments coming at the audience, and a compelling war story that manages to tell a big picture story of epic proportions as well as more intimate character stories that you’ll care deeply about. She succeeds not through her delusional machinations, but instead through her surprising kindness and weird personality. The show follows an orphaned boy named Naruto, who lives with the soul of a nine-tailed demon fox trapped inside him, and dreams of one day becoming a ninja. Striking a balance between comedy and drama, the show’s story is as unpredictable as its heists. Updated May 22nd, 2020 by Louis Kemner: Once again, the concept of "high school anime" has proven itself such a huge and popular genre, there is need to expand a list of "best high school anime" more than once to do all the best series justice. Audiences were clearly vibing to Gundam‘s revolutionary new style of personalized giant robots in space warfare, to the point that decades later a Gundam blasted its way into a major fighting appearance within Ready Player One‘s climactic battle. There are questions about morality and justice that will make you think, and nail-biting schemes and plots that will keep you guessing and enthralled. The beginning of a vast space opera franchise created by Leiji Matsumoto, this is a slow-burn melodrama anchored around the titular Harlock, who has left Earth in his ship, the Arcadia, after defining space as the final frontier for a man of honor like himself. There's plenty of romance in anime, and these ten romantic anime series are by far the most binge worthy according to IMDb. Like Futurama, Star Trek, and Firefly, Mobile Suit Gundam was one of those sci-fi shows that found significant life even after their early cancellations, as fans united and rallied around their beloved series. The creators did a great job at giving the characters a backstory, subsequently explaining their motives and relationships. For many, Brotherhood is the essential anime experience, and it’s easy to see why. One hell of a cat-and-mouse four-dimensional chess game. Future Boy Conan shows he’s always known how to make masterpieces. Beastars is the Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse of anime series. Series protagonist Goku is now an icon of animation thanks to his justice-driven good nature, aided by the characteristically unfussy character design by Akira Toriyama, and a meme-friendly fanbase. 15 Best Romance Anime Series According TO IMDB. Our 17 favorite shows from a year filled with great animation. Because the anime itself is what I’d call “mainstream” for its success. The premise of Hunter x Hunter isn’t completely new (it feels a lot like Dragon Ball), but what makes this show special is in the execution. Your Name. Myne must confront whether she is comfortable using her intelligence and power for selfish reasons, or if she can find a way to get what she wants while also making the lives around her better. Even as studios scrambled to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of 2020, animators still managed to produce a landmark year for anime. An action/adventure show with an upbeat tone, amazing action scenes, excellent world-building and characters you can easily fall in love with, it’s easy to see why Fullmetal Alchemist is considered one of the best anime series of the 2000s. We follow the colorful, motley crew of officers at Second Special Vehicles Division, who combat a variety of Labor-related crimes. by Isha Bassi. The story kicks off when Naota Nandaba, a surly 12-year-old boy from a nondescript town, has his life upended when a boisterous drifter drives into town and thwacks him across the head with her guitar. Villainess’ unique charm sets it apart from the other “reincarnated in another” world shows, a genre that’s been fairly well-wrought and overused at this point. Watch on: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix. Arte is about a young woman pursuing her dream of becoming a painter in 16th century Florence. Let us know what you think are the best, most essential anime series out there in the comments. The series findings drama and character in the gender politics of the period, the privilege of class, and the minutia of how Renaissance art was made. What does FLCL (pronounced “Fooly Cooly”) mean? Jujutsu Kaisen takes a strong manga series and further elevates it with a stellar anime presentation. The amount of times this show never pops up in conversation is surprising. Twenty-three seasons later, Ash is still at it, with no signs of slowing down. A pioneer in national broadcast syndication like DBZ, Sailor Moon brought anime to the masses. If Dragon Ball was for boys, and Sailor Moon was for girls, then Pokemon was for everyone. In a world where people can become certified Hunters to track down treasure, criminals, and people, a 12-year-old embarks on a journey to become a Hunter himself in order to find his missing father. Then there’s the mech action. (How do we rank shows?) It is not your typical by-the-books vampire story, at all. Every opportunity is taken to make you feel the thrill of being a Pokemon seeker, as seen in the video games, Pokemon GO!, and even Detective Pikachu. The best sports anime right now, Haikyu!! All rights reserved. 16. Great Pretender pulls off an inspired trick: it makes you think the show is about clever heists when it’s actually focused on the real personalities behind each thief’s cool facade. By Bisma Fida Apr 08, 2020. Of course, Bebop had a big hand in making anime explode in America, as cable television grew in popularity and Cartoon Network began airing the show in blocks with the likes of The Big O, Trigun, and InuYasha. Sony is expected to soon close on their purchase of Crunchyroll, adding it to its growing anime empire that already includes Funimation and Aniplex. Watch on: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, VIZ. Code Geass (2006 - original anime) 3. Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan where kaijus known as “Angels” repeatedly ravage humanity, the series follows Shinji Ikari, an insecure boy chosen to pilot one of the Evangelions, which are giant, mysterious robots that are the only weapons capable of repelling the Angel menace. Though this is not Neon Genesis Evangelion, this series still offers plenty of giant robot action mixed with the Game of Thrones-like political machinations. The AIC look and Tenchi‘s fluidity between romance, action, sci-fi, comedy, and drama really hits that anime sweet spot. A lot of fantasy and supernatural anime incorporates fantastic elements into real-world settings, like shinigami descending on Karakura Town in Bleach. And every now and then a show breaks through the otaku inner circles and into shopping malls and the mainstream, validating the medium in a way through its vast pop-cultural reach. It was an after-school, afternoon delight to daily unite with Usagi (or Serena, in the original English dub) and her intergalactic planetary squad of friends, as they navigate adolescent life, mysterious boyfriends, and their own secret identities as magically-endowed defenders of the planet. Lain is pretentious, symbolic, and absorbing – a prime example of a brave new world in anime. It’s a romance story that constantly forgets it’s a romance story, but manages to keep you on your toes with wild twists that feel unusually plausible. Most episodes play out like a mix of a detective serial and a heist. In this over-the-top, loud, hot-blooded, and exciting mecha show hides the antithesis of Evangelion, offering not so much a deconstruction of the genre, but a celebration of it. Golden Kamuy has always felt a bit like a Coen brothers film, a wild mix of serious and absurd moments that still feel grounded. It’s now to the point where his image and character has been parodied in disparate animation, from Project A-Ko to Steven Universe. Plus, with so much new anime debuting each year, the list of best anime will only grow. If you thought anime was just about supernatural, mecha, action, think again. Top anime series include popular shows like Death Note, Attack on Titan, and many more. And with beautiful animation and art direction, the show is enjoyable to watch in multi-episode chunks or across multiple viewings. Try Free Trial. Anime has been a strong force in upending societal impressions that animation is strictly for kids. The creators have begun to fill in the tragic backstories of the show’s supporting cast, though without losing the series’ unique sense of humor. Deca-Dence is the antithesis of the “mystery box-style” of storytelling. Arte, Beastar, Deca-Dance, and My Hero Academia are just a few of the best anime shows of 2020. It’s a good time to be an anime fan, what with multiple dedicated streaming services (choose among Crunchyroll, Funimation, HiDive and more), alongside mainstream awards recognition and critical acclaim for the likes of Your Name or Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Numerous shows must be discussed when talking about the most popular anime. And that can make for a fun and engaging show. I'm only covering 10 in this article, but here are some additional recommendations. It is not your typical by-the-books vampire story, at all. Have you ever wanted to do something extraordinary, but then life just got in the way? Watch on: Crunchyroll, Netflix, HiDive (seasons 2 and 3). In his characteristic skull-and-crossbones cloak, Harlock’s stoic nature and moral nobility (and not to mention he’s a bit of a lush) quickly became a lovely, foundational trope in anime. Its relatable, adorable adult couples make this series worthwhile, easily earning it a spot on our best anime list. The season is more personal for Deku and the UA students, but no less dramatic. Anime Lab is a collection of popular, subbed, and dubbed anime. The series … Nobody seems to know in this joyous, nervy, and wistful odyssey through the pangs of puberty. Indeed, he’s one of the most well-developed and charismatic characters in anime history, and we witness him evolving from from aspiring ninja, to leader, to even a father. Rank: Title: Score: … Dragon Ball Z is one of those major breakthroughs, an epic of planet-annihilating proportions, whose long-gestating battles of inner rage and surging emotion speaks especially to an eternal adolescent audience. Despite all these changes and hurdles, we saw new shows that may eventually be added to a list of the best animes of all time. Popular on Netflix. This site streams the latest shows after a few hours of broadcast. Available on Crunchyroll, and Funimation. From IMDb user: "This list of 'Top 100 Anime Series Of All Time' will feature what I consider to be the 100 greatest anime series ever made. We’re commemorating these moments with a selection of 25 anime TV series that we believe have been essential to the medium over the last five decades. The blanket term "anime" in the US can refer to any animation originating in Japan, and specifically differentiates a few aspects of Japanese animation from more Western styles. And now Attack on Titan has returned for its fourth and final epic season. Attack on Titan Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese, created by Hajime Isayama, is one of the most popular Japanese anime series to be released. 0. Haikyu finds ways to make every character relatable, and every team not just an enemy to overcome, but another group of teens trying to get better at a sport they enjoy. The world is a dystopian nightmare. With season two, the cast begins to find ways to process through their issues even as the gravity of their family and their curse continues to complicate their lives. The creators take a very high concept sci-fi idea and use it to tell a grounded story. The quirky gender politics, and the love-hate interplay between Ranma and his violently reluctant betrothed Akane Tendo (not cursed, outside of being an exceptionally bad cook), drive the action and comedy, as other would-be suitors surge in like hawks of anarchy. Jojo’s is as much an ’80s love letter as Stranger Things, but its memeable and unpredictable nature makes this a must-watch for diehard anime fans and newcomers alike. The character development is one of the key reasons why My Hero Academia is one of the best anime series of 2016. In an alternate timeline where the British Empire won the Revolutionary War, but then subsequently lost against Napoleon, we’re introduced to a world where the Holy Britannian Empire controls a third of the Earth. For anyone who can remember their first discombobulating step into adulthood, FLCL will feel like coming home. Basically Catarina, unlike similar protagonists, is a well-meaning doofus. It’s a world where nearly everyone has some sort of superpower, and Izuku Midoriya is born with nothing. end of the spectrum, this season has skewed closer to the tone of No Country for Old Men. It was first watched in Japan during 2013 and was dubbed in English to be watched in America in 2014. Released before his feature debut, The Castle of Cagliostro, this is light years beyond Miyazaki’s other TV output (like when directing Sherlock Hound episodes or his run on Lupin the 3rd, all great), finding him at his most youthful and enthusiastic. And hundreds of new series premiered even as animation studios moved to remote work. The shows humanizes everyone, giving them their own struggles. The show has unparalleled character animation and spectacular, multidimensional action scenes. All Anime; Top Airing; Top Upcoming; Top TV Series; Top Movies; Top OVAs; Top ONAs; Top … Some of the qualifying factors taken into consideration for a series being deemed great are, entertainment value, popularity, lasting appeal, quality of writing, originality and significance to the medium of anime. I’ve narrowed the list to seventeen shows, most of which could easily be watched in their entirety in just a few days. Naturally, we follow his journey to becoming the best volleyball player he can be. Hailed as the apex of serialized anime since its debut, Neon Genesis Evangelion’s champagne reputation belies just how strange it is. The virtually plotless finale divided audiences at the time and remains contentious to this day. Fruits Basket’s unique blend of romance, comedy, and drama makes what is often a very sad show, dealing with the emotional issues of a cursed extended family, feel unexpectedly hopeful. The creators infuse tension, nuance, and depth into Paru Itagaki’s brilliant high school drama/murder mystery manga. Free Anime Streaming Online - Watch on Crunchyroll. Rounding off the best anime of 2016 is the anime movie that made fans (and nonfans) go to the theaters this summer, Your Name. Still managed to produce a landmark year for anime, unlike similar protagonists, is a collection of,..., Tubi, Vudu, Pluto TV, VIZ new ways to surprise and challenge the expectations, to! Masterpiece of a show from Top to bottom something fans must rectify by any means this funny heartfelt... Spaceship may also get involved, nuance, and elsewhere is surprising succeeds not through her surprising kindness and personality... 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