There are many animations produced and released around the world every year. Here, anime is a Japanese term that refers to animations made in Japan.
It is said that the first Japanese animation was made and released in 1917. Speaking of the first famous anime in Japan, Astro Boy released in 1963 is the first anime series broadcast on television. Hundreds of new anime are broadcast on television and streamed on movie platforms and hit the screens every year, and the number of anime to watch increases year after year!
The anime industry has evolved a lot in Japan, partly because the country has other Japanese pop cultures such as manga, video games, and light novels. Some popular anime are adaptations of manga, video games, light novels, and other media. Anime has thrived worldwide so quickly because everyone can access Japanese animations with French dubbing and subtitles.
In this article, we offer you the 30 best anime, including classic anime franchises and brand-new series. This list of the best anime will help novices find which anime to start watching or for anime fans to decide which one to watch next.
This anime list focuses on anime series that Japanese people call "anime", so anime movies such as Studio Ghibli films or Makoto Shinkai's animations are excluded.
It's not easy to narrow the list down to just 30 anime and rank them, and there are other fascinating anime worth watching outside of this list, of course.
Let's start a countdown!
30. Fate
Fate/stay night is an anime based on the visual novel video game of the same name. The first season of the series was released in 2006, followed by the prequel Fate/Zero in 2011-2012. The main character Shiro Emiya survives the Holy Grail War with his servant Saber. The new series Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia has been airing since 2019.
Release date: from 2006
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Recommended for anime fans
29. KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! is a popular Isekai comedy genre, based on the light novel written by Natsume Akatsuki. The first season of KonoSuba was released in 2016 and the second in 2017. The story begins after a teenager, Kazuma, dies in an accident and is sent to another world with the goddess Aqua. A film under the name of KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! The Crimson Legend was released in 2019 in Japan.
Release date: from 2016
Genre: Isekai, Comedy
Recommended for anime fans/nerds
28. Inuyasha
Inuyasha is a popular manga published by Weekly Shonen Sunday in 56 volumes in total, and adapted into anime. The anime series mainly consists of two parts: the first part based on manga vol.1-36 and the second (Inuyasha: The Final Act) based on the rest of the original manga story. A 15-year-old girl, Kagome, transported to another world in the past, meets the dog half-demon named Inuyasha. Kagome and Inuyasya travel with their group to complete the Shikon Jewel, which grants someone's wish.
Release date: from 2000
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Recommended for anime fans/nerds
27. Cowboy Bebop
Between 1998 and 1999, Cowboy Bebop, which is now one of the most popular Japanese anime among foreigners, was broadcast in Japan with 26 episodes. The setting of Cowboy Bebop is space in 2071 where bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his partner Jet Black pursue criminals. The animated film Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door was released in 2001.
Release dates: 1998-1999
Genre: Action, Science Fiction
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
26. Yu-Gi-Oh!
The popular anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! began in 1998, based on the manga published in Weekly Shonen Jump. The symbol of the anime is the collectible card game Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, which has been played worldwide since. The second season of the anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, released in 2000, popularized the card game and the anime itself, and the new series is still ongoing.
Release date: from 1998
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended for anime fans
25. Code Geass
The Code Geass series, which is popular among anime fans worldwide, began with the first season of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion in 2006-2007. The protagonist of the anime series Lelouch vi Britannia distinguishes himself in opposition to the gigantic Holy Britannian Empire after obtaining the supernatural power named Geass. The new story Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection hit the big screen as an animated film in 2019.
Release date: from 2006
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Mecha
Recommended for anime fans
24. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is one of the most popular ongoing anime while the original manga has been published in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2014. A young boy, Izuku Midoriya, and other heroes fight villains using their superpowers. My Hero Academia is also popular among international anime fans as the anime's style and atmosphere are more like an American superhero comic than a Japanese anime.
Release date: from 2016
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Recommended for beginners
23. Steins;Gate
Many anime lovers consider Steins;Gate to be the best anime of recent years. The 24 episodes of the science fiction anime were broadcast on television in 2011, followed by Steins;Gate 0, the sequel to the story (but the timeline is earlier), in 2018. The main character Rintaro Okabe and other members of the Future Gadget Laboratory try to invent some kind of time machine and the anime is known for its time loop plot. Many Steins;Gate fans visit the setting city: Akihabara, Tokyo.
Release dates: 2011-2018
Genre: Science Fiction, Time Loop
Recommended for anime fans and anime buffs
22. Tokyo Ghoul
The popular manga Tokyo Ghoul, published in Weekly Young Jump in 2011-2014, was adapted into anime from 2014. And the sequel title, Tokyo Ghoul:re, was broadcast as the second half of the anime in 2018. The anime focuses on the theme of ghouls, who live in human society looking like normal humans. However, ghouls subsist on human flesh as food.
Release dates: 2014-2018
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Recommended for anime fans and anime buffs
21. OreGairu: My Teen Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected
My Teen Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected, also known as OreGairu, Hamachi, or My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, is a popular modern anime series based on the Slice of Life genre (the anime is based on daily life). The cynical and pessimistic character Hachiman Hikigaya begins to offer help and advice to other students in the school's service club with two heroines: Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama.
The anime series concludes with the final season of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Climax, released in April 2020.
Release date: from 2013
Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy
Recommended for anime fans and anime buffs
20. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of the best Slice of Life anime after the 2000s. It was published in 2003 as a light novel, then adapted into anime in 2006. Before the anime was released, there were already a large number of light novel fans. The anime episodes have an unusual numbering system and most of them were not broadcast in chronological order. The first example is episode 2, which is generally considered the true first episode.
The anime depicts the daily life of the SOS Brigade, which is the school club created by the main heroine Haruhi Suzumiya. But she is not just human…
Release dates: 2006-2009
Genre: Sekaikei, Slice of Life, Comedy, Science Fiction, Time Loop
Recommended for beginners/anime fans
19. Detective Conan
Detective Conan is a popular ongoing detective anime while the original manga has been published in Weekly Shonen Sunday since 1994. High school detective Shinichi Kudo is transformed into a child by a poison named APTX-4869, and he identifies himself as Conan Edogawa to hide his true identity from the Black Organization.
New animated films are regularly shown on the big screen. Detective Conan is the kind of mysterious anime that adults and children can enjoy watching.
Release date: from 1996
Genre: Mystery
Recommended for beginners
18. Laid-Back Camp: Yurukyan
Laid-Back Camp, or also known as Yurukyan in Japanese, was broadcast on television in 2018, it is now one of the most popular modern anime of recent years. The anime and manga are ongoing, the spin-off Room Camp with short stories is broadcast on television in 2020. The five high school girls, including Rin and Nadeshiko, each with a unique personality, simply enjoy camping around Mount Fuji.
The characters visit campsites that are inspired by real places in Japan where many fans go camping after the first season aired.
Release date: from 2018
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy
Recommended for anime fans
17. Violet Evergarden
The famous Japanese animation studio Kyoto Animation released the high-quality anime Violet Evergarden in 2018, which is based on the 3-volume light novel. The animated film Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll was released in 2019 after the TV anime series and the brand new story Violet Evergarden: The Movie will follow the stories as a film in April 2020.
Violet's life working to write for others as an "Auto Memory Doll" is depicted with the beautiful drawings in this anime.
Release date: from 2018
Genre: Drama
Recommended for anime fans
16. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan or Shingeki no Kyojin is one of the best action anime of recent years. It was originally released as a manga in 2009, and the first season of the anime adaptation was broadcast in 2013. In the story, humanity is on the brink of extinction because it has been attacked by titans. The main characters, Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman, as well as the other members of the Survey Corps, fight against the titans.
The whole story is shrouded in mystery, but season 4 (the final season) of SNK will finally be released in autumn 2020.
Release date: from 2013
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
15. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist, abbreviated as Hagaren in Japanese, is a well-known Japanese science fiction anime around the world. This anime is divided into two different anime: Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The former Fullmetal Alchemist was aired before the manga series finished the story, meaning its story is different from the original. On the other hand, the manga's story is truly represented in the second Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
Brothers Edward and Alphonse lose part or all of their bodies by violating a taboo, and they begin to travel to find a way to get their bodies back.
Release dates: 2003-2010
Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
14. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, or in Japanese Ano hi mita hana no namae o bokutachi wa mada shiranai; "We still don't know the name of the flower we saw that day.", also simply called Anohana, is one of the most heartwarming anime in Japan. Its story begins with this plot: Jinta Yadomi, whose nickname is Jintan, plays video games instead of going to high school.
One summer day, his childhood friend Meiko Homma (Menma) appears before Jintan as a ghost, although she died in an accident years ago. The moving anime ends with only 11 episodes.
Release date: 2011
Genre: Drama
Recommended for anime fans
13. Love Live!
In Japan, the term idol mainly refers to young artists of both sexes, selected as teenagers for their physique during auditions organized by production houses and artist agencies. It has now become a very popular genre of anime, and Love Live! is the most famous and the first anime that popularized this type. The two seasons of Love Live! were broadcast in 2013-2014, and the second title of the anime series was released under the name of Love Live! Sunshine!! in 2016-2017. Love Live! focuses on the growth process of the high school idol group named μ's (pronounced "muse"), and Aqours is featured in Love Live! Sunshine!!.
A brand new title in the anime series will be produced in the future. Love Live! fans visit the city of Tokyo Akihabara, which is the Mecca of Japanese anime and inspired the production of the anime.
Release date: from 2013
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy
Recommended for beginners
12. Ghost in the Shell
The legendary cyberpunk animated series Ghost in the Shell was originally released in 1995 as an animated film directed by Mamoru Oshii, which was followed by the first season of the TV animated series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex under the direction of Kenji Kamiyama.
The anime is set in Japan in a parallel world after 2030, where science and technology are highly developed. In this anime, Public Security Section 9, whose main member is Major Motoko Kusanagi, works to prevent crime. The new anime series Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045 was released exclusively on Netflix worldwide in 2020.
Release date: from 2002
Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk
Recommended for anime fanatics
11. Dragon Ball
Many anime fans associate the most famous action anime with Dragon Ball, which was originally a manga by Akira Toriyama published in Weekly Shonen Jump. The Dragon Ball series has several main parts, and it continues under the new title Dragon Ball Super from 2015. The most well-known part is Dragon Ball Z, where the story takes place after the main character Goku has grown up.
All the fighting scenes are worth watching, but it is particularly recommended to watch Goku vs. Frieza and Goku's son, Gohan vs. Cell.
Release date: from 1984
Genre: Action, Adventure
Recommended for beginners
10. Death Note
The mystery and horror anime Death Note, based on the manga published in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2006, is highly rated by both national and international anime fans. It is so popular worldwide partly because the anime is completed with a relatively short story (37 episodes) in addition to a well-crafted plot.
The protagonist Light Yagami finds a Death Note that causes people to die if their name is written in the book. You will enjoy the superior intelligence of the characters and their magnificent mind games.
Release dates : 2006-2007
Genre: Mystery
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
9. Pokémon
Pokémon is one of the most popular Japanese anime and games in the world today, and it was first broadcast in Japan under the Japanese title Pocket Monsters in 1997. New episodes have been released each time a new game came out, and the latest series has been broadcast since 2019 after the release of the game Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Young Ash (Satoshi in Japanese) travels the world with different Pokémon, like his faithful Pikachu, to become a Pokémon master.
Release date: from 1997
Genre: Children, Family, Adventure
Recommended for beginners
8. Re:Zero kara hajimeru isekai seikatsu
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World from Zero also known as Re:Zero, is considered one of the best Japanese anime and light novels released in the 2010s. Season 1 began with 25 episodes in 2016, and the new version has been broadcast since early 2020.
Finally, Re:Zero Season 2 has been broadcast since July 8, 2020. The main character, Subaru, is transported to a parallel world without any explanation and without any superpowers, except for a certain ability. The story continues with the encounter with the heroine Emilia.
Release date: from 2016
Genre: Isekai, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Time Loop
Recommended for anime fans and anime fanatics
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
The popular manga and anime franchise JoJo's Bizarre Adventure began publication in 1987, and the series consists of 8 parts ranging from Phantom Blood to Jojolion so far. The latest anime adaptation is the 5th installment of Golden Wind which was broadcast in 2018-2019.
This particularly uninhibited saga follows the adventures of the Joestar family over several generations. The main character varies according to the role, but they are all from the Joestar family. Unique characters and intense fight scenes are the highlights of the anime.
Release date: from 2012
Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Recommended for anime fans and anime fanatics
6. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis EVANGELION, directed by Hideaki Anno, is world-renowned as one of the symbols of Japanese anime of the 1990s. The famous post-apocalyptic mecha anime primarily depicts the story of the 4 teenagers: Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Soryu, and Kaworu Nagisa. They fight enemies called Angels by piloting the gigantic synthetic humans Evangelions (EVA), created in the laboratory thanks to NERV's genetic research on Adam.
A tetralogy of animated films, presenting a reworked and improved version of the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series as well as a completely new ending, was released starting in 2007.
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
Additionally, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time, also called Shin Evangelion or Eva 4, was released on March 8, 2021 (Japan) and August 13, 2021 (Worldwide).
Release dates: 1995-1996
Genre: Mecha, Action, Fantasy
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
5. One Piece
The most famous and best-selling manga and anime currently is undoubtedly One Piece. The first volume of the manga was published in 1997, and there are now over 90 volumes, sold worldwide. The anime adaptation began two years after the release of the first manga, and over 900 episodes have been broadcast since. The entire One Piece story can be divided into about 10 parts, and beginners can enjoy it even if they start anywhere.
It takes place with the adventures of the main character Monkey D. Luffy and his crew in the world of pirates. He sets sail in search of the ultimate treasure called "One Piece." In the world of One Piece, there are Devil Fruits, which are legendary fruits that give various aptitudes and special abilities to those who eat them, but in return condemn them to never being able to swim again. The acquired ability depends on the fruit and its type. The powerful fight scenes between the Devil Fruit eaters, including Luffy, are breathtaking.
Release date: from 1999
Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Drama
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
4. Monogatari (series)
Monogatari Series, produced by the animation studio Shaft under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo, is a popular anime series released in 2009. It is adapted into anime from the light novels written by Nisioisin (Nishio Ishin). The first season of the Monogatari series began under the names Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Nisemonogatari Black in 2009-2012. Monogatari means "story of" in English and various strange stories are represented with an emphasis on unique characters like high school student Koyomi Araragi and several heroines.
Koyomi Araragi deals with many problems arising from apparitions called Kaii in Japanese. The apparitions (like a supernatural ghost) influence the characters, and he saves them. There are mainly 5 seasons of the light novel and 3 of them have been adapted into anime. In an interview, director Akiyuki Shinbo said that he would like to continue producing the rest of the seasons as long as the original light novel is published.
Release date: from 2009
Genre: Fantasy, Slice of Life, Comedy
Recommended for anime fanatics
3. Clannad
The third position on the best anime list can satisfy many Japanese anime fans; however, some foreigners may be surprised since Clannad is less known worldwide. Clannad is one of Kyoto Animation's masterpieces, which is recommended for any type of anime fan. There are no action scenes or supernatural events in this anime, but human drama is sensitively depicted.
There are two parts to the anime: Clannad in 2007-2008 and Clannad After Story in 2008-2009. The story follows the daily lives of the main character Tomoya and the heroine Nagisa in high school. It reaches its climax in the second half of the anime, and the touching episodes will move you. It's definitely worth dedicating time to the 44 main episodes.
Release dates: 2007-2009
Genre: Drama, Slice of Life
Recommended for beginners/animation fans/anime fanatics
2. Naruto
Naruto, the greatest anime on the ninja theme, was first published as a manga by Masashi Kishimoto in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine by Shūeisha between September 1999 and November 2014. The series was compiled into 72 volumes.
The Naruto anime series ended in 2017 after no less than 15 years, and consists of two titles: Naruto which aired in 2002-2007 and Naruto Shippuden which aired in 2007-2017.
The setting of Naruto is a fictional, retro-futuristic world of Shinobi (Ninjas) and the orphaned, mischievous, and great prankster boy Naruto grows up there with the help of many friends and masters. Naruto and other ninja characters fight with different ninja techniques using chakra energy.
Many essential elements of anime such as strong bonds with friends and family, betrayal, and separation are represented in this anime. Many anime fans might name Naruto as the best anime, especially for foreigners, and it fully deserves this title. Nevertheless, Naruto yields first place to a new anime currently being released.
Release dates: 2002-2017
Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
1. Demon Slayer
The advent of a quality anime surprised anime fans around the world in 2019. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ("Demon Slayer") is adapted into an anime from the Koyoharu Gotoge manga, which was published in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 2016. The first season of Demon Slayer with 26 episodes was well received by manga fans and people who had not read it.
The anime is set during the Taisho period (1912-1926) in Japan where demons exist with human beings. The main character Tanjiro Kamado discovers that his family is killed by demon attacks and only his sister Nezuko is turned into a demon. He decides to become a demon slayer to avenge the rest of his family and find an antidote to turn his sister human again.
This anime contains all the important roles to be an excellent anime, from the purity of the main character to the friendship with a brotherly spirit and the respect for all characters. The fight scenes between the sword-wielding demon slayers and the unique demonic characters are intense, everything is beautifully drawn. The past and background of each character, including the demons, are perfectly represented in this anime.
Followed by the continuation of the story, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train, released in October 2020. This anime is not yet finished, but it is safe to say that Demon Slayer will grow to become the best anime in Japan and the world.
Release date: from 2019
Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy
Recommended for beginners/animation fans
Thank you for reading our article, this list of the best anime ranges from classic series to the latest trends. We tried our best to be as objective as possible to complete the ultimate anime ranking, which we hope will help many anime fans better understand them. With the development of quality anime that are or will be in production in the future, the position of this top best anime will surely change!
