- Photo 1:
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Photo 2:
- Hunter X Hunter
The 300+ Best Anime Series Of All Time
1Can you really call yourself an anime fan if you're not intimately familiar with the adventures of Gon Freecess and his adventures in Hunter x Hunter? If you've only seen the beginning of this epic anime, you have no idea just how dark a seemingly innocent shonen series can really get (looking at you Chimera Ant Arc.) If Hunter x Hunter author Yoshihiro Togashi hadn't gone on what now feels like a permanent hiatus, there's a good chance this popular shonen anime would widely be considered the greatest anime ever made.
Ranked #1 by 255.7K voters with a 72% upvote rateIf you're a manga purist who thinks an anime adaptation should always be faithful to the source material, then you undoubtedly consider Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to be the superior version of Hiromu Arakawa's masterpiece known simply as Fullmetal Alchemist. Following two genius alchemists on a journey to get their bodies back, this series is a must-watch for anyone who calls themselves a fan of anime. If you don't fall in love with the main character brothers Edward and his brother Alphonse, you'll be hopelessly attached to the show's fantastic set of supporting characters like Scar, Roy Mustang, or the homunculus Greed.
Ranked #2 by 309.9K voters with a 72% upvote rate
3Monkey D. Luffy wants to become the King of all pirates. Along his quest he meets: a skilled swordsman named Roronoa Zolo; Nami, a greedy thief who has a knack for navigation; Usopp, a great liar who has an affinity for inventing; Sanji, a warrior cook; Chopper, a sentient deer who is also a skilled physician; and Robin, former member of Baroque Works. The gang sets sail to unknown seas in Grand Line to find the treasure of One Piece.
Ranked #3 by 244.3K voters with a 72% upvote rate
1Roronoa Zoro45,892 Votes
2Monkey D. Luffy46,048 Votes
3Shanks28,084 Votes
4Portgas D. Ace26,069 Votes
- 4
Who else remembers the debut episode of Naruto Shippuden? Any hardcore shonen anime fan can still remember the first episode when they heard the show's first opening intro “Hero's Come Back!!” when it was originally released back in 2007, where the series immediately jumped into an incredible story arc that instantly upped the stakes from the original Naruto series by taking viewers to the Hidden Sand Village and introducing them to Akatsuki members like Sasori and Deidara. Simply put, anime lovers hadn't seen a successor episodic anime series like Naruto Shippuden since Dragon Ball Z, and it's unclear that any anime sequel has lived up to that hype since.
Ranked #4 by 379.0K voters with a 72% upvote rate
1Itachi Uchiha39,920 Votes
2Kakashi Hatake39,331 Votes
3Naruto Uzumaki37,230 Votes
4Minato Namikaze27,031 Votes
- 5
What started as a popular webcomic ended up becoming perhaps the best satire series that any longtime anime fan can appreciate. Although newer fans can greatly enjoy One Punch Man for its humor and beautiful fight sequences, it's the hardcore fans who have experienced every shonen anime trope who will really appreciate the brilliant satire this series delivers. It's hard to imagine a show about a dude who can destroy anyone in a single punch could sustain itself for very long, but its been running for over a decade now with no sign of slowing down.
Ranked #5 by 161.4K voters with a 73% upvote rate - 6
Debuting in 2013, Attack on Titan has become the gold standard for what an excellent anime should be. The voice acting is superb, the animation is beautiful, and with a story that subverts expectations every step of the way, it's a master class in how to make a story come full circle and flip everything the viewer thought they knew on it's head. With two of IMDB's top ranking television episodes of all time in “Hero” and “Perfect Game,” it's no wonder that Attack on Titan is widely considered classic anime, and one of the best of all time in the anime genre.
Ranked #6 by 399.9K voters with a 72% upvote rate
1Hange Zoë180 Votes
2Levi Ackerman204 Votes
3Erwin Smith143 Votes
4Mikasa Ackerman127 Votes
- 7
Although superhero stories had exploded in the west with the arrival of cinematic universes like the MCU and DCEU, the anime world largely did its own thing and paid little attention to the growing fascination of traditional superheroes…until Kohei Horikoshi created My Hero Academia. This series about students who are training to be heroes took the world by storm in the 2010s, quickly becoming one of the most popular anime on the planet. When you talk about the big shonen anime that exist today, this MHA must be included.
Ranked #7 by 177.6K voters with a 71% upvote rate
1Shoto Todoroki27,470 Votes
2Eraserhead23,528 Votes
3Katsuki Bakugo23,843 Votes
4Izuku Midoriya25,161 Votes
If you ask any anime fan their favorite new anime, the odds are incredibly high that it will be Demon Slayer. Given that it doesn't stray far from the typical shonen formula, it's hard to pinpoint exactly why this series is seeing so much success- is it the incredible fight sequences? The gorgeous animation? The wonderful voice acting? No matter why you like this series, it can't be understated just how popular it has become since its debut in 2019. It's already one of the top 10 most popular manga series of all time, and the franchise has generated billions of dollars.
Ranked #8 by 89,544 voters with a 75% upvote rate
1Gyomei Himejima3,180 Votes
2Sanemi Shinazugawa2,481 Votes
3Giyu Tomioka2,553 Votes
4Muichiro Tokito2,319 Votes
- 9
Jujutsu Kaisen blends dark fantasy with thrilling action, captivating viewers with its tale of cursed energy and monstrous threats. Excellent animation, complex characters, and high-stakes battles not only set it apart but also have solidified its rank among top-tier anime. It's a riveting spectacle from start to finish.
Ranked #9 by 54,252 voters with a 76% upvote rate
1Satoru Gojo5,249 Votes
2Ryomen Sukuna4,515 Votes
3Yuta Okkotsu3,070 Votes
4Yuji Itadori2,655 Votes
- 10
What's your favorite memory of the original Naruto anime? Is it the Chunin Exams Arc? The Sasuke Recovery Mission? It's hard to say what the modern shonen anime scene would look like had Masashi Kishimoto never written Naruto, but thankfully we don't have to speculate. From the insanely catchy opening themes to the badass fights that still stick in our heads today, Naruto will go down as not only one of the best, but also as one of the most influential anime ever made.
Ranked #10 by 278.7K voters with a 70% upvote rate- 1Itachi Uchiha39,920 Votes
- 2Kakashi Hatake39,331 Votes
- 3Naruto Uzumaki37,230 Votes
- 4Minato Namikaze27,031 Votes
11Even with much criticism for how the source material was adapted for the anime's second season, Tokyo Ghoul is still good enough to be considered a contender for one of the greatest anime ever made. The dark fantasy series follows protagonist Ken Kaneki as he descends into a violent underworld after being bitten by a ghoul. If you love anime where the MC becomes a completely different person by the end of it, then Tokyo Ghoul is about as good as it gets.
Ranked #11 by 207.2K voters with a 69% upvote rate
1Parasyte: The Maxim1,279 Votes
2Attack On Titan1,464 Votes
3Deadman Wonderland969 Votes
4Akame ga Kill!770 Votes
12Talk about an anime with a major underdog protagonist. Although it follows the typical shonen formula, Black Clover has a way with foreshadowing future events that will blow your mind. In a world filled with magic wielders, Asta is born without the ability to utilize magic, but still holds onto the dream of one day becoming the Wizard King. He eventually produces a 5-leaf grimoire that contains mysterious swords and is able to utilize anti-magic. Right now is the best time to catch up as both the anime and manga are on break with the latter coming up on its conclusion.
Ranked #12 by 52,154 voters with a 74% upvote rate
1Yami Sukehiro5,877 Votes
2Asta3,747 Votes
3Julius Nova Chrono4,192 Votes
4Luck Voltia3,618 Votes
13“The human whose name is written in this note shall die.” If the premise of Death Note doesn't grab you immediately, watch a few episodes and you'll immediately be hooked by one of the greatest cat and mouse detective stories the world has ever known. Even after all these years anime fans are still arguing about whether or not Light Yagami is a villain, which is a testament to Tsugumi Ohba's ability to create compelling and multi-dimensional memorable characters. Some say the series falters in the second half, but either way Death Note is still undoubtedly one of the top anime you can watch, especially if you're new to the medium.
Ranked #13 by 332.2K voters with a 68% upvote rate
14The Seven Deadly Sins is a fantastical adventure anime filled with action, magic, and demons that takes place in a Midde-Age European setting. The story follows a young princess named Elizabeth Liones and her journey to take back her kingdom from the Holy Knights with the help of Meliodas and his bands of knights properly named the "Seven Deadly Sins.” Yes, they each bear one of the seven deadly sins and their personalities reflect thats as well, which leads to interesting character interactions. There's also a cute talking pig, and who doesn't like talking animal companions?
Ranked #14 by 174.5K voters with a 68% upvote rateHow cool would it be to suddenly have the ability to make someone do whatever you say while simultaneously leading a rebellion against the empire that exiled you? You can probably already tell that this series is filled with a ton of drama, tragedy, and supernatural powers. In this action-packed mecha anime series, Lelouch vi Britannia vows to take revenge on his father with the help of the the Japanese rebels, known as Elevens, in an alternate world. The series is also produced by Sunrise, a studio well-known for their other mecha franchise Gundam, so that should you a good idea of what you're missing if you haven't already seen this masterpiece.
Ranked #15 by 166.1K voters with a 68% upvote rate
16Where were you when you watched Goku turn Super Saiyan for the first time? If you grew up in America, coming home after school and watching Dragon Ball Z on Toonami was likely your gateway drug that made you an anime fan for life. It's hard to argue that Dragon Ball Z isn't the most influential anime ever made, with so many series that followed taking inspiration from Akira Toriyama's masterpiece.
Ranked #16 by 224.4K voters with a 67% upvote rate
1Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku840 Votes
2Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks847 Votes
3Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn805 Votes
4Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan903 Votes
17Ranked #17 by 19,196 voters with a 74% upvote rate
18If you're looking for an anime with colorful, explosive art coupled with a catchy opening theme song, Mob Psycho 100 is where it's at. The animation in Mob Psycho 100 is depicted in a way that enhances the supernatural genre. Plus, the action scenes are one of a kind. Since it's made by the same creator of One-Punch Man, fans can expect the series to be just as hilarious and wacky. Mob, an average middle schooler, is actually a powerful esper with immense psychic powers and works as an assistant to con-man Reigen Arataka in order to help control his powers.
Ranked #18 by 40,971 voters with a 73% upvote rate
1Mob Kageyama1,127 Votes
2Arataka Reigen1,510 Votes
3Teruki Hanazawa756 Votes
4Musashi Goda624 Votes
19You're an assassin-in-training tasked with killing your teacher. This teacher is also a strange, yellow, octopus-like creature with super powers who destroyed most of the moon. If he isn't killed, he will destroy the Earth. Confused yet? More reason to give this series a chance! Assassination Classroom follows a classroom full of misfits and the ever so strange and elusive Koro-sensei in both their missions to kill and be killed. If you're into action comedies with wacky premises, Assassination Classroom might be a great pick for you.
Ranked #19 by 117.9K voters with a 71% upvote rate
20If you grew up watching anime in the early 2000s, you are most likely no stranger to this series. Bleach is a supernatural, action-packed anime that's considered one of the “Big Three” alongside Naruto and One Piece. The story follows Ichigo, a substitute soul reaper, and his journey in learning how to hone his new spiritual powers all the while trying to guide spirits to the afterlife before they becomes dangerous creatures called “Hollows”.
Ranked #20 by 162.3K voters with a 67% upvote rate
1Kisuke Urahara - Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame2,118 Votes
2Shunsui Kyōraku - Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū1,424 Votes
3Retsu Unohana - Minazuki1,429 Votes
4Shinji Hirako - Sakasama Yokoshima Happō Fusagari989 Votes
21Haikyu!! is probably one of the best sports anime to date. The series follows a high schooler named Hinata, an underdog who wants to become a great volleyball player despite his small size. He joins the Karasuno volleyball team and is determined to restore their reputation with his new teammates and rival - star setter Tobio Kageyama. The intense matches along with great character development make the series even more inspiring to watch. It also does a fantastic job of teaching the sport to younger viewers in an informative yet entertaining way. Whether you're into volleyball or not, this show will hook you immediately.
Ranked #21 by 79,888 voters with a 71% upvote rate
22Fairy Tail is a story of magic, action, and adventure. Crated by the same mangaka as Rave Master, this anime is just as action-packed and then some. Natsu Dragneel, a Dragon Slayer wizard, is on a search for his missing adoptive father. During his journey, he becomes friends with a celestial wizard, an ice wizard, a magical knight, and another dragon slayer. They embark on a number of different missions together. Whether it's subduing criminals, taking down dark guilds, or defeating ancient demons, they've got your back.
Ranked #22 by 195.4K voters with a 66% upvote rate
1Gildarts Clive2,382 Votes
2Natsu Dragneel2,673 Votes
3Laxus Dreyar3,983 Votes
4Erza Scarlet2,285 Votes
Don't go into this show while hungry because Food Wars! will definitely have your mouth watering in more ways than one. This series does an amazing job of explaining how certain dishes are made while also serving up a great show about competitive cooking. The show also has an interesting way of depicting people enjoying the flavorful dishes created throughout the series. The story follows aspiring chef Soma Yukihara in his journey to surpass his father's culinary skills by attending Totsuki Culinary Academy, an elite culinary school.
Ranked #23 by 58,042 voters with a 71% upvote rate
24Imagine being petrified for nearly 4,000 years. Now imagine staying conscious for that long all the while keeping track of every second before being released from your petrified prison. That's exactly what kid genius Senku Ishigami does in Dr. Stone after a mysterious flash of light petrifies nearly all human life. He then sets out to release others from their stone prisons and create a modern society he names the “Kingdom of Science.” But he soon finds out that there are others who don't agree with his version of what modern society should look like. Dr. Stone makes science fiction seem interesting as it follows Senku trying to create something out of raw materials and primitive technology, while also explaining the process to the viewer. If you're into post-apocalyptic shows about survival, then Dr. Stone is a great choice for you.
Ranked #24 by 36,333 voters with a 72% upvote rate- Ranked #25 by 3,096 voters with a 78% upvote rate
1The Apothecary Diaries205 Votes
2Delicious in Dungeon154 Votes
3To Your Eternity115 Votes
4Violet Evergarden105 Votes
26Ranked #26 by 22,860 voters with a 71% upvote rate- 27
Much like the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime, The Promised Neverland deviates quite a bit from the source material. The first season is faithful to the original manga while the second season cuts the latter half of the story short. Although many fans were disappointed with its second season, this anime is still worth watching just for the first season alone. The story begins following kid geniuses Emma, Norma, and Ray and their plan to escape the orphanage they grew up on after finding out that it's essentially a farm to breed children for demons to devour. The Promised Neverland is a dark story that deals with survival and keeps you at the edge of your seat.
Ranked #27 by 35,523 voters with a 71% upvote rate - 29
Parasyte is definitely one for the books when it comes to strange anime. Parasyte: The Maxim follows a high school boy named Shinichi Izumi whose right hand gets taken over by a worm-like alien who failed in taking him as his host. This duo encounters other humans who have been successfully taken as hosts, and they fight for survival while forming a strong bond overtime. Who says you can't befriend an alien that's taken over one of your body parts? Especially when it helps you fight off others who are trying to devour you as food.
Ranked #29 by 101.1K voters with a 68% upvote rate - Ranked #30 by 26,133 voters with a 70% upvote rate
1Steins;Gate147 Votes
2The Rising of the Shield Hero220 Votes
3Tokyo Revengers134 Votes
4That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime108 Votes
Get our latest and most popular anime stories 2x week with the Anime Underground newsletter.
