Anime is a diverse medium with something to offer everyone, from thrilling action-adventure series to heartwarming comedies and thought-provoking dramas. With so many great anime series to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.
This list of the top 25 best anime series of all time is a great place to start your exploration of the world of anime. These series have been selected for their excellent storytelling, animation, characters, and music.
1. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a classic anime series that follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters traveling through space in the year 2071. The series is known for its stylish animation, jazzy soundtrack, and complex characters.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a remake of the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, and is considered by many to be one of the best anime series of all time. The series follows the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are trying to restore their bodies after a failed alchemy experiment.
3. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a groundbreaking anime series that explores themes of religion, philosophy, and psychology. The series follows the story of a group of teenagers who are tasked with piloting giant robots to fight against alien invaders.
4. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a popular anime series that follows the story of humanity’s fight against giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The series is known for its dark and suspenseful tone, and its complex characters.
5. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a mecha anime series that follows the story of a young prince who gains the power to control others’ minds. He uses this power to lead a rebellion against the Britannia Empire, which has conquered Japan.
6. Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is a shonen anime series that follows the story of Gon Freecss, a young boy who wants to become a Hunter, a licensed professional who specializes in tracking down rare creatures and treasures. The series is known for its world-building, complex characters, and exciting action sequences.
7. Death Note
Death Note is a psychological thriller anime series that follows the story of Light Yagami, a teenager who discovers a notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name in it. Light uses the notebook to try to create a perfect world, but he soon finds himself caught up in a game of cat-and-mouse with the police.
8. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a popular anime series that follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who sets out to avenge the death of his family and become a Demon Slayer. The series is known for its beautiful animation, exciting action sequences, and heartwarming moments.
9. Ouran High School Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a romantic comedy anime series that follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a girl who is mistaken for a boy and forced to join the host club at her new school. The series is known for its humor, heartwarming moments, and endearing characters.
10. Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is a dark fantasy anime series that follows the story of Akira Fudo, a young man who merges with a demon in order to fight against other demons. The series is known for its unique art style, mature themes, and thought-provoking story.
11. Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is a samurai anime series that follows the story of three misfits who travel through Japan during the Edo period. The series is known for its stylish animation, hip-hop soundtrack, and unique blend of action, comedy, and drama.
12. Baccano!
Baccano! is a mystery anime series that follows the story of several different groups of people who are all connected to a single incident. The series is known for its non-linear storytelling, complex characters, and humor.
13. FLCL
FLCL is a surreal anime series that follows the story of Naoto Nanami, a young girl whose life is turned upside down when a Vespa-riding alien named Haruko Haruhara crashes into her head. The series is known for its unique art style, fast-paced action, and unconventional humor.
14. Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is a shonen anime series that follows the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is given a second chance at life after he dies and is revived as a Spirit Detective. The series is known for its exciting action sequences, well-developed characters, and humor.
15. Monster
Monster is a psychological thriller anime series that follows the story of Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a neurosurgeon who saves the life of a serial killer. The series is known for its complex characters, suspenseful plot, and realistic depiction of violence.
16. One Piece
One Piece is a long-running shonen anime series that follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy who dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates. The series is known for its large cast of characters, epic world-building, and exciting action sequences.
17. Trigun
Trigun is a sci-fi anime series that follows the story of Vash the Stampede, a gunslinger who has a $60,000,000,000 bounty on his head. The series is known for its unique art style, humor, and action.
18. Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a shonen anime series that follows the story of Goku, a Saiyan warrior who fights to protect the Earth from various threats. The series is known for its over-the-top action sequences, iconic characters, and popular transformation sequences.
19. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a shonen anime series that follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, a young boy who is born without superpowers in a world where everyone else has them. Midoriya dreams of becoming a hero despite his lack of powers, and eventually gains the ability to use the power of One for All. The series is known for its well-developed characters, exciting action sequences, and emotional moments.
20. Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is a dark fantasy anime series that follows the story of Riko, a young girl who explores a mysterious abyss with her robot companion Reg. The series is known for its beautiful animation, mature themes, and heartwarming moments.
21. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Entire Series)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a long-running shonen anime series that follows the story of the Joestar family, a group of people who battle against various supernatural threats. Each part of the series features a different protagonist, and the series is known for its unique art style, over-the-top action sequences, and memorable characters.
22. Naruto Shippuden
Naruto Shippuden is the sequel to the original Naruto anime series, and follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki as he continues his journey to become the Hokage of Konohagakure. The series is known for its exciting action sequences, well-developed characters, and emotional moments.
23. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a groundbreaking anime series that explores themes of religion, philosophy, and psychology. The series follows the story of a group of teenagers who are tasked with piloting giant robots to fight against alien invaders.
24. Megalobox
Megalobox is a neo-noir anime series that follows the story of Joe, a young man who fights in Megalobox, a brutal boxing match where fighters wear mechanized suits. The series is known for its stylish animation, mature themes, and exciting action sequences.
25. Your Lie in April
Your Lie in April is a musical drama anime series that follows the story of Kousei Arima, a young pianist who loses his ability to play music after his mother’s death. Kousei’s life is turned upside down when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a violinist who helps him rediscover his love of music. The series is known for its beautiful animation, heartwarming moments, and heartbreaking ending