Complete List of Anime Genres

If you’ve been an enthusiastic watcher of anime

just like me all this time, then one thing or another
you’ve come to know that each and every show
comes with a set of specific genres. There’s a
multitude of genres when it comes to anime –
action, drama, horror…just to name a few. But, do
you even know all of them? Do you think you can
recite all of them in one fell swoop?
I know there’s many anime genres in existence
(infinite maybe) because they come and go every
now and then. But, the most popular ones becomes
general enough to stay for a very long time. And
so, I’ve come up with this Anime Genre List to
serve as a complete guide with explanations and
meanings for everyone.
As much as possible, I’ve tried to make this a
complete list of anime genres so that it can serve
as your very own one-stop compendium for when
you’re looking for a genre guide. And so here it is!
Whether you’re a die-hard anime fan, a casual
watcher, an interested onlooker, or even just a
commoner from a non-anime domain – this list of
anime genres shall equip you with some basic
knowledge and help you venture through the
anime world with ease and delight.
Action
The action genre in anime depicts extremely high
levels of high-intensity action. More often than
not, you’ll be witnessing thrilling battles and
action-packed fight scenes in the shows included in
this genre. Whether it makes you jump off your
seat or knock your own socks off your feet, the
feeling is close to those and it’s the rush and
excitement of action that would make you want to
do those. Overall, the action genre usually
possesses lots of battle scenes, fluid animation,
and highly-engaging elements that will generally
make your adrenaline go rush!
Examples: Top 10 Best Action Anime
Adventure
Adventure as it stands by itself is about travelling
and undertaking an adventure in a certain place or
around the world (which may sometimes escalate
to the whole universe or even to the other
dimensions). In this genre, the main characters
don’t usually stay in one place, but instead,
ventures into several different places usually with
a goal in mind (e.g. searching for treasure,
exploring some new place, defeating a heinous
villain, saving the world, etc.). Adventure anime
are so broad and flexible that these shows usually
can stretch to a huge number of episodes as well
as mix-and-match with every other genre.
Examples: One Piece, Fairy Tail, and Hunter X
Hunter
Comedy
The main purpose of the comedy genre is…you got
it…to make you laugh! If it fails to make you laugh
or at least make you giggle, then it’s a failure. But
then again, humor can depend on each and
everyone’s perspective. Funny moments, hilarious
scenes, wacky dialogues, comical happenings – all
of these are covered by the comedy genre in
anime!
Examples: Top 10 Best Comedy Anime
Demons
Originally just a theme, the demons genre rose to
its ranks because of the rising fame of demon
characters and other demon-like elements. As the
term demon not only just encompasses literal
demon characters, it also extends to other entities
such as monsters, beasts, ghosts, and other
demon-kind. Believe it or not, this category doesn’t
just come hand-in-hand with the horror genre; it
surprisingly blends well with the other genres as
well (as proven by the huge and ever-increasing
number of anime in the demons genre).
Examples: Hataraku Maou-Sama, Inu Yasha, and
Chrono Crusade
Drama
Tear-inducing and emotion-stimulating – these are
basically what the drama genre does best! Drama
anime shows tends to connect the viewers to the
experiences of the characters. This results to the
viewers feeling just as how the characters they are
watching feels. May it be a tickle of emotion or a
barrage of feelings, the dramatic scenes’ goal is to
connect and touch our emotional spirit. In anime,
one of the greatest sign that the drama effectively
worked – is if it was able to make you cry/tear.
Examples: Top 10 Best Drama Anime
Ecchi
The word ecchi comes from the sound of “H” in the
word hentai, which in turn means “pervert” in
Japanese. Having that said, this genre is generally
accepted as a category full of slight sexual scenes
(mild enough to be viewed by the general
audience) and scenarios derived from sexual
innuendoes. It’s a fact that ecchi anime shows are
taking an upswing nowadays as more and more
titles are produced every season as if it’s
becoming the trend. More often than not, ecchi is
paired up with comedy as both compliments each
other well, which in turn serves as a buffer that
prevents the shows from crossing the line and
delving into much deeper inappropriateness.
Examples: Top 10 Best Ecchi Anime
Fantasy
The fantasy genre in anime primarily deals with
fantasy worlds and surreal events and places. Most
of the time, the setting is in a magical fantasy
world where the characters starts an adventure or
sometimes get sent to from the real world. Magic
is oftentimes a component of this genre, and
various mystical elements serve as the building
blocks of the story. You’ll often know it’s a fantasy
anime show you’re watching if the environment
and atmosphere seems so dazzling and dreamlike
that it’ll make you feel captivated and allured.
Examples: No Game No Life, Nanatsu no Taizai, and
Inu Yasha
Game
The game category encompasses shows revolving
around the idea of gaming and playing. May it be a
card game, a board game, a puzzle game, or even
a virtual online game - as long as it concerns any
playable game of any kind, it belongs to this
category. Sometimes, even video-game-based
shows can count in this selection.
Examples: Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sword Art Online, and Phi
Brain: Puzzle of God
Harem
If you see a male character surrounded by multiple
female characters gearing towards an awkward
love situation, then you’re probably watching an
anime of the harem genre. Usually, it’s more than
two female characters head-over-heels over a
single male character and they’re all typically
inside a comedic and oftentimes even romantic
situation. But it can also happen that the harem
isn’t affiliated with any sort of romance but instead
just for the comic relief.
Examples: Top 10 Best Harem Anime
Hentai
Hentai literally translates to “pervert” in Japanese.
This is the R-18 (mature) domain of the anime
world which common depicts nudity and highly
explicit content. Unlike ecchi, this genre focuses on
its explicit sexual content rather than on its
storyline and progression. That is why the shows in
this category are usually brief and lacking in
substance.
Historical
As the name suggests, historical anime revolves
around events in history, historical settings, and
moments of antiquity. Typical of this genre are
shows set in ancient japan and the feudal period.
Other settings such as the middle ages and
medieval ages also exist but they’re much rarer in
anime. Sometimes, as long as the time or setting
(or even elements) are old and ancient, then it’s
considered a historical anime.
Examples: Rurouni Kenshin, Fushigi Yugi, and
Junketsu no Maria
Horror
It’s not much difficult to spot the horror genre in
anime. Usually, if there are ghosts, monsters, gore,
and creeps, then it’s a horror anime you’re
watching. As a general trend, as long as there’s
heavy gore and bloody violence in a show, then it’s
most probably in the horror category. But, the
most important factor for a show to be considered
horror is its ability to scare and creep you out.
Examples: Top 10 Best Horror Anime
Josei
Josei is actually a demographic but is also
considered as a general genre in anime. It’s a
genre that specifically targets female viewers
around the age range of 18-40. With that age
range, the shows here are depicted in a more
mature light usually with very realistic romance
and less-dreamy, less-idealized portrayals.
Examples: Nana, Paradise Kiss, and Kuragehime
Kids
A lot of people say that anime is just for kids, but
that’s not really true. As a matter of fact, there are
only a few number of anime that are precisely
catered towards children. These shows are
contained within the kids genre in anime. And as it
sounds like, these shows are mild, light, and
insightful (which is perfect for children 12-years-
old and below).
Examples: Pokémon, Machine Robo Rescue, and
Doraemon
Magic
Magic in all its essence is about magical stuff like
spells and incantations. It can also include magical
sources, beings that grants wishes, and good ol’
sleeve tricks. One of the most famous theme in the
magic genre is the “magical girls” theme which is
becoming so popular that it might just become a
whole new genre on its own in the future. In
essence, the magic genre is all about magic and all
the forces that deals with it.
Examples: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Magical
Doremi, and Magi: Labyrinth of Magic
Martial Arts
Martial arts plays a big role in every anime that
has fighting/battles in it. From hand-to-hand
combat, to swordplay, to gun shooting, and armed
combat – there’s some kind of martial arts element
that plays through them. But, did you know that
there are shows that are basically focused on
martial arts itself and the battle techniques?
There’s a lot of them, and they mainly involve
hand-to-hand combat and technician battles.
Examples: Hajime no Ippo, History’s Strongest
Disciple, and Dragon Ball
Mecha
Mecha stands for mechanical (in this case,
mechanical units or robots). You’ll never see a
mecha anime without a robot or mechanical
suit/object in it. That’s the most important element
of it. And while this genre is rising in fame as the
days go by, it almost always uses a standard
formula to carry the plot. As a general trend,
mecha is often seen alongside the military, sci-fi,
and action genre.
Examples: Top 10 Best Mecha Anime
Military
As the name implies, the military genre involves
the military in one way or another. War may also be
a huge part of the military genre as this is the case
where the military is often utilized. One thing to
note is that the military genre is often coupled
with the mecha and action genre.
Examples: Fullmetal Panic, Code Geass, and Kantai
Collection
Music
Anime shows in the music genre aren’t that
popular nowadays, but they do exists and they are
very timely. Shows of the music genre are pretty
much very musical throughout the airing. Whether
it’s singing, dancing, or playing musical
instruments – anime shows of the music genre
goes all out when it comes to these things.
Examples: K-On, Beck, and Mermaid Melody Pichi
Pichi Pitch
Mystery
If there’s one thing that’s similar in all mystery
anime shows, that is the existence of a central
mystery. Whether it’s an event, a place, of an item
– if there’s some sort of mystery surrounding it,
then it can readily be classified in the ranks of
mystery anime. In anime history, the most popular
shows in the mystery genre are the ones with
detectives and gumshoes in them. But generally, if
there’s something strange or even a mundane
thing that requires getting deeper to get to the
root of it, then there’s mystery in it.
Examples: Detective Conan, Hyouka, and Eden of
the East
Parody
A parody anime is one which countless numbers of
other anime references are showcased throughout
the plot. May it be a popular running gag, a famous
symbol, a character reference, or any other
attempts in bringing another show into its domain
– it’s considered as parody. One anime worthy to
note is Gintama where they often use similar
elements (copycat) from other anime to showcase
in their own show.
Examples: Gintama, Blood Lad, and Senyuu
Source
Police
The police genre emphasizes the life and struggles
of police characters in their line of duty. Originally
just a character reference, police-based characters
have shown up in numerous shows that in turn
made them befitting of their own genre. Police
doesn’t just count police characters – it also counts
detectives, investigators, and enforcers in its
array.
Examples: You’re Under Arrest, Psycho-Pass, and
Lupin the Third
Post-Apocalyptic
Post-Apocalyptic anime are basically shows that
occurs/happens in a world that is in a dystopian
state (e.g. destroyed world, nearly extinct human
race, survival after an apocalypse, etc.). Post-
Apocalyptic was merely a theme in the past, but
when an influx of titles bearing this theme was
realized, it became a genre on its own. As a matter
of fact, Post-Apocalyptic anime shows are
becoming more and more popular by the day.
Examples: Sidonia no Kishi, Shin Sekai Yori, and
Attack on Titan
Psychological
Based on its literal meaning, psychological anime
are shows that delves into how the mind, psyche,
and thinking works. This genre tackles everything
in a very psychological level (sometimes even
philosophical). You’ll often find mind games here
as well as battles where the use of the wits is the
primary focus. Shows that plays with your mind or
make you think hard are also part of this genre.
Examples: Death Note, Mirai Nikki, and Zetauen no
Tempest
Reverse Harem
Just as the word “reverse” is in its name, Reverse
Harem is the genre that’s the very opposite of
reglar harem. That means, with this one, it’s not
one male character is to multiple female characters
but the other way around. Here, it’s one female
character surrounded by multiple male characters
(who are all potential love interests).
Examples: Top 10 Best Reverse Harem Anime
Romance
Romance is all about love and sweet moments.
Shows involved with this genre often have the skill
to tug everyone’s heartstrings with the laid-out
romantic scenes and sweet moments. The focus in
this one is the romantic relationships of the
characters as well as the blooming of their love
with one another. You’ll often find romance anime
tightly tied with the shoujo genre, but it also works
pretty well with comedy, harem, and drama.
Examples: Top 10 Best Romance Anime
School
While school is originally just a setting, there are
countless of anime that uses it as such, warranting
it to become a successful genre. School anime are
shows that are set in a school setting. It’s the
school which is the most important factor for this
genre. So, if the school is the primary setting of
the story (or even secondary), then it’s a school
anime.
Examples: Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, Great Teacher
Onizuka, and Gokusen
Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi (short for science fiction) is a genre that
showcases scientific and technological elements in
its story. Machines and various kinds of
technologies are staples of this genre. Most of the
time, its focus is on the advancement and
development of science and technology. That is
why you’ll often find sci-fi combined with its
complimentary genres – mecha and space.
Examples: Evangelion, Space Dandy, and Cowboy
Bebop
Seinen
Seinen is actually a demographic but is also
considered as a general genre in anime. It’s a
genre that specifically targets male viewers around
the age range of 18-40. With that age range, the
shows here are depicted in a more mature light
and often includes much more explicit content
such gore, sex, and violence.
Examples: Berserk, Monster, and Ergo Proxy
Shoujo
Shoujo is actually a demographic but is also
considered as a general genre in anime. It’s a
genre that specifically targets female viewers
around the age range of 10-18. With that age
range, the shows here are mostly idealized and
well-rounded. Most of the time, the shoujo genre
works line-in-line with the romance and the
comedy genre (emphasis on the romance part).
Examples: Sailor Moon: Crystal, Gekkan Shoujo
Nozaki-kun, and Ao Haru Ride
Shoujo-ai
Shoujo-ai literally translate to “girls love” where
the female characters (typically younger girls)
show love and affection to each other. Usually, the
romance in shoujo-ai is somewhat milder as
compared to the much explicit yuri genre.
Generally, shoujo-ai portrays blooming feelings of
love and romance more than intimate partner
contact.
Examples: Aoi Hana and Blue Drop
Shounen
Shounen is actually a demographic but is also
considered as a general genre in anime. It’s a
genre that specifically targets male viewers around
the age range of 10-18. With that age range, the
shows here are mostly idealized and well-rounded.
Most of the time, shounen anime shows are
considered general and almost always even
becomes the most trending mainstream shows.
Examples: Naruto, One Piece, and Fairy Tail
Shounen-ai
Shounen-ai literally translates to “boys love”
where the male characters (typically younger boys)
show love and affection to each other. Usually, the
romance in shounen-ai is somewhat milder as
compared to the much explicit yaoi genre.
Generally, shounen-ai potrays blooming feelings of
love and romance more than intimate partner
contact.
Examples: Hybrid Child and Gakuen Heaven
Slice of Life
When one says slice of life, that means – mundane
good ol’ life. Stories depicted in this genre are
realistically set in the domain of real life. Nothing
out-of-the-blue happens, but that’s its point! It’s
role is to portray everyday life in a realistic light as
much as possible, with nothing out of the
extraordinary wrecking the premise.
Examples: Barakamon, Non Non Biyori, and
Koufuku Graffiti
Space
Yes, it’s a setting but, as many shows are
becoming more and more comfortable in using it as
a setting, it has already become a genre in itself.
As it stands, anything that uses space as a setting
is a space anime. In general, anime of this
category are often paired-up with the mecha and
sci-fi genre.
Examples: Outlaw Star, Cowboy Bebop, and Space
Dandy
Sports
Pretty much self-explanatory, sports anime are
shows that bases on the very definition of sports.
That means, it can tackle on the story of the many
sports you know of. Popular choices in this domain
includes basketball, tennis, baseball, and soccer.
Other sports exists as well (including those that
you wouldn’t expect showing up in anime). And as
time goes on, more and more are produced. Just
like sports, shows lined-up in this genre are also
fundamentally action-packed!
Examples: Top 10 Best Sports Anime
Super Power
You’d know you’re watching a super power anime if
you’re seeing an array of explosive super powers
scrambling right on the screen. Super Power anime
aren’t just super – they’re overwhelming! If you
see bursts of energy balls, death-defying attacks,
and opposing super forces battling it out
throughout the story, then that means you’re
probably witnessing an anime of the super power
genre.
Examples: Dragon Ball, Akira, and Toriko
Supernatural
When one says supernatural, then one thing or
another, they’re referring to stuff or events that
are odd and out-of-the-blue. For this category,
supernatural might take the meaning of mythical,
mystical, bizarre, or something outside the bounds
of accepted reality. There’s a shadow of mystery
often found in shows involved with this genre
which then effectively puts the word “super” in
supernatural.
Examples: Top 10 Best Supernatural Anime
Tragedy
As the name implies, the tragedy genre revolves
around tragic events or phenomenon where the
characters are deeply involved and affected.
Tragedy comes in diverse varieties such as
disasters, accidents, misfortunes, and deaths.
Customarily, shows lying within this genre are very
dramatic that they can easily touch the emotion of
the viewers by relating the experiences of the
characters to them.
Examples: Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Zetsuen no
Tempest, and Technolyze
Vampire
As vampires have become so popular throughout
the world, it’s to no shock that they’ve also
infested the world of anime. There are lots of titles
now featuring vampires and the themes
surrounding them. And while they’re not just
exclusive to the horror category, they’ve also
manifested themselves into several other
categories such as comedy, romance, and drama.
So once you see a vampire in a show you’re
watching, you can count that in in the vampire
genre.
Examples: Vampire Knights, Shiki, and Nyanpire
Yaoi
Yaoi is the much more sexually explicit counterpart
of shounen-ai. This genre covers male-to-male
relationships (typically older boys) in a much
mature light. If shounen-ai focuses more on
blooming feelings, yaoi commonly goes all-the-way
both in romance and intimacy.
Examples: Junjou Romantica and Gravitation
Yuri
Yuri is the much more sexually explicit counterpart
of shoujo-ai. This genre covers female-to-female
relationships (typically older girls) in a much
mature light. If shoujo-ai focuses mor eon
blooming feelings, yuri commonly goes all-the-way
both in romance and intimacy.
Examples: Yuri Kuma Arashi and Sakura Trick