List of Good Anime

Top 100 Anime Series Of All Time
by johnpaulmcdonnell60 | created - 31 Jan 2013 | updated - 03 Dec 2020 | Public
This list of "Top 100 Anime Series Of All Time" will feature what I consider to be the 100
greatest anime series ever made. 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 didn't take just one factor into
consideration. I took many as you can see by my description, this is not a list for most
popular anime only.
An anime can only be considered for this list upon being completed, if you want a list of
good ongoing anime please go somewhere else. You will need to research some series on
anime review sites as IMDb has limited information on anime.
I have watched all of these to completion and can confirm they are certainly worthwhile
viewing. As someone who has been watching anime for multiple years and has seen several
hundred series I can appreciate when an anime has true legitimate merit.
Never judge whether to watch an anime by its description or picture. You think this would
be common sense but you'd be surprised how many great series are overlooked because of
the photo or a poor description.
As stated previously, this is a list for series only! Anime that were originally released as
multiple episode OVA series will be considered, however no outright anime movies will be
included! This is not a list for anime movies!
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND I HAVE PROVIDED A BRIEF REVIEW FOR EACH ANIME ON THE
LIST. UPDATED 2020! NEXT UPDATE DEC 2020.
Refine See titles to watch instantly, titles you haven't rated, etc
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100 titles

1. Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
8.9
Rate
The futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.
Stars: Kôichi Yamadera, Unshô Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara, Steve Blum
Votes: 116,157
Simply the greatest for an outstanding cast of characters, triumphant soundtrack,

spectacular action, and it can be watched either dubbed or subbed, both versions are
sublime. Despite initially being episodic in nature underlying storyline rears its head and
proves to thoroughly engaging, you've just got to give this anime the opening five episodes,
don't make a judgement call after just one episode. See it out and you will be greatly
rewarded.

2. Steins;Gate (2011–2015)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
8.8
Rate
After discovering time travel, a university student and his colleagues must use their
knowledge of it to stop an evil organization and their diabolical plans.
Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Asami Imai, Kana Hanazawa, Ashly Burch
Votes: 60,156
One of the greatest all round anime ever. With comedy, romance, tragedy, sci-fi, and even
a little action blended perfectly together. It featured an original premise and a satisfying
conclusion. The character of Mad Scientist will become one of your favourites. Since it
involves time travel the first episode is seriously confusing, however by the end of episode
three you'll be fully clued in, essential viewing, don't drop it! The best time travel anime
ever made.
3. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999)

TV-MA | 118 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
8.6
Rate
In the era of Japan's Meiji Restoration, an assassin regains his humanity.
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Junko Iwao, Nozomu Sasaki, Masami Suzuki
Votes: 14,730
The 4 episode OVA prequel to the original Kenshin anime. This anime involves masterful
storytelling, Kenshin the main character is given a rich backstory, the anime plays out
always rising, never falters, zero filler, a rich and rewarding experience. The greatest
samurai anime ever made. Despite only being four episodes long it feels very complete and
those who want to see more of Kenshin (which you will) can check out the sequel (original
anime) series.
4. Berserk (1997–1998)
8.7
Rate
Guts is a skilled swordsman who joins forces with a mercenary group named 'The Band of
the Hawk', lead by the charismatic Griffith, and fights with them as they battle their way
into the royal court.
Stars: Marc Diraison, Nobutoshi Canna, Carrie Keranen, Kevin T. Collins
Votes: 37,931
This series has perhaps the greatest character development of any anime ever made, you
become attached to each character who each has well fleshed out personalities comprised
of individual qualities, flaws, and ideals. If you hold merit for engaging plot, are exhilarated
by action scenes with large doses of violence and don't abhor nudity this is definitely the
anime series for you. It's one of the best anime I've ever seen, the only thing that holds it
back as an anime series is one tedious flaw, you'll have to watch it, to find out for yourself.

5. Baccano! (2007–2008)
8.2
Rate
A crazy fantasy caper involving alchemists, immortals, gangsters, outlaws and an elixir of
immortality, spread over several decades.
Stars: Michael C. Pizzuto, J. Michael Tatum, Caitlin Glass, Akemi Kanda
Votes: 11,752
This anime initially can be confusing because of the huge, overwhelming cast of characters
but persevere! It’s a series that’s hard to describe without spoiling it. If you like hardcore
action, suspense, and fantasy. You will love it. Issac and Miria are my favourite anime duo
ever! However Baccano! does feature some demented characters and plenty of graphic
violence. If you like Elfen Lied you will adore Baccano! P.S. The team that made this later
went onto make Durarara!! which was just a modern set, watered down, rehash of
Baccano! Basically if you watched Durarara!! and haven't seen this you should look in a
mirror and slap yourself :P (This anime requires a minimum trial period of five episodes).

6. Mushi-Shi (2005–2006)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
8.5
Rate
Ginko is an expert travelling around to investigate a primeval life-form, the "Mushi," and
helping people with Mushi-related supernatural problems.
Stars: Yûto Nakano, Travis Willingham, Kôjun Itô, Jennifer Seman
Votes: 13,377
Ask people for the most beautiful anime ever made and the vast majority will reply, Mushi-
Shi. It's unique in the fact that the entire anime centers almost entirely on one character.
The scenery is beautiful, however this is an episodic anime, if you need an anime that
continues on from week to week this may not be for you. Without spoiling anything about
the story I'll just say this is an anime to be savoured, perhaps one episode each night. The
most magical, relaxing anime I've ever seen. Simply wonderful.

7. The Rose of Versailles (1979–1980)

TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Romance
8.4
Rate
The story of Lady Oscar, a female military commander who served during the time of the
French Revolution.
Stars: Reiko Tajima, Tarô Shigaki, Hisashi Katsuta, Nachi Nozawa
Votes: 2,009
This is a fascinating telling of Queen Marie Antoinette's rise and fall as ruler of France. This
anime involved murder, suicide, betrayal, cross dressing and even a rape attempt. It was
utterly groundbreaking and still is, the cover art is totally unfitting with the mature and
serious nature of this anime. It's a high drama/romance/history anime.... it actually centers
on a character called Lady Oscar, I almost dropped it during the early episodes but didn't
and I was greatly rewarded, it has one of the best anime endings ever. It does take awhile
to really take off and grip you however it's well worth the wait. It's an anime for those
interested in a brilliant plot and exceptional character development.
8. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988–1997)

TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Drama
9.1

Rate
Various people, especially two rising commanders, cope with a massive continual space
conflict between two interstellar nations.
Stars: Yûsaku Yara, Ryô Horikawa, Katsuji Mori, Nozomu Sasaki
Votes: 3,516
This anime takes some 25 of its total 110 episodes to really grasp the viewer, however
those with patience are treated to arguably the greatest anime ever made. I seriously don't
want to spoil anything about this masterpiece of an anime, I'll just say this is one if not thee
best space opera anime ever made. Are you tired of stagnant and hollow characters? Are
you tired of pointless fanservice? Are you tired of watching anime with no content or appeal
for the intellectual viewer? If the answer to these questions is yes, you must watch this
anime. You won't be disappointed.
9. Now and Then, Here and There (1999–2000)

7.9
Rate
A Japanese boy named Shu tries to save a strange girl, Lala Ru, from kidnappers and is
transported to an alternate Earth on the brink of being swallowed by the sun. There he
meets an ... See full summary »
Stars: Crispin Freeman, Dan Green, Lisa Ortiz, Ted Lewis
Votes: 1,774
Wow, just wow. It dropped my jaw the first time I watched it, as a guy I normally like war
movies, shows, anime however they usually glamorise war. This anime is the exact
opposite, I did really love it but because it had a magnificent, strong anti-war message. I
won't say much as I don't want to spoil anything but this is a very short anime and certainly
worthwhile viewing.
10. Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014)
9
Rate
Gon Freecss aspires to become a Hunter, an exceptional being capable of greatness. With
his friends and his potential, he seeks out his father, who left him when he was younger.
Stars: Issei Futamata, Megumi Han, Cristina Valenzuela, Mariya Ise
Votes: 93,262
I previously had the 90s incarnation of Hunter x Hunter on this list. While both are almost
identical in dialogue and scene by scene, I've switched in this newer version as it's what the
vast majority of watchers have placed their valuable viewing time towards. While both
versions are hugely recommendable, this version is more complete into one bundle. With
the original Hunter x Hunter being split over a series and multiple OVA's. Anyway it's a
fantastic anime and one that genuinely can be considered a staple for the genre.

11. Bunny Drop (2011–2012)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
8.3
Rate
A man adopts his six-year-old aunt and raises her as his own kid.
Stars: Hiroshi Tsuchida, Ayu Matsuura, Atsuko Mine, Noa Sakai
Votes: 3,386
Just an incredibly sweet and touching story of a man trying to raise a young child single-
handedly. This anime was such a breath of fresh air to the medium, completely out of the
norm and perhaps all the more enjoyable for that fact. It features a slightly unique art style
that a casual anime viewer will not be accustomed to but by the second episode you will
have adjusted. It's a very short anime but exceptionally good.

12. Rurouni Kenshin (1996–1999)
8.5
Rate
The adventures of a young wandering swordsman who stumbles upon a struggling martial
arts school in Meiji era Japan.
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Richard Cansino, Rebecca Forstadt
Votes: 19,296
Everything that needs to be said about this anime has already been said and is known to
pretty much every anime viewer. If you've never seen an anime then Rurouni Kenshin is a
good place to start. It's a quality all rounder, it has action, comedy, romance... there's
enough there to keep everybody entertained. It has a solid story and is well executed, the
cast of characters are extremely likable. Perhaps the greatest strength of this series is that
it doesn't have any glaring flaws.
13. Monster (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
8.7
Rate
A brilliant neurosurgeon finds his life in utter turmoil after getting involved with a
psychopathic former patient.
Stars: Hidenobu Kiuchi, Liam O'Brien, Mamiko Noto, Karen Strassman
Votes: 29,270
No question Monster deserves to be on this list. A real question would be, why hasn't
Monster placed higher? Perhaps because this truly is a love or hate anime. While I really
enjoyed it, I know a lot of people whose opinion I respect that offered well reasoned
arguments for not particularly holding fondness for this anime. I would say this is arguably
the greatest thriller anime ever made, it's so tense and suspenseful in scenes. It has a
brilliant story, shame that it's a slow burner and that many people drop it before it gets
good. Putting some filler eps aside and the fact it takes 20+ episodes to really draw you in,
don't drop this! It's definitely a worthwhile watch.
14. Gyakkyô burai Kaiji (2007–2011)

TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Thriller
8.2
Rate
Kaiji Itou is a good-for-nothing loiterer who spends his days drinking beer and stealing
hubcaps-that is, until he ends up being tricked by his former co-worker. Unable to suddenly
repay ... See full summary »
Stars: Masato Hagiwara, Hakuryû, Naoya Uchida, Hideo Ishikawa
Votes: 3,122
This anime has a refreshingly unique and compelling story. Without spoiling too much it's
about a character that gets into debt and has to try and gamble his way out. Maybe I'm not
selling it enough but I really can't say a whole lot or I'll ruin the story, it does have a very
interesting concept. The worst thing about this anime is the art style, casual viewers may
not be able to cope with this. For those who manage with the art there is a great story.
Highly recommended to fans of Akagi and One Outs.
15. Maison Ikkoku (1986–1988)
8.2
Rate
The misadventures of a young student and his landlady's romance.
Stars: Shigeru Chiba, Janyse Jaud, Ellen Kennedy, Ron Halder
Votes: 1,094
Maison Ikkoku is the finest romance anime ever made, in terms of story structure,
character development and emotional depth. If you look over this because it's of older
animation then you really don't know what an incredible experience you've missed out on.
Yes at 96 episodes it is long for the genre. However the story spans several years and this
allows for real character and relationship progression. It is one of the funniest and most
charming anime I've ever seen. It managed to turn a big time action and science fiction fan
like me into a believer that there is great romance series out there. This remains the finest
example of a believable romance story in anime. Do not miss it. P.S. This anime continually
gets better as it progresses, the final 15 episodes of this anime are greater than any other
romantic/comedy ever made. It delivers the most spectacular ending that you could
possibly want in a rom/com. See this one out, enjoy the ride and I guarantee this will
become a firm favourite of yours.

16. Vinland Saga (2019– )
8.8
Rate
Thorfinn pursues a journey with his father's killer in order to take revenge and end his life in
a duel as an honorable warrior and pay his father a homage.
Stars: Kira Buckland, Ben Diskin, Ray Chase, Keith Silverstein
Votes: 34,561
Vinland Saga was a breath of fresh air with its different setting, decent production values
and surprising solidity. It features some good action scenes, steady build up, and adequate
world building. Anyone looking for a decent action anime with a Viking theme should give
this a go. While complaints can be put forth towards the MC Thorfinn none can for Askeladd
who is perhaps the best anime character in the last 10 years.

17. Lupin the Third (1971–1972)

TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
7.9
Rate
The adventures of the master thief Lupin III and his cohorts as they dive into various
escapades, all the while in pursuit by the tenacious Inspector Zenigata.
Stars: Yasuo Yamada, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff, Tony Oliver
Votes: 2,163
This is one of the most fun, charming and endearing series to ever grace anime. The
character of Lupin is one of the most magnificent and memorable in the medium, he's a
terrific hero despite the fact he's a thief. Lupin is the source that inspired such characters as
Spike from Cowboy Bebop. Lupin is the epitomy of cool that we all strive for. Good crime
anime is hard to come by and this is the best as we watch the remarkable exploits of Lupin
and his gang. I must also mention that greats of anime Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata
both worked on this series. It's not just a significant series in anime history, it's also
incredibly entertaining.
18. Death Note (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
9

Rate
An intelligent high school student goes on a secret crusade to eliminate criminals from the
world after discovering a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written into it.
Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong, Ryô Naitô
Votes: 311,498
I finally settled on where to place this anime, most of you will be wondering why so low? I
can't go into elaborate details as I don't want to spoil anything for people who haven't
watched this yet. So what are Death Note's good points? It's often gripping and thrilling.
However when most people remember Death Note they tend to judge it on its early stages,
ignoring all the flaws throughout. Lets just say after a certain character left this series and
was replaced with two mediocre characters, the show went greatly downhill. Well that's my
view anyway. However I can't deny the popularity and success of this series, the first 2/3's
in my opinion are by far its best. It's a quality suspense/thriller and in my opinion
worthwhile viewing. If you haven't seen it you must be living under a rock, check it out and
see what the fuss is about.
19. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993–1996)

TV-14 | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
7.7
Rate
The adventures of a space navy captain who is either an incredibly lucky idiot, or an
unorthodox genius in tactics.
Stars: Maria Kawamura, Crispin Freeman, Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis
Votes: 445
This anime better known as Irresponsible Captain Tylor is the funniest Sci-Fi anime ever
created. Lovable rogue Tylor is nothing short of a hilarious goof who stumbles through life
with what must be said, a lot of incredible luck. If you're a fan of sudden girlfriend anime
then look no further. Just watch the first episode of this, I guarantee you will be in stitches
and instantly hooked. It's a series that once you start it, you have to finish it. It's 26
episodes of sheer brilliance.
20. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002–2005)

TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Crime
8.5
Rate
The futuristic adventures of a female cyborg counter intelligence agent and her support
team.
Stars: Shirô Saitô, Atsuko Tanaka, Osamu Saka, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Votes: 19,672
This series came about due to the success of the 1995 movie Ghost In The Shell. The anime
tv series deviates in feel to the original movie, it doesn't quite have the same dark tone,
however it's a great watch in its own right. This anime has exceptional production values, a
strong soundtrack but its greatest appeal is its premise. The philosophical questions it
raises, ethical debates, realistic action and plausible futuristic setting make this a must see
in my opinion. Certainly not for everyone, an intelligent anime for those who appreciate that
sort of show. P.S. The Wachoswski brothers who created The Matrix movies have largely
credited the 1995 Ghost In The Shell movie as their inspiration.

21. Great Teacher Onizuka (1999–2000)

TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
8.5
Rate
About Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old ex-gangster member and a virgin. He has one
ambition that no one ever expected from him. His solely life purpose is to become the
greatest high school teacher ever.
Stars: Steve Blum, Kirk Thornton, Jun'ichi Suwabe, Wataru Takagi
Votes: 9,147
Certainly not for younger viewers. GTO is simply hilarious, silly comedy. It's aimed at older
males but if you're in good form and don't take it too seriously you will wind up having a
great time. It's got some great moral lessons and anyone who enjoys ridiculous antics and
highly eccentric characters should give this a go, this anime does exactly what it says on
the tin... it entertains. ”

22. Tomorrow's Joe (1970–1971)
30 min | Animation, Action, Drama
8.3
Rate
Tange is a frustrated fighter with poorly life, he loses his eyesight and also his
disciple.Passing by a town one day he meets Joe Yabuki, a brawler,lier and deceived person
which he saw in... See full summary »
Stars: Teruhiko Aoi, Shunsuke Shima, Shigeyuki Hosoi, Akira Shimada
Votes: 575
Ashita no Joe is the perfect example of how when a simple story is told well, it can achieve
greatness. On the surface it might not sound that special, a teenage orphan called Joe who
is living in the slums, is convinced to take up boxing by an alcoholic ex-boxing coach. It's
how it's handled that makes it special, due to the masterful touch of legendary director
Osamu Dezaki, Ashita no Joe is a fantastic example of brilliant story telling and memorable
characters. It's an older series and the animation might be a burden for a lot of people but
it's well worth making an exception for this one and watching both seasons of it through.
It's one of those anime that when you finish it, you're left with a feeling of loss, a feeling of
devastation that there's no more episodes.
23. One Punch Man (2015–2019)

TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
8.7

Rate
The story of Saitama, a hero that does it just for fun & can defeat his enemies with a single
punch.
Stars: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar
Votes: 153,302
One of the most popular anime ever. The disinterested hero who saves the day, for some
reason people go nuts for this trait. Our hero like the name suggests is so powerful he
defeats every monster with a single punch. While I don't love it as much as most do, it's
watchable particularly considering the small number of episodes. The biggest charm of the
series is the unusual premise and comedic elements. The biggest flaw of this series is the
second season, production values dropped and the novelty and charm of the first season
diminished. Recommended to those looking for an Action/Comedy that does not require a
big time investment.
24. Code Geass (2006–2012)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
8.7
Rate
After being given a mysterious power to control others, an outcast prince becomes the
masked leader of the rebellion against an all-powerful empire.
Stars: Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, Johnny Yong Bosch, Yukana
Votes: 66,462
Code Geass = quality character development, sufficient story progression, adequate
animation, some interesting questions surrounding morality and some entertaining action
scenes. CG is often compared to Death Note for its "intellectual intrigue" however I'm not so
sure how strong a case can be made for that. Comparisons between Light from DN and
Lelouch from CG are justified though.
25. Romeo and the Black Brothers (1995)

TV-G | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
8.6
Rate
The adventures of a young Swiss boy working as a chimney sweeper in Milan.
Stars: Ai Orikasa, Toshiko Fujita, Aya Ishizu, Tomoko Ishimura
Votes: 1,102
Romeo no Aoi Sora= Another drama anime that many might find themselves sobbing at, a
story about a brave boy who sells himself as a chimney sweep to pay for a doctor for his
father. It's a slow paced triumph of drama, friendship, heartache, hardships and character.
Few anime have heart like this. Recommended to fans of Clannad and Ie Naki Ko.

26. Black Lagoon (2006)
7.9
Rate
A Japanese businessman, captured by modern-day pirates, is written off and left for dead
by his company. Tired of the corporate life, he opts to stick with the mercenaries that
kidnapped him, becoming part of their gang.
Stars: Megumi Toyoguchi, Daisuke Namikawa, Brad Swaile, Maryke Hendrikse
Votes: 14,878
Simply the greatest straight up action anime ever made! There is no tricks, no fantasy
elements, just great action. Revy the main character is the most badass anime chick to ever
live. She owns all the so called badass chicks of anime and most of the guys for that matter
:P Revy = A dual pistol wielding, cigar smoking, foul mouthed, whiskey drinking, cold
hearted killer.

27. Darker Than Black (2007–2010)

7.7
Rate
In Tokyo, an impenetrable field known as "Hell's Gate" appeared ten years ago. At the same
time, psychics who wield paranormal powers at the cost of their conscience also emerged.
Hei is ... See full summary »
Stars: Jason Liebrecht, Kate Oxley, Christopher Sabat, Brina Palencia
Votes: 11,806
How can an anime with so many flaws make this list? There's a few anime on this list that
would fall under that question, DTB is certainly one of them. Why you ask? It's one of those
anime that just dives right in and is very confusing at the beginning. Not to mention that it
takes time to become emotionally invested in the characters. However when DTB gets good,
it's very good. A well directed anime with, superpowers, suspense, mystery and an
interesting anti-hero character. Definitely for fans of Death Note and Code Geass.
28. Ranma ½ (1989)
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
7.9
Rate
A girl is involuntarily engaged to a boy who turns female when hit with cold water and male
when hit with hot.
Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Noriko Hidaka, Sarah Strange
Votes: 5,159
One of the four Rumiko Takahashi anime on this list (the other three being Maison Ikkoku,
Inuyasha and Urusei Yatsura). Ranma 1/2 is probably the most fun of all of them. A
ridiculous and silly concept means that this anime provides a lot of side hurting laughs
during its run. A fun cast of characters, some very memorable moments and it's arguably
the most amusing anime on this list. This anime is a sure thing if you're looking for a
pleasant watch.
29. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)

8.5
Rate
A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.
Stars: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Spike Spencer
Votes: 67,162
The anime that arguably cemented the mediums legitimacy and sky rocketed its popularity
in America and most of the western world. Neon Genesis Evagelion while starting out rather
simplistic quickly develops into a roller coaster ride of epic and profound proportions. Words
can't describe this anime adequately, I will simply say I can see why NGA is held in such
high esteem and for the most part I think it deserves the iconic status it holds.

30. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007– )

8.2
Rate
The Second Empress hires a spear-wielding woman to save her son from the Mikado
(emperor) who believes the young prince is possessed by a water demon foretold to bring a
terrible drought upon the land should he live.
Stars: Mabuki Andô, Naoto Adachi, Kôji Tsujitani, Hirofumi Nojima
Votes: 2,697
Comparisons with 12 Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms, which features later on this list) are
inevitable when it comes to this anime. Perhaps it's a little simplistic but Guardian of the
Sacred Spirit remains a fantastic adventure/fantasy anime. Did you like Rurouni Kenshin?
Did you like Claymore? Did you like any of the Studio Ghibli films? If you answered yes to
any of these go watch this anime now. It's a well done character driven anime with some
highly impressive action scenes.

31. Gungrave (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Action, Crime
7.9
Rate
Gungrave follows the story of best friends Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell as they join
and rise in the ranks of Big Daddy's Millenion crime syndicate. The story begins in the future
... See full summary »
Stars: Kirk Thornton, Lex Lang, Steve Blum, Beau Billingslea
Votes: 4,905
Gungrave = A fantasy version of Scarface. That pretty much captures its essence. Gungrave
is made by the same creator who made Trigun... and in my opinion this anime is the better
of the two. Trigun is hugely flawed as an anime and its only real redeemer was some great
comedy and a brilliant character in Vash, perhaps where Gungrave surpasses its
predecessor is in the brilliance of its ending. While both have weak episodes I felt Trigun
had more and I was bitterly disappointed with its ending. Recommended to those who liked
Trigun, this is an action packed, quality anime. Just don't drop it on a whim.

32. Gurren Lagann (2007–2008)
8.3
Rate
Two friends, Simon and Kamina, become the symbols of rebellion against the powerful
Spiral King, who forced mankind into subterranean villages.
Stars: Yuri Lowenthal, Steve Blum, Sam Riegel, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 17,915
TTGL damn near impossible to describe. Off the scale action, sheer absurdity. This is an
anime where characters dream and reach to do the impossible, off the chart levels of
epicness, realism holds no merit here. This sums it up.... "I knew a man who once said
death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back". *pats self on back for managing to
work in a relevant Gladiator quote that can be applied to this anime* XD

33. Claymore (2007)
8
Rate
In a world rife with deadly creatures called "youma", a young silver eyed woman, Clare,
works on behalf of an organization that trains female youma halfbreeds into warriors with
the ability... See full summary »
Stars: Todd Haberkorn, Stephanie Young, Houko Kuwashima, Cherami Leigh
Votes: 13,595
Perhaps I'm a little sexist in saying this but Kureimoa aka Claymore is more of a guys
anime. It's an action/adventure/fantasy anime. Perhaps an effort was made to bring in a
larger female audience by casting a female lead in Clare....... however this anime is hugely
comparable to Berserk in terms of feel and hack and slash action. Berserk was probably the
tad darker of the two. Either way highly recommended to fans of the action/fantasy genre.
34. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003–2004)
8.5
Rate
When a failed alchemical ritual leaves brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric with severely
damaged bodies, they begin searching for the one thing that can save them: the fabled
philosopher's stone.
Stars: Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Romi Park, Rie Kugimiya
Votes: 70,007
Oh come on..... you need some info on this? Really? Honestly this is one of the most well
known anime ever made, anybody seriously interested in anime should be checking this one
out. P.S. There's a remake called Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, I've gone with this one
for reasons that would take eons of time to explain.
35. Charcoal Feather Federation (2002– )

TV-PG | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
8
Rate
A young girl is reborn as an angel-like creature called a haibane, with no memory of who
she once was.
Stars: Ryô Hirohashi, Junko Noda, Eri Miyajima, Fumiko Orikasa
Votes: 3,689
A really curious anime, it's not easy to decipher what it's actually about, I believe that it is
one of those anime that encourages discussion about the meaning of life. It does raise
some really fascinating questions about death and what comes after, it's executed in a slow
paced style. I'd recommend this anime to fans of Mushi-shi.

36. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019– )

8.7
Rate
A family is attacked by demons and only two members survive - Tanjiro and his sister
Nezuko, who is turning into a demon slowly. Tanjiro sets out to become a demon slayer to
avenge his family and cure his sister.
Stars: Natsuki Hanae, Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Votes: 94,894
The biggest anime hit of the last few years. We've been here before as every few years the
industry churns out something that becomes so popular even people with only a passing
interest in anime hear of them, indeed "Attack on Titan", "Sword Art Online", "One Punch
Man" might be considered previous examples of the trend. The problem with these series is
that due to high expectations they often wind up disappointing. Kimetsu is nothing
groundbreaking, nothing we have not seen a thousand times before however due to the
slow fleshing out of the characters and story the potential for it to be something special
remain. The story in short is about a boy setting out to fight demons in order to find a cure
for his sister who has been turned. It's an all rounder with some comedy, action, adventure.
It would make for a good starter anime for people new to the medium.

37. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

TV-14 | 316 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
8.1
Rate
Strange things start happening when a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with
an interconnected virtual realm known as "The Wired".
Stars: Kaori Shimizu, Bridget Hoffman, Randy McPherson, Dan Lorge
Votes: 13,622
Serial Experiments Lain= Let me start off with the positive aspects of the series. The music
for its opening theme is nothing short of haunting, it washes over you like a lucid dream.
The concept of this anime is brilliant as it aims to raise philosophical questions about our
existence. We are our mind if anything, our bodies hold us back in some respects. If could
imprint yourself, your mind into the internet “The Wired” would you do it? So that’s the
positive aspects. Where Serial Experiments Lain fails sometimes is in the execution of the
premise. It’s a little convoluted and as the series progresses the message deteriorates to a
small degree. The concept and philosophical questions this anime tries to raise in essence
the blending of man and technology, are much better realised in an anime like Ghost In The
Shell: Stand Alone Complex. However this is still a decent and interesting series definitely
worth checking out.

38. Eureka Seven (2005–2006)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
7.8
Rate
14-year-old Renton joins the rebel GekkoState ship, co-pilots the TypeZero with the
mysterious Eureka, and unknowingly becomes part of a grand scheme.
Stars: Yûko Sanpei, Keiji Fujiwara, Kaori Nazuka, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 3,116
Eureka 7 = one of the better mecha anime. A satisfying blend of drama, sci-fi and romance.
Certainly one those anime that falls under the genre of "must see", it's a solid series and
you won't regret watching this.
39. Death Parade (2015)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Mystery
7.9
Rate
After death, humans go to either heaven or hell. But for some, at the instant of their death,
they arrive at the Quindecim, a bar attended by the mysterious white-haired Decim.
Stars: Jamie Marchi, Alex Organ, Tomoaki Maeno, Asami Seto
Votes: 15,607
Death Parade was a fascinating anime in recent times. It focused on judging the true nature
of people through a series of tests and games. There's no linear story really, the biggest
strength of the series is the premise as most episodes are standalones. However thanks to
some fine execution this anime was definitely more hit than miss. Recommended to those
looking for something a bit different.
40. Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982–1983)

8.5
Rate
An alien spaceship crash lands on Earth and her secrets lead to a desperate war against an
alien enemy sent to retrieve the ship.
Stars: Arihiro Hase, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial

Votes: 2,119
Don't let that cover art fool you, Macross was a very well animated series for its time. It's
the most famous mecha series ever made, the one that pretty much defined the genre and
in my opinion still does. In my honest opinion it's every bit the equal of Mobile Suit
Gundam, I enjoyed both but I've placed Macross higher because I feel it will appeal to a
wider audience. I highly recommend this anime. P.S. Be sure to watch this version and not
the god awful Robotech version, honestly the dubbing and changes they made to the story
was horrendous. Watch the original 1982 subtitled version.
41. Spice and Wolf (2008–2009)

TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
7.9
Rate
Kraft Lawrence goes from town to town to make profits as a travelling merchant, with the
help of a wolf deity by the name of Holo.
Stars: Jun Fukuyama, Ami Koshimizu, J. Michael Tatum, Brina Palencia
Votes: 4,421
This is an extremely dialogue heavy anime. While certainly not for everyone because it's a
story about merchant trading in medieval times, it's often a lesson on economics and for
those interested in something different, this anime is worth watching. The interactions
between the characters are arguably what makes this series special, it's an
adventure/fantasy/romance anime, while favourable just be prepared for a lot of dialogue.

42. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom (2009)

TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Crime
7.6
Rate
The story of two brainwashed assassins, Ein and Zwei, who struggle to regain their
memories as they work for the Inferno crime syndicate.
Stars: Miyu Irino, Newton Pittman, Ayahi Takagaki, Lindsay Seidel
Votes: 1,738
A solid anime, the opening episodes are very interesting. It's about a man who has the life
of an assassin thrust upon him. It's very much action oriented but the story is well above
average. I'd recommend this anime for big action fans or someone who wants an anime
about assassins.

43. Elfen Lied (2004)
8
Rate
Two university students come across a seemingly harmless girl named Lucy, unaware that
she's actually a mutant serial killer with a split personality.
Stars: Sanae Kobayashi, Chihiro Suzuki, Mamiko Noto, Sam Saletta
Votes: 33,179
Elfen Lied = Extreme violence, high amounts of graphic gore, and a hot mutated chick that
strolls around naked most of the time. That may be a bit simplistic but it's not too far from
the truth. Elfen Lied has become huge in the medium of anime due to its obvious effort to
shock and entertain, for the most part it succeeded in doing that. The first episode is often
widely mentioned as the most violent single episode of any anime in the medium. Be sure
to check this out, it's certainly not for kids though.
44. School Rumble (2004–2010)
TV-PG | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Romance
7.8
Rate
A young high schooler is in love with an oblivious classmate; a delinquent classmate is in
love with her. Both struggle to confess their feelings and their antics lead to crazy
situations.
Stars: Luci Christian, Brandon Potter, Brina Palencia, Caitlin Glass
Votes: 2,042
Ask the typical anime fan of today which comedy series is the best? The vast majority will
reply School Rumble. I don't disagree with that opinion but personally anime like GTO:
Great Teacher Onizuka, Ranma 1/2 and City Hunter appealed more to me. That said School
Rumble is a great comedy but is stereotypically set in a school, with stereotypical
characters. The reason School Rumble excels is that the comedy is generally very good. I
consider School Rumble to be perhaps the greatest outright modern comedy, better than
Toradora! The only reason that it's relatively low on the list was because season 2 wasn't as
great as the first.
45. Fighting Spirit (2000–2002)
TV-PG | 20 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
8.8
Rate
Ippo, a teenage boy with a pure heart and unrelenting determination, discovers a passion
for boxing after veteran fighter Takamura saves him from bullies.
Stars: Steve Staley, Richard Epcar, Grant George, D.C. Douglas
Votes: 6,768
Do you like boxing? If yes watch this. Do you like the Rocky movies? If yes then watch this.
Do you like brilliant blending of action and comedy? If yes then watch this. My only
complaint is that it's a slow starter, it's a real shame that many people drop it without
giving it a fair chance. It really is their loss, they can continue watching stuff like School
Days.
46. Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997)

8.1
Rate
A tomboyish schoolgirl finds herself forced into repeated duels for another girl who has a
role in a world revolution.
Stars: Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Rachael Lillis, Sharon Becker
Votes: 1,696
Revolutionary Girl Utena= If you were to take it on face value RGU doesn't seem like
anything that special. However it quickly becomes obvious that Utena is a once off and that
it's far deeper than meets the eye. It explores themes including homosexuality, I certainly
didn't expect this from what I was lead to believe was a childrens anime. To tell the truth
this anime caught me off guard a number of times, particularly in later episodes. It was
nothing like I expected it to be, this was actually a plus. It's a fantasy, action, drama but
it's a strange one and very bold. Whether you love or hate it, this is certainly memorable.

47. Natsume's Book of Friends (2008– )

PG-13 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
8.1
Rate
When Natsume Takashi inherits a book that belonged to his late grandmother he realizes
the book is filled with the names of spirits she defeated and bound to her will. He then
decides to return their names so they can be free once again.
Stars: Hiroshi Kamiya, Kazuhiko Inoue, Miki Itô, Ryohei Kimura
Votes: 2,061
An imitator of Mushishi. That may sound a little harsh but it's uncanny how close the basic
plot and structure is to Mushishi. It's an episodic anime that deals with a male lead that can
see entities that remain invisible to most people. The big difference is that Mushishi is
slighly more artistic where we the viewer are asked to comtemplate various themes. Both
are very good, if you enjoy one the odds are highly probable that you'll also like the other.
This anime is highly recommended to fans of Mushishi.

48. Inuyasha (2000–2004)
7.9
Rate
A teenage girl periodically travels back in time to feudal Japan to help a young half-demon
recover the shards of a jewel of great power.
Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Richard Ian Cox, Darren Pleavin, Satsuki Yukino
Votes: 16,277
This is another Rumiko Takahashi anime series. Funnily enough it's her most well known
anime, perhaps because it's the most recent. Rumiko combined the elements that made
brilliant anime like Maison Ikkoku (romance) and Ranma 1/2 (comedy) in Inuyasha. For the
most part it worked. This is certainly a good watch despite being a little on the long side.
P.S. Be sure to watch the continuation series to this, the 26 episode anime called Inuyasha:
The Final Act (You sort of have to, as the original anime was left without an ending, "The
Final Act" finally gave closure to the series).

49. The Twelve Kingdoms (2002– )

PG-13 | Animation, Adventure, Drama
8
Rate
High school student Youko Nakajima is approached by a strange man who claims he's been
searching for her and that she is the rightful ruler of his kingdom.
Stars: Mari Devon, Kate Higgins, Houko Kuwashima, Aya Hisakawa
Votes: 2,018
Great story, great characters, a brilliant adventure. This is an anime many have tried to
imitate but most have failed. It's an action/adventure/fantasy anime that few have equaled
and even fewer have surpassed. Highly recommended to fans of the fantasy genre, if you're
watching any ongoing fantasy anime or have enjoyed some recently then please consider
watching this. The 12 Kingdoms is an immensely enjoyable journey.

50. Kaiba (2008)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
8.1
Rate
In a futuristic dystopian world where memories are literally stored, bought and sold and rich
have all the privileges, a young amnesiac is trying to find out who he is.
Stars: Romi Park, Mamiko Noto, Houko Kuwashima, Taketora
Votes: 1,702
This anime puts forth fascinating philosophical questions. It's a terrific series for its plot and
well fleshed out sci-fi world. It's a unique love story set in a world where it's possible to
store memories in databanks and transfer those memories to new bodies. This has made
death irrelevant. However Kaiba uses an animation style that will put a lot of people off, for
those of you who bear through that you'll be subject to a truly unforgettable anime. Highly
recommended to experienced anime fans looking for something unique.
51. The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)

7.8
Rate
Hitomi is a girl with psychic abilities who gets transported to the magical world of Gaea. She
and her friends find themselves under attack from the evil Zaibach empire, and the Guymelf
... See full summary »
Stars: Kirby Morrow, Kelly Sheridan, Brian Drummond, Jocelyne Loewen
Votes: 4,222
Escaflowne= This is a really well rounded anime, it has fantasy, mecha, romance and
adventure. What's more it manages to do all these aspects well. The characters are well
fleshed out overall and each gets enough screen time. My only complaints are with the slow
early episodes and some slight issues with character design. This is a really solid anime and
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone.
52. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (1992–1995)

8.5
Rate
One day, 14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi suddenly finds himself dead, having died pushing a
child out of the way of oncoming traffic. Since he has such a bad personality, even the Spirit
World ... See full summary »
Stars: Nozomu Sasaki, Justin Cook, Christopher Sabat, Cynthia Cranz
Votes: 13,563
A solid all rounder anime. There's comedy, action, mystery and fantasy. It's created by the
same guy who wrote Hunter x Hunter, if you need further reason as to know why you
should watch this...... it beat Dragon Ball Z in ratings during its tv run. I consider it a much
better anime than DBZ and if you liked that you should definitely check out this one.
Recommended highly to fans of Hunter X Hunter and Inuyasha.

53. When They Cry (2006)

TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
7.9
Rate
The story of a group of young friends and the mysterious events that occur in the rural
village of Hinamizawa.
Stars: Sôichirô Hoshi, Mai Nakahara, Satsuki Yukino, Yukari Tamura
Votes: 5,660
Many people consider it the greatest horror of all time, it's certainly among the better
examples in recent years. This show will make many tremble and a lot of you will be
watching scenes through your hands. It was the mystery element that interested me, I had
to know what was happening and where it was going. You'll have to watch the second
season also to get the full picture, that's a total of 50 episodes. It certainly had something
going for it to keep me interested for that length of time. Recommended to fans of Monster
and those who enjoy suspense/horror.

54. Durarara!! (2010)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Crime
7.8
Rate
Tired of his mundane life, Mikado Ryugamine decides to move to Ikebukuro, a district in
Tokyo, when a friend invites him. With everything from invisible gangs to rumored beings,
Ikebukuro is full of connected mysteries where people's pasts intertwine with the present.
Stars: Kari Wahlgren, Yuri Lowenthal, Johnny Yong Bosch, Bryce Papenbrook
Votes: 7,240
Look it's Baccano! oh wait, no it's the imitator of Baccano! The similarities between the two
are plenty, it shouldn't come as a surprise as both anime were made largely be the same
team. They took the elements that made Baccano! a success (mystery killer, large cast of
characters, extreme violence) and rehashed them for this. If you love one the odds are
you'll also love the other. The only huge difference is length and setting. While it's
predecessor was original and had a great ending, the same can't be said for this work.
However it is a quality anime, recommended to mystery/action fans.

55. Mobile Suit Gundam (1979–1980)

TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Drama
7.9
Rate
In the war between the Earth Federation and Zeon, a young and inexperienced crew find
themselves on a new spaceship. Their best hope of making it through the conflict is the
Gundam, a giant humanoid robot, and its gifted teenage pilot.
Stars: Hirotaka Suzuoki, Tôru Furuya, Toshio Furukawa, Kiyonobu Suzuki
Votes: 2,340
Mobile Suit Gundam= Where to begin on this series? It's arguably the most successful
anime franchise ever, it has spawned countless prequels, sequels, ova's, movies etc. One
thing that has become apparent is that the Japanese sure do love giant fighting robots :P
Overall this will be a great anime for mecha fanatics and it's certainly worthwhile viewing to
watch what kick started the whole Gundam phenonium.

56. FLCL (2000–2001)
8.1
Rate
Mysterious things start happening when 12-year-old Naota meets a strange woman on a
Vespa wielding a big guitar.
Stars: Jun Mizuki, Mayumi Shintani, Izumi Kasagi, Suzuki Matsuo
Votes: 17,550
It’s probably the most unique, unorthodox anime I’ve ever watched. The first time I
watched FLCL I thought “what the hell am I watching” and that’s something that will run
through the minds of most first time viewers. It’s a series that is near impossible to
describe, hilarious randomness probably best sums it up. For those who do watch it through
it inevitably becomes one of their favourite series, my only complaint is I wish there had
been more episodes.
57. Future Boy Conan (1978)

TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
8.8
Rate
Long after a devastating war almost destroyed the entire world, a boy with superhuman
strength fights to save his friends from those who seek to conquer what is left of civilization.
Stars: Noriko Ohara, Masatô Ibu, Sabrina Pitre, Lili Beaudoin
Votes: 4,325
Future Boy Conan= A masterfully directed 26 episode anime by the great Hayao Miyazaki.
It features all the whimsy and wonder that's present in his films, in my opinion this series
surpasses most of his other work. The art is also of a very high standard in comparison to
other works from this era. It's a great, wholesome adventure. It appeals to the kid in all of
us, everybody can enjoy this one.
58. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004–2005)

TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Mystery
7.9
Rate
Trying to escape his uneventful life, Albert, the son of a renowned general from Paris,
makes a journey with his friend Franz. During his travels, he meets an immensely wealthy
nobleman ... See full summary »
Stars: Jôji Nakata, Johnny Yong Bosch, Beau Billingslea, Karen Strassman
Votes: 2,511
Gankutsuou= This is definitely a brilliant anime, partly due to the fact that it's loosely based
on the novel (The Count of Monte Cristo). The word loosely is key, do not expect if you
have read the book that this anime stays true to the source material. Anybody who goes
into this expecting an anime version of the novel will be bitterly disappointed. It should be
noted that this anime has an outlandish, visually stunning art style. The art style may put
some off but for those who have seen a lot of anime with generic animation, the attempt to
be different will be much appreciated. The suspense, betrayal and thriller aspects of this
anime are outstanding. It will make you want to read the novel, which even the purists will
agree is a good thing.
59. Welcome to the N.H.K. (2006)

TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
8.3
Rate
This surreal dramedy follows Satou Tatsuhiro as he attempts to escape the evil
machinations of the NHK.
Stars: Yutaka Koizumi, Yui Makino, Michael C. Pizzuto, Monica Rial
Votes: 6,775
Welcome To The NHK= A story about a recluse. How could an anime about a withdrawn
loner who barricades himself in his apartment be so interesting? While the first half of the
series makes great use of humour, the second half is extremely touching and poignant. It
deals with a wide variety of mature problems in society from parental violence to suicide.
Don't underestimate this anime by the comedic moments early on, it's one of the most
profound and memorable anime I've ever seen.

60. Nobody's Boy: Remi (1977–1978)

24 min | Animation, Drama, Family
7.8
Rate
A compelling story in which orphaned Remi gets hired out to a traveling street entertainer
Vitalis when her foster parents fall on hard times.
Stars: Kôichi Kitamura, Mami Koyama, Akira Murayama, Masako Sugaya
Votes: 1,101
Ie Naki Ko= Remi is a young boy that's sold to a traveling entertainer, he now begins his
life as a slave. You know immediately as you sit down to watch this it's going to be full of
hardship and sadness. This anime is brilliantly directed by the great Osamu Dezaki, he
allows the classic novel this is based on to be fully realised as an anime adaptation. It's a
terrific sombre journey, recommend to fans of The Rose of Versailles and Romeo no Aoi
Sora.

61. The Slayers (1995–2009)
7.5
Rate
The adventures of a teenage sorceress and her companions as they quest for gold and glory
(especially gold).
Stars: Megumi Hayashibara, Yasunori Matsumoto, Lisa Ortiz, Eric Stuart
Votes: 2,237
Slayers= A perfect harmony of fantasy, action and comedy. Slayers is hugely enjoyable. It
features loads of memorable characters, I suspect Lina will be most peoples favourite.
Despite the fact this anime is from the 90's it has aged really well. One of the most fun and
zany anime I've seen. What's great about this is that the second season Slayers Next
doesn't disappoint, I actually think it's far better. Highly recommended to comedy/fantasy
fans.
62. Planetes (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
8.2
Rate
In the year 2075, mankind has reached a point where journeying between Earth, the moon
and the space stations is part of daily life. However, the progression of technology in space
has also... See full summary »
Stars: Kazunari Tanaka, Satsuki Yukino, Ai Orikasa, Kirk Thornton
Votes: 3,624
Do you need an anime with heart pounding action in every episode? If so Planetes is not for
you. Do you like anime that aren't much more than sentimental drivel, where the show
takes cheap emotional shots by having characters in anguish constantly, those anime that
underestimate the intellect of the viewer and try to induce cheap tears. If so Planetes is not
for you. If however you like anime with deep and reflective messages on life, if you like
anime completely out of the norm, if you like well fleshed out characters, a solid story and
some flawless voice acting... then this is the anime for you. P.S. (The only thing holding this
back from being a perfect 10/10 is the slight issues with animation and the underwhelming
music). Nonetheless certainly for experienced and adult anime viewers this is an essential
watch.
63. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You (2009– )

7.8
Rate
Sawako Kuronuma is misunderstood due to her resemblance to the ghost girl from The
Ring. But one day the nicest boy in the class, Kazehaya befriends her and everything
changed after that and also everyone perspective of Sawako but there's going to be
struggle await for her up in the future.
Stars: Mamiko Noto, Daisuke Namikawa, Yûko Sanpei, Miyuki Sawashiro

Votes: 3,878
It's slightly different than your regular romance story but in the end it remains a generic
shy girl and hot guy fall in love tale. This anime uses the "misunderstandings" effect a lot,
particularly in the second season (a method Maison Ikkoku had been using over 25 years
earlier), that's not to say Kimi ni Todoke doesn't do it well I'm just pointing out it has been
done. Highly recommended to fans of Maison Ikkoku and vice versa. It's a must for fans of
slow paced, misunderstandings romance anime.
64. City Hunter (1987–1991)
PG-13 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
7.8
Rate
The adventures of Ryo Saeba, a gun-for-hire living in the Tokyo metropolis, who will take on
any dangerous job as long as it involves beautiful women.
Stars: Akira Kamiya, Kazue Ikura, Yôko Asagami, Tesshô Genda
Votes: 1,400
A incredible cast of characters, great art for its era, a strong soundtrack but most
importantly delivers brilliant comedy and roaring action, that's City Hunter in a nut shell.
This is an absolute masterpiece of anime and its hidden gem status makes it a special
anime to all of those who have watched it, it's one of those series you almost want to keep
to yourself.

65. Ouran High School Host Club (2006)

TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Romance
8.2
Rate
A girl at a prestigious school befriends the members of a "host club".
Stars: Maaya Sakamoto, Mamoru Miyano, Masaya Matsukaze, Kenichi Suzumura
Votes: 10,002
A favourite of female anime viewers, Ouran High School Host Club is a silly rom/com full to
the brim with pretty boys and pink frills. It's mostly an episodic comedy so there's not much
in the way of a deep plot, however many people are sure to enjoy the characters and
humour. Recommended to fans of Fruits Basket and Toradora!
66. Les Miserables: Shoujo Cosette (2007– )

24 min | Animation, Drama, Family
7.9
Rate
The classic novel by Victor Hugo returns to the world of Japanese anime in Nippon
Animation's 52-episode adaptation "Les Misérables: Shoujo Cosette". The plot shifts its
focus to include ... See full summary »
Stars: Miyuki Sawashiro, Atsuko Tanaka, Haruka Tomatsu, Nozomi Sasaki
Votes: 271
Les Miserables: Shoujo Cosette= Imagine some Japanese guys got their hands on the story
of Les Miserables, then imagine they decided to take that story which definitely is not for
children and they decided to adapt it to make it kid friendly. That's exactly what this is,
surprisingly though it's quiet good. The story is kept as close to the source as possible
considering the age of the intended audience. The most fascinating thing about this
adaptation is that the story revolves more around Cosette than Jean Valjean.
Recommended highly to fans of Les Miserables who aren't complete purists and are open to
adaptations.
67. Michiko and Hatchin (2008– )

7.5
Rate
Michiko is a free-willed "sexy diva" who escaped from prison, while Hatchin is a run away
girl fleeing from her strict catholic foster family. The two join forces and set off on an
unpredictable road trip seeking their own freedom.
Stars: Brandon Potter, Jad Saxton, Terri Doty, Toru Kusano
Votes: 1,020
This anime is surprisingly good, it's definitely one of my guilty pleasure anime. Let me say
this right off the bat, Michiko is one of the hottest, most kickass anime chicks ever. The
story is set in Brazil and tells the tale of a sexy criminal named Michiko who escapes from
prison and rescues an abused girl called Hatchin. This may not be the most thought
provoking plot but it was a really solid series. It may have dragged a little in the middle but
this series gives off almost a Cowboy Bebop vibe that its real strengths are the characters.
It has fantastic production values, some entertaining action scenes and a good ending.
Highly recommended to fans of Cowboy Bebop, Black Lagoon and Phantom: Requiem For
The Phantom.
68. Bakemonogatari (2009–2010)
8
Rate
Third-year high school student Koyomi Araragi is human again. Cured of his vampirism, he
seeks to help other supernaturals with their problems. Koyomi becomes involved in their
lives, revealing secrets in people he once knew.
Stars: Hiroshi Kamiya, Eri Kitamura, Yuka Iguchi, Chiwa Saitô
Votes: 5,623
This is a mystery/romance/supernatural anime that involves vampires. It is genuinely a
masterpiece of its genre, the only reason it's not higher is that it appeals mostly to a niche
group. It's a very unique anime with some very peculiar characters, while it may take some
time to adjust, you will inevitably become hooked. This anime is guaranteed to entertain if
given a fair shake.
69. Mononoke (2007)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Fantasy, Horror
8.3
Rate
A mysterious man called the Medicine Seller travels along feudal Japan, uncovering and
slaying evil spirits called "Mononoke".
Stars: Takahiro Sakurai, Michael C. Pizzuto, Kate Hawkins
Votes: 2,240
Mononoke= The greatest outright horror anime of all time, it's undeniable. This puts all the
pretenders among the anime horror genre firmly in their mediocre place. It's fantastically
stylish and capable of instilling genuine fear into the viewer. Yes it features a hugely unique
art style that casual anime viewers may not like but this isn't a drawback, this series is for
those who can appreciate it, at only 12 episodes long you've got no excuses. It really is a
spectacular work of art.

70. Princess Tutu (2002–2003)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
8.1
Rate
A duck turned girl with magical powers must help save a prince from an unfinished fairy
tale.
Stars: Takahiro Sakurai, Chris Patton, Nana Mizuki, Jessica Boone
Votes: 1,032
On paper I should have hated Princess Tutu, the name, the cuteness, the fact that it's a
magical girl anime and the huge amount of everything pink. I mean this is as far as it gets
from Cowboy Bebop and yet somehow I enjoyed Princess Tutu. It has a tremendous plot
with huge drama and unexpected plot twists. This anime shattered all preconceptions I had
going into it, don't be put off by the silly comedy in the initial episodes. It's magnificently
unique, has a wonderful plot and is easily the greatest magical girl anime ever made. Even
guys can thoroughly enjoy this.

71. Rainbow: The Seven from Compound Two, Cell Six (2010– )

TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
8.3
Rate
Set in 1955, the anime follows the story of seven teenagers locked in a reformatory, waiting
for a ray of light in a daily hell of suffering and humiliation, focusing especially on how they
faced the life once regained freedom.
Stars: Shun Oguri, Romi Park, Takaya Kuroda, Tatsuya Hasome
Votes: 2,457
A group of deliquents tossed into a grim disciplinary school in post WW2 Japan, well this
anime certainly has a different setting. That will be welcomed by people sick of the typical
school set or future set anime. Rainbow has good visuals, sound and an interesting premise,
so why isn't this higher? Well for an anime that should be all about the characters, there's a
surprising lack of character development. This anime is bleak, depressing, action heavy and
at times uplifting. It should have been a character driven masterpiece but in the end
Rainbow in effort to appeal to the widest demographic wound up just being a good series.
Recommended to fans of friendship stories.

72. The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982–1983)

TV-Y7 | 28 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
8.7
Rate
A trio of kids must search throughout 16th Century South America for personal answers
linked to the legendary El Dorado.
Stars: Janice Chaikelson, Adrian Knight, Michael Rudder, Terrence Labrosse
Votes: 3,973
This is unquestionably one of the greatest adventure anime ever made, each episode is
utterly fantastic, it really has stood the test of time. Anybody who enjoys adventure stories
should really check this one out, I'd compare it to Studio Ghibli films in the respect that it
can be wholly enjoyed by both children and adults. I'd recommend watching this in
Japanese but it's impossible to find subtitled, you'll have little alternative but to watch the
English dubs for this one.

73. Goodbye, Mr. Despair (2007)

24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
7.6
Rate
A pessimistic high school teacher must somehow manage a class of eccentric students.
Stars: Hiroshi Kamiya, Ai Nonaka, Marina Inoue, Asami Sanada
Votes: 922
If you like dark humour you're in for a treat. It's an unorthodox comedy about a teacher
often referred to as Mr. Despair, he's called that because he's often left suicidal by the
harsh and gruesome reality of life. He teaches a class full of strange and unique students.
This anime has great production values and I'd really recommend it if you want a different
type of comedy full of quirky characters.
74. Anne of Green Gables (1979)

PG | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Family
7.7
Rate
Based on the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this 50 episode series tells the story of
Anne Shirley, a young orphan living in 19th century Canada.
Stars: Eiko Yamada, Fumie Kitahara, Michio Hazama, Ryûji Saikachi
Votes: 1,803
Akage no Anne= It's a wonderful anime, it's just a simple tale of a young orphan girl
growing up and dealing with everyday issues. There isn't some great villain that needs to be
stopped, no maniacal schoolgirls wielding knives or vampires behind every closed door, no
Akage no Anne is a tale of utmost simplicity and all the better for that fact. It's a joy and
wholesome story of a girl making friends, dealing with school and studies etc. It's a
masterfully told story, it's among the finest slow paced, slice of life anime. If the slice of life
genre isn't your thing maybe give this a miss. Recommended to fans of Nobody's Boy: Remi
and Romeo no Aoi Sora.
75. Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978–1979)

24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
7.8
Rate
In 2977, mankind has space colonies, machines do all the work and everyone just wants to
have fun. When deadly plant-based aliens that look like women attack the Earth in order to
colonize it, only one rogue captain can stop them.
Stars: Makio Inoue, Jôji Yanami, Akira Kamiya, Noriko Ohara
Votes: 1,189
Space Pirate Captain Harlock= Classic anime at its finest. The main draw for me here is the
characters, Harlock is a once off, he's magnificent and treated with a fascinating
seriousness. Harlock is a character that many have imitated and reinvented in modern
anime, if you wish to see the original, your search is over. This anime had a big influence on
the medium, many since have taken cues from Harlock. The closest thing in anime today to
this is One Piece, it evokes a similar feeling. Recommended highly to fans of old school
anime.
76. Chobits (2002–2003)
TV-14 | Animation, Comedy, Drama
7.3
Rate
Hideki finds the discarded and malfunctioning Persocom Chi, a personal computer that looks
like a girl. While trying to fix and care for Chi, Hideki discovers that she might be a Chobits,
a robot of urban legend that has free will.
Stars: Rie Tanaka, Crispin Freeman, Tomokazu Sugita, Karen Strassman
Votes: 4,434
It's one of those anime with humanoid computers where the boundaries of what's ethical
becomes blurred. It has comedy, romance and fanservice. Personally I think the anime
could have been better if the themes were explored more seriously and a little less focus
was on the perverted comedy. It's still a good anime but it could have been great, hence it's
placing.

77. Treasure Island (1978–1987)
8.4
Rate
Jim Hawkins, a thirteen-year-old boy in the eighteenth century, runs the Admiral Benbow
Inn with his mother since his father died. The plots starts when a drunken sailor decides to
stay in the hotel.
Stars: Joe Thomas, Bobby Thong, Mari Shimizu, Iemasa Kayumi
Votes: 1,159
Takarajima= If you're a fan of Treasure Island you're in for a treat. This anime adaptation
to the classic novel captures all the adventure and whimsy of the source material. Who
could overlook an anime teaming with pirates that include the notorious Long John Silver.
The animation is a little dated but everything else about this from the plot, characters and
music are top notch.

78. Urusei yatsura (1981–1986)
7.5
Rate
The series begins when aliens from the planet Oniboshi invade Earth. They agree to leave
only if Earth's champion can defeat the Oni champion in a game of tag within a ten-day time
limit. ... See full summary »
Stars: Fumi Hirano, Toshio Furukawa, Saeko Shimazu, Akira Kamiya
Votes: 1,041
Urusei Yatsura= Rumiko Takahashi strikes again! This was her first work to receive an
anime adaptation and considering Rumiko was still testing things out that she would nail on
subsequent works, it has to be said Urusei Yatsura is pretty darn good. It's a silly comedy
about a lecherous idiot and an attractive biniki wearing alien. Urusei Yatsura is one of the
most influential anime ever made, it's an episodic comedy but it's a enjoyable watch and it
has that great 80's feel.
79. Wolf's Rain (2003–2004)
7.9
Rate
In a post-apocalyptic future where humans live in domed cities surrounded by wasteland,
wolves are assumed to be two hundred years extinct.
Stars: Darren Pleavin, Kenta Miyake, Akio Suyama, Crispin Freeman
Votes: 7,768
Wolf's Rain = Another one of those anime that divides the viewers into two camps, you
either love or hate it, in effort for objectivity I'm taking a stance of indifference. Certainly it
has a great soundtrack and a very unique story.There was far too many recaps considering
how short the series is and the ending left a little to be desired in my opinion. A definite
work of art and worth watching at least once.
80. Fist of the North Star (1984–1988)

8.2
Rate
In the year 199X, human civilization has been all but destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. In
an age where the strong rule over the weak, the survivors of the fallout struggle over
the ... See full summary »
Stars: Akira Kamiya, Shigeru Chiba, Teiyû Ichiryûsai, Tomiko Suzuki
Votes: 3,133
Fist Of The North Star= Everything Dragonball wishes it was, FOTNS summed up is an epic,
exceptionally violent battle shounen. It features characters heads exploding and people
being torn apart. Also unlike DB and DBZ when characters die, they stay dead! Which is a
big plus. It's unrefined, action entertainment at its peak. Few long running anime have the
balls to kill off big characters. Recommended to those who have the audacity to say DBZ
should be on this list, seriously watch Fist Of The North Star, Kenshiro would beat Goku
with ease :P
81. Samurai Champloo (2004–2005)
8.6
Rate
Fuu, a waitress who works in a teahouse, rescues two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin,
from their execution to help her find the "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
Stars: Kazuya Nakai, Ginpei Sato, Ayako Kawasumi, Steve Blum
Votes: 47,880
Samaurai Champloo is an epic action anime with lots of sword action. The characters in this
are amazing. Mugen and Jin are beyond badass and Fuu is exceptionally cute. It’s
beautifully animated and well written. It’s by the same director who made Cowboy Bebop.
Enough said, it’s incredible.

82. Ef: A Tale of Memories. (2007)

TV-MA | Animation, Comedy, Drama
7.5
Rate
A story of love, heartbreak and youth, as the stories of 6 different characters, which seem
initially unrelated, begin to intertwine.
Stars: Natsumi Yanase, Monica Rial, Hiroko Taguchi, Junko Okada
Votes: 799
Over the course of its 12 episodes this romance series manages to keep our interest as
separate stories intertwine while it manages to avoid most cliches of the genre. Personally
it's a mixed bag for me, while I enjoyed one storyline, the other bored me. I enjoyed some
characters and others felt like deadweight. However this unconventional romance anime
manages to make it on this list through its unique approach and solid visuals.

83. Trigun (1998)
8.2
Rate
Vash the Stampede is the most infamous outlaw on the planet Gunsmoke and with a 60
billion double dollar price on his head the most sought after!
Stars: Masaya Onosaka, Hiromi Tsuru, Satsuki Yukino, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 21,657
Some people love Trigun, I would have too if the show hadn't done a complete 180 midway
through. It started off as a light comedy/action anime, where Vash was the focus and
comedic relief. Then around half way through the show they switched the tone, tried to
make it serious and in my opinion it didn't work. I've always felt the ending to be bitterly
disappointing however this is just my opinion. Watch this for Vash, for the comedy, for that
western/six shooter feel.
84. Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012)
Not Rated | 50 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
8.3
Rate
The vampire Alucard, his master Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, and his newly
sired ward Seras Victoria, try to protect England from a war-crazed SS-Major who seeks to
start an eternal war with his vampire army.
Stars: Katie Gray, Crispin Freeman, Victoria Harwood, Ralph Lister
Votes: 22,967
Remember Hellsing? Remember enjoying it? Remember thinking Alucard was a great
character? Do you like action, violence and vampires? If yes then you must watch this. I
know people who watched the original anime and have not seen this may be a little
apprehensive but guys seriously this is better, much better.
85. Toradora! (2008–2009)
8
Rate
Ryuji Takasu lives in a falling down house with his mother, and although being a nice guy is
cursed with the evil look of his father causing people to avoid him. Taiga Aisaka is a
tiny,self... See full summary »
Stars: Rie Kugimiya, Junji Majima, Yui Horie, Hirofumi Nojima
Votes: 15,044
It's one of the famous school set comedies in recent years, Toradora! just about deserves
its place on this list. I can't exactly pinpoint why but I couldn't become emotionally attached
to any of the characters, I found it as an anime to be wholly cliched and stereotypical, it's
for these reasons that I found it only to be an okay anime. I'm sure many people will adore
Toradora! and I can appreciate that, don't let my opinion colour how you view this work. It
definitely has merit, I just feel it could have been better.

86. Kaleido Star (2003–2004)
7.8
Rate
Sora, a young girl from Japan, comes to America in search of her dream. She wants, with all
her heart, to be a member of the famous Kaleido Stage, a combination of musicals,
acrobatics and ... See full summary »
Stars: Jason Douglas, Kira Vincent-Davis, Cynthia Martinez, Ryô Hirohashi
Votes: 902
Girly anime at its best xD. Okay between all the graphic violence and science fiction it's
okay to indulge yourself in something a little less intense. Kaleido Star tells its story in a
formulaic and slow paced method but this isn't a drawback as the sweet tale about a girl
trying to realise her dream compliments the measured approach. It has some very sincere
characters, uplifting moments, gorgeous visuals and it exudes a warm feeling.

87. Blood+ (2005–2006)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Adventure
7.6
Rate
In present day Okinawa, a young amnesiac girl named Saya combats vicious, shape-shifting
vampires. Her adoptive family and friends help her track down their source and uncover her
past.
Stars: Eri Kitamura, Katsuyuki Konishi, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Akiko Yajima
Votes: 4,575
This is an anime for fans of the supernatural genre. It's one of those anime that has a
teenage girl fighting the powers of darkness. Personally I've never understood why it has to
be a schoolgirl facing demons/monsters, I guess people like to see girls in uniform acting all
badass. This isn't one of my preferred genre but it has quality animation. If you're a fan of
vampires or schoolgirls facing life/death situations check this out.
88. Golden Boy (1995–1996)
Not Rated | 165 min | Animation, Comedy
8
Rate
A University drop-out rides Japan on his bicycle, taking part-time jobs and trying not to take
women.
Stars: Doug Smith, Matt Greenfield, Mitsuo Iwata, Gorô Naya
Votes: 5,572
It's a 6 episode OVA series. This anime is all about perverted comedy. I'm not really sure
how to elaborate further, there's not a whole lot to be said, it's a guys comedy about a
college drop out who has a high sex drive and overactive imagination. I struggled on
whether or not to include this, I mean there's not much in the way of a plot or even a solid
cast of characters. However the objective of a comedy is to make the viewer laugh, in this
respect Golden Boy was successful for me, I did laugh and that's why it's included on the
list. Recommended to fans of GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka.
89. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012– )

8.4
Rate
The story of the Joestar family, who are possessed with intense psychic strength, and the
adventures each member encounters throughout their lives.
Stars: Matthew Mercer, David Vincent, Daisuke Ono, Unshô Ishizuka
Votes: 21,669
Over the top action and cheese that actually works. Seriously it's an anime where pure
outrageous actions and words reign supreme, it's like the producers bottled "Anchorman:
The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and then turned it into this anime. It's an action, adventure,
supernatural series that isn't easy to describe, especially when the plot is almost an
irrelevance. I recommend this to people who like action that can never be too big and words
that can never be too loud.
90. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006–2009)

TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
7.8
Rate
The crazy adventures of the SOS Brigade, led by the insane but charismatic Haruhi.
Stars: Tomokazu Sugita, Aya Hirano, Minori Chihara, Yûko Gotô
Votes: 8,443
Slice of life anime as you've never experienced it, this anime enjoyed a great deal of
success and acclaim upon its initial release, personally I've never been quiet as fond of it as
others have been. I'm basing the inclusion of this anime on the original 14 episode series,
before the staff decided to cash in and dilute the quality by making an abundance more of
Haruhi, you can have too much of a good thing. I've said enough, anybody with a mild
interest in anime knows all about this series, I'm sure you've heard of it, it's a school set,
comedy/mystery/slice of life anime.

91. XXXHOLiC (2005– )
TV-PG | Animation, Comedy, Drama
7.6
Rate
Kimihiro Watanuki, a high-schooler, is troubled by monsters and spirits who are magically
attracted to him. However, nobody else can see them but him. One day, Watanuki stumbles
into a shop... See full summary »
Stars: Sayaka Ôhara, Jun Fukuyama, Kazuya Nakai, Shizuka Itô
Votes: 1,875
I almost didn't include this anime because the themes it explores are far better done in two
similar anime above, Mushi-shi and Natsume Yuujinchou. However I've come to realise
xxxHOLic is a good series in its own right. It's once again a story about a guy that can see
spirits etc that are invisible to most people, while it never manages to pull off the profound
messages or stunning visuals of the previously mentioned series, xxxHOLiC does achieve a
large degree of success in tackling those aspects. Something xxxHOLiC did was bring more
humour to the table than the other anime, that was most welcomed. Recommended to fans
of Mushi-shi and Natsume Yuujinchou, just don't expect the same exceptional level on
visuals.

92. Nodame kantâbire (2007–2010)
8.2
Rate
Chiaki is a first class musician whose dream is to play among the elites in Europe.He is an
infamous perfectionist, not only is he highly critical of himself, but of others as well. But
his... See full summary »
Stars: Laura Bailey, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Bryce Papenbrook, Yuri Lowenthal
Votes: 1,258
Nodame Cantabile= Classical music, romance and comedy what more could you want. If
I'm honest the story and tone are light, no question the biggest draw of this anime is the
music. If you're a fan of classical music you'll adore this anime, there was pieces from
Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Liszt and lots of other famous composers. The comedy
works most of the time and the romance feels sincere, this anime has a lot going for it, it's
nothing groundbreaking but certainly a solid series worth watching once. Highly
recommended to fans of classical music. ”

93. Crest of the Stars (1999)

26 min | Animation, Action, Drama
7.6
Rate
Jinto is a polite young man whose world was overrun by the biggest empire in the galaxy
canned the Abh Empire. He meets the lovely Lafiel who he befriends.
Stars: Yuka Imai, Ayako Kawasumi, Takako Fuji, Desiree Yow
Votes: 504
Crest of the Stars is a decent sci-fi anime, unlike other anime far less focus is put on action
and more on drama/politics/romance. There's action here but I must stress there is no
mecha, so if you're not a fan of giant fighting robots then rejoice, this is a space set anime
with no giant robots in sight. This anime is rather slow paced so be sure to watch the
subsequent seasons (titled Banner of the Stars) if you want to fully appreciate this work.

94. Clannad (2007–2008)
7.8
Rate
A high school student who cares little about school or others meets a lonely girl who had to
repeat a year while all her friends finished high school. He decides to hang out with her and
soon meets more friendly students.
Stars: Yûichi Nakamura, David Matranga, Mai Nakahara, Luci Christian
Votes: 9,314
I can't deny how successful Clannad has become even if I feel all the praise it gets is largely
unjustified. I say this because season 1 of Clannad is nothing more than a very average,
very generic school life/drama. It's season 2 where it picks up, Clannad: After Story. I
personally don't believe it was anything spectacular and the first season is undeniably
mediocre. However Clannad over the course of its two seasons had an abundance of drama,
sadness and joy. It was something of an emotional roller coaster and for that reason it's
included on this list.
95. Katanagatari (2010)
7.8

Rate
Kyotoryuu, is the legendary fencing school. However, instead of a sword, it uses one's
hands and legs as weapons. Shichika and his sister Nanami are the sole remaining
descendants of the ... See full summary »
Stars: Yoshimasa Hosoya, Yukari Tamura, Masako Ikeda, Haruka Tomatsu
Votes: 1,411
I applaud this anime for its originality and innovation. The art style is visually appealing, the
script writing thoroughly engaging. Fantastic voice acting, a tried and tested narrative
involving a samurai style. It's by the same author who wrote Bakemonogatari and while
completely different, in my opinion is even more recommendable. The biggest fault of this
series is that it perhaps is slightly too dialogue heavy. Indeed we hear about epic battles in
this series but never actually see them. P.S. This anime is 12 episodes long and each
episode lasts for roughly 50 minutes.
96. Kimagure Orange Road (1985–1988)

7.7
Rate
Kyousuke Kasuga is a completely normal Japanese high school student, with two very big
problems. The first is his complete and utter inability to choose between two girls, the
bright, ... See full summary »
Stars: Tôru Furuya, Hiromi Tsuru, Eriko Hara, Michie Tomizawa
Votes: 839
It's 48 episodes of true brilliance, I'm usually not a big fan of romantic comedies but as with
everything nothing is absolute and there is always rare exceptions. KOR is one of these rare
exceptions. It has silly characters, hilarious situations, love triangles, misunderstandings
and a great 80's feeling which makes it hugely comparable to Maison Ikkoku.
Recommended to those who are daunted with tackling the 96 episodes of Maison Ikkoku,
Kimagure Orange Road is similar but not quite as good. If you enjoy this anime you really
should watch the aforementioned masterpiece.
97. The Future Diary (2011–2013)

7.5
Rate
A young man competes with people around the world for a chance to become the succesor
of God, with a diary that is able to tell the future.
Stars: Josh Grelle, Brina Palencia, Leah Clark, Emily Neves
Votes: 17,274
Better known as Mirai Nikki, this anime is flawed but for many of us falls under the title of
guilty pleasure. Built under the guise of a menacing femme fatale, many are sure to fall for
Yuno due to her warped sense of love. It's got action, romance, comedy, ridiculous
characters, some sketchy plot twists and some shaky time travel. Recommended to fans of
Death Note and Elfen Lied.

98. Koi Kaze (2004)
25 min | Animation, Drama, Romance
7.5
Rate
Koshiro and Nanoka fall deeply in love, then discover they are the children of their divorced
estranged parents... making them brother and sister. How will their relationship turn out?
Stars: Kenta Miyake, Yuki Nakamura, Patrick Seitz, Karen Strassman
Votes: 433
This anime deals with the taboo subject of incest. Don't let the appalling theme put you off,
this isn't low brow entertainment, this anime tackles with frightening realism and maturity a
subject that most only speak about in hushed voices. This anime will force you to look at
your morals and make you question what is love. This anime pulls no punches and I'm
putting my neck on the line with its inclusion on this list. Recommended to those old
enough to understand its message.

99. Texhnolyze (2003)
TV-MA | Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
7.6
Rate
In a man-made underground society, descendants of a banished generation vie for control

of the crumbling city of Lux. Ichise, an orphan turned prize fighter, loses a leg and an arm
to ... See full summary »
Stars: Liam O'Brien, Michael Forest, Patrick Seitz, Shizuka Itô
Votes: 2,746
After much deliberation I decided to include this title, I struggled with this because while
Texhnolyze is certainly an interesting piece of work it's far from entertaining. The story tells
the tale of a boxer who lives in an underground society, he becomes the guinea pig of a
mad doctor who replaces some of his limbs with artificial appendages called Texhnolyze.
This is one of the most bleak and depressing anime I've ever seen, it's also so unique that it
appeals very much to a minority. To give you an example some 17 minutes pass in the first
episode before a single word is spoken. To complete Texholyze you will require the patience
of a saint, the stomach of a goat and the mind of a brilliant lunatic. It's a mind bending
anime that I managed to appreciate. Highly recommended to fans of Serial Experiments
Lain.
100. The Tatami Galaxy (2010)

8.4

Rate
When a nameless student at Kyoto University encounters a demigod one night, he asks to
relive the past three years in order to win the heart of Ms. Akashi, the object of his
affection.
Stars: Shintarô Asanuma, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Rin Mizuhara, Maaya Sakamoto
Votes: 4,101
This anime is so utterly unique I almost didn't include it, it's executed in such a meticulous,
unorthodox way that it almost entirely alienates the audience. You will most definitely have
to step out of your comfort zone to try and handle this mind bending piece of work. This
anime often repeats the events of previous episodes (reminds me of how the film
Groundhog Day was done), the thing is to be patient. If you've seen Groundhog Day you'll
understand what I mean. You should also be warned that the subs come at you at the
speed of light, some very fast talkers in this anime. Recommended to those who can handle
the strange approach and fast subs, I'd only recommend this to highly experienced anime
viewers (at least 200 anime seen to completion under your belt).

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Top 100 Anime Series Of All Time

by johnpaulmcdonnell60 | created - 31 Jan 2013 | updated - 03 Dec 2020 | Public

Refine See titles to watch instantly, titles you haven't rated, etc

Stars: Kôichi Yamadera, Unshô Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara, Steve Blum

Simply the greatest for an outstanding cast of characters, triumphant soundtrack,

Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Asami Imai, Kana Hanazawa, Ashly Burch

3. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999)

Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Junko Iwao, Nozomu Sasaki, Masami Suzuki

Stars: Marc Diraison, Nobutoshi Canna, Carrie Keranen, Kevin T. Collins

Stars: Michael C. Pizzuto, J. Michael Tatum, Caitlin Glass, Akemi Kanda

Stars: Yûto Nakano, Travis Willingham, Kôjun Itô, Jennifer Seman

7. The Rose of Versailles (1979–1980)

Stars: Reiko Tajima, Tarô Shigaki, Hisashi Katsuta, Nachi Nozawa

8. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988–1997)

Stars: Yûsaku Yara, Ryô Horikawa, Katsuji Mori, Nozomu Sasaki

9. Now and Then, Here and There (1999–2000)

Stars: Crispin Freeman, Dan Green, Lisa Ortiz, Ted Lewis

Stars: Issei Futamata, Megumi Han, Cristina Valenzuela, Mariya Ise

Stars: Hiroshi Tsuchida, Ayu Matsuura, Atsuko Mine, Noa Sakai

Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Richard Cansino, Rebecca Forstadt

14. Gyakkyô burai Kaiji (2007–2011)

Stars: Masato Hagiwara, Hakuryû, Naoya Uchida, Hideo Ishikawa

The misadventures of a young student and his landlady's romance.

Stars: Shigeru Chiba, Janyse Jaud, Ellen Kennedy, Ron Halder

Stars: Kira Buckland, Ben Diskin, Ray Chase, Keith Silverstein

17. Lupin the Third (1971–1972)

Stars: Yasuo Yamada, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff, Tony Oliver

Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong, Ryô Naitô

19. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993–1996)

Stars: Maria Kawamura, Crispin Freeman, Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis

20. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002–2005)

Stars: Shirô Saitô, Atsuko Tanaka, Osamu Saka, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn

21. Great Teacher Onizuka (1999–2000)

Stars: Steve Blum, Kirk Thornton, Jun'ichi Suwabe, Wataru Takagi

Stars: Teruhiko Aoi, Shunsuke Shima, Shigeyuki Hosoi, Akira Shimada

23. One Punch Man (2015–2019)

Stars: Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar

Stars: Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, Johnny Yong Bosch, Yukana

25. Romeo and the Black Brothers (1995)

The adventures of a young Swiss boy working as a chimney sweeper in Milan.

Stars: Ai Orikasa, Toshiko Fujita, Aya Ishizu, Tomoko Ishimura

Stars: Megumi Toyoguchi, Daisuke Namikawa, Brad Swaile, Maryke Hendrikse

27. Darker Than Black (2007–2010)

Stars: Jason Liebrecht, Kate Oxley, Christopher Sabat, Brina Palencia

Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Noriko Hidaka, Sarah Strange

29. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)

Stars: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Spike Spencer

30. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007– )

Stars: Mabuki Andô, Naoto Adachi, Kôji Tsujitani, Hirofumi Nojima

Stars: Kirk Thornton, Lex Lang, Steve Blum, Beau Billingslea

Stars: Yuri Lowenthal, Steve Blum, Sam Riegel, Johnny Yong Bosch

Stars: Todd Haberkorn, Stephanie Young, Houko Kuwashima, Cherami Leigh

Stars: Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Romi Park, Rie Kugimiya

35. Charcoal Feather Federation (2002– )

Stars: Ryô Hirohashi, Junko Noda, Eri Miyajima, Fumiko Orikasa

36. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019– )

Stars: Natsuki Hanae, Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

37. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

Stars: Kaori Shimizu, Bridget Hoffman, Randy McPherson, Dan Lorge

Stars: Yûko Sanpei, Keiji Fujiwara, Kaori Nazuka, Johnny Yong Bosch

Stars: Jamie Marchi, Alex Organ, Tomoaki Maeno, Asami Seto

40. Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982–1983)

Stars: Arihiro Hase, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial