10 Best Anime Of All Time That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Anime Of All Time

For your viewing pleasure, here are the greatest anime of all time.

When someone mentions the term “anime,” they’re likely to get a wide range of responses from different people. If you don’t know what anime is or if you’re scared off by the mere thought of it, there are many who devote their life to keeping up with the latest seasons of the popular media. Games like Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Beyblade, which began as after-school routines and have since grown into lifetime passions, are frequently held responsible for this phenomenon.

One need only look at the vast number of anime produced to see how popular it is; some even originate from video games. This means that even the most dedicated anime lovers will certainly miss out on some things over time. If you’re looking for some of the best-loved and best-executed stories, these are the ones to look for.

It was updated by Jacob Buchalter on September 29, 2021. Again, we’re going back to look at who the best of the best are, cutting a few names and adding a few new ones to the “hall of fame.” Every season of anime brings new and inventive series to the screen, the end of an ongoing series (whether in a good or bad way), and the delayed announcement of the series for the following season. To that end, we’ve gone back and gathered some of the most well-liked, well-written, and memorable series to share with you.

1. One Piece: The Neverending Masterpiece

One Piece

No list of all-time anime greats would be complete without mentioning one of the most popular and long-running storylines ever written. One Piece is a narrative of adventure, independence, romance, and following your heart no matter who you face or how you appear.

Even after 24 years and more than 1000 chapters, Eiichiro Oda’s epic has maintained its high level of storytelling excellence. Just take a look at what’s going on right now in the Wano Arc to see how captivating the story is, even after so much time has passed. It’s hard to say much more about the manga or anime because the long-awaited live-action version doesn’t seem terrific. Fans throughout the world admire the story of Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp and others, as well as Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brooke, and even Yamato in the future.

2. Gintama: The Iconic Comedy Anime

Gintama, another massively popular Shonen series, awaits! Gintama can fit into a wide range of genres, including adventure, shonen, humor, science fiction, and mystery. However, the majority of the film is devoted to either the action or the jokes. Aliens have taken over Japan in an alternate version of Edo, and the plot is as crazy as it gets.

As far as Gintama’s storylines go, it’s mainly about Gintama and his companions. I laughed out loud at the self-referentiality and breaching of the fourth wall. Gintama is a must-watch for everyone looking for a nonstop comedy series.

3. Demon Slayer: The Newest Star Of Shounen

Demon Slayer

As soon as the 2019 adaptation of Demon Slayer began broadcasting, there was no way to avoid it. From the very first episode, it was clear that this series, created by the renowned Ufotable studio, was going to be something special. That’s exactly what it did, since both the manga and anime of Demon Slayer are massively popular in both the East and West. Even more so, Mugen Train’s popularity will only rise before the second season thanks to its arrival on Crunchyroll.

It’s impossible to dispute that Ufotable’s stunning animation, the excellently written characters, the straightforward yet immediately compelling plot, or even the premise of fighting demons with elemental sword styles didn’t combine nicely to create the worldwide phenomenon we see today.

4. Hajime No Ippo: Formulaic In The Best Way

Next up comes Hajime No Ippo, one of the few series to go as long as One Piece and a shining illustration of just how good sports anime can be. Hajime No Ippo is a top-tier sports series that follows Makunouchi Ippo’s whole career, from his days as a pacifist kid being bullied to his current status as a household name.

And the anime adaptation is on par with the source material in terms of quality thanks to three fantastic seasons that spanned more than a decade. This is a great program if you have even a passing interest in boxing, and the anime hasn’t yet covered all of the material.

5. Haikyuu!!: Top-Tier Sports Anime

For the time being, let’s stick with the theme of Sports Anime and look at Haikyuu. In contrast to Hajime No Ippo’s formulaic approach, Haikyuu is continually breaking things up. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of volleyball, from the game itself to the team’s past to even episodes that don’t even include any volleyball at all.

No matter what kind of episode you get, you can count on it to be of the highest caliber. With a large cast of fascinating characters, some of the best-written humor we’ve ever seen, and at least one or two heart-pounding moments in every episode, Haikyuu is a must-watch. A terrific plot, with an average episode quality that’s extremely excellent.

6. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: An Eight-Part Wild Ride

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is the result of taking any other shonen series, replacing all of the characters with 6’5 abnormally muscular males, and giving each of them a superpowered ghost. Over the course of several decades, Hirohiko Araki’s source material, which chronicles the lives of numerous Joestar characters, such as Jonathan, Joseph, Jotaro, Josuke, Giorno et al. as well as Jolyne and even Jojolion, has been meticulously crafted. It’s impossible not to get engrossed by each and every one of the sections.

What started off as a story about a stone mask and vampires has evolved into a tale about utilizing your strange ghost power to beat up another ghost power user while still appearing cool. It’s impossible to count the amount of franchises this series has had an impact on, and it’s surely one of the greatest. Part 8: Jojolion of the manga series has recently concluded, and a new installment has already been confirmed! Anime fans may look forward to Netflix’s Stone Ocean: Part 6 on Netflix, while manga fans can look forward to Part 9 in the near future.

7. Dragon Ball: Original, DBZ, Super, Or Even GT, It’s All Worth Watching

Anime fans throughout the world know and love the story of Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Warriors. One may say that the Dragon Ball Z franchise, which spawned Dragon Ball Z and now Dragon Ball Z: Super, was a major influence on the development of anime in the West.

Power-ups, battles, and iconic characters have all remained fresh in people’s memories for decades, and the IP isn’t showing any signs of waning in the near future, either. In addition, with games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, there’s no need to slow down.

8. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood & Fullmetal Alchemist (2003): Just Some Of The Best

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the best. As MyAnimeList’s most popular series for years, it should tell you all you need to know about its quality. FMA is the story of two brilliant brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, and their quest to reclaim what they’ve lost while simultaneously discovering new reasons to live.

Because the Alchemy system is so well-developed, the world these brothers inhabit feels as real to the reader’s imagination as they are to the characters they portray. Despite the fact that Brotherhood’s art style is noticeably different from that of the 2003 series, its adherence to the source material and general quality of animation make it a worthy addition to our list.

In the meantime, Studio Bones’ great original Fullmetal Alchemist series (which was also animated by them) had to stray from the source material since it had caught up too rapidly. In spite of the fact that it’s the best example of an anime adaptation actually doing a decent job with an original tale continuation and ending, Brotherhood still beats it out. When it comes to anime, if you haven’t seen the 2003 version of Brotherhood, you need to jump on the bandwagon as soon as possible.

9. Cowboy Bebop: Nothing More Iconic Than This

Cowboy Bebop

Because this show is so popular, it was inevitable that it would be included in a list of the finest anime ever made. More than just an anime, Cowboy Bebop has become a phenomenon that explores different cultural, social, and philosophical issues. Aside from that, it’s positively dripping in style. This film has elements of cyberpunk, space western, and a lot of glitz.

In addition, a diverse cast of characters adds color and variety to the story. Cowboy Bebop is a must-see for any anime lover, whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned veteran who somehow missed it the first time around. In addition, depending on how well the live-action adaptation is done, there may be a lot of individuals who want to check out the original for comparison or reference.

10. Fooly Cooly (FLCL): The Penultimate Coming Of Age Anime

One of the greatest tales of adolescence is Fooly Cooly. Among its many qualities are its charm, its comedy, its raunchiness, and its many secrets. Even though it is nearly impossible to describe, FLCL has an innate appeal that is tough to recapture in the “sequel series,” FLCL Progressive.

It’s difficult to recommend a first viewing of the original in this day and age because it was such a product of its time and so important to a specific type of person. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for hilarious moments, an emotional story about a young child attempting to find his identity, or a girl from space hitting objects with guitars, FLCL is for you.

11. Attack On Titan: A Worldwide Phenomenon

Is there anything else to say about the Attack on Titan phenomenon? It’s probable that you were aware of how much social media buzz each episode of the most recent season generated when it was released. The plot has been adapted into a few games that are both related to and directly based on it.

Assuming you mean the plot that revolves on the three main characters Eren, Mikasa and Armin. Their story is particularly gripping because of the victories and tragedies that the three experiences together. Although it may feature the most ludicrous scenario ever for an anime, Attack on Titan has managed to become one of the most accessible for newcomers, which is quite an accomplishment. Even though AoT’s final episode was widely criticized, it will still be remembered as one of the best-loved television shows ever.

12. The Fate Series: An Incomprehensible Gigantic IP

The Fate Series

The Fate media franchise, which began with the Fate/Stay Night visual novel series, has gained a lot of traction in recent years. Manga, video games, spinoffs, and even light novels are all available for fans of the anime series. Most or all Fate stories revolve around the Holy Grail War, the Masters, and the warriors from history summoned by them.

One of the main draws of the franchise are the stunning visuals and imaginative reinterpretations of historical figures like Arthur Pendragon, Medusa, and Gilgamesh. Fans of battle royale settings, bloody shonen action, and tournament arcs will love this franchise. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, Fate/Grand Order, Sony’s most profitable mobile game ever, shows that the Fate franchise has something for everyone.

13. Code Geass: An Iconic Mecha Influence

Code Geass is a well-known anime series to everybody who has seen a good anime. When Lelouch vi Britannia is given the power of Geass—the capacity to influence another person for only one time—the show takes you on an exciting ride that will keep you guessing until you know what’s going to happen next. Even if you’re not a fan of mecha, the story of Code Geass is so compelling that you’ll find yourself catching up on all the episodes in a single sitting.

14. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Get In The Robot Shinji

Evangelion is one of the few shows we’d suggest simply because of how much it’ll pain you. Even if the show’s re-release on Netflix has made it nearly impossible to locate someone who hasn’t seen it, there are still some people who haven’t. Asuka, Rei, Shinji, and even Misato’s tale is designed to leave you feeling vulnerable and hurt. It’s safe to say that Neon Genesis Evangelion is satirical in the sense that it examines and dissects all the other mecha shows that came before it.

It’s gritty, moving, and has some of the best opening music in the business. It doesn’t matter if it’s the movies or the show, Evangelion is always mentioned when discussing anime titans. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which was released in the West only recently, brings the story to a close, and fans of the franchise will be left to mull over the resolution for some time to come.

15. Gurren Lagann: The “Hypest” Show Around

Gurren Lagann

In contrast to Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tengan Toppa Gurren Lagann celebrates the Mecha genre in its purest form. Fans adore the show because it is pure mecha parody. Everything about this series is fantastic, whether it’s Trigger’s outstanding animation, the larger-than-life characters like Kamin and Simon, or the always increasing power ceiling.

Mech designs are excellent, the buzz is incomparable, and the fight choreography is absurd but logically consistent. Gurren Lagann is the best choice if you want to be blown away every few minutes by something new.

16. Hunter X Hunter: Shounen At Its Finest

To put it another way, there’s no better shonen series of all time than Hunter X Hunter. The show’s plot, timing, and characters are regarded as the best in the business. The Chimera Ant Arc is one of the best-paced and most exciting arcs in recent Shonen manga. In 1999, an anime adaptation of the manga was released, although this version was widely panned by manga fans. Fortunately, Madhouse produced a much better version in 2011 than the original.

Aside from its enthralling characters and stunning animation, Hunter X Hunter has everything you need to fall in love with the series. In order to satisfy that itch, many individuals turn to games like this one. Those games, on the other hand, have their own set of issues. Nen, one of the most interesting and diverse shonen power systems ever, should not be overlooked either. Definitely, HxH is at the top of its game.

17. One-Punch Man: What Peak Performance Looks Like

It’s quite difficult to create an anime with a character who’s brokenly overpowering and still have it be worth watching. Sword Art Online is an example of an Isekai that falls into this trap. Saitama from One-Punch Man, on the other hand, is so ridiculous and adorable that he still manages to keep the story interesting. Action-packed television is made possible by him and the other characters around him who aren’t ridiculously strong.

While these people had to battle tooth and nail against antagonists, Saitama only appears in the end, after all the character development, to one-shoot and carry the tale along…. While this may not seem like the recipe for a great series, the story by “One” mangaka, the art by Yusuke Murata, and the anime adaptation by Madhouse all combine to make a superb series. One Punch Man is a high-quality series, so don’t just take our word for it. Check it out for yourself.

18. Mob Psycho 100: The Weirdest Show You’ll Cry Watching

Mob Psycho 100

As with One Punch Man, the focus here is on outrageous action. Mob Psycho, on the other hand, is built on a wide range of psychic abilities. Although Bones may use punches and kicks while “encased” in psychic energy at times, he ensures that they are imaginatively animated so as not to feel like a typical shonen.

To put it another way, the unique art style of MP100, along with the weirdly mature narrative and amusing characters, makes this program genuinely exceptional. Even with a character like Reigen to root for, anything is possible if MP100 can make us care about him.

19. Samurai Champloo: Oozing With Style

Samurai Champloo, one of the more unusual titles on this list, is a wonderful anime that should be on your watchlist. The story of the two main warriors, set in a unique hip-hop backdrop in an alternate version of Japan’s Edo period, is a spectacle to witness.

In addition to the fantastic art style, amazing music, and several designs that genuinely innovate the anime genre, this scenario is further bolstered, making it a must-watch in every way possible.

20. Present-Day “Iconic” Isekai: The Best Of An Oversaturated Genre

There is no denying that the Isekai subgenre of anime is one of the most over-represented in the industry, and so many of the shows fall into the 5/10 category. Most people are familiar with names like. Big names like the Hack and Sword Art Online series might bring very strong feelings about “quality.” Here are some of the best recent Isekai series that innovate on the genre without straying from what makes it so popular.

The best example of an Isekai story in which the MC is reborn as a monster or other creature rather than another person is Reincarnated As A Slime. Reincarnated As A Slime is perhaps the least experimental of the bunch, but it’s also the most fun.

This is another example of a “reincarnated as a monster” story, but in Overlord, the MC assumes the form of his MMORPG character, an undead skeleton man standing at over 10 feet tall. Of the numerous anime series featuring an isekai hero, Overlord stands head and shoulders above the others.

There are a number of “edgy” isekai series out there, but The Rising Of The Shield Hero is probably the most approachable, as a lot of them devolve quickly into some pretty nasty stuff. With just the right amount of edge and harshness, Shield Hero is an interesting take on the isekai genre that doesn’t go overboard. As the plot progresses, it just becomes more interesting, so we’re eager to see if the anime adaptation will continue.

Finally, where would this post about modern Isekai be if it weren’t for Re: Zero? Re: Zero is an exhilarating journey, and one of the most popular Isekais in recent years. Although “respawning” has been done to death, Re: Zero introduces something new. As a result, this story’s message about growing up, forming relationships, and dealing with your own issues is something that most people don’t anticipate to resonate as strongly as it does. In addition, Subaru is a terrific protagonist.