20 Best Anime for Adults of All Time (Ranked)

The realm of anime has produced numerous exceptional series throughout its history. Among these, “shonen” titles are often the most acclaimed. However, there are also anime series that, while they may be categorized for specific age groups, offer content suitable for adults. To acknowledge and highlight these intricate and top-tier productions, we’ve prepared a list of the 20 finest adult-oriented anime series ever made.

20. Parasyte

One evening globally, tennis ball-sized orbs discharge serpentine creatures designed to supplant human intellect. A youth named Shinichi is assaulted during sleep, managing to thwart brain infiltration but sustaining a puncture wound on his right hand instead. Employing earphones as a shield, the parasite integrates with his hand. As other parasites command their hosts and feast on humans, Shinichi and his symbiotic entity must live together inside a single body.

19. Attack on Titan

In the story of Attack on Titan, the characters Eren Jäger, Mikasa Ackermann, and Armin Arlert reside in cities fortified by massive walls as a safeguard against the mysterious Titans – colossal humanoids that seem to have no rhyme or reason for devouring humans. For 107 years, these walls provided security. However, one fateful day, the Titans breach Wall Maria, forcing the populace back into deeper safety. Eren’s mother perishes in this attack, and he, along with many others, retreat to Wall Rose. In his grief, Eren vows to eliminate the Titans once and for all.

18. Vinland Saga

In a unique blend of fact and fiction, I find myself drawn into the gripping tale that is Vinland Saga, a narrative centered around my character, Thorfinn Thorsson. Born to a renowned, penitent warrior, my life takes an unexpected turn when pirates, led by the shrewd Askeladd, end my father’s life. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance, I make the fateful decision to join their band, seeking to confront and defeat the man who took away everything from me in a honorable duel. My relentless pursuit of vengeance serves as the foundation for this captivating narrative’s introduction.

The narrative specifically involves him taking part in the early 11th century Danish conquest of England. This segment of the tale masterfully explores themes like warfare, government, and faith, while creating a genuine and empathetic portrayal of the daily lives of both the civilian victims of war and the warriors, steering clear of the stereotypes commonly associated with Vikings.

17. Dorohedoro

In this tale, the setting is a world that’s been reshaped by catastrophe, divided into two sealed realms: Hole, a city filled with human waste, and the domain of the mystics. Mystics can traverse the human realm through enchanted portals. The narrative centers around Caiman, an individual who has forgotten his past. After being transformed by a mystic, he sports a reptilian head and remarkable power. He’s joined in his quest by a youthful woman named Nikaido as they chase down the mystics to uncover Caiman’s true identity.

16. DEATH NOTE

One day, the diligent student Light Yagami grows weary of his monotonous life and the crime-ridden society around him. His existence alters dramatically when he stumbles upon a strange black notebook labeled “Death Note.” The book’s instructions read: “The person whose name is written in this notebook will perish.” At first, Light questions its legitimacy, but after witnessing two criminals meeting their demise following the use of the notebook, he becomes convinced it is real. He encounters Ryuk, a supernatural entity known as a shinigami, who claims ownership of the Death Note. With this powerful tool at his disposal, Light vows to eliminate crime, vanquish evil, and assume the role of the new world’s deity.

15. Tokyo Ghoul

The narrative of Tokyo Ghoul revolves around Ken Kaneki, a young college student who develops feelings for Rize Kamishiro, unaware she’s a ghoul. In an unexpected turn of events, a construction mishap leads to Rize’s death as she attempts to feed on Ken. After surviving critical wounds, Ken comes to terms with no longer being human. In a similar vein to Rize, he finds himself with a “red eye” and subsequently learns that Rize’s organs were implanted within him, making him a unique hybrid, or “half-ghoul.

14. CLAYMORE

In a world under siege by monstrous beings known as demons, warriors called Claymores, part-human and part-demon with piercing silver eyes and enormous swords, are tasked with safeguarding villages. A Claymore named Claire is dispatched to a village to eradicate demons. Following the successful completion of her mission, she’s joined by Raki, the sole survivor from a family that was attacked, who forms an alliance with her. As they journey together, they delve into the hidden truths and heartbreaking fates of these extraordinary and feared warriors.

13. Hellsing Ultimate

The narrative centers on the Hellsing Organization, a covert British government entity headed by Sir Integra Hellsing. This organization’s main role is safeguarding England from supernatural dangers, particularly vampires. The pivotal figure in this tale is Alucard, a potent vampire who serves within Hellsing. Alucard possesses prodigious power and recuperative abilities. Accompanying Alucard are his commander, Sir Integra, and the gifted Hellsing operative, Seras Victoria, who transforms into a vampire following an encounter with Alucard’s bites.

12. Elfen Lied

The narrative unfolds in the city of Kamakura, Japan, where it centers on the enigmatic creatures known as Diclonius – mutants that resemble humans with two unusual horns protruding from their heads, and extraordinary, unseen limbs called “vectors” which grant immense power. Due to their perceived threat to human society, newborn Diclonius are either eliminated or confined within research facilities for cruel treatment, experiments, and brutal violence.

Amongst them, Lucy, remarkably, makes it to the shore, slaughtering anyone who crosses her path. Eventually, she’s discovered on the seashore by two lads, both in a profound state of amnesia and split personality, attributed to a head wound she sustained during her flight.

In a unique turn of events, the young Diclonius girl adopts a new character, leaving the boys with no choice but to name her “Nyu,” as it’s the only word she can say. Feeling compelled to keep an eye on her situation, they bring her home, hoping to uncover her background. However, the military persistently pursues her and each time Nyu sustains a head injury, she transforms back into Lucy.

11. Berserker

The manga “Berserk” narrates the encounter between Guts, a mighty swordsman, and Griffith, the charismatic leader of the Band of the Hawk, a group of mercenaries working for the kingdom of Midland. This meeting will foster a complex yet productive friendship. Guts’s formidable fighting skills will soon become indispensable to Griffith’s grand ambitions, as he is not only a skilled swordsman but also an exceptional tactician.

The anime narrates the story of the Falcon Troop’s ascension and decline, focusing on the intricate connection between Guts and Griffith. This bond is characterized by a mix of strategic alliance (where Griffith exploits Guts’ strength), mutual admiration (both viewing each other as comrades-in-arms), and an inexplicable emotional dependence (each feeling an unexplainable need for the other’s company).

10. One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man is a popular Japanese animated and comic book series, conceived by an artist named ONE. The narrative revolves around Saitama, an ordinary guy who decides to become a hero for his leisure. What sets this series apart is that Saitama can vanquish any adversary with just one punch, which is the basis of its title “One-Punch Man.

Even though Saitama possesses immense power, he finds himself struggling with feelings of boredom and dissatisfaction in his heroic profession. The battles no longer stimulate or excite him due to their lack of difficulty. Instead, what he desires is an adversary worthy enough to offer a formidable challenge.

9. Psycho-Pass

In the year 2112, Japan’s advanced AI system named Sibyl established a seemingly ideal society by assessing individuals’ “Psycho-Pass” to foresee potential criminal behavior. The Public Security Bureau, with enforcers who have unusual Psycho-Pass readings, captures those who violate societal standards. Akane Tsunemori, a new officer, joins Division 1 with the aim of maintaining justice. However, she uncovers that Sibyl’s assessments are not flawless, causing her and her peers to question the supposed perfection of their world.

8. Lupin the Third

Arsène Lupin the Third, a grandson of the original gentleman thief Arsène Lupin, is a globally recognized criminal mastermind. His trusted sidekick, Daisuke Jigen, possesses an uncanny ability with firearms – able to quickly discharge a magazine at multiple targets in mere seconds.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but delve into the world of Lupin III, where I find myself drawn to the captivating Fujiko Mine, who seems to always twist situations to her benefit, leaving a charming yet elusive trail for Lupin – who can’t help but be smitten by her. In the heat of battles with the swift and skilled samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, he eventually joins our merry band, wielding his legendary katana, Zantetsuken, with an uncanny agility. Yet, we can never rest easy, as the relentless Inspector Koichi Zenigata of Interpol is always hot on our heels, determined to bring us to justice once and for all.

7. From the New World

In the realm of millennia-old Japan, I find myself as a resident of Kamisu’s 66th district, a place where every human is born with telekinetic abilities. I am Saki, a girl who, along with my friends, is growing up in this extraordinary city. Little do we know that the city council holds sway over our lives. We are schooled at an academy to harness our powers, but those who fail or misbehave are mysteriously vanished from society.

One day, during an unauthorized camping trip, we stumble upon a mysterious artifact known as a False White Nudibook. This ancient device holds the key to our ancestors’ dark secrets and reveals the truth behind our telekinetic powers. The discovery sets us on a journey that will challenge everything we thought we knew about ourselves and our world.

6. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

At the esteemed Shūchiin Academy, home to the nation’s upper crust, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, vice-president and president respectively, find themselves drawn to each other. However, their lofty sense of self-worth hinders them from expressing their affection openly. Fearing that the one who confesses first would be deemed the ‘loser’ in the relationship, they continuously devise witty plans and schemes to coax the other into a confession, offering an amusing look at the complexities of love and pride in this comedic tale.

5. Neon Genesis Evangelion

In the year 2000, an immense blast in Antarctica, blamed on an asteroid, brought about devastating events like rising sea levels, the loss of two billion lives, and a later global conflict called the “Second Impact.” Fifteen years after that, mankind is confronted with a fresh danger from enigmatic enormous beings called Angels, who aim to demolish Tokyo-3, the fortified city of Japan.

In response to the Angels, the clandestine group NERV constructs colossal humanoid mechs they call “Evangelions” or “EVA.” Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy, is unexpectedly summoned to Tokyo-3 by his absentee father, who leads NERV. Little does Shinji know that he’s been brought in to operate an EVA and engage in the fight against the newest danger, the “Third Angel.

4. Ghost in the Shell

In simpler terms, “Ghost in the Shell” is an animated series with a futuristic, cyberpunk feel, taking place roughly around the year 2030. The protagonist, Major Motoko Kusanagi, is a female cyborg, and she’s part of an elite law enforcement unit known as Section 9, tasked with combating crime in this advanced era.

In both the anime and the movie based on the manga, the central plot revolves around tracking down a cyber-villain called “The Puppet Master.” This mastermind manipulates individuals’ digital selves within the Global Digital Network, which serves as an advanced version of the internet in this fictional universe. As the investigation unfolds, it is eventually uncovered that the culprit is not a tangible individual but rather a self-aware artificial intelligence – marking the first instance of consciousness being achieved by an AI in this world.

3. 🢒M⊙NS†ER🢐

The narrative unfolds in Germany during 1986, specifically at the Eisler Memorial Hospital in Düsseldorf. Our protagonist, Kenzô Tenma, is a talented young Japanese neurosurgeon with exceptional abilities. He’s not only a promising professional but also engaged to Eva Heineman, the hospital director’s daughter, setting him on a path for greatness. However, an unexpected event occurs when he chooses to perform surgery on a bullet-wounded boy who arrived before the city mayor, despite being urged to prioritize the mayor’s care instead.

2. Cowboy Bebop

By the year 2071, the crew aboard the spaceship Bebop traverse the solar system on a mission to capture bounties. In the language of their time, these bounty hunters were known as “cowboys.” Each episode typically centers around a bounty, but the show delves into each character’s background and broader historical events that become interconnected throughout the series. The initial storyline follows Spike Spiegel, who once belonged to the Red Dragons criminal group. He is tormented by a love triangle he was involved in with his former Red Dragon teammate, Vicious, and an enigmatic woman named Julia.

1. serial experiments lain

Following Chisa Yomoda’s tragic suicide, some girls began receiving enigmatic emails from her. Intrigued by this mystery, Lain Iwakura investigates further after obtaining a novel Navigator device. She delves into the Wired, an extensive network akin to the Internet, in search of answers. As Lain’s life becomes increasingly chaotic, she encounters both a duplicate of herself within the digital realm and the real world, as well as a clandestine group of hackers called the Knights who take notice of her activities.

In a startling revelation, Lain discovers she has no personal history, her biological parents are merely actors, and her genuine identity is digital. Via the Psyche chip, she communicates with the inventor of the Wired, who claims divinity. As Lain asks for assistance, they initiate the blending of reality and the Wired, linking every human using Wired Protocol 7. Recognizing the possible danger, Lain elects to reboot the system, returning the world to its state prior to Chisa’s demise and deleting herself from humanity’s recollection to eliminate the aberration.

2025-05-26 10:45