Top 20 Guilty Pleasure Anime

Certain anime are incredibly exciting because they’re full of action, unexpected plot twists, and moments designed to please fans – making them perfect for binge-watching. This list features shows known for their crazy storylines, intense drama, and high energy. You’ll discover series with everything from schools that train fighters to life-or-death competitions, supernatural adventures, and plenty of suspenseful endings. We’ve included a quick summary of each show’s story, how many episodes it has, and who made it, so you can easily pick your next watch.

‘High School D×D’ (2012–2018)

The series centers around Issei Hyoudou, whose life changes forever after a disastrous first date results in him becoming a devil serving Rias Gremory. Based on Ichiei Ishibumi’s light novels, the show combines everyday high school life with exciting conflicts between devils, angels, and fallen angels. Over four seasons and more than forty episodes, the story explores various arcs, with characters gaining new powers and forming different teams. The first three seasons were animated by TNK, while Passione took over for the fourth.

‘Kill la Kill’ (2013–2014)

‘Kill la Kill’ follows Ryuko Matoi as she investigates the mysterious death of her father while attending Honnouji Academy. Created by Trigger, the show is known for its dynamic animation and unique power system where school uniforms become powerful, living weapons. The series consists of 24 episodes, plus a special, and revolves around Ryuko’s battles with the Student Council as she uncovers a large conspiracy within the academy.

‘Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma’ (2015–2020)

Soma Yukihira attends Totsuki Culinary Academy, a school where students resolve conflicts with cooking competitions called shokugeki. The anime, based on the manga by Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki, spans five seasons. Most seasons were animated by J.C.Staff and focus on lengthy tournaments with cooking challenges centered around specific ingredients. Throughout the series, you’ll see many unique dishes and recurring rivalries between chefs from diverse culinary traditions.

‘Prison School’ (2015)

When five boys get into trouble at a former all-girls school, they find themselves confined to a harsh on-campus detention. The show, based on a manga by Akira Hiramoto, follows their detailed plans to escape punishment and the conflicts that arise with the school’s authority. J.C.Staff created one twelve-episode season, along with an additional original video animation. The story centers around a secret student group called the Underground Student Council and the boys’ struggle to avoid severe consequences.

‘Rosario + Vampire’ (2008)

Tsukune Aono is a human who secretly attends a school filled with monsters. He becomes friends with Moka, a vampire, and together they navigate school life, facing a new monster threat each week. Based on a manga by Akihisa Ikeda, the anime’s first season has thirteen episodes and introduces the main characters who continue their adventures in the next season. The animation was produced by Gonzo, and features dynamic transformations linked to Moka’s rosary.

‘Sekirei’ (2008–2010)

Minato finds himself paired with individuals known as Sekirei, who possess incredible powers and fight alongside partners. This two-season anime is based on the manga by Sakurako Gokurakuin. Produced by Seven Arcs, the series features team battles within a large-scale tournament. As the story progresses, more Sekirei are introduced, each identified by a number and possessing distinct powers and agreements with their partners.

‘Guilty Crown’ (2011–2012)

I’ve been following this incredible story about Shu Ouma, who gets this amazing ability after a virus hits – he can literally pull weapons out of people’s hearts! It’s a twenty-two episode anime from Production I.G, and the music by Supercell and Egoist is woven right into the story. Basically, it’s about students fighting back against a powerful military group that’s taken control of Japan. We see everything – daring robberies, shocking betrayals, and all the complicated politics surrounding the areas they’ve quarantined. It’s a really gripping series!

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–2020)

In this anime, players become stuck inside a virtual reality game where dying in the game means dying in real life. Based on a series of novels, the story follows Kirito and Asuna as they fight their way through challenging levels, team up with other players, and uncover the secrets of the game world. As the series progresses, they explore new virtual reality systems and face even bigger threats.

‘The Future Diary’ (2011–2012)

In this thrilling series, twelve players are given diaries that can predict the future, but with a dangerous catch: they must eliminate each other to become the new god of time and space. Based on Sakae Esuno’s manga, the show is a high-stakes survival game spanning twenty-six episodes and special installments. Each player’s unique diary powers heavily influence their strategies, and the shifting alliances, cunning traps, and time-altering events center around the key characters, Yuno Gasai and Yukiteru Amano.

‘Elfen Lied’ (2004)

I recently learned about this incredible and disturbing story! It centers around a new species called Diclonius – they’re kept at a government facility and have these hidden arms that are unbelievably dangerous. The story, based on a manga by Lynn Okamoto, was adapted into a thirteen-episode anime series, plus an extra OVA episode. It really pulls you in following Lucy, who escapes and has this fractured personality, and how her escape kicks off a conflict between different groups. It explores some really heavy themes like the ethics of experimentation, the pain of lost memories, and where the Diclonius even came from. It’s pretty intense!

‘Highschool of the Dead’ (2010)

When a zombie outbreak devastates Japan, a group of high school students struggles to find safety. The anime, produced by Madhouse, is based on a manga by Daisuke and Shouji Sato. The twelve-episode season, plus an additional OVA, follows the students as they navigate the ruined city and a heavily defended house, focusing on their efforts to survive, gather supplies, and form uneasy alliances with both classmates and adults.

‘No Game No Life’ (2014)

Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister, find themselves in a strange world where all disputes are decided through games instead of fighting. The twelve-episode anime series, created by Madhouse, is based on Yuu Kamiya’s novels. Each episode focuses on clever strategies, bets, and a variety of games, from classic chess to wordplay challenges. The world is populated by different races, all united by a set of ten rules that govern every competition.

‘Trinity Seven’ (2014)

Arata Kasuga finds himself at a magic academy, training with seven powerful mages after a strange incident. The story, based on a manga by Kenji Saito and Akinari Nao and adapted by Seven Arcs, unfolds through lessons and missions centered on magical books and different types of magic. As Arata learns, we meet each of the seven heroines, and the threats he faces grow stronger as his own powers develop.

‘Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls’ (2015)

In a world where humans and monster girls live together, Kimihito Kurusu opens his home to several of them as part of a government program. The twelve-episode anime, adapted from Okayado’s manga by Lerche, explores the challenges and rules of this new coexistence. The series delves into topics like cultural understanding, the unique needs of each species, and the legal complexities of interspecies relationships. The cast features a diverse group of monster girls, including lamias, harpies, centaurs, slimes, and others, all with their own unique biology.

‘Strike the Blood’ (2013–2022)

Kojou Akatsuki gains vampire powers and teams up with sword shaman Yukina Himeragi to solve supernatural problems on a man-made island. The story started as a TV series and continued with several animated specials, all based on the light novels by Gakuto Mikumo. The animation was produced by Silver Link and Connect. They investigate everything from dangerous demons to political figures and lost artifacts on Itogami Island.

‘The Asterisk War’ (2015–2016)

I’m really getting into this series about students who compete in tournaments called Festas! They have these awesome powers called Genestella abilities, and it’s amazing to watch them battle. The anime, produced by A-1 Pictures and based on Yuu Miyazaki’s novels, takes place at an academy where different schools compete and students are ranked. Each season, which is split into two parts, focuses on different levels of competition. The episodes are great because they show off all the different weapon forms, how teams work together, and the intense training the students go through before their big duels. It’s super engaging!

‘Btooom!’ (2012)

Ryouta Sakamoto finds himself on a dangerous island where people are forced to compete in a deadly game, using various types of bombs called BIMs. The twelve-episode anime series is based on Junya Inoue’s manga and created by Madhouse. The game has specific rules about using radar, the different bombs available, and limited resources, all of which influence how players strategize. The story revolves around alliances, backstabbing, and the ultimate goal of escaping the island after completing certain objectives.

‘Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends’ (2011–2013)

A group of unlikely friends creates the Neighbor’s Club, hoping to build connections by doing things together. The club, based on Yomi Hirasaka’s novels and brought to life by AIC Build and AIC ASTA in two seasons of animation, bonds over gaming, school activities, and projects designed to welcome others. The series also explores how each member’s past and personal struggles impact the group’s journey.

‘Heaven’s Lost Property’ (2009–2010)

Tomoki’s life changes when he meets an Angeloid who can grant wishes, but these wishes often backfire and create new difficulties. The anime, produced by AIC A.S.T.A., is based on a manga by Suu Minazuki and spans two seasons. It begins with lighthearted wish-fulfillment but quickly evolves into a larger conflict involving various types of Angeloids. Subsequent movies continue the story, delving deeper into the world of Synapse.

‘In Another World with My Smartphone’ (2017–2023)

Touya Mochizuki finds himself reborn in a fantasy world, thankfully with his smartphone still working – and it has some useful features! The story, based on light novels by Patora Fuyuhara and brought to life by Production Reed and J.C.Staff in two seasons of animation, follows Touya as he completes quests, learns to craft items, and builds a team of companions. The world is richly detailed, featuring different kingdoms, various types of magic, and a growing difference in technology thanks to Touya’s phone.

‘Rent-a-Girlfriend’ (2020–2023)

After a breakup, Kazuya Kinoshita starts using a unique rental service, which leads to a series of comical misunderstandings with those around him. Based on Reiji Miyajima’s manga and animated by TMS Entertainment across multiple seasons, the show follows the rules of the service, Kazuya’s acting jobs, and his efforts to control how he’s perceived by others. The series explores the characters’ personal and professional lives, including their career ambitions, use of social media, and the practical realities of running a rental business.

Tell us what shows or movies you secretly love, and which episode or scene first got you hooked! Share in the comments below.

2025-10-31 20:17