Top 20 Anime Everyone Needs To Watch

Whether you’re new to anime or want to improve your watch list, this collection offers a guide to essential series and movies. It includes standout titles from various genres, time periods, and animation styles – from epic space adventures and thought-provoking sci-fi to grand fantasy stories and realistic thrillers, plus some visually stunning films. Each entry provides a summary, details about the creators, and what makes it special. Use this to discover hidden gems or create a diverse anime marathon.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

This intense fantasy series takes place in a world where the last of humanity lives inside protective walls, constantly threatened by enormous, man-eating creatures called Titans. Based on the manga by Hajime Isayama, the show was animated by Wit Studio for its initial seasons and later by MAPPA. It combines thrilling action with complex political maneuvering and shifting loyalties. Each story arc gradually unveils secrets about the world, the Titans’ origins, and the sacrifices people make to survive.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

After a dangerous experiment goes awry, two brothers embark on a quest to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. This animated series is a faithful adaptation of the original manga, brought to life by studio Bones. It’s an exciting adventure that combines magic, advanced technology in the form of prosthetic limbs, and complex military intrigue. The story unfolds across several countries, introducing a wide range of powerful alchemists and revealing the secret motives of mysterious beings called the Homunculi.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

A brilliant high school student discovers a mysterious notebook with a deadly power: anyone whose name is written in it will die. The series centers around a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between this student, Light Yagami, and the detective L. Animated by Madhouse, this psychological thriller uses striking visuals to emphasize the notebook’s rules. The story delves into questions of justice, the morality of taking the law into one’s own hands, and how far logical deduction can go.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)

Cowboy Bebop is a sci-fi western about bounty hunters traveling the solar system in search of criminals aboard their spaceship, the Bebop. The show’s director, Shinichiro Watanabe, masterfully combines detective-style stories with a cool jazz and blues soundtrack created by Yoko Kanno. Each episode focuses on a different case while slowly uncovering the personal histories of the crew – including connections to organized crime and heartbreaking lost loves. Its unique blend of storytelling and visual style greatly influenced many anime series that followed.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)

Young pilots fight strange creatures called Angels with the help of giant, living machines known as Evas. The series, directed by Hideaki Anno, blends intense action with deep explorations of the human mind and religious themes. As production went on, the storytelling became increasingly unique and experimental. The story has since grown with movies that offer new perspectives on important events and the characters’ journeys.

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

A young girl finds herself in a magical bathhouse for spirits after her parents are turned into animals. There, she must work to break the spell and save them. The film, created by the renowned Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, is a beautiful fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore and brought to life with stunning hand-drawn animation. It features a cast of incredible creatures like yokai and soot sprites, and made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature – a major achievement for anime films.

‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

A prince who has been forced into exile finds himself caught in a war between the spirits of the forest and a town known for its metalworking. The movie explores themes of industrial expansion, how we use the earth’s resources, and the relationship between people and the natural world. Known for their stunning visuals, Studio Ghibli created epic battles featuring legendary creatures, all set against beautifully detailed landscapes. The filmmakers combined classic hand-drawn animation with modern digital techniques to create breathtaking scenes of the environment.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

A new anime film follows two high school students who mysteriously switch bodies, leading them on a journey to find each other. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the movie blends a love story with time travel and the threat of a comet. It quickly became a huge success around the world, celebrated for its beautiful animation that showcases both peaceful countryside shrines and bustling city scenes, and subtly incorporates traditional Japanese beliefs into everyday life.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–present)

After a tragic attack leaves his family decimated and his sister transformed into a demon, a young boy dedicates himself to joining the Demon Slayer Corps. The anime adaptation, created by Ufotable, is famous for its stunning visuals of sword fighting and unique breathing styles. The series follows the protagonist as he undergoes rigorous training, completes dangerous missions, and learns from the powerful Hashira, the Corps’ highest-ranking members. A movie expands on the story, bridging the gap between seasons of the anime.

‘One Piece’ (1999–present)

Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hats, are on an epic journey across the Grand Line, searching for the ultimate treasure called the One Piece. The anime is based on Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga and is produced by Toei Animation. The world of the series features incredible powers gained from Devil Fruits and Haki, and is shaped by the complex relationships between the Marines, pirates, and the world government. Each story arc takes place on a different island, showcasing unique cultures, rules, and challenges.

‘Naruto Shippūden’ (2007–2017)

This story follows Naruto Uzumaki as he grows stronger to defend his home and battles the dangerous Akatsuki group. The ninja world relies on a special energy called chakra, which powers everything from tricky illusions to powerful attacks. The plot explores the bonds between teammates, the mystery of powerful creatures sealed within people, and the secrets of the hidden villages. Over time, these stories build to massive conflicts, bringing nations together and uncovering the truth about figures from the distant past.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–present)

In a world filled with people who have superpowers, one boy born without any gains a unique ability he can pass on to others and enrolls in U.A. High, a school for heroes. The story follows his training, the challenging hero licensing exams, and the battles against various villain groups. The animation showcases large-scale fights, hero internships, and how the public views professional heroes. Beyond the action, the series explores the complexities of hero society, the power of the media, and the responsibilities that come with inheriting great power.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

Gon Freecss begins a journey to become a Hunter and discover what happened to his father, and along the way, he makes strong friendships with Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. The story unfolds through different story arcs, including the Hunter Exam, events in Yorknew City, and the conflict with the Chimera Ants. The series features a unique power system called Nen, which has specific rules and limitations. The animation studio Madhouse is known for the show’s well-timed progression, battles that require careful planning, and complex characters who often operate in shades of gray.

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)

A group of friends stumble upon a way to send messages back in time using a microwave and a phone. Their actions create alternate timelines that begin to converge based on even minor changes to the initial messages. Inspired by real-world surveillance and the search for a specific computer component, the story evolves from playful experimentation into a desperate attempt to fix problems in the timeline.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–present)

A young orphaned girl and a robotic boy venture into a massive, mysterious pit filled with ancient objects and dangerous beasts. As they descend, they encounter different environments and a growing curse the higher they climb. The animation studio Kinema Citrus skillfully combines the innocent adventures of children with disturbing biological and moral revelations. This world features a society built around exploring the Abyss, populated by those who seek its relics – known as delvers – and the elite ‘White Whistle’ explorers.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–present)

Okay, so I’m totally hooked on this series! It’s about a regular student who accidentally eats something… well, cursed! Suddenly, he’s thrown into this amazing school for sorcerers where they learn to fight really nasty spirits. The animation by MAPPA is incredible – think modern Tokyo being completely wrecked in these epic battles, with these insane special moves called ‘domain expansions’ and the fight scenes are just so detailed and cool. Basically, everyone uses this energy called ‘cursed energy’ and learns techniques from their families or teachers. There’s even a movie that tells the story of a previous student and this really important curse that happened before the main story even begins. It really adds to the whole world!

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Violet Evergarden tells the story of a young woman who used to be a child soldier, now working as an ‘Auto Memory Doll.’ Her job is to write letters for others, helping them express their emotions – feelings she herself finds difficult to grasp. The beautifully animated series, created by Kyoto Animation, focuses on detailed environments, costumes, and subtle character interactions. Each episode follows Violet as she travels to different locations – towns, theaters, and even hospitals – to assist her clients. Later, the story continued with theatrical releases that further explore Violet’s path to self-discovery.

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

When a surgeon chooses to save a young boy over a prominent politician, he finds himself caught in a sprawling, years-long investigation that takes him all over Europe. This suspenseful thriller is based on a manga by Naoki Urasawa and is known for its realistic style and believable locations. The story follows a web of conspiracies connected to an orphanage program and a mysterious figure named Johan, unfolding through interviews, police investigations, and challenging ethical questions.

‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)

Okay, so I just finished watching this incredible anime, and let me tell you, it starts with these two guys living way underground, in this hidden village. They pilot this amazing drill-shaped robot and basically break out onto the surface world. From there, things really take off. The studio, Gainax, throws you into these increasingly epic battles, and they’ve got this whole visual language built around ‘spiral energy’ and cool, almost western-style ‘gunmen’ designs. What begins as a fight against a controlling government quickly escalates into a massive space war. But it’s not just action; the characters are so well-developed. You see these really moving stories about mentors, dealing with loss, and just the sheer determination to keep going, even when things seem impossible.

‘Haikyu!!’ (2014–2020)

This sports anime centers on the volleyball team at Karasuno High as they work to improve and qualify for the national tournament. The games highlight important techniques like player positioning, team rotations, and coordinated plays. Throughout the series, we see the growth of players – from newcomers to team captains – and the challenges they face from competing schools. The most exciting matches have also been adapted into animated films with enhanced visuals.

Let us know your favorite shows and movies from the list, or suggest ones we didn’t include, in the comments below! That way, we can all create an even better watchlist.

2025-10-24 20:17