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That begs the question, where should you begin? With such a robust library to browse, it can be daunting for someone new to the medium. Or, for a seasoned viewer, there may be a series worth revisiting or checking out a hidden gem. Luckily, users on IMDb have rated a good deal of anime, including those you’ll find on Netflix.
10) ‘Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’
A staple for many fans, as well as a great source of inspiration for other anime,Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure,is a fun ride through and through. True to its name, the series follows the truly bizarre adventures of theextremely fashionable Joestar family. Each arc is dedicated to one family member, always nicknamed Jojo, and the entire series spans over a century.
Ostensibly ashonenanime (anime geared towards the 12-18 year old demographic),Jojois a unique breed among its contemporaries. Known for its stylized animation and character poses, as well as the intricate and inventive concept of Stand fighting, this is an anime worth checking out. The generation-spanningseries has an 8.5 on IMDb.
9) ‘Your Lie In April’
Can the vibrant, unorthodox violinist Kaori Miyazono break through the walls of one-time piano prodigy Kōsei Arima? If you’re looking for a slice of life wrapped in classical music,Your Lie in Aprilis a must-watch series. It explores a range of themes, from trauma to family to love.
Running in at 22 episodes, it is not a long series, but it tells a powerfully emotional story for both of the protagonists. Filled with heartwarming moments as well as pure heartbreak,Your Lieplays the viewer’s heartstrings as deftly as Miyazono plays her violin. The seriessits at an 8.6 on IMDb.
8) ‘Code Geass’
Political intrigue? High school drama? Teenage angst? Mech suits?Code Geasshas it all and more. Follow Lelouch vi Britania, outcast son of the global imperial family, as he uses his genius — and a bit of manipulation — to maneuver Japanese rebels to overthrow his tyrannical father.
Straightforward on paper,Code Geassis anything but a simple mech suit action show. Lelouch and his adversaries continually play a game of 4D chess with the world order on the line.Code Geasshas a score of 8.7 on IMDb.
7) ‘One-Punch Man’
What happens when a hero becomes so powerful that fighting space gods is less exciting than getting a good sale on groceries? That is the premise on whichOne Punch Mansets out. What follows is not only the story of an incomprehensibly strong man fighting bad guys but the soul-searching tale of a man who has to rediscover the joy in life after succumbing to indescribable boredom.
A direct spin on the Western superhero genre,OPMis packed to the brim with interesting heroes and villains. However, whereas a show likeMy Hero Academiacasts an overall positive, feel-good spin on the tropes of the genre,OPMis a cynical, albeit wonderfully humorous, take on a superhero society.OPMknocks (or punches, rather) it out of the parkand has an 8.7 on IMDb.
6) ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’
Demon Slayeris the new kid on the block. Driven to become a Demon Slayer after his entire family was slaughtered and his sister Nezuko was turned into a demon, Tanjiro Kamado fights and slays demons with a wide variety of abilities and powers as he seeks a way to turn his sister back into a human.
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Well-defined characters, strong voice acting, and stunning visual and audio design helpedDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibaexplode after its launch back in 2019. With a canon follow-up film,Mugen Train,a riveting second season, and aconfirmed third season,Demon Slayerhas become a phenomenon in a way most anime never reach.Demon Slayercuts through the competition andlanded a 8.7 on IMDb.
5) ‘Cowboy Bebop’
Lauded as one of the greatest animated television series of all time,Cowboy Bebopis also one of the few great anime that did not start its life as a manga. The series follows the bounty hunter crew of the titular Bebop as they travel throughout the solar system chasing down their next score, often getting in over their heads. The bounty hunter’s life, though, is not enough for the crew to escape their pasts.
Cowboy Bebopis a shining gem in the history of anime and is an excellent introduction to the medium as well. Also, if subtitles aren’t your thing.Cowboy Bebophas one of the best English dubs out there. Though therecent live-action adaptation fell flat, the original is still there for new and old fans alike. On IMDb,the beloved series has an 8.9.
4) ‘Death Note’
Another classic and many fans' introduction to anime,Death Noteoffers a riveting psychological thriller tale that follows the young but brilliant Light Yagami’s discovery and eventual use of the mystical Death Note — a notebook that kills whoever’s name is written within it. Shadowed by the ever-boredshinigami(which literally translates as “death god”) Ryuk, Light explores the powers of the Death Note in an attempt to rid the world of crime, eventually becoming known as the serial killer Kira and catching the attention of the mysterious detective known only as L.
While the premise of a magical killing notebook may seem silly to some, the story that unfolds surrounding it is a remarkable look into the psyche of an individual with a god complex. Also, the deadly game of cat and mouse between Light and L is one of the best antagonistic relationships anime has to offer. Currently,Death Notehas a 9.0 on IMDb.
3) ‘Hunter X Hunter’ (2011)
Gon, a young boy from a secluded island leaves to follow in his absentee father’s footsteps to become a member of the Hunters; an elite organization of individuals with a variety of goals as unique as the members themselves. Along the way, he becomes fast friends with Killua, who happens to belong to a family of deadly assassins.
Hunter x Hunteris, in many ways, a traditionalshonenanime, but its characters — from the unique to the bizarre — and its deeply developed Nen power system make this series a cut above.HxHis denser than a typical shonen, but, more times than not, the added complexity is a boon to the series as a whole. On IMDb,Hunter x Hunter has a 9.0 rating.
2) Attack on Titan (9.0)
Thanks, in part, to its stellar animation and the horror of season 1,Attack on Titanbecame a phenomenon in no time flat. After seeing his mother killed and eaten by a Titan — enormous giants with a taste for human flesh— Eren Yaegar vows to wipe out the Titans. After years of training to fight the monsters, Eren discovers he has a unique ability that may be humanity’s last hope against the Titans.
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The horror and mystery of the Titans create an excellent hook forAoT,but it keeps viewers engaged even as the series often shifts into political intrigue. Wrapping up its final episodes in 2022, now is a great time to catch up on the series, whether you’ve never seen it or just need a recap.
1) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (9.1)
A remarkably faithful adaptation of the source material,Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis often found near the top of many anime fans' favorites. After a horrific failed attempt to revive their dead mother, the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric begin a journey to uncover the fabled Philosopher’s Stone. During their investigation, they are swept up into a plot with the fate of millions on the line.
The original run ofFullmetal Alchemistdeviated quite heavily from the source material in some interesting ways, butFM: Bset out with the goal to tell the original story in its entirety. A memorable cast and excellent writing wrapped in themes of fraternal bonds and acceptance elevateFM: Bto soaring heights. It should come as no surprise that is so highly rated by the users ofIMDb, earning a rating of 9.1.
