40 Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked

Summary

• Fist of the North Star ushered in a new era of gritty and violent anime, leaving a lasting legacy on the medium.
• Death Note revolutionized the shonen genre with its psychological battles and edgy charm.
• Neon Genesis Evangelion changed anime forever, exploring themes of depression and the psychological toll of saving the world.

For a medium as diverse and wide-spanning as Anime, it can be difficult ranking the best anime series of all time. Looking at the wide range of metrics fans use to judge the quality of any individual anime makes the ranking even tougher.

Though no metric is necessarily wrong, ultimately things such as animation quality, industry impact, direction, atmosphere, and consistency can quantify how to rank each anime. Unfortunately, that last point disqualifies some notable fan favorites.

Though Naruto and Bleach are both incredible series, their abundance of poor filler eliminates them from ranking. It also wouldn’t be fair to count any currently ongoing series. While One Piece, Spy x Family, Ranking of Kings, and Kaguya-Sama are all masterpieces in their own right, it’s impossible to rank them without knowing their endings.

40 Azumanga Daioh Defined An Entire Generation Of Anime Comedies

Based On The Manga By Kiyohiko Azuma

Slice-of-life is an important genre in anime, and few have captured the genre’s appeal quite like Azumanga Daioh. Ostensibly a comedy, the series follows six high school girls over the course of three years. While hijinks and antics are an important part of the series, what really makes Azumanga Daioh so foundational is just how cozy it is. The main cast are distinct characters who bounce off each other in fun ways. The result is a series that makes viewers feel like they’re hanging out with friends.

Unfortunately, if Azumanga Daioh has one central flaw, it’s the lone male character, the teacher Mr. Kimura. The jokes about him being attracted to high school girls were already not great when the anime and manga first released, but have only grown more uncomfortable as the years go on. Still, it speaks to Azumanga Daioh’s quality that Mr. Kimura’s presence is a flaw many fans are more than willing to overlook.

39 Attack On Titan Changed The Face Of Shonen Forever

Based On The Manga Created By Hajime Isayama

After a decade, Attack On Titan’s anime wrapped up and cemented the series’ status as an all-time great. The anime series starts with an undeniable sense of mystery, as the wild premise automatically invites so many questions. Though anime starting with a series of overarching large questions is quite common, it’s rare to see all those mysteries answered in such a thorough and satisfying manner as they are in Attack On Titan. That might well be in the base of the Attack On Titan manga, but the anime also helps clarify a few points that actually enhance the overall experience.

Attack On Titan may also rank among the 2010’s most influential anime. Shonen has always had a darker undercurrent to it, especially with creators like Go Nagai. However, dark shonen definitely saw a renaissance after the runaway success of Attack On Titan. Mega-hit manga and anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man certainly owe a debt of gratitude to Attack On Titan.

38 Violet Evergarden Is A Lavishly Produced & Heartfelt Series

Based On The Light Novel By Kana Akatsuki & Akiko Takase

Kyoto Animation is one of the most beloved anime studios in the world, and with visual masterpieces like Violet Evergarden, it’s easy to see why. Violet Evergarden tells a rather simple story about a child soldier attempting to reclaim her identity after the end of the war and the loss of the only person who cared about her. The titular heroine ends up working as an Auto-Memory Doll, someone who transcribes letters. Through this straightforward premise, the series tackles a variety of emotional topics with its mostly episodic structure.

For all of the strengths of Violet Evergarden’s story though, it’s the look and sound of the series which earns it such high marks. Despite the grounded premise, Violet Evergarden is nothing short of decadent with its art style and music. The animation is fluid and captures small movements well while the score is swelling, capturing every scene’s emotions perfectly. The result is one of the best-animated anime series of all time.

37 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Stars One Of Anime’s Most Iconic Heroines

Based On The Light Novel Series By Nagaru Tanigawa & Noizi Ito

On the exact opposite end of the Kyoto Animation spectrum from Violet Evergarden is The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Haruhi became infamous in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s for absolutely dominating anime fandom, and though some fans may have gone overboard, the series and its titular star live up to the hype. One of the most powerful anime characters ever, Haruhi is an incredibly compelling character.

More than just one interesting lead though, Haruhi is a bold and ambitious show. The events are told out of order, there are 8 episodes that basically just repeat themselves, and the overall tone is just wild. While fans may grumble about the infamous Endless Eight, it’s still a move that feels suitably Haruhi.

36 Fist of the North Star Created an Entire Era of Gritty Action

Based on the Manga Created By Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

Running from 1984 to 1987, Toei Animation’s Fist of the North Star is a series whose influence is wide-reaching. Fist of the North Star is about a martial artist named Kenshiro who fights against the warlords and bandits who have risen in the wake of a nuclear apocalypse.

Perhaps the definitive anime of the 1980s, Fist of the North Star ushered in a new era of gritty and violent anime that defined the medium for more than a decade. The series’ legacy can still be felt today, as it’s not only been referenced by countless other anime and manga, it served as an inspiration for masterpieces like Berserk and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. As if its legacy wasn’t enough, Fist of the North Star is just a blood-pumping good time even outside of its historical context.

35 Death Note Redefined What Was Possible in Shonen

Based on the Manga Created By Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata

Death Note completely rewrote the book on what was possible in a shonen series. Far from the high-octane battles of a series like Naruto or Dragon Ball Z, Death Note’s ‘battles’ are far more cerebral. Few other series make a psychological game of cat and mouse as fascinating as Death Note.

The art design and direction are what make this anime series truly stand out though. Anime fans might have made a meme out of Light’s infamous potato chip scene, but it’s a brilliant little moment that uses strong direction and sound design to suck viewers into Light’s twisted perspective. Yes, the series’ commitment to being edgy can sometimes come across as a touch goofy, but that often adds to its charm in a way that many lesser series have failed to replicate. Though its controversial second part knocks it down a few ranks, Death Note is essential viewing for any anime fan.

34 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a Beautiful Story of Accepting Grief

Original Anime Series Created By Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Okada, & Masayoshi Tanaka

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day follows a young hikikimori named Jinta who suddenly starts seeing the ghost of his former best friend, Menma. What follows is a heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming journey that sees Jinta reconnect with his old friend group so they can all fully process Menma’s death. While that premise carries an undeniable emotional charge, Anohana is one of the most heartfelt slice-of-life anime of all time.

With an anime industry so focused on an idealized view of high school, Anohana‘s more grounded take on trauma and growth will resonate with anime fans wanting something a little more mature out of their coming-of-age anime. Though it might rank low compared to some anime, that speaks more to the strength of the other entries than any flaw inherent with Anohana’s beautiful and gripping story.

33 Slam Dunk Is One Of The Greatest Sports Anime Of All Time

Based On The Manga By Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue is one of the most acclaimed mangaka of all time, and though his masterpiece Vagabond will probably never be adapted into an anime, fans can still feel comfortable knowing that Slam Dunk’s anime exists. Though in many ways a prototypical sports story about a young delinquent learning the value of teamwork, Slam Dunk sets itself from the competition with impeccable animation and an absolutely infectious cast.

At its heart, Slam Dunk is like most great shonen, about self-improvement. Sakuragi’s growth from a girl-obsessed goof into a legitimate basketball player is consistently rewarding to watch, as is the companionship he forms with his team. Though the manga is still the best way to see the story, Toei’s adaptation is no slouch. Fans also owe it to themselves to watch the series’ wrap-up movie The First Slam Dunk, which was directed by Inoue himself.

32 Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is One of the Most Moving Anti-War Anime Ever

Based on the Franchise Created By Yoshiyuki Tomino & Sunrise

Gundam is one of the most important anime franchises ever created, with countless incredible series. Though Western fans may prefer the incredibly popular Gundam Wing or Gundam SEED, it’s difficult to deny that one of the franchise’s most effective entries is Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket.

Taking place in the series’ main continuity, War in the Pocket follows a rookie pilot named Bernie who’s tasked with destroying a prototype Gundam. While Bernie waits for his own mech to be repaired, he befriends a young boy named Al who views war as exciting and cool. Bernie also becomes infatuated with a woman his age named Chris who, unbeknownst to him, is the prototype Gundam’s test pilot. What follows is a heartbreaking story about the emotional cost of war.

If there’s one thing consistent across most Gundam series aside from the iconic mechs themselves, it is the prevalence of anti-war themes. Never have Gundam’s anti-war themes more apparent than they are in War in the Pocket. There’s an almost tragic sense of inevitability to the series as viewers dread the moment Bernie and Chris finally come to blows. All of it is grounded by Al, a character who is far from the annoying kid sidekick he could have been.

Bernie isn’t some next evolution for humanity like many of the newtype heroes of other Gundam series, he’s one of thousands of faceless mooks who would die an unremarkable death in any other
Gundam
series

Gundam, just like many other anime franchises, is filled with tales of special individuals who are uniquely talented. In contrast, War in the Pokcet flips the script by focusing solely on normal people just trying to survive. Bernie isn’t some next evolution for humanity like many of the newtype heroes of other Gundam series, he’s one of thousands of faceless mooks who would die an unremarkable death in any other Gundam series. Filled with many twists and turns, War in the Pocket remains the absolute peak of Gundam.

31 Nichijou – My Ordinary Life Uses Animation For Comedy Gold

Based on the Manga Created By Keiichi Arawi

Nichijou – My Ordinary Life is a 2011 anime from Kyoto Animation. This good-natured slice-of-life story follows high school students Yūko, Mio, Mai, and Nano and the increasingly absurd events of their day-to-day lives. Comedy is often difficult to translate across cultural lines, but that barrier never stops Nichijou from being uproariously funny.

Nichijou is a series that always puts the maximum amount of effort into making its jokes land, often using animation and art direction to enhance gags instead of just relying on clever dialogue. Even beyond the incredible animation though, Nichijou’s characters are some of the most endearing group of weirdos to ever grace a comedy anime. Either of these aspects alone would make Nichijou great, but together, they make the series a certified classic. Adapting gag manga is notoriously hit or miss, but with Nichijou, it’s all hits.

30 Trigun is a Unique Series That Left a Huge Impact

Based on the Manga By Yasuhiro Nightow

Trigun is a classic case of an anime that’s much bigger in America than it was in Japan. Given the wild west theming and the reliance on Judeo-Christian themes, that’s not terribly surprising. What is surprising though is how well Trigun holds up so long after its original release. The series follows Vash the Stampede, a gifted gunslinger whose high bounty means hunters are after him. As a result of the rampant destruction left in the wake of Vash’s fights, insurance agents Meryl and Milly are sent to follow him and report on the damage he leaves.

Fans wanting more
Trigun
should watch the series’ reboot,
Trigun: Stampede
.

It’s not uncommon for anime heroes to shy away from killing their foes. Characters like Naruto, for instance, famously prefer to talk things out with their opponents whenever possible. What makes Vash so remarkable is how he makes a commitment to non-violence his guiding life philosophy. For Vash, choosing peace isn’t a cop-out or a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of his resolve. Vash might be the first anime hero to make pacifism look genuinely badass.

Even beyond Vash, the characters of Trigun are incredibly likable. Meryl and Milly balance each other out well and have a fun dynamic while Wolfwood is an excellent counterpoint to Vash’s pacifism. Those characters, combined with the series’ fascinating world, make Trigun more than deserving of a high rank among the best anime series of all time.

29 Wolf’s Rain Was Far Ahead of its Time

Original Anime Series Created By Keiko Nobumoto & Studio Bones

Few anime are quite as much of an emotional gut-punch as Wolf’s Rain. The anime takes place in a dystopian future on the verge of collapse. At the end of the world, four wolves with the ability to take human form seek out the Flower Maiden so that she can lead them to paradise. Wolf’s Rain was ahead of its time as its plot had a large focus on the emotional fallout of living in a world doomed by climate change. Each character’s response to the impending apocalypse shows the psychological toll of being burdened with saving a doomed world.

As if the deep themes weren’t enough, Wolf’s Rain is also gorgeous with beautiful visuals and an absolutely haunting soundtrack from the legend herself, Yoko Kanno. Wolf’s Rain does have its missteps, but none of them are enough to damage this profound anime.

28 Megalobox is the Perfect Science Fiction Sports Anime

Original Anime Series Created By TMS Entertainment & 3xCube

Made in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the incredibly influential manga series Tomorrow’s Joe, Megalobox is a gritty sci-fi boxing anime that doesn’t pull its punches. The story is simple, as Megalobox follows a young man known as Junk Dog (later given the name Joe) as he rises through the ranks of Megaloboxing. Like boxing but with added cybernetic exoskeletons, Megalobox is a deadly sport that can have life-altering consequences for its combatants.

Megalobox is one of the greatest sports anime of all time, with fluid animation and bouts that are just as tense as the best boxing matches in the real world. Beyond all the incredible technical details that make the series really shine, there’s just something undeniably cool about its premise that easily earns it a spot among the best anime ever.

27 Your Lie in April is a Gorgeously Animated Tragedy

Based on the Manga Created By Naoshi Arakawa

Your Lie in April is a 2014 anime produced by A-1 Pictures. Your Lie in April is about former piano prodigy Kōsei and his relationship to the free-spirited violinist Kaori. Though the manga the series is based on is interesting in its own right, Your Lie In April is the rare anime that actually improves on its source material.

The series’ music is exquisite, and the art direction gives this tragedy-tinted series a bright edge that makes its darker moments stick out and hit all the harder. Most importantly, Your Lie In April’s characters are its main strength. The dynamic between the reserved Kōsei and the free-spirited Kaori has been done a thousand times before but rarely has this type of romance been as moving or as heartfelt as it is in Your Lie in April.

26 The Rose of Versailles is a ’70s Anime With an Incredible Legacy

Based on the Manga By Riyoko Ikeda

The Rose of Versailles is a boundary-breaking shojo anime based on the manga of the same name by the visionary Riyoko Ikeda. The series takes place right before the French Revolution and follows a young woman named Lady Oscar who was trained in fighting from an early age. Oscar is tasked with bodyguarding Marie Antoinette. As the plot develops, the poverty and destitution throughout France combined with Antoinette’s careless spending tests Oscar’s loyalty toward France and the nobility.

Ahead of its time doesn’t even begin to describe The Rose of Versailles. For an anime series from 1979 to tackle themes such as wage disparity, the weight of gender expectations, and revolution is nothing short of a miracle. More than that though, The Rose of Versailles handles its themes with a deft hand, leaving the anime an absolute classic that has been influencing anime and manga for close to half a century now.

25 Neon Genesis Evangelion is an Existential Masterpiece

Original Anime Series Created By Hideaki Anno & Studio Gainax

Despite its controversial nature, Neon Genesis Evangelion was a landmark series that changed anime forever. Mech anime are a staple of the medium, but Evangelion’s take on it is still unique even with a tide of imitators rising in its wake. Though some have labeled it pretentious, the series’ unique mech/monster designs and memorable characters more than earn this series its mythic status.

Evangelion is a story about the depths of depression and the psychological trauma of living in a world on the brink of collapse. Shinji might come across as whiny to many, but a closer look paints a much more nuanced portrait than the series’ critics give it credit for. In the real world, young adults are frequently told that they’re the future and that responsibility for saving the planet is on their shoulders, but the psychological effects of that burden are made abundantly clear in Evangelion.

Though the original
Evangelion
is only on Netflix, all of the
Rebuild
films are available with a dub on Prime Video.

Teenaged heroes like Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are not the cause of the world’s sorry state, powerful people like Gendo are, and yet the burden for fixing that mess too often lies with the children. Each young adult illustrates a different response to that burden. Rei is cold and emotionless, Asuka’s perfectionism and need to feel valued makes her quick to anger, and Shinji is psychologically broken by his father’s neglect.

Unfortunately, Evangelion ultimately loses ranking for its philosophically interesting, but plot-devoid finale. Given the last few episodes had to be rewritten due to unintended similarities to the 1995 sarin gas attacks, these faults are understandable, but worth mentioning. Evangelion also suffers from having a better version of its story exist with the Rebuild films. Given all this, Neon Genesis Evangelion should probably rank lower… but sorry Your Lie In April, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis just slaps too hard.

24 Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Proves How to Modernize a Classic Franchise

Original Anime Series Based on the Graphic Novels By Bryan Lee O’Malley

Scott Pilgrim is a fascinating franchise in that it’s incredibly consistent. Whether it be the original graphic novels, the movie adaptation, or the videogame, there’s no wrong way to enjoy the story of Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers. Given that the series is so beloved, Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off had a lot to live up to, especially given that fans were hotly anticipating a faithful adaptation of the graphic novels. Nobody could have predicted just how far Takes Off would deivate from its source material, but the result is undeniably for the better.

To say too much about the plot would spoil the series’ greatest trick but suffice it to say that fans who wanted to see more of the series’ cast definitely get their wish with Takes Off. More than just extra time with likable characters though, the anime series develops Scott Pilgrim’s villains in new and interesting ways, complicating and fleshing out characters who had previously been far more one note.

Scott Pilgrim’s
creator has had time to reflect on his most famous creation and drill down into the psyche of its cast in ways that are occasionally uncomfortable but are always emotionally fulfilling

If Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has one thing going for it though, it’s that it was made almost two decades after the original graphic novel. With the benefit of a decade, Scott Pilgrim’s creator has had time to reflect on his most famous creation and drill down into the psyche of its cast in ways that are occasionally uncomfortable but are always emotionally fulfilling. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has now become an essential companion piece to the original graphic novel, the rare reboot that actually makes going back to the original even more rewarding.

23 Ouran High School Host Club is a Hilarious Parody of Shojo Romance

Based on the Manga Created By Bisco Hatori

Ouran High School Host Club is a 2006 anime series produced by Studio Bones. The series follows a young woman named Haruhi who is forced to pay off a massive debt by pretending to be a male and working for the titular Host Club. With a great premise that artfully plays with gender, Ouran seemed destined to be a hit from its first episode. More than just a great premise though, Ouran High School Host Club wonderfully skewers popular anime tropes in a way that’s always fresh and hilarious.

Ouran also deserves applause for its wide-ranging influence. While far from the first anime centered on a woman’s relationship to a series of attractive young men, the anime helped codify many tropes that make this unique brand of wish fulfillment what it is today. The series’ portrayal of gender and gender roles is also a fascinating topic that is handled well. Given all this, Ouran High School Host Club is a no-brainer for ranking among the best anime series.

22 Gurren Lagann is the Birth of an Anime Titan

Original Anime Series Created By Studio Gainax

Gurren Lagann is a 2007 anime produced by Gainax. This mech anime is initially about a young man named Simon and his older brother figure Kamina as they fight in the titular Lagann against the oppressive Spiral King and his army of Beastmen. Not content to redefine the mecha anime genre once with Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gainax did it again with Gurren Lagann, and the result is just so over-the-top that it’s hard not to love.

Under its ridiculous surface, Lagann is a deeply thoughtful series with a lot to say about human nature and freedom. Even beyond its original 26 episodes though, Gurren Lagann has had a massive effect on the industry. A great deal of the crew that worked on Lagann went on to found Studio Trigger. Gurren Lagann might not be the best mech anime, but its earnestness and historical importance make it a standout series.

21 Hunter x Hunter Distills Everything Great About Shonen

Based on the Manga Created By Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunter x Hunter is a shonen battle anime produced by Madhouse that ran from 2011 to 2014. The series begins with a boy named Gon Freces who’s on a quest to find his dad, one of the series’ enigmatic Hunters. Along the way, Gon is joined by a young man named Kurapika looking to avenge his murdered clan, a man named Leorio who wants to be a hunter to pay for medical school, and a boy Gon’s age named Killua who is part of a family of notorious assassins.

What makes Hunter x Hunter so special is how much it distills everything that makes classic shonen battle anime so compelling. Gon might be a stereotypical shonen hero, but his enthusiasm and energy make him easy to love. Nen isn’t just another shonen power system, it’s so intricate and well-thought-out that it comes close to being the genre’s best. More than just refining classic shonen tropes though, Hunter x Hunter uses those tropes to say something meaningful about the pursuit of dreams and the cost of violence. It’s no exaggeration to say that Hunter x Hunter is peak shonen, earning it a solid rank.

Fans of
Hunter x Hunter
may want to check out series creator Yoshihiro Togashi’s other well-known shonen series
Yu Yu Hakusho
.