Must-Watch List!
If you’re new to animes or a seasoned veteran, these are the 20 animes you absolutely have to see. Considered the best of the best, fans unanimously agree that these animes have something special to offer.
1. Hunter x Hunter
This beloved anime follows Gon Freecss as he vows to become a hunter and reunite with his father. Starting off innocent enough, the story gets quite unpredictable fast, with some unexpected dark twists.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This anime is all about family—well, family and magic. Edward and Alphonse Elric turn to alchemy to restore their bodies, with one brother being entirely remade in metal. Despite their limitations, they continue to explore the world around them and uncover deep conspiracies.
3. One Piece
By now everyone has heard about this anime, infamous for reaching hundreds of episodes. It follows adventurer Monkey D. Luffy as he travels the world and collects a ragtag team in search of the legendary One Piece treasure.
Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio on Wikimedia
4. Naruto: Shippuden
Most people have heard of Naruto, and the world has a few different stories to offer. Shippuden in particular follows Naruto as he matures and continues to struggle to bring peace, focusing in on ideas of friendship and determination.
Farhan Ahmad Tajuddin on Wikimedia
5. One-Punch Man
This anime is a quintessential parody of the superhero genre that everyone should watch. It follows Saitama, a superhero capable of defeating any enemy with just a single punch. Due to his innate power, he feels a bit bored with superheroism, and the show instead focuses on comedy.
6. Attack on Titan
This dark and exciting dystopian anime showcases a world in which humans live in walled cities to avoid the monstrous titans that lurk outside. It follows Eren as he joins the military to fight against these beasts, only to uncover a major conspiracy about their origin.
7. Demon Slayer
This more recent anime has become a quick favorite for fans. It follows Tanjiro in a historical version of Japan as he vows to avenge his family after a demon attack. The plot is intensified by the fact that his sister Nezuko has been infected and has become a demon.
LX-Designs from SF Bay Area, CA on Wikimedia
8. Jujutsu Kaisen
Redefining the action anime genre, Jujutsu Kaisen has led to numerous fan-favorite characters including Gojo and Sukuna. It follows Yuji as he joins a secret organization to fight monstrous curses, only to find that he is housing a powerful creature within himself.
9. Naruto (2002)
This 2002 classic version follows Naruto as he begins his journey of becoming a Hokage, one of the most powerful ninjas around. Adored for its worldbuilding, the show follows the friends as they develop into their full selves.
10. My Hero Academia
Everyone loves superheroes, and this show takes advantage of commonly loved tropes like high school dynamics and underdog stories. It follows Izuku as he enrolls in a hero academy but has to overcome his own limitations.
11. Black Clover
This supernatural anime follows Asta, born without magic in a world full of it. Despite this limitation, he remains determined to become the Wizard King, emphasizing perseverance above all.
12. Tokyo Ghoul
This dark anime follows Ken Kaneki in a cryptic Tokyo as he is bitten by a ghoul and is turned into a monstrosity hungering for his fellow humans. As a half-ghoul, he struggles to find a place in his world, undergoing an identity crisis.
13. Death Note
This psychological thriller follows a brilliant high schooler named Light as he happens upon a very special notebook. He discovers that those who have their name written in the book will pass, driving him to wage a war against criminals and play God.
14. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Adored for its dynamic mecha battles and deep drama, this follows Lelouch as he leads a rebellion against the empire that exiled him. Blending political intrigue with a bit of mind control, this anime gets quite intense.
15. The Seven Deadly Sins
This anime follows an ensemble of unlikely heroes who have a reputation of corruption and villainy. Hoping to clear their names, it follows these “Demons” through their humorous and heartfelt adventures.
16. Dragon Ball Z
A classic beloved anime, it follows Goku and his friends as they work hard to defend their world from intergalactic threats. Considered an essential shonen anime, it’s known for its quippy one-liners, family dynamics, and iconic fights.
17. Vinland Saga
If you like a bit of history with your anime, this show is fairly accurate. It follows Thorfinn through Viking wars as he seeks out vengeance for his father, focusing on themes of revenge and redemption.
18. Bleach
This action anime follows a soul reaper named Ichigo as he battles evil spirits and works to protect his world—the usual stuff. But what makes it stand out is its memorable cast, character relationships, and the battle dynamics!
19. Mob Psycho 100
If you enjoyed One-Punch Man, this show is made by the same creators and follows a powerful psychic as he seeks a normal life. Despite his best attempts to control his abilities, it follows ideas of self-acceptance and emotional growth.
20. Assassination Classroom
This action anime has a pretty interesting premise, where students are tasked with assassinating their alien teacher before he destroys the Earth. Full of humor and heartfelt moments, it’s quite a unique take.
