1. Sword Art Online
A-1 Pictures
Great if you like: World of Warcraft, Dungeons & Dragons, RPGs
Not only does the story offer everything from adventure to romance, it’s full of nods to RPGs that gamers will love. Plus the music and action sequences are absolutely sick.
A-1 Pictures
Great if you like: World of Warcraft, Dungeons & Dragons, RPGs
Not only does the story offer everything from adventure to romance, it’s full of nods to RPGs that gamers will love. Plus the music and action sequences are absolutely sick.
2. Darker Than Black
3. Blood+
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: Vampire mythology, dark fantasy, horror
If you thought vampire mythology couldn’t get any darker, think again. Blood+ offers a creative twist on the creation and destruction of bloodsucking demons, along with badass fight scenes starring one of the most engaging and sympathetic heroines in anime.
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: Vampire mythology, dark fantasy, horror
If you thought vampire mythology couldn’t get any darker, think again. Blood+ offers a creative twist on the creation and destruction of bloodsucking demons, along with badass fight scenes starring one of the most engaging and sympathetic heroines in anime.
4. Black Lagoon
Madhouse
Great if you like: Bourne films, crime dramas, dark comedies
Sure, the action sequences are pretty gripping — car chases, gunfights, hand-to-hand combat — but the show never uses its big-production-style fight scenes as a substitute for a compelling plot. Also, there’s no magic, so it’s a refreshing change from a lot of the fantasy themes found in anime.
Madhouse
Great if you like: Bourne films, crime dramas, dark comedies
Sure, the action sequences are pretty gripping — car chases, gunfights, hand-to-hand combat — but the show never uses its big-production-style fight scenes as a substitute for a compelling plot. Also, there’s no magic, so it’s a refreshing change from a lot of the fantasy themes found in anime.
5. Attack on Titan
Wit Studio
Great if you like: The Hunger Games, postapocalyptic dystopia, action fantasy
Honestly, the theme song alone will probably suck you in. If that doesn’t do it, then watching humans propel themselves into the sky and slash at colossal giants heralding the apocalypse will. Fair warning, though — the show is still running, so prepare for feelings of emptiness once you’re caught up with the series.
Wit Studio
Great if you like: The Hunger Games, postapocalyptic dystopia, action fantasy
Honestly, the theme song alone will probably suck you in. If that doesn’t do it, then watching humans propel themselves into the sky and slash at colossal giants heralding the apocalypse will. Fair warning, though — the show is still running, so prepare for feelings of emptiness once you’re caught up with the series.
6. Outlaw Star
Sunrise
Great if you like: Firefly, westerns, space operas
Everyone loves a good space romp, and if you’re going to get stuck on a space vessel with a bunch of outlaws, it better be with a dynamic cast (spoiler alert, it is). There’s a ton of laughter, but the show is also grounded in a gritty realness and emotional complexity that only deepens the more you watch it.
Sunrise
Great if you like: Firefly, westerns, space operas
Everyone loves a good space romp, and if you’re going to get stuck on a space vessel with a bunch of outlaws, it better be with a dynamic cast (spoiler alert, it is). There’s a ton of laughter, but the show is also grounded in a gritty realness and emotional complexity that only deepens the more you watch it.
7. Full Metal Panic!
Gonzo
Great if you like: Ender’s Game, military sci-fi, action
This show nails the awkwardness of high school, but it does it while throwing in awesome fight scenes and mastermind criminals. Also, how could you not fall in love with an awkward, maladjusted military prodigy trying to make his way through high school?
Gonzo
Great if you like: Ender’s Game, military sci-fi, action
This show nails the awkwardness of high school, but it does it while throwing in awesome fight scenes and mastermind criminals. Also, how could you not fall in love with an awkward, maladjusted military prodigy trying to make his way through high school?
8. Last Exile
Gonzo
Great if you like: Howl’s Moving Castle, aviation, steampunk
Not many shows are able to pull off a retro-futuristic steampunk look without it becoming a storytelling crutch, but it works so well for Last Exile that it’s become a staple steampunk anime. You’ll fall in love with the setting, the characters, and the idea of piloting a vanship.
Gonzo
Great if you like: Howl’s Moving Castle, aviation, steampunk
Not many shows are able to pull off a retro-futuristic steampunk look without it becoming a storytelling crutch, but it works so well for Last Exile that it’s become a staple steampunk anime. You’ll fall in love with the setting, the characters, and the idea of piloting a vanship.
9. Claymore
Madhouse
Great if you like: Game of Thrones, gore, dark fantasies
Swords. Blood. Gore. A badass heroine fighting with swords and causing lots of blood and gore. Badass demon shapeshifters preying on humanity. Need we say more?
Madhouse
Great if you like: Game of Thrones, gore, dark fantasies
Swords. Blood. Gore. A badass heroine fighting with swords and causing lots of blood and gore. Badass demon shapeshifters preying on humanity. Need we say more?
10. Trigun
Madhouse
Great if you like: Blazing Saddles, comedy, shoot -‘em-ups
The main character has a bounty on his head larger than a frontier town and a reputation for laying waste to entire towns. Though he comes across as a notorious outlaw, he’s really just a doughnut-loving goof who will have you laughing, crying, and sitting on the edge of your seat throughout the entire series.
Madhouse
Great if you like: Blazing Saddles, comedy, shoot -‘em-ups
The main character has a bounty on his head larger than a frontier town and a reputation for laying waste to entire towns. Though he comes across as a notorious outlaw, he’s really just a doughnut-loving goof who will have you laughing, crying, and sitting on the edge of your seat throughout the entire series.
11. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Bones
Great if you like: Avatar: The Last Airbender, science fantasy, adventure
You’ll fall in love with the stars of the show — two brothers striving to restore their bodies after making a grave mistake. Theirs is one of the most dynamic and compelling relationships you’ll ever see, and you’ll get to experience it in the midst of one of the coolest magic (well, science) systems ever created.
Bones
Great if you like: Avatar: The Last Airbender, science fantasy, adventure
You’ll fall in love with the stars of the show — two brothers striving to restore their bodies after making a grave mistake. Theirs is one of the most dynamic and compelling relationships you’ll ever see, and you’ll get to experience it in the midst of one of the coolest magic (well, science) systems ever created.
12. Samurai Champloo
Manglobe
Great if you like: Beat Street, dark comedy, hip-hop
It’s a story about samurai, but with elements of hip-hop blended in. They sound like disparate elements, but they manage to meld perfectly together in the anime. Oh, and the main characters are hunting down a samurai who smells like sunflowers, so that’s cool too.
Manglobe
Great if you like: Beat Street, dark comedy, hip-hop
It’s a story about samurai, but with elements of hip-hop blended in. They sound like disparate elements, but they manage to meld perfectly together in the anime. Oh, and the main characters are hunting down a samurai who smells like sunflowers, so that’s cool too.
13. Death Note
Madhouse
Great if you like: Dexter, psychological thrillers, supernatural elements
A notebook that can kill people — it’s a seemingly simple concept that completely unravels throughout the series. This show will make you think, and even more than that, it will make you question.
Madhouse
Great if you like: Dexter, psychological thrillers, supernatural elements
A notebook that can kill people — it’s a seemingly simple concept that completely unravels throughout the series. This show will make you think, and even more than that, it will make you question.
14. Code Geass
Sunrise
Great if you like: Artemis Fowl, drama, action fantasy
It’s a story about rising up against oppression, except it’s anime so you get to see it done with mecha and cool superpowers. Also, the action sequences are perfectly coupled with battles of wit and intellect, making it one of the most visually engaging animes out there.
Sunrise
Great if you like: Artemis Fowl, drama, action fantasy
It’s a story about rising up against oppression, except it’s anime so you get to see it done with mecha and cool superpowers. Also, the action sequences are perfectly coupled with battles of wit and intellect, making it one of the most visually engaging animes out there.
15. Cowboy Bebop
Sunrise
Great if you like: Star Wars, space adventure, film noir
Cowboy Bebop one of the crowning achievements in storytelling. Cowboy Bebopproves that jazz, space travel, and westerns are the perfect fusion, and you’ll get to see it played out by following cowboys, bounty hunters, and drifters struggling to find themselves in a disjointed world. Also, it’s set to one of best soundtracks in the history of anime.
Sunrise
Great if you like: Star Wars, space adventure, film noir
Cowboy Bebop one of the crowning achievements in storytelling. Cowboy Bebopproves that jazz, space travel, and westerns are the perfect fusion, and you’ll get to see it played out by following cowboys, bounty hunters, and drifters struggling to find themselves in a disjointed world. Also, it’s set to one of best soundtracks in the history of anime.
16. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: The Matrix, cyberpunk, sci-fi action
The show manages to perfectly blend action with exploring the idea of human-cyborg hybrids. Plus, if you love crime shows, you get to watch a top-notch cybernetic law enforcement unit take on the most dangerous hackers and criminals.
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: The Matrix, cyberpunk, sci-fi action
The show manages to perfectly blend action with exploring the idea of human-cyborg hybrids. Plus, if you love crime shows, you get to watch a top-notch cybernetic law enforcement unit take on the most dangerous hackers and criminals.
17. Elfen Lied
Arms
Great if you like: Lucy, psychological horror, nightmares
If you love gore and having your emotions ripped to shreds, you won’t find a better anime to get you started. This exploration of a hybrid species interacting with humanity starts off dark, and only gets darker the more you watch it.
Arms
Great if you like: Lucy, psychological horror, nightmares
If you love gore and having your emotions ripped to shreds, you won’t find a better anime to get you started. This exploration of a hybrid species interacting with humanity starts off dark, and only gets darker the more you watch it.
18. Wolf’s Rain
Bones
Great if you like: I Am Legend, adventure fantasy, and obviously, wolves
Everything about this show is art — the soundtrack, the visuals, the writing. It’s an intricate web of symbolism and brotherhood that will have you crying the ugliest of ugly cries. By the end of it, you’ll want a wolf pack of your very own.
Bones
Great if you like: I Am Legend, adventure fantasy, and obviously, wolves
Everything about this show is art — the soundtrack, the visuals, the writing. It’s an intricate web of symbolism and brotherhood that will have you crying the ugliest of ugly cries. By the end of it, you’ll want a wolf pack of your very own.
19. Eureka Seven
Bones
Great if you like: Treasure Planet, action, romance
People and giant robots surf through the sky, and look DAMN cool while doing it. More specifically, a group of outlaws surf through the sky. Also, the visuals are crazy impressive, and there’s beautiful world-building that happens throughout the series.
Bones
Great if you like: Treasure Planet, action, romance
People and giant robots surf through the sky, and look DAMN cool while doing it. More specifically, a group of outlaws surf through the sky. Also, the visuals are crazy impressive, and there’s beautiful world-building that happens throughout the series.
20. Soul Eater
Bones
Great if you like: Battle Royale, supernatural elements, dark humor
It has a crazy cool premise — the personification of death runs a high school that trains humans who can transform into weapons and humans who can wield weapons. Also, it’s set in Nevada.
Bones
Great if you like: Battle Royale, supernatural elements, dark humor
It has a crazy cool premise — the personification of death runs a high school that trains humans who can transform into weapons and humans who can wield weapons. Also, it’s set in Nevada.
21. Mushishi
Artland
Great if you like: Spirited Away, folktales, philosophy
Everything about this show is absolutely breathtaking — the visuals, the soundtrack, the animation. It’s more of a work of art than anything else, and it’s unlike any other anime out there. If you’re into slower pacing and pondering the beginning of life, this is a show you’ll absolutely love.
Artland
Great if you like: Spirited Away, folktales, philosophy
Everything about this show is absolutely breathtaking — the visuals, the soundtrack, the animation. It’s more of a work of art than anything else, and it’s unlike any other anime out there. If you’re into slower pacing and pondering the beginning of life, this is a show you’ll absolutely love.
22. Psycho-Pass
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: Law and Order, cyberpunk, action-adventure
It tackles a question many of us have wondered — is there something in our personalities that makes us predestined to be criminals? According to the world this show is set in, the answer is yes. This anime follows a police team who is able to apprehend people based on the qualitative aspects of their personality.
Production http://I.G.
Great if you like: Law and Order, cyberpunk, action-adventure
It tackles a question many of us have wondered — is there something in our personalities that makes us predestined to be criminals? According to the world this show is set in, the answer is yes. This anime follows a police team who is able to apprehend people based on the qualitative aspects of their personality.
23. Clannad
Kyoto Animation
Great if you like: The Fault in Our Stars, romance, ugly crying
The premise of this show seems easygoing enough — a school delinquent meets a random girl in the hallway and agrees to help her revive the school drama club. But for whatever reason, this anime will have your emotional barometer going haywire. Be prepared to laugh shamelessly and cry the ugliest of cries.
Kyoto Animation
Great if you like: The Fault in Our Stars, romance, ugly crying
The premise of this show seems easygoing enough — a school delinquent meets a random girl in the hallway and agrees to help her revive the school drama club. But for whatever reason, this anime will have your emotional barometer going haywire. Be prepared to laugh shamelessly and cry the ugliest of cries.
24. Fruits Basket
Studio Deen
Great if you like: Penelope, romantic comedies, fantasy
A young orphan girl comes to live with a family possessed by animals of the Chinese zodiac. Essentially, if she embraces them, they turn into the animal that possesses them. It’s cute, funny, and expectedly heartfelt.
Studio Deen
Great if you like: Penelope, romantic comedies, fantasy
A young orphan girl comes to live with a family possessed by animals of the Chinese zodiac. Essentially, if she embraces them, they turn into the animal that possesses them. It’s cute, funny, and expectedly heartfelt.
25. Tokyo Ghoul
Pierrot
Great if you like: Stephen King novels, dark horror, supernatural elements
No one tires of watching your ordinary average Joe gain supernatural powers, especially when it’s set in a Tokyo where ghouls constantly devour humans. It’s dark, it’s gory, and it’s not afraid to mess with your head and spend episodes at a time building up suspense.
Pierrot
Great if you like: Stephen King novels, dark horror, supernatural elements
No one tires of watching your ordinary average Joe gain supernatural powers, especially when it’s set in a Tokyo where ghouls constantly devour humans. It’s dark, it’s gory, and it’s not afraid to mess with your head and spend episodes at a time building up suspense.
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