From heart-wrenching tales of love and loss to adrenaline-pumping action adventures that redefine the laws of physics, here is Fortress of Solitude’s 10 best anime series of all time. Looking for good anime to watch? We’ve got you.
10. Re: Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Re:Zero starts off simple enough but quickly turns into a series based on time loops, character development, and unique villains. The adventure isn’t linear, and the time loops don’t always follow the expected path once they are reset. Interestingly, the anime’s original source material was a light novel series written by Tappei Nagatsuki.
What is it about? The lead character, Subaru Natsuki, is thrown into another world, the Kingdom of Lugnica in Isekai, with his adventures kicking off after a chance encounter with the heroine, Emilia. Subaru is what is known as a Hikikomori in Japan, an extreme loner, or someone who seeks extreme degrees of social isolation and confinement, quite the change for someone who barely leaves their house. It has quite a lot of comedic undertones, with Subaru, an anime fan, initially trying to predict all that will happen in his surroundings based on his experience watching anime. But things don’t turn out this way for him.
What we like about it: We love Re:Zero for its gripping storytelling, complex characters, and intense emotional depth. As Subaru faces numerous challenges and tragedies, including the death of loved ones, fans are drawn to his resilience and growth as he strives to overcome obstacles and protect those he cares about.
9. Death Note
Death Note, one of the best and most popular anime series of all time, is based on a manga of the same name, which ran between 2003 and 2006.
What is it about? After discovering a notebook capable of killing people when their names are written into it, the series revolves around a highly intelligent, hardworking and talented high school student, Light Yagami. Light, with a strong sense of moderately warped justice, decides that he is going to use the power of the powerful Death Note to rid the world of criminals and people he thinks are evil. He starts out with a strong sense of justice, but this, unfortunately, becomes warped by the power he finds in the book. Of course, his killings don’t go unnoticed for very long, and the public soon begins to call him “Kira”, referring to the entity that they think is making these deaths happen, although the name of the game is to figure out who Kira is.
What we like about it: The show is popular largely due to its mystery and horror genre themes, which also peek into a psychological thriller. Both Japanese and international audiences enjoy it. The story is relatively short, spanning less than 40 episodes, making it concise and to the point without deviating too much, which can often happen with extended series.
8. Naruto
Naruto, the anime series, ran from 2002 to 2007, with Naruto: Shippuden airing between 2007 and 2017. The series is based on the Weekly Shonen Jump manga by Masashi Kishimoto, which was released in 1999.
What is it about? The series revolves around a fictional anime world of Shinobi, where Naruto Uzumaki learns to become a ninja master with the help of his friends and other masters. The Ninja techniques used in battles are derived from chakra energy. The first thing you will notice about Naruto is how different he looks from the rest of his classmates, and I don’t just mean the yellow hair. He has some very distinct markings, which are quickly revealed because a powerful demon is sealed within him. Naruto became a Jinchuriki, a human sacrifice, the day he was born to save the world from the Nine-Tails.
What we like about it: The show deals with topics such as strong bonds with friends and family, betrayal, and overcoming various situations. It is an intriguing adventure for the ages. Naruto is easy to get into, especially for newcomers, and is widely regarded by many fans as a top anime deserving its spot on all top 10 lists and, for many, even at number one. Naruto probably has one of the biggest anime fan bases across the genre.
7. Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai
What is it about? Rurouni Kenshin is an anime based on a wandering swordsman who attempts to put his tormented past behind him. Having once been an assassin known as a Hitokiri from the Bakumatsu, Hitokiri Battosai is trying to lay his old life to rest, now becoming a life protector rather than a life taker, now known as Himura Kenshin. Himura is now a Rurouni (where the title comes from), which is a derivative of the word ronin, a wandering and masterless samurai. Himura has vowed never to take another life. A vow tested when he had to fight to keep his country safe.
What we like about it: The series takes on a wide range of topics, but there’s an underlying tone of remaining humble and giving of yourself to help those less fortunate and in need. Numerous adventures in the series are packed with great action and an anime style that pairs brilliantly. It’s just an all-around great story. Rurouni Kenshin definitely deserves a place on everyone’s list of the top 10 best anime series of all time.
6. Ghost in the Shell
What is it about? In the not-too-distant future, Major Motoko Kusanagi, or simply just Major, and her group of officers as part of the Public Security Section 9 fight high crime around Japan. Kusanagi isn’t just any officer, however, as she is a cyborg and an effective leader who uses her wits and cybernetic enhancements to bring criminals to justice. With cybernetics having replaced her entire body, she often contemplates whether her soul has retained any form of humanity or if she is literally just a ghost in a cybernetic shell. Little is known about Kusanagi’s childhood, leading her to believe that she was never human at all and that she was synthetically created to serve her purpose.
What we like about it: Thanks to its concepts and art style, directed by Mamoru Oshii, Ghost in the Shell has inspired a generation of other anime, TV series, and movies. While its live-action movie may not have received similar praise, it remains one of the best anime series of all time and has many iterations to enjoy.
5. Steins;Gate
What is it about? Rintaro Okabe, a university student, discovers time travel and, along with his fellow co-workers at Future Gadget Laboratory, must try to prevent an evil corporation from fulfilling its plans. Often nicknamed Okarin or his preferred nickname Hououin Kyouma, Rintaro is a self-proclaimed mad scientist. He has all the melodramatics and eccentricities, as well as social ineptitude that makes a typical mad scientist, but also never hesitates to lend a helping hand to complete strangers. Because of his genuineness, he is very easily deceived. There are several plot twists and surprise moments to keep you tuned in episode after episode.
What we like about it: Steins;Gate is in the top 10 highest-ranked anime series of all time across many of the rating platforms. This isn’t the only reason it deserves its spot on the list. Its sci-fi and time-travel themes are one of the best around.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist
The anime series is split into two parts: Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The former is based on a manga series, which both shows follow pretty closely at the start. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is based on the entirety of the completed manga.
What is it about? After an attempt to revive their deceased mother using alchemy, two brothers are badly inflicted when it goes horribly wrong. The older brother, Edward, loses his arm, while his younger brother, Alphonse, loses his entire body and takes the form of metal armour to save him from death. The Elric brothers have their moments of hilarity as they travel around, and the legend of the Fullmetal Alchemist becomes famous quickly. Funny enough, Edward is the Fullmetal Alchemist, but because of Alphonse’s fully metal body, people often end up thinking that Alphonse is the alchemist of legend.
They set out in search of the Philosopher’s Stone to attempt to right their wrongs. But this is just the start of a wild adventure for the duo. As they leave their small hometown, they’re thrust into a world much bigger than them. To achieve their goals, they have to overcome quite a few challenges and also prevent an evil group from finding the Philosopher’s Stone.
What we like about it: The show explores complex moral dilemmas, such as the consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge and the nature of sacrifice, which resonate with viewers on a profound level. The anime series balances intense action sequences with moments of humour and introspection, creating a well-rounded and emotionally resonant viewing experience.
3. Samurai Champloo
What is it about? After a chance encounter, Fuu Kasami, a teenage waitress working in a teahouse, rescues two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin, who the Japanese police have arrested after their battle inadvertently killed the son of the local magistrate. At the time, the son was harassing Fuu, who saved the duo by assisting her. She asks the two to accompany her across Japan in pursuit of the Samurai who smells of sunflowers, and this is where the adventure really begins.
What we like about it: It’s an easy-going anime series that’s funny and sometimes over-the-top. But its art style and comedic elements make it easy for first-time anime watchers to watch. The hip-hop music themes are also relatable, bringing a unique style to accompany the great sword battles throughout the series.
2. Darker Than Black
What is it about? A decade ago, a mysterious anomaly known as Heaven’s Gate appeared over most of South America. Soon after, another of these appeared in Tokyo, known as Hell’s Gate, which altered the sky and wreaked havoc on the surrounding area. As a result, the stars in the sky disappeared, replaced with fake stars. Each of these fake stars is linked to people who possess special abilities, known as Contractors.
These contractors have been found and trained by various governments to be utilised as spies and assassins. However, whenever they use their abilities, they have to “pay the price”, which comes in various forms: eating excessively, doing self-harm, changing their bodies and the like. The powers come at the cost of their humanity, murdering through objectives and rationale and suppressing any emotional and other human hindrances to stop them from achieving their goals.
What we like about it: Darker Than Black is one of the best anime series of all time. It’s highly rated by many but doesn’t often appear on many lists, unfortunately. It may be a relatively short span of episodes, but it isn’t an easy watch, especially for any new anime fans.
1. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is at the top of the list of the best anime series of all time, which isn’t that surprising. The series is based on a manga released in 2009, with the first episode airing in 2013.
What is it about? The story starts off on Paradis Island, where its inhabitants have built huge walls to protect themselves from attacks from mindless titans. Things quickly take a turn for the worse when two titans break through the walls, sparking a war that spans almost 13 years from the start of the series. Eren Yeager quickly emerges as the main character, alongside his best friend Mikasa Ackerman, joins the Survey Corps, a team that goes beyond the wall to try to find out as much as they can about the Titan threat, seeking revenge on the Titans after destroying their home and eating Eren’s mother. But what starts off as a simple battle against the Titans, there is much to uncover beyond the walls.
Eren, although starting out relatively unskilled, is driven by his intense hatred towards Titans. Mikasa has an intensely dark past. After human traffickers murdered her parents, she only survived, thanks to being rescued by Eren as a young boy and being raised alongside him. Mikasa went on to become one of the top-ranking members of the Survey Corp, being one of the strongest and most skilled in her class of recruits, at the cost of being exceptionally quiet and arguably shy. The third part of their enigmatic trio, Armin Arlert, is an incredibly intelligent young man, although relatively soft in comparison to his two other childhood friends.
What we like about it: Even beyond the show, there is a lot to unpack. There’s rich lore that has the potential to be explored beyond the show’s episodes, with just as many questions. The plot twists are wild, with bombshells at almost every turn. The voice actors do an excellent job for both the Japanese and English dubs, making the emotional connection that brings me back for more. Attack on Titan remains incredibly popular and is considered one of the greatest anime shows ever.
Honourable Mentions
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
With its dramatic energy, compelling villains, and completely over-the-top attitude, Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure sucks you into its bizarre world in a way few other anime can.
What is it about? Spanning generations of the iconic Joestar family, this multi-part intergenerational epic follows the Jojos as they face off against the manipulative and charismatic vampire Dio Brando and his equally theatrical descendants.
What we like about it: We love the over-the-top action and flamboyant characters of this anime world. Also, we can’t talk about JoJo without mentioning the posing – it’s part of what gives JoJo its singular flair. All the characters strike flamboyant poses during tense standoffs, making every confrontation totally captivating.
Cowboy Bebop
What is it about? Cowboy Bebop is a story about Spike Spiegel, a futuristic bounty hunter with a laid-back lifestyle, often referred to as a cowboy, despite his deadly skills in martial arts. Alongside his partners, Jet Black and Faye Valentine (later in the series), they roam across the galaxy searching for a high-priced bounty for fugitives. Despite being a skilled martial artist, Spike is also incredibly lazy and a heavy smoker, often seen with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Not all of it is out of laziness, as he is terribly tormented by the ghosts of his past, frequently suffering from nightmares, and has no fear of death.
What we like about it: Despite its futuristic themes, the show is authentic. Its realism draws you in and keeps you entertained with action, comedy, and a killer score to round things off. Just don’t mention the Netflix TV series!
Demon Slayer
Loved for its characters, Demon Slayer has seen its popularity skyrocket recently. This surge in acclaim comes as no surprise to ardent followers, who believe it is one of the best anime series of all time. Each episode (which can currently be watched on Crunchyroll) is a testament to excellence, showcasing animation that melds fluidity with striking artistry.
What is it about? The series is set in Taisho-era Japan and follows Tanjiro’s journey as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, a group of skilled swordsmen dedicated to hunting down and eliminating demons. Along the way, Tanjiro encounters various allies and adversaries, each with their own unique abilities and backgrounds.
What we like about it: The cool fighting scenes look awesome because of the special effects and the music makes the sad parts even sadder. Funny characters like Zentisu and Inosuke add lots of laughs to the show, too. But it’s the profound exploration of themes like loss and family that resonates deeply, stirring strong emotions in its audience. Not many other anime shows have managed to find that balance.
Dragon Ball Z
Today, you honestly can’t even say the words “anime series” without mentioning Dragon Ball Z and its fandom. For many fans of the genre, Dragon Ball Z was their first introduction to anime. From its exciting fight scenes and its unforgettable characters to profound themes of good vs evil and even personal growth over 9 seasons, the Dragon Ball Z series has connected millions of fans worldwide as they shared a love for the over-the-top anime that, for some, would blossom into a deeper appreciation for the genre.
What is it about? For those who have been living under a rock, the series features extraordinary characters with superhuman abilities, like Goku and Vegeta, who engage in epic clashes that push the boundaries of power and imagination.
What we like about it: The epic battles feature some of the most epic fights in anime history.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
What is it about? Set after the Second Impact, in Neon Genesis Evangelion, the world must fight back against beings who invade Tokyo-3. Their only defence against the enemy is giant robots called Evangelions. The story focuses on Shinji Ikari, a boy chosen to pilot Evangelion Unit-0.
Why we love it: Neon Genesis Evangelion is the perfect choice if you enjoy sci-fi anime. The show has incredible characters and storylines that will have you hooked.
Hunter x Hunter
What is it about? The Hunter x Hunter anime series closely follows the story of a young orphan boy named Gon Freecss. When he discovers that his father, Ging Freecss, is still alive, he sets out to become a professional hunter. Leaving Whale Island behind, Gon makes new friends and goes on crazy adventures to take “the Hunter Examination”, which will allow him to become a Hunter.
Why we love it: At times, this anime series can be incredibly dark, but most fans love it for its great action sequences. Hunter x Hunter also has some of the best characters of all time.
My Hero Academia
What is it about? My Hero Academia follows the story of Izuku Midoriya (one of our 20 best anime characters of all time), who dreams of becoming like his hero, All Might, the world’s greatest hero. While Izuku doesn’t have any powers (called Quirks here), he manages to get the attention of All Might, who helps him enrol at U.A. High School, a school for heroes, and offers him the chance to become his successor.
Why we love it: Considered by many as the best superhero anime series, My Hero Academia gives viewers an in-depth view of what it means to be a superhero. It shows the good and bad side of being a hero.
Violet Evergarden
What is it about? The story follows the story of a female soldier and orphan who was raised to be a killing machine during a great war. After four years, the war ends, and young Violet Evergarden wakes up in a hospital. She decides to go on a quest to understand the meaning behind her Major’s last words to her, “I love you,” spoken during their final battle. During her journey of self-discovery, she gets a job as an auto memory doll and helps people connect through letters and stories of grief.
Why we love it: If you’re looking for an anime show that makes you cry every single episode, Violet Evergarden is your best pick.
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Tell us, what are your top 10 best anime series of all time, and which other anime titles should be on our list? Also, check out our list of the most powerful & strongest anime characters of all time or our list of the best anime movies of all time.
