Finally, we’ve made it to the end of our rundown of the best anime of all time, and if you’re ready to start your anime binging right now, we’ve got eight series that are easily accessible in the U.S., ranked in order from a little challenging to a lot challenging. See the full list here!
1) Wolf’s Rain
Wolf’s Rain is arguably the best anime series ever created. The story follows a group of wolves who roam the future earth following their chosen one. The animation, voice acting, and engaging plot will transport you from your couch. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a binge-watch classic that’s nearly 20 years old and still as good as new, Wolf’s Rain is well worth it.
2) Samurai Champloo
Arguably the best anime series ever made, Samurai Champloo takes you through Edo period Japan in a fantastic blend of action, comedy, and drama. With swordplay, hip hop battles, and colorful characters that fill out four seasons worth of fantastic story telling this is anime at its finest. Fantastic anime like these are what make the art form great, and if you’re interested in discovering some new favorites to binge watch then these are for you. Fantastic anime like these are what make the art form great, and if you’re interested in discovering some new favorites to binge watch then these are for you.
Each episode is full of action, fantastic music, and amazing story telling. The attention to detail from directing and animation perspective is simply unrivaled, making Champloo feel like a living breathing world where anything can happen.
3) Fullmetal Alchemist
One of the most popular anime on Netflix and one of the best anime out there, Fullmetal Alchemist was originally published in Japan and later translated and dubbed into English. It follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, as they try to search for a philosopher’s stone that could bring their deceased mother back to life. Along the way, they meet many allies with whom they work together in order to achieve their goal.
The brothers are confronted with many hardships, including loss. They learn how much sacrifice is necessary in order to survive. A series full of great action sequences and an amazing storyline, Fullmetal Alchemist is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a fantastic anime to watch on Netflix.
4) FLCL
If you love action and off-the-wall storytelling, FLCL is the best anime for you. The show centers around a twelve year old boy named Naota who gets caught up in an odd, albeit beautiful, conflict between his older brothers’s ex girlfriend and a weird creature called Haruko. What I love about this series is that it has so many layers and each episode feels like a roller coaster–you never know what’s going to happen next. Whether you’re looking for something funny or heartwarming, there’s plenty of time left in your day to watch this fantastic anime! Some other shows to check out are Haikyuu!!, Your Lie in April, Tokyo Ghoul, and Attack on Titan.
5) Dennou Coil
Dennou Coil is an anime that follows Yuuko, a 13-year old girl with a love for computers and the virtual world. When she meets the inventor of a new device that allows people to access a parallel digital world, she joins him on his journey to find all seven pieces in order for him to put this device together and unlock its potential. Dennou Coil might be about high school kids going through puberty and figuring out who they are but it’s also about understanding how technology has changed us, if we should trust it or not and what future it holds for us.
Although many people regard Dennou Coil as one of the best anime series ever made, it unfortunately never received an English dub which means you’ll have to read subtitles while watching it.
6) Mononoke
Mononoke is a critically acclaimed dark fantasy anime series, and it deserves its reputation. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the story of a ronin (Samurai who no longer has a master) called Ashitaka and his fight against a demon that’s spreading across his homeland. Not only is this one of the best anime series out there, but you can also buy Mononoke on Blu-Ray and DVD as well as watch on Amazon Prime Video! Fantastic anime series like this are the reason I love watching TV so much more than going to theaters these days. There’s just so many great things happening right now in Hollywood and with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go…the list goes on. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your time – give some of these excellent series a try!
7) Nichijou (My Ordinary Life)
Nichijou is one of the best anime series ever created. The story follows a group of high school girls and one elementary school boy, each with their own interests, personalities, worries, and dreams. Together they have fun through random life adventures and lessons in humanity, as well as discussing manga chapters and rice porridge. Nichijou is especially worth watching for anyone who enjoys following short episodic plots that are often unrelated yet typically end on a happy note. It also has an extensive character list, so there’s always someone new to relate to. Even though it’s not strictly comedy, it does contain some humor throughout the show’s lighthearted atmosphere.
Fantastic anime can be anything from comedies to dramas and thrillers! Give these fantastic series a try and I guarantee you won’t regret it!
8) Detroit Metal City
In his coming-of-age and satire set in Japan, Hirasawa’s main characters is Rokusuke, the son of a high school dropout rocker who follows in his father’s footsteps by joining a crappy local band. Set in the year 1992, Hirasawa parodies the Japanese social attitudes towards Western music, pop culture, and heavy metal. The animated series blends jidaigeki drama with traditional cartoon styling as it weaves together various tales about Rokusuke and his band mates. With its hilarious yet poignant moments, Detroit Metal City shines as one of the best anime comedies ever made. The fantastic animation also enhances this brilliant comedy as Hirasawa offers his unique perspectives on what it means to be an otaku and find your way in life.
