There is no official or universally agreed ranking of the best anime series. This editorial list weighs storytelling, lasting influence, visual identity, genre variety and appeal to new viewers. Its order is a guide, not a measured verdict: a compact drama and a sprawling adventure offer different kinds of rewards.
If you want a quick starting point, try Cowboy Bebop for stylish science fiction, Death Note for a tense thriller or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood for a complete fantasy adventure. If you are ready for a much longer commitment, One Piece builds an expansive world over time. Streaming availability varies by country and changes, so check the exact series and season in your region.
20 standout anime series
1. Cowboy Bebop
A crew of bounty hunters drifts through a melancholy, jazz-inflected vision of the future. Episodic jobs give the series an easy entry point, while the characters’ unresolved pasts lend the story a deeper emotional arc. TechRadar’s May 2025 guide lists 26 episodes, making it one of the shorter options here.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric search for a way to restore what they lost after a forbidden act of alchemy. Their quest grows into a tightly connected fantasy story about ambition, sacrifice and power. TechRadar’s May 2025 guide lists 64 episodes. If you want to explore the related manga, VIZ’s Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Box Set collects volumes 1–27 plus bonus material; it is a book collection, not the animated series.
#1 Best Overall
3. One Piece
Luffy and his crew sail from one strange island to another in pursuit of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece. The pirate adventure’s huge cast and far-reaching world reward long-term viewing, but the scale is a real commitment: TechRadar reported more than 1,100 episodes in its May 2025 guide. VIZ’s manga box sets collect the comic, not episodes of the anime.
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
What begins as a story of teenagers piloting giant machines against mysterious threats becomes an intimate, unsettling drama about isolation, fear and responsibility. Its stark imagery and psychological focus make it a landmark for viewers who want science fiction that asks difficult questions rather than offering straightforward spectacle.
5. Death Note
A gifted student discovers a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it, setting off a battle of strategy with a brilliant detective. The premise is simple, the escalation is relentless, and the central conflict invites viewers to consider how easily a claim to justice can become a claim to absolute power.
6. Sailor Moon
Usagi Tsukino’s transformation into Sailor Moon anchors a colorful magical-girl adventure about friendship, identity and defending the world. The series is a strong choice for viewers seeking a different mode of heroism from battle-focused shōnen anime, with memorable character designs and transformation sequences central to its appeal.
Rank #2
7. Hunter x Hunter
Gon sets out to find his father and becomes a Hunter, encountering allies, rivals and increasingly dangerous tests along the way. The series shifts from bright adventure to morally complex conflict without losing its fascination with clever rules and inventive battles. TechRadar’s May 2025 guide lists 148 episodes; make sure the adaptation you choose is the one you intend to watch, since the franchise has more than one animated version.
8. Monster
Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a surgeon who once saved a young boy, later finds himself pursuing that same person after a string of murders. This slow-burning crime thriller trades supernatural powers for moral dilemmas, patient suspense and a chilling portrait of the consequences of one decision.
9. Dragon Ball
Goku’s journey from curious child to formidable martial artist helped establish many conventions of action-adventure anime: training, rivalries, escalating challenges and spectacular fights. The original series is a lighter, more exploratory adventure than the later Dragon Ball Z, so it is worth distinguishing the two when choosing a starting point.
10. Attack on Titan
Humanity’s struggle to survive behind enormous walls begins as a desperate fight against man-eating Titans and expands into a story of war, history and political power. Its shifting perspective and high-stakes revelations make it gripping, though its violence and bleak tone are not for every viewer.
Rank #3
11. Steins;Gate
A group of friends experimenting with a makeshift device stumble into a way to affect the past. The early episodes build a playful laboratory atmosphere before the consequences of their experiments turn the story into a tense science-fiction thriller about choice and loss.
12. Samurai Champloo
A mismatched trio travels through a stylized version of Edo-period Japan, with hip-hop rhythms and freewheeling action shaping the show’s distinctive mood. Its episodic structure makes it easy to sample, while the characters’ uneasy companionship gives the journey a satisfying through-line.
13. Mob Psycho 100
Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama is a shy middle-schooler with extraordinary psychic powers who would rather live an ordinary life. The series pairs explosive, inventive animation with a warm comedy about emotional growth, humility and learning that strength is not the same thing as self-worth.
14. Haikyu!!
High-school volleyball becomes the setting for a joyful sports drama about practice, teamwork and learning how to compete. The matches are energetic, but the show’s real strength is making the different players’ ambitions and anxieties matter just as much as the score.
Rank #4
15. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Two girls are offered the chance to become magical heroines, but the bargain carries consequences that challenge the genre’s familiar optimism. Its compact storytelling, striking visual contrasts and emotional turns make it a compelling pick for viewers open to a darker reworking of magical-girl conventions.
16. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Across generations, the Joestar family confronts extraordinary enemies in a series that continually reinvents its powers, settings and tone. Its theatrical poses, flamboyant style and imaginative battles make it unlike almost anything else in action anime. The changing cast and story arcs mean viewers can approach it as a multi-part saga rather than a single unchanging premise.
17. Mushishi
Ginko travels through a quiet, atmospheric world where mysterious life forms called mushi affect the people who encounter them. Many episodes stand on their own, making this a reflective alternative to serialized battles and cliffhangers. Its measured pace and subtle supernatural stories are best suited to viewers who enjoy mood and ambiguity.
18. Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki, an ostracized young ninja, wants to earn the respect of his village and become its leader. The series combines energetic fights with a long coming-of-age story about belonging, rivalry and persistence. Its extended scope is part of the appeal for fans who want to spend time with a large ensemble and a developing world.
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19. Violet Evergarden
A former child soldier becomes a letter writer, helping people express feelings they struggle to put into words while trying to understand her own. The series is a strong choice for viewers looking for a quiet, emotionally focused drama, with careful visual detail and stories built around human connection.
20. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
After the defeat of a great enemy, the elf mage Frieren begins to understand the short lives and lasting memories of the companions who traveled with her. The result is a contemplative fantasy about time, grief and the importance of paying attention to people while they are still present. It offers a gentler counterpoint to the genre’s more combat-driven adventures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where should you begin?
Choose by the experience you want, not by the ranking alone. A shorter or more episodic series can be easier to try; a long-running saga can offer a broader world and more time with its characters.
| If you want… | Try… | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A compact, stylish science-fiction series | Cowboy Bebop | Its 26 episodes are listed in TechRadar’s May 2025 guide, and its episodic bounty-hunting stories offer a manageable entry. |
| A complete fantasy quest | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | The brothers’ search provides a clear central journey and a broad fantasy world. |
| A long adventure to settle into | One Piece | Its pirate crew and expansive setting reward sustained viewing; TechRadar reported more than 1,100 episodes in May 2025. |
| A tense psychological thriller | Death Note or Monster | Both focus on pursuit and moral conflict, with very different pacing and premises. |
| Magical-girl stories | Sailor Moon or Puella Magi Madoka Magica | One is a colorful genre touchstone; the other takes a darker, more compact approach. |
| Sports and teamwork | Haikyu!! | Its competition is rooted in character development and collaboration. |
| A quiet, reflective watch | Mushishi or Violet Evergarden | Both favor atmosphere and individual emotional stories over constant action. |
How to choose a version and find a stream
Some titles have multiple adaptations, sequels or releases, and a title’s availability can differ by season and territory. For example, Hunter x Hunter has more than one animated version. TechRadar’s platform listings in its May 2025 guide are a dated starting point, not a guarantee of what is currently available where you live. Search the exact series and season in your local streaming catalog before you start.
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