Highest Rated Anime Episodes According To IMDb

Within the vast array of anime series out there, each episode of an anime series portrays a different kind of emotion, ranging from boiling excitement to moments that tug at the heartstrings. While various anime episodes weigh very differently in the hearts of fans, the Internet Movie Database, IMDb, has a list of anime episodes it rates the highest. As these episodes are compiled through a weighted mean method, there is a degree of accuracy to them.

From tear-jerking moments to moments of extreme surprise, the highest-rated IMDb anime episodes stand at the peak of their respective series, some more than others.

Updated November 26, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: No two anime shows are made the same, so, ratings among them would undoubtedly vary. In terms of rating anime shows, things like the emotions they portray, the direction of the episode, and the storytelling finesse all play an important role. Of course, despite the varying elements to which anime episodes are portrayed, some shows have stood the test of time and garnered the highest-ranking episodes—at least, according to IMDb. With incredible elements, the highest-rated anime episodes are episodes that fans can watch over and over again and portray a wide range of emotions, from bittersweet moments to pure excitement.

22 “The Pirate King Is Born: Arriving At The Last Island”

IMDb Rating: 9.5

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• Name of Series: One Piece

One Piece has a lot of great episodes, particularly episodes where ancient secrets are revealed, epic battles are portrayed, or mysteries that help fans know more about the Pirate King, Laugh Tale, and One Piece itself. In this episode, Gol D. Roger’s journey around the world to find the various poneglyphs are portrayed, and finally, he reaches the last island, Laugh Tale.

Regardless of what fans were expecting on Gol D. Roger reaching the final island, he defies all expectations by doing one thing and one thing only—laughing. With this episode, a historical moment is portrayed. The very moment Gol D. Roger became the Pirate king in deed and in truth. And for that, it serves as one of One Piece’s best.

21 “A Barrage Of Powerful Techniques! The Fierce Attacks Of The Worst Generation!”

IMDb Rating: 9.5

• Name of Series: One Piece

Every battle between the Worst Generation and Kaido was incredible. While they eventually split up to tackle both Emperors of the Sea at the time, Kaido and Big Mom, Episode 1017 was before the split. Seeing the three captains, Luffy, Law, and Kid, alongside Zoro and Killer, tackle two Emperors of the Sea simultaneously was simply splendid. In their vision to lead the next generation, they confronted the past and sought to put an end to them.

Moreover, they showed up as worthy competitors. The direction of the episode, the epic action, the background tracks, and the sheer intensity of their attacks make this episode one that fans can watch over and over again and get excited every time. It’s an episode truly deserving of its IMDb rating.

20 “Kanashiki Kettou: Luffy Tai Sanji (Kouhen)”

IMDb Rating: 9.6

• Name of Series: One Piece

During the events of the Whole Cake Island saga in the One Piece series, fans bore witness to one of the saddest episodes of all. Sanji disobeys and disrespects his captain in an effort to save his life, even though said captain risks it all to save him (Sanji) from the clutches of the Big Mom pirates.

Seeing the ever-cheerful and energetic cook cry, fans were left in awe of what the series had in store for them. As Sanji parted from Luffy, telling him to never show his face again, Luffy remained determined to wait for him, come rain and pirates.

19 “From You, 2000 Years Ago”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

For a long time in the Attack On Titan anime series, Eren has desired to activate the rumbling. However, his friends and Zeke Yeager were hell-bent on getting in his way. While in the paths shortly before activating the rumbling, Eren met Ymir and spoke to her. In the episode, the true origin of the Titans and how the Eldians came to be in power are explored, and it’s by no means pretty.

Ymir suffered and simply continually created Titans, carrying out King Fritz’s orders despite the passage of 2000 years. However, with Eren, he finally helps her see that she has a choice in how she uses the Titan power, and suddenly, the Titans in the wall begin to emerge, sending fans and characters alike, into a frenzy.

18 “Hero”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

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• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

Of the many Attack on Titan episodes, “Hero,” which features Levi versus the Beast Titan, remains one of the best. The episode showcases Zeke as he finishes off the Scout Regiment recruits before he comes into contact with Levi. However, when he comes into contact with the captain, Zeke is unable to do anything. The beast is rendered helpless in the face of human might.

After delivering the intense fight scene between Zeke and Levi, the episode Hero also shows how Armin and Eren defeat Bertholdt, the Colossal Titan. Unfortunately, Armin is burned to a crisp at the end of the battle.

17 “Perfect Game”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

Prior to “Hero,” “Perfect Game” portrays the battle against the Colossal and Beast Titans on two fronts. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin try to stop the Colossal Titan, which easily blows them away with the steam it emanates.

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Meanwhile, Erwin, Levi, and some new recruits remain the only ones alive from the Beast Titan’s bombardment of rocks. As Erwin decides to lead a suicide charge so that Levi can sneak up on the Beast Titan, the new recruits cower in fear, but Erwin rallies them with a heartfelt speech.

16 “Warrior”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

While the scouts are atop Wall Rose and planning to regroup at Trost, they discuss what to do with Ymir, who has been discovered to be a Titan. Meanwhile, Reiner and Bertholdt begin to reveal the truth of their identities to Eren. Refusing to believe them, Eren dismisses their talk as nonsense until Reiner shows him his healing abilities.

As Reiner and Bertholdt transform into the Armored and Colossal Titans, respectively, Eren is left in shock as Reiner grabs him. After being momentarily shocked that his two friends are traitors and wish to capture him, Eren accepts the fact and transforms into his Titan form as he prepares to take on Reiner.

15 “Daichi No Hate”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

Clannad After Story showcases the lives of Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa after graduating from high school, as they get married and have a daughter together. Unfortunately, after Nagisa successfully gave birth to her daughter, Ushio, she passed away. Tomoya, shaken and distraught, decides to leave Ushio in the care of Nagisa’s parents and goes away, leading a life of smoking and drinking.

The episode “Daichi no Hate” shows Tomoya and his daughter, who is now five years old, reconnecting. As Tomoya comes to terms with his wife’s death and his daughter’s birth, fans witness a tear-jerking moment between family members.

14 “Memories Of The Future”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

After Eren is decapitated in the previous episode, “Two Brothers,“ he appears alongside Zeke in the Path, where Zeke tries to show Eren Grisha’s true colors. However, Zeke is shocked when he discovers that Eren had influenced many of Grisha’s decisions and was downright controlling Grisha Jaeger from the future.

Throughout the series, many fans wondered what special power the Attack Titan had, but when it was revealed to be the sending of memories to past and future holders, Zeke and many fans were left stunned. As Zeke is astounded by what he sees in Grisha’s memories, he notices Grisha, who begs him to stop Eren, as he would get what he wants, which would be catastrophic.

13 “Two Brothers”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

After Zeke and Eren were revealed to be brothers in the Attack On Titan series, many more dastardly plots came to light. In the “Two Brothers“ episode, Colt desperately begs Zeke to allow Falco to get out of the range of his scream before he transforms the soldiers who ingested his spinal fluid into Titans. While Zeke empathizes with Colt, he screams anyway, turning all the soldiers who ingested his fluid into Titans.

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As the battle progresses, Eren pins down Reiner while Zeke plays dead. Meanwhile, as Eren makes an effort to reach his brother, Gabi comes out of nowhere and decapitates the unassuming Eren with a rifle. The possible death of Eren Yeager at the hands of Gabi Braun sends fans into a frenzy of shock, making the episode well-loved.

12 “Assault”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

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• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

“Assault” portrays the continuation of the battle between the Attack Titan and War Hammer Titan. As the Attack Titan battles the War Hammer Titan, Eren realizes that the War Hammer Titan would not be an easy opponent as it creates many constructs from hardening. Unable to break through the hardened crystal that contains the War Hammer Titan’s actual body, Eren decides to use the Jaw Titan’s powerful jaws and disembodies the Jaw Titan’s limbs before using its mouth to break through the War Hammer Titan’s actual body.

Meanwhile, Eren’s backup, the Scout Regiment, arrives, and Armin blows up the Marleyan Port nearby, killing many. This episode portrays the cruelty that comes with the Titan War, and the assault of the Eldians on the Marleyans gets even more intense.

11 “The War Hammer Titan”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

Following the episode “Declaration of War,” “The War Hammer Titan” portrays how Eren attacks the citizens of Liberio who were present for Willy Tybur’s speech. As Eren begins to go berserk, many, including Zofia and Udo, lose their lives, causing Gabi to stare in horror. Before Eren can do any more damage, Lara Tybur transforms into the War Hammer Titan and attacks Eren.

The battle between the two Titans causes untold destruction around them; however, the versatility of the War Hammer Titan leaves fans stunned. In this episode, fans get to see what the War Hammer Titan is capable of as it conjures various constructs with hardening.

10 “Declaration of War”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

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• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

The 64th episode of Attack on Titan shows Reiner and Eren reuniting after four years. As Eren confronts Reiner, Reiner questions what Eren plans to do. Meanwhile, on top of the room where Eren and Reiner are, Willy Tybur, the head of the Tybur family, addresses the Marleyans on Eldian history and the true nature of the end of the Titan War.

Explaining that Eren is not bound by the rules of the royal Eldian bloodline to renounce war, Willy Tybur declares war on the Eldians. Meanwhile, Eren, who had been talking to Reiner about how they are the same, turns into his Titan form and unleashes a bloodbath that leaves fans shocked at the spectacle.

9 “Hinokami”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

• Name of Series: Demon Slayer

Many Shonen anime show their protagonists drawing power from an unexpected place when pushed into a tight corner. Demon Slayer uses that trope to its fullest in what has become one of the show’s best episodes.

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In the episode, Hinokami, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke face Rui, the lower rank five of the Twelve Demon Moons, and his family. Moreover, two of the Hashira make an appearance. Another thing that stands out is the backstories that lead into the fight scenes. They provide a lot of context and help fans connect with the battles that unfolded.

8 “That Day”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

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• Name of Series: Attack on Titan

As the history of the Titans came to light, Attack On Titan portrays the life of Grisha Yeager, as he and his wife were set to be killed after Zeke betrayed them. On the verge of being killed, Grisha comes across the Marleyan soldier Kruger, who reveals himself to be the Owl (code name of the leader of the restorationists).

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Kruger saves Grisha, and the events of that day lead to the beginning of Grisha’s schemes to allow Eren to get revenge on Marley in the future. As the events of the episode unfolded, fans were left in awe.

7 “Midnight Sun”

IMDb Rating: 9.7

After the events of the Hero episode, Eren looks down, heartbroken, at Armin’s burnt body. As Levi arrives, Eren asks him to use the Titan injection on Armin to save him. However, before Levi can come to a decision, a member of the Scout Regiment arrives with Erwin’s dying body.

As Eren and the others argue about whom to save with the Titan injection, Levi ultimately chooses Erwin. That is until the dying man mentions a childhood memory. Feeling it kinder to let him pass, Levi decides to use the injection on Armin instead, who becomes the new Colossal Titan.

6 “One For All”

IMDb Rating: 9.8

In the world of My Hero Academia, All Might has always been the best and the Symbol of Peace. However, there comes a time when even the symbol must retire and pass on the torch to the next generation, at least formally, and that’s precisely what happens in the epic episode “One For All.”

This episode remains one of the best for its portrayal of All Might’s battle against All for One. Despite losing his powers and exposing his weak side to the world through the work of his arch-villain, All Might remains high and mighty in his heart and shows it by defeating All for One with the legendary United States of Smash.

5 “Anger × And × Light”

IMDb Rating: 9.8

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• Name of Series: Hunter x Hunter

As it approached the end of the Chimera ant arc, Hunter x Hunter portrayed one of the most intense transformations in the series. Although Gon made Pitou follow him in an attempt to heal Kite, she proved unable to and proclaimed Kite dead with no chance of bringing him back.

Losing himself in a fit of rage, Gon rapidly aged and gained immense power at the same time. In that instance, he went from a little boy to a powerful warrior who had obtained power equal to that of the king, as said by Pitou. As fans saw Gon single-handedly dominate the long-awaited fight between him and Pitou, rather than boiling hot, their blood went cold as Gon became a monster in every sense.

4 “Zero × And × Rose”

IMDb Rating: 9.8

Among Hunter X Hunter‘s many episodes, “Zero × and × Rose” remains one of the best. The episode highlights the battle between the Chimera Ant King, Mereum, and the former chairman of the Hunter Association, Netero.

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Although he reached the peak of humanity in terms of power and will, Netero remained unable to beat Mereum. To defeat the ant king, Netero employed the use of the Poor Man’s Rose. Deserving the 9.9 rating it got from IMDb, the episode ended, leaving fans in shock and awe at the unexpected turn of events.

3 “Never Give Up”

IMDb Rating: 9.8

The 17th episode of the second season of Demon Slayer was a delight to the eyes. The animation and direction in the episode were top-tier as fans watched Tengen and Gyuraro battle it out.

The episode’s highlight was Tengen and Gyutaro’s high-speed clash, as their stunning and intense battle left fans in awe. The episode had other great scenes, such as when Zenitsu unleashed his technique, Thunderclap, and Flash: Godspeed, and when Gyutaro and Daki were finally defeated against all odds. In addition to the episode’s top-tier animation, the progression of the many events also made it worth watching.