The Ultimate Best Anime Guide

Best Anime Movies Of All Time

Unlike series, anime movies come out in Western nations long after making their Japanese debuts, and they can be hard to find. Consequently, features tend to be overshadowed by shows; however, there are some absolutely fantastic films out there.

Best Anime TV Shows Of All Time

Advertisement

There are so many anime shows that a definitive “best of” is impossible since it will vary from person to person depending on their preferences. That said, for newcomers to Japanese animation, the following article is a good place to start.

Best Anime On Every Streaming Platform

Like Western releases, anime shows are split across a variety of streaming platforms, ranging from specialized sites like Crunchyroll to general platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. While overlap in content is possible, each service comes with unique shows and price points.

• Best Anime On Crunchyroll

  

• Best Anime On HIDIVE

  

• Best Anime On Amazon Prime Video

  

  Advertisement

• Best Anime On Max

  

• Best Anime On Hulu

  

• Best Anime On Netflix

  

• Best Anime On TubiTV

  

• Free Anime On Youtube

  

  Advertisement

2025 Anime

2025 should be another big year for anime, even if most of its seasonal lineups have yet to start taking shape. This section highlights series that will be airing during 2025.

2024 Anime

Every year blesses the world with more than a hundred anime, with each season usually containing at least 40 new shows or sequels. 2024 is not an exception, and fans of Japanese animation have been kept busy on a near-daily basis. Let’s highlight all the 2024 anime released in a few key genres

• Every 2024 Anime Per Genre

Best Anime Of 2023

Advertisement

2023 delivered plenty of great anime, with each season offering quantity and quality. The year also covered quite a lot of ground when it comes to genres, showing plenty of love for action, romance, sports, slice of life, comedy, isekai, horror, and more.

• Manga

  • Best Manga That Ended In 2023

• Light Novels

  • Best New Light Novels Of 2023

  • Best Light Novels That Ended In 2023

Best Of 2022

2022 was a good year for anime, with each season producing plenty of memorable shows that will be fondly remembered for years to come. Which anime was the best of 2022? Which series defined their genres? Which characters stole the viewers’ hearts?

Best Anime Per Genre & Themes

Similar to live-action stories, anime cannot be confined to one category. The industry covers most of the popular genres, be they comedy, sci-fi, action, slice of life, or horror. That said, some genres are topped up more frequently than others. 

Best Anime Per Demographic

Manga is generally divided into five demographics: Kids, Shojo (teen girls and young women), Shonen (teen boys and young men), Josei (adult women), and Seinen (adult men). As most anime are based on manga, many shows cater to the same audience as their source material. Ultimately, these demographics are merely a suggestion, but their representatives tend to tackle similar themes.

Best Anime Per Decade

As anime has been around for more than half a century, the industry has morphed significantly throughout its extensive history. The following articles highlight a decade’s greatest and most iconic shows.

Best English Dubs

Advertisement

While quite a few people stick to solely subbed anime, plenty of shows have produced great English dubs over the years. In some cases, they provide a fresh experience that sets them apart from the Japanese versions.

Best Anime Per Studio

The best anime studios put a unique stamp on their projects through their art styles, narrative choices, and animation quality. There are dozens of active studios at any given moment, but a few companies stand out from the crowd.

Best Anime Per Director

Certain directors have shaped anime’s legacy as their films have helped extend the medium’s reach across the world.

Best Anime Per Source Material

Not every anime is based on a manga. Over the years, studios have cast a wide net in search of inspiration. Creators have turned to everything, from fairy tales to songs, in pursuit of that next great anime adaptation.

Best Anime Per Setting

From the bustling streets of Tokyo to Gothic castles and fantasy worlds, anime can bring to life all sorts of realistic or fantastical settings.

• City, Country, Continent, & Planet

• Unique Locations & Settings

Best Anime Per Time Period

Advertisement

Similar to space, anime is also not restricted by time.

Best Anime About…

Variety is the spice of life, and that’s something Japanese animation provides. While certain topics are more popular than others, anime covers a wide spectrum of subjects.

Similar Anime Recommendations

If someone is struggling to pick something new to watch, they can check out the following articles that provide recommendations for a few of the most popular anime.

Misc.

Not every anime-related topic fits seamlessly into a theme or category, but these articles still deserve to be highlighted.

Manga Recommendations

If a manga proves to be popular enough, an anime might follow in due time. However, an adaptation is hardly a guarantee, and there are plenty of great stories that have yet to be animated. Some of the best sci-fi manga and horror manga have announced no plans to become anime, and these genres are not exceptions to the rule.

Light Novel Recommendations

Advertisement

Similar to manga, light novels regularly serve as inspiration for anime adaptations. Popular shows like Sword Art Online, 86: Eighty-Six, Monogatari, KonoSuba, and Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai are all based on light novels, and they are just the tip of the iceberg. Also like manga, anime has barely scratched the surface of light novel content.

• Light Novels With No Anime

Manhwa Recommendations

Manhwa refers to Korean comics, quite a few of which are of the web novel variety. Although not as mainstream or accessible as manga, manhwa has started to grow in popularity in recent years, with even a few major properties announcing anime adaptations.

Best Anime Characters

An argument could be made that a story is only as good as its characters, and these characters represent anime at its best.

• Animals

  

  It is not always about humans, and anime is absolutely packed with beloved animals, many of whom serve as mascots for their respective shows or movies.

• Archetypes

  

  Typically ending in -ere, these character archetypes are staples of manga and anime stories. While they might not be equally popular, all these categories have dozens upon dozens of representatives.

   

  Advertisement

• Birthday

  

  Usually, an anime avoids directly mentioning a character’s birthday, especially if a show is not part of the slice of life or romance genres. Still, quite a few mangaka reveal the birthdays of their characters.

   

• Family

  

  Like real life, anime highlights all sorts of families, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly.

  Advertisement

• Hair

  

  Hairstyles are an oddly huge deal in anime, particularly in shonen. Series like Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure go out of their way to give their characters unique styles, and they cover all the colors of the rainbow.

• Mythological & Supernatural

  

  Like any fiction medium, anime is not confined to reality, and plenty of shows explore the supernatural or mythical. These series can range from lighthearted comedies to dark fantasy shows, and their characters come in all forms.

• Nationality

  

  Advertisement

  Obviously, most anime characters are Japanese, but there are a few noteworthy exceptions. Ultimately, anime is an international industry.

• Powers & Abilities

  

  Anime’s penchant for unique abilities goes well beyond just elemental-based powers, although those can be fun in their own right. 

• Professions

  

  Teachers, doctors, and detectives – anime lets every profession shine. While students tend to hog the limelight in most stories, adults with stable jobs are not in short supply either.

  Advertisement

• Protagonists

  

  An anime does not need a fantastic protagonist to achieve greatness, but it sure helps. 

• Roles

  

  Similar to professions, certain anime characters are dedicated to fulfilling the responsibilities of specific roles. 

• Royalty

  

  Advertisement

  Kings, queens, princes, and princesses – anime has the royal family covered. 

• Villains

  

  Some of the most iconic anime characters of all time are villains, and they often overshadow the heroes who are trying to stop them. 

• Misc.