Anime has gained a cult-like following because of its compelling storylines, multi-dimensional characters, and great visuals. From thousands of anime we have developed a comprehensive list of anime shows that should be watched by anime fans and non-anime fans at least once in their lifetime. The storyline of these 10 handpicked anime will definitely stay with you till your last breath.
10. Naruto (+Shippuden)
Genre: Shounen, Action, Adventure, Ninja and Martial Art
Plot: The plot of Naruto revolves around a young orphan boy named Naruto who has the dream of becoming the Hokage (leader of the village) to gain the respect of the villagers. Naruto is imbued with the power of a demon fox (Nine Tails), which is the reason he is ostracized from society. In this show we witness the journey of Naruto from a troublemaker to the hero of the entire ninja world and ultimately fulfilling his dream.
Watch On: Crunchyroll and Netflix
22 Years ago, Naruto The Greatest anime of all time aired pic.twitter.com/FPyChw8dsG
— Storm (@KingStormTop1) October 3, 20249. Cowboy Bebop
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Space Cowboy, Wild West and Mafia
Plot: The story revolves around Spike, who is a bounty hunter in the year 2071. With his bounty hutting crew and spaceship (Bebop), Spike works with Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) to capture criminals. Slowly, we found out that fun-loving Spike had a very dark history as he was the best hitman of the Red Dragon Syndicate. We follow Spike and his crew on a journey of crime fighting, revenge, and escape adventures.
Watch On: Netflix
8. Code Geass
Genre: Alternate History, Mecha, Military, Sci-Fi and Mind Control
Plot: In this alternative time, Japan has been conquered by the nation of Britannia. The former prince of Britannia Lelouch vi Britannia gains special power from the immortal wizard named CC called Geass which allows him to enact an irrefutable power to anyone. Lelouch sets out on a quest for revenge against his father, the king, for abandoning him and his sick sister and becoming the leader of Japan’s freedom fighters. This show provides a unique blend of Mecha battles, strategies, betrayals, and unexpected twists, engaging the viewers.
Watch On: Crunchyroll and Netflix
7. My Hero Academia
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero, School and Shounen.
Plot: This story revolves around Izuku Midoriya, who is born without any superpower in a world where superpowers (known are Quirks) a commonplace. From his childhood, Midoriya dreams of becoming a professional hero like All Might (the number 1 hero of Japan) despite being born Quirk Less. His life changed after meeting with his Idol, All Might, and receiving the Quirk One for All. We follow Izuku Midoriya joining the prestigious UA High, the best school for heroes on the path of succeeding All Might as the number 1 hero of Japan.
Watch On: Crunchyroll and Netflix
6. Steins; Gate
Genre: Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Mystery, Murder, and Psychological thriller.
Plot: The story revolves around self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintaro, who accidentally discovers that his microwave had the ability to send messages in the past. This anime promises sci-fi elements with genius storytelling and an overarching plot. This show provides a unique mixture of different genres, confirming a thrilling adventure with time travel.
Watch On: Netflix
5. Psycho-Pass
Genre: Sci-Fi, Psychological thriller, Action, and Dark Future
Plot: This anime is set in a futuristic Japan where the government has developed the Sibyl System, a powerful computer that can endlessly measure the biometrics of Japanese citizens’ brains and mentalities using a cymatic scan. When any citizen’s criminality potential reaches a certain threshold, the Crime Investigation Department arrests or executes the citizen, even before they commit any crime. This anime draws the dark side of becoming over-reliant on technology and losing humanity, and the storyline forces the audience to think about crime and justice from a different lens.
Watch On: Crunchyroll and Netflix
4. Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Post-apocalyptic and War.
Plot: The world is infested with man-eating titans, and humanity is protected by massive walls that keep the humans out of reach of the titans. However, one day, a massive titan (Colossal titan) destroys the wall, and as a result, titans wreak havoc on humanity. Although Eren Jaeger, the protagonist, was able to survive the attack, his mother did not. Eren takes the oath of wiping out all the Titans from existence and safeguarding humanity. As the story progresses, we are able to witness a completely different narrative, where humans are the real villains.
Watch On: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime and Netflix
3. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, War, Military and Alchemy.
Plot: Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers, try to revive their decided mother through alchemy; however, the big brother loses many body parts, and the younger brother completely loses his body (his soul is preserved in a metal suit). They start their journey to restore their original body. They find themselves in the middle of a civil war, where they must defeat the main antagonist, named Father, to save humanity. This show comes with multiple twists and turns, considered one of the greatest anime of all time.
Watch On: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime and Netflix
2. Monster
Genre: Crime, Manipulation, Mystery, and Psychological thriller
Plot: Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant brain surgeon, decides to save the life of a child named Johan from gun wounds in the head of a politician. However, his life gets upside down when he finds out that the boy who saved him becomes a psychotic killer who is feared even in the crime world. Dr. Tenma holds himself accountable for all his wrongdoing of Johan and tries to end his life and correct his mistakes of the past. The story delves deep into human psychology and establishes Johan as one of the greatest protagonists of anime.
Watch On: Disney+ and Netflix
1. Death Note
Genre: Crime, Psychological thriller, Dark Fantasy and Vigilantly
Plot: The protagonist of this anime, Light Yagami, is a brilliant high school student who despises evil and criminals. One day he receives the Death Note, a notebook of an actual Shinigami (God of Death), and finds out that whose name is written in the notebook dies.
Light embarks on a mission to eradicate evil by killing all criminals and persons he dimmed fit. Soon, he is targeted by the greatest detective named L, who wants to capture Akira (pseudonym of Light Yagami) and bring justice. This anime’s core theme revolves around what justice is and how the action of Light is any different from the criminals he thinks are unfit to become a part of his utopia, which is free from any evil.
Watch On: Crunchyroll and Netflix
All of these anime are unique in their own right; each of them tackles different themes and ideas. However, one thing is common in all of them: a storyline that will stick to you till your last breath.
FAQ
What is anime?
Anime is a style of Japanese animation that’s known for its distinct art style, unique characters, and engaging stories.
How to watch anime in India?
Popular streamlining platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ offer a wide library of anime. There are also anime-only platforms like Crunchyroll.
Why should you watch anime?
Anime offers a unique blend of great animation and storytelling, unlike any form of entertainment.
