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You’ve probably seen a dozen “best anime of all time” lists already. And most of them feel either outdated, biased toward one genre, or stuffed with filler picks just to hit a number. That’s frustrating when you genuinely want to know which anime series are worth your time.
We feel the same way. As lifelong anime fans who’ve watched hundreds of series across every genre, we wanted to build a list that actually holds up. Not just based on nostalgia or hype, but on storytelling quality, animation, cultural impact, fan ratings, and how well each show holds up on a rewatch. We cross-referenced MAL scores, IMDb rankings, critical reception, and real community sentiment to put this together.
This is our honest, updated ranking of the best anime of all time. It includes timeless classics that defined the medium and modern hits that have already earned their place in anime history. Whether you’re a seasoned fan looking for validation or a newcomer figuring out where to start, this list has you covered.
How We Ranked These Anime
Ranking the best anime of all time is always going to start arguments. We know that. But we wanted to be transparent about how we made our picks instead of just throwing names on a page.
Every anime on this list was evaluated across five areas: storytelling and writing quality, animation and production value, cultural impact and influence on the medium, fan ratings across platforms like MyAnimeList and IMDb, and critical reception from trusted anime publications. We didn’t just pick our personal favorites. We looked at the data, read community discussions, and factored in how each series holds up years after its original run.
We also made sure to include a healthy mix of genres. Shonen, seinen, thriller, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and slice-of-life all deserve representation. A list that’s only battle anime isn’t a real “best of all time” list. It’s just a “best fights” list. We wanted something more complete than that.
One more thing. This list includes both long-running series and shorter ones. Episode count doesn’t determine quality. Some of the greatest anime ever made told their stories in 24 episodes or less. Others needed hundreds of episodes to build something truly epic. Both approaches have value.
The 20 Best Anime Series of All Time
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Studio: Bones | Episodes: 64 | Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
There’s a reason Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood held the #1 spot on MyAnimeList for over a decade. It’s the gold standard for how to tell a complete, emotionally satisfying story in anime. Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric commit the ultimate taboo of alchemy, human transmutation, to bring back their dead mother. They fail, and Ed loses an arm and a leg while Al loses his entire body.
What follows is a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone and undo what they’ve done. But the story expands far beyond that personal quest. Government conspiracies, genocide, artificial humans called Homunculi, and the true cost of power all weave into a plot that never wastes a single episode. Every character arc pays off. Every thread connects.
Brotherhood gets the balance perfect between action, humor, emotional gut punches, and philosophical depth. The final arc is one of the most satisfying conclusions in anime history. If you only ever watch one anime, this is the one most fans would recommend first.
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Studio: Madhouse | Episodes: 38+ (ongoing) | Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
The newest entry on this list, and one that has earned its spot at a speed nobody expected. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End dethroned Brotherhood on MAL with its first season and then Season 2 dethroned Season 1 with a 9.34 rating in early 2026. That’s not a fluke. That’s a generational anime.
Frieren is an immortal elf mage who helped defeat the Demon King alongside her human companions. The story begins after the quest is over. Her friends grow old and die, and Frieren realizes she never truly understood them while they were alive. Now she travels with a new party, slowly learning what human connection really means.
The pacing is patient. The fights are gorgeous when they happen. But the real magic is in the quiet moments. A conversation about flowers. A memory of a shared meal. Frieren makes you feel the weight of time in a way no other anime does. It’s a meditation on regret, memory, and what it means to truly pay attention to the people around you.
3. Attack on Titan
Studio: Wit Studio / MAPPA | Episodes: 94 | Genre: Action, Drama, Dark Fantasy
Attack on Titan started as a story about giant monsters eating humans behind walls. It ended as one of the most ambitious, morally complex narratives in anime history. Hajime Isayama’s story follows Eren Yeager, who vows to destroy all Titans after watching one kill his mother. But every season peels back another layer, recontextualizing everything you thought you knew.
Season 3 Part 2 remains one of the highest-rated anime seasons on MAL, and it earned that rating through incredible reveals, emotional stakes, and action sequences that left fans stunned. The final season divided audiences with its controversial ending, but that controversy itself speaks to how deeply fans cared about the story and its characters.
Attack on Titan brought millions of new viewers into anime worldwide. Its cultural impact is undeniable. Two of its episodes rank among IMDb’s highest-rated TV episodes of all time, across all genres and mediums. Love the ending or not, the journey was one of the greatest anime has ever produced.
4. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Studio: Madhouse | Episodes: 148 | Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Yoshihiro Togashi created something deceptive with Hunter x Hunter. It looks like a cheerful adventure about a kid named Gon looking for his dad. Then the Chimera Ant arc happens, and it becomes one of the darkest, most psychologically complex stories in all of anime.
Each arc of Hunter x Hunter feels like a different genre. The Hunter Exam is pure adventure. Yorknew City is a crime thriller. Greed Island is a game-based fantasy. And the Chimera Ant arc is a war saga that questions the very nature of humanity. Togashi refuses to follow shonen conventions, and the result is a story that constantly surprises you.
The 2011 adaptation by Madhouse is beautifully animated and paced. The power system (Nen) is one of the most creative and well-defined in anime. The only downside is that the anime ends without a true conclusion because Togashi’s manga remains unfinished due to his health issues. But what exists is extraordinary.
5. Steins;Gate
Studio: White Fox | Episodes: 24 | Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama
Steins;Gate is the best time-travel story in anime, and arguably one of the best in any medium. It follows Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed “mad scientist” who accidentally discovers a way to send messages to the past. What starts as a quirky, character-driven comedy slowly transforms into a tense, heartbreaking thriller.
The first half is deliberately slow, building relationships and establishing rules. The payoff hits around episode 12, and from that point on, it’s nearly impossible to stop watching. Every decision has consequences. Every timeline shift makes things worse. And Okabe’s desperation to save the people he loves drives the emotional core of the entire series.
Steins;Gate proves that a great anime doesn’t need massive battles or flashy animation. It needs a rock-solid story, characters you care about, and stakes that feel real. At just 24 episodes, it tells a complete, perfectly paced story with one of the most satisfying endings in anime.
6. Death Note
Studio: Madhouse | Episodes: 37 | Genre: Thriller, Psychological, Supernatural
Death Note is the anime that made millions of non-anime fans start watching anime. The premise is irresistible: a genius high school student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. He decides to create a new world by killing criminals. A mysterious detective known as “L” tries to stop him.
The cat-and-mouse game between Light Yagami and L is one of the most gripping rivalries in fiction. Both characters are brilliant. Both believe they’re right. And watching them try to outsmart each other across 37 episodes is pure psychological tension. The series asks uncomfortable questions about justice, power, morality, and whether a person can be trusted with god-like authority.
Many fans feel the quality drops after a certain major event around episode 25. That’s a fair criticism. But even with that dip, the first two-thirds of Death Note are so exceptional that the series comfortably earns its place among the best anime of all time.
7. One Piece
Studio: Toei Animation | Episodes: 1,100+ (ongoing) | Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time with over 500 million copies sold. The anime follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates on a journey to find the legendary treasure “One Piece” and become the Pirate King. It sounds simple. It’s anything but.
Eiichiro Oda has built one of the most detailed, interconnected worlds in all of fiction. Every island, every character, every seemingly throwaway detail from 500 episodes ago can become crucial later. The world-building is staggering. The emotional peaks, like the arcs at Enies Lobby, Marineford, and Wano, hit harder than almost anything in anime.
The main barrier is the episode count. 1,100+ episodes is intimidating. The pacing in certain arcs is painfully slow due to the anime catching up to the manga. But fans who commit to the journey consistently say it was worth every hour. The bonds between the Straw Hat crew feel more real than most fictional friendships. That emotional foundation is what makes One Piece special.
8. Vinland Saga
Studio: Wit Studio / MAPPA | Episodes: 48 | Genre: Action, Historical, Drama
Vinland Saga tells the story of Thorfinn, a young Viking consumed by revenge after watching his father get murdered. Season 1 is a brutal, action-packed political thriller set during the Viking Age. Then Season 2 does something extraordinary. It strips away the violence and becomes a deeply introspective character study about whether a warrior can find peace.
That tonal shift is what makes Vinland Saga one of the greatest anime ever made. It doesn’t just show you cool fights (though those are incredible). It asks whether violence itself is the problem. Thorfinn’s transformation from a rage-filled child soldier into a man searching for a land without war is one of the most powerful character arcs in the medium.
The animation across both seasons is stunning. The writing treats its audience with intelligence. Vinland Saga has some of the highest-rated individual episodes on IMDb across all TV shows, not just anime. It’s a modern masterpiece that deserves more mainstream attention.
9. Cowboy Bebop
Studio: Sunrise | Episodes: 26 | Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama
No anime is cooler than Cowboy Bebop. It’s a space western about bounty hunters drifting through the solar system, set to one of the greatest soundtracks in anime history. Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Ed each carry their own emotional baggage, and the series explores their pasts with a maturity that still feels fresh decades later.
Cowboy Bebop blends jazz, martial arts, film noir, and science fiction into something completely unique. The episodic structure gives each story room to breathe, and the standalone episodes are just as strong as the overarching plot. The final episode remains one of the most discussed and debated endings in all of anime.
This is the anime that proved the medium could be taken seriously by Western audiences. It aired on Adult Swim in the early 2000s and became many people’s first anime. That gateway role, combined with its timeless quality, secures its spot on any “best ever” list.
10. Monster
Studio: Madhouse | Episodes: 74 | Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological
Naoki Urasawa’s Monster is the most underrated masterpiece in anime. Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon, saves a young boy’s life instead of a politician’s. Years later, that boy has become a prolific serial killer. Tenma, wracked with guilt, sets out to stop the monster he saved.
Monster is a slow-burn psychological thriller that feels more like a European crime novel than a typical anime. There are no superpowers, no fantastical elements, and no action set pieces. Just an increasingly tense chase across Germany, with philosophical questions about evil, identity, and whether some people are born monsters or made into them.
At 74 episodes, it’s a commitment. But the pacing is deliberate, not slow. Every episode adds a piece to the puzzle. The antagonist, Johan Liebert, is widely considered one of the greatest villains in fiction. Monster is the anime to recommend when someone says they don’t like anime. It transcends the medium entirely.
11. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Studio: Gainax | Episodes: 26 + End of Evangelion | Genre: Mecha, Psychological, Sci-Fi
Neon Genesis Evangelion broke the mecha genre apart and rebuilt it into something no one expected. On the surface, it’s about teenagers piloting giant robots to fight alien monsters called Angels. Underneath, it’s a raw, uncomfortable exploration of depression, loneliness, identity, and the desperate human need for connection.
Director Hideaki Anno poured his own struggles with depression into this series, and it shows. Shinji Ikari is deliberately not a typical hero. He’s anxious, avoidant, and broken. That made him divisive among fans, but it also made Evangelion one of the most psychologically honest anime ever created.
The ending is famously controversial (both the TV finale and the End of Evangelion film), but that controversy is part of its legacy. Evangelion influenced virtually every mecha anime that came after it and changed what anime storytelling could be. Thirty years later, it still sparks debate. That’s the mark of something truly special.
12. Jujutsu Kaisen
Studio: MAPPA | Episodes: 72+ (ongoing) | Genre: Action, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy
Jujutsu Kaisen is the defining action anime of the 2020s. Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed finger belonging to Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, and enters the world of jujutsu sorcerers. The premise is straightforward. The execution is anything but.
MAPPA’s animation quality on this series is consistently jaw-dropping. Every fight feels like a mini-movie. But what sets JJK apart from other battle anime is its willingness to take real risks with its characters and plot. Nobody is safe. Stakes feel genuine. And Gege Akutami’s power system (cursed energy and domain expansions) adds strategic depth to every confrontation.
Season 3, which aired in Winter 2026 with the Culling Game arc, delivered a finale that many fans called one of the best-animated episodes of all time. JJK is still ongoing, but it’s already secured its place among the best anime ever made. Its combination of spectacle, emotion, and unpredictability is hard to match.
13. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Studio: Sunrise | Episodes: 50 | Genre: Mecha, Thriller, Political Drama
Code Geass gives its protagonist, Lelouch, the power of absolute obedience. Anyone he makes eye contact with must follow his command. With this power, the exiled prince wages a secret rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire that conquered his homeland.
The series is a thrilling chess match of political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and escalating stakes. Lelouch is both a hero and a manipulator, and the show never lets you forget that his methods are as questionable as his enemies’. The mecha battles add spectacle, but the real tension comes from Lelouch’s decisions and their consequences.
Code Geass has one of the most celebrated endings in anime. The final episode ties together every thread in a way that’s both surprising and emotionally devastating. Fans still debate whether Lelouch’s final choice was right, and that ongoing conversation is proof of how deeply the story resonates.
14. Naruto Shippuden
Studio: Pierrot | Episodes: 500 | Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts
Naruto Shippuden is the continuation of Naruto’s journey from outcast kid to the strongest shinobi in his village. The series takes the characters from the original Naruto and throws them into darker, more complex situations. War, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption drive the story forward across 500 episodes.
The emotional peaks in Shippuden are among the highest in all of anime. Jiraiya’s death, Itachi’s truth reveal, Pain’s invasion of the Hidden Leaf, and Naruto’s final battle with Sasuke are all landmark moments that fans remember for years. The themes of loneliness, the cycle of hatred, and choosing bonds over revenge give the action real weight.
The biggest criticism is legitimate: there’s too much filler. Roughly 40% of Shippuden’s episodes are filler arcs that pad the runtime. Skip those, and you’ve got one of the most emotionally rewarding shonen anime ever made. The core story of Naruto and Sasuke’s rivalry is timeless, and it inspired an entire generation of anime fans and creators.
15. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Studio: ufotable | Episodes: 55+ (ongoing) | Genre: Action, Supernatural, Historical
Demon Slayer became a global phenomenon largely because of one thing: ufotable’s animation. The studio’s work on this series, particularly the Mugen Train arc and the Entertainment District arc, set a new standard for what anime can look like. Every breathing technique feels like a painting in motion.
The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, whose family is slaughtered by demons. His sister Nezuko survives but is turned into a demon herself. Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to find a cure for Nezuko and avenge his family. It’s a simple premise executed with incredible heart.
Critics sometimes note that Demon Slayer’s writing is more straightforward than other entries on this list. That’s fair. The plot is more linear and the character development isn’t as deep as something like Vinland Saga or Monster. But the emotional sincerity of Tanjiro’s journey, combined with the breathtaking visual spectacle, makes it an experience that resonates with fans of all ages worldwide.
16. Mob Psycho 100
Studio: Bones | Episodes: 37 | Genre: Action, Comedy, Supernatural
Mob Psycho 100 comes from ONE, the creator of One Punch Man, and it’s the more emotionally mature of the two. Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama is an overpowered psychic who just wants to be a normal kid. He works for a fake psychic named Reigen, tries to get better at talking to people, and occasionally releases reality-bending power when his emotions reach 100%.
What makes Mob Psycho special is its message. In a genre full of power fantasies, this anime says that being strong doesn’t matter if you can’t connect with the people around you. Mob’s growth as a person, not as a fighter, is the real story. And Bones’ animation amplifies every emotional beat with some of the most creative visual storytelling in modern anime.
All three seasons maintain remarkable quality, and the series finale is genuinely perfect. Mob Psycho 100 is the rare anime that gets better every season and sticks the landing completely. It’s the most wholesome action anime you’ll ever watch.
17. March Comes In Like a Lion
Studio: Shaft | Episodes: 44 | Genre: Slice of Life, Drama, Sports
March Comes In Like a Lion is about a teenage professional shogi player named Rei Kiriyama who struggles with depression, loneliness, and the pressure of competition. It’s also about the warm, chaotic Kawamoto family who gradually pulls him out of his isolation. That contrast between Rei’s inner darkness and the Kawamoto sisters’ light is the emotional engine of the entire series.
This anime has one of the most honest portrayals of mental health in the medium. Rei’s depression isn’t dramatized or romanticized. It’s shown as what it actually is: exhausting, isolating, and difficult to escape. The shogi matches serve as metaphors for his internal battles, but the real victories are the small moments of human connection.
Season 2’s bullying arc is widely considered one of the best arcs in all of anime, with Shaft’s distinctive visual style amplifying the emotional intensity. If you appreciate anime that treats its characters with genuine empathy and tells quieter stories beautifully, this belongs at the top of your watchlist.
18. Chainsaw Man
Studio: MAPPA | Episodes: 12 + Reze Arc Movie | Genre: Action, Horror, Dark Comedy
Chainsaw Man is the most punk rock anime on this list. Denji is a broke, starving teen who merges with his chainsaw devil pet to become a human-devil hybrid. He joins a government organization that hunts devils, motivated primarily by the desire for food, companionship, and a girlfriend. It’s crass, violent, funny, and surprisingly emotional.
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga is a love letter to horror movies and pulp fiction, and MAPPA’s adaptation captures that energy perfectly. The animation is cinematic. The soundtrack is eclectic. And the Reze Arc movie in 2025 was one of the best-looking anime films ever produced, with the Chainsaw Man franchise climbing to the top of MAL ratings.
Chainsaw Man earns its spot not just for what it’s done, but for what it represents. It’s a fresh, genre-bending take on the shonen formula that proves anime storytelling is still evolving. The series is still early, but its impact on the medium is already enormous.
19. Gintama
Studio: Sunrise / Bandai Namco | Episodes: 367 | Genre: Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi
Gintama is the funniest anime ever made. It’s also one of the most emotionally devastating when it wants to be. Set in an alternate Edo period where aliens have invaded Japan, the series follows Gintoki Sakata and his odd-jobs group as they take on absurd tasks that somehow always spiral into chaos.
For its first hundred or so episodes, Gintama is a comedy series that parodies everything from other anime to Japanese pop culture. Then, without warning, it drops a serious arc that hits like a truck. The Shogun Assassination arc, the Farewell Shinsengumi arc, and the final Silver Soul arc deliver some of the most impactful storytelling in shonen history.
Multiple Gintama entries rank among the highest-rated anime on MAL. The series rewards patience like no other. If you can get through the slower early episodes, Gintama becomes an anime that makes you laugh until you cry, then just makes you cry. Its final movie, “The Very Final,” gave fans a satisfying conclusion to one of anime’s longest and most beloved runs.
20. Violet Evergarden
Studio: Kyoto Animation | Episodes: 13 + Movie | Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
Violet Evergarden is one of the most visually beautiful anime ever created. Kyoto Animation’s attention to detail in every frame is astonishing. But the beauty isn’t just visual. The story of Violet, a former child soldier learning to understand human emotions by writing letters for others, is deeply moving.
Each episode follows Violet as she helps a different client put their feelings into words. Some episodes are gentle. Others will absolutely wreck you (episode 10 is notorious for making even the toughest viewers cry). Through these encounters, Violet slowly learns what it means to love and be loved, processing trauma she doesn’t yet have the vocabulary to express.
The movie provides a beautiful conclusion to Violet’s journey. Violet Evergarden doesn’t rely on plot twists or action to hold your attention. It relies on raw emotional honesty and the belief that understanding another person’s feelings is the most powerful thing we can do. In a medium often dominated by spectacle, that quiet confidence makes it stand out.
What Makes These Anime Stand Above the Rest
Thousands of anime series exist. Only a handful become true all-time greats. After spending years watching and comparing, we’ve noticed a pattern in what separates the best anime of all time from the merely good ones.
First, they all have memorable characters that grow. Flat characters who stay the same from episode 1 to the finale don’t stick with you. Every anime on this list features at least one character whose transformation you genuinely care about. Ed Elric’s moral struggle. Frieren’s slow awakening to human connection. Thorfinn’s rejection of violence. These arcs stay with you long after the credits roll.
Second, they respect the viewer’s intelligence. None of these anime spoon-feed you every plot point. They trust you to piece things together, read between the lines, and form your own opinions. That’s why fans still debate the endings of Evangelion, Code Geass, and Attack on Titan years later.
Third, they all do something unique within their genre. Brotherhood perfected the shonen formula. Monster proved anime could tell a grounded crime thriller. Mob Psycho 100 turned the power fantasy genre on its head. The best anime don’t just participate in their genre. They redefine it.
Honorable Mentions Worth Watching
Narrowing down the best anime of all time to 20 means some incredible series didn’t make the cut. These deserve your attention too.
Your Name by Makoto Shinkai redefined what anime films could achieve globally. Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki remains the most successful anime film in history and won an Oscar. Yu Yu Hakusho was the template that modern battle anime like Jujutsu Kaisen built upon. Hajime no Ippo is arguably the greatest sports anime with 75 episodes of pure boxing intensity from Madhouse.
Re:Zero reinvented the isekai genre with its dark take on death and rebirth loops, and Season 4 coming Spring 2026 is expected to be its strongest arc yet. Golden Kamuy wrapped up its final season in Winter 2026 to widespread critical praise for its unique blend of history, action, and cooking. Hell’s Paradise Season 2 from MAPPA was one of the biggest action hits of Winter 2026, proving the series is still growing.
Paranoia Agent from Satoshi Kon, Gurren Lagann from Gainax, and A Silent Voice from Kyoto Animation all deserve spots on an expanded list. Every one of them pushes the boundaries of what anime storytelling can do.
Best Starting Points for New Anime Fans
If you’re new to anime and this list feels overwhelming, here’s a simple starting path based on what kind of stories you enjoy.
If you like action and adventure, start with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood or Demon Slayer. Both are accessible, well-paced, and don’t require any prior anime knowledge. If you prefer thrillers and mind games, Death Note or Steins;Gate will hook you within the first few episodes.
If you want something emotional and character-driven, Frieren or Violet Evergarden are perfect. They’re slower-paced but incredibly rewarding. For fans of dark, complex stories, Attack on Titan or Vinland Saga offer mature narratives that rival the best prestige TV dramas.
And if you just want something fun and stylish, Cowboy Bebop is 26 episodes of pure cool. You can finish it in a weekend and you’ll understand immediately why people love anime.
How Anime Rankings Shifted in 2026
The anime landscape keeps evolving, and 2026 has already delivered major shifts. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 launched in January 2026 and immediately became the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList with a 9.34 score, dethroning its own first season. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run debuted in March 2026 and surpassed even Frieren within its first episode, signaling massive fan enthusiasm.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 covered the Culling Game arc during Winter 2026 and delivered what many called one of the best-animated finales in anime history. Fire Force concluded its run after seven years with a strong final season. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes carried the MHA torch forward with a fresh perspective after the main series ended in Fall 2025.
Looking ahead, Spring 2026 is stacked with Re:Zero Season 4, Witch Hat Atelier, and the continuation of Steel Ball Run. These releases could further shake up all-time rankings as the year progresses. The quality of anime being produced right now is historically high, and the competition between studios keeps pushing the bar higher.
Pick One and Press Play
Here’s what we know after years of watching, rewatching, and arguing about anime with fellow fans. The best anime of all time aren’t just entertaining. They change how you see stories, characters, and sometimes even life itself. Every series on this list did that for us.
Whether you start at number 1 with Brotherhood, jump to the newest sensation with Frieren, or pick something based entirely on which genre calls to you, you can’t go wrong. Each of these 20 anime earned its spot through exceptional storytelling, breathtaking craft, and the ability to connect with fans across generations and borders.
If this list helped you find your next watch, we’d love to hear what you picked. And if your personal #1 didn’t make the cut, we get it. That’s what makes anime conversations fun. No two fans have the same list, and that’s exactly how it should be.
What’s the one anime you’d add to this list? Drop a comment and tell us why it belongs here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 best anime of all time?
Based on combined fan ratings, critical reception, and cultural impact, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the most consistently top-ranked anime across platforms. However, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End currently holds the highest score on MyAnimeList as of early 2026. Both are exceptional starting points.
What anime should I watch first as a beginner?
Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are the most recommended first anime. Death Note is shorter (37 episodes) and has a universally appealing thriller premise. Brotherhood is longer (64 episodes) but tells a complete, satisfying story with great action and emotional depth.
Is anime better subbed or dubbed?
This comes down to personal preference. Subtitled versions preserve the original Japanese voice acting, which many fans prefer. English dubs have improved dramatically in quality, and some series like Cowboy Bebop and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood have dubs that fans consider equal to or better than the subs. Try both and see what feels right for you.
Why is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood rated so high?
Brotherhood adapts the complete manga, unlike the 2003 version which diverged into an original story. It has a perfectly paced plot with no filler, deep character development, satisfying payoffs for every storyline, and a blend of action, humor, and emotion that appeals to virtually every type of viewer. It held the #1 spot on MAL for over a decade for these reasons.
Is One Piece worth watching with 1,100+ episodes?
If you enjoy long-form storytelling with incredible world-building, yes. Many fans consider it the most rewarding anime investment they’ve made. If the episode count feels too much, the manga is a faster way to experience the story. Some fans also use curated watch guides that skip filler to reduce the episode count significantly.
What is the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList right now?
As of early 2026, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 holds the top spot with a 9.34 rating. It dethroned its own first season, which had previously overtaken Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s decade-long reign at the top. JoJo’s Steel Ball Run has also shot near the top since its March 2026 debut.
Are there good anime with only one season?
Plenty. Cowboy Bebop (26 episodes), Steins;Gate (24 episodes), Death Note (37 episodes), and Mob Psycho 100 (37 episodes across 3 seasons) all tell complete stories. You don’t need to commit to hundreds of episodes to experience anime at its best.
What anime has the best animation quality?
Demon Slayer by ufotable and Jujutsu Kaisen by MAPPA are widely considered the current benchmarks for anime animation quality. Violet Evergarden by Kyoto Animation is often cited as the most visually beautiful anime overall. Frieren’s Madhouse production also consistently delivers gorgeous work with detailed character animation and stunning background art.
