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You want to watch the greatest anime ever made. But every series comes with a different episode count, different number of seasons, and different time commitments. Some are 24 episodes you can finish in a weekend. Others are 1,100+ episodes that take months. Knowing what you’re getting into before you press play matters.
We’ve watched and rewatched every series on this list. As lifelong anime fans who’ve been following the medium for over a decade, we know the difference between a series that earns 500 episodes and one that should’ve stopped at 200. This isn’t a recycled list from five years ago. We cross-referenced MAL ratings, IMDb scores, community polls, and current 2026 data to build something that’s both accurate and genuinely helpful.
Here’s our ranked list of the 20 best anime series of all time, complete with total seasons, episode counts, genres, and watch time estimates. Whether you’re planning a quick binge or committing to a long-form epic, you’ll know exactly what each series demands before you start.
Every Series at a Glance
| # | Series | Seasons | Episodes | Status | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | 1 | 64 | Completed | Action, Fantasy |
| 2 | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End | 2 | 38 | Ongoing | Fantasy, Drama |
| 3 | Attack on Titan | 4 (+ Final parts) | 94 | Completed | Action, Dark Fantasy |
| 4 | Hunter x Hunter (2011) | 1 | 148 | Completed* | Action, Adventure |
| 5 | One Piece | 22 | 1,100+ | Ongoing | Action, Adventure |
| 6 | Death Note | 1 | 37 | Completed | Thriller, Psychological |
| 7 | Jujutsu Kaisen | 3 | 72+ | Ongoing | Action, Supernatural |
| 8 | Steins;Gate | 2 | 47 | Completed | Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| 9 | Demon Slayer | 4 | 63 + movies | Ongoing | Action, Supernatural |
| 10 | Naruto + Shippuden | 2 series | 720 | Completed | Action, Martial Arts |
| 11 | Vinland Saga | 2 | 48 | Awaiting S3 | Historical, Drama |
| 12 | Cowboy Bebop | 1 | 26 | Completed | Sci-Fi, Action |
| 13 | Code Geass | 2 | 50 | Completed | Mecha, Thriller |
| 14 | Mob Psycho 100 | 3 | 37 | Completed | Action, Comedy |
| 15 | Monster | 1 | 74 | Completed | Thriller, Mystery |
| 16 | Neon Genesis Evangelion | 1 + movies | 26 + EoE | Completed | Mecha, Psychological |
| 17 | Dragon Ball Z | 9 (sagas) | 291 | Completed | Action, Martial Arts |
| 18 | Gintama | 4+ seasons | 367 | Completed | Comedy, Action |
| 19 | Chainsaw Man | 1 + movie | 12 + Reze Arc | Ongoing | Action, Horror |
| 20 | Violet Evergarden | 1 + movie | 13 + film | Completed | Drama, Fantasy |
*Hunter x Hunter (2011) anime is complete at 148 episodes, but the manga remains unfinished.
Why Episode Count Matters When Picking a Series
Knowing the total episode count of an anime series before starting it saves you from two common problems. First, you avoid starting a 500-episode show when you only have a weekend free. Second, you avoid skipping shorter masterpieces because you assumed all great anime needs to be long. Some of the best anime series of all time told their stories in under 30 episodes. Others needed hundreds to build something truly legendary.
We’ve organized every entry below with exact season counts, episode numbers, and current airing status as of April 2026. If a series is still ongoing, we note what’s confirmed for future seasons. If it’s completed, you know the full commitment upfront. That practical information is just as important as knowing whether the story is good.
Episode count also affects pacing. A 24-episode anime feels completely different from a 300-episode one. Shorter series tend to be tighter, more focused, and easier to binge. Longer series build deeper worlds, bigger casts, and emotional payoffs that hit harder because you’ve spent hundreds of hours with the characters. Neither format is better. They just serve different storytelling goals.
The 20 Best Anime Series of All Time
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Studio: Bones | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 64 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~27 hours
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood held the #1 spot on MyAnimeList for over a decade, and it’s still the anime most fans recommend first. The story follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric after a failed attempt to resurrect their dead mother through alchemy costs them their bodies. Their journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone uncovers government conspiracies, genocide, and the true cost of power.
At 64 episodes, Brotherhood is the perfect length. There’s zero filler. Every episode pushes the plot forward. Every character arc pays off. Every subplot connects to the central story. The final arc is one of the most satisfying conclusions in all of anime. If you want a complete, tightly written series you can finish in a week, this is the one.
Brotherhood is a separate adaptation from the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series (51 episodes), which diverged from the manga with an original ending. Both are worth watching, but Brotherhood is the definitive version that faithfully adapts the complete manga. Start here.
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Studio: Madhouse | Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 38 (28 + 10) | Status: Ongoing | Watch Time: ~16 hours
Frieren became the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList in early 2026 when Season 2 debuted with a 9.34 score, dethroning its own first season. That’s not hype. That’s a generational anime proving itself in real time.
The series follows Frieren, 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 actually means.
Season 1 ran 28 episodes. Season 2 confirmed 10 episodes for the Divine Revolte arc, with fans hoping the Golden Land arc gets adapted as a movie or additional season. Episode 8 of Season 2 earned a 9.7 on IMDb, making it one of the highest-rated anime episodes ever. At only 38 episodes so far, Frieren is easy to catch up on and absolutely worth starting now.
3. Attack on Titan
Studio: Wit Studio (S1-3) / MAPPA (S4) | Seasons: 4 (Final Season split into parts) | Episodes: 94 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~39 hours
Attack on Titan started as a show about giant monsters eating humans behind walls. It ended as one of the most ambitious and morally complex narratives in anime history. The breakdown: Season 1 has 25 episodes, Season 2 has 12, Season 3 has 22 (split into two parts), and the Final Season has 35 episodes across multiple parts.
Season 3 Part 2 is the peak for many fans, with revelations that completely reframe the entire story. The Final Season’s ending remains controversial, but the journey to get there is undeniable. Two of its episodes rank among IMDb’s highest-rated TV episodes of all time, across any genre.
At 94 episodes, Attack on Titan is a substantial commitment but not an overwhelming one. You can finish it in about two weeks of steady watching. Every season raises the stakes, and the story rewards viewers who pay attention to details planted in early episodes.
4. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Studio: Madhouse | Seasons: 1 (6 arcs) | Episodes: 148 | Status: Anime complete, manga ongoing | Watch Time: ~62 hours
Hunter x Hunter 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 feels like a different genre: adventure, crime thriller, game fantasy, and war saga.
The 2011 adaptation by Madhouse covers six arcs in 148 episodes. There’s technically no “seasons” division since it aired continuously, but fans generally break it into arcs: Hunter Exam (1-21), Zoldyck Family (22-26), Heaven’s Arena (27-36), Yorknew City (37-58), Greed Island (59-75), and Chimera Ant (76-136), plus the Election arc (137-148).
The anime ends without a true conclusion because Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga remains unfinished due to his health issues. But the 148 episodes that exist tell a complete and extraordinary story. The Chimera Ant arc alone is widely considered one of the greatest arcs in anime history.
5. One Piece
Studio: Toei Animation | Seasons: 22 | Episodes: 1,100+ | Status: Ongoing (seasonal from 2026) | Watch Time: ~460+ hours
One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time and the longest-running anime on this list. Starting in April 2026, Toei Animation switched One Piece to a seasonal format, capping at 26 episodes per year. The Elbaph arc began broadcasting in April 2026 after a three-month hiatus, marking a major shift from the weekly schedule that ran for over 25 years.
The episode count is intimidating, but fans who commit say it’s the most rewarding storytelling experience in anime. Eiichiro Oda built one of the most detailed, interconnected worlds in fiction. Emotional peaks like Enies Lobby, Marineford, Wano, and now Elbaph hit harder than almost anything because of the hundreds of hours you’ve invested in these characters.
If 1,100+ episodes feels like too much, the manga is a faster way to experience the story. A WIT Studio remake is also in production, which will likely condense the early arcs significantly. Alternatively, community-curated watch guides that skip filler can cut the episode count by roughly 10-15%.
6. Death Note
Studio: Madhouse | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 37 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~15 hours
Death Note is the anime that converted millions of non-anime fans. A genius high school student finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. He decides to become god of a new world. A mysterious detective known as “L” hunts him down. The cat-and-mouse game between Light and L is one of the most gripping rivalries in fiction.
At just 37 episodes, Death Note is one of the shortest series on this list and one of the easiest to binge. Many fans feel the quality drops after episode 25 due to a major plot event, but the first two-thirds are so exceptional that the series still earns its all-time ranking. It’s the perfect starter anime for anyone who enjoys thrillers, crime dramas, or psychological tension.
7. Jujutsu Kaisen
Studio: MAPPA | Seasons: 3 (+ JJK 0 movie) | Episodes: 72+ | Status: Ongoing | Watch Time: ~30 hours
Jujutsu Kaisen is the defining action anime of the 2020s. Season 1 has 24 episodes. Season 2 has 23 episodes covering the Hidden Inventory and Shibuya Incident arcs. Season 3 (Winter 2026) adapts the Culling Game arc and delivered a finale that fans called one of the best-animated episodes of all time.
MAPPA’s animation is consistently jaw-dropping. Every fight scene feels like a mini-movie. The power system (cursed energy and domain expansions) adds strategic depth to every confrontation. Gege Akutami’s willingness to take real risks with beloved characters keeps the stakes genuine throughout.
JJK is still ongoing, with Season 4 expected to continue the Culling Game’s second phase. The prequel movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, is a standalone story that works as either a starting point or a companion piece. At 72+ episodes, JJK is easy to catch up on and delivers premium action consistently.
8. Steins;Gate
Studio: White Fox | Seasons: 2 (Steins;Gate + Steins;Gate 0) | Episodes: 47 (24 + 23) | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~20 hours
Steins;Gate is the best time-travel story in anime. The original 24-episode series follows Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who accidentally discovers a way to send messages to the past. What starts as quirky comedy slowly transforms into a tense, heartbreaking thriller around episode 12.
Steins;Gate 0 is a 23-episode sequel/midquel that explores an alternate timeline. It’s not essential but adds depth to the original story. Most fans recommend watching the original first, then deciding if you want more. The original series alone tells a complete, perfectly paced story with one of the most satisfying endings in anime.
9. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Studio: ufotable | Seasons: 4 (+ Mugen Train movie + Infinity Castle trilogy) | Episodes: 63 | Status: Ongoing (Infinity Castle movies) | Watch Time: ~26 hours (series only)
Demon Slayer became a global phenomenon largely because of ufotable’s animation. The breakdown: Season 1 (Tanjiro Kamado arc, 26 episodes), Season 2 (Mugen Train arc 7 episodes + Entertainment District arc 11 episodes), Season 3 (Swordsmith Village arc, 11 episodes), and Season 4 (Hashira Training arc, 8 episodes).
The Mugen Train arc was also released as a movie that became the highest-grossing film in Japanese box office history. You can watch either the movie or the Season 2 adaptation of the same story. The Infinity Castle arc is being adapted as a trilogy of theatrical films, with the first installment releasing in 2025 to massive box office numbers.
At 63 TV episodes, Demon Slayer is a quick watch. The story is more straightforward than other entries on this list, but the emotional sincerity of Tanjiro’s journey combined with the breathtaking visual spectacle makes it an unforgettable experience.
10. Naruto + Naruto Shippuden
Studio: Pierrot | Seasons: 2 series (Naruto + Shippuden) | Episodes: 720 (220 + 500) | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~300 hours (with filler) / ~180 hours (canon only)
The Naruto franchise spans 720 episodes across two series. The original Naruto has 220 episodes, and Naruto Shippuden has exactly 500. Together, they tell the complete story of Naruto Uzumaki from outcast orphan to Hokage.
The biggest criticism is legitimate: roughly 40% of the total episodes are filler. That’s nearly 290 filler episodes. Using a filler guide to skip non-canon content reduces the watch time dramatically and tightens the story considerably. The canon episodes contain some of the most emotionally powerful moments in shonen anime: Jiraiya’s death, Itachi’s truth, Pain’s invasion, and the final Naruto vs. Sasuke battle.
The sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (293 episodes) and its follow-up Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continue the franchise, but the original Naruto + Shippuden story stands complete on its own.
11. Vinland Saga
Studio: Wit Studio (S1) / MAPPA (S2) | Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 48 (24 + 24) | Status: Awaiting Season 3 | Watch Time: ~20 hours
Vinland Saga is a historical anime set during the Viking Age. Season 1 is a brutal action-packed political thriller. Season 2 strips away the violence and becomes a deeply introspective character study. That tonal shift is what makes it one of the greatest anime ever.
Thorfinn’s transformation from a rage-filled child soldier into a man searching for peace is one of the most powerful character arcs in the medium. Both seasons are 24 episodes each, making the total commitment just 48 episodes. The manga has more story to adapt, and fans are waiting on Season 3 confirmation. Some of Vinland Saga’s episodes rank among IMDb’s highest-rated TV episodes of all time.
12. Cowboy Bebop
Studio: Sunrise | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 26 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~11 hours
No anime is cooler than Cowboy Bebop. A space western about bounty hunters drifting through the solar system, set to one of the greatest soundtracks in anime history. At just 26 episodes, you can finish it in a single weekend.
The episodic structure gives each story room to breathe. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed each carry emotional baggage that the series explores with maturity that still feels fresh. The final two episodes remain among the most discussed endings in anime. This is the series that proved anime could be taken seriously by Western audiences when it aired on Adult Swim in the early 2000s. The 2021 Netflix live-action adaptation was cancelled after one season, but the original anime remains untouchable.
13. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Studio: Sunrise | Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 50 (25 + 25) | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~21 hours
Code Geass follows Lelouch, an exiled prince who gains the power of absolute obedience and wages a secret rebellion against the empire that conquered his homeland. Two perfectly balanced seasons of 25 episodes each deliver political intrigue, mecha battles, moral complexity, and one of the most celebrated endings in anime history.
The final episode ties together every thread in a way that’s both surprising and devastating. Fans still debate whether Lelouch’s final choice was right, and that ongoing conversation proves how deeply the story resonates. There’s also a sequel movie (Re;surrection), but the original 50-episode series tells a complete and satisfying story on its own.
14. Mob Psycho 100
Studio: Bones | Seasons: 3 | Episodes: 37 (12 + 13 + 12) | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~15 hours
Mob Psycho 100 comes from ONE, the creator of One Punch Man. Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama is an overpowered psychic who just wants to be a normal kid. In a genre full of power fantasies, this anime says that being strong doesn’t matter if you can’t connect with people.
Three seasons of 12-13 episodes each. Every season gets better. The finale is genuinely perfect. Bones’ animation amplifies every emotional beat with some of the most creative visual storytelling in modern anime. At 37 episodes, Mob Psycho 100 is the rare series that improves with every season and sticks the landing completely.
15. Monster
Studio: Madhouse | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 74 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~31 hours
Monster is the most underrated masterpiece in anime. Dr. Tenma saves a young boy’s life. Years later, that boy becomes a prolific serial killer. Tenma sets out to stop the monster he saved. No superpowers, no action set pieces. Just a tense chase across Germany with philosophical questions about evil, identity, and whether monsters are born or made.
At 74 episodes, it’s a commitment. But the pacing is deliberate, not slow. The antagonist, Johan Liebert, is widely considered one of the greatest villains in fiction. Monster is the anime to recommend to people who say they don’t like anime. It transcends the medium entirely.
16. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Studio: Gainax | Seasons: 1 + End of Evangelion film | Episodes: 26 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~11 hours (series) + 1.5 hours (EoE)
Neon Genesis Evangelion broke the mecha genre apart. On the surface, teenagers pilot giant robots to fight aliens. Underneath, it’s a raw exploration of depression, loneliness, and the desperate human need for connection. Director Hideaki Anno poured his own mental health struggles into the series.
The 26-episode TV series plus the End of Evangelion movie is the core experience. The Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy (4 movies released between 2007-2021) offers a reimagined version of the story. The TV ending is famously controversial, but the End of Evangelion film provides a more conclusive (and equally devastating) alternative finale. Thirty years later, it still sparks debate.
17. Dragon Ball Z
Studio: Toei Animation | Seasons: 9 sagas | Episodes: 291 (or 167 in Kai) | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~121 hours (Z) or ~70 hours (Kai)
Dragon Ball Z is the anime that brought the medium to the global mainstream. Goku’s story across the Saiyan, Frieza, Cell, and Buu sagas defined what shonen anime could be. The original DBZ has 291 episodes across 9 sagas, but Dragon Ball Z Kai (167 episodes) offers a remastered, filler-free version that’s the recommended way to watch today.
The broader Dragon Ball franchise includes Dragon Ball (153 episodes), Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes), and Dragon Ball DAIMA (2024). But DBZ is the heart of the franchise. The Super Saiyan transformation, the Frieza saga, and the Cell Games are iconic moments that influenced virtually every battle anime that followed.
18. Gintama
Studio: Sunrise / Bandai Namco | Seasons: 4+ seasons + movies | Episodes: 367 | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~153 hours
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 invaded Japan, it follows Gintoki Sakata through absurd comedy that suddenly drops serious arcs that hit like a truck.
The episode count (367) is high, and the first 25-50 episodes are a slow build. But fans who push through are rewarded with some of the most impactful storytelling in shonen history. Multiple Gintama entries rank among the highest-rated anime on MAL. The final movie, “The Very Final,” gave fans a satisfying conclusion to one of anime’s longest and most beloved runs.
19. Chainsaw Man
Studio: MAPPA | Seasons: 1 + Reze Arc movie | Episodes: 12 (+ movie) | Status: Ongoing | Watch Time: ~5 hours (series) + 2 hours (movie)
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. The first season is 12 episodes of cinematic, gritty, surprisingly emotional storytelling. The Reze Arc movie released in 2025 was one of the most acclaimed anime films of the year, climbing to the top of MAL ratings.
At just 12 episodes plus a movie, Chainsaw Man is the quickest catch-up on this list. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga has massive amounts of unadapted material, so future seasons and films are expected. The series earns its spot not just for what it’s done but for what it represents: a fresh, genre-bending take that proves anime storytelling is still evolving.
20. Violet Evergarden
Studio: Kyoto Animation | Seasons: 1 + OVA + movie | Episodes: 13 + special + film | Status: Completed | Watch Time: ~7 hours (series) + 2.5 hours (movie)
Violet Evergarden is one of the most visually beautiful anime ever created. The story follows Violet, a former child soldier learning to understand human emotions by writing letters for others. Each episode follows a different client, and some will absolutely wreck you (episode 10 is notorious).
The 13-episode series plus the standalone movie provides a complete and deeply satisfying experience. Kyoto Animation’s attention to detail in every frame is astonishing. Violet Evergarden proves that animation doesn’t need spectacle to be powerful. It just needs emotional honesty and the belief that understanding another person’s feelings is the most powerful thing we can do.
Short Binges vs Long Commitments
If you’re looking for the best anime series you can finish quickly, here are the shortest options on this list: Chainsaw Man (12 episodes), Cowboy Bebop (26 episodes), Violet Evergarden (13 episodes + movie), Death Note (37 episodes), and Mob Psycho 100 (37 episodes). All of these can be finished in a weekend or less.
For fans who want a long-form journey that builds over hundreds of episodes, One Piece (1,100+), Naruto + Shippuden (720), Gintama (367), and Dragon Ball Z (291 or 167 in Kai) offer massive worlds with deep character development that rewards patience. The emotional payoffs in these long series hit harder specifically because you’ve spent so much time with the characters.
The sweet spot for most viewers is the 24-64 episode range. Series like Brotherhood (64), Vinland Saga (48), Attack on Titan (94), and Code Geass (50) offer complete stories with enough room for complex plotlines but not so much length that they become overwhelming.
What’s New for These Series in 2026
Several series on this list have major 2026 developments. Frieren Season 2 aired during Winter 2026 with 10 episodes, and fans are waiting on Golden Land arc confirmation. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 covered the Culling Game arc in Winter 2026 with a finale that became one of the most-discussed episodes of the year. Season 4 is expected.
One Piece adopted its new seasonal format in April 2026 with the Elbaph arc, capping at 26 episodes per year going forward. This is a massive change from 25 years of weekly episodes. A WIT Studio remake of the early arcs is also in production.
Demon Slayer‘s Infinity Castle trilogy continues with its second movie following the 2025 first installment’s box office success. Chainsaw Man is expected to announce future adaptations following the Reze Arc movie’s critical and commercial performance. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run debuted in March 2026 on Netflix, instantly climbing to the top of MAL charts.
How to Choose Your Next Series
With 20 series spanning different lengths, genres, and tones, picking your next watch depends on what you’re in the mood for and how much time you have.
If you want action and hype, start with Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, or Dragon Ball Z. These series deliver consistently thrilling fights with escalating stakes. If you prefer smart, twisty stories, Death Note, Steins;Gate, or Code Geass will keep you guessing. For emotional depth and character growth, Frieren, Violet Evergarden, or Vinland Saga will move you in ways you don’t expect.
If you’re completely new to anime, Brotherhood, Death Note, or Cowboy Bebop are the safest starting points. They’re universally loved, easy to access, and don’t require any prior anime knowledge. For veteran fans looking for something they might have missed, Monster and Gintama are the two most commonly underappreciated masterpieces on this list.
Start With Any of These and You Won’t Regret It
We’ve watched all 20 of these series multiple times. Some we’ve rewatched three or four times and found new things to appreciate on every viewing. That’s the mark of a truly great anime series. It doesn’t just entertain you once. It stays with you and rewards you for coming back.
The best anime series of all time span from 12 episodes to over 1,100. From 1995 classics to 2026 breakout hits. From lighthearted comedies to devastating war dramas. What they all share is exceptional storytelling, characters worth caring about, and moments that stay burned into your memory long after the credits roll.
Pick one from this list that matches your mood, check the episode count, and press play. You already know it’s going to be worth your time.
Which series on this list is your all-time favorite? And if we missed one, tell us what it is and how many episodes it has. We’ll check it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best anime series to start with?
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (64 episodes) and Death Note (37 episodes) are the two most recommended starter anime. Both are complete, universally loved, and don’t require any prior anime knowledge. If you prefer something shorter, Cowboy Bebop at 26 episodes is a perfect one-weekend watch.
What anime has the most episodes?
On this list, One Piece leads with over 1,100 episodes across 22 seasons. The Naruto franchise (including Shippuden) totals 720 episodes. Gintama has 367. Starting in 2026, One Piece switched to a seasonal format with a maximum of 26 new episodes per year.
What’s the highest-rated anime on MyAnimeList in 2026?
As of early 2026, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 holds the top spot with a 9.34 rating, dethroning its own first season. JoJo’s Steel Ball Run has also surged near the top since its March 2026 debut. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains in the top 3 after holding the #1 position for over a decade.
Should I watch Naruto with or without filler?
We strongly recommend using a filler guide. The Naruto franchise has roughly 290 filler episodes (about 40% of the total). Skipping filler reduces the watch time from approximately 300 hours to 180 hours and keeps the story focused and emotionally impactful. The canon episodes are where all the memorable moments are.
Is Dragon Ball Z Kai better than the original DBZ?
Dragon Ball Z Kai is a remastered version with updated voice acting, improved visuals, and all filler removed. It condenses the 291-episode original down to 167 episodes. For new viewers, Kai is the recommended version because it’s tighter and more faithful to the manga. Longtime fans often prefer the original for nostalgia.
What short anime series are considered the best?
Cowboy Bebop (26 episodes), Death Note (37 episodes), Steins;Gate (24 episodes), Mob Psycho 100 (37 episodes), and Violet Evergarden (13 episodes) are all highly acclaimed series you can finish in a weekend or less. Short length doesn’t mean lesser quality.
Is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End finished?
No. Frieren is ongoing. Season 1 had 28 episodes and Season 2 has 10 episodes. The manga is still publishing, and there’s significant unadapted material for future seasons or movies. The Golden Land arc is the next major storyline fans are hoping to see adapted.
What anime series has the best ending?
Code Geass and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are the two most commonly praised anime endings. Code Geass’s finale is widely considered one of the most satisfying conclusions in anime history. Brotherhood’s ending ties together every character and plotline perfectly. Mob Psycho 100 also receives consistent praise for its complete and emotionally resonant finale.
