The dark days of struggling to stream anime are coming to a close. Netflix has come a long way from when they first introduced anime to its platform. From starting with just a handful of its homegrown offerings, the streaming service has expanded the category with several acquisitions, making anime more accessible than ever. Don’t know where to start? Here are the best anime to watch on Netflix. Check them out.
1| JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Bizarre is definitely an appropriate way to describe this series. The anime is pretty popular on the internet and is a guaranteed meme factory. Unfortunately, Netflix only has three of the five seasons. However, it’s still very enjoyable and worth checking out. Best just to turn your brain off when watching this show and just enjoy the ride. Rero rero rero.
2| Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is essentially an anime about man-eating giants. The show is extremely well produced with its amazing animation, choreography, and soundtrack. It premiered back in 2013 and was very well received—and then they took a four-year hiatus. The second season of the series aired in 2017 and the third came out in July this year. The show has managed to top itself each season, and at this point, it might just be one of the best anime series of all time.
3| Violet Evergarden
The trailer alone is very compelling. What’s more, the series and its light novel source material are both award-winners. The critically acclaimed show boasts an amazing score and beautiful animation, making it one of the most stunning anime series to date. Violet Evergarden is a beautiful emotional story about the main protagonist understanding humanity and coping with life after war. Maybe keep a box of tissues nearby when you watch this.
4| Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This entry is likely to sound really familiar. Brotherhood is a story about two boys facing physical consequences after attempting to resurrect their mother. There have been previous adaptations, but this one was made after the manga was finished. Does it make it better than before? You be the judge.
5| Trigun
If you liked Cowboy Bebop, you’re likely going to enjoy this. The series might be familiar to you too as you’ve probably seen it on local television during your childhood. Based on the manga, Trigun is sort of set in the Old West and centered around Vash, a gunslinging amnesiac. The show wasn’t really well received in Japan, but it did surprisingly well in North America after airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. It went on to garner praise from critics and manga sales went up due to its popularity in the west.
6| Food Wars!
Yukuhira Soma’s life is upended after his father decides to close their family restaurant and accept a new job that takes him all over the world. Aspiring to surpass his father, Soma takes on his challenge and applies to a highly competitive culinary high school. Like Cooking Master Boy and a couple of other food-centric anime, a lot of the show is over the top. The series has a pretty big and charming cast and the food looks amazing. Yeah, don’t watch this show hungry, unless you want to deal with insatiable cravings.
7| Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Kaguya and Miyuki battle for supremacy as they try to get each other to confess their love first. Yep, it’s a romcom, but all the manipulation and the mind games make this a highly entertaining series. Plus, who doesn’t like watching geniuses acting like idiots?
8| Erased
Erased is another sci-fi mystery series based on manga. It’s best to come in this blind, so we won’t say much other than the animation is cinematic and the soundtrack is amazing.
9| Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is the first Netflix Original anime that will solely stream on the platform. The show utilizes trippy and surreal animation, complemented by upbeat club music. A heads up: the series features a lot of sex and ultra-violence.
10| Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is an action-comedy about a middle schooler, Shigeo Kegeyama or “Mob,” who is burdened with immense psychic powers. In an effort to learn how to control his powers, Mob becomes assistant to Reigan Arataka, a con-man who deals with supernatural problems. The fight scenes in this show are incredible and the art style is fun and charming.
11| Death Note
Psychological thriller Death Note is about a high school student coming into possession of a notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. This series is popular and even has a live-action film on Netflix, too.
Honorable Mentions
Whether the following count as anime or not is up for debate. That said, isn’t it the style that makes an animated series or movie an anime? And not whether it’s made in Japan or not? Here are a couple of shows that toe the line.
Castlevania
This show is not for the faint of heart. The Netflix Original is based on the popular horror video game series of the same name: Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. The show currently has two seasons with a total of 12 episodes. If you’re only starting the series now, you should feel so lucky to not have had to wait so long for the second season. And who knows… season three could be right around the corner.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Is it anime? Is it a cartoon? The series definitely looks like it was influenced by Japanese animation, with its art style and choreography. ATLA has very well written story arcs and compelling characters. It doesn’t surprise anyone that the series is still beloved by many.
