Table of Contents
You have heard the word anime being thrown around a few times and are wondering what this is. Or, you might be a film enthusiast that wants to try out a new genre of films. You could also be an anime enthusiast looking for suggestions on other animes that you can watch.
Either way, you are in the right place. For those not in the know, an anime refers to a unique style of animation film with roots in the Japanese culture. Animes are made with a target audience in mind, and therefore some are more suited to adults and others to kids. There is also a middle area when it comes to anime films.
Anime by Genre:
So you may be asking yourself, which are the best anime to watch? The following list will bring this into perspective.
Best Anime To Watch
1. Naruto
Naruto is a Japanese manga film based on teenage ninja Naruto Uzumaki who attempts to become the leader (Hokage) of his village. The drive to become Hokage leads him to seek recognition among his peers. This effort is, however, hampered by a demon (Kyuubi) that was sealed inside the boy before his birth.
The story of Naruto is split into two; his early adolescent years and the other part covers his teenage years when he strives to become a Hokage. This anime series previously existed in the print version but was adapted as a TV series in the year 2002. It ran for 220 episodes between 2002-2007 in Japan and later from 2005-2009 on Cartoon Network. Naruto was written by Masashi Kishimoto.
2.Naruto Shippuden
In this anime, Naruto has not changed that much compared to the first version. His confidence, however, has grown and he fights with ore heart and resilience. This anime is made up of a massive 500 episodes that aired between 2007 and 2017. It ranks as one of the top 10 anime films of all time.
3.One Piece
If you love pirates and their adventure quests, then One Piece is one anime series that you do not want to miss out on. Based on the story of Monkey Luffy, a 17-year-old adventurer and his friends who are in search of a secret treasure “One Piece” is an epic story of resilience. The Grand Age Pirates aim to be the first-ever pirates to discover the One Piece and be proclaimed Pirate King.
This is a prestigious title in the world of piracy at that age. This anime first aired in 1999 and since then 800+ episodes have followed. Although it has changed rights and networks a lot of times, the anime is still among the top anime of all time.
4.Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
- Demon Slayer Episode List
- Demon Slayer Movie “Infinity Train”
It’s a Story-Based of a soft-hearted boy who sells charcoal for a living finds his family slaughtered by a demon. And the Sole Survivor his younger sister Turned into a beast Herself. Till Now Season 1 is Completed and there is an announcement of the first Movie based on this Anime
5.Dr Stone
Dr. Stone is a story about two students, Senku and Taiju, who are students living their lives and continuing their goals. Taiju has a crush on a girl and wants to confess his feelings and Senku is a Science guy who loves to do an experiment in the science room.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
A sequel to the original version of Fullmetal Alchemist. This anime follows through the story of two brothers in search of better mastery of alchemy to resurrect their dead mother. Edward loses a leg and later sacrifices an arm to keep the soul of Alphonse when an alchemy experiment to resurrect their mother backfires.
7. Tokyo Ghoul
Also, Check:
This 12 episode anime aired in 2014 and sparked a lot of debate among anime lovers since it was argued that the episodes didn’t give enough chance for the whole story to be broadcast. This anime was written by Sui Ishida and previously existed in print and has both a censored and uncensored film version.
8. Attack on Titan- Shingeki no Kyojin
After giant humanoid Titans attack and destroy his village, leaving his mother dead, Eren Singeki vows not to rest till they are destroyed. This informs his resolve with friends; Mikasa and Armin to ensure that the last three walls protecting his village remain standing. This helps to ward off the attacks by the Titans.
There are also three military wings that attempt to protect humans using a grappling technique that uses systems called Vertical Manoeuvring Equipment. These are used to jump over trees and walls to launch attacks on the Titans. The first season of this anime series aired in 2013 followed by the second season in 2017 and the third one in 2018.
9. Dragon Ball Z
DBZ is an anime series that is a sequel to the original Dragon Ball anime series. In DBZ, Gokuu is just a normal family man who lives with his wife and son. Five years after winning a martial arts tournament, the plot changes when Raditz, who claims to be his brother from another planet, visits his home. Raditz claims that he and Gokuu come from a lineage of extinct warriors and that they were separated when Gokuu as a child brought to destroy earth lost his memory.
He, therefore, becomes the right person that fights to protect the weak. What follows after this revelation is a series of attacks from enemies from other planets. This anime aired between 1989 and 1996 for a total of 261 episodes. Recently Dragon Ball Release a new movie where a few new dragon ball characters are added.
10. Sword Art Online
S.A.O, as it is commonly referred to, is an exciting anime that features a group of games in 2022. The MMO gamers are part of the Sword Art Online game whereby players are connected in virtual reality through special Nerve Gear helmets. Kirito is one of the initial gamers to log on to this game and makes a friend of a newbie gamer called Klein.
You Can check: Sword Art Online Watch Order
Soon, the two, as well as other gamers on the network, realize that the creator of the game has trapped them in until they clear all the levels. It gets all the more thrilling because if a gamer dies in the game, they also die in real life too. This 25 episode anime aired in 2012.
11. Hunter x Hunter
Along his journey, he is faced with multiple challenges and tests from enemies and friends that he makes. He also discovers many hidden treasures. Hunter x Hunter aired for 148 episodes between 2011 and 2014.
12. The Seven Deadly Sins
The Holy Knights seize power after capturing the king 10years later and become irresponsible rulers. This prompts Princess, Elizabeth to travel to the Seven Deadly Sins in a bid to win back the power. This anime aired for 24 episodes between 2014 and 2015. It was written by Shotaro Suga. Check Out the Seven Deadly Sins Watch Order.
13.Detective Conan (Case Closed)
The story follows the events of Shinichi Kudo (also known as Jimmy Kudo in Case Closed), a young detective genius who was involuntarily shrunk into a child’s body due to a poison he was force-fed by members of a criminal syndicate.
14. Cowboy Bebop
If you are a newbie to anime, Cowboy Bebop is the best anime to watch. This anime has been touted by many as the reason why the western world became receptive of anime series. Set in the year 2072, it depicts a time when humans have colonized other planets and left the earth in a horrible condition. There is a police force, Inter Solar System Police that is charged with maintaining peace in the galaxy.
They get help from bounty hunters called Cowboys, and there is a team in the Bebop spaceship that is also part of these bounty hunters. The five-member team made up of Spike, Jet, Welsh, Faye, and Edward is one that will blow your mind away. Cowboy Bebop ran for 26 episodes between 1998 and 1999.
15. Soul Eater
A group of students is attending a school of weapons and masters in Shibushen, which is a city in Nevada. The characters in the anime are all accompanied by partners that can transform into different weapons for use. The students want to collect souls to protect the city. The characters (Soul Eaters) have to consume 99 evil souls and one belonging to a witch before transforming into a weapon.
The different characters and their partners all come together to fight demons and witches that want to overtake the world by first destroying Shibushen. The anime is a 51 episode series that ran between 2008 and 2009.
16. Code Geass
This anime that ran 26 episodes between 2006 and 2007 is set in 2010 whereby the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan and renamed it Area 11. The heir to the throne, Lelouch Lamperouge forfeits his birthright after witnessing the gruesome murder of his mother. He is on a quest to get revenge against his father.
In the crossfire that ensues when the empire is being overthrown, a girl saved him called CC. He then becomes a masked vigilante called Zero as he seeks to overthrow the intruders. This anime is created by an all-girls manga artist team called Clamp.
17. Blue Exorcist
Wrapping up our impressive list is The Blue Exorcist, one of the best anime films you will ever watch. Two teenage brothers Rin Okimura and Yukio realize that they are Satan’s children born of human parents.
Rin realizes that he has inherited Satan’s powers and through his brother’s help resolves to become an exorcist to destroy their father. Satan kills the boys’ foster father, who was a priest and an exorcist, and this enrages them all the more. The series aired for 25 episodes in its first season in 2011. In 2017, a second season began airing.
If you are thinking about where to watch these animes Check out the list of anime streaming sites. If you do not like watching on websites then see our article on the Best apps to watch anime.