15 Best Anime Of All Time That You Should be Watching

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 suggestion 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. So you may be asking yourself, which are the best anime on Netflix to watch? The following list will bring this into perspective.

Best Anime of all Time

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 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.

• Naruto Filler Episodes

2. 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. Alphonse is turned into body armor that Edward wears as he travels in search of the Philosopher’s Stone. This stone is said to have the power to increase his alchemy mastery. Along with this quest, Edward learns of many government conspiracy stories as well as details about his father that he did not know before. This anime ran for 65 episodes between 2009 and 2010 and was written by Hiroshi Onogi.

3. Tokyo Ghoul

A college student Ken Kaneki befriends a fellow bookworm Rize Kamishiro in this anime and Rize integrates Kaneki into the dark world of ghouls. In one instance, Kaneki almost loses his life when he is attacked by a ghoul which leaves him half human and half a ghoul. The ghouls have mastered the art of camouflaging as humans and thus can get more victims who unsuspectingly fall for their charm. 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.

4. 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 a second season in 2017 and a third one in 2018.

5. Naruto Shippuden

A sequel to the original anime that aired up to 2007, Naruto Shippuden continues with the story of Naruto Uzumaki in his quest to become a Hokage. This anime is set two years after Naruto has left Konohakagure to train as a ninja. There is an organization of elite Ninjas, Akatsu that is planning on taking over the reign of the Shinobi world. 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.

• List of Naruto Shippuden Fillers

6. 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” this 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 in 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.

• One Piece Filler Episodes

7. Dragon Ball Z

DBZ is an anime series that is a sequel to the original Dragon Ball anime series. In DBZ, Gokuu is a 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 a good 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.

8. 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. 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.

9. Hunter x Hunter

Gon is a young man who comes to the realization that his father who was presumed dead, is a long lost hunter called Ging. Gon decides that he will follow in the footsteps of his legendary hunter father and thus begins his quest to join the elite tribe of hunters and earn the title �Hunter.’ He goes on a mission to find his father and learn from him. 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.

10. The Seven Deadly Sins

This anime set in the European Middle Ages is about seven knights who represent the seven deadly sins. They intended to take over the Lioness Kingdom but failed in their attempt because of the Holy Knights. The Holy Knights seize power after capturing the king 10years later and become irresponsible rulers. This prompts the 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 Shetaro Suga.

11. 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 to 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.

12. 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.

13. Parasyte

A thrilling anime sci-fi based on the story of a 17-year-old Shinichi Izumi, who gets infected by a parasite that turns him into a monster. At first, the boy evades the attack and is saved by his earphone, but eventually, the parasite gets into his body via his right hand. Shinichi and this monster that grows in him, Migi, learn to coexist together for their survival. The anime was aired between 2014 and 2015 for a total of 24 episodes.

14. Code Geass

This anime that ran for 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, he is saved by a girl called CC. He then becomes a masked vigilante called Zero as he seeks to overthrow the intruders. This thrilling anime was created by an all-girls manga artist team called �Clamp.’

15. 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.