The world of anime has been around for a long time, and many different genres and sub-genres come with it. Seinen is one of the most popular genres in Japan: it’s geared towards a more mature audience and is often associated with violence.
What is the Seinen anime genre?
Seinen anime typically targets a demographic of male viewers aged 18-30. Generally, the Seinen series is more mature and deals with darker subject matter, violence, horror themes, or radical social commentary.
People sometimes mix up Seinen with dark and violent series, but that’s not quite right. Take “Attack on Titan,” for example. It has dark elements but is considered a Shounen series.
Seinen manga typically stand out by having more intricate plots, dealing with mature themes, or featuring older main characters than Shounen. Seinen stories are often more cynical and practical, although it’s not a strict rule.
So let’s check out some of the Best Seinen Anime you should watch.
I enjoy Seinen anime because it covers a wide range of topics. I usually pick the ones with high ratings on MyAnimeList and organize them by their release year. Here are some of my favorites.
Best Seinen Anime Recommendations
1. Akira
- Episode: 1 Film
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Psychological, Sci-Fi, Supernatural
- Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Akira, released in 1988 and directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, was a groundbreaking anime film. At that time, it was the most expensive one ever made, and it made a big impact.
The movie’s portrayal of the neon-lit streets of Neo Tokyo was created using traditional cel animation techniques, which were pretty advanced for that era. The hard work put into it truly paid off. Even by today’s standards, this 1980s anime film stands out for its exceptional quality.
Its aesthetic, blending elements of technological dystopia, has had a lasting influence on the cyberpunk genre and continues to be appreciated today.
2. Berserk
- Episode: 25 (1997) | 3 Film (2012) | 24 (2016)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Studio:
Berserk is a Japanese manga series created by Kentaro Miura back in the late 1980s.
This manga was turned into a 25-episode anime series by studio OLM, which aired between 1997 and 1998. It’s a must-watch anime from the 1990s.
Later, there was a film trilogy titled Berserk: The Golden Age Arc, which came out in 2012. The next anime adaptation aired in 2016-2017, consisting of 24 episodes.
Which one should you pick? They’re all worth checking out, but the first anime from the mid-1990s has its unique charm. Even though the animation style is a bit old-school, it captures the dark atmosphere better.
The story is set in a dark fantasy world inspired by medieval Europe and follows Guts, a mercenary, and Griffith, the leader of a mercenary group called the “Band of the Hawk.”
3. Perfect Blue
- Episode: 1 Film
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Psychological
- Studio: MADHOUSE
Perfect Blue has it all, representing the unique and fantastic elements of director Satoshi Kon’s signature style.
This film follows a popular idol who decides to quit so he can pursue a career in acting. However, this quickly becomes a nightmare as he loses his sense of reality while falling victim to several vile acts from his disappointed fans.
4. Ghost in the Shell
- Episode: 26
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
- Studio: Production I.G
Many anime fans hold the 1995 Ghost in the Shell film in high regard as a classic. So when the Stand Alone Complex series came out six years later, there were doubts. However, Production IG studio proved those skeptics wrong.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a well-known series. The original film had a futuristic setting akin to the works of Philip K. Dick and William Gibson.
But the series takes a different approach from the film in several ways, some apparent from the start and others due to its layout.
The story unfolds in the near future, where people have advanced with cybernetic implants and cyborgs. Many, including criminals, use this technology.
To combat this new type of crime, the Japanese government formed special police units. We follow their leaders, Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, as they tackle various issues.
5. Monster
- Episode: 74
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
- Studio: MADHOUSE
Monster is a gripping story about a deadly killer and the man who’s trying to stop him.
The tale centers around Dr. Kenzou Tenma, a top-notch brain surgeon. He decides to operate on the mayor’s son, even though it costs him his job and reputation. His actions create problems with the hospital director. But the real trouble begins when he realizes the boy he saved is a sociopathic murderer.
Dr. Tenma embarks on a mission to stop the killer and save his patients. This journey makes the series incredibly captivating and worth watching.
6. Black Lagoon
- Episode: 12 (S01), 12 (S02)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Thriller
- Studio: MADHOUSE
Okajima Rokuro is a regular office worker from Japan. He spends most of his time drinking with clients and dealing with a tough boss. One day, his company sends him to the East China Sea to deliver something important.
But things take a crazy turn when the boat he’s on gets hijacked by a group of brutal mercenaries. They call him “Rock” and think he can be used to get some money. So, they take him as a hostage.
Little does Rock know, the thing he was supposed to deliver holds a dark secret. This secret causes a lot of confusion and chaos for both Rock and his captors.
7. Mushishi
- Episode: 26
- Genre: Adventure, Slice of Life, Supernatural
- Studio: Artland
“Mushishi” is about a traveler named Ginko. He goes from place to place, helping people with issues caused by magical spirits called Mushi.
The show takes its time and tells different stories in each episode. Some are dark, and some are light. But they all have beautiful landscapes and music to go with them.
8. Elfen Lied
- Episode: 13
- Genre: Action, Horror, Psychological, Romance, Supernatural, Seinen
- Studio: Arms
“Elfen Lied” might not initially catch your eye because it looks like a typical anime. But don’t be fooled by its appearance.
The show follows Lucy, a mutant who was treated badly in experiments. She wants revenge on humans. Lucy looks almost human, and the anime uses this to talk about essential things like prejudice and being left out.
What makes “Elfen Lied” unique is that it mixes bright colors and a calm art style with really gory scenes. It can be shocking, but it conveys its message solidly and unforgettably.
9. xxxHOLiC
- Episode: 21
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural
- Studio: Production I.G
xxxHolic follows Watanuki, a high school student who can see spirits. One day, he ends up in a mysterious shop owned by a woman named Yuko. He promises to remove Watanuki’s abilities if he works for him.
xxxHolic features powerful visions and explores the concept of destiny. Many of the characters’ fates are determined by their own actions.
A very detailed and unique art style, especially in fashion, is CLAMP’s trademark. xxxHolic is the perfect seinen series for anime fans who like an experimental style.
10. K-On!
- Episode: 13, 24, 1 Film
- Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, School, Seinen
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
I bet some folks didn’t think this adorable anime would be in the seinen category, huh?
“K-On!” is about a bunch of high school girls who are part of a light music club. They start by learning to play instruments in their club and eventually create real bands as more friends join and they improve.
The anime shows their journey through high school and college as they keep getting better at playing music.
11. Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (The Tatami Galaxy)
- Episode: 11
- Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance
- Studio: MADHOUSE
The main character, we’ll call him “Watashi,” wants to have the perfect college life filled with excitement and colors, just like he’s always imagined. He talks a lot and thinks really fast.
“The Tatami Galaxy” is a special anime because it was made by director Masaaki Yuasa. It takes a simple idea and tells the story in a cool and different way.
12. Boku dake ga Inai Machi (ERASED)
- Episode: 12
- Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
“Satoru Fujinuma” is the main character. He’s 29 years old and draws comics. He has a special power called “Revival” that lets him go back in time to stop bad things from happening. He’s used it to save lots of people.
But then, he gets accused of murder and something strange happens. He goes back 18 years in time. In the past, he thinks that the murder in the future might be connected to the murder of one of his old friends.
So, the story is all about him trying to find out what really happened in the past while also trying to save his friends and the people he cares about in the present.
13. Arakawa Under the Bridge
- Episode: 12 (S01), 12 (S02)
- Genre: Comedy, Parody
- Studio: SHAFT
“Arakawa Under the Bridge” is a funny and satirical anime for grown-ups.
It tells the story of Kou Ichinomiya, a rich guy who never wants to owe anyone anything. But one day, some kids play a prank on him, and he ends up falling into a river. Luckily, he’s saved by a girl named Nino, who lives under a bridge.
Kou feels he has to repay her, so she asks him to be her boyfriend and live under the bridge. The anime is about Kou’s funny experiences with the quirky people living under the bridge.
14. 3-gatsu no Lion (March Comes In Like a Lion)
- Episode: 22 (S01), 22 (S02)
- Genre: Drama, Slice of Life
The story is about Rei Kiriyama, a professional shogi player who is initially very isolated and sad. He lives by himself.
But as the story unfolds, we see how his lonely life starts to change when he meets the Kawamoto family, especially three cheerful sisters. This is a tale of how he grows and finds happiness despite his depression.
15. Parasyte -the maxim-
- Episode: 24
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Horror, Psychological, Drama
- Studio: MADHOUSE
One night, sixteen-year-old Shinichi Izumi sleeps when parasitic aliens come to Earth.
One of these aliens tries to take over Shinichi’s body by infecting him, but it only manages to get into his right hand. Since it can’t reach his brain, this alien, Migi, must learn to live with Shinichi in his body.
However, other parasitic aliens are not friendly to humans or are parasites that couldn’t complete their mission.
16. Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)
- Episode: 23
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sport
- Studio: Production I.G.
This is a sports anime about Kakeru Kurahara. He joins the university track team because he doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and he even lives with them.
Haiji, one of the runners, has a dream of competing in the famous Hakone Ekiden mega-race. To do that, he needs to train all his new teammates who are beginners.
17. Vinland Saga
- Episode: 24
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Historical
- Studio: WIT Studio
“Vinland Saga” is about Thorfinn, a mercenary from Iceland. His life is all about war and death.
He gets caught in a growing conflict between England and Denmark, and things get worse over time. Thorfinn wants to get revenge on the person who killed his father.
The story is epic, full of violence, and intense battles. It’s inspired by Norse culture and has family and philosophy woven into the plot.
18. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
- Episode: 12 (S01), 12 (S02)
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, School
You might be wondering why a romantic comedy is listed among seinen anime, but that’s the case with “Kaguya-sama: Love is War.”
While it has some elements of shojo anime, at its core, it can also appeal to seinen fans because of its strategic mind games.
This fun series explores what happens when two clever and determined teenagers in love try to outsmart each other in the game of love.
Miyuki Shirogane, the student council president, and Kaguya Shinomiya, a wealthy heiress, both want to make the other confess their love first. It leads to lots of hilarious situations and changes their school life forever.
19. Made in Abyss
- Episode: 11 (S01), 1 Film, 12 (S02)
- Genre: Adventure, Horror, Psychological
- Studio: Cinema Citrus
Don’t let the cute characters fool you because “Made in Abyss” is quite dark and can be intense.
In this seinen anime, there’s a mysterious place called the “Abyss,” where strange creatures roam, filled with valuable relics. Those who explore it are called “Cave Raiders.”
Riko, an orphan girl, lives near the Abyss and dreams of becoming a Cave Raider like her mom to uncover its secrets. One day, while exploring the cave, she discovers a robot resembling a human child named Reg.
20. Golden Kamuy
- Episode: 12 (S01), 12 (S02), 12 (SO3), 12 (SO4)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Studio: Geno Studio
In the early 1900s, a war veteran named Saichi Sugimoto got caught up in a gold rush in Hokkaido, Japan, after the Russo-Japanese War. He discovers a map leading to hidden Ainu gold, setting off a dangerous journey, as many want this treasure and are willing to kill for it.
Facing tough wilderness, ruthless criminals, and corrupt soldiers, Sugimoto needs his skills, some luck, and the help of an Ainu girl named Asirpa. “Golden Kamuy” is a seinen anime combining intense, violent action and humor.
So, these are my recommendations for the best seinen anime. Enjoy watching!
