Let’s be real—deciding what anime to watch next is daunting. With so many series to represent all possible genres out there, the options are endless, and the risks (at least emotionally) are steep. If you’re a seasoned old-timer or just starting to get into anime, though, now is the perfect time to get into the world of anime. These top-rated shows have a little something for everyone—a little bit of everything, that is.
1. Blood Blockade Battlefront
Hungry for supernatural thrills with a hard-boiled mindset? Blood Blockade Battlefront drops you into Hellsalem’s Lot—a town formerly known as New York until a tear between dimensions turned it into a crazyhouse that’s a crossover point for humans and supernatural entities. The offbeat members of the Libra group attempt to keep things under control in this beautifully animated, high-octane series that combines grisly combat with quirky humor.
2. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These
If space operas are your cup of tea, this new retelling of an old saga is a must-watch. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These tracks two master tacticians—Reinhard of the Galactic Empire and Yang of the Free Planets Alliance—through politics, war, and ambition. It’s heavy with strategy, character development, and philosophical debate, which makes it much more than a sci-fi war tale.
3. The Red Ranger is an Adventurer in Another World
This lighthearted sendup of the isekai genre drops a Sentai hero—along with his melodramatic poses and excessive power gestures—into a fantasy RPG world. Seeing Tougo Asagaki navigate medieval monsters and magic but continue to behave as if he’s in a superhero series is both amusing and invigorating. It’s a humorous, self-aware take on two well-known genres.
4. To Be Hero X
In To Be Hero X, heroism is more than just symbolic—it gives people superpowers. The series takes advantage of its superhero world to satirize celebrity culture and social media addiction, all while changing art styles and angles to keep things fresh visually and thematically. It’s fashionable, witty, and never afraid to get strange in the best possible ways.
5. Log Horizon
Trapped-in-a-video-game anime exists, but Log Horizon does things differently. Rather than constant fighting, it deals with politics, diplomacy, and the question of how to create a new society from within a video game. It’s intelligent, talk-heavy, and best for fans who enjoy complex world-building and strategic storytelling at the expense of constant action.
6. Honey Lemon Soda
This sweet and sincere shojo series centers on Uka Ishimori, a timid high schooler trying to rebuild her confidence after a rough past. Her journey—helped along by a kind, outgoing classmate—blends emotional realism with the gentle charm of classic high school romance. If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and healing, Honey Lemon Soda hits the mark.
7. Shangri-La Frontier
Sick of glossed-up VRMMO tales? Shangri-La Frontier spins the genre on its head. Rakurou, a gamer with a fixation on awful, buggy games, at last attempts a first-class game—and finds himself having to work. It’s an ode to hard-core gamers who realize sometimes the grind is half the fun. Look for fast action, solid game mechanics, and a whole lot of surprises.
8. Yakuza Fiancé
Romance and psychological warfare intersect in Yakuza Fiancé. When the children of competing crime families are made to be a part of an arranged marriage, things quickly turn into manipulation, games of power, and emotional manipulation. This is not your everyday love story—it’s cutting, explosive, and delves into how two individuals from backgrounds of violence learn to trust and be vulnerable.
9. Re: Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Few isekai shows land as hard a blow as Re: Zero. What begins with a standard fantasy premise soon becomes a merciless psychological gauntlet. Subaru’s ability to “return by death” rewinds time each time he dies, but each decision, every error, and every death comes at an emotional cost. With multi-faceted characters and high-stakes plotting, this show is compelling from beginning to end.
10. The 100 Girlfriends Why, Really, Really, REALLY Love You
Of course, the title is ridiculous. But under the crazy premise lies a refreshingly wholesome, meta comedy. When Rentarou Aijou discovers that he has 100 soulmates, he does what any excessively earnest lead character would—he vows to love them all. The outcome is an affectionate, humorous series that satirizes harem clichés but really loves each of the characters’ quirks and uniqueness.
Bonus Recommendations for Any Mood
Still not enough? You can’t go wrong with contemporary favorites such as Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Demon Slayer, and Hunter x Hunter. If you want something a little different, try Soul Eater for supernatural action or Kakegurui if high-stakes drama with a dash of style is your thing.
Whether you’re looking for emotional complexity, crazy adventures, or just something new, the universe of anime is full of tales that can stir you, excite you, and challenge you. So hit play—your new favorite show could be in your buffer.