Anime enthusiasts are no novices to intense arguments, particularly when one dares to call out the greatest series of all time. From pioneering classics to new favorites rocking the world, each enthusiast has their list. So, though we know one ranking cannot suit everyone, we tried our best—blending fan favorites, critical success, and a pinch of personal bias. Whether you’re a long-time anime watcher or just starting, here’s a rundown of what many consider the cream of the crop. Let’s count down from ten to one—who knows, maybe your all-time favorite cut.
10. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
It’s not every day that a video game adaptation knocks it out of the park, but Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did just that. Against the backdrop of Night City’s anarchy, the series serves up a high-octane, emotionally intense experience, thanks to Studio Trigger’s fearless animation and direction. At its center is David, a young man struggling to make it through in a world that’s savage, technology-addicted, and unforgiving. The action is crazy, the plot packs a punch, and the atmospherics? Straight-up adrenaline. It’s one of those unusual shows that takes you by the collar and refuses to let go.
9. Samurai Champloo
Imagine feudal Japan with hip-hop rhythms, graffiti-like cuts, and breakdance-inspired sword fighting. That’s Samurai Champloo. Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, it tracks three unlikely friends—Mugen, Jin, and Fuu—as they travel around the nation searching for a cryptic samurai. Along the way, they fall into episodes that mix humor, passion, and periodic heartbreak. It’s one of those shows that weighs slick style against rich substance. Even years after its debut, it remains fresh.
8. My Hero Academia
Superhero fiction isn’t exactly fresh, but My Hero Academia sets the genre in a new and emotional direction. We’re in a universe where superpowers—known as “quirks”—are the natural order of things, and we track Izuku Midoriya, a boy who was born without a single one. Yet he wants to be a hero, and when chance gives him an opportunity, he seizes it with all his might. The series blends graphic combat, offbeat characters, and uplifting themes that resonate most if you’ve ever been rooting for the underdog. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, there’s something in it that lingers.
7. Hunter x Hunter
Don’t be fooled by its lighthearted start—Hunter x Hunter takes it there. What begins as a boy’s quest to discover his father becomes a grand narrative of moral complexity, friendship, and survival. Gon Freecss is the star of the show, but each individual he encounters enriches the story in ways most anime do not. From the explosive Hunter Exam arc to the dark and complex Chimera Ant arc, this show consistently defies expectations. It’s intelligent, feeling, and not afraid to be heavy.
6. Cowboy Bebop
Not many anime have had the same level of cultural penetration as Cowboy Bebop. With its blend of sci-fi, jazz, and film noir, it’s not simply a space bounty hunter narrative—it’s a contemplation of loneliness, loss, and the past that won’t leave us alone. Spike Spiegel and his misfit crew of space travelers roam the cosmos, hunting bounties and fighting their inner demons. Every episode is like a mini-movie, and the soundtrack alone is legendary. Stylish, soulful, and unforgettable—this one’s a must, even if you’re new to anime.
5. One Piece
A thousand-plus episodes in, and One Piece is still going strong. What started as a goofy pirate adventure has grown into one of the most intricate and emotionally resonant epics in anime. Monkey D. Luffy’s journey towards the Pirate King is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath that sits a dense world of stacked characters, intricate politics, and gut-knocking flashbacks that somehow always catch you off guard when you least expect it. It’s a huge investment, certainly, but one that’s rewarded tenfold.
4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer swept the world up in its wake—and you can see why. With some of the most beautiful animation ever committed to screen and a narrative that plucks at every heartstring, it’s an emotional and visual tour de force. Tanjiro Kamado’s struggle to save his sister—and eliminate demons from the world—is brutal and beautiful. Every fight is more than a sword’s clash; it’s a loss, a love, and a price paid for hope. It’s no surprise the series broke records and captured the hearts of viewers worldwide.
3. Death Note
No anime is quite as remarkable as Death Note. It begins with a murder notebook and descends into a cat-and-mouse game between two of literature’s greatest thinkers. Light Yagami has a vision of eliminating evil from the earth employing the Death Note, and the detective L is keen to put a stop to him. What follows is a gripping, morally ambiguous confrontation that has you riveted from beginning to end. The series poses large questions—and refuses to give easy answers.
2. Attack on Titan
What started as a survival tale of giant monsters quickly became a rich, emotionally brutal epic about war, vengeance, and the nature of man. Attack on Titan is not afraid to tread where few anime do—questioning ideologies, pushing the distinction of hero versus villain, and questioning what freedom is. Eren Yeager’s transformation throughout the show is as much a shock as it is moving. Each turn is a lander, each fight feels like doomsday, and that ending? Let’s just say there are still conversations about it.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
First on the list is a series that has it all: heart, humor, heartbreak, and plenty of alchemy. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the Elric brothers—Edward and Alphonse—on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone to restore a dreadful error. Along the way, they reveal long-standing conspiracies, encounter fear-inducing foes, and grapple with what it is to be human. The prose is lean, the rhythm perfect, and each character, however small, has a reason to be there. It’s not merely one of the greatest anime ever crafted—it’s one of the greatest stories, full stop.
There you have it—ten series that have survived the test of time, blown minds, and heated up more than a few passionate arguments. Whether you’re here for serious character development, face-melting animation, or just good ol’ fashioned sword combat, there’s something on this list for everyone. Anime is constantly changing, but these shows? They’ve already written themselves into history.