Let’s be honest—ranking anime is a dangerous game. It’s like picking your favorite child… if your children were sword-swinging samurai, emotionally scarred teenagers, and world-saving high schoolers with gravity-defying hair. Everyone’s list looks a little different, and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’re a lifelong anime fan or just starting to dip your toes in the genre, there’s never been a better time to explore its incredible variety. And so here it is—my own, completely subjective top 10 of the greatest anime of all time. You might not like it. You might rage-scroll. But oh well, that’s what the comments are for.
10. My Hero Academia
What if superhero high school wasn’t just your personality, but your entire being? My Hero Academia runs with that concept—quickly. It’s half action and half emotional, as hero-in-training Izuku Midoriya figures out how to use his abilities (and his emotions) in a world where heroism is the default. The animation is always of the highest quality, the music is thumping, and the show’s emotional moments land harder than All Might’s blows. “Plus Ultra,” for sure.
9. Samurai Champloo
Feudal Japan and hip-hop collide—and, inexplicably, totally work. Samurai Champloo is cool, deep, and utterly one-of-a-kind. It tracks a mismatched group—Mugen, Jin, and Fuu—on an adventure filled with sword battles, existential sidetracks, and scratchy grooves. It’s cool without even trying, and still feels new many years after it first aired.
8. The Rising of the Shield Hero
At first glance, Shield Hero seems like your typical isekai adventure. But things go dark—fast. After being falsely accused and cast out, Naofumi’s rise from disgraced outsider to true hero is a gritty, emotional journey. It’s a story about resilience, trust, and power—both earned and taken. And it reminds us that sometimes the strongest weapon is a shield.
7. Yu Yu Hakusho
Before Jujutsu Kaisen made exorcising spirits trendy, Yu Yu Hakusho laid the groundwork. Yusuke Urameshi’s transformation from delinquent to spirit detective is iconic, and the show strikes a perfect balance between humor, high-stakes battles, and heart. The Dark Tournament arc alone earns it a spot on any all-time list. It’s a classic for a reason—and yes, it still holds up.
6. Blue Eye Samurai
A recent arrival but an immediate favorite, Blue Eye Samurai marries East and West in stunning animation and whip-smart storytelling. The story of a half-Asian, half-white swordswoman avenging her past in Edo-period Japan is riveting from beginning to end. It’s gritty, visceral, and unafraid to be bold—a testament that anime-style storytelling knows no bounds.
5. Trigun
Vash the Stampede could be anime’s most underrated gunslinger. Trigun blends farcical humor, sci-fi western bedlam, and unexpectedly serious moral issues. You’re giggling at Vash’s shenanigans one instant; the next, you’re pondering the price of pacifism in a hostile universe. It’s a show that catches you off guard emotionally—and leaves its mark.
4. One Piece
One Piece is more of a way of life and less of a show now. With more than 1,000 episodes, it’s a big-time commitment—but what a trip. Monkey D. Luffy’s journey to find the greatest treasure ever is full of showdowns, LOL moments, and cry-your-eyes-out scenes that catch you off guard. If you enjoy world-building, this is your benchmark.
3. Hunter x Hunter
What begins as a lighthearted quest for a boy searching for his father becomes something much more profound (and sinister). Hunter x Hunter skillfully offsets its cheerful mood with some of the most intelligent fight choreography and morally ambiguous characters in shonen. Gon and Killua’s friendship alone is enough to sustain the show—but it’s the surprise turns that make it unforgettable.
2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
It’s difficult to exaggerate how fast Demon Slayer blew up globally. The animation is on another level, the fights are beautifully choreographed, and the emotional stakes resonate strongly. Tanjiro’s understated resolve and Nezuko’s fighting spirit make the show’s heart pound just as much as its blade clashes. Oh, and that opening theme? Instant classic.
1. Attack on Titan
This isn’t merely an upper-echelon anime—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Attack on Titan is grimy, violent, and ceaselessly provocative. It begins with humanity on the precipice of extinction and devolves into a tangled mess of politics, liberty, and moral grey areas. Love the conclusion or not, you can’t deny its ambition. It revolutionized the anime experience and made a dent that’ll be felt for years to come.
Naturally, no such list is ever going to make everyone happy—and that’s sort of the idea. Perhaps you wish Neon Genesis Evangelion were included (and yes, it certainly broke the mold). Or perhaps your favorite is Death Note, Bleach, or Jujutsu Kaisen. The magic of anime is that there is something for every person—and always something fresh to explore.