Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a seasoned fan looking for your next series, this is the most complete ranked list of the best anime ever made. Every entry has been chosen based on MyAnimeList scores, critical reception, cultural impact, and rewatchability — not just hype.
From timeless classics to 2026’s highest-rated shows, here are the 50 best anime of all time.
| Looking For | Start With |
|---|---|
| Absolute best anime ever made | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
| Best for complete beginners | Death Note or Attack on Titan |
| Best short anime (under 25 eps) | Demon Slayer Season 1 or Steins;Gate |
| Best currently airing (2026) | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 |
| Best long-running series | One Piece or Hunter x Hunter |
| Best anime movie | Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) |
Table of Contents
- Top 10 Best Anime of All Time — The Undisputed Greats
- Ranks 11–25 — Essential Watching
- Ranks 26–50 — The Complete List
- Best Anime by Genre
- Best Anime for Beginners
- Where to Watch
1. Top 10 Best Anime of All Time — The Undisputed Greats
These are the anime that every fan agrees on. Regardless of genre preference, these ten series represent the absolute peak of what the medium can achieve.
🥇 #1 — Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
| MAL Score | 9.10 / 10 | Episodes | 64 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy | Studio | Bones |
| Stream On | Crunchyroll, Netflix | ||
Two brothers use forbidden alchemy to resurrect their dead mother and pay a devastating price. Edward loses his arm and leg; Alphonse loses his entire body, his soul bound to a suit of armor. Their quest for the Philosopher’s Stone — the only thing that can restore them — unravels a conspiracy that goes to the very top of their nation’s military. FMA:B is the rare series that delivers flawless plotting, unforgettable characters, perfect pacing, and a genuinely earned ending. It is the consensus #1 anime of all time and the best starting point for anyone new to the medium.
#2 — Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023–2026)
| MAL Score | 9.25 / 10 (currently #1 on MAL) | Episodes | 28 (S1) + ongoing S2 |
| Genre | Fantasy, Slice of Life, Adventure | Studio | Madhouse |
| Stream On | Crunchyroll | ||
An elven mage travels the world after her adventuring party’s quest is complete — but for Frieren, who has lived for centuries, the lifetimes of her human companions are just brief moments. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 briefly topped MyAnimeList’s all-time rankings in 2026, with individual episodes scoring as high as 9.7 on IMDb. It is the most emotionally precise anime in years — quiet, melancholy, and devastating in the best possible way.
#3 — Steins;Gate (2011)
| MAL Score | 9.07 / 10 | Episodes | 24 + 1 OVA |
| Genre | Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama | Studio | White Fox |
| Stream On | Crunchyroll, Funimation (Crunchyroll) | ||
A self-proclaimed mad scientist accidentally discovers time travel via a microwave and a phone. What starts as a quirky sci-fi comedy turns into one of the most emotionally brutal thrillers in anime history. The first 12 episodes feel slow by design — everything pays off in the back half. Steins;Gate has one of the best-constructed narratives in any medium.
#4 — Attack on Titan (2013–2023)
| MAL Score | 9.05 / 10 (Final Season) | Episodes | 96 + specials |
| Genre | Action, Dark Fantasy, Thriller | Studio | WIT Studio / MAPPA |
| Stream On | Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu | ||
Humanity lives inside walled cities to protect themselves from man-eating giants called Titans. Eren Yeager swears revenge after his mother is devoured. What begins as a survival action series becomes one of the most complex political thrillers in anime history — deconstructing war, freedom, and genocide across its decade-long run. Attack on Titan proved anime could be prestige television and redefined what fans expected from plot twists and moral complexity.
#5 — Hunter x Hunter (2011)
| MAL Score | 9.03 / 10 | Episodes | 148 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy | Studio | Madhouse |
| Stream On | Netflix, Crunchyroll | ||
Gon Freecss wants to become a Hunter — an elite licensed professional — to find his missing father. The series is a masterclass in subverting shonen expectations: the Chimera Ant Arc is widely considered one of the greatest anime arcs ever written. Every arc completely reinvents itself in genre, tone, and theme.
Ranks #6–10 — The Rest of the Top 10
| Rank | Anime | MAL Score | Episodes | Genre | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Gintama | 9.06 | 367 | Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi | Best comedy anime ever — earns its emotional moments |
| #7 | Vinland Saga | 8.78 | 48 | Historical, Action, Drama | Vikings + philosophical depth. One of the best Season 2s in anime |
| #8 | Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War | 9.01 | 42+ (ongoing) | Action, Supernatural | The best arc of Bleach finally animated — stunning fights |
| #9 | Jujutsu Kaisen | 8.61 | 48+ | Action, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural | The defining shonen of the 2020s — Shibuya Incident arc is unmissable |
| #10 | Death Note | 8.62 | 37 | Psychological Thriller, Mystery | The perfect gateway anime — a cat-and-mouse masterpiece |
Ranks 11–25 — Essential Watching
| Rank | Anime | MAL | Eps | Genre | One-Line Reason to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #11 | One Piece | 8.73 | 1,100+ | Adventure, Action | The greatest world-building in manga history — use a filler guide to start |
| #12 | Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) | 8.53 | 55+ | Action, Historical Fantasy | Best animation in anime history — Ufotable at its absolute peak |
| #13 | Cowboy Bebop | 8.76 | 26 | Sci-Fi, Neo-Noir, Action | The original prestige anime — still perfect 25+ years later |
| #14 | Neon Genesis Evangelion | 8.35 | 26 + film | Mecha, Psychological Drama | Redefined anime storytelling in 1995 — still disturbing, still essential |
| #15 | Your Lie in April (Shigatsu) | 8.64 | 22 | Romance, Music, Drama | The most emotionally devastating romance in anime — have tissues ready |
| #16 | Haikyuu!! | 8.72 | 85 | Sports, Drama | The greatest sports anime ever made — works for non-sports fans too |
| #17 | Code Geass | 8.72 | 50 | Mecha, Political Drama | Best strategic thriller in anime — chess as warfare on a global scale |
| #18 | Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) | 8.13 | 51 | Action, Drama, Dark Fantasy | Darker and more tragic than Brotherhood — different story, equally good |
| #19 | Violet Evergarden | 8.67 | 13 + film | Drama, Fantasy, Romance | The most beautifully animated TV series ever produced by Kyoto Animation |
| #20 | Naruto / Naruto Shippuden | 8.24 | 720 (use filler guide) | Action, Adventure | The most emotionally resonant Big Three anime — skip filler with our guide |
| #21 | Re:ZERO | 8.28 | 75+ | Isekai, Dark Fantasy, Psychological | Deconstructs the power fantasy isekai — genuinely dark and compelling |
| #22 | Chainsaw Man | 8.52 | 12 (S1) + film | Action, Dark Fantasy, Horror | MAPPA’s most technically impressive work — unhinged in the best way |
| #23 | Mob Psycho 100 | 8.50 | 37 | Action, Supernatural, Comedy | From One Punch Man’s creator — better than OPM and more emotional |
| #24 | Mushishi | 8.67 | 46 | Mystery, Supernatural, Slice of Life | The most peaceful anime ever made — episodic, meditative, unforgettable |
| #25 | One Punch Man | 8.51 | 24 | Action, Comedy, Superhero | The funniest deconstruction of superhero tropes in any medium |
Ranks 26–50 — The Complete List
| Rank | Anime | MAL | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #26 | Berserk (1997) | 8.58 | Dark Fantasy, Action | Fans of dark, brutal, uncompromising storytelling |
| #27 | JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure | 8.02 | Action, Adventure, Supernatural | The most creatively unhinged battle manga ever adapted |
| #28 | Parasyte: The Maxim | 8.38 | Horror, Sci-Fi, Psychological | Body horror that evolves into a meditation on what makes us human |
| #29 | Fruits Basket (2019) | 8.28 | Romance, Drama, Supernatural | Best shojo anime of all time — emotionally rich and complete |
| #30 | Spy x Family | 8.60 | Action, Comedy, Slice of Life | Perfect family-friendly action comedy — Anya is an all-time character |
| #31 | Clannad: After Story | 8.94 | Romance, Drama, Slice of Life | The most tearful anime in history — watch Clannad first |
| #32 | Slam Dunk | 8.54 | Sports, Comedy | The basketball anime that defined a generation — still wildly entertaining |
| #33 | Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 | 8.71 | Mecha, Psychological Drama | The definitive conclusion to Evangelion — emotionally freeing |
| #34 | Blue Lock | 8.42 | Sports, Psychological, Action | Soccer meets Battle Royale — the most intense sports anime in years |
| #35 | Fate/Zero | 8.66 | Action, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural | Best entry point to the Fate series — dark, political, beautifully animated |
| #36 | Dororo (2019) | 8.16 | Historical, Action, Drama | Tezuka’s darkest story — beautifully remade for modern audiences |
| #37 | Overlord | 7.95 | Isekai, Dark Fantasy, Action | Best isekai villain protagonist — satisfying power fantasy done right |
| #38 | Hajime no Ippo | 8.76 | Sports, Action, Comedy | The best boxing anime — underrated outside Japan, absolutely gripping |
| #39 | Made in Abyss | 8.69 | Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi | The most beautiful and brutal adventure anime ever made |
| #40 | Dandadan | 8.42 | Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Romance | 2024’s most creative breakout — aliens meets ghosts meets teen romance |
| #41 | Sword Art Online (Arc 1) | 7.27 | Isekai, Action, Romance | Flawed but addictive — Aincrad Arc is a legitimately great concept |
| #42 | Oshi no Ko | 8.40 | Drama, Mystery, Psychological | Best premiere episode in anime history — dark look at idol culture |
| #43 | Dororo (1969) | 7.90 | Historical, Action, Drama | Tezuka’s original — historically important and still compelling |
| #44 | Dragon Ball Z | 8.16 | Action, Adventure, Martial Arts | The foundation of shonen anime — skip filler with our guide |
| #45 | Bleach (Original Run) | 7.92 | Action, Supernatural | Soul Society Arc is an all-time great arc — use our filler guide |
| #46 | The Promised Neverland (S1) | 8.51 | Thriller, Mystery, Horror | Best thriller debut season in anime — stop after Season 1 |
| #47 | Yuri!!! on Ice | 8.08 | Sports, Romance, Drama | Figure skating + genuine romance — groundbreaking and still beautiful |
| #48 | Samurai Champloo | 8.50 | Action, Historical, Adventure | Hip-hop meets samurai Japan — Watanabe at his most stylish |
| #49 | Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) — Film | 8.82 | Romance, Supernatural, Drama | Best anime film ever made — Makoto Shinkai’s masterpiece |
| #50 | Dorohedoro | 8.22 | Dark Fantasy, Action, Comedy | The most visually unique anime of the past decade — grotesque and funny |
Best Anime by Genre
| Genre | Best Anime | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Action / Shonen | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Hunter x Hunter |
| Psychological Thriller | Steins;Gate | Death Note |
| Romance / Drama | Clannad: After Story | Your Lie in April |
| Fantasy / Adventure | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End | Made in Abyss |
| Sports | Haikyuu!! | Blue Lock |
| Comedy | Gintama | Mob Psycho 100 |
| Isekai | Re:ZERO | Overlord |
| Horror / Dark | Berserk (1997) | Parasyte: The Maxim |
| Sci-Fi | Cowboy Bebop | Neon Genesis Evangelion |
| Anime Film | Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) | Spirited Away |
Best Anime for Beginners
Never watched anime before? These five series are the best starting points — accessible, high-quality, and proof of why anime deserves your attention.
| Anime | Episodes | Why Start Here | Stream On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death Note | 37 | Short, gripping, no prior anime knowledge needed | Netflix, Crunchyroll |
| Attack on Titan | 96 | Feels like prestige TV — easy for non-anime viewers to follow | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | 64 | Perfect story structure — the most accessible gateway to serious anime | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| Demon Slayer | 26 (S1) | Best animation in the industry — visually stunning from episode 1 | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| Spy x Family | 37 | Family-friendly action comedy — no dark themes, pure fun | Crunchyroll |
Where to Watch the Best Anime
| Platform | Price | Key Anime | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | $7.99/mo | One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Frieren, Bleach TYBW, Demon Slayer | Best overall anime platform — 145M+ titles |
| Netflix | $7.99/mo (ads) | Attack on Titan, Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist | Best for dubbed anime + exclusive originals |
| HiDive | $4.99/mo | Mushishi, Berserk, niche classics | Best value for deep-cut anime fans |
| Tubi (Free) | Free | Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sword Art Online | Best free anime option — no account needed |
| Max (HBO) | $9.99/mo | Studio Ghibli complete library | Best for Ghibli films |
See Also: For a complete breakdown of every platform — including prices, pros, cons, and the best bundles — read our Best Streaming Platforms & Bundles 2026 guide. And for free anime specifically, our Best Free Anime Sites 2026 covers every legal free option.
Final Thoughts
The best entry point for any anime journey is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood — 64 episodes, a complete story, and proof that anime can tell stories as complex and emotionally rich as any prestige television. From there, Attack on Titan for the thrill, Frieren for the feeling, and Hunter x Hunter for the depth.
Bookmark this page — we update it as new seasons air and new masterpieces emerge.
📌 Related guides:
➡️ Naruto Shippuden Filler List — Every Episode to Skip
➡️ Bleach Filler List 2026 — Skip Guide
➡️ One Piece Watch Order & Filler Guide
➡️ Demon Slayer Watch Order Guide
➡️ Top 41 Mature Anime on Crunchyroll
➡️ Attack on Titan Watch Order Guide
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