Amazon Prime Video has a steady rollout of new content, and anime fans also have plenty of content to sift through. Things have only gotten better for the genre on Prime Video, as the platform bolstered its anime catalog after adding Crunchyroll as an optional premium channel, allowing users to streamline two services on a single platform.
While the pricing is the same as subscribing to each service individually, this structural change makes anime more accessible. Even so, beginners to the genre might find it intimidating to know where to start. Thankfully, this monthly-updated guide on some of the best anime on Amazon Prime Video does the legwork for you. That includes the service’s native offerings, plus the anime movies and TV shows available through the premium Crunchyroll channel.
For those who might be feeling a little overwhelmed, but are still intrigued by the genre, we also have worthwhile guides on the best anime on Netflix and the best anime on Hulu to help fans get the most value out of their subscriptions.
Mob Psycho 100 (2016) new
From the creator of the widely beloved One-Punch Man, this supernatural action-adventure and comedy series also received a stellar adaptation. Based on the webcomic and manga adaptation written and illustrated by One, Mob Psycho 100 is about a telekinetic, yet otherwise unassuming middle school boy dubbed Mob who struggles socially to find the joys common to a kid his age.
Animated by studio Bones, Mob Psycho 100 has an impressive balance of various tones. It manages to be equal parts action-packed, laugh-out-loud funny, and sincerely emotional in its storytelling. The coming-of-age themes at the core of Mob’s story are what make this anime relatable, grounded, and emotional.
Aoashi (2022) new
Animation studio Production I.G has built an esteemed reputation for its sports anime adaptations, and that holds for Aoashi. Adapting the manga by Yūgo Kobayashi and Naohiko Ueno, this series tells the story of a youth soccer player named Ashito Aoi — infamous for his reckless playstyle and short temper — who’s humbled after he’s scouted to try out for a high school team in Tokyo.
Now that he no longer has the benefit of having a team built around his talents to stroke his ego, Ashito must grow as a person and a player to prove himself among a squad of skilled players. Like other similar series adapted by Production I.G, Aoashi has been praised for telling an investing and down-to-earth story through the lens of sports.
Attack on Titan (2013) new
When the adaptation premiered in 2013, Attack on Titan became a mainstream anime sensation. WIT Studio adapted the first three seasons of writer/illustrator Hajime Isayama’s manga, while the anime studio MAPPA took over for the drawn-out fourth season. The story is set in a bleak fantasy world inspired by European aesthetics where humanity is forced to live in a walled-in city-state to defend itself from the violent and grotesque Titans that roam outside.
What follows is upstart soldier Eren Yeager’s quest to destroy all Titans to avenge his slaughtered family, but far more sinister forces dwell under the surface of this premise. While the release structure of its “final season” was clunky, Attack on Titan proved to be a consistently compelling fantasy saga packed with intrigue. It had an appeal somewhat similar to Game of Thrones in that it was set in a ruthless, unforgiving dark fantasy world with tense action set pieces, complex political dynamics, impressive worldbuilding, and a tantalizing mystery at the story’s core.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) new
While the first anime adaptation was solid in its own right even though it eventually diverted from the original story, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the definitive version in terms of sticking to the source material. Animated by the creative team at Bones — who also produced the first anime adaptation — Brotherhood follows Hiromu Arakawa’s manga faithfully. It’s set in an Industrial era-inspired dark fantasy world where alchemist brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric set out on a quest to find the fabled Philosopher’s Stone.
The duo are desperate to use it to restore their bodies after a grisly attempt to resurrect their mother. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most widely acclaimed manga and anime of the 21st century, lauded for its detailed worldbuilding, creative use of fantasy elements, and immensely rewarding character arcs.
To Your Eternity (2021)
One of the more refreshing shounen anime adaptations as of late, To Your Eternity is tasteful mix of fantasy and touching drama. Based on the manga of the same name by Yoshitoki Ōima, the story is about an immortal entity dubbed Fushi who travels across the world using their supernatural abilities to take the forms of various characters over centuries.
To Your Eternity has a similar mellow tone as anime/manga series like Mushi-Shi when using its fantasy elements to tell intimate character-driven stories about the people Fushi meets. However, the series’ wonderful exploration of the human condition is also complemented by some entertaining action that shounen fans will feel familiar with elsewhere.
Golden Kamuy (2018)
Writer and illustrator Satoru Noda’s Golden Kamuy has been one of the best seinen manga series in recent years. It had an overall fulfilling run and well-earned finale, and the anime adaptation has done it justice so far. Golden Kamuy is set in early 1900s Japan in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War, with veteran Saichi Sugimoto and his newfound friend and Ainu native Asirpa teaming up in a race against time to find the indigenous peoples’ hidden gold treasure.
It’s an excellent period-piece anime that balances sincere character drama with occasional comedic relief. The series features a diverse cast of characters, each with deep motivations that explore themes of post-war traumas. Animation company Geno Studio adapted the first three seasons of the TV show, with Brain’s Base helming the upcoming fourth and final season.
Death Parade (2015)
An anime-original story, Death Parade takes a creative twist on the concept of the afterlife. Produced by animation studio Madhouse, the series takes place largely in an otherworldly bar called Quindecim, with the enigmatic bartender Decim catering to its recently deceased pairs of souls and having them compete in various games to judge who is reincarnated and who is sent into the void.
Death Parade combines intense emotional storytelling as Decim slowly learns the nuances of human morality and the tragic — and sometimes gruesome — backstories of the otherworldly bar’s patrons. But for all the gut-wrenching and bittersweet storytelling, the character designs and overall art direction have an impeccable sense of style.
Girls' Last Tour (2017)
Though many anime fans likely have a set idea for what a slice-of-life anime typically entails, Girls’ Last Tour takes a unique approach. Animated by studio White Fox and adapted from Tsukumizu’s manga of the same name, the story takes place in a bleak and decimated alternate future where two young girls — Yuuri and Chito — wander the ruins and aftermath of an unspecified apocalypse while simply trying to live their day-to-day lives.
Girls’ Last Tour depicts a sharp contrast in tone, as the postapocalyptic backdrop is anything but hopeful, but it’s colored in a more optimistic light thanks to its dual leads’ charming perspectives. It’s an undoubtedly bold and creative take on the slice-of-life anime formula, and it succeeds in telling an uplifting story about finding and making your own happiness in the face of dire circumstances.
Run with the Wind (2018) new
Sports anime are a great way to tell stories from more grounded perspectives, and Run With the Wind is one of the best contemporary examples. Production I.G adapts author Shion Mura’s novel of the same name, telling the story of former high school ace runner and current college student Kakeru Kurahara as he’s inadvertently roped into joining his university’s track club.
Together, a group of unlikely students morphs into an inspiring team of athletes who develop sincere bonds worth getting emotionally invested in. Run With the Wind will surely suit the tastes of Haikyu!! fans, as the story is sincerely down to earth and features Production I.G’s usual charming art direction and clean animation work.
Samurai Champloo (2004) new
Samurai Champloo is another uniquely stylish and resonating anime from beloved Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe. Animated by studio Manglobe, the series is set in a fictionalized Edo-era Japan as the rival ronin Jin and Mugen are saved from execution by a former teahouse waitress named Fuu and are now indebted to help her find the elusive “samurai who smells of sunflowers.”
Similar to Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo was widely praised for its slick animation, thrilling action sequences, inventive use of music, and poignant social commentary. It might not carry quite the same revered weight as Watanabe’s earlier series, but Champloo is more than deserving of its acclaim as one of the best anime of the 2000s.
Cowboy Bebop (1998) new
Arguably one of the most important anime series in the history of the genre, Cowboy Bebop is a timeless sci-fi story. Set in 2071, the series follows the exploits of an unlikely bounty hunting crew in a world where corporate greed has devastated Earth and forced most of humanity to colonize space — only to continue making the same mistakes.
Complemented by a fantastic acid-jazz soundtrack that influences the animation and art direction, Cowboy Bebop features a unique cast of characters with compelling backstories and character arcs. This series’ episodic story and core plot blend the sci-fi and neon-noir genres and are anchored by thoughtful themes of the human condition.
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition (2022) new
The late Kentaro Miura’s Berserk manga is one of the most acclaimed in the medium, and while the dense dark fantasy epic isn’t as prolific in the anime space, the most recent adaptation of The Golden Age Arc is a worthy celebration of the writer/artist’s legacy. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc — Memorial Edition focuses on a lone young mercenary named Guts.
He has only known pain and war his entire life, but Guts finds himself recruited in larger-than-life leader Griffith’s Band of the Hawk. Along with the latter’s second-in-command, Casca, the trio lead the mercenary group in a massive war on a kingdom’s behalf — all while a sinister fate looms over their heads. The Golden Age Arc — Memorial Edition is Studio 4C’s TV adaptation of the studio’s original anime movie trilogy.
TRIGUN (1998) new
The recent CG-animated reboot Trigun Stampede was an impressive reimagination on its own terms, but the original anime adaptation of writer Yasuhiro Nightow manga still holds up as a classic. Animated by studio Madhouse, the 1998 Trigun series follows the gunslinger Vash “the Humanoid Typhoon” as he travels a sci-fi desert wasteland and is feared by most of this world’s inhabitants.
However, for the level of notoriety he’s built up, Vash avoids violence whenever possible and has a goofy personality. Cleverly combining the sci-fi and Western genres, Trigun is an inventive anime classic that’s far more than meets the eye. As the series progresses, a captivating mystery unfolds — with Vash at the center of it all.
One Piece (1999) new
Thanks to the addition of the Crunchyroll channel, anime fans now have access to the flagship One Piece anime series in addition to the spin-off movies. Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is a shounen manga and anime phenomenon that’s going strong decades later, with the series being a consistently entertaining experience.
Animated by Toei Animation, the show opens with young Monkey D. Luffy as he embarks on a grand quest to follow in the footsteps of his role model, Red-Haired Shanks, to become a world-class pirate — and discover the immense treasure that renowned pirate Gol D. Roger, left behind before being executed. What follows is a vibrant swashbuckling saga filled with colorful casts of heroes, villains, and everything in between.
One Piece Film Red (2022) new
On top of the lucrative manga and main anime series, One Piece excels in the anime film department as well. The latest entry in the spin-off film series, animators Toei Animation and director Gorō Taniguchi developed One Piece Film: Red to tell an original story with a new supporting character. This movie sees Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirate crew attend a live concert of the land’s most popular singer Uta.
Things are as colorful and joyous as one might expect from such a premise in a One Piece story, but things inevitably take a more dire town when it’s revealed Uta has trapped the audience in her dream space in an attempt to create a world free of conflict. Though it admittedly delves into the tropes often seen in big-franchise anime movies, One Piece Film: Red is an entertaining and sincere celebration of what makes this franchise so beloved.
Haikyu!! (2014) new
Though it’s not the most common subgenre of anime, sports series have an impressive catalog of shows to watch. The likes of Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo are regarded as classics, but Haikyu!! has established itself as the go-to modern sports anime.
Animated by Production I.G, Haikyu!! puts a slice-of-life spin on volleyball, as it follows the journeys of high schooler Shoyo Hinata as he attempts to become an elite player despite being outclassed by his contemporaries in height. Alongside a diverse supporting cast, heartfelt character arcs, stylish art direction, and slick animation work, Haikyu!! makes this an incredibly investing watch and easy to root for these young athletes.
Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) new
Writer Gege Akutami’s Jujustu Kaisen manga is one of the biggest modern shounen sensations, and that acclaim has translated into the anime adaptation. Produced by famed studio MAPPA, this series sees high schooler Yuji Itadori enrolled in Tokyo Jujutsu High, where he’s trained and guided by some of Japan’s greatest sorcerers in combatting the otherworldly Cursed Spirits rampant throughout the country.
Bolstered by an engaging main and supporting cast of characters, stylish art design, and exhilarating animation, Jujutsu Kaisen is an exciting dark urban fantasy and martial art anime. It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest additions to the service now that anime fans on Amazon Prime Video can access it through the added Crunchyroll channel.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021) new
Adapting writer Gege Akutami’s one-shot manga of the same name, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is one of the most thrilling anime movies in recent years. A prequel story to the flagship series, the movie puts Yuta Okkotsu under the spotlight as he aims to become a sorcerer to help quell the Cursed Spirit of his late childhood friend and love interest Rika Orimoto.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 was a welcome stopgap release to satiate fans before the release of the TV anime series’ second season, and it flexes all the slick and visceral anime action seen in the show. It also does well to earn its emotional beats, touching on themes of coming-of-age and coping with grief.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023) new
One of the more under-the-radar anime hits this year, writer Haro Aso and artist Kotaro Takata’s Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead takes its comedic spin on the apocalypse to the anime space. Animated by studio Bug Films, the story has a brutally overworked 24-year-old named Akira Tendo crushed under the weight of his corrupt corporate superiors.
However, a sudden zombie breakout brings Japan’s society to its knees, and Akira couldn’t be more relieved. Now with a newfound sense of purpose and freedom, he sets off on a mission to fulfill all the things on his bucket list that his oppressive corporate lifestyle prevented. Mixing vibrant visuals with surprisingly clever social commentary on unbalanced world-life culture, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a comically refreshing way to subvert zombie-themed tropes.
Mushi-Shi (2005) new
Yuki Urushibara’s Mushi-Shi is a welcome change of pace in both the manga and anime mediums. Animation studio Artland handled the adaptation, taking audiences along Ginko — the titular Mushi-Shi — as he travels the picturesque Japanese countryside helping a variety of people in their encounters with spiritual beings known as Mushi.
As opposed to the usual high-octane action of many popular anime, Mushi-Shi is a mellow, beautiful collection of short stories touching on themes of mankind’s relationship with nature. The episodic format of the story is adapted well, allowing the stories of each episode’s supporting cast to feel intimate in scope.
TRIGUN STAMPEDE (2023) new
The original Trigun manga by Yasuhiro Nightow and studio Madhouse’s anime adaptation of it were classics of the ’90s. That made the prospect of a reboot that drastically alters the story into something mostly original a risky proposition, but studio Orange’s Trigun Stampede impressively stuck the landing.
Set in a dystopic future where humanity had to break up into colonies to find a new hospitable planet to live on, the anime tells the story of Vash “The Humanoid Typhoon” for his destructive reputation. However, he’s a pacifist and champion of peace, and that misinformed reputation comes from the atrocities committed by his twin brother. Trigun Stampede makes smart twists to justify its intriguing new story, all without trying to replace the classic original.
SPY x FAMILY (2022) new
One of the best contemporary anime to watch on Amazon Prime Video through the Crunchyroll premium channel is Spy x Family. An animation co-effort by Wit Studio and CloverWorks, this adaptation of Tatsuya Endo’s manga of the same name has become a charming modern sensation.
A Spy going under the codename “Twilight” embarks on a high-stakes mission to maintain peace between two fragile nations, requiring him to take on the alias Loid Forger as part of a fabricated family. Little do they know, each of the family members has something to hide, from Yor’s assassin background and Anya’s telepathic powers. Combining ’60s and modern aesthetics, Spy x Family is a delightful spy-thiller and feel-good comedy hybrid.
Dragon Ball Super (2015) new
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball franchise became one of the faces of the anime genre worldwide, making Dragon Ball Super something of an inevitability. Taking place seven years after the events of the groundbreaking Dragon Ball Z, Super sees Goku and his friends enjoying peaceful times before Beerus, a galactic God of Destruction, comes to challenge him to try and defy a prophecy of his defeat.
It’s only the catalyst of the anime series, though, as these events pave the way for a wild assortment of otherworldly threats and over-the-top power-ups to define Dragon Ball Super. Though it’s tough to top the success of the series to start it all and the raving success of Z, Super is a fun way of getting more colorfully bombastic action from this universe.
Naruto Shippūden (2007) new
Though it’s part of the same flagship Naruto manga, Studio Pierrot adapted Masashi Kishimoto’s time-skip portion of the series as the sequel anime Naruto: Shippuden.
Also now made available through the Crunchyroll premium channel upgrade on Prime, this series takes place around 2.5 years after the original series, with Naruto returning to the Hidden Leaf Village after training with Master Jiraiya. Now with Sasuke a rogue ninja and the Akatsuki organization steadily materializing its sinister plans on the shinobi world, Naruto: Shippuden greatly expands the scope and stakes of this world.
One Piece: Stampede (2019)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)
Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector (2020)
While the Psycho-Pass series hasn’t measured up to its lauded first season, its subsequent seasons and sequel anime movies are solid stories on their own terms. Set after the events of its third season, Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector is set in a dystopian cyberpunk sandbox where an artificial intelligence system determines the likelihood of criminality in Japan’s citizens — and is willing to go as far as executing lethal force to deal with uncommitted crimes.
The Sybil System that makes these judgments is being targeted by a shadow criminal mastermind, and its Inspectors Arata Shindou and Mikhail Kei Ignatov argue over how to deal with this conspiracy and the greater ideologies at play surrounding it.
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)
My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)
Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia manga has become one of the most lucrative shounen anime adaptations in recent years. That success has led to a string of original movies hitting the big screen, with 2021’s My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission being the franchise’s latest theatrical venture.
Once again animated by veteran anime studio Bones, World Heroes’ Mission takes place sometime after season 5 of the TV series and sees Deku become framed for a crime he didn’t commit. This all happens as a much wider threat looms; the radical Humarise group is looking to eradicate all humans powered by Quirks.
Gintama: The Very Final (2021)
New Initial D the Movie: Legend 3 -- Dream (2016)
The definitive racing anime series returns with New Initial D the Movie: Legend 3 — Dream. This trilogy closer ties up the early story arcs of Shuuichi Shigeno’s manga. Picking up on the cliffhanger ending of Legend 2 — Racer, protagonist Takumi Fujiwara receives a formal challenge from the Akagi Red Suns’ leader, Ryousuke Takahashi.
After spending the summer racing around Gunma and taking on the city’s best drivers, Takumi becomes thrilled at the prospect of challenging this street-racing legend. With the title of Gunma’s fastest driver on the line, Legend 3 — Dream ends a crucial storyline of the series.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
One of the most influential anime movies of all time, director Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell made a case for the genre’s appeal westward. Ghost in the Shell — adapting Masamune Shirow’s manga of the same name — takes place in a sci-fi future where Major Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 are tasked with apprehending a highly skilled hacker.
The movie was animated by the experienced studio Production I.G with crisp animation work and striking visuals. A critically acclaimed anime that holds up today, Ghost in the Shell is a stylish hybrid of neo-noir and cyberpunk genres akin to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.
New Initial D the Movie - Legend 2: Racer (2015)
Writer Shuichi Shigeno’s Initial D manga series is iconic within the medium, and its anime adaptations have lived up to the prestige. Animation studios Liden Films and Sanzigen return for Initial D Legend 2: Racer, which condenses and recaps the early parts of the story covered in the source material and TV anime adaptation.
Following the surge in fame after the events of Legend 1: Awakening, Racer sees protagonist Takumi face a challenge from Takeshi Nakazato. The leader of the street-racing gang known as the Myogi NightKids, this challenger will put pressure on Takmu’s newfound reputation.
New Initial D the Movie - Legend 1: Awakening (2014)
A manga and anime classic, Shuuichi Shigeno’s Initial D is perhaps the best racing-themed series in both mediums. Produced by animation studios Liden Films and Sanzigen, Initial D Legend 1: Awakening is a modernized remake and a movie adaptation of the classic story.
Covering the early parts of the manga, Awakening begins with protagonist and seemingly ordinary high schooler Takumi Fujiwara, who works as a gas station attendant and delivery boy for his father’s tofu restaurant. However, he’s also an elite street racer, leading to several gangs challenging him to test his mettle as a modern legend.
Naruto (2002)
Back in the days when Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine’s “Big Three” reigned supreme, Naruto was helping lead the charge in manga alongside the likes of Bleach and One Piece. Masashi Kishimoto’s series was a phenomenon for both manga and anime on the international stage, and the original Naruto series still holds up as a nostalgic modern classic.
It follows young inspiring ninja and village outcast Naruto Uzumaki as he attempts to gain the respect of the Hidden Leaf Village and become its Hokage. Along the way, the series unravels multiple action-focused exploits and introduces a variety of colorful characters.
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
The penultimate installment in an anime movie reimagining, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo begins 14 years after the cataclysmic event dubbed the Third Impact. Protagonist Shinji Ikari is trapped inside his Evangelion Unit-01 and is recovered by his friends and allies, only to find himself taken prisoner.
Who Shinji once thought of as his friends now treat him as hostile, casting suspicions and doubt on his character following the events of 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. The Rebuild of Evangelion anime film series was a dragged-out process, but it all comes together thrillingly as a complete story after the finale, 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.
InuYasha (2000)
Rumiko Takahashi’s InuYasha manga was a shonen classic from the ’90s. and animation studio Sunrise’s adaptation was similarly well-received. Fifteen-year-old Kagome Higurashi finds herself transported to Sengoku-era Japan and meets a half-dog demon named Inuyasha.
Kagome and Inuyasha adventure across the countryside together to gather the pieces of the powerful Shikon Jewel before it falls into the wrong hands. InuYasha has been praised for its tasteful balance of action, fantastical setting, humor, and handling of darker themes.
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
While it may appear daunting for the uninitiated, the Rebuild of Evangelion collection of anime movies is a great way to expand upon the original hit TV series. This franchise has been praised as some of the best anime ever created, and it’s among the most compelling sci-fi mecha IPs as well. The second installment in the four-movie collection, Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance, continues the story of its predecessor, which follows the first six episodes of the TV anime almost exactly.
However, this sequel is where the story begins to notably deviate from the TV anime’s continuity, altering events from episodes 8-19 and even introducing new characters. It follows Shinji and company as they continue their fight as NERV pilots in the titular Evangelion mechs.
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
Death Note (2006)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012)
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)
Psycho-Pass (2012)
Land of the Lustrous (2017)
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
Made In Abyss (2017)
Vinland Saga (2019)
Vikings get the anime treatment in Vinland Saga, one of the newer entries on this list. The Vikings have dominated society for a thousand years and have an insatiable thirst for violence. Thorfinn grows up in this culture, spending much of his boyhood on a battlefield, building his skills to ultimately achieve revenge for his father’s murder.
Dororo (2019)
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