Netflix has some of the best anime right now as the genre’s popularity booms globally. Even with the streamer’s reputation for chaotically axing and renewing shows, Netflix’s decision to double down on expanding animation is impressive. Whether it’s the service’s original anime content or legacy additions to the catalog, Netflix boasts some of the best anime to stream right now.
Admittedly, Crunchyroll and Funimation are great anime-centric platforms. Nonetheless, Netflix remains a respectable mainstream destination for fans of the genre. As accessible as anime now is, it can be a bit intimidating to figure out where to start. Thankfully, we’ve curated an updated list to help you find something to suit your tastes.
If you want more options, check out our other guides to the best anime on Hulu and the best anime available on Amazon Prime Video.
Recently added to Netflix
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Monster2004
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Vinland Saga2019
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Mystery, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Yusuke Kobayashi, Reina Ueda, Nichika Omori
Animated by studio Nexus, Darwin’s Game adapts the manga of the same name by creator FLIPFLOPS. The anime opens with high schooler Kaname Sudou receiving an invitation from a classmate to play the titular mobile game. It’s a mysterious game and one that Kaname has never heard of, but it quickly unravels into something far darker. On his second attempt to join the game, Kaname sees his opponent appear before him and tries to hunt him down. In a flash, he realizes that Darwin’s Game is a massive and grisly fight to the death.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery, Drama, Action & Adventure
Cast
Jun Fukuyama, Keiji Fujiwara, Hiroshi Kamiya
Created by mangaka Kazue Kato and adapted by studio A-1 Pictures, Blue Exorcist is a dark-fantasy shounen anime. It’s set in a modern-day Japan where humans and demons occupy parallel spaces in two distinct worlds. The former live in Assiah, while the latter live in Gehenna. But demons occasionally cross dimensions to wreak havoc in the human world. Exorcists are trained to combat these creatures, with protagonist Rin Okumura training to become one despite being burdened with the curse of being Satan’s illegitimate son. Blue Exorcist is an entertaining shounen action and fantasy series that fans of Naruto should find appealing.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Drama, Mystery
Cast
Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Tao Tsuchiya, Minami Takayama
Kei Sanbe’s Erased made for a gripping mystery-thriller manga, and A-1 Pictures did admiral work with its 12-episode anime adaptation. It begins with protagonist Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling 29-year-old mangaka who possesses a power he dubs “Revival” that allows him to turn back time. He’s succeeded in using this ability to save several people’s lives, and it suddenly becomes more personal when he witnesses his mother get murdered by an unknown assassin. After realizing her death might be connected to a string of murders going back to his childhood, Satoru travels back in time to save the victims of his past. Erased maintains a tense atmosphere throughout and fills its story with revelations.
94m
Genre
Animation, Action, Fantasy
Stars
Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Yōichi Masukawa
Directed by
Hajime Kamegaki
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto series was a shounen hit from the late 1990s to the 2000s, spawning various anime original movies. Directed by Hajime Kamegaki and animated by studio Pierrot, Naruto Shippuden the Movie takes place after episode 32 of the sequel anime TV series. The titular series protagonist is given an assignment to serve as a bodyguard for a shrine maiden. She has a massive burden on her shoulders, as she’s tasked with sealing away a demon with the power to destroy the world. Anime original movies can fall victim to feeling insignificant in the grander scheme of the franchise’s main story, but Naruto Shippuden the Movie makes an exciting side mission out of a shocking premise.
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Nobuhiko Okamoto
Created by
Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer is one of the biggest hits in the modern anime and manga scene. Especially so for the former, as Ufotable brilliantly adapted Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga of the same name to film and TV.
Netflix now finally has the rights to stream the second season of the series after adding the first season and the Mugen Train arc. Demon Slayer season 2 covers the Entertainment District arc, which sees Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke go to the titular Japanese district in Yoshiwara to investigate a prowling demon wreaking havoc there.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, War & Politics, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Yoshimasa Hosoya, Kengo Kawanishi, Yuka Terasaki
The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has long been an anime icon, as well as the face of the mecha subgenre. Animated by studio Sunrise, the 2015 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans series became one of the best for the franchise on TV. The series follows Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka, who go from being slaves of a private security company to leaders of their own mercenary group.
Things expand exponentially in scale once they take on a job to escort martian noblewoman Kudelia Aina Bernstein to potentially negotiate the independence of her home. Iron-Blooded Orphans doesn’t take its stakes lightly for anyone involved, is filled with thrilling robot action, and features storylines packed with political drama.
108m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Stars
Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura
Directed by
Tatsuya Nagamine
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is one of the most lucrative manga and anime properties in the world. Fans all over the world are invested in the Straw Hat Pirate crew’s colorful exploits, and its success spawned several anime movies. The non-canonical One Piece Film: Z ranks among the best of the franchise’s theatrical efforts, pitting Luffy and company against a powerful new foe.
As the group navigates the waters of the New World searching for Gol D. Roger’s treasure, they cross paths with the renegade former Marine Admiral Z. He’s being suspected of stealing powerful weapons capable of eliminating the pirate world as they know it — and taking countless innocent lives as collateral along with it.
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy
Cast
Kensho Ono, Yuki Ono, Junichi Suwabe
Though they may not be the most popular subgenre, sports anime has several noteworthy hits. Adapted from Tadatoshi Fujimaki’s manga of the same name, Kuroko’s Basketball is one of the best series centering around the sport. High schooler Taiga Kagami enrolls in Seirin High and joins its basketball team, discovering that Tetsuya Kuroko was the “Phantom Sixth Man” who helped earn his middle school team’s revered status. From there, the two aim to take Seirin to new highs and play against the other members of Kuroko’s middle school team.
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Junko Takeuchi, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura
Another anime and manga phenomenon from Shonen Jump Magazine’s era of the “Big Three,” Naruto has effectively become a modern classic for newer generations of anime fans.
Masashi Kishimoto’s ninja series follows the titular Naruto Uzumaki going from village outcast to hometown hero, as he and the rest of Team 7 tackle an increasingly dangerous set of foes. It’s part of his grand dream to become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, but Naruto has also become known for having a wide cast of fan-favorite characters.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy
Cast
Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino
A manga classic of the ’90s and ’00s, Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha is another beloved shonen series that shouldn’t be forgotten among its contemporaries. The original anime adaptation was done by the well-known Mobile Suit Gundam studio Sunrise and was generally well-received for being faithful to the source material.
In a radical and unexpected turn of events, 15-year-old Kagome Higurashi is pulled by a demon into her family’s well and into the feudal past, in an age where demons were prominent. Eventually, she meets and teams up with the half-demon boy Inuyasha to find the pieces of the powerful Shikon Jewel before more nefarious hands reach them.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Asami Seto, Hiroaki Hirata, Yuki Kaji
An anime original series created by veteran studio Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Haikyuu!!), B: The Beginning is a detective-thriller story. The plot centers around trying to apprehend the elusive vigilante dubbed “Killer B” on the island nation of Cremona.
In this world, society is under the control of highly-advanced technology and crime, with some going as far as to celebrate Killer B for taking the law into both his super-human hands. The Royal Investigation Service is desperate to capture this vigilante, with the organization bringing back its eccentric former detective Keith Flick to handle the job.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Drama
Cast
Hiromu Mineta, Yumiri Hanamori, Daiki Yamashita
Taking a break from the high-octane action and bombast of other typical anime offerings, Blue Period is a refreshing and down-to-earth story. Fitting nicely within the slice-of-life anime subgenre, animation studio Seven Arcs’ Blue Period adapts Tsubasa Yamaguchi’s manga of the same name. Centering around the story of Yatora Yaguchi, the high-school delinquent with top-notch grades finds himself feeling empty by his life of keeping up with his schoolwork and hanging around a group of unambitious friends.
He finds his true passion in the arts — painting, to be specific. From there, Yatora embarks on a journey to enroll in the competitive Tokyo University of the Arts. Blue Period has been acclaimed for its investing cast of characters and coming-of-age-themed storytelling.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Drama, Comedy, Action & Adventure
Cast
Chiaki Kobayashi, Junichi Suwabe, Mie Sonozaki
A Netflix original story developed by famed animators Wit Studio (Vinland Saga season 1, Attack on Titan seasons 1-3), Great Pretender is a vibrant heist comedy. Starting with the petty ventures of a common thief named Makoto Edamura in Japan, the series expands onto a grander scale when he’s unwittingly recruited by a master con man and his colorful cast of colleagues.
Each story arc is cleverly separated into cases, with each detailing equal parts thrilling new capers and genuinely emotional character development of the main cast. Complemented by its stunning art direction, Great Pretender is easily one of Netflix’s greatest original anime series.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Crime, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Cast
Kenjiro Tsuda, Maaya Sakamoto, Yasushi Kimura
A Netflix anime original, veteran animation studio Bones’ Super Crooks is an adaptation of writer Mark Millar and artist Leinil Francis Yu’s Marvel Comics series of the same name. The series follows the exploits of a small-time crook named Johnny Bolt as he strings together one big heist to help the world’s most beloved “supercrook” out of a gambling jam.
Bolt forms a team of supervillains to pull off a massive heist, traveling to Spain and attempting to rob one of the most infamous supervillains of all time. It’s a fun twist on conventional superhero storytelling and utilizes anime format to excellent effect.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Soungdok, Reina Kondo, Wataru Takagi
While animation studio MAPPA has garnered emphatic acclaim for its adaptations of the likes of Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Vinland Saga, its take on Dorohedoro is also a worthy standout in its catalog. Taking place in a grimy world blending dark fantasy with science fiction, this adaptation of writer Q Hayashida’s manga captures all the morbid humor, bloody action, and inherent weirdness of the source material. Dorohedoro mainly focuses on an amnesiac, reptilian-headed man named Caiman and his friend Nikaido as they go on a mission to help recover his memories — and find out who gave him his scaly new appearance.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Koki Uchiyama, Ayumu Murase, Megumi Han
An adaptation of the cult-classic manga by writer Go Nagai, Devilman Crybaby is a thrilling Netflix-original anime for those with a craving for dark fantasy. Animated by studio Science SARU, Devilman Crybaby centers around two high school friends named Akira Fudo and Ryo Asuka, as the pair find themselves entangled in the grim world of demons. Akira accidentally merges with a demon, keeping his skittish personality along with the demon’s fearsome strength. It’s not for the faint of heart, but Devilman Crybaby is an exciting dark fantasy with impressively poignant, mature, coming-of-age themes.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy
Cast
Shouta Aoi, Inori Minase, Minami Takayama
Though anime fans in the west might not know it, the long-running Detective Conan franchise is one of the most iconic and lucrative anime properties in Japan. The manga started running in 1994, and has a mainline anime series that’s gone on for nearly as long. And with Case Closed: The Culprit Hanzawa comes a Netflix-original anime series that serves as a spinoff to the flagship tale. The Culprit Hanzawa puts the silhouetted “criminal” that represents the mystery culprits in the role of the protagonist.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Once every millennia, the Gods’ Council convenes to decide the fate of humanity, which sees an over-the-top spectacle featuring iconic figures from legend and religion duking it out on their behalf. The Valkyrie Brunhilde decides to give humanity a chance by staging the Ragnarok tournament, and given this premise, it’s clear that Record of Ragnarok wears its bombastic nature on its sleeve. Season 1 received an admittedly mediocre critical reception, but season 2 puts a new animation studio at the helm. The 22-episode season premieres its first 10 episodes in January, with the remaining episodes to follow at a later date.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Mystery
In the printed medium of manga, writer Junji Ito established himself as an elite name in advancing the horror genre. Now, the mastermind creator’s various works are being adapted into the realm of anime as Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre. Studio Deen will be animating this venture, with the studio turning Ito’s horror stories into an anthology TV series exclusive to Netflix. This season will run for 18 episodes and span 20 of the writer’s grim and spine-chilling tales. Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre will premiere on Netflix on January 18th.
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Crime, Mystery, War & Politics, Animation
Cast
Mami Koyama, Mamiko Noto, Junko Takeuchi
Naoki Urasawa’s source manga is commonly regarded as one of the greatest seinen series in the medium. Monster was widely acclaimed for its thoroughly gripping crime saga filled with dark psychological revelations, thrills, and drama. Veteran animation studio Madhouse adapted the full series into a 73-episode TV anime, which was arguably as well-received as the source material itself. Following the story of a Japanese former doctor living in Germany, Kenzo Tenma sees his life upended when a boy whose life he saved through brain surgery resurfaces as a deeply disturbed and elusive serial killer. It’s been a long time coming, but Monster is finally available on Netflix.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Drama, War & Politics
Cast
Yuto Uemura, Shunsuke Takeuchi, Kensho Ono
As far as contemporary seinen manga go, Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga is around the same plane of reverence as the late Kentaro Miura’s Berserk and Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond. And in 2019, the series’ early goings were adapted into an anime by the talented Wit Studio. MAPPA is now taking the reigns of season 2, but with essentially the same creative team as the debut season. This Viking epic was packed with thrilling action and intensely intimate and engaging character drama, and season 2 will follow Thorfinn Karlsefni’s next major milestone in growth and introspection.
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Action
Directed by
Noriyuki Abe
Writer Nakaba Suzuki’s The Seven Deadly Sins has been one of the more popular shounen manga, especially with the anime adaptation that began in 2014 with animation studio A-1 Pictures. The original series followed Meliodas and company as they band to find their former companions from the Seven Deadly Sins to clear their name and defeat the Holy Knights that have ironically plunged the land into tyranny.
And now, with that series concluded, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 1 will serve as a cinematic prequel to the sequel series Four Knights of the Apocalypse, which ushers in a new generation of heroes. This time, the story follows Tristan, the son of Meliodas and Elizabeth, a young boy will travel to the titular Edinburgh Castle.[/dt_media]
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation
Cast
Kimberly Brooks, Matthew Mercer, Ashly Burch
Created by
Mairghread Scott
Though it’s not an anime in the strictest sense of the term, Netflix’s latest traditionally anime-inspired original in the form of Dragon Age: Absolution is set for an early December premiere. In the same vein as DOTA: Dragon’s Blood or Castlevania, this series is a stylized rendition of a beloved video game series. The world of BioWare’s fantasy RPG games comes to life in the form of an original story following an elf rogue named Miriam. Fleshed out by a wider supporting cast, Miriam joins a team of mercenaries as they attempt a heist against one of the most formidable mages in the Tevinter Imperium.
5 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Fairouz Ai, Daisuke Ono, Mutsumi Tamura
Hirohiko Araki’s beloved JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga has become an anime juggernaut since its TV series adaptation in 2012 and arguably more so in its second season. Netflix made the bold move of obtaining the series for its platform, serving as the exclusive place to watch the latest season — Stone Ocean. The disjointed release schedule has understandably frustrated some longtime fans, but David Production’s adaptation of the story itself was been widely well-received. Jolyne Cujoh and company’s prison-breaking exploits have been entertainingly and faithfully adapted, with the final batch of episodes now available.
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation
Cast
Toshiyuki Morikawa, Nobutoshi Canna, Yuko Miyamura
Created by
Kentaro Miura
The late Kentaro Miura left a massive legacy with his magnum opus manga Berserk. And while many fans are undoubtedly thrilled over its resuming publication and the ongoing Memorial Edition anime series, Netflix is finally set to get the series’ first anime adaptation. Produced by animation studio OLM, the 1997 series is a cult classic and engrossing dark fantasy drama. It’s a ruthless story with gory action that will understandably not be for everyone, and it’s a shame no other adaptation has effectively gone beyond the Golden Age Arc, but this anime is an excellent introduction to Berserk for those willing to take the plunge.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Hiroshi Kamiya, Ai Kayano, Maaya Uchida
If you’re looking for laughs, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is one of the best anime series on Netflix. This supernatural-themed comedy follows the life of the titular psychic, Kusuo Saiki. While many might see his particular talents as a tantalizing advantage to have in life, Saiki sees them as an overwhelming burden. He tries his hardest to keep his x-ray vision, telepathy, and more a secret from everyone around him at school. But Saiki inadvertently keeps getting himself roped into annoying hijinks and bombastic characters. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. has been well-received for being an inventive take on comedic anime.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy
Cast
Hiroshi Kamiya, Ai Kayano, Daisuke Ono
Finishing up the adaptation of writer Shuuichi Asou’s manga source material, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened closes the anime on a strong note. Kusuo Saiki and his colorful and delightfully annoying supporting cast of friends return to make the protagonist’s life a tightrope walk. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened sees Saiki’s life get more complicated, as he’s faced with the challenge of using his psychic powers to maintain that secret or cover for his father’s lackluster presence at work. Most of all, it challenges him with the idea that perhaps he could be using his psychic prowess for good.
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure
Kengan Ashura takes a wild twist to how the corporate business world works. While most deals and disagreements are hashed out with meetings and contracts, in Kengan Ashura, they’re settled through intense contests of martial arts. Wealthy companies and merchants have indulged in the practice of hiring gladiators to settle their scores since the Edo period in Japan, and the story follows Ouma Tokita — also known as “The Ashura” — as he attempts to prove himself the strongest fighter in this dirty corporate world while having his matches facilitated by the Kengan Association. It’s a great anime series for fans of over-the-top martial arts action.
2 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, Yukana
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a widely praised anime original series. The show blends fantasy, sci-fi, and thrilling mecha action in a story of overthrowing a tyrannical regime. Prince Lelouch is granted the Power of Kings and, with it, puts together a group of allies to lead a rebellion against the invading Holy Britannian Empire. Code Geass is an engaging story of a grand scale with a similarly wide cast of characters, complete with a degree of melodrama that has its own brand of charm to go along with the visual spectacles.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Kids
Cast
Ikue Otani, Rica Matsumoto, Sarah Natochenny
Pokémon has long since been an undeniable media giant, with the anime series being one part of the greater machine. Ultimate Journeys will be the 25th overall season of the long-running anime, further detailing the adventures of Ash, Pikachu, and Goh in the globetrotting quest to learn more about these colorful creatures. In the upcoming Netflix-exclusive season, Ash, Pikachu, and the rest of their Pokémon team will undergo intensive training for the World Coronation Series Tournament, while Goh trains to become a member of the ambitious Project Mew. Meanwhile, Chloe and her Eevee will learn about the various evolutionary paths the latter can take, with a decision about Eevee’s future teased.
2 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Hiroaki Hirata, Masakazu Morita, Go Inoue
Animation studio Sunrise’s Tiger & Bunny is a colorfully vibrant take on the superhero genre. It’s an inventive premise despite using something so familiar by mixing both American and Japanese tropes used in superhero stories, with the series revolving around an alternate take on New York City called Stern Bild City, where superheroes are essentially corporate entities vying for sponsorships and making heroics a contest of who will be crowned the “King of Heroes.” Enter the superhero veteran known as “Wild Tiger,” whose seen his mainstream relevance wane due to his unwillingness to work with others and, after a poor season, is paired up with Barnaby Brooks Jr. Both characters are polar opposites, and they’ll have to learn to work together for the sake of their respective superhero careers.
119m
Genre
Animation, Drama, Mystery, Fantasy
Stars
Mutsumi Tamura, Asami Seto, Ayumu Murase
Directed by
Hiroyasu Ishida
In the first of Netflix and animation studio Studio Colorido’s deal to co-produce three exclusive anime movies, Drifting Home is a touching smaller-scale story with fantasy elements. The movie follows two middle schoolers named Kousuke and Natsume, who have been friends since their early childhood days. However, they’ve become more distant, and their friendship strained over the years since. But the trajectory of their lives takes a shocking and fantastical turn. After visiting the old housing complex they grew up in before it’s set to be demolished, they get wrapped up in a mysterious phenomenon and wake up to discover the housing complex has drifted away at sea.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
KENN, Aoi Yuki, Hiroki Touchi
Created by
Rafał Jaki
Animated by industry veterans and fan-favorite studio Studio Trigger (Promare, Kill la Kill) comes an original story set within video game developer CD Projekt Red’s world of Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners takes place in the same technologically-obsessed dystopia filled with cutthroat factions, following a young boy attempting to survive through it all. To have a fighting chance, the body-modified street kid joins the ranks of the titular mercenary Edgerunners also known as a Cyberpunk. The series is planned as a standalone 10-episode story, with expectations high that it will be a visually stunning and explosive series if Studio Trigger’s esteemed reputation is anything to go by.
140m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Stars
Yui Ishikawa, Daisuke Namikawa, Takehito Koyasu
Directed by
Taichi Ishidate
To help get the complete engrossing and deeply emotional story of Violet Evergarden, Violet Evergarden the Movie continues the titular war veteran’s heartfelt quest of understanding. Years after the Great War ended, technology continues to advance and makes the advent of telephones more relevant. This means that the need for Auto Memory Dolls is waning, but Violet’s fame for writing letters maintains even in this new technological age. She continues to learn about the meaning and concept of human emotion — love in particular — but she still longs to reunite with her long-lost commanding officer who first uttered those words to her years ago.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, War & Politics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Chiaki Kobayashi, Yohei Azakami, Kenji Hamada
Created by
Hiroshi Takashige, Ryoji Minagawa
The secret organization of ARCAM has discovered what’s thought to be Noah’s Ark in the mountains of Turkey. However, a sinister organization from the U.S. Pentagon — known as the Machine Corps. — seeks to achieve world domination through its power. Enter special ARCAM operative Yu Ominae, a Spriggan, as he’s sent to combat against this threat that’s seeking worldwide supremacy. This sci-fi action series sees Yu team up with French Spriggan operative Jean-Jacques Mondo to lead the charge against the Machine Corps.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Drama
Cast
Aoi Koga, Gakuto Kajiwara, Rie Murakawa
In Komi Can’t Communicate, high school student Hitohito Tadano just wants to blend into his new surroundings and avoid any unwanted attention, but he eventually gets partially put into the spotlight by sitting next to the popular Shouko Komi. However, he finds out that Komi has a communication disorder and she wants him to help her learn how to socialize. From there, Tadano, Komi, and company make it their mission to help her make 100 friends.
21 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Comedy, Animation
Cast
Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura
Years ago, when the legendary pirate Gol D. Roger was set for execution, his last words were a challenge to the world to find his titular treasure. In the present, young Monkey D. Luffy feels inspired to become a pirate and uncover the One Piece bounty. He then embarks on a globetrotting odyssey across the Grand Line with the other members of his Straw Hat crew in a myriad of adventures meeting a colorful and revolving cast of friends and villains.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast
Jun Fukuyama, Nao Toyama, Katsuyuki Konishi
In 7Seeds, scientists take steps to prevent the potential extinction of humanity. Unfortunately, they neglected to tell Shy Natsu and other test subjects that their cryogenic sleep would propel them into a future unlike anything they could imagine. It’s been so long since the age of man that their home world is now more like an alien planet. And humanity isn’t on top of the food chain anymore. If the humans have a shot at survival, it will all come down on the shoulders of Shy and his new companions.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Mamoru Miyano, Noriko Hidaka, Nozomu Sasaki
Death Note is one of the most popular manga and anime series in the world, perhaps because of its intriguing premise. Teenager Light Yagami comes across a supernatural notebook with a deadly power. If Light, or anyone else, writes a name in the notebook, the person they named will die. Unfortunately for Light, he becomes intoxicated with the power, and he resolves to remake the world by eliminating “bad people.” This captures the attention of the cops, including the mysterious Detective L. Light soon realizes that L might be able to deduce his identity, but he can’t be killed until Light discovers L’s real name.
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy
Cast
Rie Kugimiya, Toshiki Masuda, Junichi Suwabe
Just as the title implies, Kotaro does live alone in Japan. However, Kotaro Lives Alone doesn’t disclose in the title that Kotaro is just 5 years old! And that seems like a pretty big omission of an important fact. Separated from his family, Kotaro has somehow managed to independently rent an apartment, much to the surprise and annoyance of his new neighbor, Shin Karino. Regardless, Karino and the other residents at the apartment complex soon take a liking to Kotaro, even if they don’t always understand him.
3 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Cast
Kazuhiro Yamaji, Yuichi Nakamura, Kenjiro Tsuda
Created by
ONE
Imagine being so powerful that life as a superhero is boring. That’s the curse of One-Punch Man. Saitama’s inexplicable strength would be a great blessing if it also provided him with a challenge. Without that, Saitama’s passion for the heroic life has turned into depression. He doesn’t even get the credit he deserves! Regardless, there are still some enemies for Saitama to fight. And he’ll find that it can be difficult to be a One-Punch Man when he can’t even land a single blow on his opponent.
3 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama
Cast
Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Miyuki Sawashiro
The word “hunter” doesn’t have its traditional meaning in the latest adaptation of Hunter x Hunter. In this world, Hunters are the adventurous men and women who can locate lost treasures, missing people, and find rare creatures. Very few Hunters are chosen, which is one of the reasons why a young boy named Gon is so obsessed with becoming a Hunter himself. Years ago, Gon’s father, Ging, abandoned the family to chase his dream of becoming a Hunter. Now, Gon is following in Ging’s footsteps, and he will face some incredibly difficult ordeals to earn his place among the Hunters.
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Koichi Yamadera, Unsho Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara
Created by
Keiko Nobumoto
Ahead of Netflix’s highly anticipated live-action Cowboy Bebop series, the streaming service has added the unforgettable anime classic that inspired it. This stylish neo-noir sci-fi western follows Spike Spiegel and the crew of the starship Bebop. In this vision of the future, bounty hunters are called cowboys, and Spike is one of the best. Alongside his teammates Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein, Spike tries to find a place for himself in the universe. But when a woman from Spike’s past returns, all bets are off. And even Spike may not be able to defeat his old enemies in the end.
Digital Trends streaming roundup
96m
Genre
Animation, Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Stars
Kensho Ono, Reina Ueda, Junichi Suwabe
Directed by
Shuko Murase
Based on the manga series by Yoshiyuki Tomino, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway follows the devastating war between the Earth Federation and a terrorist group known as Mafty. Led by Hathaway Noa (Kensho Ono), Mafty aims to put an end to the vicious deportation strategies of the Federation, a mission carried out with great success until a chance meeting with an enemy officer and a strange woman spells disaster for Noa and his crew.
4 Seasons
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation, Action & Adventure
Cast
Yuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue
Created by
Hajime Isayama
Adapted from the manga series of the same name, Attack on Titan finds humanity trapped behind towering walls in three cities. The reason for the partitions is a world overrun by monstrous humanoid creatures known as Titans. When one Titan manages to get over the walls of Eren Jaegar’s (Harume Miara) city, the creature wreaks havoc on the populace. Vowing revenge, Eren and his friends join up with the Scout Regiment to fight back against the Titan hordes.
4 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Yuki Kaji, Sora Amamiya, Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Created by
A-1 Pictures
The titular stars of The Seven Deadly Sins aren’t just the embodiment of humanity’s famous vices. They were once respected knights in the fantasy land of Britannia … at least until they were framed for trying to overthrow the kingdom and forced to disband. A decade later, Princess Elizabeth Liones is deposed from the throne by the Holy Knights, which sends her on the run. She finds an ally in Meliodas, the leader of the Seven, and he agrees to bring his team back together. But Meliodas also has a secret connection to Elizabeth that may come back to doom them all.
4 Seasons
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation
Cast
Richard Armitage, James Callis, Alejandra Reynoso
Created by
Warren Ellis
One of Netflix’s breakout anime series is based on the hit video games by Konami. Castlevania re-envisions Dracula (Graham McTavish) by giving him a legitimate grievance against humanity after his wife, Lisa, is executed by the church on trumped-up charges of heresy. Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last of a long line of vampire hunters, and Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso), a talented sorceress, may be all that stands in the way of humanity’s extinction. Surprisingly, their most valuable ally is Alucard (James Callis), the estranged son of Dracula and Lisa. This unlikely trio is ridiculously entertaining, and Castlevania finds its drama and action in unexpected ways.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Kaiji Soze, Ryohei Kimura, Takuya Eguchi
Created by
Eiji Tsuburaya
Ultraman is one of the original heroes of anime who dates back to 1966, so much so that he’s essentially the equivalent of Superman. Netflix’s Ultraman is not a reboot of the franchise. Instead, it’s a direct continuation that brings back Shin Hayata, the man behind Ultraman. Unfortunately, Shin no longer remembers that he was Japan’s greatest hero. Instead, the legacy is passed on to his son, Shinjiro. The new Ultraman has his hands full in the modern series, but his father’s legacy is in good hands.
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Drama
Cast
Chikahiro Kobayashi
Created by
Orange
If one could ever imagine Zootopia becoming an R-rated bloody murder mystery, it would likely be Beastars. In a world of anthropomorphic creatures, carnivores and herbivores of all species coexist and work together. That line of coexistence is shattered when a student is devoured by an unnamed and unknown carnivore. In the midst of the growing unease at the school, Legoshi, a timid and shy carnivorous wolf, has a dramatic encounter with a small rabbit who attends the school, Haru, an encounter that may affect the fate of Legoshi and the school. Beastars originally began as a manga, written by Paru Itagaki and Akita Shoten, released in 2016. The manga went on to win a multitude of awards, including the coveted Manga Taisho Award. With 20 volumes published so far, the manga remains ongoing. The manga went on to be licensed by Viz Media and released in the United States in 2019. The anime launched on Netflix on March 13, 2020, and features stunning animation by Studio Orange and a stellar English voice cast, which includes Jonah Scott as Legoshi and Lara Jill Miller as Haru.
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation, Drama
Cast
Megumi Ogata, Kotono Mitsuishi, Megumi Hayashibara
Created by
Gainax
Giant robots fighting even bigger monsters is a common theme among anime series, but few have elevated the genre like Neon Genesis Evangelion. The series was set in the then far-off year of 2015, 15 years after the world was attacked by aliens that were known as “Angels.” The show follows Shinji Ikari, a shy and emotionally withdrawn teenager who is forced to become an Evangelion pilot by his manipulative father, Gendo. Shinji slowly rises to the occasion alongside his fellow pilots, Rei and Asuka. However, the Angels aren’t the only ones with secrets on this show. And Shinji will have to face unimaginable nightmares and traumas before he can ultimately confront his own inner demons.
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