Netflix is increasingly becoming a more compelling platform to watch the best anime. Alongside its usual live-action original content, the streamer’s anime catalog is growing across film and TV. With such a diverse selection, seasoned and prospective fans are guaranteed to find something to pique their interest.
Still, Netflix’s impressive selection of anime can make it tough to parse through. Thankfully, our anime guide streamlines the platform’s offerings down to the highlights. This guide is also curated monthly to update fans on the best anime to watch on Netflix right now.
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.
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One Piece Film: Red2022 -
Yu Yu Hakusho1992
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Haikyu!!2014
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One Piece Film: Red (2022) new
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece pirate saga continues to excel across mediums with the series’ 15th movie. Directed by Goro Taniguchi and animated by Toei Animation, One Piece Film: Red takes Luffy and his pirate crew to an island to watch singer Uta’s first live concert.
The superstar musician is a childhood friend of protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, but tensions rise when Uta reveals her stance against pirates. One Piece Film: Red is a visual show-stopper that celebrates the elements that havemade this series so beloved since the late 1990s. It might not push the boundaries of what a licensed anime movie can strive for narratively, but it colorfully expands Oda’s world and offers new characters worth exploring.
Yu Yu Hakusho (1992) new
From Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho combines the supernatural with martial arts. Animated by studio Pierrot, the plot follows 14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi, a former high school delinquent who died saving a child from a car accident and is revived as an Underworld Detective.
Yusuke’s second lease on life leads him and his new companions on adventures that include demons and high-stakes combat tournaments. Yu Yu Hakusho is an anime classic acclaimed for its clever mix of occult atmosphere, exciting action, comedic relief, and sincere character development. The action becomes increasingly impressive as the martial arts elements are emphasized later in the story.
Haikyu!! (2014) new
Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyu!! became the biggest sports-themed sensation in manga and anime. Animation studio Production I.G adapts young Shoyo Hinata’s quest to become an elite volleyball player at Karasuno High School.
Despite his small stature, Hinata is determined to hone his skills, but he soon encounters competition when his middle school rival Tobio Kageyama joins the team. Haikyu!! is critically acclaimed for its refreshing and down-to-earth story and relatable cast of young characters. The volleyball action is thrillingly animated, and Production I.G’s adaptation doesn’t lose sight of the emotionally investing coming-of-age themes.
Great Teacher Onizuka (1999) new
Tooru Fujisawa’s Great Teacher Onizuka blends slice-of-life storytelling with oddball comedy to impressive effect. Animation studio Pierrot adapts the story of 22-year-old Eikichi Onizuka, a former gangster who starts a new life teaching at a private middle school.
However, his new ambitions are tested when Eikichi is assigned to an infamously delinquent homeroom class. On its face, Great Teacher Onizuka has a relatively basic premise, but it’s bolstered by raunchy comedy and a delightfully eccentric protagonist. The series does surprisingly well in switching between laugh-out-loud gags and surprisingly heartfelt drama touching on sensitive social topics.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series (2023) new
Since the anime side of the franchise’s inception, protagonist Ash Ketchum was synonymous with the Pokémon TV series. But over 20 years later, the iconic master trainer is passing the protagonist mantle to a pair of new heroes in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
Animated by studio OLM and streaming exclusively on Netflix in the U.S., this new anime series follows Liko and Roy as they embark on a globe-trotting adventure with a group dubbed the Rising Volt Tacklers. The series spotlights the new Paldea region that debuted in the most recent Nintendo Switch video games — Scarlet and Violet — but their quest will take them around the Pokémon world.
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (2020) new
Alongside Final Fantasy, the Dragon Quest franchise is the tentpole of gaming production company Square Enix. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai adapts an exciting original story outside the video game source material. The anime series is an adaptation of writer Riku Sanjo and artist Koji Inada’s manga of the same name that tells the story of the titular hero as he’s called to action when a demonic evil is resurrected.
This force was defeated ages ago by an enigmatic figure simply known as “the hero,” and its revival seems to answer Dai’s desire to become a great hero in his own right. Along the way, however, he’ll discover the mystery behind the original hero’s identity and the origin of his hidden abilities.
Kotaro Lives Alone (2022) new
if you’re looking for a combination of lighthearted slice-of-life and touching storytelling, Kotaro Lives Alone is among the best anime on Netflix. An adaptation of writer and artist Mami Tsumura’s manga, the story is about a peculiar 4-year-old boy named Kotaro who lives alone in an apartment complex and eventually meets a manga writer next door.
The premise is undoubtedly bizarre, with Kotaro’s neighbor, Shin Karino, initially baffled by the situation. What follows is a satisfying and concise story that explores how children and adults, despite having drastically different perspectives on life, can still strive to learn from each other. Kotaro Lives Alone takes a strange premise and uses it to deliver sincere dialogue and character development.
Mary and The Witch's Flower (2017)
Mary and the Witch’s Flower is an excellent choice for anime fans who want a movie that offers a light fantasy experience. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, animated by Studio Ponoc, and based on author Mary Stewart’s 1971 novel The Little Broomstick, it tells the story of a clumsy little girl named Mary Smith who stumbles on a magical phenomenon.
Living a lonely life after moving in with her great aunt, Mary eventually finds a strange color-changing cat who leads her to a bundle of blue flowers that give her the powers of a witch for one night. Perfect for anime newcomers and those who are fond of Studio Ghibli movies, Mary and the Witch’s Flower is a visually dazzling and charming fantasy.
Delicious in Dungeon (2024) new
Trigger, one of the most well-known and beloved animation studios in the industry, returns with another fresh anime adaptation. A TV adaptation of writer Ryoko Kui’s manga of the same name, Delicious in Dungeon is a creative cooking-themed fantasy hybrid. The series is set in a fantasy world where the Golden Kingdom is buried underground by a mad magician, with the kingdom’s ruler promising treasure to the guild who can defeat him.
One of these guilds’ leaders, Laios, embarks on an underground quest with his companions to save his sister, Falin, with the team resorting to hunting and eating the monsters within for survival. Delicious in Dungeon offers a fun and comedic spin on high-fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons-style adventuring tropes thanks to its cooking-themed trappings.
maboroshi (2023) new
Originally released on September 15, 2023 in Japanese theaters, Netflix has added the anime film Maboroshi to its library. Co-directed by Seimei Kidokoro and produced by animation studio MAPPA, this is an anime-original story set in a sci-fi fantasy world where a local town is quarantined after a steel mill explosion stops the passage of time.
Middle-school student Masamune and her friends struggle to cope with their collapsing reality, but they encounter a mysterious young girl at the exploded mill who can’t speak and looks like a wild wolf. Maboroshi creates an exciting and inventive premise out of its sci-fi and fantasy elements while touching on relatable aspects of everyday life.
Pokémon Concierge (2023) new
A Netflix-exclusive series, Pokémon Concierge is an colorful change of pace for the blockbuster franchise in the anime department. Produced by animation studio dwarf, this series takes place at the Pokémon Resort and follows protagonist Haru, a concierge at the vacation resort.
Across its four episodes, Pokémon Concierge has Haru make meaningful and entertaining encounters with the Pokémon and their owners who visit. Studio Dwarf’s stop-motion animation with figurine-like characters is a staple of the creative team, and it lends itself well to this vibrant fantasy world. It may be a brief miniseries even by miniseries standards, but it’s a delightfully lighthearted and concise watch.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse (2023) new
A sequel series to the original adaptation of Nakaba Suzuki’s manga, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse is set several years after the events of its predecessor. Also adapted from Suzuki’s manga source material, animation studio Telecom Animation Film’s TV series shifts its focus to the young Percival as its protagonist.
His life is upended in his quiet hometown when an intruder arrives, leading to a sprawling quest of adventure and revenge. Along the way, Percival meets new friends to help him along his journey and deal with the realities of the world around him. Serving as a capable sequel and new jumping-on point for newcomers, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse is a satisfying high-fantasy shounen series.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023) new
One of the more recent Netflix-original anime series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an exciting take on this charming franchise. Animated by Science Saru and developed by Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, this limited series takes the series in a bold new narrative direction. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off sees the titular character go missing, compelling his love interest Ramona Flowers to investigate his sudden disappearance, all while the supporting cast works on creating a fictionalized story about Scott’s life.
The series features the principal cast from the live-action movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World returning to reprise their roles, including Michael Cera as the titular character, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, and Brie Larson as Natalie Adams. From its charming character designs, storytelling, and animation work, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was acclaimed as a celebration of the franchise with an inventive new story.
Vampire in the Garden (2022)
Former Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga animation studio Wit Studio teamed up with Netflix for the anime-original story Vampire in the Garden. This series is set in a dystopic world where the remnants of humanity cling to their last safe-haven city after vampires overthrow them as the world’s apex species. In the middle of a battle, a human soldier named Momo encounters a vampire queen named Fine, who connects with her over their shared desire to escape from the war-torn land.
Both characters then set off on a quest to find a rumored ecosystem where both humans and vampires can coexist peacefully. Wit Studio has long since made a name for itself thanks to its slick art direction and animation work, delivering some satisfying action sequences. Likewise, the military dystopia and dark fantasy elements offer a refreshing change of pace from the vampire theme’s conventional gothic aesthetic.
Yasuke (2021)
Both a Netflix original and an anime-original story, Yasuke takes a dark fantasy spin on a piece of 16th century Japanese history. Animated by MAPPA and created by LeSean Thomas, the series follows the titular African warrior who served as a samurai and retainer for the daimyo Oda Nobunaga.
Set in a dark alternate reality that combines elements of magic and advanced technology, Yasuke tries to put his military past behind him after the Nobunaga’s forces are defeated by the demon warlord Yami no Daimyo. That is until he’s tasked with escorting a sick young girl with magical powers to a special doctor. Yasuke is a creative spin on real-world history and features a great voice performance by Lakeith Stanfield in the anime’s English dub.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened (2019)
A Netflix-distributed sequel and adaptation of the ending of Shuichi Aso’s manga, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened concludes the comically chaotic high school exploits of its titular lead. Saiki continues to try to keep a low profile with his psychic abilities to avoid any attention and inconveniences.
However, between helping cover for his dad’s mishaps at work and the hijinks he gets roped into with his group of friends, Saiki might discover how these gifts could be used for good. Much like the original anime adaptation, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened builds on the light-hearted humor that makes it such an endearing watch. Studios J.C.Staff and Egg Firm did well to stick to the script to give the anime adaptations a satisfying close and retain the fun spirit of Aso’s supernatural comedy.
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers (2023)
One of the more recent Netflix-original anime, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers is an engaging samurai period piece. Based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Fumi Yoshinaga, the animation team at Studio Deen adapts an alternate history where the male population is nearly decimated during Edo-period Japan, and eligible men serve as concubines for the female Shogun within Ōoku.
It’s an interesting spin on the alternate-history approach, telling a unique story rooted in drama and romance. Ōoku: The Inner Chambers examines its story through the lens of women dominating in authority in a power structure built by a patriarchal society before them.
Ajin (2016)
Ajin: Demi-Human is an entertaining supernatural-thriller with a well-executed art direction. Animation studio Polygon Pictures adapts Gamon Sakurai’s manga of the same name, set in a world where mysterious and immortal human beings dubbed “Ajin” were discovered in Africa 17 years prior and have since been deemed threats to humanity.
High-schooler Kei Nagai discovers he’s an Ajin and must flee the authorities before they can conduct disturbing experiments on him, forced to pick a side in a fight he never expected to be a part of. In an environment where CG animation is still growing, but promising, Ajin: Demi-Human is a solid endeavor. The animation art style, animation, action, and worldbuilding make for a concise watch.
Mononoke (2007)
Mononoke is an excellent horror-esque mystery thriller. A production by Toei Animation, this series is also an anime-original story and is set in a feudal Japanese world where a Medicine Seller is an occult master who travels the countryside exorcising evil spirits.
Things take a darker and more intense turn when the Medicine Seller’s travels take him to an inn plagued by these spirits and a string of mysterious murders. Mononoke is an exciting and creative folkloric fantasy with horror tones, with an intense mystery at its core. Likewise, the series is bolstered by a striking and picturesque art style.
Den-noh Coil (2007)
Anime fans looking to delve into original stories would do well to give Den-noh Coil a chance. An original anime produced by experienced studio Madhouse, Den-noh Coil is set in an alternate near-future where augmented-reality glasses are a norm for everyday life.
It follows the story of a kind-hearted middle schooler named Yasako Okonogi and her family who move into Daikoku City despite rumblings of people mysteriously disappearing. Den-noh Coil is an inventive mix of coming-of-age and a technological mystery-thriller, making for a unique anime experience.
PLUTO (2023) new
Naoki Urasawa is credited with writing and illustrating some of greatest seinen manga in the industry, and Netflix obtained the license for the adaptation of Pluto. Set in the same continuity as Osamu Tezuka’s landmark Astro Boy series, Pluto tells a mystery involving the murder of the heroic robot Montblanc, who fought in the 39th Asian War.
Things become far bleaker when war veteran and Europol detective Gesicht investigates the grisly killing of the war hero, as the plot unravels a deep-rooted conspiracy against the robots who took part in the war. Though inherently less grounded as a premise compared to the revered Monster, Pluto is a gripping blend of the crime drama and science fiction genres. Urasawa is known for his cerebral stories, and the animation team at Studio M2 brilliantly conveys that in their anime adaptation.
GOOD NIGHT WORLD (2023) new
Another Netflix original anime, studio NAZ’s Good Night World is an adaptation of Uru Okabe’s web manga of the same name. The story revolves around the members of a broken, emotionally dysfunctional family who all find a semblance of fulfillment within a virtual reality video game called Planet.
However, what these characters don’t realize is that they’ve managed to form a functional family unit with each other. An interesting premise, Good Night World does well to gradually piece together the more secretive aspects of these characters’ backstories, with the plot taking dramatic turns as it incorporates elements of their real lives and their video game personas.
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023) new
Though it leans more into anime-inspired TV rather than the conventional definition of the genre, Netflix and Powerhouse Animation Studios’ Castlevania: Nocturne is nonetheless a highlight of the streamer’s animated catalog. This sequel series takes place 300 years after the events of the original series, as Richter Belmont comes into his own alongside his surrogate family of Maria Renard and Tera.
Nocturne is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, where the vampiric aristocracy is working to usher in a fabled vampire messiah to plunge the world into an eternal night. Art direction and animation continue to be strong points in this TV side of the video game franchise. The series also lays an exciting groundwork for what’s to come.
Kengan Ashura (2019) new
One of the most bombastically entertaining martial arts anime shows on Netflix, Kengan Ashura returns for a second season. The story continues the titular protagonist’s rise in the underground combat rings of the corporate Japanese world, as wealthy businessmen hire some of the most elite fighters to settle disputes in brutal fights.
Tokita Ouma is eager for the sporting element of it all, and he’s determined to make a name for himself by taking on the strongest figures in this grueling world. Larx Entertainment’s adaptation of Yabako Sandrovich and Daromeon’s manga has been well-received for its straightforward, yet effective story and over-the-top action sequences.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016)
One of the best shounen comedy series, animation studios J.C.Staff and Egg Firm’s anime adaptation of Shūichi Asō’s The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. translates wonderfully to the screen. High schooler Kusuo Saiki stumbles through his life as the psychic abilities he once vowed to keep secret end up attracting unwanted attention.
It’s a fun and lighthearted way of making a supernatural catalyst the premise for a high school comedy, with this plot device proving to be an entertaining way of fleshing out Saiki’s colorful supporting cast. The animation and art direction are quite basic compared to higher-budget anime productions, but they succeed in being another charming element of this gag-filled series.
One Piece Film: GOLD (2016) new
One Piece: Heart of Gold (2016) new
BNA (2020)
Baki Hanma (2021) new
Lookism (2022)
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023) new
My Happy Marriage (2023) new
Record of Ragnarok (2021) new
Written by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui and illustrated by Ajichika, the Record of Ragnarok manga is an unapologetically bombastic action series. It wears its wild character designs and equally over-the-top action on its sleeve. The series follows the gods of various mythologies who convene every 1,000 years to decide the fate of mankind in an epic-scale martial arts tournament.
Meanwhile, season 2, part 2 will continue this onslaught of spectacles, including Buddha — on behalf of humanity — doing battle against Zerofoku; one of the Japanese Seven Lucky Gods.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) new
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.
One Piece Film: Z (2012)
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.
Naruto (2002)
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.
InuYasha (2000)
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.
Great Pretender (2020)
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.
Dorohedoro (2020)
Devilman Crybaby (2018)
Monster (2004) new
Vinland Saga (2019) new
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
One Piece (1999)
Death Note (2006)
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
The Seven Deadly Sins (2014)
Castlevania (2017)
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
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