Even in the saturated streaming age, Netflix is still one of the best platforms for watching anime. It has plenty of live-action originals to enjoy, including live-action adaptations of anime like One Piece, the service has a deep bench of anime. Fans of all tastes are well catered to, with the catalog having plenty of anime TV series and movies spanning multiple franchises and subgenres.
This also makes Netflix a great way for anime to broaden its mainstream appeal. Even so, knowing where to start when the options are so vast can be overwhelming. Thankfully, this monthly updated guide does the hard part by streamlining things to some of the best anime 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. Plus, read about the best new shows to stream and the best shows on Netflix.
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Pokémon Horizons2023 -
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Cells at Work!2018
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Rurouni Kenshin2023
Pokémon Horizons (2023)
While the overall fractured nature of streaming Pokémon can be a hassle, fans on Netflix have even more exciting content to look forward to. Pokémon Horizons continues its adventure in a post-Ash Ketchum world with young Liko and Roy. Now joined by Dot, another member of the Rising Volt Tacklers adventure group, the main duo enrolls in Naranja Academy and learns more about the mysterious Pokémon paradise Laqua.
Filling Ash’s shoes will always be a difficult task in the eyes of longtime fans, but Pokémon Horizons has enjoyed success thanks to its dynamic co-leads. With a slew of Pokémon to meet and a colorful globetrotting premise, studio OLM’s Horizons has what it needs to become another long-running anime.
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023)
While longtime fans eagerly await Konami’s franchise to return to gaming, they can check out the latest Castlevania: Nocturne season. Animated by Powerhouse Animation Studio, season 2 raises the stakes as monster hunter Richter Belmont and co. take the fight to Erzsebet Báthory.
Joined by the likes of Dracula’s son Alucard, Juste Belmont, Maria Renard, and Annette, the group takes on Erzsebet before she can become the vampire messiah and plunge the world into an eternal night. The anime-inspired Castlevania: Nocturne follows up an impressive season 1 to fully come into its own. The season garnered positive critical reception thanks to its fleshed-out character arcs and Powerhouse’s phenomenally animated set pieces.
Cells at Work! (2018)
Based on Akane Shimizu’s manga, the Cells at Work! adaptation is one of the most inventive premises in shonen anime. Produced by David Production, the anime series follows the day-to-day work of a new blood cell enlisted to transport oxygen.
She frequently encounters a soft-spoken white blood cell, and the two must deal with everything from treating wounds to fending off allergies. Cells at Work! thrives on its fun, campy concept to give fans a unique sci-fi comedy. Anthropomorphized blood cells make a great vehicle for biological-themed antics.
Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
Rurouni Kenshin is a 1990s shonen classic in the manga and anime mediums, which left the 2023 remake plenty to live up to. Now animated by Liden Films, the latest anime adaptation revisits the swordsman Himura Kenshin’s exploits in Meiji-era Japan to help people in need.
After living a life as a political assassin, Hiruma is on a path of redemption. Even as he meets the kindhearted Kaoru Kamiya, the wandering warrior will find his dark past return to haunt him. The first adaptation remains an anime classic, but Liden Films’ remake puts a nice visual polish on Rurouni Kenshin’s story. The plot blends character drama, action, and romance to tell a captivating period-piece story.
Sakamoto Days (2025)
Already poised to be one of the biggest shonen anime of 2025, TMS Entertainment’s adaptation of Sakamoto Days is a wildly fun action comedy. Adapted from Yuto Suzuki’s manga of the same name, it tells the story of an elite retired hit man, Taro Sakamoto, who’s taken up the family-man life.
However, his violent and action-packed life comes back to haunt him, as past enemies come out of the woodwork for revenge. Sakamoto Days introduces the perfect premise for wacky comedy and over-the-top action. Between the gunfire and martial arts, this comedic John Wick-like series also features characters worth investing in.
Babanba Banban Vampire (2025)
Animation studio Gaina’s adaptation of Baban Baban Ban Vampire is another major anime streaming on Netflix in early 2025. Based on Akita Shoten’s manga, the story revolves around bathhouse worker Mori Ranmaru.
Mori Ranmaru hides his identity as a 450-year-old vampire, waiting to sample the perfect blood of an 18-year-old virgin. And as the 15-year-old he’s targeting begins to fall in love, the vampire finds himself shielding the teenager from “tainting” his blood. Baban Baban Ban Vampire is a quirky, comedic twist on vampire-themed media. It offers a delightfully unusual premise, and Mori’s ambitions and the characters he meets let the humor flow naturally.
My Happy Marriage (2023)
Kinema Citrus’ My Happy Marriage is one of the best ongoing romance anime, and fans can finally enjoy season 2. Based on Akumi Agitogi and Tsukiho Tsukioka’s novel, fans are taken to a magic-infused Japan, beginning with Miyo Saimori’s tough life under her domineering stepmother. When she’s poised to marry an allegedly cruel military commander whose previous brides ran away, Miyo feels her last hopes for a better life evaporate.
However, the man she meets is far from what the rumors suggest, reigniting the chance for love. My Happy Marriage takes a worthwhile spin on the worn-out Cinderella-style premise, giving its Japanese setting a unique dose of magical realism. Combined with two leads who ground the story with sincere drama, My Happy Marriage offers plenty of nuance in its character-driven storytelling.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023)
While its premise is far from novel, Mashle: Magic and Muscles uses its magic-school tropes to its strengths. Adapted from Hajime Komoto’s manga, the story takes place in a fantasy world where magical prowess determines one’s ranking in society.
Meanwhile, protagonist Mash Burnedead is born without such talents. To live a peaceful life and protect his family, Mash enrolls in a magical academy to prove he can beat magic with sheer muscle. The influences Mashle: Magic and Muscle draws on are quickly apparent, but how it embraces them makes this anime far more fun than contrived. With a dose of Harry Potter and a dash of One-Punch Man, Mashle is a wildly entertaining action-comedy and parody.
Beastars (2019)
The adaptation of Paru Itagaki’s Beastars was one of 2019’s most memorable shonen anime, and fans can finally start season 3. The plot is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals where a cultural divide splits the carnivores and herbivores, and eating meat is illegal.
An otherwise gentle wolf and Cherryton Academy student, Legoshi, sees his predatory urges surface when his school is forced to deal with a murder. Beastars has been well-received so far for its vibrant animation and a cast the audience can invest in emotionally. Despite its larger-than-life premise, its characters feel grounded, and the story tackles meaningful themes of discrimination.
InuYasha (2000)
Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha was a shonen manga classic, and studio Sunrise’s anime adaptation did it justice in the early 2000s. The story opens in the 1990s when 15-year-old middle-schooler Kagome Higurashi is dragged down a well and transported to 1400s Japan.
There, she meets the eponymous half-demon, half-human Inuyasha, and embarks on a quest to gather the pieces of a powerful jewel before they fall into nefarious hands. Inuyasha holds up as one of the best fantasy shonen to date. Experienced anime fans will be familiar with its shonen tropes, but its fantasy spin on Sengoku-era Japan, sense of adventure, and whimsical characters make its straightforward story work.
InuYasha: The Final Act (2009)
Since the original Inuyasha anime adaptation couldn’t cover all of Takahashi’s manga, fans were eventually treated to Inuyasha: The Final Act, covering the concluding 21 volumes of the series.
This direct sequel show picks up from its predecessor, following Inuyasha and Kagome’s continued adventures to recover pieces of the Shikon Jewel and prepare to face the half-demon Naraku. Inuyasha: The Final Act was warmly received for its faithful adaptation of the manga’s closing arc. Fans can expect more vibrant fantasy adventures, action, and emotional storytelling that will surely endear audiences to these characters.
Fighting Spirit (2000)
Alongside the likes of Ashita no Joe, George Morikawa’s Hajime no Ippo is one of the faces of boxing in anime. Studio Madhouse adapted an initial 75-episode anime series, telling the story of the kindhearted Ippo Makunouchi as he goes from a reserved high schooler to an elite boxer.
What started as a way to channel his frustrations from being constantly bullied became a pathway to being one of Japan’s elite featherweight boxers. Fans of anime and sports owe it to themselves to watch Hajime no Ippo. The series balances inspiring coming-of-age tropes and action, with the story showing clear reverence for boxing as a sport.
Dragon Ball DAIMA (2024)
Dragon Ball fans have plenty of content to enjoy between the Sparking! Zero video game and the latest anime, Dragon Ball Daima. The last work before the late creator Akira Toriyama’s passing, this series opens with Goku and his companions mysteriously warped into child-like forms.
Goku and company travel to the Demon Realm and get wrapped in bombastic adventures, determined to uncover the root of this conspiracy. Using a premise somewhat similar to the catalyst for Dragon Ball GT’s story, Dragon Ball Daima feels like a wonderful celebration of this storied franchise. Daima’s imaginative world and engaging martial arts action are well supported by Toei’s solid animation.
Blue Box (2024)
Combining slice-of-life and sports, Blue Box is one of the best anime of the fall season. Adapted from Kouji Miura’s manga of the same name by Telecom Animation Film, the story revolves around first- and second-year high schoolers Taiki Inomata and Chinatsu Kano.
Taiki goes to the school’s gym every morning to refine his badminton skills. Taiki is secretly motivated by sharing the gym with Chinatsu, while the latter feels inspired by his determination. Blue Box is more evidence of how welcome the sports and romantic, slice-of-life genres are in the medium. Aside from breaking up the pace of watching action anime shows, Blue Box’s characterizations and coming-of-age-themed storytelling come across sincerely and provide a calmer change of pace.
Ranma1/2 (2024)
Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½ is regarded as a shonen classic in manga and anime, and the 2024 series is proving to be worth the watch. Animated by prolific studio MAPPA, this adaptation retells the original story of Ranma Saotome’s comedic misadventures.
While traveling for martial arts training in China with his father, Ranma falls into a cursed spring. Cold water changes him into a girl, while hot water transforms him back into a boy. Being the third anime adaptation of the series, Ranma ½ set high expectations, but it’s been praised for maintaining the story’s spirit. While the plot is fairly simple, it tastefully balances endearing comedy, romance, and martial arts action.
Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge (2013)
While waiting for new chapters of Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga has been a slog, Hunter x Hunter remains a landmark shonen series. On top of two TV adaptations, fans can enjoy the Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge anime movie. It follows the main cast of Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio as the group tries to find Kurapika’s eyes after losing them in an attack.
Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge is considered a non-canon movie to the main series timeline, but it’s an exciting standalone anime on its own terms. Canonical or otherwise, it offers an entertaining mystery, action, and a great excuse to highlight fan-favorite villains — the Phantom Troupe syndicate.
Dan Da Dan (2024)
From Yukinobu Tatsu — former assistant on Tatsuki Fujmoto’s Chainsaw Man and Yuji Kaku’s Hell’s Paradise — Dan Da Dan is one of fall’s must-watch anime adaptations. Science Saru’s adaptation sees high schoolers Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura swept into occult and extraterrestrial chaos.
After Momo saves Ken from bullies in a spur of kindness, the two get into a heated debate about whether aliens or ghosts are real — only for both to be tragically right. Dan Da Dan has a surreal, zany atmosphere and is already being praised for its genre mashups and sense of humor. Supported by vivid animation and art direction, Dan Da Dan combines sci-fi and the supernatural with teenage quirkiness.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024)
Though more of an anime-inspired series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is one of Netflix’s biggest animated releases in October. Produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, the team behind Castlevania: Nocturne, this series follows the titular adventurer after the events of the Survivor video game trilogy.
Hayley Atwell lends her voice talents to Lara Croft, as the treasure hunter embarks on daring missions while confronting her troubled past. Animation has been a capable medium for gaming adaptations, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft looks promising. Powerhouse’s anime-style art direction looks like a seamless fit, and following the recent game trilogy is an exciting way to see her grow into the veteran adventurer longtime fans have come to know.
Inu-Oh (2022)
Based on Hideo Furukawa’s novel, Inu-Oh is one of the most creative anime movies in recent years. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and animated by Science Saru, the story revolves around the friendship between the titular dancer, born with unique physical traits, and the blind musician Tomona.
The pair are shunned by society due to their physical differences. But they use their musical talents to reach international fame regardless. Inu-Oh’s unique artistry earned the movie critical acclaim, combining social commentary with stylized art direction. The use of 14th-century Japan made for an excellent period piece, which was surprisingly fitting for its rock-opera musical numbers.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024)
While it’s not the most high-profile anime this season, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is nonetheless a worthwhile watch. Animated by Madhouse and adapted from Uoto’s manga, this series centers around child astronomy prodigy Rafal. However, in this 15th-century Polish setting, teachings that oppose the country’s religion are tortured and branded as heretics — including the idea that Earth revolves around the Sun.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth has been critically well-received for its combination of historical fiction and sci-fi. Orb uses its period-piece premise to explore themes of authoritarian control over the truth, and noble figures willing to fight to ensure that truth sees the light of day.
Terminator Zero (2024)
While the Terminator films haven’t always been hits, they do occasionally spawn a worthy spinoff. Netflix and anime studio Production I.G collaborate on Terminator Zero, developed for TV by The Batman Part II co-writer Mattson Tomlin.
Set the day before the infamous Judgement Day, the story revolves around a relentless cyborg hunting down an AI scientist. Meanwhile, a mysterious warrior from 2022 is sent back to protect the scientist. Terminator Zero is a visually striking take on this sci-fi franchise filled with action. It’s a worthy addition to the Terminator canon and tells a story that stands proudly on its own merits.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)
Fans of the mecha genre are catered to on Netflix, as the entirety of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is now available. Animated by studio Sunrise, this franchise installment follows Kira Yamato, a Coordinator sucked into a brutal war between rival factions.
The Naturals (unaltered humans) and the Coordinators (genetically modified humans) are in conflict, and an attack on Yamato’s home colony leads him to don a titular mechanized suit. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is one of the most successful entries in the long-running anime franchise, boasting high-octane action and drama. Its intense wartime plot is well-paced and consistently engaging across its 50 episodes.
Blue Giant (2023)
Besides the medium’s action-packed affairs, music is another compelling theme for anime to explore. Adapted from Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga by studio NUT, Blue Giant tells the story of an aspiring saxophone musician named Dai Miyamoto. After watching a live jazz performance, he becomes deeply moved and determined to learn the instrument despite not knowing how to read sheet music.
Blue Giant garnered acclaimed for its emotional storytelling, showing how versatile anime can be outside of the action series many audiences expect. In a two-hour movie, Blue Giant conveys the passion behind its music vividly through its animation and art direction.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Studio Ghibli is revered in the industry, partly for its international influence. Directed by Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies takes place during World War II in Kobe, Japan. Siblings Seita and Setsuko are orphaned during the chaos of the Pacific War, and they struggle to survive in the conflict’s waning days.
Studio Ghibli’s catalog is an embarrassment of riches like The Boy and the Heron proved last year, but Grave of the Fireflies still stands out. It’s one of the most emotionally profound anime movies to date, exploring with tact and nuance the horrors of war and how it ruins children’s lives.
(2019)
Fans of unabashedly action-packed anime are well-served with Netflix’s Kengan Ashura. Animated by Larx Entertainment and adapted from Yabako Sandrovich and Daromeon’s manga, the plot follows the underground gladiator scene of Japan’s business world.
Deals and disputes are settled by combat, with Ouma Tokita — “The Ashura” — aiming to be the best. Kengan Ashura has been well-received for its unapologetic approach to martial arts and straightforward premise. The anime does well to translate the visceral action, and fans can now watch the second part of season 2.
Rising Impact (2024)
The sports genre has given audiences more great anime in recent years, and Rising Impact offers a satisfying golf-themed story. Animated by studio Lay-duce and adapted from Nakaba Suzuki’s manga, the story sees young Gawain go from an aspiring baseball player to a starry-eyed golf fan.
After Lancelot Norman opens his mind to this newfound passion, he sets off for Tokyo to play and learn everything he can about the sport. Sports anime often provide a calmer, more colorful change of pace, and Rising Impact is no exception. The series tells an engaging and down-to-earth plot, and fans can now watch both seasons on Netflix.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021)
The Gundam franchise is an anime staple, and it’s practically the face of the mecha genre. Animated by the franchise’s longtime studio Sunrise, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway follows Hathaway Noa as he leads an insurgency against the militant Earth Federation.
Hathway leads these attacks after witnessing the horrors of Char’s Rebellion, but dynamics change when he befriends a woman and a Federation colonel. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway has all the larger-than-life political drama and action fans would want. The mecha fights are animated well and the art direction is excellent, all within a concise runtime.
One Piece (1999)
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the last manga from Shounen Jump Magazine’s “Big Three” that’s still publishing, and the anime is going just as strong. Animated by Toei Animation, the series follows the colorful exploits of Monkey D. Luffy.
Joined by his Straw Hat Pirates crew, the ambitious youngster begins a quest to find the coveted treasure dubbed the “One Piece.” One Piece has shown impressive staying power in pop culture, earning acclaim for its meticulous worldbuilding, lovable characters, and vibrant visuals. The series’ swashbuckling tone is its most consistent strength, and fans can now enjoy it through season 21 on Netflix.
Violet Evergarden (2018)
Violet Evergarden offers a meaningful experience for anime fans wanting a quieter, more personal change of pace. Based on Kana Akatsuki and Akiko Takase’s light novel series, the plot revolves around the titular young woman as she integrates into a post-war society.
Violet is an ex-soldier, emotionally damaged from her experiences, who takes on a letter-writing job to understand her past better. Violet Evergarden is a deeply resonant story thanks to its poignant themes and social commentary. This 13-episode series faithfully adapts Akatsuki’s intimate narrative, backed by rewarding character development and aesthetically pleasing art direction.
Black Clover (2017)
Creator Yūki Tabata’s Black Clover is a beloved shounen series, and viewers can now watch through season 3 of Pierrot’s anime adaptation on Netflix. The story is set in a fantasy world where people are given magical abilities, but orphan Asta is born without them. Asta and his surrogate brother Yuno swear to each other to compete for the title of Wizard King — the kingdom’s strongest mage.
Black Clover earned positive reviews for its creative fantasy universe and attention to detail in world-building. The narrative tropes and similarities between it and series like Naruto, Bleach, and Fairy Tale are undeniable. Even so, Black Clover justifies its place among them thanks to its likable core cast, substantive side characters, and exciting action.
Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura (2024)
The anime adaptions of Baki and Kengan Ashura have enjoyed steady viewership on Netflix. Now, fans can watch these thrilling martial-arts-themed worlds collide in the anime movie Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura.
Animated by studio TMS Entertainment, this ambitious crossover event will pit the strongest fighters from each series against each other. Both Baki and Kengan Ashura succeed in how they embrace the absurdity in their action-packed premises. This collaborative movie is no exception, offering an hour of over-the-top martial arts spectacle.
Hell's Paradise (2023)
Anime fans have been greatly enjoying studio MAPPA’s work on Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and more. With Hell’s Paradise, audiences can look forward to the team’s next ongoing project. Adapting writer and illustrator Yuji Kaku’s manga, the plot follows the seemingly merciless assassin Gabimaru trying to evade his pending execution.
Tired of his life of bloodshed, he’s offered a pardon from the Shogunate if he embarks on a mission to find the mysterious Elixir of Life. Hell’s Paradise was praised for its interesting premise and elements of dark fantasy and horror. The intense action sequences are well animated too, and the story has even more potential with possible future seasons.
Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
From the acclaimed creator of One-Punch Man, ONE’s Mob Psycho 100 is a unique coming-of-age story. Adapted by animation studio Bones, the series is about Shigeo Kageyama — known as “Mob” — a socially unassuming middle schooler who has powerful psychic abilities.
He works part-time after school for his con-artist boss Arataka Reigen, who claims to be a master spirit medium. Mob Psycho 100 is acclaimed for juggling oddball comedy, stunning action, and heartfelt storytelling with utmost sincerity. Mob’s reserved demeanor and suppressed psychic powers are clever representations of the story’s coming-of-age themes.
Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)
Creator Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most exciting ongoing shounen series, mixing intense martial arts action with the occult. Animated by studio MAPPA, the series begins with high school student Yuji Itadori being recruited into one of Japan’s elite Jujutsu Sorcerer academies.
These students train in supernatural and martial combat to defend citizens from malicious Cursed Spirits. Jujutsu Kaisen is praised for its stunning animation, adapting the action in the most visceral way possible. It depicts an exciting world with impressive detail in its mythos, as the modern-day Japanese setting meshes well with its dark fantasy elements.
One Piece Film: Red (2022)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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.
Pokémon Concierge (2023)
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.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)
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.
PLUTO (2023)
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.
Baki Hanma (2021)
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019)
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.
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.
Vinland Saga (2019)
8.8/10JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
9/10Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
8.5/10Giant 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.
