Best 15 Anime Series For All Time[Ranked in 2023]

Many of you are fond of anime series no matter what your age is. Anime has broken the stereotypical idea that cartoons are for kids. There are certain genres of anime series that are for kids, but grownups can also enjoy anime shows as those are based on drama, romance, thrill, adventure, comedy, romance, and lots of other genres. For several decades anime is winning the hearts of people around the world and shows like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop, etc. are getting hugely popular. Before checking out the best anime series of all time, you must have an idea of what anime is and why it is so popular among its fans. If you haven’t seen any anime series, this discussion will surely make you interested in watching those. Read on to know more about the best anime ever created.

What Is Anime Series?

Anime is a short form of animation. It is not the abbreviated form of the word ‘Animation’, but you can say it is the way to call ‘animated cartoon’ in short form. The anime series is the most popular in Japan where they refer to any cartoon as anime, whether it is made in Japan or not. But, to the outer world, ‘Anime’ is an animated series that is made in Japan and follows the Japanese style of execution like exclusive painting style, use of bright colors, unique facial expressions of characters, and so on. Whether in Japan or outside the country, anime is made to entertain adults. So far, you can imagine the spiked-hair magicians or high-tech robots when it comes to anime series, but the makers are making more improvisation and today, you can find lots of varieties in anime series.

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Top 15 Best Anime Series of All Time

There are so many popular best anime movies that have been made that picking only 15 among those is like collecting pearls from the vast ocean. Still, we have tried to collect the best ones for you. If you are fond of anime series you can relate to our list. If you haven’t started watching those, you can get the list of the best ones to start with. Have a look at the anime movies list.

#1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

This is an anime series that will always be on the top of the list for the memorable characters, awesome storyline, incredible fighting, and other action scenes, and the portrayal of iconic scenes. The struggle of the Elric Brothers to resurrect their mother from death and practice alchemy for that is outstanding. They face repeated divine intervention, but their effort to achieve their goal never stops.

Watch On: Crunchyroll, VRV, Funimation, HBO Max, Netflix

#2. Dragon Ball – Recommended for Beginners

dragon ball

No introduction is needed for the Dragon Ball franchise. Many anime lovers have started watching anime series only after watching the stories of Goku, Vegeta, and other Z Warriors in the Dragon Ball Series. According to many anime fans, Dragon Ball is the anime series that has advanced the anime to the entire world. The iconic characters, ravishing battles, countless power-ups, and strong characters will draw your attention at once when you start watching the series.

Watch On: Netflix

#3. Death Note

Draw-Light-Yagami-Death-Note

The name is so alarming, right? The series is more than that! This anime series is one of the most popular series in Japan. The storyline is a bit unique here where the protagonist is not a stereotypical good person like the other series. There is a notebook of the Shinigami, God of Death who can kill any person whose name is written in the notebook. Eventually, that book comes into the hand of a high school student, Light Yagami and he started writing the name of criminals on it and they are killed. This unique storyline will keep you engaged on the screen until the series ends.

Watch On: Netflix|Episodes: 37

#4. Future Diary

Future-Diary

If you are a fan of sci-fi anime series, this particular anime is just for you. The hero of this story gets a diary that can predict the future and he gets engaged in a battle with eleven others where the ultimate survivor becomes God. This is one of the most fascinating storylines that anime fans have ever watched. The best types of animation, the portrayal of characters, and the weaving of events of this anime series are enthralling.

Watch On: Netflix, Hulu, Funimation, Amazon |Episodes: 26 + OVA

#5. Cowboy Bebop

cowboy-bebop

This is the complete best action-based anime series for thriller lovers. The setting of this series is in the space of 2071. The characters of the bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his partner Jet Black are portrayed perfectly to chase criminals. This is another sci-fi anime series that became popular worldwide after its release in 1997-98. And the craze of this series has not decreased at all today. This is also one of those anime series that makes people fall in love with this series from the beginning.

Watch On: Funimation | Episodes: 26

#6. Monster

Monster

When looking for the best anime series of all time, Monster will always be on the list. It is because of its unique presentation than any other conventional anime series. This is a story of a good man who becomes a rebel after losing everything even after following all the rules. The world of giant robots and super-powered heroes takes everything from him and pushes him to the dark world. Now, it is his adventure to correct his mistakes and set new rules.

Watch On: Nowhere officially, but available for purchase | Episodes: 74

#7. One-Pouch Man

One-Punch Man

Anime lovers can never forget the adventures of Saitama from One-Pouch Man. This character is charming. He is the strongest superhero in his universe where he gets into several adventures and the viewers get a roller-coaster ride with him. This is the character for which many of us have loved the color, yellow (His costume is yellow!). Making an anime series just based on one character is difficult and there have been shows which went completely flop. At that point, One-Pouch Man is revolutionary.

Watch On: Netflix, Viz, Hulu | Episodes: 24 + 12 OVAs

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#8. Attack on Titan – Shingeki no Kyojin

Attack-on-Titan

This is another anime series that has got enough votes to be on the list of all-time favorite anime of its fans. This is a story of revenge when Eren Jaeger takes oaths to kill all the giant humanoids that have destroyed his city and killed his mother. This is one of the longest-running anime which got hugely popular after its release and still people love to watch the episodes. There are battles, action scenes, and thrills in every episode of this series.

Watch On: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 59

#9. Pokemon

This is every child’s favorite. But not only the kids, but adults are also fond of the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friend Pikachu. They are on a quest of being known as the Pokemon Masters. Indeed, the storyline is not strong enough like the others on the list, but it is the colorful presentation and the catchy characters that attract children a lot.

Watch On: Netflix, Prime Video | Episodes: 1,109

#10. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

The story of this anime series is based on the Taisho Period of Japan when demons used to live with humans. Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist is on the quest of killing demons as they have destroyed his family and turned his sister into a demon. The action scenes are incredible and the characters are appealing enough.

Watch On: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 26

#11. One Piece

one-piece

One Piece was released in 1999 and now, it is one of the most popular anime series you can watch now. The quest of the Monkey D. Luffy, the pirate captain, and his followers to become the next Pirate King is highly engrossing. The characters come with many shades and that has gripped the viewers with the series after so many years of release.

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Viz | Episodes: 97

#12. Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo

This is another exciting anime that has to be on the list of your must-watch anime series. Based on the Edo Period of Japan, this anime is the tale of two samurai and their journey of life. What appeals to the viewers the most about this anime are the artistic presentation, exclusive designs, and use of colors, especially in the combat scenes. If you haven’t seen any anime series till now, you can begin your binge-watching with this.

Watch On: Hulu, Amazon | Episodes: 26

#13. Naruto Shippuden

Naruto Shippuden

The franchise of Naruto is quite popular around the world presently. But, this is the beginning of the series that you can watch to know the background of present incidents in the series. This anime is based on the quest of Naruto to become the strongest ninja in the village. The characters are great in this anime including the antagonist. This is one of the big reasons for such huge popularity of this anime globally.

Watch On: Hulu, Amazon, Crunchyroll, Viz | Episodes: 98

#14. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online

A group of gamers joins together in 2022 on Sword Art Online where they can virtually connect to the real world with Nerve Gear, a special helmet. Kirito is such a gamer who is always energetic and ready to jump into action. He meets Klein, a new warrior, and their journey begins. To know more about them you have to watch this amazing anime series.

Watch On: Hulu, Crunchyroll, Netflix | Episodes: 25

#15. Clannad

Clannad anime series

To finish the list of the best anime series, there is nothing better than Clannad. This is completely different than the usual action-packed anime series. Here, the story is based on the regular life of Tomoya and Nagisa in high school. You will find touching episodes and a beautiful ending while watching this anime.

Watch On: Crunchyroll, Netflix | Episodes: 23

Final Words on Best Anime Series

So, here is the list of the best 15 anime series you can watch now. There are many more. If you complete watching these, you can find more to get entertained.