Every ranking like this one is an argument. Here is ours — one hundred series and films, from the single most influential work the medium has produced down to the merely excellent.
We weighted three things: how good the work actually is, how much it changed what came after it, and whether it still holds up when you sit down with it today. That last one is why some untouchable classics sit lower than you might expect, and why a few recent series climbed higher than their age should allow.
- Series Ranked
- 100
- Decades Covered
- 5
- Oldest Entry
- 1963
- Studios Represented
- 64
The Top 10
Ten works that did not just do their genre well — they changed what the genre was allowed to be.
No. 1
Dragon Ball Z
1989 · Toei Animation · MAL 8.21
Everything after it is a response to it. The transformation, the power level, the tournament, the villain who becomes an ally, the scream that lasts an episode — Dragon Ball Z did not invent every one of those, but it is the reason they became the grammar of an entire genre. Frieza, Cell and Buu are still the template. Thirty years on, the medium is arguably still working its way out from under its shadow.
No. 2
One Piece
1999 · Toei Animation · MAL 8.73
Twenty-five years, a thousand-plus episodes, and a world that still feels bigger than what you have seen of it. One Piece is here for the sheer improbability of sustaining that quality of imagination for longer than most of its readers have been alive.
No. 3
Attack on Titan
2013 · Wit Studio · MAL 8.57
Attack on Titan spent a decade escalating from survival horror into one of the most uncomfortable political tragedies in the medium. Whatever you think of where it ended, almost nothing else has been that ambitious in public.
No. 4
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2009 · Bones · MAL 9.11
The gold standard, and the one entry here that is genuinely hard to argue with. Brotherhood has a complete story, a thematic spine about equivalent exchange that holds from first episode to last, and not a single arc that outstays its welcome.
No. 5
Demon Slayer
2019 · ufotable · MAL 8.4
Demon Slayer's reputation rests on its animation, and fairly so. But what made it a global phenomenon is how sincerely it treats grief: nearly every antagonist gets a memory, and the show insists you sit with it.
No. 6
Cowboy Bebop
1998 · Sunrise · MAL 8.75
Twenty-six episodes, no wasted frame, and a jazz score doing half the storytelling. Cowboy Bebop is the series that convinced a generation of Western viewers that animation could be for adults — and its final episode still lands like a closed door.
No. 7
Jujutsu Kaisen
2020 · MAPPA · MAL 8.5
Jujutsu Kaisen is what happens when a studio treats a shonen fight scene as choreography rather than spectacle. Beneath the animation is a surprisingly bleak story about inherited obligation and the cost of being useful.
No. 8
Death Note
2006 · Madhouse · MAL 8.62
Two geniuses, one notebook, and the most quotable cat-and-mouse structure anime has produced. Death Note is so tightly plotted that its mid-series turn remains the reference point every thriller since is measured against.
No. 9
Steins;Gate
2011 · White Fox · MAL 9.07
A slow first act that pays off like almost nothing else in fiction. Steins;Gate spends eleven episodes convincing you it is a comedy about a self-styled mad scientist, then spends the rest of its run taking that comfort apart one timeline at a time.
No. 10
Code Geass
2006 · Sunrise · MAL 8.71
Lelouch vi Britannia is the rare protagonist whose plan you can actually follow — and whose worst decisions you understand completely. Code Geass moves like a thriller, escalates like a war drama, and lands an ending so decisive that two decades of imitators still have not matched it.
So What Is Actually Number One?
We put Dragon Ball Z at the top for what it built rather than what it is. You may reasonably disagree — so settle it here before you read the other ninety.
11–25 · The Elite Fifteen
Every entry from here up could reasonably be argued into the top five. The gaps stop being about quality and start being about taste.
Ranks 11–15
Hunter × Hunter (2011)
#11
2011, Madhouse
One of the smartest, deepest, and most consistently excellent battle shonen ever created.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
#12
2022, Studio Pierrot
The long-awaited return of Bleach features movie-quality animation and epic battles.
A Silent Voice
#13
Kyoto Animation
A film about bullying, deafness and the impossible work of apology, handled with rare restraint.
Vinland Saga
#14
2019, Wit Studio
An emotionally rich historical epic about revenge, peace, and personal growth.
Mob Psycho 100
#15
2016, Bones
A masterpiece of character growth combined with extraordinary animation.
Ranks 16–20
Spy × Family
#16
2022, Wit Studio
A modern classic blending action, comedy, and heartfelt family moments.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
#17
One of JoJo's finest parts with iconic characters and inventive Stand battles.
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
#18
A darker interpretation of the Elric brothers' unforgettable journey.
Naruto: Shippuden
#19
2007, Studio Pierrot
Expanded the original series with emotional character arcs and unforgettable battles.
Naruto
#20
2002, Studio Pierrot
Naruto Uzumaki's journey from outcast to hero inspired millions worldwide.
Ranks 21–25
Akira
#21
Tokyo Movie Shinsha
The cyberpunk film that transformed anime into a global phenomenon.
Berserk (1997)
#22
1997, OLM
Kentaro Miura's legendary dark fantasy adapted into a haunting anime classic.
Yu Yu Hakusho
#23
1992, Studio Pierrot
A foundational shonen classic featuring one of the best tournament arcs ever created.
Gintama
#24
2006, Sunrise
Masterfully balances absurd comedy with some of anime's greatest serious story arcs.
Dandadan
#25
2024, Science SARU
An explosive blend of supernatural horror, comedy, romance, and high-energy animation.
The Heavy Hitters
Genre-definers. Most of these were somebody's first anime, and a fair few rewired what their genre was allowed to do.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
A beautiful meditation on time, friendship, and the meaning of life's journey.
Chainsaw Man
Wild action, unpredictable storytelling, and unforgettable characters make it one of the best modern anime.
Rurouni Kenshin
The wandering swordsman who defined a generation of samurai anime.
My Hero Academia
A superhero phenomenon that introduced a new generation to shonen anime.
Baccano!
A non-linear Prohibition-era crime epic with immortals, mobsters, and a flawless ensemble.
Ghost in the Shell
A groundbreaking cyberpunk story influencing science fiction across the world.
Durarara!!
An ensemble mystery where a dozen storylines braid into one chaotic portrait of Ikebukuro.
Violet Evergarden
Kyoto Animation's visually stunning tale of healing and self-discovery.
Slam Dunk
A basketball masterpiece that inspired countless athletes.
Initial D
The anime that popularized street racing and drifting worldwide.
Assassination Classroom
Students attempt to kill their alien teacher while learning life's greatest lessons.
Devilman Crybaby
A modern reinterpretation of Go Nagai's legendary horror masterpiece.
Trigun
A western-inspired sci-fi classic starring the lovable outlaw Vash the Stampede.
Kill la Kill
Trigger at its most unhinged: absurd, kinetic, and utterly committed to its own nonsense.
Dragon Ball
The legendary adventure that introduced Goku to the world.
Food Wars!
Cooking battles become thrilling competitions packed with creativity.
Beastars
A unique exploration of society through anthropomorphic animals.
Golden Kamuy
An adventurous treasure hunt filled with history, comedy, and survival.
Kingdom
A grand historical war epic showcasing the rise of China's greatest generals.
D.Gray-man
Exorcists battle supernatural threats in a dark gothic setting.
Classroom of the Elite
Psychological manipulation and elite competition define this high-stakes school drama.
The Eminence in Shadow
A hilarious parody that also delivers surprisingly epic action.
Dororo
A samurai's quest to reclaim his stolen body parts becomes a powerful tale of humanity.
Mushoku Tensei
Often credited with redefining the modern isekai genre through exceptional world-building.
Solo Leveling
Sung Jinwoo's transformation from the world's weakest hunter into an unstoppable force captivated anime fans worldwide.
The Modern Canon
The shows people actually recommend when someone asks where to start — and the ones that reward a rewatch years later.
Nana
A realistic drama exploring friendship, love, music, and adulthood.
The Promised Neverland (Season 1)
Children uncover a horrifying secret in one of anime's best thriller openings.
Death Parade
Recently deceased souls are judged through psychological games revealing their true nature.
Black Lagoon
Modern pirates, gunfights, and morally complex characters create a gritty action classic.
Bungo Stray Dogs
Supernatural detectives inspired by famous literary authors battle dangerous organizations.
Clannad: After Story
A deeply emotional family drama that remains a benchmark for anime storytelling.
Toradora!
One of the greatest romantic comedies ever animated.
Your Lie in April
A heartbreaking story about music, love, and overcoming grief.
Erased
A suspenseful mystery about time travel and preventing childhood tragedy.
Samurai Champloo
Hip-hop style meets samurai action in a visually stunning historical adventure.
Anohana
A quiet story about grief and childhood friendship that earns every tear it asks for.
Angel Beats!
Action, comedy and grief collide in an afterlife high school that refuses to let its cast rest.
Overlord
An overpowered-protagonist story told from the villain's side, with real strategic weight behind it.
Fruits Basket
A heartfelt romance and family drama with emotional storytelling.
One Punch Man
An overpowered hero searching for excitement delivers hilarious satire and incredible animation.
Fairy Tail
A magical guild adventure emphasizing friendship and unforgettable battles.
Gurren Lagann
A celebration of determination, courage, and limitless ambition.
Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki's journey through the Soul Society became one of the "Big Three."
Neon Genesis Evangelion
A revolutionary mecha anime exploring depression, identity, and human existence.
Re:Zero
Subaru's endless cycle of death and rebirth creates one of the most psychologically intense isekai stories.
Made in Abyss
Beautiful visuals hide one of anime's darkest and most emotionally devastating adventures.
The Apothecary Diaries
A clever historical mystery following Maomao as she solves palace conspiracies with medical knowledge.
Sword Art Online
One of the most influential modern isekai series, introducing millions to anime.
Haikyuu!!
A volleyball anime that turns every match into an emotional spectacle.
Fate/Zero
An epic battle royale between legendary heroes brought to life with incredible animation.
The Foundation
Series that earned their place through craft, style, or the sheer number of fans they created. Nothing here is filler.
Monster
Naoki Urasawa's masterpiece follows a brilliant doctor hunting the serial killer he once saved.
Psycho-Pass
A cyberpunk thriller examining justice, surveillance, and morality in a futuristic society.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Generational storytelling, iconic poses, and creative Stand battles define this legendary franchise.
Hellsing Ultimate
A vampire action masterpiece packed with stylish violence and unforgettable characters.
KonoSuba
The isekai parody that is funnier than almost every series it is mocking.
Hell's Paradise
Deadly assassins explore a mysterious island filled with horrifying supernatural creatures.
Kaiju No. 8
Monster battles, military action, and an older protagonist make this a refreshing shonen series.
Bocchi the Rock!
Crippling social anxiety turned into inventive visual comedy, wrapped around a genuinely great band.
Blue Lock
Transforms soccer into an intense survival competition to create Japan's greatest striker.
Akame ga Kill!
A tragic action series where no character is truly safe from sacrifice.
Oshi no Ko
A savage look behind the idol industry, opening with one of the most audacious first episodes ever made.
Tokyo Revengers
Time travel meets gang warfare as Takemichi attempts to rewrite the future.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
A romantic comedy restaged as psychological warfare between two geniuses too proud to confess first.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
A betrayed hero rises from disgrace to become one of fantasy anime's most beloved protagonists.
Great Pretender
A colorful crime drama centered around elite con artists pulling off elaborate international scams.
Kuroko's Basketball
Fast-paced basketball action with exaggerated but exciting abilities and unforgettable rivalries.
Parasyte: The Maxim
A gripping sci-fi thriller exploring humanity through the relationship between a teenager and an alien parasite.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
A magical adventure inspired by Arabian mythology featuring kingdoms, dungeons, and powerful Djinn.
Soul Eater
Students at Death Weapon Meister Academy fight witches and monsters in one of anime's most stylish worlds.
Noragami
A forgotten god seeks fame while helping humans and battling dangerous spirits.
Fire Force
Stylish firefighting squads battle supernatural infernals with explosive animation and unique powers.
Dr. Stone
Science becomes humanity's greatest weapon as Senku rebuilds civilization from scratch.
Black Clover
A classic underdog story following Asta as he strives to become the Wizard King despite having no magic.
Claymore
A brutal fantasy anime featuring half-human warriors battling terrifying monsters in a medieval world.
Elfen Lied
A dark psychological horror series known for its emotional tragedy, graphic violence, and memorable soundtrack.
Now Tell Us We Are Wrong
A list this size cannot be right, only defensible. If your favourite finished lower than it should have — or is not here at all — the comments are open, and we would rather argue about it than pretend there is a correct answer.