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Netflix has added some incredible titles to its anime library in recent years. In addition to quintessential series, there is also a substantial amount of originals that are holding their own against titles already well established in the canon. The streaming service took care to introduce a variety of genres: there are plenty of action, comedy, and romance series to choose from. If you are ready to explore even the weirdest corners of Netflix to find binge-worthy content (and you should be), we are here for you.
Below, the Paste writers have catalogued the best anime series on Netflix (starting with our favorites) that are sure to hold the attention of both experienced weeaboos and anime first-timers alike.
By now, most people have at least a cursory awareness of Neon Genesis Evangelion, whether it be from the overwhelming amount of branded merchandise or the consistent references in popular media. But for a show as ingrained in the animation canon as Evangelion, how we discuss it is in constant flux. Initially touted as a meaningful deconstruction of the mecha popularized by Gundam and Macross, the franchise later became bloated and rife with superfluous content much like the melodramas-as-merchandise they lampooned years before.
Note: As this is a list of anime series to watch, no anime movies were considered for this feature. This list applies to U.S. Netflix subscribers. Some titles may not currently be available on international platforms (yet). This list will also be periodically amended to remove series no longer available on Netflix, as well as add anime shows now available for streaming on the service.
This sci-fi story peels back the layers of a coming-of-age story to reveal a dystopian landscape that has no right to look this damn gorgeous while weaving a narrative that makes no effort to blunt its bleak and bloody edges. If extremely violent, over the top, and bombastic anime with a heavy 90s edge to both its character design and sense of humor is your jam, then 2022 juggernaut Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is calling your name.
Set in Germany, Monster follows brain surgeon Kenzo Tenma as his complicated work life unravels after he makes the fateful decision to operate on a young boy instead of the mayor. That choice sets in motion a chain of events that see Tenam ostracized, with his career derailed, and him accused of murder. Using a blend of relationship drama, social climbing, and professional betrayals, Monster weaves in heavy moral and ethical dilemmas into the storyline in ways that maximize tension and keep the pace pushing from episode to episode.
The pacing is slow, but with 45 minute episodes it covers a lot of ground with fun, action and plenty of emotion pay off to balance the occasional drag. So despite being a fantasy children's story brought to such life and flair that even the crabbiest of diehards will find themselves rooting for Onair and laughing at the hijinx of the odd-ball gods and monsters she encounters along the way. A warm, family friendly story anchored by the consistently stunning animation is the perfect mini-series palette cleanser.
exception takes a walk on the post-apocalyptic horror side with a story about a mission to terraform a planet that goes horribly awry. To escape AI control, humans have taken to space in search of a new home. The crew of humanoid entities created (from the DNA of living people) in a biological 3D printer called The Womb make up the advance party. Just as they arrive to start the work of making a new habitable planet, a misprint turns one crew member into a monster. Soon their ship becomes a hunting ground.
Based on the manga by Hiroshi Takashige and Ryōji Minagawa, Spriggan enters the list after only a six-episode debut jam-packed with action, slick character design, and a premise interesting to overcome an uneven start. Spriggan follows Yu Ominae, a 16-year-old super soldier tasked with finding and securing powerful artifacts.
Sent to Japan as a hostage, Lelouch, a prince of Britannia, escapes after an encounter leaves him with the power to control anyone. Lelouch becomes the masked rebel known as Zero and begins to mercilessly exact vengeance against Britannia. Code Geass is a genre blend with action, charisma, and just the right amount of bombasticness to carry the story from episode to episode. This alternate history full of mechs and magic is a wild ride.
The twenty-six episode series offers a genre-blending narrative, visually kinetic action, and audacious good fun for long-time fans and is a great place to start for those new to the anime space. Only time will tell if dropping the entire anime run just ahead of the live-action Cowboy Bebop November 19, 2021 premiere helped or hurt the movie franchise. Be sure to check out how IGN thinks film adaptation stacks up against the source material.
If you prefer your shounen occasionally NSFW and built on a narrative designed to explore themes like prejudice, choice, introspection then Beastars may be the slice of life fantasy series for you. This drama-heavy mystery series digs into the lives of anthropomorphic animals; where carnivores and herbivores are trying to coexist peacefully. If Zootopia-eques that dig into slice-of-life stories and self-discovery are what grab and hold your interest then Beastars is definitely an anime series for you.
The goal is to have a list of great anime series that span many subgenres. We've included a mix of popular classics like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, along with relatively more obscure titles like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Whether you're a complete anime newbie or a hardcore otaku, there's something for everyone here.
The animation and action are breathtaking, the characters are compelling and vibrant, the music is stellar and the dialogue is memorable. We couldn't recommend this anime more. The first season is streaming on Netflix now, along with seven episodes covering the events of the Mugen Train film that was released in theaters. There's a second season, with more on the way, but it isn't available to watch on Netflix.
"Believe it" (as Naruto Uzumaki would say), you can't have a best anime list without this show. This classic, well-loved anime follows Naruto, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who dreams of becoming the leader of the village. Beware: Naruto is a very long anime. So long, that once you get through all nine seasons on Netflix (220 episodes total), which covers Naruto's preteen years, you'll still have another 500 episodes to cover in Naruto: Shippuden, which picks up two and a half years after the show's original run. You'll have to look elsewhere for the follow-up series, though, as Shippuden isn't currently streaming on Netflix. But Netflix does carry plenty of the Naruto movies, if you're after more adventures from the Hidden Leaf ninjas. Just make sure to skip the filler episodes, unless you're really desperate for something to watch.
Attack on Titan is without a doubt one of the most popular anime right now. And for good reason. With spectacular animation, political intrigue, a compelling cast of characters and bigger-than-life battles, this is one show you'll want to check out. Yes, the titans -- the gigantic, humanoid, human-eating monsters that force humanity to live behind towering castle walls -- are unnerving and might freak you out. But that's half the fun, especially when we see our heroes take them down. Netflix only has Attack on Titan's first season in its catalog, but those 25 episodes are enough to get you started. It's a great time to jump into this series with the third part of the final season airing next month.
Hunter x Hunter remains an unfinished story, having been abruptly paused after season 6. The manga's author, Yoshihiro Togashi, stopped writing, leaving Hunter x Hunter on hiatus. New chapters, Togashi recently announced, are incoming. This anime starts with protagonist Gon Freecss, who leaves home in search of his father, but the show quickly branches out of that simple narrative. The series is beloved for its world-building and emotional investment across its diverse cast of characters.
A gripping game of cat and mouse for the ages, Death Note follows Light Yagami, a genius high schooler who finds a mysterious notebook (the titular "Death Note") that gives its owner the ability to kill anyone whose name is written within it. Hellbent on creating a new world free of crime, Light carries out a massacre, killing off criminals and those Light deems morally unworthy. But the world's greatest detective is on the case. Can Light get away with it?
A Netflix original inspired by the classic video games of the same name, Castlevania follows the last member of the disgraced Belmont family, Trevor Belmont. This dark medieval fantasy is full of gore, gothic horror and grotesque monsters. Trevor -- and friends made along the way -- venture out to defeat none other than Dracula himself, whose anger and grief over the unjust death of his love overruns Eastern Europe in the 1400s. You don't want to miss this one.
Ever wanted to see a brawl between a Norse god and an ancient Chinese warrior? Or watch a Greek god duke it out with one of the best swordsmen in Japan's history? Me neither, but now I'm sure glad I have.
Record of Ragnarok's premise is simple: Through 13 one-on-one battles to the death, humanity must prove itself worthy to avoid annihilation by the gods. The first to seven victories wins. This anime is imaginative, entertaining and chock-full of human history, so you'll learn some new stuff along the way. It's also cool to see legends from all corners of the globe coinciding in one mythos. There are two seasons, totaling 22 episodes, streaming on Netflix now, making this a perfect anime to binge on your next couch session.
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