With the new season of the hilarious and horny smash-hitDanDaDanpremiering soon witha glorious theatrical event, it got us thinking about the other fantastic shows that capture everything that makesanimeone of the most innovative and visionary mediums out there. Ever sinceNetflix started simulcasting weekly anime episodesin tandem with the seasonal Japanese releases, fans have even more access to the best animated series worldwide. But don’t just take my word for it — check the ratings, baby!
For more recommendations, check out our ranked list ofThe 20 Best Anime Series of All TimeandThe 10 Best Anime Shows on Crunchyroll.
Disclaimer: These titles are available in the US.
‘DanDaDan’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.4/10
Starting with the reason we’re all here,Yukinobu Tatsu’sDandadanwas a sleeper hit that only the manga readers saw coming before it hit the zeitgeist like a ghost on a train. Teen romcom meets supernatural sci-fi drama as it follows two high school kids who form an unlikely friendship when they encounter aliens and a vengeful ghost grandma on the same night — an incident that unlocks special powers in them both while tying their fates together like a red string wrapped around their hearts. Beyond the writing that infusesOkarun and Momo’s budding relationshipwith heaps of organic chemistry, a big draw is the series’ animation, which moves seamlessly betweengutbusting hilarity and heartbreaking gut puncheswithout any moment feeling out of place.
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‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.9/10
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Another dazzling series that flew under the radar until word of mouth finally delivered all the attention it deserves,Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis peak storytelling that fully embraces a new perspective onfantasy adventure stories. In this modern age of endlessisekai power fantasiesdominating the seasons with sheer numbers and OP heroes,Frierenchooses instead to tell a contemplative story about the passage of time and the weight of regret. The series follows the titular elf on a personal journey to connect with the world 50 years after she and her adventuring party defeated the Demon King and sealed their names in the annals of history. The themes of legacy, interpersonal relationships, and the ways our decisions ripple into the future take this series to the next level. (It doesn’t hurt thatMadhousewent H.A.M. on the animation either.)
‘Delicious in Dungeon’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Delicious in Dungeon
LikeFrieren,Delicious in Dungeonalso dives deep into aspects of traditional fantasy archetypes and tropes while deconstructing them in phenomenal ways. Effectively a cross between a gourmet cooking anime and adungeon-crawler RPG, the series often feels like a fantastical ecology deep dive into a land of mythical monsters and the intricate ecosystems they inhabit — it’s just that the lessons often come in the form of recipes for how best to eat them. But don’t let my gushing about the amazing world-building fool you; there’s also a whole heaping helping of character-driven story mixed into this divine stew of action and adventure as our heroes unfold the layers of their past while delving deeper into this mysterious labyrinth than any other adventurer before them.
‘Pluto’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Speaking of melding two great flavors, renowned mangakaNaoki Urasawabrings his signature style to theOsamu Tezukastory that set the standard for anime as a medium.Plutois a reimagining of Tezuka’s influential robot sci-fi seriesAstro Boythat utilizes every ounce of Urasawa’s decades of complex and layered storytelling prowess to create agripping exploration of what it means to be human. They don’t let me swear on here, but gosh darn it — this flippin’ show is so beautiful both thematically and aesthetically in a way that will break your heart just as much as it will inspire you to be a better human, whatever that means to you. It feels like this series is a bookend in conversation with the story that Tezuka started in the ’50s while also working in harmony with all those inspired by it, likeGhost in the ShellandAlita: Battle Angel.
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Thiszombie horror comedyis so good that the 100% rating it earned was predicted by the name, baby!Kotaro Takata’sZom 100: Bucket List of the Deadis an anime made specifically for the modern generation ofmillennials and Gen Z toiling in the workforcewho dream of a world where the chains of exploitative capitalism have been devoured by an apocalyptic event. Protagonist Akira Tendo captures that wistful feeling as he is set free from his brutal job when a zombie apocalypse breaks out, allowing him to finally strive towards living a life he loves. For anyone who has worked in a toxic environment and longed for society to crumble so you could finally take a day off to do something you actually enjoy, this is the series for you!
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020 - Present)
Dorohedoro
We’re finally getting Season 2 ofDorohedoroafter years of waiting, so it’s the perfect time to catch up on this dark and goofy roller coaster of sorcery, mystery, and death. This adaptation ofQ Hayashida’sdistinct style of art and character writing that perfectly balances gore, horror, and humor while moving at a breakneck pace is an underrated jewel that has a little something for everyone. The unique world, consisting of three distinct magical realms that mixa dark post-apocalyptic aestheticwith elements of traditional fantasy and magical realism, is a wonderful playground for the main character as he searches for the sorcerer who cursed him and stole his memories. Following this violent lizard-headed goofball as he unearths the mystery of his past is a highly satisfying way to explore the world around him. Seriously, catch up before new episodes drop!
‘Pantheon’ (2022 - 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.5/10
This might be cheating, but I’m gonna end with a double feature of shows that borrow the aesthetic and storytelling beats of the anime medium and surely wouldn’t exist without it — think of this as a sparkling wine vs. champagne situation. First up is the sci-fi thrillerPantheon, inspired by the award-winning short stories byKen Liu. Taking elements fromGhost in the Shell,Sword Art Online, andThe Matrix, the series follows an ensemble of characters played by an all-star cast who are attempting to uncover a vast conspiracy surrounding a tech company that’s trying to pioneer immortality through uploading consciousness into a digital space. Beyond animation studioTitmouse, Inc.creating abeautiful anime-inspired stylefor the visuals, the story is a layered commentary about the ethics of human experimentation and the risks of exploitative technological advancement.
‘Scavengers Reign’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Scavengers Reign
The second in my double feature of anime-inspired shows isScavengers Reign, created byJoseph BennettandCharles Huettner. This space sci-fi adventure series takes the wonder and awe ofHayao Miyazaki’sworld-building and combines it with the unsettling and devastating beauty of aSatoshi Konproduction, plus a bit of the last scenes ofAkirafor good measure. This innovative series follows the survivors of a space crew who are separated across an alien world after their cargo vessel is severely damaged. As they traverse this unknown environment, the audience is treated to a smorgasbord of intricately unique biomes and fauna that work together in astonishingly imaginative ways. Fans of hard sci-fi that doesn’t shy away from building new worlds from scratch will love this show.
