Ranked · Culture
Best anime series of all time
The ten best anime series to watch in 2026, from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Cowboy Bebop to Frieren, with studio, episode count and who each suits.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 10 min read
AI generatedThe best anime series combine strong characters, a story that knows where it is going and animation that makes full use of the medium. The ten shows below are the best anime of all time according to a wide mix of critics, fan ratings and long-standing recommendations, and they cover action, science fiction, fantasy, thriller and comedy.
We compared top rated anime on fan databases, critics' lists and streaming charts, then favoured series that are complete or easy to follow, and that newcomers as well as long-time fans enjoy. For each show we note the studio, the years it aired and the episode count, so you can see whether you are signing up for a short anime series or a long journey.
At a glance
#1 · Best for Almost everyone
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The complete anime package
Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric search for the Philosopher's Stone after a failed alchemy ritual costs them dearly. The show follows Hiromu Arakawa's manga closely and delivers action, humour, political intrigue and a tightly planned ending. It is the anime most often recommended as a first series.
- Faithful manga adaptation
- Satisfying complete ending
- Large, memorable cast
- Mix of action and drama
- Studio
- Bones
- Aired
- 2009–2010
- Episodes
- 64
#2 · Best for Newcomers who like film noir
Cowboy Bebop
Stylish space noir with jazz
Bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his crew drift around the solar system in 2071, taking jobs that rarely go to plan. Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe with a famous jazz-led score by Yoko Kanno, the series mixes standalone episodes with a melancholy main story. Its English dub is also highly regarded.
- Yoko Kanno's jazz soundtrack
- Mostly standalone episodes
- Sci-fi, western and noir mix
- Acclaimed English dub
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Aired
- 1998–1999
- Episodes
- 26
#3 · Best for Viewers who like dark epics
Attack on Titan
Epic, dark and relentless
Humanity lives behind giant walls to escape man-eating Titans, until the walls are breached. What starts as a survival story grows into a complex war drama about freedom and cycles of violence. Wit Studio animated the first three seasons and MAPPA the final season.
- Major plot twists
- Large-scale action
- Complete story, ended in 2023
- Morally complex themes
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Aired
- 2013–2023
- Episodes
- About 90
#4 · Best for Sci-fi fans
Steins;Gate
Smart time-travel thriller
Self-styled mad scientist Rintaro Okabe and his friends discover that a modified microwave can send messages to the past. The slow first episodes build into a tense, emotional thriller where every change has a cost. The science fiction is carefully plotted and the payoff is strong.
- Time-travel plot
- Slow build, big payoff
- Strong character bonds
- Complete in 24 episodes
- Studio
- White Fox
- Aired
- 2011
- Episodes
- 24
#5 · Best for Viewers who like layered stories
Neon Genesis Evangelion
The influential mecha classic
Teenager Shinji Ikari is asked to pilot a giant bio-machine to fight mysterious beings called Angels. Hideaki Anno's series turns a robot show into a psychological study of loneliness and trauma. The follow-up film The End of Evangelion offers an alternative take on the ending.
- Psychological depth
- Giant robot battles
- Directed by Hideaki Anno
- Film The End of Evangelion
- Studio
- Gainax, Tatsunoko
- Aired
- 1995–1996
- Episodes
- 26
#6 · Best for Crime and thriller fans
Death Note
A cat-and-mouse crime thriller
Student Light Yagami finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, and decides to remake the world. The eccentric detective L sets out to catch him, and their battle of wits drives the series. It is fast, gripping and easy for newcomers to follow.
- Battle of wits
- Supernatural crime story
- Fast pacing
- Popular gateway anime
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Aired
- 2006–2007
- Episodes
- 37
#7 · Best for Fans of calm fantasy
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Gentle fantasy about time and memory
The story begins after the heroes have already defeated the Demon King. Frieren, a long-lived elf mage, sets out on a new journey to understand the human companions she outlived. The series is quiet and funny, with beautiful animation and occasional spectacular battles.
- Starts after the adventure ends
- Reflective, emotional tone
- High-quality animation
- Ranks at the top of fan ratings
- Studio
- Madhouse
- First aired
- 2023
- Episodes
- 28 (season 1)
#8 · Best for Viewers ready for a long series
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
A long adventure that keeps evolving
Young Gon Freecss sets out to become a Hunter and find his absent father. The series moves from lighthearted exam arcs to some of the darkest and most inventive storytelling in shōnen anime, especially in the Chimera Ant arc. Its power system, Nen, is praised for its creativity.
- Inventive Nen power system
- Varied story arcs
- Complex villains
- Tone grows darker over time
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Aired
- 2011–2014
- Episodes
- 148
#9 · Best for Comedy and action fans
Mob Psycho 100
Hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt
Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama is a shy schoolboy with enormous psychic powers who works for a con-artist exorcist. From the creator of One-Punch Man, the show mixes absurd comedy with explosive, hand-drawn action and a kind message about self-worth. Three short seasons complete the story.
- Striking hand-drawn action
- Comedy with heart
- Three complete seasons
- From the creator of One-Punch Man
- Studio
- Bones
- Aired
- 2016–2022
- Episodes
- 37
#10 · Best for Action anime fans
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Blockbuster animation, pure spectacle
After demons kill his family and turn his sister Nezuko into one, Tanjiro Kamado trains as a demon slayer. Studio ufotable's fight scenes, which blend digital effects with traditional animation, set a new bar for TV anime. The story continues in a trilogy of Infinity Castle films.
- Standout fight animation
- Clear, emotional story
- Films continue the story
- Very popular gateway series
- Studio
- ufotable
- First aired
- 2019
- Format
- TV series and films
How to choose
If you are looking for anime for beginners, start with a finished series of 25 to 65 episodes. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Cowboy Bebop, Death Note and Steins;Gate all tell a complete story and suit viewers used to Western TV dramas. Frieren is ideal if you prefer calm, reflective fantasy, while Mob Psycho 100 mixes comedy with spectacular action.
Think about the tone you want. Attack on Titan and Neon Genesis Evangelion are dark and demanding, Demon Slayer is a crowd-pleasing action anime with standout animation, and Hunter x Hunter is a long adventure that grows more complex as it goes. Most of these shows are available on major streaming services such as Crunchyroll and Netflix, but the catalogue differs by country, so check where to watch anime in your region before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best anime of all time?
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the most common answer and has long sat near the top of fan rating sites. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Steins;Gate and Attack on Titan are also frequently ranked among the very best.
What is a good anime for beginners?
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Death Note, Cowboy Bebop and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are popular first anime because they are complete, well paced and easy to follow. Death Note in particular works well for fans of crime and thriller series.
What is the best short anime series?
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Cowboy Bebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion each have 26 episodes, and Steins;Gate has 24. All three tell a full story in a length similar to two seasons of a Western TV drama.
Should I watch anime subbed or dubbed?
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Both are fine. Subtitles keep the original Japanese voice acting, while dubs let you watch without reading. Cowboy Bebop's English dub is often praised as one of the best.
Is Attack on Titan finished?
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Yes. The anime concluded in 2023 with the final part of its last season, completing the story from Hajime Isayama's manga.
What anime is like Attack on Titan?
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Fans of Attack on Titan often enjoy Vinland Saga, Demon Slayer and Neon Genesis Evangelion, which share high stakes, dark themes and dramatic action.
Where can I watch anime legally?
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Crunchyroll is the largest anime-focused streaming service, and Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ also carry popular series. Availability varies by country, so check each service's catalogue in your region.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the safest first pick because it balances action, heart and a satisfying ending. From there, choose by mood: Cowboy Bebop for style, Frieren for quiet emotion, or Attack on Titan if you want something intense. Any of these best anime shows is a good way into the medium.
How we research: We compare each product on the same criteria, using makers’ documentation, independent reviews and owner feedback, and re-check the list when products change.
Written by
Bitezine Editorial Team
Rankings, reviews & guides
Our editors research every piece from makers’ documentation, independent tests and owner reports, and update it when products change.
