The best anime movies of all time
Unlike TV series, anime movies are released in Western countries long after their Japanese debut and are hard to find. As such, the features tend to be overshadowed by the show; however, there are some absolutely fantastic movies.
The best anime shows of all time
There are so many anime shows that a definitive “best of” is impossible, as it will vary from person to person based on their preferences. However, for those new to Japanese animation, the following article is a good place to start.
The best anime on every streaming platform
Like Western releases, anime shows are distributed across various streaming platforms, ranging from specialized sites like Crunchyroll to general platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. While the content may overlap, each service comes with unique shows and pricing.
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Best anime on Crunchyroll
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The best anime on HIDIVE
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The best anime on Amazon Prime Video
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The best anime on max
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The best anime on Hulu
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The best anime on Netflix
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The best anime on TubiTV
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Free anime on Youtube
2025 anime
2025 is shaping up to be another big year for anime, even if most of its seasonal lineups haven't yet begun to take shape. This section covers TV series coming out in 2025.
2024 anime
Each year gives the world more than a hundred anime, with each season usually containing at least 40 new shows or sequels. 2024 was no exception, and fans of Japanese animation were kept busy almost on a daily basis. Let's highlight all the anime of 2024 released in several key genres
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Every anime of 2024 by genre
The best anime of 2023
2023 had a lot of great anime, and each season offered both quantity and quality. The year also covered quite a few ground when it comes to genres, showing a lot of love for action, romance, sports, slice of life, comedy, isekai, horror and more.
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Manga
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The best manga that ended in 2023
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Light novels
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The best new light novels of 2023
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The best light novels that ended in 2023
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Best in 2022
2022 has been a good year for anime, with each season producing many memorable shows that will be remembered for years to come. What was the best anime of 2022? What series defined their genres? Which characters won the hearts of the audience?
The best anime by genres and themes
Much like live action, anime cannot be confined to one category. The industry spans most of the popular genres, be it comedy, sci-fi, action, slice-of-life or horror. However, some genres are replenished more often than others.
Best anime by demographic
Manga is usually divided into five demographics: Children, Shōjo (teenage girls and young women), Shōnen (boys and young men), Hasei (adult women), and Seinen (adult men). Since most anime are based on manga, many shows are aimed at the same audience as the source material. Ultimately, these demographics are only a suggestion, but their representatives tend to address similar topics.
The best anime of the decade
Since anime has been around for over half a century, the industry has changed significantly over its long history. The following articles cover the greatest and most iconic shows of the decade.
The best English dubbing
While quite a few people only stick to anime with subtitles, many shows have created wonderful English dubs over the years. In some cases, they provide a fresh experience that sets them apart from the Japanese versions.
The best anime for the studio
The best anime studios put a unique stamp on their projects through their art styles, narrative choices, and animation quality. There are dozens of active studios at any given time, but a few companies stand out from the crowd.
The best anime directed by the director
Some directors have shaped the legacy of anime as their films have helped expand the medium's reach around the world.
The best anime based on the source material
Not every anime is based on a manga. Over the years, studios have cast a wide net for inspiration. Creators have turned to everything from fairy tales to songs in their pursuit of the next great anime adaptation.
The best anime by setting
From the bustling streets of Tokyo to gothic castles and fantasy worlds, anime can bring a wide variety of realistic and fantastical settings to life.
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City, country, continent and planet
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Unique locations and settings
Best anime of the time period
Like space, anime is also not limited by time.
The best anime about…
Variety is the spice of life, and that's what Japanese animation provides. While some themes are more popular than others, anime covers a wide range of topics.
Similar anime recommendations
If someone is struggling to choose something new to watch, they can check out the following articles that provide recommendations for some of the most popular anime.
Various
Not every topic related to anime fits easily into a topic or category, but these articles still deserve to be highlighted.
Recommendations for manga
If the manga proves popular enough, an anime may eventually follow. That said, adaptation is hardly a guarantee, and there are plenty of great stories yet to be animated. Some of the best sci-fi and horror manga have announced that they have no plans to become anime, and these genres are no exception to the rule.
Recommendations for a light novel
Like manga, light novels regularly serve as inspiration for anime adaptations. Such popular shows Sword Art Online, 86: eighty six, Monogatari, KonaSubaand The villain does not dream of the rabbit girl Senpai are all based on light novels and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Also like the manga, the anime has barely scratched the surface of light new content.
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Light novels without anime
Manhwa Recommendations
Manhwa refers to Korean comic books, many of which refer to web novels. Although manhwa is not as mainstream and accessible as manga, it has started to grow in popularity in recent years, and even a few major properties have announced anime adaptations.
The best anime characters
An argument can be made that a story is only as good as its characters, and these characters represent anime at its best.
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Animals
It's not always about people, and anime is full of beloved animals, many of which serve as mascots for their shows or movies.
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Archetypes
These character archetypes, usually ending in -ere, are a staple of manga and anime. Although they are not equally popular, all these categories have dozens and dozens of representatives.
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Birthday
Anime usually avoids directly mentioning a character's birthday, especially if the series isn't part of the slice-of-life or romance genres. However, quite a few manga show their characters' birthdays.
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Family
Just like in real life, anime shines a light on different families, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Hair
In anime, especially shounen, hairstyles are a big deal. The series are similar Dragon ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!and Jojo's Amazing Adventures do their best to give their characters a unique style and they cover every color of the rainbow.
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Mythological and supernatural
Like all fiction, anime is not limited to reality, and many shows explore the supernatural or mythical. These series can range from light comedies to dark fantasy shows, and their characters come in many forms.
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Nationality
Obviously, most anime characters are Japanese, but there are a few notable exceptions. After all, anime is an international industry.
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Powers and abilities
The anime's penchant for unique abilities goes far beyond item-based abilities, though those can be interesting in their own right.
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Professions
Teachers, doctors and detectives – the anime lets every profession shine. While students tend to take center stage in most stories, adults with stable jobs are also missing.
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The main characters
Anime doesn't need a fantastic protagonist to achieve greatness, but it certainly helps.
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Roles
Similar to professions, some anime characters are designed to fulfill the duties of certain roles.
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Royalty
Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses – Anime embraces the royal family.
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Villains
Some of the most iconic anime characters of all time are villains, and they often overshadow the heroes who try to stop them.
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Various