The ultimate anime guide

The best anime movies of all time

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Unlike series, anime films release in Western nations long after their Japanese debut and can be difficult to find. As a result, features tend to be overshadowed by shows; however, there are some absolutely fantastic films out there.

The best anime TV shows of all time

There are so many anime shows that a definitive “best of” is impossible as it varies from person to person depending on their preferences. That said, for newcomers to Japanese animation, the following article is a good place to start.

The best anime on every streaming platform

Like Western versions, anime shows are spread across a variety of streaming platforms, ranging from specialized sites like Crunchyroll to general platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. While content overlap is possible, each service includes unique shows and pricing.

Best anime on Crunchyroll

Best anime on HIDIVE

Best anime on Amazon Prime Video

Best Anime on Max

Best anime on Hulu

Best anime on Netflix

Best anime on TubiTV

Free anime on Youtube

Souls of 2025

The Red Ranger trailer becomes an adventurer in another world

2025 should be another big year for anime, even if the majority of its seasonal lineups have yet to begin to take shape. This section highlights series that will air in 2025.

Souls of 2024

Every year it blesses the world with more than one hundred anime, and each season usually contains at least 40 new shows or sequels. 2024 is no exception, and fans of Japanese animation have been kept busy almost daily. We highlight all the 2024 anime released in a few key genres

Every 2024 Anime by Genre

Best anime of 2023

2023 has delivered plenty of great anime, with each season offering both quantity and quality. The year covered a lot of ground genre-wise too, showing a lot of love for action, romance, sports, slice-of-life, comedy, isekai, horror and more.

Manga
- The best manga finished in 2023

Light novels
- The best new light novels of 2023
- The best light novels finished in 2023

The best of 2022

2022 was a good year for anime, with each season producing many memorable shows that will be fondly remembered for years to come. Which anime was the best of 2022? Which series defined their genres? Which characters stole the hearts of viewers?

Best anime by genre and themes

Similar to live-action stories, anime cannot be confined to one category. The industry covers most of the popular genres, be it comedy, science fiction, action, slice-of-life or horror. That said, some genres are reuploaded more frequently than others.

Best anime by demographic

Manga is generally divided into five demographic groups: Kids, Shojo (teenage girls and young women), Shonen (teenage boys and young men), Josei (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 just a suggestion, but their representatives tend to address similar themes.

Best anime by decade

Since anime has been around for more than half a century, the industry has transformed significantly over its long history. The following articles highlight the biggest and most iconic shows of a decade.

The best English dubs

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While many people stick exclusively to subbed anime, many shows have produced excellent English dubs over the years. In some cases, they provide a new experience that sets them apart from the Japanese versions.

Best studio anime

The best anime studios put a unique stamp on their projects through their art styles, narrative choices, and animation quality. There are dozens of studios active at any given time, but a few companies stand out from the crowd.

Best anime by director

Some directors have shaped the legacy of anime as their films have helped extend the medium's reach around the world.

Best Anime for Original Material

Not all anime is based on a manga. Over the years, studios have cast a wide net for inspiration. Creators turned to everything from fairy tales to songs in search of the next great anime adaptation.

Best anime by setting

From the bustling streets of Tokyo to Gothic castles and fantasy worlds, anime can bring all kinds of realistic or fantastical settings to life.

City, Country, Continent and Planet

Unique locations and settings

Best anime by time period

Similar to space, anime is also not limited by time.

Best anime on…

Variety is the spice of life, and that's something Japanese animation offers. While some topics are more popular than others, anime covers a broad spectrum of topics.

Similar anime recommendations

If anyone is having trouble choosing something new to watch, they can check out the following articles that provide recommendations on some of the most popular anime.

Various

Not every anime topic fits neatly into one theme or category, but these articles are still worth highlighting.

Manga recommendations

If a manga proves popular enough, an anime may follow in due course. However, an adaptation is hardly a guarantee and there are many great stories that have yet to be brought to life. Some of the best science fiction manga and horror manga have not announced any intentions to become anime, and these genres are no exception to the rule.

Light novel recommendations

Similar to manga, light novels regularly serve as inspiration for anime adaptations. Popular shows like Sword art online, 86: Eighty-six, Monogatari, KonoSubaAND The rascal doesn't dream of Bunny Senpai they are all based on light novels and are just the tip of the iceberg. Also, like manga, anime has barely scratched the surface of light novel content.

Light novels without anime

Manhwa Recommendations

Manhwa refers to Korean comic books, many of which are of the web novel type. While not as mainstream or accessible as manga, manhwa has begun to grow in popularity in recent years, with even some major properties announcing anime adaptations.

The best anime characters

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One could argue that a story is only as good as its characters, and these characters represent anime at its best.

Animals

It's not always about humans, and anime is absolutely full of beloved animals, many of which serve as mascots for their respective shows or films.

Archetypes

Typically ending in -eras, these character archetypes are staples of manga and anime stories. While they may not be equally popular, all of these categories have dozens and dozens of representatives.

Birthday

Usually, an anime avoids directly mentioning a character's birthday, especially if a show is not part of the Slice of Life or Romance genres. However, quite a few manga artists reveal their characters' birthdays.

Family

Like real life, anime highlights all types of families, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Hair

Hairstyles are strangely a big deal in anime, particularly shonen. Series like Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!AND JoJo's Bizarre Adventure they go to great lengths to give their characters unique styles and cover every color of the rainbow.

Mythological and supernatural

Like any narrative medium, anime is not limited to reality, and many shows explore the supernatural or mythical. These series can range from lighthearted comedies to dark fantasy shows, and their characters come in all forms.

Nationality

Obviously, most anime characters are Japanese, but there are a few notable exceptions. Ultimately, anime is an international industry.

Powers and abilities

Anime's penchant for unique abilities goes far beyond simple element-based powers, though those can be fun in their own right.

Professions

Teachers, doctors and detectives: anime makes every profession shine. While students tend to be the center of attention in most stories, there is no shortage of adults with stable jobs as well.