Anime is a type of television or movies that refers to animation or cartoons made in Japan. It contains a wide variety of genres, such as comedy, romance, action and slice of life, and it has something for all types of viewers. Anime has been gaining rapid popularity internationally within the past 40 years due to its wide appeal. Whether you are a seasoned anime watcher or someone wanting to get into the genre, make sure these ten anime are at the top of your list:

  1. “Violet Evergarden” 
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7078180/

This romance anime is sure to make you cry with its strong messages about discovering love and emotions. It tells the story of Violet Evergarden, a soldier who was used as a machine for war, and her attempt at learning the meaning of love after she lost the man who raised her, Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, in battle. Evergarden becomes an Auto Memory Doll, someone who writes letters for other people. Her travels to write letters for other people in a variety of heartbreaking situations help her find out the meaning of her own words and Major Gilbert’s final words to her before they were separated, as she was unable to interpret her own emotions. The show has a beautiful art style and detail in each of its characters and settings. The design of the show is what makes it so enjoyable to watch and contributes to viewing experience as a whole. The ten episode show is a Netflix original that led to the creation of a spin-off movie and special episode.

2. “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2359704/

“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” is a five part series with three more parts from the manga that have yet to be animated. The show follows the lineage of the Joestar family, each nicknamed “Jojo,” with each of the five parts focusing on one specific family member. Each Joestar each possesses a stand, which is the embodiment of their fighting spirit, and they are used to protect them against enemies. This show is filled with action following the lifelong rivalry between Joestars and their family enemy, Dio Brando, but they also fight other foes throughout the show. The characters’ stands have unique abilities that make for intense and interesting fight scenes. The show is notorious for its unique and constantly changing art style, as part three is characterized by harsh lines while part five is characterized by bright colors. The creator, Hirohiko Araki, also has a large obsession with music, so many of his characters and their stands are named after famous musicians, bands and their songs. The show will keep watchers entertained through every fight scene, and viewers are sure to become attached to each distinct character and their personalities.

3. “Mob Psycho 100”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5897304/

The show follows the adventures of young psychic, Kageyama Shigeo, nicknamed Mob. In an attempt to better understand his powers, Mob gets a job working under another “psychic,” Arataka Reigen, taking jobs warding off evil spirits. It also follows Mob’s experiences at his school and watches the growth of his power. As he gets increasingly emotional, Mob gets more powerful, and when he reaches 100%, his powers become extremely strong and burst out. This show is a perfect mix of comedy and action with its hilarious characters and complex fight scenes due to various psychic powers of the characters. “Mob Psycho 100” is also famous for its animation, receiving the honor of the 2020 Crunchyroll award for best animation. Additionally, season two of the show won the 2020 Crunchyroll award for best opening sequence. This fairly new show is only 25 episodes between the two seasons with a third season expected to be released in 2021.

4. “Tower of God”

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/09/23/tower-of-god-season-2/

“Tower of God” is a Crunchyroll original show that was just released in April 2020. It varies from other anime, as it does not come from Japanese manga. Rather, the show is an adaptation of a digital manhwa, known as a webtoon, with manhwa being South Korean comics. The world of “Tower of God” is focused around a society built within a tower. The outer tower is where people live, the inner tower is where people go to be tested and climb to higher levels, and the middle tower is the region where people pass between the other two. Residents of the tower are told that reaching the top of the inner tower will allow them to be granted any wish of their choice, and even while climbing the tower, each level is associated with increasing social status, riches and fame. However, only a select few are allowed to enter the inner tower, and only the strongest of those can make it to the top, as every floor has a challenge that is even more difficult than the last. The plot, characters and art style are unique due to it being South Korean, rather than Japanese, which gives it different cultural influences. Following the characters climbing the tower, the viewer is enthralled by the various challenges, always wondering what is going to come on the next floor.

5. “Hunter x Hunter”

https://www.amazon.com/HUNTER-Season-V1/dp/B01M7S1VG0

“Hunter x Hunter” is a very popular show that can be easily recognized based on its distinct and famous characters. It follows the travels of young Gon Freecs to gain a Hunter license, a prestigious recognition, and follow in the footsteps of his father. During his attempt to attain the license, he meets all sorts of friends and enemies along the way, including Killua Zoldyck, member of a famous assassin family and Gon’s best friend. The viewer cannot help but laugh and be enthralled in the adventures of the two 12-year-old boys fighting powerful enemies and training themselves along the way. However, the show is filled with deep meanings in each of the characters and events that makes this show so more than just a simple coming of age story. 

6. “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1355642/

“Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (FMAB) follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are skilled alchemists. Alchemists are members of society with various powers, such as manipulating fire, the ability to freeze any water or extreme strength. Edward lost his arm and leg, and Alphonse lost his body, his soul now being housed in a metal suit, when they were trying to perform a type of outlawed alchemy, so the show follows the two’s attempts at returning their bodies to their original form. They work as soldiers for the government, hoping to learn more information about how to restore their bodies. The show follows their adventures trying to do so, in addition to the various enemies they face along the way. As “FMAB” follows many soldiers and discusses the events of wars in the world, the manga author, Hiromu Arakawa, spent time interviewing veterans of World War II, refugees and former Japanese mafia (Yakuza) members to properly depict the experiences and emotions of the characters. The show evokes intense feelings as the viewer watches the Elric brothers try to return to their bodies and also through the intense fight scenes and character development that occurs.

7. “Death Note”

https://deathnote.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Note_(anime)

The show follows Light Yagami, a high school student who finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, also known as a Death Note. The Death Note is a supernatural item that is owned by a Shinigami, a god or spirit of death in Japanese culture, and Light becomes friends with the Shinigami who owns his Death Note, named Ryuk. After discovering the powers of the Death Note, Light decides to become an executor of justice, going on a mass murder spree of those that he feels deserve it. It attracts the attention of governments, and they recruit a famous detective, who only goes by “L,” to aid in the search of this murderer. Watching L’s attempts to capture Light, and Light’s attempt to discover L’s identity happen simultaneously keeps the viewer frustrated and captivated, as L is always seconds away from discovering the truth. The show boasts a 2000s art style, as it was released in 2006, and the design of the Shinigami is creepy and beautiful. This show is for the mystery lover, with its constant twists and turns and complex character arcs.

8. “One-Punch Man”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4508902/

“One-Punch Man” is an action comedy that takes place in a world full of superheroes. However, Saitama is different from the others, as he can defeat any villain in one punch. This leads to him being bored of being a hero and living a relatively normal life. He finds a new desire when he runs across a cyborg, Genos, who follows Saitama around until he agrees to train Genos. The show is a satire of the expected hero tropes with Genos being a stereotypical anime protagonist with a tragic backstory. It is famously known for its incredible fight scene animation, contrasting with its goofy animation throughout the rest of the show. The show was made by the same author that wrote “Mob Psycho 100,” which is reflected in the similar humor that is in both shows. It has a total of two seasons, each with only 12 episodes, making this a short and humorous watch. 

9. “Attack on Titan”

https://financerewind.com/anime/attack-on-titan-season-4-release-date-cast-plot-and-latest-updates/

The show tells the story of a world infested with large, human-like creatures called titans that have pushed humans to the brink of extinction and forced them to live within the walls of a singular city. “Attack on Titan” is filled with many unexpected twists in the lives of the characters and the world as a whole. It is best known for its flashy action sequences and dark, violent plot. The characters in the show are animated in a very realistic style that lends to the immersion in the plot. While watching the show, viewers will be both disgusted and intrigued by the titans, who are similarly animated in this realistic style. They will no doubt be enthralled in the captivating world-building and feel connections to the complex characters of the show. 

10. “Made in Abyss”

https://www.amazon.com/MADE-IN-ABYSS-Season-1/dp/B073S2612X

Made in Abyss is about two kids, Riko and Reg, who live in a town above a massive, mysterious whole called the abyss. Their town is dedicated to exploring this abyss, and one day, Riko adventures down to find her long-lost mother with the help of Reg. The abyss is separated into different sections with growing danger as you go down and increasingly worse punishments for going back up the abyss. The show won Crunchyroll’s 2017 Anime of the Year, which was largely due to its art style and soundtrack that were better than that of other shows released that year. The soundtrack contributed to the overall mysterious, yet awe-inspiring, atmosphere of the abyss, as you see it through Riko and Reg’s eyes. The art style of the show is full of bright colors and strays away from realism. This 12-episode dark, science fiction show is filled with adventure as the kids face various challenges going down the abyss.