If there is one anime franchise, people love to hate and also love to love, it is “Yu-Gi-Oh.” Aside from taking the whole spiky-haired anime protagonist thing to a whole new level, the series also has some of the most ridiculous sakuga of all time. Iโm looking at you, Joey Wheeler. Still, there is no denying that the series has a big place in many peopleโs hearts. So for today, I thought I would take the time to rank the “Yu-Gi-Oh” anime series from worst to best.
5. Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal
Many elements of “Zexal” came across as just outright annoying. Yumaโs voice, for one, was incredibly high-pitched, at least in the dubbed version. Shark, his rival, was kind of lame and was really edgy for almost no reason. However, it gets by being better than “Vrains” and “Seven” for a few reasons. First, the concept of the numbers as pieces of Astralโs memory that Yuma needed to get back was a pretty good one. Also, despite being initially really edgy, Sharkโs story does come full circle and end up being pretty good. While I certainly would not call the series a good one overall, it has some merit.
4. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Many fans have ragged on “GX” for being the worst of the “Yu-Gi-Oh” anime series but honestly, I just do not see it. Yeah, sure, the whole concept of a private academy full of duelists is a little goofy, but so is the entire concept of “Yu-Gi-Oh.” It does also suck as well that the seriesโ last season was never actually dubbed, so fans who watched it in their younger years likely never got to see Jaden fighting against and alongside Yubel. Yeah, it may be strange but it is certainly not the worst.
From this part of the list onward is the section that I would consider being actually good. Aside from the nostalgia of being the first in the “Yu-Gi-Oh” franchise, and the oddly rule-ignoring first season, there is a lot to like about the original. The highlights of the series are definitely Battle City and Orichalcos, as both seasons show just how much fun the writers can have with a series as incredibly wacky as this one. If I had to pick out one bad thing, it would probably be that some characters, like Tristan and Tea, never end up feeling as fleshed out as they should have been considering how long the series was.
Dishonorable Mentions
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Sevens
Iโll admit that my disdain for what the “Yu-Gi-Oh” card game has become may be tainting my opinion of the newer series. However, after watching each of them, I honestly just could not find a reason to like either series. Both come across as pretty generic, really lacking in the sort of expansive world-building. Neither of the main characters really feel like they are even there. Everything both anime try to do is just done better by shows higher on the list. Next.
2. Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V
Yes, yes, pendulum summoning was a terrible mechanic that should have never been introduced, believe me, I get it. We are talking about the anime though, and in that department, man was this series so cool! While perhaps traveling between the different “Yu-Gi-Oh” universes was just a cheap way to generate hype for the series finale and that a lot of the show leading up to was not particularly interesting, I am just gonna have to disagree. There definitely is a bit of a start-up in terms of getting to the story proper, but once there, “Arc-V” delivers, with Yuya discovering what is essentially his split personalities across different dimensions, and a war between himself and the fusion world. Even by the standards of “Yu-Gi-Oh,” “Arc-V” manages to deliver one of the seriesโ most epic storylines to date. Though ultimately not as good as
1. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
What can I say other than this what “Yu-Gi-Oh” looks like at its absolute best. Again, one always has to adjust their expectations with anime about a card game aimed at children, but along those lines, “5Ds” has it all. A story that holds no punches and hits right from episode one, a cast of characters that are interesting and fleshed out, animation that looks consistently above average from beginning to end, and killer openings and endings in both English and Japanese. Like, what is not to love? They also have a mechanic that is not total Bull- sorry, sorry, just still a little frustration.
That, ladies, gentlemen, and those in between, is my list. “Yu-Gi-Oh” is…so, so weird, but ultimately still a lot of fun. Let me know how you feel about this list in the comments, and give me your own list as well, this is one of those things I am very curious about.
Thank you for reading until next time.
Jack Scheibelein @ Animated Observations Blogger, writer, and college student from Knoxville, Tennessee. Currently focusing on anime, gaming, and writing while pursuing my passion for poetry.
Lock your door, close the curtains and let’s dive into The 20 Best Fan Service Anime Ever Of All Time! Some love it and others hate it. From the subtle to the more graphic, fanservice is for the fans and made especially for the fans in mind.
Is fanservice bad? No, but there is a time and place for it. Fanservice has been in anime for a long time and has become an integral part of it in some cases. It can ruin a show or make it better.
Time for some research…
As part of our Jiraiya month, here’s our list of The 20 Best Fan Service Anime Ever Of All Time! In no particular order with plenty of bs, panty shots, and compromising positions.
20. The Qwaser of Stigmata
Episodes 36 + OVA | Aired Winter 2010 | Produced by Hoods Entertainment
“Only in Japan,” was my first thought when I first saw The Qwaser of Stigmata. It has a unique concept, I love that someone was brave enough to come out with something like this.
Summary
The St. Mikhailov Academy student Oribe Mafuyu comes across a mysterious silver haired boy named Sasha. He is a Qwaser, a being that draws power from Soma and is able to manipulate a specific element. And now, in the 21st century, the mystery revolving around an Icon turns the academy into the battlegrounds for the fight between the Qwaser!
Even though it can be a bit offensive. I strangely enjoyed this series a lot! It has a bit for everyone. With an original story, action, ecchi, shounen, superpower, supernatural, a bit of comedy, and actually made me want to brush up on my chemistry lessons.
19. SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist
Episodes 12 | Aired Summer 2015 | Produced by J.C.Staff
Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesnโt Exist is a pretty funny anime. Showing could happen when the world has become too proper and words, dirty books, and jokes must rise again!
Summary
In a dystopian future, Japanese authorities are cracking down on anyone caught using any risquรฉ language or distributing lewd materials in the country, to the point where all citizens are forced to wear high-tech chokers analysing their every spoken word. A new high-school student named Tanukichi Okuma enters the countryโs leading elite โpublic morals schoolโ to reunite with his crush and student council President, Anna Nishikinomiya. However, Tanukichi quickly finds himself entwined with the perverted terrorist โBlue Snowโ when she kidnaps and forces him to join her organization, โSOX,โ in spreading semi-adult material across the city.
https://youtu.be/QaLgBj_xous
It’s an anime that is actually hilarious and is definitely worth watching. If youโre looking for a fanservice anime that goes a bit deeper, thatโs more than just bs and panty shots. Give Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesnโt Exist a try.
18. KILL la KILL
Episodes 24 + OVA | Aired Fall 2013 | Produced by Trigger
Where fanservice is a plot, style is substance and every episode feels like the finale of a series, KILL la KILL!
Summary
Ryuuko Matoi is a girl who travels with a single red scissor blade, searching for the wielder of the other blade who killed her father. She arrives at Honouji Academy, a high school that lives in fear. It is ruled over by the fearsome student council, led by the student council president, Satsuki Kiryuuin, who use powerful uniforms to crush anyone in their path. After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Satsuki, Ryuuko comes accross a possessed school uniform named Senketsu, who puts himself on Ryuuko, granting her special abilities. Teaming up with Senketsu, Ryuuko stands up against Satsuki and the student council to liberate Honnouji Academy from their iron grip and find out the truth behind her fatherโs murder.
KILL la KILL takes all the worn-out tropes and clichรฉs of anime and creates something quite unique and entertaining. It’s a series that is confusing, exhilarating, comical, lively, and goddamn refreshing all at once.
17. High School DxD
Episodes 49 + OVA | Aired Winter 2012 | Produced byTNK (latest season produced by Passione)
High School DxD is an anime that has been praised as the best ecchi ever made, with plenty of fan service, amazing art, realistic character development, and a plot that develops into a good story.
Summary
Hyoudou Issei is an ordinary yet lecherous highschool student who is killed by his girlfriend, Amano Yuuma, during their first date. Yuma is revealed to be a fallen angel named Reinare who was sent on a mission to eliminate divine weapons. Issei is later reincarnated as a devil by his senpai Rias Gremory; who in return will serve under Rias in fighting against the fallen angels.Then Soon he was turned out to be user of the one of the 13 longinus possessor of a red dragon emperor residing in him as Boosted Gear
With plenty of moments reminiscent of the awkward high school days, harems, emotions, drama, an interesting plot, and plenty of fanservice, High School DxD is really well balanced and put together.
16. Highschool of the Dead
Episodes 12 + OVA | Aired Summer 2010 | Produced byMadhouse
Highschool of the Dead is a very enjoyable fanservice anime, with thought-provoking episodes. It’s a show with plenty of zombies, a ragtag group, and bs.
Summary
A mysterious illness is spreading rapidly through the halls of Fujimi High School. In a matter of hours, the campus is transformed from a place of learning into a hive of nightmares, as the infected students collapse and are reborn as flesh-hungry zombies! Only a handful of students escape the initial outbreak โ among them Takashi Komuro and his childhood friend, Rei. He manages to protect Rei from the initial onslaught, but how long can Takashi and the other students hope to survive when the whole school โ maybe the whole town โ is out for their blood?!
Even if you are not into fanservice, Highschool of the Dead is an anime with plenty more to offer from action, comedy, suspense, and interesting characters that make it enjoyable on those aspects alone.
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Episodes 24 + OVA | Aired Summer 2008 | Produced by Seven Arcs
With a season 1, 2 and a still anticipated season 3 Sekirei has a basic premise that is silly and pleasantly surprising. Combining a lot of different genres together and making it work.
Summary
Minato is a total loser. Heโs failed to make it into college twice, heโs unpopular with women, and heโs unemployed. He seems like the classic-useless-shounen-harem-male-lead… In truth, however heโs actually an Ashikabi, one of a mysterious set of “masters” in an awesome battle royale between hordes of cute girls called “Sekirei.” Since this is a fanservice manga, their attacks often happen to… you guessed it-rip each othersโ clothes off! Looks like Minato luckโs taken a turn for the better.
Sekirei is entertaining, with harems, over-the-top fanservice, and a plot that doesn’t always stay on track but takes you episodes that felt like fillers, but strangely doesn’t feel tiring watching.
14. Fire Force
Episodes 48 | Aired Summer 2019 | Produced by David Production
Fire Force fanservice has been said by some to have ruined an anime that offers one of the more original takes on shonen, with design and an amazing color pallet.
Summary
Terror has paralyzed the clockwork metropolis of Tokyo! Possessed by demons, people have begun to burst into flame, leading to the establishment of a special firefighting department: the Fire Force, ready to roll on a momentโs notice to fight spontaneous combustion anywhere it might break out. One of the Fire Force teams is about to get a unique addition: Shinra, a boy who possesses the unique power to run at the speed of a rocket, leaving behind the famous โdevilโs footprintsโ and destroying his shoes in the process. Can the Fire Force discover the source of this strange phenomenon and put a stop to it? Or will the city burn to ashes first?
Fire Force has an interesting plot, supernatural firefighters fighting against flame monsters with axes, machine guns, nuns, cool fights, good music, and over-the-top ecchi fanservice.
13. Taboo Tattoo
Episodes 12 | Aired Summer 2016 | Produced by J.C.Staff
With justice, heroism, friendship, middle schoolers, and a huge amount of fanservice, Taboo Tattoo has it all.
Summary
Seigi, a martial arts trained middle-schooler, often feels driven to protect the weaker people around him. One day, he defends a homeless man against some punks, and the man gives him a strange tattoo on his palm in return. The tattoo is a secret weapon produced in the arms race between America and the Serinistan Kingdom. Seigi finds himself in over his head when a powerful girl, using the same secret weapon, violently pursues him in order to retrieve it. His skill at martial arts may not be enough to keep him alive, but will he be able to learn how to trigger the power of his tattoo in time?
Taboo Tattoo has a fanservice anime that is great with action and supernatural elements, that constantly switches from a comedy to a serious show, which can be a bit too much but it is a decent anime that’s good enough to kill some time.
12. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
Episodes 50 + OVA | Aired Fall 2006 | Produced by TMS Entertainment
If you are a person who loves fighting anime, comedy, with a simple story that becomes complex and fanservice watch Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.
Summary
Shirahama Kenichi is a book lover who has just entered high school, but he is often bullied by others. One day, he became good friends with the new transfer student, Fuurinji Miu, who was also looking for a friend. Kenichi was shocked at how powerful she is at first, but he is still somehow attracted to her…
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is a fanservice anime that looks at martial arts, bullying, and personal development. It’s an anime that is really enjoyable and strangely addicting.
11. Maken-Ki! Battling Venus
Episodes 22 + OVA | Aired Fall 2011 | Produced by AIC (latest season produced by Xebec)
Maken-Ki! Battling Venus is an anime with plenty of shenanigans to offer an ecchi, harem, and fanservice fan.
Summary
Ohyama Takeru happily enrolls in a co-ed school that didnโt required any entrance exams and has hostels to boot… Only to find out that thereโs more to the school than he thought!
Maken-Ki! Battling Venus has been labeled by some as a poorly done hentai. But I think it’s a must-try anime, it has an interesting plot and has just the right balance of fanservice for a fanservice anime fan.
10. Fairy Tail
Episodes 328 + OVA | Aired Fall 2009 | Produced by Satelight, A-1 Pictures
In Fairy Tail, the power of friendship, magic, and fanservice come together to create an anime that is so enjoyable and entertaining to watch.
Summary
A young celestial mage, Lucy Heartfilia, runs away from home and travels to the land of Fiore to join the magical Fairy Tail Guild. Along the way, she meets Natsu Dragneel, a teenage boy looking for his foster parent, a dragon named Igneel, with his best friend, Happy the cat. Shortly after their meeting, Lucy is abducted by Bora of Prominence, who was posing as Salamander of Fairy Tail, to be sold as a slave. Natsu rescues her and reveals that he is the real Salamander of fairy tail and has the skills of a Dragon Slayer, an ancient fire magic. He offers her membership into the guild, which she gladly accepts, they along with Erza Scarlet -Armored maiden, Gray Fullbuster -Ice Maker, and Happy become a team performing various missions offered to the Fairy Tail guild.
Fairy Tail is completely off the scale with how it handles its plot, discussing all sorts of different issues, common tropes, and general cliches. It’s a show that goes all out, and that makes it worth watching.
9. Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?
Episodes 12 + OVA | Aired Summer 2019 | Produced by J.C.Staff
Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? is one of the newest and fanservicest additions to the isekai genre. That’s a sweet and hilarious mother and son Isekai story.
Summary
Oosuki Masato is an ordinary high school boy who gets to go to a game-world, but for some reason his doting, over-protective mother comes along as well. It’s time to play a new VRMMO with his mother!
Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? takes us on a weird fantastically fanservice adventure through its world, meeting new lovely allies along the way. It is a series thatโs going to appeal to a certain audience.
8. Prison School
Episodes 12 + OVA | Aired Summer 2015 | Produced by J.C.Staff
Prison School is a fanservice anime with a very unusual combination of genres and styles but is done just right. Watching Prison School there was definitely never a dull moment with a lot of genuinely hilarious, most lewdest scenes, and actually touching moments.
Summary
Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girlsโ boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyoโฆonce upon a time. But with the new school year comes a revision to school policy: Boys are to be admitted into the student body for the first time ever. But on his first day at Hachimitsu, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that heโs one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Their numbers overwhelmed by the thousand girls in the student body is it heaven or hell that awaits these five (un)fortunate?!
Prison School manages to tell an interesting story with hilarious comedy and incredibly fanservice scenes, but still being suspenseful and more than just another fanservice anime.
7. To LOVE-Ru
Episodes 64 + OVA | Aired Spring 2008 | Produced by Xebec
To LOVE-Ru is just mindless comedic entertainment. The plot is pretty silly but it makes up for it with its fanservice, comedy, and just being entertaining.
Summary
Rito is a high-school boy who just canโt confess to the girl of his dreams, Haruna-chan. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub, a mysterious and barely clothed girl appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from another planetโฆ
To LOVE-Ru is a fanservice anime for someone who just wants to watch something with a change of pace or an anime that doesnโt take itself too seriously with likable characters, nice music, and good voice acting.
6. Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls
Episodes 12 + OVA | Aired Summer 2015 | Produced byLerche
Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls is a very perverted ecchi harem fanservice anime with a different take than most generic anime of its genre.
Summary
Monsters? Are real, and they want to date us! Three years ago, the world learned that harpies, centaurs, catgirls, and all manners of fabulous creatures are not merely fiction; they are flesh and blood, not to mention scale, feather, horn, and fang. Thanks to the โCultural Exchange Between Species Act,โ these once-mythical creatures have assimilated into society, or at least trying to. When a hapless human teenager named Kurusu Kimihito is inducted as a โvolunteerโ into the government exchange program, his world is turned upside down. A snake-like lamia named Miia comes to live with him, and it is Kurusuโs job to take care of her and make sure she integrates into his everyday life. Unfortunately for Kurusu, Miia is undeniably sexy, and the law against interspecies breeding is very strict. Even worse, when a ravishing centaur girl and a flirtatious harpy move in, whatโs a full-blooded teenage human with raging hormones to do?
With a simple story, no silly out-of-place action scenes, and simple lewd comedy. Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls is a fanservice anime that proves sometimes less is more as long as it is executed properly. It’s a series that was both fun and exciting to watch and rarely failed to make me chuckle.
The Best Fan Service Anime Ever Of All Time Honourable Mentions
Grimgar Ashes and Illusions
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: OVA
Aired: March 16th, 2016
Golden Boy
Studios: APPP
Episodes: 6
Aired: October 27th, 1995
Punch Line
Studios: MAPPA
Episodes: 12
Aired: Spring 2015
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Studios: J.C.Staff
Episodes:86 + OVA
Aired: Spring 2015
Blood Lad
Studios: Brain’s Base
Episodes: 10 + OVA
Aired: Summer 2013
Bonus Honourable Fan Service Anime Mentions
Rosario + Vampire
Miss Kobayashiโs Dragon Maid
Tenjho Tenge
Queen’s Blade series
Ikki Tousen
Date A Live
Manyuu Hikenchou
Killing Bites
Freezing
Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club
5. Keijo!!!!!!!!
Episodes 12 + OVA | Aired Fall 2016 | Produced by Xebec
In Keijo!!!!!!!! butts and bs are lethal weapons, it’s an anime that is quite asstounding creative in its own right, and I couldn’t stop laughing at how silly it was. But even with all Keijo’s ridiculous fanservice, it turned out to be a surprisingly good ecchi, comedy, fanservice, and sports anime.
Summary
Kaminashi Nozomi (17) is an exceptional gymnast. So much so that colleges with some of the best gymnastic programs are trying to recruit her. Unfortunately for them, she has other plans. Due to her family being extremely poor, money is everything to her. Thatโs why she wants to step into the world of โKeijo.โ โKeijoโ is a type of gambling sport where girls stand on a small floating platform and compete against one another. The aim is to push the other contestant off of the platform into the water, but they are only allowed to use their butt or breasts to push the others off. Will Nozomi be able to compete in the intense world of โKeijo,โ become the โKeijo Queen,โ and bring wealth and fortune for her family?
Keijo!!!!!!!! is a fanservice anime that doesn’t take itself seriously at all, poking fun at more mainstream anime and just borderline overly exaggerated every scenario as much as possible to create a truly entertaining to watch.
4. Witchblade
Episodes 24 | Aired Spring 2006 | Produced by Gonzo
Witchblade is a fanservice anime that’s a nice surprise for fanservice and non-fanservice lovers, with a bit for everyone. With a simple-to-follow story for story lovers, a bit of action, and sexy female characters in skimpy clothes in their transformed states. and is a perfect example of not judging a book just by its cover.
Summary
Masane Amaha and her daughter Rihoko are on the run from a government child welfare agency that wants to take Rihoko away from her mother. They are caught and Rihoko is taken away. Meanwhile, Masane is attacked by an advanced weapon that can disguise itself as a human being. When faced with the danger, a strange light emits from her wrist and she transforms into a powerful being. She destroys the weapon and consequently becomes involved in a power struggle between powerful organizations, with her at the center of their attention. Because she holds the greatest power of them all, the legendary Witchblade. – MAL
Witchblade was a very enjoyable experience, that focuses on character development that had my attention till the very end. Witchblade is a gem that definitely deserves to have more people giving it a chance.
3. The Testament of Sister New Devil
Episodes 22 + OVA | Aired Winter 2015 | Produced by Production IMS
The Testament of Sister New Devil is a fanservice anime that has been compared to Highschool DxD, with mixed reviews. with action, comedy, ecchi, harem, and fanservice that feels like borderline hentai.
Summary
โHey, you said you wanted a sister, right?โ First year highschool student, Toujo Basara, was suddenly asked by his father and fell into a state of panic. On top of that, the eccentric father told him he will be getting remarried. He then departed overseas after bringing Basara two beautiful step-sisters. But Mio and Mariaโs true forms are actually the newbie Demon Lord and a succubus!? Basara was almost entered into a master and servant contract with Mio, but a reversed contract was formed by mistake, and Basara is now the master!? Moreover, Basara is being hit by ecchi situations one after another due to the contract, but Mioโs life is being pursued by other demon tribes and hero tribes!! The most powerful contractorโs desired action drama begins!
The Testament of Sister New Devil is one of those anime that had its moments of being hilarious and entertaining but just didn’t seem to be able to balance out their plot with the fanservice moments. The fanservice was also ridiculously censored, with little or no real character development, but it definitely went above and beyond to fill its quota for a fanservice anime.
2. Kiss x Sis
Episodes 24 | Aired Fall 2008 | Produced byfeel.
Kiss x Sis is a perfectly good textbook showcasing fanservice anime done properly, you get exactly what you signed up for when you pick this anime up. Kiss x Sis doesn’t play in the kiddy pool of lewdness but takes it to the highest degree, unapologetically blurring the line between anime and hentai.
Summary
Keita has two older (not blood-related) twin step-sisters who love him in a lustful way and have no problems expressing it. They even like to compete about it; much to the laughter of his friends (which he usually endures without problems). One day they come to his school to give him his lunch, resulting in him getting angry due to the atmosphere. To counteract his anger, they confess their tender feelings for him in front of everyone and leave. Feeling sorry he chases after them and says that he’ll study hard in order to get in the same high school as them.
Considered as one of the best fanservice anime, Kiss x Sis is a series with a simple straightforward plot, with no generic harem elements, no dynamic and intriguing characters, just incredibly hot and exciting fanservice made for the fans of the genre in mind.
1. Monogatari Series
Episodes 100 | Aired Summer 2009 | Produced byShaft
The Monogatari Series is definitely a rare gem in the fanservice department in that even if you took out the fanservice elements it would still be entertaining.ย The fanservice in this series is just the sprinkles on top of an already great series, which knows just when and where to add fanservice elements to the story.
Summary
Monogatari Series centres on Koyomi Araragi, a third-year high school student who is almost human again after briefly becoming a vampire. One day, a classmate named Hitagi Senjgahara, who infamously never talks to anyone, falls down the stairs into Koyomiโs arms. He discovers that Hitagi weighs next to nothing, in defiance of physics. After being threatened by her, Koyomi offers his help, and introduces her to Meme Oshino, a strange middle-aged man living in an abandoned building, who cured him of being a vampireโฆ
Monogatari Series follows Araragi as he attempts to help those who suffer from supernatural maladies.
There is a lot to love for everyone in Monogatari Series from the in-depth character conversations, fourth-wall-breaking, sleek art, the supernatural, romance, ecchi, and don’t forget the fanservice. The Monogatari Series is a brilliant series that knows how to strike the right balance with the plot, character development, and fanservice.
And with that, I am done with Jiraiya month and my fanservice anime list!!!
Hope you liked it? What are your favorite fanservice anime? Any other you think would be worth mentioning? Tell us! Don’t forget to check out our other content, we recommended some above and below you right now.
There’s been husbando wars. There’s been waifu wars. Now there are Top 15 Characters Who Make the Best Anime Girlfriends!
This is our way of celebrating national girlfriend day (which was on August 1st) and the pervy sage, Jiraiya (November 11th). We will be looking at the stage before husbando or waifu, the girlfriend stage.
Yep it’s still Jiraiya month too!!!
So who’s our favorite 2D girl? Who captured our hearts? Were they a meek dandere, a troublesome tsundere, or an obsessed yandere? Did they have elaborate backstories and personality traits?
With a cast of beauties vying for our attention, it would be almost every anime fan’s dream come true to spend some time with one of these cool and gorgeous female anime characters.
Welcome! Let’s show you our list and you can show us yours…
Today, we’ll be picking 15 of these charming ladies. Here’s the list of the best anime girlfriends in no particular order.
15. Rinko Yamato (My Love Story!!)
First on our list of Top 15 Characters Who Make the Best Anime Girlfriends is Rinko Yamato from My Love Story!! (Ore Monogatari!!). Rinko meets Takeo Gouda after an unfortunate incident that he saves her from. After the two hit it off and unlike most anime girls she takes the initiative, promptly asking him to be her boyfriend.
Rinko is one of my favorites because she looks past appearances and loves Takeo for who he is. She is understanding and innocent but yet completely not dumb about love. I really like how calculating she can be and to me they are honestly one of the sweetest anime couples (they feel like a more realistic and relatable couple).
14. Yoruichi Shihouin (Bleach)
Do I have a thing for neko girls maybe? Yoruichi Shihouin is the former captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, as well as the former commander of the Onmitsukidล.
Even though we can’t say for certain, she was romantically involved with Kisuke Urahara, she has a lot of amazing qualities that would make her an amazing girlfriend. She is smart, witty, mature, sometimes a mischievous tease and a laid-back person that knows a lot about soul society. Yoruichi may act indifferent sometimes but she is an extremely loyal person to people she cares for.
13. Misa Amane (Death Note)
Misa Amane is a celebrity who is cute, cheerful, bubbly, with yandere traits and a fashion sense for all things goth. Going through something very tragic at a young age, she sees Light Yagami has her saviour.
She’s a person that loves wholeheartedly, valuing the person she cares about more than the world. Through thick and thin, her actions are always fuelled and motivated by love alone, ready to put even her life in danger for love.
12. Misaki Ayuzawa (Maid Sama!)
Misaki Ayuzawa? Why would someone known as the “Demon President”, who is a former Student Council President of Seika High School and now diplomat/lawyer who travels to different countries, make the best anime girlfriends?
Well she is a hard worker, gentle, encouraging, and helpful lady. She can be too selfless for her own good when it comes to helping others. Empathetic, fierce and dislikes when people discourage those who are genuinely working hard. She is the type of anime girlfriends that encourages those around her to be better.
11. Asuna Yuuki (Sword Art Online)
Asuna Yuuki is one of the 10,000 players trapped in Sword Art Online. She is the daughter of the former CEO of RECT Inc. and one of the best gaming partners you can ask for if you are stuck in a game.
Asuna is a proud, well read, kind and very helpful young woman. She can be very independent but even though she still likes to have a support system. She is an emotional person who cannot abandon any one in trouble. She is a character that has slowly developed into quite a stubborn and headstrong lady, but in a good way.
10. Mayumi Nishikino (The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior)
Mayumi Nishikino is an office-lady and resident of the Kawai complex, and has bad luck with men, dating three-two timing men that leave her heart-broken and resentful of happy couples.
Mayumi is a very straight forward person, who tells a person what’s exactly on her mind about them. Her mood swings are fierce, she drinks a lot, powerless to food she likes and can be cynical but I honestly love how she’s a messy imperfect person. She also has a one track mind so she can accomplish a lot when she is really motivated. And even though she can be playfully mean spirited to her fellow residents of the Kawai complex, she does care deeply for all of them.
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Benten is a magical human living in Kyoto. When she was a teenager, she was abducted by Akadama-sensei, an elder tengu. Who taught her the ways of tengu and how to fly (bonus point for this).
Benten is a character I am really fond of; she’s smart, whimsical and has a certain air of mystery to her. She knows what she wants and goes for it in a no apologetic manner that I find interesting. She can be cruel but underneath all that is a caring and friendly part.
8. Fujiko Mine (Lupin III)
Fujiko Mine is one of the most well known female characters in anime. Both enigmatic, a master of disguise, fluent in languages and with an incredible fashion sense. She is a professional criminal, burglar and confidence trickster.
Fujiko is a lot of woman to handle,who usually puts herself and others into trouble and runs away. But she never leaves them in trouble they can’t handle if she cares for them. She’s smart and very skilled. Fujiko doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeves but cares deeply for her loved ones.
Winry Rockbell is a skilled automail specialist and mechanic amateur surgeon, with an unusual love for machines and tools. She wishes to create and design the perfect automail.
Winry can be very emotional, strong-willed and an understanding person who puts all her heart and effort into the things she does and cares about. She is a character that makes those around her to be better and will always be honest with you.
6. Hitagi Senjougahara (Bakemonogatari)
Hitagi Senjougahara from Bakemonogatari was a student of Naoetsu Private Academy and a former victim of the Weight Crab, which made her weigh 5 kg. Now she is a businesswoman, working for a competitor company to her father’s.
Hitagi is a kuudere, even though she claims to be a tsundere. She has a bit of a father complex, once becoming excited to the point of being unable to fall asleep when using her father’s blanket. She’s a cheerful girl with a sharp tongue who’s blunt and sincere when speaking to others.
Characters Who Make the Best Anime Girlfriends Honourable Mentions
Kotoko Iwanaga from In/Spectre
Kurisu Makise from Steins;Gate
Hinata Hyuuga from Naruto Shippuden
Ikaros from Heavenโs Lost Property: Forte
Kosaki Onodera from Nisekoi: False Love
Ako Tamaki from And You Thought There Is Never A Girl Online?
Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail
5. Lalatina Dustiness Ford (KonoSuba: Godโs Blessing on This Wonderful World!)
Lalatina Dustiness Ford, known as Darkness to her fellow adventurers, is one of the three female members of Kazuma’s party. She is a crusader who’s funny, wacky and definitely has a few screws loose.
Darkness is someone who can be strong willed, mature, courageous, giving off an aura of pride and nobility. But in reality is a complete masochistic pervert. She is still one of the kindest, most caring characters, who despite how adult she acts is still quite innocent. With Darkness, you are guaranteed to never have a dull moment around.
4. Hestia (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)
Hestia is a Goddess and head of the Hestia Familia. She is usually barefoot, but occasionally wears a pair of white flip-flops. She strives to help Bell grow to become a powerful adventurer.
Hestia is an energetic, kind and a bookworm Goddess, whoโs bad with money. And also a hard worker working two jobs to pay off a debt she incurred because of Bell. Diplomatic, immature, a lazy bum and a parental substitute who cares deeply for her familia.
3. Saeko Busujima (Highschool of the Dead)
Saeko Busujima is a senior and president of the Kendo Club at Fujimi High School. She is one of the few survivors, surviving the zombie apocalypse with her friends.
Saeko is a kind, caring, strong, very reliable lady that is admired and respected by her peers. Calm and collected even under the toughest situations. Saeko can be a big sister and mother to her close friends. She can even be quite the tomboy which I really like.
2. Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)
Usagi Tsukino, also known as Sailor Moon, is a superhero who fights for love and for justice. She’s from a civilization on the Moon known as the Moon Kingdom. When she isn’t protecting the earth, she loves four of the things I like doing, eating sweets, playing video games, reading manga, boys and napping.
Usagi is very relatable she can be selfish, dramatic, lazy and hates school. But she is trusting and believes that everyone can be good. Usagi cares for her loved ones and has grown to be quite mature, even though she sometimes relapses to her crybaby behaviour.
Love is hard, and having someone like Usagi whose supportive, gives you a cute nickname, tries to make time for you and let’s you know she love you is why she’s on our list.
1. Belldandy (Ah! My Goddess)
Belldandy is licensed as a goddess first-class, and is an actual goddess in all senses of the word. Appearing to Keiichi Morisato to grant his wish, which results in him wishing for her to remain by his side.
Belldandy is kind, patient and warm, to everyone and I mean everyone. She’s perfect at pretty much everything and with an angelic voice that is usually second to none. Sheโs still incredibly down-to-earth and quick to forgive those who cause her harm.
What I really like about Belldandy, was the way she would always support Keiichi, encouraging him whenever he belittled himself and stayed devoted to him throughout the series.
And those are our anime girls we think are the Top 15 Characters Who Make the Best Anime Girlfriends, did you like our list? Tell us about yours? And remember to treat your real girlfriend/boyfriend or that special someone in your life to something nice today or just give them the biggest hug today, that works too.
Manga Like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou to me, is one of those really rare slice of life manga that didn’t just leave me laughing but made me want to better myself more. It’s wacky, has a cast of many different personalities that are relatable and heartbreaking moments that we have all felt at points in our life.
Yeah we have all been at that point…
It’s a manga/anime that shouldn’t just be judged by its title or the first impression that makes it look like just another harem anime. I have recommended it twice during my OWLS tour cause I think every anime and manga enthusiast should give The Pet Girl of Sakurasou a try.
And if you love it here are other manga that are somewhat similar to The Pet Girl of Sakurasou. In no particular order!
10. Working!! (Wagnaria!!)
Chapters 281 | Author Karino Takatsu | Serialization Young Gangan | Published December 17, 2004
Working!! like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is driven by an eccentric cast. But instead of the plot taking place in a dormitory, Working!! is a unique workplace comedy. And there is never a dull moment in Wagnaria.
Summary
Souta Takanashi gets a job at Wagnaria, a local family restaurant. He is lured there by a cute girl named Popura, who looks like sheโs 10. However, she is in fact 17, a year older than him! Some of the crazy characters include Satou, the cool chef who is in fact in love with Yachiyo, the chief who is madly in love with their boss, Kyoko, who canโt stop eating sweets and slows down the restaurant in general. Satouโs cooking assistant and friend is Souma, a man who can get dirt on anyone and use it against them, except for Inami, a girl who has a phobia of men and punches him before he has the chance to find out anything about her, and Aoi, a girl with fishy motives for joining the restaurant who finds Soumaโs one weakness… Tears. How does Takanashi cope when there is absolutely not one normal person working at the restaurant!
Working!! is full of comedic antics and shenanigans, that I loved reading when I wanted to just relax and laugh. It is a 4-koma manga that I would recommend to anyone as a great read.
9. S.A: Special A
Chapters 104 | Author Maki Minami | Serialization Hana to Yume | Published February 26, 2003
S.A: Special A and The Pet Girl of Sakurasou are very similar plot wise; they are both romantic comedy high school manga that focuses on the interactions between a group of special kids who experience love for the first time, while living isolated from the rest of the school.
Summary
Her whole life, Hikari Hanazono has been consumed with the desire to win against her school rival, Kei Takishima–at anything. He always comes out on top no matter what he does, and Hikari is determined to do whatever it takes to beat this guy! At age 6 Hikari lost to Kei in an impromptu wrestling match. Now, at 15, Hikari joins โSpecial A,โ a group of the top seven students at a private academy, for the opportunity to trounce the guy who made her suffer her first defeat. However, Keiโs feelings towards Hikari are different.
S.A: Special A really talks about the importance of friends and growing up in a place that becomes like a second home. And great characters that are easy to get attached to. S.A: Special A is truly something of a treat for readers of all genres.
8. The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
Chapters 93 | Author Ruri Miyahara | Serialization Young King OURs | Published April 30, 2010
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior like the manga The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, it caught my attention and didn’t lose it till the end. Also set in a boarding house with the same genre school, romance, comedy and slice of life.
Summary
Usa, a high-school student aspiring to begin a bachelor lifestyle, moves into a boarding house only to discover that he not only sharing a room with a perverted roommate that has an obsession for underaged girls, but also that another girl, Ritsu, his love-at-first-sight, is living in the same building as well!
As Kazunari settles into the boarding house, he soon realizes that the inhabitants of Kawai Complex are bound to add a twist to the life he has been hoping to live.
Ritsu is weird too but less dependent on the male lead Usa. The characters were just amazing. I loved every last one of them. I would love to be an inhabitant of Kawai Complex. The comedy and romance are done so well in a more realistic way if you ask me.
7. Honey and Clover
Chapters 71 | Author Chika Umino | Serialization Young You | Published April 24, 2000
Honey and Clover like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is a heart-wrenching slice of life manga. That deals with growing up, the hard choices one has to make in order to follow their dreams and the consequences that come with it.
Summary
Takemoto lives in a run-down student apartment, where his greatest worry is when he’ll next be able to afford to eat meat and whether he’ll get to class on time. Although he’s away from home and living on his own, Takemoto is far from finished growing up. Along with his crazy cast of friends, Morita, Mayama, Yamada, and Hagumi, Takemoto sets out to discover life and his true self.
In Honey and Clover our characters also deal with self discovery and what it takes to take care of another person. But even with all the serious topics its still very comedic and character driven, with a cast of different personalities.
6. Run with the Wind
Chapters 50 | Author Sorata Unno (Art) Shion Miura (Story) | Serialization Young Jump (Monthly) | Published 2007
Run with the Wind is quite different in some ways to The Pet Girl of Sakurasou but there are a lot of things that make them similar, like how the plot follows the lives of students living in a dormitory, social issues and importance of unity and teamwork in a group.
Summary
Kakeru, a former elite runner at high school, is chased for stealing food. He is saved by a Kansei University student Haiji, who is also a runner. Haiji persuades Kakeru to live in the old apartment “Chikuseisou” where he plans to team up with fellow residents to enter the Hakone Ekiden Marathon, one of the most prominent university races in Japan. Kakeru soon finds out that all of the residents except for Haiji and himself are complete novices.
Run with the Wind is a manga with an emotionally-charged journey, great character development and the story. It was so uplifting, I wanted to go out and actually run.
5. Hyouka
Chapters 60+ | Author Honobu Yonezawa (Story) Task Ohna (Art) | Serialization Shounen Ace | Published January 26, 2012
Hyouka is a very strange slice of life manga like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou and follows the same plot idea of a young man’s view on life changing after meeting an uncommon young lady.
Summary
Oreki Houtarou is an โenergy-saverโ kind of guy, who expends as little energy as possible to do only things he has to. When he starts high school, his older sister sends him a letter requesting him to join the Classics Club. The club meant a lot to her, and its number of members has been reduced to zero. Houtarou reluctantly signs up for the club, only to find that someone else has joined, too! Sheโs Chitanda Eru, a cute, big-eyed girl with an overwhelming sense of curiosity. A mystery comes up that catches Eruโs interest, and also draws in Houtarouโs friend, Fukube Satoshi. They continue solving mundane mysteries together, and soon they draw in Satoshi and Houtarouโs friend, Ibara Mayaka, as well. Mayaka has had a blatant crush on Satoshi since middle school, but he always fends off her advances. Together, they search for the truth in a mystery that involves the history of the Classics Clubโฆ
Both series look at how unfair it is for people to simply be more talented at something others spend hours practicing. And look at it from the point of view of the said talented person, showing just how nowhere near perfect they are. Hyouka is a very wholesome manga with interesting mysteries and is simply beautiful.
4. Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl
Chapters 31 | Author Hitoma Iruma (Story) Masato Yamane (Art) | Serialization Dengeki G’s magazine | Published August 30, 2010
Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou has a diverse cast of quirky characters. In both series, there is a main male protagonist who has to take care of a strange girl.
Summary
The story revolves around a highschool boy named Niwa Makoto. He lives with his auntโs family since his parents are away on business. It is there where he meets his mysterious cousin of the same age Touwa Erio โ who happens to tie a futon mattress around her upper body and is a self-proclaimed alien. Her staple food is pizza. Erio had been missing for half a year and was found floating in the sea. She doesn’t remember anything about what happened during that period of time, but she began to think that it was the act of an alien and wanders the neighbourhood wrapped in the futon.
Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl is fun to read how their relationship grows, there is a lot of drama and comedy that is presented and it’s just a very lighthearted manga.
Manga Like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo) Honourable Mentions
Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)
Chapters 44
Author Naoshi Arakawa
Serialization Shounen Magazine (Monthly)
Published April 6, 2011
Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea
Chapters 36
Author Risou Maeda
Serialization Dengeki Daioh
Published April 27, 2013
Toradora!
Chapters 73+
Author Yuyuko Takemiya (Story) Zekkyou (Art)
Serialization Dengeki Daioh
Published July 27, 2007
3. Nodame Cantabile
Chapters 150 | Author Tomoko Ninomiya | Serialization Kiss | Published July 10, 2001
Nodame Cantabile like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is lovely, passionate, and inspiring. The manga is all about the journey of life, accepting and enduring all ups and downs of whatever life throws at us and still having a positive outlook in life.
Summary
The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether. Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
Nodame Cantabile is a manga that everyone should read, especially music lovers. Itโs genuine, pure and a very honest series.
2. No-Rin
Chapters 69 | Author Maru Asakura (Art) Shirow Shiratori (Story) | Serialization Young | Published March 16, 2012
No-Rin is like The Pet Girl of Sakurasou but also different; it’s more comedy than romance. It has its kind of serious moments but the main thing here is the comedy, silliness and nonsensicality.
Summary
When the national idol Kusakabe Yuka suddenly retired from the entertainment business, it shocked the world and it devastated teenager Hata Kosaku. Kosaku was Yuka’s biggest fan and her departure left him depressed. His classmates at the Tamo Agriculture School finally are able to get him to leave his room and attend his class, but to everyone’s amazement, Kusakabe Yuka (her stage name) comes into the class under the name Kinoshita Ringo as a transfer student. Kosaku realizes he has the once in a lifetime opportunity to get to personally know his dream girl and, together with his group of friends, try to find out why she is here and become closer than just classmates.
Every chapter of No-Rin was fun to read. The character and plot were interesting and the references and self awareness was hilarious to read. It was a manga I was disappointed to see over when I read the final chapter.
1. Bakuman
Chapters 176 | Author Takeshi Obata (Art) Tsugumi Ohba (Story) | Serialization Shounen Jump (Weekly) | Published August 11, 2008
The similarities of Bakuman to The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is It’s beautiful story of friendship, perseverance, and love in its purest form.
Summary
Moritaka Mashiro (Saiko), with his superb drawing skill, is invited by his writing genius classmate Akito Takagi (Shujin) to tread the difficult path of the mangaka!! His sights are set on his naive yet earnest joint dream with Miho Azuki, who is aiming to become a voice actress!! Saiko and Shujin team up as writer and artist, aiming to be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, make a hit, and then release an anime. They bring their manuscripts to editors and set off on the road to becoming pro manga artists!! This is a new-age story of manga success!!
Bakuman is a lighthearted manga with good comedy, drama, and romance. It was nice reading about our protagonist working to make his dreams a reality with his friends. While at the same time, learning things about themselves and the world around them.
Bakuman can get very emotional sometimes because you can see yourself in the characters so you want the best for them.
And with that I am done! What do you think? Is there a manga you think should have made the list?
Miraculous Villains: Who was the best? There’s no question that Miraculous Ladybug has had some pretty cool and pretty WEIRD villains. And while we’re all waiting for the reveal to happen and season 4 to FINALLY come out after the craziness of the world, here’s a fun little list of miraculous villains. I should note that Hawkmoth is not on here, nor is Volpina. Because I hate them both too much right now.
Dark Owl
He was one of the few that almost won! Despite the somewhat silly costume, we got the almost reveal. Unsure whether Tikki and Plagg already knew who each others charges were but they certainly do know now.
Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather is by far the best, so awesome she has the skills to become a main antagonist. I mean, being able to control any type of weather is cool enough but she could inflict serious damage on people. Her abilities make her one of the best miraculous villains.
The Mime
He has a very cool power and his design is dope. Also he carried almost the entire Eiffel Tower on his own! He’s easily the strongest foe Ladybug has ever faced, and if this weren’t a kids show, he’d be even more terrifying.
Mr.Pigeon
Just because it said “Best” doesn’t mean the villain wasn’t funny but pure evil. So I say Mr.Pigeon Is the most funniest goofball in this. I mean screw all the other miraculous villains! This guy got akumatized 23โฆno! 25 times!
The Evillustrator
Quite possibly the most powerful of all the miraculous villains. He can draw ANYTHING, including nuclear bombs, giant asteroids, unstoppable tanks, you name it, and it becomes real! And can erase anything he wants from existence! Talk about overpowered! And just awesome in general!
He needed to realize just how powerful he could be! He could have drawn an army of evil Ladybugs, or erased Ladybugโs lucky charm! The possibility are literally endless.
Copycat
L’ Imposteur or Copycat is a villain from the French show, Miraculous Ladybug . A villain with a power to impersonate people, especially Chat Noir . His civilian self is Theo Barbeau, a sculptor who has crush to Ladybug . His akuma is contained on the newspaper article that he use as an inspiration for his sculpture. Considering how much I already like Chat noir, it was easy to include Copycat in this miraculous villains list.
Timebreaker (Chronogirl in French) is an akumatized villain from the show Miraculous Ladybug. Her power is absorbing people’s energy to make her stronger. Her civilian self is Alix Kubdel.
Alix/Timebreaker is arguably the most powerful character in Miraculous. Although the Miraculous are pretty powerful, their abilities are honestly mainly enchanted objects and superhuman strength/agility. Alix can kill with a single touch, not just kill in fact, erase you from existence and use your vital force to make her stronger. She is deadly fast, strong, agile and has the ultimate power: time breaking. Although Evillustrartor, Inverso and the Sandman are pretty overpowered, Timebreaker and Horrificator are really the only unstoppable villains, because they grow stronger on what makes you weak. They also really have it in for everybody, not just seeking revenge or love.
The Puppeteer
If she was an adult she would be so close to winning. Manon was freaking scary in this. Being able to control more than one miraculous user at once is almost unlimited power. Can you imagine if she had the Hawkmoth doll????
Puppeteer DID control Cat Noir, but Ladybug had the upper hand – Puppeteer is just a kid, and when she fought her, she was in a room surrounded by possible weapons.
Simon Says
Pretty much has the ability to make other people obey him. he can also make others work for him or even stop them from moving. He broke through Gabriel’s security, and we’ve all seen how intense that is! He is one of the few akumatised miraculous villains who almost achieved their goal.
Sandboy
And in my opinion, facing your fears is the hardest thing of all. He brings peoples nightmares to life
The Pharaoh
I just look at all the powers, given to him by the ancient gods, and I can’t stand it. He just has to say the name of a god and gets amazing powers.
Who are your favorite miraculous villains? Let us know in the comments below!
Here are some of the best moments in Angels of Death!
The headbop’s Zack is always giving to Rachel.
The rainbow puke Zack does when Rachel first asks him to kill her. . For a “scary” anime, this is a burst of pure hilariousness.
In a more serious moment where Rachel has finally gone into a crazy state of mind, she surprises all of us when she says the word “bang” instead of actually shooting Cathy.
The way that he always tries to kick doors down instead of finding the key like Rachel does.
The cute interactions they have. I love the moment they have with Zack in the water on Eddie’s floor and Ray’s suspicion.
As they make their way through Cathy’s floor, Zack takes to calling his companion Ray instead of Rachel. This shows that he’s started to treat her as a familiar presence. Besides that, he starts to even praise Rachel for her intelligence in getting them through the trap doors. Each room holds a puzzle they must solve, and without Rachel, Zack would never have made it out of the building alive. For her efforts, Zack takes to patting Rachel’s head when he praises her and even goes so far as to call her awesome when she pulls the trigger on Cathy.
If you haven’t already guessed, once again Rachel seeks affirmation for her ultimate goal. She wishes to die by Zack’s hands (or, you know, his Scythe). The promise takes on a different meaning at this point in the series. When Zack proclaims that he’ll be the one to kill Rachel, it’s like he’s saying not even a natural death could lay claim to her soul. In a way, it’s a confession of his feelings.
His emotions come across even more so when Zack shoots himself in the arm with both of the drugs Cathy provides. In the wake of him losing his mind, Rachel is able to find a bit of clarity wherein Zack tells her not to let him kill her just yet. Even though he speaks harshly, Zack continues to protect Rachel from harm as much as possible.
At this moment, Cathy has pitted Zack and Rachel against each other where only one of them will survive. Zack decides that he will not be used as a tool and slices himself with his scythe. This speaks to Zack’s intrinsic desire to protect Rachel in dangerous situations. When she proposes a harmful solution to any of their obstacles, Zack takes it upon himself to gain control of the situation, so that the danger passes. It shows that he cares more than he lets on.
As they search for their final destination, Zack gifts Rachel his most precious knife. When breaking through iron bars, Zack loses his strength of will while Rachel resolves to get the bars open no matter what. When Zack notices that she’s trying to do so with the knife he gave her, he brings her up short.
He mentions that she’s the first person he’s ever given anything to and that it’s not for keeps, but so that she could keep herself safe. If this doesn’t scream love and care for Rachel’s well-being, then we don’t know what does. Of course, this comes from the mouth of a psychotic murderer, so it’s not only unbelievable but demented in its own way.
What are some of YOUR favorite Angels of Death moments? Let us know in the comments below!
Death is not be a topic that most people can find any comfort in, so games in which players explore an afterlife can be a somber theme. I mean who doesn’t get a bit scared thinking of their own mortality, loved ones, leaving behind family and friends.
Here are 6 games that try to change that. Leaving you feeling comfortable, uplifted and hopeful. Some with text based play, charm, puzzles, platforming and others with adventuring.
6 games seeking to ease the terror of death;
1. I Am Dead
Release date: September 2020
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
I Am Dead is a cute, colourful, charming puzzle game about a ghost dog and a ghost, Lupton in the afterlife.
You play as Lupton trying to stop a volcano from erupting. You go around the island with your new powers, peering into the mind of residents, tourists and objects learning more about the island and its inhabitants past and present.
It’s a very slow paced game, with a welcome and unique approach to the subject of death.
2. Nirvana – Game of Life 🤟
Release date: November 2017
Publisher: GoldTusks
Platforms: Android, iOS
Nirvana โ Game of Life is a mobile game where the choices you make using a swipe left or right type of gameplay, decides your destiny from the moment your player is born till they die and sometimes the effects carry over into your new life when you are reborn.
Nirvana โ Game of Life focuses on reincarnation, living different lives, exploring different choices, a supreme being and trying to break the cycle of life and death.
I liked how choices had a rippling effect on your life as a whole, sometimes small or big. The idea you got a chance to do it all over again the whole life thing was also kind of comforting in a way. It reminded me to appreciate the small things and that all we could really do in all situations was the best we are at that moment in time and that was fine.
https://youtu.be/iwELOM8H7tA
3. Spiritfarer
Release date: 2020
Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games, Thunder Lotus
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Combining colorful art and strong writing Spiritfarer makes the dreaded subject, death, the afterlife and other heavy topics seem like a warm hug.
In Spiritfarer, you play as Stella, who along with her cute cat Daffodil help guide spirits to the afterlife. A job you get after Charon, inspired by the ferryman of Hades in Greek mythology, retires from that same position.
You will sail around a fantasy world gathering spirits and convincing them to board your ship. Caring for them, helping them with problems both big and small until they are finally ready to go to the afterlife.
As the game goes on you will meet spirits that will be very relatable too, remind you of a loved one and resonate with you even after you take them to the Everdoor for a final goodbye. These moments are easily the most emotional as the spirit reflects on their life, their regrets and their loved ones before accepting their fate, giving Stella one last hug and finally crossing over to the other side.
Spiritfarer is very calming, comforting and helps remind us to enjoy the precious time we have with loved ones.
Publisher: The Walt Disney Company, Lucasarts, Lucasfilm
Platforms: Windows, MS-DOS, Macintosh
In Afterlife, with the assistance of Aria Goodhalo, an angel, and Jasper Wormsworth, a demon. You play as a semi-omnipotent being known as a Demiurge, helping the powers that be, create a functional Heaven and Hell to reward or punish the residents of these two places, allowing the afterlife to function properly.
Afterlife is a SimCity meets the life-after-death zone with a quirky sense of humor.
Afterlife’s incredible sense of humor and great story development made the idea of what comes after the end, being a fun city builder funny and charming to think about.
5. Evergate
Release date: 18 August 2020
Publisher: PQube, Stone Lantern Games LLC
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Evergate is a beautiful game with an interesting little story about exploring an afterlife full of charm, puzzles, platforming, and adventure.
Evergate follows Ki, a soul like entity with the ability to look into past memories. Navigating through the afterlife, Ki will revisit locations from the past to learn more about herself to solve puzzles, unravel mysteries and save the Afterlife from ruin.
Evergate takes us on a journey, looking at existence and trying to make sense of it, or the meaning of life, or potential life lessons. And depicts a type of afterlife that is both charming and punishing at the same time.
6. Afterparty
Release date: 2019
Publisher: Night School Studio
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS,macOS
“Were dead and there’s a God” – Sang Bong or as he prefers Milo.
Afterparty is an adventure game set in Hell, that looks like a college town. Players navigate conversations and play games with other residents of hell, and try to outdrink Satan, and return two best friends, Milo and Lola Woolfe from the afterlife.
Afterparty tries to answer the bigger questions with its own original view of a darkly funny afterlife, looking at relationships, growing up, and what it means to be a good person.
Afterparty made a theme and setting that would usually bring players discomfort into one that had me chuckling to the end.
And with that I am done. Do you think there is a game that deserves to be on the list tell me in the comment section below.
YumDeku: *Insert animal noise here* It’s time to explore the amazing world of anime manga animals in our Top 15 Cutest Anime Manga Animals You Desperately Want To Pet collaboration post!
nabe-chan: This post is a collaboration post with Yumdeku at myanime2go.com! Iโve been wanting to do a collab post with a fellow blogger for a long time now, Iโm glad the idea finally went through. Lately, Iโve been going on a frenzy just retweeting cute hamster photos. Thereโs this endearing feeling to itโฆ Just looking at these balls of fluff. Not only are they small, but they are also so inexplicably round like mochi that you can easily scoop up with one hand. Urgh, MOE. So thus, the idea for this post was born. Iโll be picking 7 cute animals from manga while Yum will pick another 7 from anime. Weโll then vote for the last one! Weโll both put in our own thoughts on each otherโs pick as well as our own. I hope you enjoy it!
Nabe-chan is one of the nicest bloggers I have meet, whose ways of expressing herself is always funny and refreshing to read Mari-chan also does one of the best fanfics: https://geeknabe.com/
B-b-baka! Its not like I want to get complimented or anything. Follow Yumdeku at myanime2go.com! He writes a ton of interesting anime content with Gloria! I think he watches anime more than meโฆ
YumDeku: There is no denying the cuteness of animals in anime and manga, with their human characteristics providing emotional support, comic relief or one of the strongest adorable things on four or two legs.
nabe-chan: Cute things just hnnng straight to my soul. The effects are amplified when they are in 2D art or animation format! I struggled to pick these 7 choices since I wanted to give Yum more breadth of choices. It wouldnโt do if I picked those that are already made into an anime.
YumDeku: Don’t bother about me. I have a ton to add to my list, 7 actually is not enough to show all these cute pets. Here are our top picks for the cutest anime manga pets we all know and love.
15. Potemaru from One Room, Dog
nabe-chan: What you are seeing here is the very reason I wish to start a blog post talking about cute animals I found in the manga Iโve read. One Room, Dog is an underrated manga and understandably so. It talks about the Samoyed dog named Potemaru and his daily life with his owner, Rokujou Hitomi. Rokujou is an office lady living alone in her apartment so Potemaru is her partner in everything she does! Is there an end-goal to this manga? Nope, all you read about in this manga about Potemaru being the adorable little fluff he is <3 The art isnโt stunning per se, but each dog (Yes, other dogs appear too!) are drawn to the UTMOST PERFECTION. The mangaka has demonstrated PERFECT UNDERSTANDING of what makes every breed the cutest thing in the world. For example, the cutest thing about a Corgi is his fluffy butt and short legs. No, you canโt change my mind. Each dog is so fluffy in this manga and it just so happens I love fluffy dogs, so thereโs that!
nabe-chan: Are Samoyed your favourite breed too, Yumdeku?
YumDeku: He’s so fluffyโฆ Yes, I do. Maybe it’s because dogs are man’s best friend or maybe it’s because I love Samoyed. They kind of look like wolves to me and I love that! I want to give Potemaru a belly rub and scratch being his ears. One Room, Dog is definitely a unique type of manga though showing the wonderful relation between a dog and their owner.
nabe-chan: Come to think of it, you told me once you love Siberian Huskies. Was it because they are guard dogs, or becauseโฆ they are super fluffy??
YumDeku: it’s all that fluffy furโฆ
nabe-chan: You have good taste, mm hm.
14. Madara from Natsumeโs Book of Friends
YumDeku: Natsumeโs Book of Friends follows Natsume, an orphaned teenager who can see youkai, whose life changes when he inherits his grandmother notebook filled with youkai she controlled. He meets Madara, his pet and bodyguard on the condition that he will get the notebook when Natsume dies. Together they help youkai and humans find peace.
YumDeku: It’s an anime with an unlikely pair that slowly learns to care and respect each other as the story goes on. Natsumeโs Book of Friends is a really great anime that really looks at things like emotions and human nature. Plus they have the cute Madara I just want to rub my cheeks against his fluffy round cheeksโฆ
YumDeku: Madara is also known as Nyanko-sensei is a youkai that usually takes the form of the cutest maneki-neko that I have ever seen, round and so so fluffy. He can be mischievous and drink sake a lot but Madara makes up for his many many shortcomings with his many cute cat-like habits like when he plays with cat toys or he’s eating. What do you think Nabe? Isn’t he a lovable rogue?
nabe-chan: I actually never thought of Nyanko-sensei as cute. He gives me the feeling of seniorityโฆ A cat youโll find for life advice. Sure, who finds a cat when asking for girlfriend advice but this cat is a professional. Ok so maybe I do think his plushie merch(s) are adorableโฆ Wait, his name is Madara? I call him Nyanko-sensei in my head. Iโve only watched the first season and maybe the first arc from the manga. Itโs disrespectful to call him cute! Quick! Kowtow now! Youโre in the presence of NYANKO-SENSEI, THE ALL-KNOWING CAT! Quickly now! Do the nyan nyan speak and offer him your food!!
13. Ao from Akatsuki no Yona
nabe-chan: Ao is an adorable squirrel from Akatsuki no Yona/Yona of the Dawn that eats everything and anything you fed it. (Please consider reading this manga, itโs really good!) Without going into specific details, the manga is about a red-haired girl collecting four dragons to fulfill a prophecy. The design of this squirrel is super cute. See how big and round the eyes are? Look at its ever round cheeks <3 But I believe the readers wouldnโt appreciateAo if not for how the mangaka kept putting her into every panel during an important conversation. I took the liberty of adding some of the panels in a collage to give a sense of what I mean. Her appearance is very varied across the chapters but sheโs usually on top of Yonaโs head or shoulder.
YumDeku: That’s because she’s the mascot of Akatsuki no Yona/Yona of the Dawn, the cuteness is too much it hurts.
nabe-chan: While the characters are talking serious business, youโll find Ao on someoneโs shoulder or just nibbling Yonaโs hair nonchalantly. I often took my sweet time reading through the chapter just to notice if Ao is in the panel. Plus, Ao has this adorable voice. She loves yelling Pukyuu! whenever she can. Urgh, adorable. I added a video below just so you can hear this squirrel go Pukyuu! Then thereโs the backstory on how this cute squirrel got her name, as well as how she got Yona out of many dangerous situations just by chewing on ropes, etc. Adorable and useful, sheโs perfect.
YumDeku: I think Ao has an eating problem by the way. Her cheeks are so round from all the things she tucks away in there.
nabe-chan: ALL CUTE THINGS ARE ROUND!
nabe-chan: Do you have squirrels wandering around in the neighbourhood at your place?
YumDeku: Sadly No I do see the occasional cows, goats and pigeons does that count for my daily dose of nature?
nabe-chan: You gotta go catch a pigeon and put them on your shoulderโฆ Call it Pukyuuโฆ And feed it nuts. Yes youโre a shoujo protagonist now Yumdeku!
YumDeku: Do I get to have a harem then?
12. Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro
YumDeku: Totoro the King of the Forest from Studio Ghibli iconic animated movie My Neighbor Totoro loves napping and playing his acorn flute. Following the story of two little girls and our adorable giant bear-owl spirit. It’s definitely an anime I recommend anyone to watch who has not. It has the ability to transport you back to a simpler time and express a thousand emotions.
YumDeku: Totoro is just so cute with his grey fur, big ol belly, pointy ears, long whiskers and large paws. He looks like a cat, an owl and the cutest bear had a baby and that baby was Totoro. I mean just imagine getting a bear hug from the King of the Forest, and even a little snooze on his belly!
nabe-chan: I personally think Totoroโs design as a whole can be pretty terrifying. If you think about it, heโs really big and towers over you. He has this large grin plastered on his face which gives him this uncanny smiling expression. He didnโt rub off me in the movie until he started moving. He justโฆ boings. They animated his fur that gives a sense of thickness to it. Honestly, I would never find him cute if I never watched his movie. I enjoyed how Studio Ghibli animated how he bounced and danced along with the two children. My favourite scene is the one where the two kids found Totoro sleeping and they just bounced off his stomach.
YumDeku: how dare you talk to the king of the Forest that way, he’s just a big log of cuteness and a magical spinning top that allows you to fly, and he’s even the logo for Studio Ghibli.
YumDeku: But *Thinking* he is a bit creepy now that I think of it, with a creepy grin. Noooo you ruined my vision of Totoro.
11. Forehead Devils from Maou-Jou de Oyasumi
nabe-chan: Thereโs an upcoming anime for this manga, so I thought this is the perfect opportunity to talk about this manga! What makes this story a good one? Well, obviously IT’S THE FOREHEAD DEVILS! The plot is bloody simple and it goes something like this – the human princess (Suyaris) got kidnapped by the demon king but sheโs really bored in her cell. It just so happened that she loves to sleep so she often jailbreaks to find materials for the perfect bed. Along the way, everyone gets bullied by this princess in a comedic way. One of these characters that really piqued my soff heart is this teddy bear-looking devil.
nabe-chan: Those round, beady eyes just scream innocence to me! Hnnnng. The first chapter literally had the princess bullying the bears but she stopped her knife when they did the puppy eyes (Itโs the center panel in the collage image I did!). She ended up giving them a good brush and they became fast friends. Most folks would opt to dig a way out of their jail but no, not Suyaris. She just needed to ask these bears for the key and theyโll gladly give it to her. There are other chapters involving these bears just causing havoc in the demon kingโs castle just because the princess asked them! Itโs honestly really hilarious because all in all, the mess happened thanks to those puppy eyes. Can you really say no to mugugu, pretty pweaseee? สยดโข แดฅ โข`ส
YumDeku: Sshhh! Not so loud Princess Syalis is trying to get a good night’s sleep. Maou-Jou de Oyasumi and the Forehead Devils definitely have a unique plot and are unusual bodyguards, it had me at cute teddy devil bears, I have to check it out after this.
nabe-chan: mugugu, can I please have your credit card number Yumdeku?
ส โ๏ฝฅ โก ๏ฝฅ สโ
YumDeku: Here they are. Along with my social security number, passwords, all my private data and even the shirt on my back have it all cute devil bears.
10. Ryo-Ohki from Tenchi series
YumDeku: Nabe what do you get when you mix a cat and a rabbit together? A shapeshifting and carrots loving Ryo-Ohki. Isn’t she the cutest thing you have seen?
nabe-chan: The catrabbit shapeshifts to a sexy lady right. I know your type Yum! You canโt lie to me!
YumDeku: With Lore, rivals, likable characters and adventure, the Tenchi series is an anime that receives a lot of attention and has an enduring fanbase. Tenchi series is a sci-fi anime about a high-schooler that accidentally releases demons trapped by his grandfather and how his life is never the same again.
nabe-chan: Donโt avoid the topic Yum!
YumDeku: Wouldn’t you want a cute Ryo-Ohki you can play with? Cute fuzzy long ears and those big adorable eyes. I want to feed her carrots so bad!
nabe-chan: Well, the designer definitely knew what makes cute things tick. I love how floppy Ryo-Ohki is.
9. Meatbun from ยฝ Prince
nabe-chan: So I understand that the title of this blog post is cute animals but here I am, trying to push a meat bun agenda. ALL HAIL MEATBUN! Thanks for saying yes to having Meatbun in this list, Yum!
YumDeku: ahhhhh anything that cute and delicious deserves to be on any cuteness list. I could literally eat Meatbun up. Speaking hypothetical would anyone miss Meatbun, like friends or family *drooling*.
nabe-chan: Alright, so I realized that many donโt know about ยฝ Prince. (I previously wrote about ยฝ Prince here, along with The Legend of the Sun Knight.) It first started off as a Taiwanese web novel and soon got popular enough for a manhwa! The story is set in a distant future where MMOs can be played in virtual reality. So we have our protagonist jump right into this game called Second Life and somehow, got herself a meat bun as a pet. Yes, a meat bun as in the pork bun you eat for a meal. Iโve added a photo of the meat bun in question in the collage above! Since heโs a meat bun pet, his name is literally Meatbun! Adorable isnโt it <3 This little pet design is really cute, but the best part about Meatbun isnโt his roundness! Let me list them all down:
Heโs a cannibal. If you play MMO, then youโll know that to raise your petโs affection, you will need to feed it. Meatbunโs primary source of food are meat buns.
He eats his own kind!He has a ton of capabilities. He can fly, he can swim, he can shoot pork pellets as an attack. You can even bat him using a baseball bat! The cast usually use Meatbun to aggro and pull monsters from afar.
Heโs squishy. Like, really squishy.
Heโs sooo loving too. He calls his parents (the cast) papa and mama. Hnng.
Best baby boy in ยฝ Prince is Meatbun, obviously. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
YumDeku: Am I the only one thinking eating him will make me stronger or at least add to my cuteness level?
nabe-chan: Yes.
YumDeku: More Meatbun for me then…
8. Inko from Toradora
YumDeku: Why is Inko on the list? Well it’s not just because I like Toradora, it is on my list of Top 25 Best Romance Anime of All Time for Romance Lovers. Toradora is an anime about a boy, a girl, the lives of them and their friends, unrequited and unexpected love that blossoms amongst them and I just love the characters and plot.
YumDeku: Cute might not be the first thing you think of for Inko, the sickly parakeet. Inko’s weird quirky personality and sometimes appearance allows her to steal a spot on my list, just because of those two things. She might be an acquired taste but she definitely grew on me watching Ryuuji who considers her a part of the family and, for some reason, still has hope she will be able to say her own name one day.
nabe-chan: That parakeet is not sickly, itโs legit crazy. Look at himmmm! โฆ Okay maybe that is cute in folksโ books.
YumDeku: I just think it’s cute and adorable how she struggles to say her name even though she has a good understanding of human speech and can carry a conversation with someone. She’s a funny parakeet that has a lot of character and made Toradora more interesting and hilarious.
nabe-chan: I remember watching Toradora and I loved it. Iโฆ do not remember this parakeet though. Okay you guys can rip off my aniblogger badge now.
7. Bond from Spy x Family
nabe-chan: Bond is adorable. Bond is adorable. Bond is ADORABLE. They say three times the charm! I think by now youโd notice my kind of cute is anything fluffy. Thereโs this super moe feeling in me whenever I see a dog drawn in their fluffiest form. Not only is Bond super fluffy, heโs a THICC BOI. Urgh, thicc and fluff is the PERFECT COMBO. I mean, look at him!
YumDeku: Noooo why didn’t you get the picture with Bond in his bow tie collar, it makes him look distinguished. He has this gentleman butler thing about him that I like. Maybe it’s Alfred under all that fluffy fur. Fun fact I think Bond is a mix between a Tibetan Mastiff and Great Pyrenees.
nabe-chan: I picked panels from the earlier chapters! Ok, anyway…
nabe-chan: Spy x Family talks about a professional spy (Loid) dedicating his life to the protection of his country. As a spy, he snuffs out anyone in the background so his work goes largely unappreciated. One day, his boss told him to take a mission that requires him to build a โfamilyโ. So he picked a wife (Yor) and a young girl (Anya) as his kid. Little did he know that his wife is a super assassin and the kid, an esper. Then came along Bond, the adorable dog in the collage I made. Heโs a ditzy doggo but he can see the future! The manga is an absolute blast to read, I suggest reading it in MangaPlus!
YumDeku: I did. Bond has a really sad backstory he’s gone through a lot but he still remains a friend to man and their cute little ones. Bond has one of the biggest kindest hearts of pets on this list, whether it’s helping Anya to retrieve her favorite pair of gloves from a fierce dog by intimidating him or changing the future to prevent the death of Anya’s father. Bond is a pet anyone would be lucky to have.
nabe-chan: I know rightโฆ Iโm not too sure what breed Bond is, but I think heโs a Samoyed mix. Thereโs a ton of things to love about Bond. Heโs really fluffy and loving to his new family. I added some scenes where he jumps right between his new family and the baddies to protect them. Good boy! There was a chapter that had Bond fight with Anya, the Esper girl. It was over something minor and they made up at the end of the chapter. Itโs honestly these small little snippets that make me go moeeee. Bond is such a sweet dog. Not only is he fluffy, I appreciate that the mangaka took the time to fledge him out as a proper member of the Spy x Familyโs main cast.
nabe-chan: Ok soโฆ Bond is the type of dog I would love to hug.
YumDeku: I don’t know he’s a big dog plus all that fur, I am pretty sure you could get lost in him if you hugged him.
nabe-chan: You mean getting lost in the doggo fur like this meme gif?
6. Hamtaro from Hamtaro
YumDeku: Nabe I know you like hamsters so what do you think of Hamtaro, isn’t he just so cute? He is from the anime Hamtaro, a childrenโs anime about a pet hamster going on adventures with his other little hamster friends that are also so adorable. Hamtaro is one of the bravest, energetic hamsters with a heart of gold. He always wants to go on adventures and always eager to help his friends. Plus He makes some of the cutest and hilarious faces.
YumDeku: I mean just look at those big black eyesโฆ What do you think Nabe?
nabe-chan: I loved the show when I was a kid! I prefer the fat, tubby Hamtaro version. I saw recent episodes just bloated up his head and made his body smaller. I personally find that icky. Yes thank you Yum for including Hamtaro!
5. Magu from Magu-chan: God of Destruction
nabe-chan: I cannot believe a God made it into the list. You see, Magu-chan is a recent addition to MangaPlus. The manga just popped up one day on the app, I clicked on it and voila, I am HOOKED. Magu-chan starts off with a creepy tone. Cults worshipped gods and through offerings, these gods could easily gain power that could blow off a city! It just so happened that our God of Destruction, Magu, was sealed away by heroes in ancient times but was found by Ruru, a modern second year middle school student (whoโs conveniently an orphan living by herself). So the whole kick in this manga is honestly just Magu being all demanding because he lost his powers and Ruru just agreeing to his whims nonchalantly. Thereโs a ton of sweet scenes where Magu would act to make Ruru happy. I think the English translation did it for me! Maguโs dialogues are super intimidating but if you were to associate it with his smol form, itโs justโฆ so cute. You can think of Magu as a puppy or a kitten trying to go all scary on you but you just go awwww instead.
YumDeku: Nabe did your love of cute things make you join this cult? *stares suspiciously* Magu looks like a squid or octopus. And am I do only one that see the resemblance to Mitty from Made in Abyss *crying* don’t hit me with your destruction beam Magu senpai accept my offering of food.
nabe-chan: If it means getting a powerful god as a pet then yes!! โฆ Wait, Mitty is adorable but I just canโt do thisโฆ The elevator scene, godโฆ
YumDeku: I know rightโฆ *crying*
4. Blair from Soul Eater
nabe-chan: Yum! This lady does not suit the post title! >:(
YumDeku: We already have a Meatbun in our list besides, look at how cute she looks in her little witch hat. But then again who wouldn’t want a cat that transforms into a sexy witch? ( อกยฐ อส อกยฐ) *clears throat* plus she’s a stray, she needs a home in our hearts. Soul Eater revolves around three students and their weapons that can transform into a humanoid. They attend a school run by Death and go on world saving adventures.
nabe-chan: Hmmmmโฆ *judging quietly* Okay fine, I suppose itโs ok. You know, Blair took such a strong role at the beginning of the series. The later chapters just have her do a cat fight. I wish she was treated better by the mangakaโฆ
YumDeku: Yes more cat fights and more character development for her would have been good.
3. Sui from Tondemo Skill: Sui no Daibouken
nabe-chan: This cute little slime, Sui is from a manga isekai series, Tondemo Skill. I pulled these panels from her spin-off series! The MC was transported to a fantasy world, tamed a Fenrir and a slime. All they do is travel and eat. Itโs super wholesome but what gets me is this lovable slime Sui. If not shooting out deadly magic, Sui is just being super loving to her owner. Such an adorable slime! Whoโs a good slime! Itโs you! Youโre a good slime! <3
YumDeku: I’m starting to think you think anything is cute if it’s round and squishy. Sui is definitely a pet you want if you are ever teleported to another world. She would make a comfortable pillow, she can craft and heal you too. Triple threat!
nabe-chan: Of course. My taste in cute things is impeccable <3
YumDeku: Sui reminds me of the anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. We should introduce the two of them, they both have a lot in common like eating food and are both talking slime.
nabe-chan: I know rightโฆ But Sui should steer clear of Tensura, else sheโll get a sexy humanoid form (LOL).
2. Molly from The Ancient Magus Bride
YumDeku: The last King of Cats, Molly is one of the most beautiful anime cats that I have ever seen. With her long white and yellow coat. And, her different colored eyes! Her right eye is yellow and her left eye is blue. She’s majestic and her personality is just the best.
YumDeku: She was beautifully drawn in the manga but they really brought her to life in the anime The Ancient Magus Bride following the story of Hatori Chise who as had a rough life but all this changes when she meets a sorcerer of great power who has the head of a beast! And, she becomes his apprentice and bride. It’s an amazing anime that covers a lot of mental and emotional issues. We even did a post about PTSD in Anime: What, Why and How to Overcome.
nabe-chan: Awww. I remember cross-referencing the scene in both the manga and anime while I was watching the episode. I think that the anime did this particular episode really good! Molly simply wants to protect her current owner but the circumstances just made it super bittersweet for me.
1. Kirara from Inuyasha
nabe-chan: Everyday I think of how blessed we are to see so many cuties in our favourite entertainment mediaโฆ And how for once, both I and Yum agreed on which cutie to take the first spot. Itโs Kirara from Inuyasha! <3 <3 <3 Purrrrrrr, purrrrrr. Whoโs a good demon slayer sidekick! Itโs you! <3
YumDeku: I know right, look at how cute she looks when she’s sleeping. Why settle for a regular cat when you can have a cute fire demon that can go from compact and cute to big and vicious. Especially when she’s rideable, taking Kirara for walks will always be enjoyable.
nabe-chan: I know right. Gosh, you get me sometimes.
nabe-chan: Annddd thatโs it! Phew. Talking about the things I love just makes me go all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks Yum. Weโll do one about waifu one day, okay? So you can slap in as many Blairs as you want!
YumDeku: Yes we finally finished our list, it was really hard picking just these fifteen but we finally got it done. Yeah we have to do that you can add all the Esdeath you want too! Also let us see your cutest anime manga animals you desperately want to pet in our comment section. Till our next collab post go read more of our individual posts.
anime fan in the real world….yeah, it’s tough. Here are TEN reasons that it’s tough for someone to be an anime fan in the real world. Brought together by several articles, friends and other anime writers who all brought their opinions to the table.
Naturally, anyone who consumes anime on a regular basis knows that doing so can lead to some interesting issues. Being a fan of anything inevitably leads to problems unique to that fandom, and anime is no different. Ranging from the serious to the silly, these are issues that anyone who doesn’t watch anime just won’t understand.
Let’s get to it!
10. Choosing Between Sub Or Dub
Choosing between watching an anime in its original language or dubbed has always been one of the most common decisions for anime watchers. Well, maybe for some. More hardcore fans insist on watching them in Japanese in order to remain as faithful to the original source as possible, while more casual fans don’t really mind either way. Both are perfectly viable options, and it is up to the viewer to decide which experience suits them best. For me, it depends on the show. For instance, I prefer subbed for most. BUT, Inuyasha is one of the few that I prefer dubbed over subbed.
9. Knowing words like Twincest and being okay with it
Just the fact that I know the word twincest is sort of questionable. And to confirm, the only time I’m ever okay with it is in Ouran High School Host where the twins are pretending for their fans.
8. Keeping A Secret Death Note
Anyone who has watched Death Note has secretly wished the same circumstances that befell protagonist Light Yagami happened to them. Let’s face it, the idea of having the power of death in your hands has a certain morbid appeal to it that every anime fan has wanted one.
7. The Guilt Of Enjoying Terrible Harem Comedies as an anime fan
There is some dumb anime out there. Really dumb. But perhaps none are quite so dumb as the harem comedy. This genre tends to have bare bones plots that exist merely as an excuse to get one sex, usually a male, into a situation where they are romantically pursued by multiple members of the opposite sex. It’s wish fulfillment, plain and simple, and despite knowing you might be getting dumber… you just can’t stop watching.
6. “Is That A Guy Or A Girl?”
This one is fun! You’ll be watching an anime and have to do a double take when you realize you aren’t quite sure whether a certain character is a man or a woman. This is because the art style often does its male characters with physical traits we usually associate with femininity, such as big eyes and long flowing hair. In situations like this, it can actually take a while for you to finally pin it down, and once you’ve done so it’s no longer an issue, but it never stops happening no matter how much anime you watch.
5. Developing A Crush On An Anime Character
If you grew up watching anime, it was entirely possible that you liked a character so much that it made you feel… well, funny inside. The combination of pleasing aesthetics and well developed personality resulted in a character that felt fully realized, and before you knew it, it dawned on you that you just might have a crush on that character. You told yourself that that’s ridiculous; it’s just a cartoon character, right? But then you fell into those big eyes and realized that you’re no longer a kid anymore. Thanks Japan.
4. When Things Get Too Weird Even For You as an anime fan
Anime can be pretty weird sometimes, and everyone who watches it knows that. Watch enough series and you get used to it to the point where you convince yourself that nothing can freak you out anymore. However, eventually you will come across something so disturbingly bizarre that even you can’t help but curl up in the fetal position for fear that your sanity will be compromised. The Japanese sure do have a wide range of imagination, and that’s why we love ’em.
3. Convincing People It’s Not Just For Children
There’s this idea in other countries, particularly in the United States, that animation is only meant for kids. This stigma is of course ridiculous, as there is no quality inherent to animation that makes it more or less appropriate for any one particular age demographic. Anime in particular is especially diverse, as there are different genres for literally every type of person of any age group, ranging from the overly cute to the gratuitously violent. And even casual watchers of anime will tell you that there are types that no child should watch…
2. Defending Your Passion as An Anime Fan
There is a stigma associated with anime fans of them being too obsessive; accompanied with images of lonely man children living in sorrow while surrounded by body pillows and action figures. People may look at your passion for anime and question your state of mind. Or maybe they think you are a weirdo who dresses up as cartoon characters for fun. Too often you may find yourself having to explain yourself to people. None of that matters. You know why you like anime; it’s entertaining, funny, strange, sexy, and innovative. Some people may not get it, but frankly, they don’t know what they’re missing out on.
1. Wishing Life Was As Strange & Exciting
There is no denying the limitless quality of anime. The freeing nature of animation combined with the Eastern style of storytelling has given us some of the most imaginative worlds ever created. The life of an anime character is never dull; on the contrary, they are almost always full of excitement and adventure. Characters are often ripped from a life of complacency and forced to get involved with strange new people from places they never knew existed. Engage in enough of these stories and you just can’t help but wish life could be just as colorful, exciting, and insane. Life seems so limiting in comparison. At least we have anime to keep that spark in our imagination alive.
Can you think of other problems only anime fans understand? Let us know in the comments!
Are you looking for sad anime that will make you cry? Well, look no further our Top 25 Best Sad Heartbreaking Anime That Will Make You Cry recommendations will get you feeling for the characters and crying for them. With tragically heartbreaking scenes and emotional moments, these stories are powerful.
Sad anime is notorious as a tearjerker anime that will make you bawl your eyes out, so why do we watch them? why do anime creators love making their audience cry? And why are there a ton of sad anime?
From heartfelt dramas about young love, unrequited feelings, and relationship drama to the more serious stories that tackle issues like mental health, death and illness, sad anime has found countless ways to break our hearts, make us cry, feel, think and look at situations from different perspectives.
Sad anime or tearjerker anime does help us have a good cry when we feel like crying, but sad anime also helps us understand ourselves, each other and learn from them sometimes without actually having to experience some of those sad moments or for some letting them know they are not alone in whatever hell they are in.
At least that’s what sad anime is to me and why I wanted to write the Top 25 Best Sad Heartbreaking Anime That Will Make You Cry, here is a recommendations list in no order of ranking of some really sad, heartbreaking and sorrowful anime.
I have twenty-five great sad anime recommendations with honourable mentions for when you need a good cry. But there are still countless other incredibly sad anime, but I gave myself a limit or it would take longer for you to get to read this post.
25. I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
Studios: Studio VOLN
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Summer 2018
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a sad anime that might sound like an ecchi or zombie horror anime by the name but it’s a romantic drama that successes in making you cry bucket loads.
Summary
One day, I โ a high schooler โ found a paperback in the hospital. The โDisease Coexistence Journalโ was its title. It was a diary that my classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, had written in secret. Inside, it was written that due to her pancreatic disease, her days were numbered. And thus, I coincidentally went from Just-a-Classmate to a Secret-Knowing-Classmate. It was as if I were being drawn to her, who was my polar opposite. However, the world presented the girl that was already suffering from an illness with an equally cruel realityโฆ
Based on an award-winning light novel by Yoru Sumino, I want to eat your pancreas is one of my favourite sad anime, the feelings it made me feel and the way it wrenches my heart really got to me.
From the start, we know the fate of our character Sakura won’t end well and we shouldn’t get attached but somehow we end up still getting attached to her.
I want to eat your pancreas is a moving and heartbreaking anime but its not just a sad anime, it’s a story that celebrates the gift of life and at the ends teaches us one or two things as the credits roll.
24. Plastic Memories
Studios: Doga Kobo
Episodes: 13
Aired: Spring 2015
Plastic Memories is one of those heartbreaking anime shows that reminds us that No matter how much someone wishes it, nothing lasts forever.
Summary
In a future not too far away, androids that look exactly like humans begin to spread across the world. The android production company SA Corp. produced Giftia, a new kind of android that has the most amount of emotion and human-like qualities out of any other model ever seen. However, due to problems in technology, the androids have a service life, and once they pass that, it gets pretty bad. For this reason, SA Corp. creates a terminal service in order to retrieve Giftia that have gone past their service life. A new employee at the terminal service named Tsukasa Mizugaki forms a team with the Giftia Isla to retrieve the other androids.
Plastic Memories may leave you crying its a sad anime, after all, or maybe questioning your very existence and what it means to live but Plastic Memories is a cute and beautiful story about young love that’s definitely worth watching.
23. Chrono Crusade
Studios: Gonzo
Episodes: 24
Aired: Fall 2003
Chrono Crusade is a great sad anime series with characters that are funny, deep and intriguing.
Summary
America in the Roaring 20s. On the surface, it’s a positive, peaceful time after the violence of the Great War. But lurking in the shadows is a dark element ready to snatch that peace away. Sister Rosette Christopher, an exorcist working as a part of the Magdala Order, has a duty to fight the demons which appear and cause destruction. But along with her companion Chrno, she usually ends up causing more destruction than the demons themselves! On one particular mission, they meet a young girl with a beautiful voice named Azmaria, who is being targeted by her own stepfather. As Rosette and Chrno work to save her, more is revealed about the relationship between them. There is more to these two than meets the eye.
Rosette is also looking for her brother who was taken from her by a demon.
Chrono Crusade is notorious for making viewers cry filled action, comedy and romance. It’s a hidden gem that starts of slow but if you watch the first 3 episodes, you will be hooked.
22. Violet Evergarden
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 13
Aired: Winter 2018
Violet Evergarden was a sad anime that asked a big question: how do you learn emotions?
Is it through experience? Knowing its definition? Or the people you meet?
Summary
The story revolves around Auto Memory Dolls: people initially employed by a scientist named Dr. Orland to assist his blind wife Mollie in writing her novels, and later hired by other people who needed their services. In the present time, the term refers to the industry of writing for others. The story follows Violet Evergarden, a girl who for the entirety of her life had been used as an instrument of war, and her journey of integrating into society after the war is over and her search for her life’s purpose now that she is no longer a soldier in order to understand the last words her major, Gilbert, had told her: “I love you.” – wikipedia
The anime’s storytelling was emotional and made us care about Violet Evergarden; not just the story but watching Violetโs own journey of discovery was incredible to watch. It was an effective tearjerker and a show thatโs worth investing time into.
21. March Comes In Like A Lion
Studios: Shaft
Episodes: 44
Aired: Fall 2016
March Comes In Like A Lion is an anime that covers issues like mental illness, anxiety, bullying, and youth problems in a very touching and relatable way.
Summary
A youth named Kiriama Rei, who lost his family as a child, endures loneliness to become a professional shogi player. Then, through a chance meeting, he develops a relationship with the three Kawamoto sisters, who hail from a working-class district of the city, and little by little his frozen heart begins to thaw.
March Comes In Like A Lion teaches a wonderful lesson about how unhappiness is OK sometimes, being depressed, unsatisfied or stressed does not make you weak or unusual – it makes you human.
Every day is a challenge for Rei as he takes care of himself. Whether itโs in his day to day life or in the professional shogi, we can see how Rei develops as a person learning to just do the best he can.
20. Nana
Studios: Madhouse
Episodes: 47
Aired: Spring 2006
Nana is a shoujo tearjerker anime with wonderful music and a magical something that makes you cheer on for some characters and experience emotionally some events almost as strongly as the characters themselves.
Summary
Nana โHachiโ Komatsu hopes that moving to Tokyo will help her make a clean start and leave her capricious love life behind her. Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, has plans to score big in the world of rockโnโroll. Although these two young women come from different backgrounds, they quickly become best friends in a whirlwind world of sex, music, fashion, gossip and all-night parties!
Nana is a sad anime that highlights Humans imperfection and shows how everyone carries luggage of their own. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and explore a powerful friendship the two Nana’s share. It teaches a lot of lessons about life, it’s hardships and also the mistakes, that we shouldn’t make.
19. Angel Beats!
Studios: P.A. Works
Episodes: 13
Aired: Spring 2010
Angel Beats was a show that kept me guessing and consistently tugging at my heartstrings with its heartbreaking moments.
Summary
Otonashi awakens only to learn he is dead in a world after death, a group of humans fight for their fate and their future. Yuri, the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the god who destined her to have an unreasonable life. On the other hand, Tenshi, the chairperson of the student council for the world after death, battles against the SSS members. SSS members utilize armed weaponry to battle it out against the angels harnessing supernatural powers.
Angel Beats had moments that made me laugh out loud at the silliness of the characters and other moments that were just so depressing and sad. Its a beautiful story about life and people.
18. Elfen Lied
Studios: Arms
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2004
Elfen Lied is infamous for its twisted take on the distinction between good and evil not being so clear, dark humour and extremely depressing plot.
Summary
The story involves human mutations called โDicloniusโ, who grow horns on their heads and possess telekinetic powers, in the form of invisible โarmsโ called vectors. The tendency for violence among Diclonii varies among characters. Certain scientists contain them in a Facility in cells, where they are subject to inhumane experiments to test their abilities or where they await execution for being too dangerous. An infectious virus is also associated with the mutation. This virus is spread through non-lethal contact with the vectors of a diclonius. The main non-mutant character in the story is Kouta, who ends up becoming increasingly involved with these dicloniuses, as they seek refuge from the scientists. The main diclonius character is Lucy/Nyuu, a killer whose alter ego is a hapless and very cute child whose vocabulary and intelligence are quite limited.
Elfen Lied is an anime that as a lot going on in it, but at its depth carries a deeper message about accepting yourself and your inner demons.
17. Orange
Studios: Telecom Animation Film
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2016
Orange was an emotional roller coastal ride for me. Emotions are things that move us and decide the decisions we take and those decisions decide how our lives end up. Orange is a series that looks at how emotions can change our path.
Summary
One day, Takamiya Naho receives a letter written to herself from ten years in the future. As Naho reads on, the letter recites the exact events of the day, including the transfer of a new student into her class named Naruse Kakeru. The Naho from ten years later repeatedly states that she has many regrets, and she wants to fix these by making sure the Naho from the past can make the right decisionsโespecially regarding Kakeru. Whatโs more shocking is that she discovers that ten years later, Kakeru will no longer be with them. Future Naho asks her to watch over him closely.
At its core, Orange is an extremely character-driven show that covers serious subjects like depression and suicide. Orange will definitely leave a lasting impression on you.
16. Steins;Gate
Studios: White Fox
Episodes: 24
Aired: Spring 2011
Steins;Gate has one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have seen. Watching a character try and fail over and over again can be heartbreaking to watch.
Summary
The story of Steins;Gate takes place in Akihabara and is about a group of friends who have managed to customize their microwave into a device that can send text messages to the past. As they perform different experiments, an organization named SERN who has been doing their own research on time travel tracks them down and now the characters have to find a way to avoid being captured by them.
Steins;Gate was one of those anime that made me laugh, cry and really connect with our characters. It also made me think, and it rewarded my thoughts by having closure and clarity.
15. Looking Up At The Half-Moon
Studios: Group TAC
Episodes: 6
Aired: Winter 2006
The best way I could describe Looking Up At The Half-Moon is by saying that it’s bittersweet. The characters interaction and plot is what makes Looking Up At The Half-Moon one of the best sad anime.
Summary
During the winter, Yuichi was hospitalized due to hepatitis. Randomly he would try to escape from the hospital but would get beat up by the nurse. One day, he happened to meet Rika, a girl of his age, in the next building. He was fascinated by her beauty, but she was a very selfish girl. Although she led him by the nose, he began to be attracted by her. However, when Rika told him about her illness, he knew why she acted so selfish; she didn’t have long to live.
Looking Up At The Half-Moon was very depressing at times, it was a sad romance drama that kept me interested until the very end.
14. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Studios: Shaft
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2011
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is an amazing anime with plot twists, drama, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that all come together creating a brilliant plot with a really good ending.
Summary
There exist familiars who have the power to grant one wish to a chosen girl. However, in return, that girl must then become a magical girl and fight against witches, evil creatures born from curses that are responsible for murders and suicides. A schoolgirl named Madoka Kaname and her friend Sayaka Miki is approached by a familiar named Kyubey and a magical girl named Mami Tomoe with offers of becoming magical girls. Another mysterious magical girl named Homura Akemi tries to prevent Madoka from agreeing to the contract.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is definitely head and shoulders above most magical girls (Mahou Shoujo) genre. The characters, art and music are amazing.
It’s an anime I would recommend to individuals who like a magical girl theme anime but also anyone who likes anime in general.
13. Searching for the Full Moon
Studios: Studio Deen
Episodes: 52
Aired: Spring 2002
Although this is a shoujo anime, its themes about first love, dreams, and mortality at such a young age will touch anyone’s heart!
Summary
Mitsuki loves singing, but a malignant tumour in her throat has prevented her from pursuing her passion. However, Mitsukiโs life turns around when two fun-loving Shinigami appear to grant her a temporary reprieve from her illness–and give her singing career a magical jump-start.
Searching for the Full Moon is certainly an experience with its incredible story, characters, music and the cycle of emotions you will feel is mind-blowing.
12. One Week Friends (Isshuukan Friends)
Studios: Brain’s Base
Episodes: 12
Aired: Spring 2014
One Week Friends is a heart-warming story focusing around friendship, love and what memories really could mean.
Summary
Hase Yuuki is interested in his unsociable classmate Fujimiya Kaori. Since he sits behind her in class, the only thing he ever gets to see is her back. One day, when theyโre alone in a hallway, he blurts out to her, “Would you become friends with me?”. But her answer is, “Iโm happy, but I canโt” What could be the reason for this answer?
One Week Friends is a tearjerker anime that I think people can really relate with. Showing how hard it can be fitting in in school. It’s a sad, yet hopeful anime that can teach us a thing or two.
11. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Studios: CoMix Wave Films
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Winter 2007
In 5 Centimeters Per Second emotions are portrayed in an incredibly beautiful and realistic way with wonderful lessons about growing up, letting go of the past, and taking control of one’s own life.
Summary
A tale of two people, Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari, who were close friends but gradually grow farther and farther apart as time moves on. They become separated because of their families yet continue to exchange contact in the form of letters. Yet as time continues to trudge on, their contact with one another begins to cease. Years pass and the rift between them grows ever larger. However, Takaki remembers the times they have shared together, but as life continues to unfold for him, he wonders if he would be given the chance to meet Akari again as the tale embarks on Takaki’s realization of the world and people around him.
The messages in 5 Centimeters per Second are beautiful even though sad. It will really make you emotional.
10. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Studios: Bones, Kinema Citrus
Episodes: 11
Aired: Summer 2009
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is sad anime that creates an emotional connection with you and the characters that make you see yourself in one or all of them.
Summary
After a massive earthquake in Tokyo 25 km under the sea at a magnitude of 8.0, two young siblings Mirai and Yลซki, who were visiting a robot exhibition in Odaiba at the beginning of their summer vacation, struggle to reach their parents in their house in Setagaya, assisted by a female motorcycle courier named Mari, who is striving to reach her own daughter and mother in Sangenjaya. Together, the three of them brave the partly ruined city and try their best to make it home safely. โ wikipedia
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is a show that reminds us of the small and big things we take for granted every day like family either blood or non-blood related. It will remind you to love life.
9. Air
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2005
Air is a tearjerker anime with a nice romance, a touch of supernatural fantasy and great characters.
Summary
Yukito Kunisaki is a man travelling Japan in search of the “girl in the sky.” Eventually, he makes his way to a sleepy seaside town where he meets a strange girl named Misuzu Kamio who has dreams of flying in the sky. During his stay in the town, Yukito meets other unique people and begins to learn more about Misuzu and the town she lives in.
Air is a slow burn plot, depressing and slightly hard to follow but Air is really interesting and an emotional rollercoaster. Air is not for everyone but if you stick with it, Air will definitely have a place in your heart with it’s strong theme of family or you will love it for its visuals.
8. Haibane Renmei
Studios: Radix
Episodes: 13
Aired: Fall 2002
Haibane Renmei is an old tearjerker anime that placed a lot of emphasis on the past, finding redemption and the point of existence.
Summary
The story follows a young girl named Rakka, a newly arrived Haibane (an angelic-looking being), and other characters in the village of Old Home, a walled place with one entrance where no one is allowed to leave.
Haibane Renmei is a deeply emotional anime that is tied to faith, death, love, friendship and ultimately salvation. Its an anime that will really get your curiosity going with inferred and dark themes so be prepared. Will there be a light at the end?
7. Clannad: After Story
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 24
Aired: Fall 2008
Clannad: After Story brought just about every kind of emotion out of me. Happiness, sadness, fear, trust, you name it and Clannad: After Story brought it.
Summary
Clannad: After Story, the sequel to the critically acclaimed slice-of-life series Clannad, begins after Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa graduate from high school. Together, they experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. Unable to decide on a course for his future, Tomoya learns the value of a strong work ethic and discovers the strength of Nagisa’s support. Through the couple’s dedication and unity of purpose, they push forward to confront their personal problems, deepen their old relationships, and create new bonds.
Time also moves on in the Illusionary World. As the plains grow cold with the approach of winter, the Illusionary Girl and the Garbage Doll are presented with a difficult situation that reveals the World’s true purpose. โ MAL
Clannad: After Story is amazing in how it depicts life, the importance of family and the struggles of adulthood.
6. Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 22
Aired: Fall 2014
Your Lie in April is a fantastic production, with engaging relatable characters and emotions oozing out of the plot.
Summary
At a very young age, Kousei Arima was strictly taught, by his mother, how to play the piano and meticulously follow the score, to the point where he dominated every competition he entered with ease. He earned the title of “Human Metronome” for performing almost perfectly. Every musician of his age looked up to him. However, after his mother suddenly dies, he became tone-deaf due to the shock and then disappeared, never to be seen onstage since. Two years later, Kousei lives a monotonous life with his childhood friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari supporting him. He continues to cling to music, although performing is still an impossibility for him. This is until his unexpected encounter with Kaori Miyazono, a violinist who performs freely without the dictations of a score. A story of friendship, love, music, and a single lie, Kousei’s life begins to change and gain colour as Kaori helps him to take up music again.
Your Lies in April is a colourful story that is more than it appears, that teaches us how to heal, learn to move on, and learn to accept the parts of ourselves that weโd rather pretend arenโt there.
5. anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 11
Aired: Spring 2011
anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a surprisingly simple, yet emotional, look at the coping mechanisms of people dealing with loss and how it affects everyone the same way no matter the age.
Summary
Five childhood friends grow apart after the death of Meiko Honma, close playmate of them all. Jintan Yadomi, leader of the group when they were kids, neglects high school and lives as a shut-in when he unexpectedly starts seeing the ghost of Meiko, who can only interact with him and no one else. She has returned to ask Jintan to fulfil the forgotten wish she made as a kid.
anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day shows how coming to terms with emotional scars and moving forward is hard but can be done a day at a time with the support of friends and family.
4. The Light of a Firefly Forest (Hotarubi no Mori e)
Studios:Brainโs Base
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2011
The Light of a Firefly Forest is a tale of friendship and compromise of two people who should never have crossed paths, as their lives become hopelessly intertwined.
Summary
A young girl meets a boy, who is, in fact, a spirit dwelling in the forest while visiting her uncle for the summer. The boy, however, mustnโt be touched by a human, for it would result in him disappearing for all eternity. They spend the summer days with each other, and when the girl must return to home from her vacation, she promises to visit him again next summer. And thatโs exactly what she does, for the next few years. During that time she grows up, and her age is slowly getting closer to the age of the boy.
However, their relationship and resolve are put to the test, when romantic feelings conflict with their one and only rule.
The Light of a Firefly Forest to some people might not be unique, or exceptional but it will leave you reflecting and remembering that very special person to you.
3. A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)
Studios:Kyoto Animation
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2016
A Silent Voice is a great film that leaves you reflecting like all good films should do, questioning your interactions with people both past and present, making us all try to be better people.
Summary
The story revolves around Nishimiya Shลko, a grade school student who has impaired hearing. She transfers into a new school, where she is bullied by her classmates, especially Ishida Shouya. It gets to the point where she transfers to another school and as a result, Shouya is ostracized and bullied himself, with no friends to speak of and no plans for the future. Years later, he sets himself on a path to redemption.
Be prepared to go on a roller coaster ride of emotions when you watch A Silent Voice. Showing how love can find you no matter when, where or what situation you are in life.
2. Wolf Children
Studios: Studio Chizu
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2012
Wolf Children is the heartwarming story that depicts the struggles of being a single parent in an unforgiving modern world.
Summary
Hana is a 19-year-old student who falls in a fairy-tale like love with a wolf man. Over the course of the 13-year story, Hana gives birth to two childrenโolder sister Yuki, and younger brother Ame, or Snow and Rain. At first, the family quietly lives in city trying to hide their wolf heritage, but when the wolf man suddenly dies Hana makes the decision to move to a rural town, far from their previous city life. – ANN
Wolf Children is a sad anime about the enduring and triumphant nature of maternal love. Showing the mental and physical fortitude it requires to handle parenting.
Honourable Mentions
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Studios: Bones
Episodes: 64
Aired: Spring 2009
Your Name
Studios: CoMix Wave Films
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Summer 2016
Now and Then, Here and Now
Studios: AIC
Episodes: 13
Aired: Fall 1999
Erased
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2016
Death Parade
Studios: Madhouse
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2015
1. Grave of the Fireflies
Studios: Studio Ghibli
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Spring 1988
Grave of the Fireflies is my last but not the least, sad anime recommendation that depicts the struggles and perseverance of the human spirit in the nightmare that is war. Grave of the Fireflies is beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying.
Summary
On the final days of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his four-year-old sister Setsuko are orphaned after their mother is killed during an air-raid by American forces in Kobe, Japan. After having a falling-out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency funds and rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko must struggle to survive their hardships as well as those of their country, which is on the losing end of the war.
Grave of the Fireflies gives you a lot to think about. It’s a film that is very antiwar showing the true effect that war has on the innocent vulnerable bystanders such as women and children.
So get ready for those feels, tears, memorable, meaningful, captivating and educational moments. And characters that resonate with you for a long time.
When I say action, I mean ACTION! Maybe it’s human beings’ need to pursue something greater than ourselves or to be much stronger, action anime offers something that brings us closer to our fantasy with sometimes illogical action sequences, the fate of the world, nation, city, or just the protagonist in the balance.
Hello, fellow anime fans and lovers to the top 25 best action anime of all time for action fans.
Action anime is about conflict, thrilling confrontations, car chases, and epic battles. It’s heart-pumping action, nail-biting suspense, trigger happy characters, and a love to hate or hate to love the villain.
You asked and we delivered. A list focused on action, explosions, eye-candy visuals, the intensity of the plot, characters, battles, or stunts that should bring you a lot of hype and excitement.
So let’s get started;
25. Kill la Kill
Episodes 24 + OVA| Aired Fall 2013 | Produced by Trigger
From the creators of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann comes, Kill la Kill an anime with epic battles, eye-popping art style, and astonishing moves.
After the murder of her father, Ryuuko Matoi has been wandering the land in search of his killer. Following her only leadโthe missing half of his invention, the Scissor Bladeโshe arrives at the prestigious Honnouji Academy, a high school unlike any other. The academy is ruled by the imposing and cold-hearted student council president Satsuki Kiryuuin alongside her powerful underlings, the Elite Four. In the school’s brutally competitive hierarchy, Satsuki bestows upon those at the top special clothes called “Goku Uniforms,” which grant the wearer unique superhuman abilities.
Thoroughly beaten in a fight against one of the students in uniform, Ryuuko retreats to her razed home where she stumbles across Senketsu, a rare and sentient “Kamui,” or God Clothes. After coming into contact with Ryuuko’s blood, Senketsu awakens, latching onto her and providing her with immense power. Now, armed with Senketsu and the Scissor Blade, Ryuuko makes a stand against the Elite Four, hoping to reach Satsuki and uncover the culprit behind her father’s murder once and for all โMAL
Revenge is the story of the game in Kill la Kill, it starts up with a simple plot but becomes more complex and deeper than it appears with each episode, becoming much more than just an anime filled with fan service and amazing fight scenes.
I have been made a fan of Trigger and I honestly look forward to whatever future creative work they release.
24. Hunter x Hunter (2011) (HxH 2011)
Episodes 148 + OVA| Aired Fall 2011 | Produced by Madhouse
Hunter x Hunter is a well-animated and thought-out anime with plenty of action, with highly anticipated battles.
Hunter x Hunter is set in a world where Hunters exist to perform all manner of dangerous tasks like capturing criminals and bravely searching for lost treasures in uncharted territories. Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss is determined to become the best Hunter possible in hopes of finding his father, who was a Hunter himself and had long ago abandoned his young son. However, Gon soon realizes the path to achieving his goals is far more challenging than he could have ever imagined.
Along the way to becoming an official Hunter, Gon befriends the lively doctor-in-training Leorio, vengeful Kurapika, and rebellious ex-assassin Killua. To attain their own goals and desires, together the four of them take the Hunter Exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death. Throughout their journey, Gon and his friends embark on an adventure that puts them through many hardships and struggles. They will meet a plethora of monsters, creatures, and charactersโall while learning what being a Hunter truly means โMAL
Hunter x Hunter is an amazing action anime with a fantastic story, excellent characters with deep having their own goals and desires some simple while others complex. It’s one of those rear unicorns in the action genre that those a lot of things well. You will be glad you watched it.
23. One Punch Man
Episodes 24 + OVA| Aired Fall 2015 | Produced by Madhouse
One Punch Man is the story of Satima, a hero who is a hero just for fun and the strongest man in his universe that can defeat any opponent with a single punch. Based on Yusuke Murata’s manga remake of ONE’s original webcomic.
The seemingly ordinary and unimpressive Saitama has a rather unique hobby: being a hero. In order to pursue his childhood dream, he trained relentlessly for three yearsโand lost all of his hair in the process. Now, Saitama is incredibly powerful, so much so that no enemy is able to defeat him in battle. In fact, all it takes to defeat evildoers with just one punch has led to an unexpected problemโhe is no longer able to enjoy the thrill of battling and has become quite bored.
This all changes with the arrival of Genos, a 19-year-old cyborg, who wishes to be Saitama’s disciple after seeing what he is capable of. Genos proposes that the two join the Hero Association in order to become certified heroes that will be recognized for their positive contributions to society, and Saitama, shocked that no one knows who he is, quickly agrees. And thus begins the story of One Punch Man, an action-comedy that follows an eccentric individual who longs to fight strong enemies that can hopefully give him the excitement he once felt and just maybe, he’ll become popular in the process โMAL
One Punch Man is quite different from other action anime, as rather than watch our protagonist struggle to become stronger, our hero has already reached his goals.
The series takes this plot and shows us the emptiness that follows achieving a lifelong goal. Showing us the journey to one’s goal is more fulfilling than actually reaching our goal.
22. Terra Fromer (Terraformars)
Episodes 26 + OVA| Aired Fall 2014 | Produced by LINDENFILMS
Terra Formars is a show that is short, violent, and action anime that is simple to understand.
During the 21st century, humanity attempted to colonize Mars by sending two species which could endure the harsh environment of the planet to terraform itโalgae and cockroaches. However, they did not anticipate the species’ remarkable ability to adapt. Now in the 26th century, a lethal disease known as the Alien Engine Virus has arrived on Earth, and the cure is suspected to be found only on Mars. The problem is, Mars in the present is overrun by creatures known as “Terraformars,” incredibly powerful and intelligent humanoid cockroaches that mutated from those originally sent to the planet.
The Annex I team, consisting of a hundred men and women genetically enhanced with characteristics of powerful organisms from earth, has been sent to Mars on a mission to find the cause of the Alien Engine Virus and to help cure humanityโsignalling the start of the crew’s fight for survival โMAL
Terra Formars is an action sci-fi horror anime that deals with humanity fighting insects much like the films and series “Starship Troopers”. Plot-wise it’s not the best cause they try to add so much into it, but for action, it is pretty good.
21. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (Reborn!)
Episodes 203 + OVA| Aired Fall 2006 | Produced by Artland
Katekyo Hitman Reborn is a well-made anime for its comedy and action.
There is no putting it lightlyโTsunayoshi Sawada is just no good. He is clumsy, talentless, and desperately in love with the school idol Kyouko Sasagawa, a girl so completely out of his league. Dubbed “Loser Tsuna” by his classmates, he seems to be the very personification of failure in the guise of a middle-schooler.
Tsuna’s boring life takes an extraordinary twist when he encounters the mysterious Reborn, who happens to be a hitman… and shockingly, a baby! Sent from the strongest Mafia family in Italy, Reborn is assigned the daunting mission of preparing the dull middle schooler to succeed the ninth boss of the notorious Vongola family, who is on the brink of retirement. The dull boy has a gruelling road ahead, but with the help of his new criminal affiliates and his peculiar home tutor, perhaps even Loser Tsuna can achieve greatness โMAL
Katekyo Hitman Reborn’s plot builds up slowly, with the first 20 episodes comedy-heavy. We will watch Tsuna change from being a clumsy weakling, to slowly growing up and becoming more dependable. It’s a show that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
20. Kuro no Keiyakusha (Darker than Black)
Episodes 37 + OVA| Aired Spring 2007 | Produced by Bones
Darker than Black is an anime that takes you on a journey with unique characters and an unusual style of storytelling.
It has been 10 years since Heaven’s Gate appeared in South America and Hell’s Gate appeared in Japan, veiling the once familiar night sky with an oppressive skyscape. Their purposes unknown, these Gates are spaces in which the very laws of physics are ignored. With the appearance of the Gates emerged Contractors, who, in exchange for their humanity, are granted supernatural abilities.
In the Japanese city surrounding Hellโs Gate, Section 4 Chief Misaki Kirihara finds herself at odds with an infamous Contractor codenamed Hei. Called “Black Reaper” in the underground world, Hei, like his associates, undertakes missions for the mysterious and ruthless Syndicate while slowly peeling back the dark layers covering a nefarious plot that threatens the very existence of Contractors.
From the mind of Tensai Okamura comes a sci-fi thriller taking the form of a subtle exposรฉ on a war in which political positions and justice have no swayโa war waged exclusively in the shadows โMAL
If you like shows about people with supernatural powers and action, I think you should watch this series. It’s a show that doesn’t give too much away in the beginning but as the story progresses you can piece the whole plot together. The characters are also brilliantly done especially the contractors that are supposed to be void of human emotions.
19. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Episodes 152 + OVA| Aired Fall 2012 | Produced by David Production
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is an anime that takes you on an adventure. It’s a series that just keeps getting better and better.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure follows the stories of a different generation of the JoJo family, whose members have unique powers that they use to fight supernatural enemies.
Kujo Jotaro is a normal, popular Japanese high-schooler, until he thinks that he is possessed by a spirit, and locks himself in prison. After seeing his grandfather, Joseph Joestar, and fighting Joseph’s friend Muhammad Abdul, Jotaro learns that the “Spirit” is actually Star Platinum, his Stand, or fighting energy given a semi-solid form. Later, his mother gains a Stand, and becomes sick. Jotaro learns that it is because the vampire Dio Brando has been revived 100 years after his defeat to Jonathan Joestar, Jotaro’s great-great-grandfather. Jotaro decides to join Joseph and Abdul in a trip to Egypt to defeat Dio once and for all โMAL
I like the way the story follows a different member of the Joestar family? It’s an anime that lives up to the hype that surrounds it. Though it’s an anime that requires a bit of getting used to, it sometimes doesn’t take itself seriously but when it does, it keeps you at the edge of your seat.
18. Naruto/Naruto: Shippuden
Episodes 720 + OVA| Aired Fall 2002 | Produced by Studio Pierrot
Naruto/Naruto: Shippuden is one of the longest-running and most famous international shounen. That has a special place in most anime enthusiasts.
Moments prior to Naruto Uzumaki’s birth, a huge demon known as the Kyuubi, the Nine-Tailed Fox, attacked Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, and wreaked havoc. In order to put an end to the Kyuubi’s rampage, the leader of the village, the Fourth Hokage, sacrificed his life and sealed the monstrous beast inside the newborn Naruto.
Now, Naruto is a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja still living in Konohagakure. Shunned because of the Kyuubi inside him, Naruto struggles to find his place in the village, while his burning desire to become the Hokage of Konohagakure leads him not only to some great new friends, but also some deadly foes โMAL
Naruto/Naruto: Shippuden is an anime with a lot of characters, and there is one you will feel you can relate to and you will cheer on for as the story progresses. And this feels like where the anime shines the most the ability to make us feel for certain characters. And all the while it takes us on an adrenaline-filled journey.
17. Megalo Box (MEGALOBOX)
Episodes 13| Aired Spring 2018 | Produced by TMS Entertainment
If you are a Rocky and Ashita no Joe fan, you will love Megalo Box a sports action anime that’s violent and entertaining with a futuristic setting.
“To be quiet and do as you’re told, that’s the cowardly choice.” These are the words of Junk Dog, an underground fighter of Megalo Box, an evolution of boxing that utilizes mechanical limbs known as Gear to enhance the speed and power of its users. Despite the young man’s brimming potential as a boxer, the illegal nature of his participation forces him to make a living off of throwing matches as dictated by his boss Gansaku Nanbu. However, this all changes when the Megalo Box champion Yuuri enters his shabby ring under the guise of just another challenger. Taken out in a single round, Junk Dog is left with a challenge: “If you’re serious about fighting me again, then fight your way up to me and my ring.”
Filled with overwhelming excitement and backed by the criminal syndicate responsible for his thrown matches, Junk Dog enters Megalonia: a world-spanning tournament that will decide the strongest Megalo Boxer of them all. Having no name of his own, he takes on the moniker of “Joe” as he begins his climb from the very bottom of the ranked list of fighters. With only three months left to qualify, Joe must face off against opponents the likes of which he has never fought in order to meet the challenge of his rival โMAL
Megalo Box is a great anime that asks a big question of how much pain, time, and energy one is willing to give and endure while chasing their dreams. And that resonates with me a lot.
16. Deadman Wonderland
Episodes 12 + OVA| Aired Spring 2011 | Produced by Manglobe
Deadman Wonderland was one of those shows that had everyone who saw it wanting more.
It looked like it would be a normal day for Ganta Igarashi and his classmatesโthey were preparing to go on a class field trip to a certain prison amusement park called Deadman Wonderland, where the convicts perform dangerous acts for the onlookers’ amusement. However, Ganta’s life is quickly turned upside down when his whole class gets massacred by a mysterious man in red. Framed for the incident and sentenced to death, Ganta is sent to the very jail he was supposed to visit.
But Ganta’s nightmare is only just beginning.
The young protagonist is thrown into a world of sadistic inmates and enigmatic powers, to live in constant fear of the lethal collar placed around his neck that is slowed only by winning in the prison’s deathly games. Ganta must bet his life to survive in a ruthless place where it isn’t always easy to tell friend from foe, all while trying to find the mysterious “Red Man” and clear his name, in Deadman Wonderland โMAL
Deadman Wonderland is a well-written engaging anime with plenty of horrifying scenes, deaths, and amazing visuals.
It’s one of those animes that made me take an interest in the manga, wanting to find out the secrets that lie beneath Deadman Wonderland when I finished watching the anime.
15.Psycho-Pass
Episodes 41| Aired Fall 2012 | Produced by Production I.G
Psycho-pass takes place in a futuristic setting, with interesting characters and weapons, where you are constantly being monitored.
Justice, and the enforcement of it, has changed. In the 22nd century, Japan enforces the Sibyl System, an objective means of determining the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors uphold the law by subjugating, often with lethal force, anyone harbouring the slightest ill-will; alongside them are Enforcers, jaded Inspectors that have become latent criminals, granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the Inspectors’ dirty work.
Into this world steps Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with an honest desire to uphold justice. However, as she works alongside veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she soon learns that the Sibyl System’s judgments are not as perfect as her fellow Inspectors assume. With everything she has known turned on its head, Akane wrestles with the question of what justice truly is, and whether it can be upheld through the use of a system that may already be corrupt โMAL
Psycho-Pass is an amazing action anime that shouldn’t be missed. It’s thought-provoking showing how sanity does not always equal morality.
14. Black Lagoon
Episodes 24 + OVA| Aired Spring 2006 | Produced by Madhouse
Black Lagoon is an action anime with a lot of mayhem featuring modern-day pirates, outrageously amazing action scenes, and interesting characters.
Within Thailand is Roanapur, a depraved, crime-ridden city where not even the authorities or churches are untouched by the claws of corruption. A haven for convicts and degenerates alike, the city is notorious for being the centre of illegal activities and operations, often fueled by local crime syndicates.
Enter Rokurou Okajima, an average Japanese businessman who has been living a dull and monotonous life, when he finally gets his chance for a change of pace with a delivery trip to Southeast Asia. His business trip swiftly goes downhill as Rokurou is captured by a mercenary group operating in Roanapur, called Black Lagoon. The group plans to use him as a bargaining chip in negotiations which ultimately failed. Now abandoned and betrayed by his former employer, Rokurou decides to join Black Lagoon. In order to survive, he must quickly adapt to his new environment and prepare himself for the bloodshed and tribulation to come.
A non-stop, high-octane thriller, Black Lagoon delves into the depths of human morality and virtue. Witness Rokurou struggling to keep his values and philosophies intact as he slowly transforms from businessman to ruthless mercenary โMAL
Black Lagoon is an amazing anime that can’t be mentioned without our trigger-happy Revy, who truly helps bring the series together.
It’s a story with a lot of ups and downs that tries to tackle themes like existentialism -what are we here for? what’s our purpose? and morality – what is wrong or right?
Plus it has gun-wielding nuns, sociopath maids, and the awesome Revy.
13. Vinland Saga
Episodes 24| Aired Summer 2019 | Produced by Wit Studio
If you ever wondered what watching an angry Sasuke after he left the hidden Leaf village would be like, I give you Vinland Saga.
Young Thorfinn grew up listening to the stories of old sailors that had travelled the ocean and reached the place of legend, Vinland. It’s said to be warm and fertile, a place where there would be no need for fightingโnot at all like the frozen village in Iceland where he was born, and certainly not like his current life as a mercenary. War is his home now. Though his father once told him, “You have no enemies, nobody does. There is nobody who it’s okay to hurt,” as he grew, Thorfinn knew that nothing was further from the truth.
The war between England and the Danes grows worse with each passing year. Death has become commonplace, and the Viking mercenaries are loving every moment of it. Allying with either side will cause a massive swing in the balance of power, and the Vikings are happy to make names for themselves and take any spoils they earn along the way. Among the chaos, Thorfinn must take his revenge and kill the man who murdered his father, Askeladd. The only paradise for the Vikings, it seems, is the era of war and death that rages on โMAL
Vinland Saga is the Berserk Adaptation we deserved. With stunning artwork, consistent and solid animation, and characters you will connect with. It’s one of the best anime of 2019.
12. Samurai Champloo
Episodes 26| Aired Spring 2004 | Produced by Manglobe
Samurai Champloo is one of the most unconventional, thrilling action anime about samurai.
Fuu Kasumi is a young and clumsy waitress who spends her days peacefully working in a small teahouse. That is, until she accidentally spills a drink all over one of her customers! With a group of samurai now incessantly harassing her, Fuu desperately calls upon another samurai in the shop, Mugen, who quickly defeats them with his wild fighting technique, utilizing movements reminiscent to that of breakdancing. Unfortunately, Mugen decides to pick a fight with the unwilling ronin Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional style of sword fighting, and the latter proves to be a formidable opponent. The only problem is, they end up destroying the entire shop as well as accidentally killing the local magistrate’s son.
For their crime, the two samurai are captured and set to be executed. However, they are rescued by Fuu, who hires the duo as her bodyguards. Though she no longer has a place to return to, the former waitress wishes to find a certain samurai who smells of sunflowers and enlists the help of the now exonerated pair to do so. Despite initially disapproving of this idea, the two eventually agree to assist the girl in her quest; thus, the trio embarks upon an adventure to find this mysterious warriorโthat is, if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from killing each other.
Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, Samurai Champloo follows the journey of these three eccentric individuals in an epic quest full of action, comedy, and dynamic sword fighting, all set to the beat of a unique hip-hop infused soundtrack โMAL
It’s a series that takes the usual “power of love and friendship” plot most animes takes and throws it out the window.
Throwing a trio of mismatched characters together and forming an unlikely team, we will all be sad to see part ways at the end of their journey together. I’m still hoping for a second season.
11. Tokyo Ghoul
Episodes 48 + OVA| Aired Summer 2014 | Produced by Studio Pierrot
Tokyo Ghoul is an anime I looked forward to watching after reading the plot, I immediately started reading the manga.
Tokyo has become a cruel and merciless cityโa place where vicious creatures called โghoulsโ exist alongside humans. The citizens of this once great metropolis live in constant fear of these bloodthirsty savages and their thirst for human flesh. However, the greatest threat these ghouls pose is their dangerous ability to masquerade as humans and blend in with society.
Based on the best-selling supernatural horror manga by Sui Ishida, Tokyo Ghoul follows Ken Kaneki, a shy, bookish college student, who is instantly drawn to Rize Kamishiro, an avid reader like himself. However, Rize is not exactly who she seems, and this unfortunate meeting pushes Kaneki into the dark depths of the ghouls’ inhuman world. In a twist of fate, Kaneki is saved by the enigmatic waitress Touka Kirishima, and thus begins his new, secret life as a half-ghoul/half-human who must find a way to integrate into both societies โMAL
Tokyo Ghoul was quite enjoyable even though I felt there was room for more improvement. It’s an anime that’s not for everyone either being a swing or a miss.
Honorable Mentions
Bleach
https://youtu.be/SKxGokQWQ3c
BTOOOM!
Dimension W
Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)
https://youtu.be/bcG5ZkGB-XI
Akame ga Kill!
Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions)
10. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (Gurren Lagann)
Episodes 27| Aired Spring 2007 | Produced by Gainax
Gurren Lagann is a popular action anime that pushed the boundaries of action anime and is an anime that has a special place in everyone’s heart that has seen this anime.
Simon and Kamina were born and raised in a deep, underground village, hidden from the fabled surface. Kamina is a free-spirited loose cannon bent on making a name for himself, while Simon is a timid young boy with no real aspirations. One day while excavating the earth, Simon stumbles upon a mysterious object that turns out to be the ignition key to an ancient artefact of war, which the duo dubs Lagann. Using their new weapon, Simon and Kamina fend off a surprise attack from the surface with the help of Yoko Littner, a hot-blooded redhead wielding a massive gun who wanders the world above.
In the aftermath of the battle, the sky is now in plain view, prompting Simon and Kamina to set off on a journey alongside Yoko to explore the wastelands of the surface. Soon, they join the fight against the “Beastmen,” humanoid creatures that terrorize the remnants of humanity in powerful robots called “Gunmen.” Although they face some challenges and setbacks, the trio bravely fights these new enemies alongside other survivors to reclaim the surface, while slowly unravelling a galaxy-sized mystery โMAL
Gurren Lagann is a classic, vibrant, heroic, and outspoken anime. That’s an absolutely must-watch.
9. Mob Psycho 100
Episodes 25 + OVA| Aired Summer 2016 | Produced by Bones
From ONE the creator of One Punch Man comes another fascinating anime Mob Psycho 100.
Eighth-grader Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama has tapped into his inner wellspring of psychic prowess at a young age. But the power quickly proves to be a liability when he realizes the potential danger in his skills. Choosing to suppress his power, Mob’s only present use for his ability is to impress his longtime crush, Tsubomi, who soon grows bored of the same tricks.
In order to effectuate control on his skills, Mob enlists himself under the wing of Arataka Reigen, a con artist claiming to be a psychic, who exploits Mob’s powers for pocket change. Now, exorcising evil spirits on command has become a part of Mob’s daily, monotonous life. However, the psychic energy he exerts is barely the tip of the iceberg; if his vast potential and unrestrained emotions run berserk, a cataclysmic event that would render him completely unrecognizable will be triggered. The progression toward Mob’s explosion is rising and attempting to stop it is futile โMAL
Mob Psycho 100 is a one-of-a-kind series from its unique art style, well-developed characters that are very relatable, to the out-of-this-world actions scenes.
It is a true gem, that proves the saying “never judge a book by its cover” or in this case art style. A definite must-watch for an action lover’s time.
8. Afro Samurai
Episodes 6| Aired Spring 2007 | Produced by Gonzo
Afro Samurai is an anime about revenge and katanas, filled with a lot of action right off from the beginning of the story.
When he was a young boy, Afro witnessed his father be cut down in a duel at the hands of a man known only as Justice. After taking the life of Afro’s father, Justice cast aside his Number Two headband and took the Number One to claim its godly powers as his own.
Years later, having obtained the Number Two headband which grants him the right to challenge the Number One, Afro moves forward in his hunt for revenge on the man who murdered his father. There is just one thing that stands in his wayโeveryone else in the world! Though the Number One can only be challenged by the Number Two, the Number Two can be challenged by anyone. As his enemies gather to try and take the title of Number Two, Afro must fight through a myriad of foes and obstacles if he hopes to reach the Number One and claim vengeance once and for all โMAL
Afro Samurai is 5 episodes but I made it 6 cause of the movie, which I’m 80% sure you will want to see if you watch the series.
7. One Piece
Episodes 912+ | Aired Fall 1999 | Produced by Toei Animation
One piece is one of the most popular action anime series from its first air to date and still growing strong.
Gol D. Roger was known as the “Pirate King,” the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and execution of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the existence of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Pieceโwhich promises an unlimited amount of riches and fameโand quite possibly the pinnacle of glory and the title of the Pirate King.
Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy who defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate ransacking villages for fun, Luffyโs reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder: the thought of an exciting adventure that leads him to intriguing people and ultimately, the promised treasure. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach the most coveted of all fortunesโOne Piece โMAL
One Piece is an anime with a lot to offer from supernatural powers, amazing fights scenes, well-developed and lovable characters, and voyages to new and exciting places.
It’s an anime that ticks a lot of people’s boxes on what they want in an action anime.
6. Stranger: Mukou Hadan (Sword of the Stranger)
Episodes 1| Aired September 2007 | Produced by Bones
Sword of the Stranger is a great movie with a lot of amazing action scenes.
In the Sengoku period of Japan, a young orphan named Kotarou and his dog Tobimaru steals from unsuspecting villagers in order to make ends meet. However, Kotarou is forced to remain on the run when he finds himself being hunted down by assassins sent by China’s Ming Dynasty for mysterious reasons not involving his petty crimes.
Fortunately, the duo runs into Nanashi, a ronin who has taken refuge in a small temple, when Kotarou is attacked and Tobimaru poisoned. Although the samurai saves the helpless pair from their pursuers, he feels that there is no need to help them further; but when offered a gem in exchange for his services as a bodyguard, he reluctantly accepts Kotarou’s offer of employmentโjust until Tobimaru is healed and the two reach their destination. As the three set out on a perilous journey, it soon becomes evident that their path is riddled with danger, as the Ming Dynasty has now sent a terrifying swordsman after them to capture Kotarou and fulfil a certain prophecy โMAL
If you love historical settings that’s another reason to give Sword of the Stranger a chance.
It won’t disappoint with its relatable characters, amazing action sequences, beautiful art style, and just the brotherly love that is shown between the two main characters as the story progresses.
5. Dragon Ball Z
Episodes 291| Aired Spring 1989 | Produced by Toei Animation
Dragon Ball Z is like a fine wine that only seems to get better with the years.
Five years after winning the World Martial Arts tournament, Gokuu is now living a peaceful life with his wife and son. This changes, however, with the arrival of a mysterious enemy named Raditz who presents himself as Gokuu’s long-lost brother. He reveals that Gokuu is a warrior from the once powerful but now virtually extinct Saiyan race, whose homeworld was completely annihilated. When he was sent to Earth as a baby, Gokuu’s sole purpose was to conquer and destroy the planet; but after suffering amnesia from a head injury, his violent and savage nature changed, and instead was raised as a kind and well-mannered boy, now fighting to protect others.
With his failed attempt at forcibly recruiting Gokuu as an ally, Raditz warns Gokuu’s friends of a new threat that’s rapidly approaching Earthโone that could plunge Earth into an intergalactic conflict and cause the heavens themselves to shake. A war will be fought over the seven mystical dragon balls, and only the strongest will survive in Dragon Ball Z โMAL
Dragon Ball Z is one of the anime series that helped spread the love of anime around the world.
It’s thrilling, pulse-pounding, and delightful to watch.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Episodes 64 + OVA| Aired Spring 2009 | Produced by Bones
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime with an amazing plot, engaging action, lovable characters, comedy, drama, and beautiful music.
“In order for something to be obtained, something of equal value must be lost.”
Alchemy is bound by this Law of Equivalent Exchangeโsomething the young brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric only realize after attempting human transmutation: the one forbidden act of alchemy. They pay a terrible price for their transgressionโEdward loses his left leg, Alphonse his physical body. It is only by the desperate sacrifice of Edward’s right arm that he is able to affix Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armour. Devastated and alone, it is the hope that they would both eventually return to their original bodies that give Edward the inspiration to obtain metal limbs called “automail” and become a state alchemist, the Fullmetal Alchemist.
Three years of searching later, the brothers seek the Philosopher’s Stone, a mythical relic that allows an alchemist to overcome the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Even with military allies Colonel Roy Mustang, Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, and Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes on their side, the brothers find themselves caught up in a nationwide conspiracy that leads them not only to the true nature of the elusive Philosopher’s Stone but their country’s murky history as well. In between finding a serial killer and racing against time, Edward and Alphonse must ask themselves if what they are doing will make them human again… or take away their humanity โMAL
ย A must-watch anime series for anime fans alike. I like how it showed how as humans how far we are willing to go for the ones we love.
3. Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
Episodes 59 + OVA| Aired Spring 2013 | Produced by Wit Studio
Attack On Titan is an extremely action-packed story with cliffhangers, amazing characters, and interesting battle equipment.
Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations.
After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Based on Hajime Isayama’s award-winning manga, Shingeki no Kyojin follows Eren, along with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and his childhood friend Armin Arlert, as they join the brutal war against the titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached โMAL
It’s one of the best anime series of its year. With amazing visuals and soundtracks. It is an anime that questions the morality of humans and our resilience.
2. Kenpuu Denki Berserk (Berserk)
Episodes 49| Aired Fall 1997 | Produced by OLM /Millepensee, GEMBA
The story centers on Guts, a lone mercenary, and Griffiths, a leader of the mercenary band -Band of the Hawk. You think Sasuke and Naruto rivalry was something, Griffith and Guts take it to a whole new level.ย
Born from the corpse of his mother, a young mercenary known only as Guts, embraces the battlefield as his only means of survival. Day in and day out, putting his life on the line just to make enough to get by, he moves from one bloodshed to the next.
After a run-in with the Band of the Hawk, a formidable troop of mercenaries, Guts is recruited by their charismatic leader Griffith, nicknamed the “White Hawk.” As he quickly climbed the ranks in order to become the head of the offensive faction, Guts proves to be a mighty addition to Griffith’s force, taking Midland by storm. However, while the band’s quest for recognition continues, Guts slowly realizes that the world is not as black-and-white as he once assumed.
Set in the medieval era, Kenpuu Denki Berserk is a dark, gritty tale that follows one man’s struggle to find his own path, while supporting another’s lust for power, and the unimaginable tragedy that begins to turn the wheels of fate โMAL
It’s a series that is based on realism, at least when we look at human nature. Showing the good and evil, we humans are capable of and how society has become and so much more.
1. Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academia)
Episodes 88 + OVA| Aired Spring 2016 | Produced by Bones
My Hero Academia has been praised as one of the newest big three of its time.
The appearance of “quirks,” newly discovered superpowers, has been steadily increasing over the years, with 80 per cent of humanity possessing various abilities from manipulation of elements to shapeshifting. This leaves the remainder of the world completely powerless, and Izuku Midoriya is one such individual.
Since he was a child, the ambitious middle schooler has wanted nothing more than to be a hero. Izuku’s unfair fate leaves him admiring heroes and taking notes on them whenever he can. But it seems that his persistence has borne some fruit: Izuku meets the number one hero and his personal idol, All Might. All Might’s quirk is a unique ability that can be inherited, and he has chosen Izuku to be his successor!
Enduring many months of gruelling training, Izuku enrols in UA High, a prestigious high school famous for its excellent hero training program, and this year’s freshmen look especially promising. With his bizarre but talented classmates and the looming threat of a villainous organization, Izuku will soon learn what it really means to be a hero โMAL
It’s a superhero genre that has been done right, very realistic with lovable and relatable characters. Showing how hard work and skill go hand-in-hand with being good at something.
So that’s all amazing guys and gals, hope you loved my recommendations if you have an anime you think deserves to be on this list, hit me up in the comment section below I would love to hear from you.
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with Inuyasha. It was the first manga and anime that I was introduced to. Naturally, I quickly devoured the show and even now, years later, I still watch it regularly. It’s a go-to when I’m feeling down or need to relax.
Here are just a few of the funniest Inuyasha moments!
Funny Inuyasha Moments
9. Inuyasha sure does love his ramen
Heaven forbid someone tries to get in between him and his ramen. He also really loves potato chips. Not that I can blame him. I’m a fan as well.
8. I almost spit out my drink
Most fans of the show can agree that the banter being Shippo and Inuyasha made for some of the best moments! Would you agree?
7. How do you not know what an anime is?
YOU are IN an anime! How could our adorable Inuyasha not know what an anime is?
