TOP RATED ANIME: MUST WATCH LIST

The highest rated anime series [UPDATED 2023]

In recent times, the audience has shown an increasing interest for the Japanese animated series, also referred as Anime, with the term that has acquired a more global connotation. We want to collect in this article, the list of the top rated anime series that a anime-fan or even newcomers of the genre must watch. No spoilers to come in our must watch list of the highest rated anime series. In case your’re looking for the best selling manga, you can read this article instead.

MUST WATCH LIST OF TOP RATED ANIMES – BEST 20 ANIME CHART

  1. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood (95/100)

    Plot: The series follows the story of two alchemist brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood is the perfect recipe for an anime series: the perfect mix of shonen and seinen moments in the narrative archs makes the storyplot almost unequal. Amazing battles, sublime soundtracks and a clver scripts are the fundamentals for a valuable work. We have written a complete guide review about Full Metal Alchemist at this link.fullmetal-alchemist best anime ever

  2. Neon Genesis Evangelion (95/100)

    Plot: Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely considered one of the most influential anime created in the 1990’s, if not of all time. It is extremely well known for it’s brave attempts to turn the mecha genre on it’s head, it’s deep character development, and it’s unorthodox storyline. Created by acclaimed studio Gainax, and written by both praised (and sometimes hated) writer Hideaki Anno, Evangelion has been called a masterpiece by anime fans. Evangelion story is set in 2015: humanity’s last hope lies in the hands of Nerv, a special agency under the United Nations, and their Evangelions, giant machines capable of defeating the Angels who herald Earth’s ruin. Gendou Ikari, head of the organization, seeks compatible pilots who can synchronize with the Evangelions and realize their true potential.

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  3. Hunter x Hunter – 2011 – (91/100)

    Plot: Hunter x Hunter is about a young boy, Gon, who embarks on a journey to find his father. After learning that his father left him at a young age to become a Hunter, Gon decides to follow in his footsteps not only to find him, but also to see what was so special about the profession that made his father choose it over him. Although a story of finding one’s father is simple, it is the path that is taken towards this end that makes the series truly special. HxH is made up of several arcs that are all extremely well-written, which brings me to the best part of the series, the writing. Hunter x Hunter (2011) boasts one of the finest writing in the world of shonen; the depth and flow of the story, enthralling characterizations, strong dialogue and impressive world-building are all crafted into a fascinating tale that can absorb viewers into lengthy marathons.hunter-x-hunter-best-rated-anime

  4. Your Name (90.75/100)

    Plot: The 2016 worldwide success of Makoto Shinkai. In a world dominated by stupid sequels and remakes this anime filmt restores hope in today’s entertainment. Not only it is emotional and feels real, it delivers a relevant message. Superb the imagination and palette but we also appreciate that it aims to remind us the social issues that we should be paying attention to. Your Name tells the story of Taki and Mitsuha, who under special circumstances experience body-shifting. A unique relation develops between the two teenagers whose minds become closer day by day.your name best anime 2016

  5. Steins; Gate and Steins;Gate 0 (88.75/100)

    Plot: Our top rated anime series is Steins; Gate (a must watch anime together with the sequel/midquel Steins; Gate 0). It is probably the best anime about time travel so far. The series takes 5-6 episodes to take-off but once there you’ll not be able to stuck from it. Okabe Rintarou, a university student who refers to himself as Crazy Mad Scientist Hououin Kyouma and his lab’s members work on a microwave device that can transfer messages to the past. Without getting captured, they should get it working in order to beat the evil organization, SERN and stop their evil plans. In this anime series you can find science, sad moments and light heart scenes in a mix which make the Steins; Gate universe an essential series for fans. The series is so comlex and well organised that we bet you’ll need to rewatch it. We have also prepared a timeline explanation in this article (Steins; Gate timeline explained) best anime to watch steins gate

  6. Cowboy Bebop (88.5/100)

    Plot: The story is set in a space western setting (year 2071). We follow two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, who own a ship called the Bebop. They travel the Solar system, chasing wanted criminals to earn money. Along the way, they also pick up two women; the debt-laden Faye Valentine and the playful kid and computer genius Edward. Cowboy Bebop constitutes a break for the anime industry. Its episodic structure and its unique soundracks quality lift Cowboy Bebop to our contemporary area, where the fragile psychology of the characters is exhibited to the audience.cowboy-bebop-anime-series-plot

  7. Attack on Titan season 1-3 ( 88/100)

    Plot: While the final season is currently on air (Aot season 4) and previous 3 season of Attack on Titan are for sure to retrieve. In fact, Attack on Titan anime is one of the most acclaimed of recent times. The first 3 season have been developed by Studio Wit while the final season is produced by MAPPA Studio. Attack on Titan is set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls that protect them from gigantic man-eating humanoids referred to as Titans; the story follows Eren Yeager, who vows to exterminate the Titans after a Titan brings about the destruction of his hometown and the death of his mother. This is only the incipt of the plot, since Aot is well known for deep plot twists and keeping the spectator stuck to the screen till the very end. Even after season 3 a lot of mysteries have to be discovered. You can find our philosophy insight here (The philosophy behind Attack on Titan)Attack on Titan os one of the most famous anime series

  8. Death Note ( 88/100)

    Plot: In our must watch list of the top rated anime series we couldn’t miss a true classic as Death Note. We cannot add nothing to one of the most famous contemporary animes. What’s this anime about? Let’s see what happens if a teen genius (Light Yagami) stumbles across a mysterious otherworldly notebook: the “Death Note“, which belonged to the Shinigami Ryuk and grants the user the supernatural ability to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages… We wrote two articles about Death Note to cover this anime: Death Note explained analysis and Death Note: Light vs L. Death Note is a must watch anime

  9. Weathering with you (88/100)

    Plot: The masterpiece of Makoto Shinkai is the story of a high-school boy who runs away from his rural home to Tokyo and befriends an orphan girl who has the ability to manipulate the weather. The film was produced by Wakana Okamura and Kinue Itō, and the music was composed by Radwimps. The animed film (it’s not an anime series) comes after the worldwide success of Your Name. You can check the review of weathering with you here. Weathering with you anime film to watch

  10. The Promised Neverland ( 88/100)

    Plot: Don’t be fooled by the childish appearance of the characters, The Promised Neverland will keep the audience crushed by the thrilling atmosphere of the Grace Field House, an orphanage. An idyllic, apparently perfect place for the orphans where to grow and spend their lifes, waiting for family adoption. The pleasant appeareance barely resists 20 mins of episode 1, when the true nature of the orphanage is revealed. The Grace Field House, directed by the caretaker “Mama” Isabella is literally a farm for raising up the children. Emma, Ray and Norman, three orphans, will make up an escape plan full of twists. See also: The Promised Neverland review: why is the best anime of 2019.

    Update: This review is referred to The Promised Neverland season 1, if you want to know what of what we think about the (shameful) second season aired in 2021, see our post: why The Promised Neverland 2 is a disaster.The promised neverland is worth wathing

  11. Demon Slayer ( 88/100)

    Plot: Demon Slayer is a 2019 shonen anime which has revently raised the interest of anime fans. The storyplot follows Tanjiro Kamado and his sister Nezuko Kamado as they seek a cure to Nezuko’s demon curse. Tanjiro and Nezuko become entangled in the affairs of a secret society, known as the Demon Slayer Corps, that have been waging a secret war against demons for centuries.demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-top-rated anime

  12. Jujutsu Kaisen ( 88/100)

    Plot: Jujutsu Kaisen has got the one of the best IMDb for the year with 8.8/10 and got 8.771 Score in MyAnimeList.net.

    Idly indulging in baseless paranormal activities with the Occult Club, high schooler Yuuji Itadori spends his days at either the clubroom or the hospital, where he visits his bedridden grandfather. However, this leisurely lifestyle soon takes a turn for the strange when he unknowingly encounters a cursed item. Triggering a chain of supernatural occurrences, Yuuji finds himself suddenly thrust into the world of Curses—dreadful beings formed from human malice and negativity—after swallowing the said item, revealed to be a finger belonging to the demon Sukuna Ryoumen, the “King of Curses.”

    Yuuji experiences first-hand the threat these Curses pose to society as he discovers his own newfound powers. Introduced to the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, he begins to walk down a path from which he cannot return—the path of a Jujutsu sorcerer.jujutsu kaisen anime highest rated

  13. Violet Evergarden ( 88/100)

    Plot: This anime series is pure emotion and armony. The story is focused on a young girl, Violet Evergarden, whose capabilities as soldier have been exploited in field battles. Now, Violet is reintegrating back into society after the war is over andher life’s purpose is to understand the last words her mentor and guardian, Major Gilbert, had told her: “I love you. If have already watched Violet Evergarden, enjoy our analysis review Violet Evergarden, is it possible to learn emotions?Violet Evergarden review

  14. Made in Abyss ( 87.5/100)

    Plot:  Don’t be fooled by the graphic design of the characters which may recall a children anime. The story centers around a young girl (Riko) that enters the abyss with the specific goal to find her mother and is accompanied by human-like robot (Reg) that also looks like a kid and was coming from the Abyss. What is the Abyss? It is an enourmous hole on the Earth from where the Cave Raiders hunt for special relics. The Abyss as a dangerous and particular environment inhabitated by strange creatures. On the retirning way, the human visitors of the Abyss are subjected to the so-called “Curse of the Abyss”. The deeper one goes, the more acute the effects of the curse manifest. There is a lot of mental and physical pain put on the characters and we always have to remind ourselves that these two behave like and are children. The show underlines the psychological and physical strength of the character of Made in Abyss. A film and a season 2 of Made in Abyss is schedule for 2021-2022.

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  15. Erased ( 87.5/100)

    Plot:  The anime consist of 12 episodes focusing on  Satoru Fujinuma, who possesses an ability known as “Revival” that sends him back in time moments before a life-threatening incident, enabling him to prevent it from happening again. Someone like to compare Erased to Steins Gate because it involves some time traveling. Other people wondered about the mystery and crime genre and compared it to Death Note. This anime is neither of them. It doesn’t revolve around time traveling as the main idea or the plot of the story. Also, it doesn’t involve that much darkness and crime twist as Death Note. It is about loneliness and friendship, courage and hesitation, evil and good, family and abuse; It is about a lot. The anime series experiences a progression since the very beginning that will never bore the audience with its excellent sounds and character background. erased-anime-review

  16. Death Parade ( 87.5/100)

    Plot: Death Parade gives an alternative view of the after-death. Let’s consider to find yourself to face a bartender in a moder European bar which will define your destiny: heaven or hell. Of course, you don’t remember that you just died. The view of Death Parade will give you another perspective of the “Memento Mori” (Death Parade: the bar game to reveal soul destiny). Death Parade is a good anime

  17. Parasyte – The Maxim ( 86.5/100)

    Plot: Based on the award winning manga series written by Iwaaki Hitoshi, coming from the highly praised Madhouse studio, with all excitement and intense story, Parasyte (Kiseijuu) is another top rated anime series. The story set-up in a realistic world where an unknown organism invaded Earth and take over human bodies. Accidentally, one of that organism is trying to enter into someone’s body, a body of a sleeping boy named Shinichi Izumi, but the organism (Migi) can only take over Shinichi hand only. The incident created a bizarre creature that lives eventually in Shinichi’s right hand. Meanwhile, other organisms that successfully take over a human / animal bodies is starting to attack the Civilians secretly and eat them. With that fact, Shinichi decided to fight other ruthless parasites with Migi’s help.parasyte-kiseijuu-anime-plot-series

  18. Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion ( 87.25/100)

    Plot: After Holy Empire of Britannia attacks and conquers Japan and reduces the once proud nation as an occupied country, Lelouch, an exiled Imperial Prince of Britannia empire, vows to wrestle Japan to its freedom. He encounters a mysterious girl named C.C., who bestows upon him the mystical power of Geass. The complete character cast is investigated on this article. Code Geass is a great anime review which greatly mixes actions, strategy and powerful soundtracks. For more insight about the topics and analysis check Why Lelouch is the real hero of Code Geass. Code Geass is a top rated anime series

  19. Gurren Lagann (85/100)

    Plot: Gurren Lagann is a mechan-anime series animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. The series can be considered as a turning point for the director Hiroyuki Imaishi  and thw playwright Kazuki Nakashima which, later, would have given birth to Kill La Kill (2013) and Promare (2019). The plot focuses on two teenagers, Simon and Kamina, who live in a subterranean village and wish to go to the surface. Gurren Lagann har clear references to another highly rated anime Neon Genesis Evangelion (NGE) which can be considered an important precursor of not only the mecha-centered anime. For more about see: Gurren Lagann, a legacy of NGE .Gurren Lagann analysis best rank anime

  20. Toradora! (85/100)

    Plot: The first romantic-comedy anime of our list. The storyplot focuses on the school adventures of Taiga and Ryuuji. The typical sentimental dynamics of young generations are well captured by Toradora! A must watch for a deep and touching heart series about the most common social interaction problem: the fear of not being understood and beloved. To clarify the ending of Toradora, simply check our article: Toradora: ending and relationship explained.toradora-ending-explained-anime

BEST ANIME TO WATCH – HIGHEST RATED CHART FROM 20 TO 50

  1. Tokyo Revengers (85/100)

    Plot:  Takemichi Hanagaki’s second year of middle school was the highest point in his life. He had respect, a gang of friends he could count on, and even a girlfriend. But that was twelve years ago. Today, he’s a nobody: a washed-up nonentity made fun of by children and always forced to apologize to his younger boss. A sudden news report on the Tokyo Manji Gang’s cruel murder of the only girlfriend he ever had alongside her brother only adds insult to injury. Half a second before a train ends his pitiful life for good, Takemichi flashes back to that same day 12 years ago, when he was still dating Hinata Tachibana. After being forced to relive the very same day that began his downward spiral, Takemichi meets Hinata’s younger brother. Without thinking, he admits to his seeming death before flashing back to the past. Takemichi urges him to protect his sister before inexplicably returning to the future. Miraculously, he is not dead. Stranger still, the future has changed. It seems as though Takemichi can alter the flow of time. Given the chance to prevent his ex-girlfriend’s tragic death at the hands of the Tokyo Manji Gang, Takemichi decides to fly through time to change the course of the future.

    Review: Excellent animation that deals with gangs and emotions. The tale is mind-blowing, with twists and secrets along the road, and this anime will keep viewers glued to their seats for a long time. Personally, I couldn’t leave without viewing the entire season 1 without saying one more episode. I became emotionally attached to the characters, which caused me to cry in several episodes. I am even irritated by some of the characters’ actions, but it is all part of the plot. There will be some sad times while there are pleasurable moments on the verge. This anime was completed on June 5th, 2023. I’ll be on the second one shortly!tokyo-revengers-review-top-anime

  2. Great Pretender (85/100)

    Plot:  A series of unfortunate events has led Makoto “Edamame” Edamura to adopt the life of crime—pickpocketing and scamming others for a living. However, after swindling a seemingly clueless tourist, Makoto discovers that he was the one tricked and, to make matters worse, that the police are now after him. While making his escape, he runs into the tourist once again, who turns out to be a fellow con man named Laurent Thierry, and ends up following him to Los Angeles. In an attempt to defend his self-proclaimed title of “Japan’s Greatest Swindler,” Makoto challenges his rival to determine the better scammer. Accepting the competition, Laurent drops them off outside a huge mansion and claims that their target will be the biggest mafia boss on the West Coast.

    Review: The show is quite good, maybe not exceptional such as The Promised Nerverland, Death Note or Attack on Titan. However, Great Pretender’s use of its characters is comical and convenient. This show will reuse characters that we first see in episode one and make them a recurring feat. From Kudou to Shi-won, there are supporting characters that make a funny reappearance as side characters throughout the show. We wrote a complete review about Great Pretender anime here.Great-pretender

  3. Kill La Kill (84/100)

    Plot: Kill la Kill has a character design very similar to Gurren Lagann. Honnouji Academy is forcefully ruled by the iron-fisted control of its student council and its president, Satsuki Kiryuuin. Transfer student, Ryuuko Matoi, arrives on campus carrying a giant sword, that is actually half of a scissor. She is looking for the woman who holds the other half of her sword who killed her father. The anime inspects philosophical topics exploiting a very dynamic storyplot. Kill la Kill is more than a mere fanservice product, analyzing social problems through the concept of clothing (Kill la Kill review: the deception of clothing)Senketsu Kill La Killanime top

  4. I want to eat your Pancreas (84/100)

    Plot: Haruki comes across a book in a hospital waiting room. He soon discovers that it is a diary kept by his very popular classmate, Sakura, who reveals to him that she is secretly suffering from a fatal pancreatic illness. Despite this, Sakura intends to maintain a normal school life, and thus is drawn to Haruki due to his relatively unfazed reaction to her condition. They begin to spend time together and become friends.i-want-to-eat-your-pancreas-anime-romantic-list

  5. Spy x Family – ranking going higher?

    Plot: Spy x Family is one of the most anticipated anime of 2022. As we reported on our related article The 9 Best selling manga of 2022, Spy x Family was really appreciated by fans before its anime adaptation. The series tells the story of a Spy, Loid forger, who has to quickly arrange a Family for his next mission. Loid adapts a child called Anya, who can hear peoples thoughts. However, just adapting Anya is not enough, as he also needs a wife. Luckily, he finds Yor who agrees to marry him. Little did he know that Yor is an assassin at night. The anime is actually ranking higher than Steins:Gate and Attack on Titan but before giving a final mark we want the first seasons to end (25 episodes expected for the first season). Spy-X-Family-top-rated-anime-episodes

  6. Great Teacher Onizuka (84/100)

    Plot: The story of GTO concerns Eikichi Onizuka, a reformed biker gang leader that strives to be a great teacher and meet chicks. The story of the teacher that reforms delinquents has been done countless times but the story of GTO feels fresh. For one, instead of taking place in a lower class public school district, the students are of a higher class with wealthy parents. And Onizuka doesn’t come from the same privileged and sophisticated background as his students and this provides an interesting comedic dynamic. The story has a few heartfelt moments that’s scattered throughout the show. The only complaint I have the with the story is that it began to feel repetitive near the end with the same “Onizuka wants to turn student’s life around but student hates Onizuka” formula being used over and over again. great-teacher-onizuka-top-anime-plot

  7. Spirited Away (84/100)

    Plot:  10-year-old Chihiro Ogino is less than pleased when she and her parents discover an abandoned amusement park on the way to their new house. Cautiously venturing inside, she realizes that there is more to this place than meets the eye, as strange things begin to happen once dusk falls. Ghostly apparitions and food that turns her parents into pigs are just the start—Chihiro has unwittingly crossed over into the spirit world. Now trapped, she must summon the courage to live and work amongst spirits, with the help of the enigmatic Haku and the cast of unique characters she meets along the way.

    Review: This critically acclaimed film has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award—more commonly known as the “Oscar”—for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003 as well as the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival (alongside Bloody Sunday). It is also among the top 10 in the British Film Institute’s list of the “50 films you should see by the age of 14.”spirited-away-anime-wallpaper

  8. Assassination Classrom (84/100)

    Plot: Having already destroyed the moon, the octopus-like professor—dubbed “Koro-sensei”—has now threatened to destroy the Earth by March of the following year. In light of their mission, the students have found that killing him is easier said than done. Not only can Koro-sensei move at speeds of up to Mach 20, but he can also resist almost every earthly weapon. Ironically, he also proves to be one of the best teachers Class 3-E has ever had. Training the class to excel in both their studies as students and skills as assassins, Koro-sensei is confident that his students’ ingenuity and indomitable will could return them to the main campus.

    Review: Assassination Classroom diverges from the ordinary anime, and transforms norms into a show that is original, unique and creative. Through the central plot, the show is able to merge both assassination and education to develop the cast as a whole, manifest individual growth and exhibit the interlinking bonds of the class. Not only this, but this is a show that truly allows you to learn from its many underlying didactic messages as well, both subtle and explicit. And I certainly recommend everyone to try out Assassination Classroom at some point because this is a show that has shown me both inspiration and motivation.assassination_classroom_best_anime_wallpaper

  9. The Future Diary – Mirai Nikki (84/100)

    Plot: Mirai Nikki (The Future Diary) is a psychological thriller that combines elements of action, mystery, and romance. The story follows the struggles of a reclusive high school student named Yukiteru Amano after he obtains a Future Diary that can predict upcoming events.

    Review: The positive thing about the series, which I loved, is that while watching the series, I always asked questions about what would happen and how it would happen. It builds up tension for me and motivates me to continue watching. The end of the series was good but could have been better. I think there’s a continuation to this series, as when I first watched it, I had a different idea of how it would end than I do now.

    Future Diary anime to watch after Death Note

  10. A Silent Voice (84/100)

    Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voince) won the following awards: Japanese Movie Critics Awards for Best Animation Feature Film in 2016; Japanese Academy Award for Excellent Animation of the Year in 2016; Tokyo Anime Award Festival for Anime of the Year (movie) & Best Screenplay / Original Story (Reiko Yoshida) in 2017; Japan Media Arts Festival for Animation Division – Excellence Award in 2017; Japan Movie Critics Awards for Best Animation of the Year in 2017; and Camera Japan Festival for Feature Film in 2017.

    Plot: As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. He is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school, while teachers turn a blind eye.

    Review: Social anxiety, Suicide, self loath/pity, forgiveness/acceptance, attachment, the desire/difficulty to be connect and most of all the complexity of human communication and emotions – all covered in this Movie as you delve into a journey to unravel a facade to find emotions we all contain and hide from others to void the difficulty of conveying them. We follow a character who closes his mind and refuses not to listen to create his own cynical narrative and in it we learn voice (koe) – or communication – has many shapes and forms (Katachi) and that it’s shallow to think it’s all monotonous.a-silent-voice-romantic-anime

  11. Blue Period (84/100)

    Plot: The show follows a high-school student who’s getting into art and painting, and shows his development as an artist and a human being. If you appreciate art, I think you would enjoy the show.
    Review: Blue Period stands as a remarkable anime that surpasses the boundaries of traditional art-centered narratives. It beautifully intertwines the pursuit of artistic talent with the journey of self-discovery, highlighting the profound impact of understanding oneself on artistic expression. The series has left an indelible impression on me, urging me to delve deeper into my own identity and embrace the artistry within myself. For those seeking a thought-provoking and visually captivating experience, Blue Period is an anime that shouldn’t be missed.blue-period-anime-plot

  12. Vinland Saga (84/100)

    Plot: Young Thorfinn grew up listening to the stories of old sailors that had traveled 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 fighting—not 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.
    Review: For years, Vinland Saga has been proclaimed as a must-read classic manga, and here the anime does it justice. It’s a powerful tale with well-defined, palpable characters all living in a harsh yet beautifully captured world brought to life by rich colours, stellar landscapes and a varied selection of melodies that help convey a specific tone. Presenting the narrative in a different medium where it does falter on occasion, but essentially stays true to the heart of Vinland Saga, even providing original content that compliment the core material with a strong directorial voice and impressive execution. Some may be concerned for where the series can go after such an ending. But let me assure you that Vinland Saga knows what kind of story it’s telling, and it is nothing short of remarkable.vinland-saga-wallpaper

  13. Overlord (84/100)

    Plot: The final hour of the popular virtual reality game Yggdrasil has come. However, Momonga, a powerful wizard and master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to spend his last few moments in the game as the servers begin to shut down. To his surprise, despite the clock having struck midnight, Momonga is still fully conscious as his character and, moreover, the non-player characters appear to have developed personalities of their own!

    Confronted with this abnormal situation, Momonga commands his loyal servants to help him investigate and take control of this new world, with the hopes of figuring out what has caused this development and if there may be others in the same predicament.

    Review: Must-watch if you like isekai. Cringe. But no, seriously, Overlord has an amazing cast of characters which are a real treat to watch, and I can’t recommend Overlord enough, even if you’re not a big fan of isekai or video games.
    The story is great and the main character is an absurdly real depiction of a depressed man who lost his friends and now has to rule NPCs with a sort of gravitas unbecoming of him and the life he lived prior.
    It’s funny, has depth and is an interesting contrast to “I’m so overpowered” anime. If you can read the novel, I absolutely recommend it (it also has spectacular art). The only reason I give this a 9 is because it skips on way too much of the novel. overlord-wallpaper-best-anime

  14. Haikyuu!! (83.5/100)

    Plot: Haikyuu!! is a work that tells the story of “Hinata Shouyou”, a high school student who enters “Karasuno College”, where he joins the Volleyball club with the aim of achieving his goal: To be like the Little Giant (a famous Volleyball player that he, by coincidence, he saw it play in his childhood). Haikyuu!! it is one of the few works of sport that I followed and really liked.

    Review: The story is very good, each match is engaging and unique. It makes you celebrate the victories and feel the defeats as if it were your heart team. The animation is great and fluid, which enhances the movements during games. The characters are fun and their motivations are understandable (which can make the viewer feel represented in a character).
    Therefore, Haikyuu!! is an extremely good Sports Shounen, with an exemplary scene choreography, friendly characters and has a nice story to follow. I recommend it to everyone looking for a school adventure, with the sport theme as a base and with great characters.Haikyu-anime-wallpaper-plot

  15. Noragami and Noragami Aragoto (83.5/100)

    Plot: Lacking both recognition and a shrine, Yato (Kamiya, Hiroshi) is a god down on his luck, forced to take on mundane requests in order to earn his meager offerings. On one of these menial tasks he is rescued from the path of a racing truck by Iki Hiyori (Uchida, Maaya) who subsequently is subjected to inconvenient out of body experiences when her soul leaves her body. After Hiyori requests for Yato to fix her condition they meet Yukine, (Kaji, Yuuki) a wandering spirit who becomes Yato’s divine weapon. The three fight ayakashi and do odd jobs in order for Yato to one day become a recognizable god with both a shrine and followers. Noragami Aragoto (12 episodes) is the sequel season of Noragami (12 episodes).blogging-for-money-anime-blog

  16. Dorohedoro (83.5/100)

    Plot: The world of Dorohedoro is one of the rarest and most original ever seen. It’s violent, dark, confusing, with many strange things in it, without falling into the typical. Dorohedoro takes place in a post apocalyptic future where class differences are at the forefront. There are two kinds of people: Magic users and the others. While magic users live in a better world, the people who can’t use magic live in a place called ‘Hole‘ and only magic users can travel between two worlds. A second season of Dorohedoro is expected for renewal by Netflix in 2021-2022.dorohedoro-anime-netflix-original

  17. Deviman Crybaby (83.5/100)

    Plot: Devilman Crybaby is a 2018 Japanese anime series based on Go Nagai’s manga series Devilman. DevilMan Crybaby is considered one of the best anime netflix original released. The plot of Devilman Crybaby focuses on Akira Fudo, a weak and unassuming teenagers who is exposed by his childhood friend Ryo Asuka to the exixtence of the demons. In a reckless attempt to save his best friend, Akira unwittingly merges with the devil Amon and becomes a Devilman, gaining an immense power. Devilman Crybaby offers a pessimistic view of the world governed by chaos and purseud by the violence of the humans. For more readings about animes Netflix original which deserve a watch check this article: the best 7 anime Netflix original to watch. top-anime-evangelion-series

  18. Psycho-Pass (83/100)

    Plot: In the list of our top rated anime series, a Sci-Fi crime story like Psycho-Pass cannot be missed. The series takes place in the near future (Tokyo 2112), when it is possible to instantaneously measure and quantify a person’s state of mind and personality. This information is recorded and processed, and the term “PsychoPass” in the anime’s title refers to a standard used to measure an individual’s being. The anime is organized in three season where you’ll smash into a new concept of “intelligence” and “Justice”. Check our articles about Psycho-Pass here.Psycho-Pass is one of the best anime series

  19. InuYasha (83/100)

    Plot: Based on the Shogakukan award-winning manga of the same name, InuYasha follows Kagome Higurashi, a fifteen-year-old girl whose normal life ends when a demon drags her into a cursed well on the grounds of her family’s Shinto shrine. Instead of hitting the bottom of the well, Kagome ends up 500 years in the past during Japan’s violent Sengoku period with the demon’s true target, a wish-granting jewel called the Shikon Jewel, reborn inside of her.

    Review: Overall, Inuyasha is very enjoyable. The art is brilliant although in the movies the art does slip because Rumiko Takahashi (the mangaka) helps with the drawings.
    The storyline is basic and very easy to follow, however the story does seem to drag on, so if you have patience with animes this could be for you.
    The characters are pure genius, each with their own running joke. Each character (with the exception of Kagome) has a dark and kind of upsetting past often including the death of a loved one. My favourite is Miroku by far. He is a perverted womanising monk who flirts with pretty much any girl. However, some characters, like Shippo (an adorable fox demon), have a minor role with little or no fight scenes. inuyasha-highest-rated-anime

  20. Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler (82.5/100)

    Plot: Kakegurui is an anime adaptation produced by Studio MAPPA aired in Japan in 2017. A second season, Kakegurui xx has been aired in 2019 for a comprehensive of 24 episodes of the two seasons. The show focuses on Yumeko Jabami, a new student who gambles for the fun of it and is really good at it. Her actions end up disrupting the student hierarchy of Hyakkaou Academy, causing the Student Council to come up with ways to stop her. Throughout the show, Yumeko meets Ryouta Suzui and fellow gambling gal Meari Saotome who help her as she gambles to her heart’s content. kakegurui-review-anime-wallpaper

  21. Black Lagoon (82.5/100)

    Plot: Rokurou Okajima, a salaryman, spends his days trying to climb his company’s corporate ladder, until one day when a business negotiation in Thailand goes awry. During the botched deal, he falls hostage to the Lagoon Company—a band of ruthless pirate mercenaries. Left to the whims of his captors after his managers refuse to pay his ransom, Rokurou does the unthinkable: instead of begging for his life, he joins the very crew who kidnapped him.

    Now a member of the group, Rokurou must adjust to his new residence in the dissolute hellscape known as Roanapur, a city where corruption and crime run rampant, and even the smallest slipup could cost him his life. If not for one of the many crime syndicates on the island, Rokurou also constantly finds himself at odds with his brash, gunslinging colleague, Revy.black-lagoon-best-anime

  22. Beastars (82.5/100)

    Plot: The story takes place in a world of modern, civilized, anthropomorphic animals with a cultural division between carnivores and herbivores. The series takes its name from the in-universe rank of Beastar, an individual of great talent and notoriety. The anime series consists of 24 episodes (12 episodes each season) with the second season of Beastars scheduled to be premiered on July 2021. Despite we were skeptical about the CGI and 3D visuals we were thoroughly impressed and astonished by its brilliant imagery.beastrars-anime-to-watch-list-netflix

  23. Guilty Crown (82.5/100)

    Plot: Japan, 2039. Ten years after the outbreak of the “Apocalypse Virus,” an event solemnly regarded as “Lost Christmas,” the once proud nation has fallen under the rule of the GHQ, an independent military force dedicated to restoring order. Funeral Parlor, a guerilla group led by the infamous Gai Tsutsugami, act as freedom fighters, offering the only resistance to GHQ’s cruel despotism.
    Guilty Crown follows the action-packed story of a young high school student who is dragged into a war, possessing an ability that will help him uncover the secrets of the GHQ, Funeral Parlor, and Lost Christmas. However, he will soon learn that the truth comes at a far greater price than he could have ever imagined. A lot of effort was put into Guilty Crown. This is evident in the overall quality of art and sound. However, what it lacks is a coherent story that can fully engage a wide range of viewers.  guilty-crown-plot-best-anime

  24. Dororo (82.5/100)

    Plot: The story follows a ronin named Hyakkimaru who is born malformed and is required to kill demons to obtain his missing body parts. He is accompanied by a troublesome orphan thief called Dororo during his travel. From there the duo roamed around various countries, hunting for ghouls and demons.

    Our review about Dororo: There a lot of things to like about Dororo. For starters this show is very dark both visually and narratively. It’s Sengoku-era of Japan after all. The most darkest period for Japan. The dark nature of Dororo is only enchanted with the show asking us the viewer various deep questions what makes us human and what defines a machine and what makes a monster.best-anime-dororo-review

  25. Banana Fish (82.5/100)

    Plot: Ash Lynx is a 17-years old teenager in New York City. Raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine, he begins investigating the mysterious “Banana Fish”—the same two words his older brother, Griffin, has muttered since his return from the Iraq War. banana fish top anime series

  26. B: The Beginning (82.5/100)

    Plot: B: The Beginning is another Netflix Original Anime that deserve a mention. The anime series is composed by two season (B: The Beginning and B: The Beginning succession) for a total of 16 episodes with the last season aired since March 2021. Another sequel and anime renewal is expected to complete the story. B: The Beginning  is a crime-supernatural story set on the fictional European archipelago nation of Cremona. One side, we have the detective Keith Flick who returns to the force after years in isolation to find his sister’s murderer. He believes they may be connected to a series of killings by a man the local police have named Killer B. For more information check our post about Anime Netflix original best chart.B-The-Beginning-anime-netflix-original-watch

  27. Re: Creators (82.5/100)

    Plot: Souta Mizushino is a high school student who aspires to be such a creator by writing and illustrating his own light novel. One day, while watching anime for inspiration, he is briefly transported into a fierce fight scene. When he returns to the real world, he realizes something is amiss: the anime’s headstrong heroine, Selesia Yupitilia, has somehow returned with him. Before long, other fictional characters appear in the world, carrying the hopes and scars of their home. Meanwhile, Souta and Selesia work together with Meteora Österreich, a calm and composed librarian NPC, to uncover the meaning behind these unnatural events. With powerful forces at play, the once clear line between reality and imagination continues to blur, leading to a fateful meeting between creators and those they created.

    Review: This series really does deserve more love. A reverse isekai with some legitimately amazing fights and incredible dynamics involved in the crossover between extremely different genres of anime, this one’s worth it just for the spectacle. The ways that these characters interact with both the world and the reality that their creators, the literal gods of their worlds, really is an incredible experience.Re-Creators-anime-plot-explained

  28. Tokyo Ghoul season 1-2 (82/100)

    Plot: Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternate reality where ghouls, creatures that look like normal people but can only survive by eating human flesh, live amongst the human population in secrecy, hiding their true nature in order to evade pursuit from the authorities.The protagonist, Ken Kaneki found himself to be a ghoul after a surgery to save his life. You can find our analysis of Tokyo Ghoul here.Tokyo Ghoul explained best anime series

  29. BNA: Brand New Animal (82/100)

    Plot: During a festival celebrating the town’s 10th anniversary, Michiru Kagemori, a human who suddenly turned into a tanuki, finds that Anima City is a far cry from paradise. After witnessing an explosion in the square, she is confronted by Shirou Ogami, a seemingly indestructible wolf and sworn protector of all Beastmen. As they pursue the criminals behind the bombing, the two discover that Michiru is anything but an ordinary Beastman, and look to investigate her mysterious past and uncanny abilities. Could she turn out to be the missing link between Humans and Beastmen?   BNA Review: Studio Trigger is back at it again. Everything the studio touches seems to either hit or miss.
    Out of all the shows whilst excluding movies, this show looks slick and the characters move creatively in the classic Trigger style. There is a very effective use of colour and sound, especially in the earlier episodes.
    The atmosphere gets built well throughout the course of what we have thus far, especially the city-scape vibe it seems to put on you as you watch. BNA-brand-new-animal-top-rated-anime-list

  30. Fist of North Star (80.5/100)

    Plot: First of the North Star relives the episodes of the animated anime/manga episodes in a very concentrated way. Each narrative arch is dedicated to a particular character which has marked the faith of the Hokuto Shinken. Let’s follow the steps of the shining warrior Kenshiro. Hokuto No Ken kenshiro anime highly rate

How do we rank our anime series?

These 4 fundamental points determines the quality of an anime (always according to our own opinion). Complexity and hidden meanings: in this field we consider the depth of the plot, its structure and how much intelligible it appears after the 1st watch. The kind of topics (social, philosophical) and their semantic value have an impact on the mark. Plot consistency: the series of events is analysed with the principle of causality. High rates means that the plot is both robust and with minor/or even missing plotholes. Sound and Music: the Opening intro and the soundtracks that accompany the audience throught the episodes and crucial moments are evaluated. Graphics and Drawings: it is related to the graphical quality of the novel, taking into account the year of release.

Where are the big three top anime to watch?

As you can appreciate, the anime listed above cannot be fully comprehensive, but you can make an idea about which anime series are worth watching because are top rated inside the anime community. For example, we haven’t mentioned some worldwide famous series like DragonBall, One Piece, Naruto and Pokemon. In fact, in our list we preferred to focus on some titles that don’t have the same spread or consist on a more limited amount of episodes (not over 80 anime episodes). In case you want to find out which are the big 3 anime by decade, you can read our related article The best big 3 anime by decade.

Shortly on our TOP RATED ANIME LIST: the titles

Our top anime chart will be updated with the following anime series which, for sure, deserve a high place on the to rated anime ranking. Shortly in our must watch list you’ll find also:

  • Trigun Stampede

  • Buddy Daddies

TOP RATED ANIME SERIES – RANKING CHART

AnimeComplexity and hidden meaningsPlot consistencySounds and MusicGraphics and drawingsGlobal Rank (/100)
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood9296979595
Neon Genesis Evangelion10095959095
Hunter x Hunter9595898591
Your Name8582989890.75
Steins;Gate9590858588.75
Cowboy Bebop9290908288.5
Weathering with you8080968688
Attack on Titan (1-3)9088928288
Death Note9290858588
The Promised Neverland8890888688
Demon Slayer8888888888
Jujutsu Kaisen9088878788
Violet Evergarden8585929088
Made in Abyss9090858587.5
Erased9290848487.5
Death Parade8590908587.5
Code Geass (R1 and R2)9082888987.25
Parasyte (Kiseijuu)8888858586.5
Great Pretender8085888885.25
Gurren Lagann8883848485
Toradora!8888828285
Tokyo Revengers8884848485
Kill La Kill8082849084
Assassination Classroom8482858584
Blue Period8282868684
Haikyu!!8088848483.5
Vinland Saga8384848484
A Silent Voice8282878684
Mirai Nikki – The Future Diary8683838484
I want to eat your Pancreas8680858584
GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka)8787847884
Overloard8284857584
Noragami and Noragami Aragoto8080888683.5
Psychopass8290808083
Black Lagoon7979868682.5
Banana Fish8080858582.5
Dororo8380838282.5
Kakegurui8579828282.5
Guilty Crown8177858582.5
Tokyo Ghoul (season 1-2)8580828182
Psychopass 28087808081.75
Psychopass 38080858081.25
Fist of North Star8080828080.5

A Dragon Ball Z fan?

Dragon Ball Z is a famous anime and manga series of all time, which was released in 1989 and continued to amaze the audience till 1996. With its action, adventure, and drama, the anime made its place in the viewers’ hearts in no time.  The storyline of  Dragon Ball Z revolves around  Goku, the series’s main protagonist, who belongs to the Saiyan race. Goku was sent to Earth as a kid from planet Vegeta, who grew into a powerful warrior and faced challenges while defending Earth, inspiring the audience with his bravery.
Besides his strength, Goku has set himself apart with his drip fashion sense, setting a  style statement for all Goku fans. Goku is often seen sporting his  Drip Goku jacket while fighting the powerful villains and defeating their evil plans. Reflecting his adventurous and heroic personality, the Drip Goku jacket is one of the iconic and most high-in-demand outfits among enthusiasts.
Dragon Ball Z, by far, is the most thrilling manga series based on the epic battles, rivalry, and intense emotions between characters,
stirring the fans’ memories and contributing to its nostalgic appeal.

Highly rated anime to watch: final thoughts

As you may appreciate from our top anime chart, some anime series are classified with the same score. That’s because comparing different anime genre is quite difficult and the final decision is left to the spectactor. And you do you agree with us? What anime do you like the most?