Anime Must See
by blackdragoonknight | created - 24 Dec 2012 | updated - 04 Dec 2020 | PublicA list of anime I think should be on the watch list of any anime fan. It is a list of my personal opinion of anime I've actually seen myself, so even if you say a series or movie should be on this list. I won't add it till I watch it and if I agree with you.
This list was not made in any particular order, just as the titles came to me.
Plus I'll still be adding to it over time.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
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- Keywords
1. Akira (1988)
R | 124 min | Animation, Action, Drama
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo | Stars: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tesshô Genda
Votes: 204,952 | Gross: $0.55M
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psionic psychopath that only two kids and a group of psionics can stop.
2. Spriggan (1998)
R | 90 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
An elite superhuman agent must stop a foreign military unit from seizing control of an ancient artifact that holds the key to ultimate power.
Directors: Hirotsugu Kawasaki, Norihiko Sutô, Katsuhiro Ôtomo | Stars: Shôtarô Morikubo, Ryuji Aigase, Takehito Koyasu, Katsumi Suzuki
Votes: 4,210 | Gross: $0.01M
An elite superhuman agent must stop a foreign military unit from seizing control of an ancient artifact that holds the key to ultimate power.
3. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
PG | 119 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin, Akihiro Miwa
Votes: 448,267 | Gross: $4.71M
When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.
4. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
G | 103 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi
Votes: 165,167
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
5. Negima! (2005)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Negi Springfield is only 10 years old, but he is trying to become a wizard(Magister Magi) but he was sent to Japan for training, despite the protests from his sister. The principal, who was... See full summary »
Stars: Luci Christian, Greg Ayres, Samantha Inoue Harte, Laura Bailey
Votes: 413
Negi Springfield is only 10 years old, but he is trying to become a wizard(Magister Magi) but he was sent to Japan for training, despite the protests from his sister. The principal, who was a friend of his grandfather, assigned him to be the homeroom teacher and English instructor of middle school which is an all girls school. And the class is full of girls, with "special" characteristics, like one being a vampire, another a ghost, another a robot, and others being athletes and bookworms. Negi puts a lot of good will towards everyone and works hard to teach them, and even though most of the girls are very friendly with him, they see him more as a kid to have fun with instead of a respectful instructor, except a few of them, that hate the concept of him being a teacher, one of them is an anti-social computer nerd and the other is a hard worker who had a crush on the previous teacher, and to make matters worse, she found out about Negi, and his magic. Think of it as a Harry Potter meets Love Hina meets Azumanga Daioh meets Sensei no Ojikan Doki Doki School Hours, except picture it in a middle school
6. Negima!? Magister Negi Magi (2006–2008)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
The story is about negi the son of the thousand master who has to teach a class of an all girls school as a test that proves that he can blend in with society and become a wizard like his father
Stars: Akemi Kanda, Rina Satô, Natsuko Kuwatani, Ai Nonaka
Votes: 284
Negi Springfield is only 10 years old, but he is trying to become a wizard(Magister Magi) but he was sent to Japan for training, despite the protests from his sister. The principal, who was a friend of his grandfather, assigned him to be the homeroom teacher and English instructor of middle school which is an all girls school. And the class is full of girls, with "special" characteristics, like one being a vampire, another a ghost, another a robot, and others being athletes and bookworms. Negi puts a lot of good will towards everyone and works hard to teach them, and even though most of the girls are very friendly with him, they see him more as a kid to have fun with instead of a respectful instructor, except a few of them, that hate the concept of him being a teacher, one of them is an anti-social computer nerd and the other is a hard worker who had a crush on the previous teacher, and to make matters worse, she found out about Negi, and his magic. Think of it as a Harry Potter meets Love Hina meets Azumanga Daioh meets Sensei no Ojikan Doki Doki School Hours, except picture it in a middle school
7. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (1992–1995)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
After a teenage delinquent is killed while saving a child's life from an approaching car, the rulers of the underworld send him back to become an "Underworld Detective" investigating demons apparitions in the human world.
Stars: Nozomu Sasaki, Justin Cook, Christopher Sabat, Cynthia Cranz
Votes: 16,017
YuYu Hakusho follows Yusuke Urameshi, a street-brawling delinquent who, in an uncharacteristic act of altruism, is hit by a car and killed in an attempt to save a young boy by pushing him out of the way. His ghost is greeted by Botan, a woman who introduces herself as the pilot of the River Styx, who ferries souls to the "Underworld" where they may be judged for the afterlife. Botan informs Yusuke that his act had caught even the Underworld by surprise and that there was not yet a place made for him in either heaven or hell. Thus Koenma, son of the Underworld's ruler King Enma, offers Yusuke a chance to return to his body through a series of tests. Yusuke succeeds with the help of his friends Keiko and Kazuma Kuwabara. After returning to life, Koenma grants Yusuke the title of "Underworld Detective", charging him with investigating supernatural activity within the human world.
8. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
TV-PG | 98 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A high-school girl named Makoto acquires the power to travel back in time, and decides to use it for her own personal benefits. Little does she know that she is affecting the lives of others just as much as she is her own.
Director: Mamoru Hosoda | Stars: Riisa Naka, Takuya Ishida, Mitsutaka Itakura, Ayami Kakiuchi
Votes: 70,800
A teenage girl finds that she has the ability to leap through time. With her newfound power, she tries to use it to her advantage, but soon finds that tampering with time can lead to some rather discomforting results.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005)
PG-13 | 105 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Edward Elric, an alchemist from an alternate world, races to prevent the Thule Society from harnessing alchemy to wage war on his home.
Director: Seiji Mizushima | Stars: Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Jason Liebrecht, Kelly Manison
Votes: 12,090
Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, is on the other side of the gate. He has befriended someone who resembles his brother, Al, and has met a gypsy resembling Rose. He finds out that the Germans are planning on opening the gate, and attack the other side, which is Ed and Al's home. Although Al has learned a lot, he cannot stop all of them, and Ed cannot use Alchemy while in the other side. Ed tries to stop them, and Al just tries to be able to talk to his brother again, who everyone else thinks is gone
10. Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection (2006– )
TV-PG | 86 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
5 exclusive shorts of FullMetal Alchemist. 1: After the end of the production of the "Conqueror of Shambala" the entire cast of character celebrate in chibi form. 2. In 2005, 3 of Ed's ... See full summary »
Stars: Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, Christopher Sabat, Travis Willingham
Votes: 643
After their mother's death, Edward Elric and his younger brother, Alphonse, try using alchemy to bring her back to life. Unfortunately they do not fully take into account the law of equivalent exchange which requires a sacrifice of equal value to what one hopes to achieve. Not only do they fail to revive their mother but Edward loses an arm and a leg and Alphonse loses his entire body, forcing his soul to remain confined to an empty suit of armor. Seeking a way to restore their bodies, Edward becomes a state alchemist and the brothers begin a long search for the legendary Philosopher's Stone, an object purported to allow its users to ignore the law of equivalent exchange.
11. Full Metal Panic! (2002–2006)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Sousuke Sagara, a member of a covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl.
Stars: Tomokazu Seki, Satsuki Yukino, Jason Douglas, Yukana
Votes: 5,886
The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of a covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl. He moves to Japan to study at Chidori's school, Jindai High School, with assistance from his comrades Kurz Weber and Melissa Mao. Having never experienced social interactions, Sousuke is found as a military maniac by his schoolmates as he interprets everyday situations from a combat perspective. He comes to relate with Chidori who realizes that Sousuke is protecting her, but he does not reveal the reasons due to orders as well as the fact he does not know why Chidori is being targeted by different organizations.
12. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Not Rated | 89 min | Animation, Drama, War
A young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
Director: Isao Takahata | Stars: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara
Votes: 309,861
A tragic film covering a young boy and his little sister's struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
13. Clannad (2007–2008)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A high school student who cares little about school or others meets a lonely girl who had to repeat a year while all her friends finished high school. He decides to hang out with her and soon meets more friendly students.
Stars: Yûichi Nakamura, David Matranga, Mai Nakahara, Luci Christian
Votes: 10,347
Tomoya Okazaki is a third year high school student resentful of his life. His mother passed away from a car accident when he was younger, causing his father to resort to alcohol and gambling. This results in fights between the two until Tomoya's shoulder is injured in a fight. Since then, Tomoya has had distant relationships with his father, causing him to become a delinquent over time. While on a walk to school, he meets a strange girl named Nagisa Furukawa who is a year older, but is repeating due to illness. Due to this, she is often alone as most of her friends have moved on. The two begin hanging out and slowly, as time goes by, Tomoya finds his life shifting in a new direction.
14. Clannad: After Story (2008–2009)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A sequel to the anime based on the recently concluded Key Clannad franchise. After Story is a new path that opens in the original visual novel after all other options have been traversed.
Stars: Yûichi Nakamura, David Matranga, Luci Christian, Mai Nakahara
Votes: 12,328
A sequel to the recently wrapped anime based on the Key Clannad franchise. After Story is a path that opens in the original visual novel after all the other paths have been opened. Life continues on for Tomoya. A few months have passed since he confessed his love to Nagisa. Now entering the second semester, he continues to meet a variety of different people, expanding his own world in the process. As well, Tomoya and Nagisa's relationship begins to enter a level of intimacy unlike before. Through his relationship with Nagisa, and his various encounters, Tomoya begins to understand the meaning and importance of family. Unfortunately, as Tomoya and Nagisa begin their own family together, they are faced with many hardships and challenges along the way. The sequel to the first anime, Clannad. After confessing his love for Nagisa Furukawa, life for Tomoya goes on. As he continues to meet and help more people with their own family problems, Tomoya's relationship with Nagisa grows to a greater level than ever before. Through his various encounters and the start of his new family with Nagisa, Tomoya will finally begin to understand the value of the most precious thing that we have in this world; the value of having a family.
15. Inuyasha (2000–2004)
TV-14 | Animation, Action, Adventure
A teenage girl periodically travels back in time to feudal Japan to help a young half-demon recover the shards of a jewel of great power.
Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Richard Ian Cox, Sarah Hauser, Darren Pleavin
Votes: 17,891
A teenage girl periodically travels back in time to feudal Japan to help a young half demon recover the shards of a orb of great power.
16. Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time (2001)
Not Rated | 100 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
During their journey, Inuyasha, Kagome and their party are attacked by Menoumaru, a monster who is looking for Tessaiga, Inuyasha's sword, to an unknown end.
Director: Toshiya Shinohara | Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima
Votes: 2,815
InuYasha is a half-demon who was trapped in the Legendary Tree and was set free by Kagome, a girl who traveled 500 years through time. This time, both of them will have to face Menomaru, a Chinese demon whose father, known as Hyoga, came 300 years ago to invade Japan, but was stopped by InuYasha's Father. InuYasha and Kagome, along with Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede and Myoga, will try to stop Menomaru in his becoming the most powerful demon ever.
17. InuYasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass (2002)
Not Rated | 99 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
After seemingly defeating their common enemy, Naraku, what appears to be the near-end of their journey instead leads Inuyasha and Kagome facing against a new threat.
Director: Toshiya Shinohara | Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima
Votes: 2,334
Kagura and Kanna, the two surviving incarnations of Naraku, are restless now that Naraku is dead. They find a mirror in a shrine and awaken Kaguya, Princess of the Heavens. In exchange for freeing her, Kaguya promises to grant Kagura her eternal freedom. Kagura and Kanna set out to recover five items that will free Kaguya from her mirror, leading them to cross paths once again with InuYasha and his friends. Kaguya, desiring to stop time, kidnaps Kagome, who is able to put up a barrier against her spells. The remainder of the group reunite in Kaguya's realm of mirrors in order to retrieve Kagome. Kaguya, intending to enslave InuYasha, attempts to transform him in to a full-fledged demon. The spell is broken by Kagome, who kisses InuYasha for the first time in order to stop the transformation.
18. InuYasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003)
Not Rated | 99 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
After 700 years the sword Sounga, who belonged to the Great Dog Demon, is unleashed, tearing a rift in the barrier between the underworld and the earth and stirring the restless souls.
Director: Toshiya Shinohara | Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima
Votes: 2,391
The legendary sword, Sou'unga, which belonged to the Great Dog Demon, has been unleashed. It seeks to cover the Earth in an eternal Hell and end all life on it. Inuyasha must join forces with his hateful brother, Sesshoumaru, and put an end to the evil sword that once belonged to their father.
19. Inuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004)
Not Rated | 89 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The past catches up with the world of Inuyasha and Kagome's present in a form they could never have anticipated.
Director: Toshiya Shinohara | Stars: Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima
Votes: 1,990
50 years ago, Inuyasha was marked with a blood scar on his back, and as of yet, he hasn't gotten revenge. He encounters children with the same scar desperate to find a way to escape. Inuyasha and his friends is taken to an island by the only child who's escaped. Now, none of them can leave until four war gods are defeated, which seems pretty impossible.
20.
Moon Phase (2004–2006)
Episode:
Please Call Me Master
(2004)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
Hazuki's desire to enslave Kouhei centers around her need to break free of the castle confines; but, much to her frustration, he just won't succumb.
Directors: Toshimasa Suzuki, Akiyuki Shinbô, Keizô Kusakawa | Stars: Chiwa Saitô, Hiroshi Kamiya, Takahiro Sakurai, Michiko Neya
Votes: 8
A magazine photographer Kohei Morioka, is on an assignment in Germany. When Kohei enters a dark German castle, he encounters a young vampire girl named Hazuki. Hazuki tried to turn Kohei into her own servant. But Kohei didn't succumb to Hazuki's will. He does however, set her free from the barrier that's keeping her within the castle's territory. On his way back to Japan, Kohei was surprised to see the same young vampire girl living in the same country as he is.
21. Dance in the Vampire Bund (2010)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Drama
Vampire queen Mina Tepes comes out of hiding to offer peace between vampires and humans. Japan gives her a bund, where she goes to live with her people. However, extremist human and vampire groups do not want to coexist.
Stars: Aoi Yûki, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Eric Vale, Monica Rial
Votes: 888
The story revolves around Mina Tepeş, princess-ruler of all vampires, and her protector -- Akira. Like other vampires, Mina has been in hiding with her people for many years. Seeking to end centuries of isolation, Mina gains permission to create a special district for vampires, "The Bund", off the coast of Japan by paying off the entire national debt of the Japanese government. Mina then reveals to the world the existence of vampires and her desire for both races to live together. Tensions, however, run high as fearful humans and extremist vampire factions begin to interfere with Mina's wish for peace with the human world.
22. Spirited Away (2001)
PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Votes: 847,957 | Gross: $10.06M
In the middle of her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and monsters; where humans are changed into animals; and a bathhouse for these creatures.
23. Highschool of the Dead (2010)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
High school students are overwhelmed with the start of the zombie apocalypse.
Stars: Jun'ichi Suwabe, Eri Kitamura, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Hitomi Harada
Votes: 15,444
Highschool of the Dead is set in the present day 2010 Japan, beginning as the world is struck by a deadly pandemic that turns humans into zombies, euphemistically referred to by the main characters as "Them". The story follows a group of high school students, the high school's nurse, and a young girl as they fight their way to safety through the deadly streets of Japan during a worldwide catastrophic event known as the "Outbreak". As the cast tries to survive the zombie apocalypse, they must also face the additional threats of societal collapse, in the form of dangerous fellow survivors, and the possible decay of their own moral codes.
24. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
After being falsely convicted for the murder of his entire class, a young man must learn to survive in a mysterious prison with a perverted take on incarceration while also looking to clear his name.
Stars: Monica Rial, Greg Ayres, Kana Hanazawa, Romi Park
Votes: 11,986
Ganta, the sole survivor of the brutal murder of his entire class, is framed and ends up falsely convicted for it. During the massacre the real killer embeds a red crystal in him. Ganta is sent to a privately owned prison which has a rather different and perverted take on incarceration, entertaining the masses by performing dangerous games in exchange for privileges. Every inmate he encounters has their own goals, survival being the main one, and it is now up to him to survive this and maybe even prove his innocence.
25. Sailor Moon (1992–1997)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A group of schoolgirls discover they are incarnations of super-powered alien princesses, and use their abilities to defend the earth.
Stars: Stephanie Sheh, Kotono Mitsuishi, Kate Higgins, Aya Hisakawa
Votes: 7,545
A group of schoolgirls discover they are incarnations of super-powered alien princesses, and use their abilities to defend the earth.
26. Angel Beats! (2010)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
Rebellious teens fight in armed combat against one dispassionate girl's supernatural powers in an afterlife high school.
Stars: Hiroshi Kamiya, Harumi Sakurai, Kana Hanazawa, Ryohei Kimura
Votes: 16,069
In a world after death, angels 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.
27. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
PG | 117 min | Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Warrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Sumi Shimamoto, Mahito Tsujimura, Hisako Kyôda, Gorô Naya
Votes: 182,309 | Gross: $0.50M
Warrior/pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
28. Princess Mononoke (1997)
PG-13 | 134 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, Billy Crudup
Votes: 433,114 | Gross: $2.38M
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.
29. Ninja Scroll (1993)
Not Rated | 94 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri | Stars: Kôichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono, Osamu Saka
Votes: 40,680
A ninja-for-hire is forced into fighting an old nemesis who is bent on overthrowing the Japanese government. His nemesis is also the leader of a group of demons each with superhuman powers.
30. Baka and Test (2010–2011)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
All the students in a school are distributed according to their individual score in a test into six section and are treated according to their section.
Stars: Jamie Marchi, Brina Palencia, Jessie James Grelle, Alexis Tipton
Votes: 1,476
The story centers around a boy named Akihisa Yoshii, also known as the idiot or "Baka" of the titled anime. He attends Fumizuki Academy, a school where the staff rigidly divides the students based on the results of their academic scores. At the start of the school, students are academically sorted by entrance exam test grades. The higher the grades, the higher the class, and the better the benefits. In this case, Class A is filled with the highest-scoring students; therefore, their classroom was filled with many prestigious items (air conditioners, fancy seats, laptops, a free snack bar, etc.), while the state of Class F is the complete opposite of that, representing the "bottom of the barrel" amenities, such as mats and wooden tables.
31. Rurouni Kenshin (1996–1998)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a young wandering swordsman who stumbles upon a struggling martial arts school in Meiji era Japan.
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Richard Cansino, Rebecca Forstadt
Votes: 20,542
A man slayer, Kenshin Himura, who played a major role in defeating Tokugawa Shogunate of feudal Japan carries his reverse blade sword (with a promise not to slay anymore). He embarks on a quest to repent for his sins by helping the innocent. He lodges in Kamia Kashin dojo where he becomes an acquaintance of Kaorou, the assistant instructor of the dojo. After being saved by Kenshin from mafia, a stubborn young boy, Yahiko Myojin joins the dojo as a student. Sanousuke, a victim of war becomes an acquaintance of Kenshin after losing to him in a duel. Together with his new friends, Kenshin carries out his ideal of helping the innocent. A series of events unfold that questions his ideal of living for the innocent and not slaying men. Kenshin faces every opponent with his reverse blade to uphold justice.
32. Appleseed: Ex Machina (2007)
PG-13 | 105 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
With Brialeos convalescing after a mission, Deunan is assigned a new and remarkably familiar partner as a strange wave of terrorist attacks plague Olympus.
Director: Shinji Aramaki | Stars: Ai Kobayashi, Kôichi Yamadera, Yûji Kishi, Kong Kuwata
Votes: 9,841
When a paramilitary task force called E.S.W.A.T. and its operations in the year 2133 Olympus, a futuristic utopia where humans, cyborgs, and bio-engineered human beings called "Bioroids" are attempting to live in perfect harmony. However, a series of random terrorist attacks perpetrated by cyborgs and humans alike threaten to throw Olympus into total chaos. As it turns out, these humans and machines have come under the influence of an unknown electronic signal that hacks into their nervous systems and they then become the unwilling servants of a malevolent computerized entity. Thrown into the action is the plucky female E.S.W.A.T. warrior Deunan Knute and her cyborg lover/partner Briareos as they investigate these bizarre occurrences with the other members of their unit. Things become complicated when a bioroid named Tereus, who resembles Briareous in his human form, joins their unit and threatens to come between their relationship. But these three must put aside their differences to face an even greater threat that promises world destruction in its wake.
33. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
TV-MA | 83 min | Animation, Action, Crime
A cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.
Directors: Mizuho Nishikubo, Mamoru Oshii | Stars: Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, Kôichi Yamadera
Votes: 156,682 | Gross: $0.52M
A female cyborg cop and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.
34. Soul Eater (2008–2009)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Set in the Shinigami technical school, the series revolves around a partnership between a weapon meisters and a human weapons. Trying to reach a ranking of "Death Scythe" they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.
Stars: Laura Bailey, Chiaki Omigawa, Micah Solusod, Brittney Karbowski
Votes: 14,419
The root of all evil is madness, but madness exists in everything. In order to control this paradox, Death-the Shepard of souls, serves as guardian to mankind. Each soul is unique for both it's nature and moral allegiance-a pure soul radiates serenity and strength, a tainted soul radiates madness and unfettered power. While adherence to the former may result in Godhood, lust for the latter will result in the birth of a demon lord- and thus the destroyer of worlds. The balance between these extremes is maintained through the eternal vigilance of Lord Death and his followers, who serve as both his arm and his judgement. Tainted souls are collected by humans under Death's guidance, and used in the formulation of living weapons. These weapons are then wielded by other humans in a symbiotic relationship. Both parties have their fighting abilities amplified by the pairing, so that the wielder (Meister's) and the weapon are able to achieve greater levels of power and efficiency in combat. This merging of souls allows humans to battle against fledgling demons and witches, who otherwise (and in many cases, still do) outmatch them. Meisters that reap 99 tainted souls and 1 witch soul will elevate their weapon partner to the status of a Death Scythe, a weapon so potent that Death himself may choose to wield it. Conversely, the forces of darkness act to create Demon Blades, sentient weapons that thirst for souls of any variety and that, given enough consumption, may be reborn into a Demon Lord-who will then bathe the world in madness. "Soul Eater" follows three teams of Meisters and weapons as they strive to become the strongest protectors of humanity at an Academy founded by Lord Death, who has bound his soul to a city under which the first demon lord's remains reside. Should he ever re-awaken, the world would be ripped asunder-and these unlikely heroes will have to exceed even their own potentials to prevent that from becoming a reality
35. Trigun (1998)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Vash the Stampede is the most infamous outlaw on the planet Gunsmoke and with a 60 billion double dollar price on his head the most sought after.
Stars: Masaya Onosaka, Hiromi Tsuru, Satsuki Yukino, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 24,141
Vash the Stampede is the most infamous outlaw on the planet Gunsmoke and with a 60 billion double dollar price on his head the most sought after!
36. Outlaw Star (1998–2001)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of an outlaw crew of an advanced starship.
Stars: Ayako Kawasumi, Bob Buchholz, Bridget Hoffman, Emilie de Azevedo Brown
Votes: 4,127
The adventures of an outlaw crew of an advanced starship.
37. Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.
Stars: Kôichi Yamadera, Unshô Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara, Steve Blum
Votes: 138,538
The futuristic adventures of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.
38. Paranoia Agent (2004–2005)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
Seemingly unconnected citizens of Tokyo are targeted for bludgeoning by a boy with a golden baseball bat. As detectives try to link the victims, they discover that following the assaults, the victims' lives have improved in some way.
Stars: Shôzô Îzuka, Toshihiko Seki, Mamiko Noto, Michael McConnohie
Votes: 14,181
Seemingly unconnected citizens of Tokyo are targeted for bludgeoning by a boy with a golden baseball bat. As detectives try to link the victims, they discover that following the assaults, the victims' lives have improved in some way.
39. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
TV-14 | 316 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
Strange things start happening when a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with an interconnected virtual realm known as "The Wired".
Stars: Kaori Shimizu, Bridget Hoffman, Dan Lorge, Randy McPherson
Votes: 17,137
Strange events begin to occur as a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with interconnected virtual realm of "The Wired".
40. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006–2009)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
The crazy adventures of the SOS Brigade, led by the insane but charismatic Haruhi.
Stars: Tomokazu Sugita, Aya Hirano, Yûko Gotô, Daisuke Ono
Votes: 9,131
On his first day of high school, Kyon meets an eccentric girl named Haruhi Suzumiya, who announces to the class that she is interested only in meeting aliens, time travelers, and espers. Discontent with the selection of afterschool clubs presented before her, she starts a new club called the SOS Brigade and enlists Kyon, a quiet bookworm named Yuki Nagato, a shy but beautiful junior named Mikuru Asahina, and a grinning and loyal transfer named Itsuki Koizumi. Each of them except Kyon is secretly part of one of the groups Haruhi desired to meet, and they all must keep close watch on her. If she ever grows dissatisfied with reality, she may unintentionally destroy the world.
41. Shuffle! (2005–2006)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Rin is a seemingly normal young man in school. Orphaned as a young boy he has since lived with his childhood friend Kaede who lost her mother in the same accident that he lost both of his ... See full summary »
Stars: Tomokazu Sugita, Cherami Leigh, Monica Rial, Jerry Jewell
Votes: 855
Rin is a seemingly normal young man in school. Orphaned as a young boy he has since lived with his childhood friend Kaede who lost her mother in the same accident that he lost both of his parents. Everything changes one day when a devil princess moves into the house next to them and a princess of the gods moves in on the other side. Each are there to win his affections and become his bride. What follows both is mostly a fun filled harem anime that may surprise you with its unexpected drama and depth.
42. Vandread (2000–2001)
TV-14 | Action, Animation, Comedy
In a space-fairing future the war between sexes becomes literal. A kid who works in a factory that produces giant military robots decides to steal one for himself and ends up in the middle of a dogfight that leads into an adventure.
Stars: Hiroyuki Yoshino, Michiko Neya, Yumi Kakazu, Yu Asakawa
Votes: 916
Set in a universe where humans have colonized the galaxy, and in one star system, men and women are completely segregated (on completely different planets: Mejere by the women, Taraak by the men) causing the gender war to be more than just a metaphor.
43. This Ugly Yet Beautiful World (2004– )
TV-14 | Animation, Comedy, Drama
It's a sweet but at the same time tear jerking story. It teaches you how the world can be hard and ugly at times but then again it could still be beautiful. It starts off with a high school... See full summary »
Stars: Ayako Kawasumi, Takahiro Mizushima, Fujiko Takimoto, Cynthia Martinez
Votes: 318
High school student Takeru Takemoto works part time as a (motor)bike courier. During one of his deliveries, he saw a mysterious light passing him and fell into a forest. What he had found was a beautiful girl coming out from a glowing cocoon, calling herself "Hikari." While Takeru was quite embarrassed because of Hikari's nudity, a strange monster suddenly showed up and immediately attacked the two. Both Takeru and Hikari demonstrated the power of their other selves before Takeru had a clue of what's going on.
44. Eden of the East (2009)
TV-MA | 23 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon ... See full summary »
Stars: Ryohei Kimura, Saori Hayami, Jason Liebrecht, Leah Clark
Votes: 4,010
On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later... Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory. and he is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he's holding with the other hand. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash.
45. Chobits (2002–2003)
TV-14 | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Hideki finds the discarded and malfunctioning Persocom Chi, a personal computer that looks like a girl. While trying to fix and care for Chi, Hideki discovers that she might be a Chobits, a robot of urban legend that has free will.
Stars: Sarah Hauser, Rie Tanaka, Crispin Freeman, Tomokazu Sugita
Votes: 4,703
The Persocon he finds seems to be malfunctioning. A hobbyist tells Hideki that his robot might be a Chobit - a type of robot that has been assumed to be an urban legend that can act on its own will.
46. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019– )
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A gamer is magically summoned into a parallel universe, where he is chosen as one of four heroes destined to save the world from its prophesied doom.
Stars: Kaito Ishikawa, Asami Seto, Rina Hidaka, Maaya Uchida
Votes: 17,119
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