8 best Netflix original anime that need your attention

Netflix has grown a lot in terms of platform-exclusive and original anime over the years. We’ve have compiled a list of the 8 best Netflix originals shows that you shouldn’t miss, whether you’re an enthusiast or trying to get into anime as a whole.

Whether it’s a live-action or an anime, the streaming giant comes to the mind of every fanatic when they think of watching a good series. However, not every project it has in its library is a Netflix exclusive. While fans love to see the ones that they have already read about in the source material, some fans like to explore the amazing original stories.

For the unacquainted, an anime is considered a Netflix original when it’s funded or distributed by the streaming platform. However, several reputed studios are picked by Netflix to work for them on the projects that are created for the sole purpose of being on the platform.

And, while big names like Baki, Devilman: Crybaby, Castlevania, and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean brought anime fans to the platform, there are a ton of other Netflix anime shows on the platform to enjoy that flew a bit below the radar.

So, if you’re desperate to know what original anime you can look forward to watching on the platform, we have your back.

1. Onimusha

Based on Capcom’s video game series of the same name, Onimusha revolves around the swordsman Mushashi, who embarks on a deadly journey. With the gauntlet that can seize the power of devils, he has to slice down every monster coming his way.

Onimusha was announced during the TUDUM event in 2022, and it arrived on Netflix in November 2023. The ONA series sees Akio Otsuka as the main protagonist, Mushashi’s voice. He is the same voice actor who lent his voice to Nobunaga Oda in the video games.

2. Yasuke

We have generally seen anime getting inspired by several famous or underrated graphic novels/video games, but Yusuke is a lot more different. That’s because the Netflix original 6-episodic television series takes motivation from an African warrior named Yasuke. He played a crucial role in the conflict that took place in Japan in the 16th century. So, the anime series follows the historical figure who went on from being a servant to a well-known Samurai.

Yasuke was released in April 2021 on the streaming platform, but unfortunately, it has remained an underrated title due to a lack of marketing.

3. Pluto

Pluto is one of the most brilliant murder mystery anime on Netflix. It is based on Astro Boy, a manga that was released in 2003. It follows a robotic detective, Gesicht, as he unravels a case that involves a robot killer who has vowed to eradicate all of the seven greatest robots in the world and their allies.

The 8-episodic anime series was released on Netflix in October 2023, and it has received mostly positive reviews from critics. So, it would be safe to say that if you haven’t watched it yet, you are surely missing something huge.

4. Aggretsuko

Aggretsuko is an adorable Netflix original that revolves around a 25-year-old Red Panda, Retsuko, who goes to sing death metal at a Karaoke bar after grinding for the whole day as a corporate slave. The series premiered in 2018, and since then, it has come up with five incredible seasons on the platform, the last one being released in February 2023.

With an amazing animation style and heartwarming narrative, Aggretsuko sits at 8/10 ratings on IMDb. The series is not only a fictional piece of work, but it also holds the ability to make the audience relate to the characters deeply.

5. Blood of Zeus

Blood of Zeus features a story that was crafted by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides exclusively for Netflix. The anime follows the god of the sky, Zeus’ son, Heron, who is a fictional character created for the sake of this show. Heron is responsible for fighting every evil and protecting the world from getting into darkness. The anime impressed every fan with its stable pacing and straightforward storyline.

2020 saw the release of its first season, and a second season is expected to be released on May 15, 2024. Interestingly, the creators have already planned a five-season run ahead of the upcoming season’s arrival.

6. Blame

Based on a manga of the same name, Blame was released on Netflix in 2017. The anime film takes place in a distant future that is completely taken over by machines. Humanity is already on the verge of extinction, and things get even darker when a girl named Zuru and her friends unknowingly tamper with the city’s AI defense system.

What makes this a good anime movie is the creative plotline that keeps on playing with your brains. Even though it features a post-apocalyptic setting similar to several other series/films, you’ll feel that you haven’t seen anything like Blame before.

7. Flavors of Youth

Coming from the studio that has given us masterpieces like Your Name, Flavours of Youth is an anthology film that was a treat to the eyes of every fan. Moreover, the film also sees the involvement of the legendary Makoto Shinkai, so the animation style shouldn’t be questioned.

Flavors of Youth is a collaborative effort of a Japanese and a Chinese animation studio that features the incredible animation style of Japan and showcases the beauty of China, be it their culture or the locations.

8. Trese

Trese landed on Netflix in 2021, and it became a fan-favorite series in no time. Sitting at a 7/10 rating on IMDb, it became the first anime series on Netflix to showcase Filipino culture. Based on the popular Filipino comic book series, the animation of Trese gives us a vibe of the DC animated projects.

The plot of Trese revolves around a detective named Alexandra Trese, who, unlike the other detectives, has to solve cases involving supernatural entities.