10 best anime shows on Netflix

❘ Updated: 2024-02-13T12:02:17

Netflix

There are tons of anime you can watch on Netflix, but it can be hard to actually find what’s most appealing – so, here’s a list of the 10 best anime shows on the streaming platform.

When it comes to watching anime, Netflix may not be the first place that comes to mind, especially when specialized services like Crunchyroll are available.

However, the streaming giant actually has a wide selection to choose from, and it’s well worth checking out if you already have a subscription. But with such a wide selection, how do you pick the best? Well, that’s why we’re here.

Below is your handy guide to the best anime series, from timeless classics to new-gen releases, that you can currently stream on Netflix. We’ll also try to pick the less obvious ones, as there are plenty of current big names – such as Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen – on the platform you already know about!

Just a note: some of these anime may only be available on Netflix accounts in certain countries, so check before you binge!

10. Carole & Tuesday

Carole & Tuesday is a science-fiction music anime series that follows two young girls who meet by coincidence. Realizing their passion for music, they decide to live together and collaborate to build a reputation for themselves.

Unfortunately, their dream is nearly impossible to achieve with AI producing 99% of all music. The story takes place on Mars 50 years after humanity has relocated there. However, not all hope is lost when they pique the interest of an unknown manager.

9. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a hilarious anime series with lovable characters and an all-powerful protagonist. The story follows Saiki Kusuo, a high school student with unimaginable psychic abilities. However, since he hates to be the center of attention, he keeps his powers hidden – or at least, he tries to.

Although he tries to stay out of the spotlight, he always attracts the attention of his eccentric classmates. The series follows Kusuo’s daily struggles of using his powers to avoid his classmates while dealing with his overly enthusiastic parents.

8. Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom short anime series

Assassination Classroom is an intriguing blend of comedy, action, and heartwarming moments. The story takes place in a small building in the mountains, which houses the students of Class 3-E from the prestigious Kunugigaoka Middle School.

The class is full of delinquents and dropouts, and they’re not permitted to study on the main campus. They have been assigned a secret mission to assassinate their new teacher, who looks anything but human. In addition to his unusual appearance, he has destroyed the moon.

And now, he threatens to destroy the Earth by March of the following year if the students fail to kill him. However, despite Koro-Sensei’s threats, he is actually the best teacher these students have ever had.

7. Erased (2016)

The ending of Erased anime greatly differs from the manga, and it has led to some vitriol. However, don’t let that stop you from checking out this story, which takes you through emotional highs, lows, and the absolute trenches.

The protagonist, Satoru Fujinima, has the ability to travel back in time whenever something unfortunate is about to happen. He can only travel back to the exact moment (usually a few seconds or minutes) when he can stop the incident from happening. However, when he suddenly finds himself getting convicted for his mother’s murder, which he never did, Satoru finds himself 18 years in the past.

6. Moriarty the Patriot

Set in the 19th century, the story features the world where the British Empire has become a global power. However, the class system is doing society more harm than good. The average citizen has little opportunity to advance to the top while the despicable nobility rules over them all. As such, crimes against ordinary citizens are often ignored.

However, not all hope is lost as Albert Moriarty, the first son of Earl Moriarty, welcomes two orphans, Louis and his unnamed brother, to his home. The trio plots a murder of Albert’s family as the unnamed brother takes on the identity of Albert’s brother, James. Now, sharing a horrible crime and with only each other to rely on, the three brothers swear to make this world a better place by giving the victims a chance to take revenge for their loved ones.

Although the brothers intend to help the weak, they incite them to commit crimes. During one such case, James Moriarty catches the eye of Sherlock Holmes. The duo share the same genius mind but equally opposite ideals.

5. Forest of Piano

Music anime are always so unfairly underrated. Forest of Piano, a Netflix anime, is a beautiful coming-of-age story centering around Kai Ichinose, who grew up in the red light area with his mother, a sex worker. Somehow, Kai can play an abandoned and broken piano in the forest.

However, no one else can play it, not even Shuuhei Amamniya, a bright piano prodigy whose father is a renowned pianist. Kai and Shuuhei, who became close friends in childhood, chose separate paths for music until they met in the same competition years later.

4. Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is an emotional and touching story about Tooru Honda living with the cursed members of the Souma clan. Tooru’s grandfather takes her in after her mother, her only family member, passes away. However, shortly after, he asks her to live with her friends for a few months while he renovates his property. Tooru, unwilling to bother her friends, buys a tent and begins living in the mountains.

However, the Soumas learned of her situation and offered her a place to stay. As Tooru begins to settle in her temporary residence, she gets mixed up in a fight between Kyo and Yuki and accidentally turns them into animals.

She learns about the strange curse of the Souma family, where the Chinese Zodiac spirits possess 13 members and take on the forms of their respective animals when the opposite gender hugs them or if their bodies are weakened. However, instead of finding them strange, Tooru is simply fascinated and proceeds to learn more about the Souma family.

3. Code Geass

While the animation is very angular in that classic early-2000s style, the story is pretty much timeless in tackling themes of war and imperialism. The characters are complex and tragic, and it’s sure to be a show that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Britannia has invaded the majority of the free world, including Japan, which has been reduced to being called “Area 11.” The British citizens occupy the community and live with high status. Lelouch Lamperouge is one of numerous heirs to the British throne but prefers to live in exile with his blind sister, Nunally.

After suddenly gaining the power to control others using Geass, Lelouch considers it an opportunity to overturn his father’s domination and unite the rebels of Japan.

2. Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a timeless classic that takes the wild concept of space bounty hunters and makes it a personal and heartfelt story. Also, there’s a lot of humor, with each main character bringing their own talents to the screen. Set in 2071, it features the world where humanity has expanded across the galaxy.

As new societies become plagued by murder, drug use, theft, and all kinds of crime, intergalactic outlaws are hunted by bounty hunters. Spike Spiegel and Jet Black are bounty hunters who make a living by capturing dangerous criminals. However, on one fateful day, Spike’s past comes back to haunt him, forcing him to choose between life with his newfound family and revenge for his old wounds.

1. Parasyte: The Maxim

Parasyte: The Maxim is a Seinen series with plenty of gore and heart-wrenching moments. Adapted from the manga of the same name in 2014, this critically acclaimed series has splendid animation with beautiful hand-drawn scenes.

The series takes an unconventional approach to the topic of “What it means to be human?” The story’s premise is that alien parasites have invaded Earth and are taking over human bodies in order to survive. The aliens struggle to fit in with human society because they have no idea what distinguishes humans from them.

Unlike previous aliens, the one that possessed Shinichi Izumi eventually took over his right arm rather than his entire body. To survive, the two must coexist and defeat the hostile parasites. Amidst all of this, they come to grasp the significance of each other’s presence.

For more top picks, check out our lists of the best anime like Solo Leveling and the best anime like Kaiju No 8.