Over the years, the anime genre has become increasingly popular and has slowly developed its own niche in mainstream media. It has grown so much that a large number of anime are now broadcast on the most popular streaming services and have become accessible to people who would never have been exposed to it before. Let's take a look at some of the best anime TV series (and maybe some of the best anime movies) that are currently available on Netflix.
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1. Death Note – Psychological Thriller
Death Note is an anime television series that follows the story of Light Yagami, a genius high school student who comes across a notebook that he quickly discovers has the ability to kill anyone whose name is written inside if the one who the possessor can imagine the face of his victim.
At first, Light is terrified of the notebook and the power it gives him. As the story progresses and he takes down more and more criminals, he begins to develop a god complex and is determined to cleanse the world of its evil, swearing revenge on anyone who would dare get in his way. He earns the nickname “Kira”, and a few detectives are put in his path, including L, who begins a violent game of cat and mouse with the elusive “Kira” and comes close to discovering his true identity.
This twisted anime became popular very quickly, although most adaptations of it focused more on the first part of the story (Light and L's feud) than the second part (Light's rivalry). with Mello and Near).
The entire Death Note animated television series is available on Netflix.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion – Mecha, Action Anime

This series has been adapted into several light novels and mangas. It follows the story of an exiled prince, Lelouch vi Britannia, and his journey to seek revenge on his father.
After his mother is brutally murdered and his sister loses her ability to walk and goes blind from the trauma she suffered from seeing her, Lelouch's contempt for his father begins to grow as he does not did nothing to remedy it. Instead, he chose to use them to advance his political agenda and give Japan a false sense of security before attacking it with overwhelming force.
Lelouch swears to the friend he made in Japan that he will take revenge on his father. It was only a few years later that he had the opportunity to take revenge on his father when he was saved by a mysterious girl named C.C. during a terrorist attack. She grants him the “power of absolute obedience” or Geass, which allows him to bend anyone to his will as long as they have direct eye contact with them, although he cannot use it beyond that. ‘once on the same person.
On his journey to make the world a better place for his sister, he will face many challenges, not fully understanding the extent of his powers and fighting against armies that will forever change the world as he sees it. knows.
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3. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure – Action, Suspense

The anime is as entertaining as its name suggests. It has nine episodes, each of which introduces new characters and follows a new protagonist who bears his ancestor's birthmark as well as a name that can be shortened to JoJo.
The generational conflict that unfolds in the series begins with the rivalry between Jonathan Joestar and his adopted brother Dio Brando, who wants to be the heir to the Joestar family. Since the conflict continues across generations, you can easily guess how his plans were carried out.
The series is best known for its iconic art style, which gives many of its characters very angular faces, and for its reflection of the real world complete with supernatural powers. Some characters can psychically project their life energy into a being that possesses powers of their own that users can use for good or evil.
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4. Neon Genesis Evangelion – Psychological Drama, Apocalyptic, Mecha

The story follows Shinji Ikari and is set 15 years after the Second Impact, a global cataclysm in which an explosion so strong was triggered that it melted the Antarctic ice sheets and shifted the axis of the Earth. Shinji's father summons him to Toyko-3 and recruits him as a pilot of one of the Evangelion units (giant bio-machines that synchronize with their pilot's nervous system) to fight against beings known as Angels (a race of giant monstrous beings who can only be eliminated by weapons used in Evangelion units and who are determined to destroy humanity once and for all).
Throughout the story, Shinji struggles with love, loss, and depression and must deal with many strange events, such as discovering a rather twisted secret about one of the pilots he fought alongside , which reveals a whole bunch of other secrets about the people he works for.
Although the ending of the last two episodes was a bit abstract and confusing, the success of the series led to the revival of the anime industry (and a movie was made to help fix the ending).
The entire Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series is available on Netflix and is worth watching.
5. Cowboy Bebop – Neo-noir, sci-fi space Western

In this classic anime, viewers follow the story of a crew of bounty hunters traveling aboard the Bebop (a spaceship) in a universe where Earth has become almost uninhabitable and, in order to survive, humanity has colonized the rockier moons and planets of the solar system.
The story centers on the group growing up and going on adventures, receiving bonuses and getting into several mishaps along the way. It can be very sad at times and can make you question your life choices once it's over (which happens at the end of a lot of anime). Many fans hope that they will eventually get used to the characters' deaths. Spoiler alert: they don't, especially if they like the supporting characters).
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6. Hunter x Hunter – Adventure, Fantasy

Hunter x Hunter centers on Gon Freecss, a young boy who goes on a mission to become a Hunter (a professional who focuses on locating unidentified or rare animal species, hunting lawless people, hunting treasures and the exploration of previously unexplored areas) and who hopes to find his father, who he was told was dead but who actually left and became a successful Hunter.
He befriends a few other candidates who want to become Hunters, including a doctor and a 12-year-old assassin. Gon also meets Hisoka, a deadly and slightly scary transmuter who takes an interest in him.
He and his friends face many difficulties on their journey to becoming Hunters, but they are always there to help each other overcome their problems.
7. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. – Supernatural Comedy

This is a rather entertaining anime that follows the life of Kusou Saiki, a teenager born with supernatural powers (specifically psychokinesis and teleportation). The series is adapted from a series of one-piece chapters that put Kosou in several different scenarios that are mostly normal, except that he does absolutely everything he can to keep his powers hidden from everyone . It goes about as well as you can expect from an anime.
If you're hoping for a few laughs, this is a great animated TV series to watch on Netflix.
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8. Sword Art Online – Sci-Fi Adventure

Sword Art Online was adapted from a light novel series and follows Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya as he travels through a virtual world he has been trapped in (along with 10,000 other players) and attempts to complete the game and return to real life. Along the way, he meets Asuna Yuuki, with whom he forms a romantic relationship and later marries.
In the virtual world, players are threatened with death if they try to forcibly remove their NerveGear (the system they use to play) or if they die in-game. This can be slightly stressful at times, but l The anime is a lot of fun and worth watching.

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is the most practiced science, and those who practice it professionally are able to create anything (or almost anything) they desire – they are forbidden from creating humans and gold ).
The anime follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy, which backfires and (thanks to the law of equivalent exchange) costs Edward his leg and to Alphonse his life, but Edward does not hesitate to sacrifice his arm to recover the soul of his younger brother and bind it to armor.
Edward becomes a State Alchemist (an alchemist who works for the government) and gains the title of Fullmetal Alchemist. Together, he and his brother are on a mission to find the Philosopher's Stone (the only thing that can undo the Law of Equivalent Exchange) so they can restore their bodies.
There are a lot of twists and turns that may leave you perplexed, but Fullmetal Alchemist is a lot of fun. Plus, who doesn't like seeing the chaos of failed alchemy experiments?
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10. One-Punch Man – Superhero, Action, Comedy

One-Punch Man follows the story of Saitama, a hero who has trained so hard that he is now able to defeat his enemies with a single punch and is bored. He reluctantly becomes the mentor of a cyborg called Genos and performs many heroic acts that go unnoticed because he is not a leading hero.
It's a particularly entertaining anime, especially when the main protagonist faces enemies who have facial expressions typical of “intense anime fight scenes” while he just stares at them with a vaguely bored expression, letting them do it. their speeches before punching them in the face.
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11. Attack On Titan – Dark Fantasy, Horror, Post-apocalyptic, Action, Adventure

Attack on Titan follows the story of Eren Yeager and his quest to kill all the Titans (massive creatures that have a habit of eating humans) after one of them eats his mother. He joins the army alongside his adopted sister and his best friend. Eren accidentally discovers that he himself can transform into a titan.
Eren's new discovery leads to the discovery of many secrets that begin to change the way the characters think about their existence and call into question the truth about their home and what they have been led to believe about it and the subject of themselves for so many years. This leads to an unfortunate turning point for Eren and a very bloody war.
If you like unexpected twists and turns, violent deaths, very audible (and slightly disgusting) bone crunching, and lots of character deaths, then you'll enjoy Attack on Titan.
12. Devilman Crybaby – Dark Fantasy, Superhero, Action

Devilman Crybaby is a more graphic anime that features mature themes. It follows the story of Akira Fudo, a high school student who lives with the family of his longtime love (and only friend) Miki Makimura. He is able to transform into a demon man after a demon attempts to possess him, but his pure heart instead allows him to gain the demon's abilities, which he then uses to defeat the demons that threaten people that he likes.
What follows is a series of sobering events and some betrayals, as Akira gradually discovers the truth about the demons and those who rule them, while the world around him descends into chaos. The ending is pretty sad, but the series is worth watching if you don't mind the graphic brutality of the story.
13. Demon Slayer – Dark Fantasy Adventure

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibo tells the adventure of young demon slayer Tanjiro Kamado and his quest to transform his sister Nezuko, who was transformed into a demon, into a human. He is recruited by a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and begins a harrowing journey to save his sister and avenge his fallen family members.
Along the way, he and Nezuko befriend an unlikely pair of Demon Slayer Corps members (the cowardly Zenitsu Agatsuma and the brash Inosuke Hashibira) and together they take on many grueling missions.
The anime has both sweet and stressful moments that will regularly make you fear for the safety of the characters.
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14. Blue Exorcist – Dark Fantasy Adventure

This anime follows the story of Rin Okumura, who discovers that he and his twin brother are the sons of Satan. Following their guardian Shiro Fujimoto, Rin gains demonic abilities and swears revenge on her father, choosing to become an Exorcist like her guardian.
Over the course of the anime, Rin grows closer to his comrades and brother, and together they train to defeat Satan and protect the world from his attacks.
15. Tokyo Ghoul – Dark Fantasy Thriller

Tokyo Ghoul follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a college student who barely manages to survive his date with a ghoul (although, to be fair, he didn't realize she was a ghoul) and becomes a half-ghoul after this unfortunate encounter. He must now learn to function in normal society without revealing what he has become to his friends and integrating into ghoul society.
16. Castlevania – Dark Fantasy, Horror, Action

Castlevania is based on the Japanese video game of the same name. After Dracula's wife is burned at the stake because she was accused of witchcraft, the ancient vampire declares war and takes out his wrath on the people of Wallachia by releasing demonic creatures.
The Netflix original anime follows Trevor Belmont, the last survivor of a family of monster hunters, who offers to fight Dracula. The series is a bit graphic, with many violent acts, such as gouging out eyes and eating babies. But there is no doubt that Castlevania is one of the best animated TV series produced by Netflix.
17. The Seven Deadly Sins – Fantasy

This anime focuses on the journey of Elizabeth Liones (a princess) and Meliodas, the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins and the Sin of Wrath, and Hawk, the talking pig, as they journey to find the rest of the sins and clear their names. It's one of the most cliché anime series, but the characters are entertaining and the sword fights are a lot of fun to watch,
18. Beastars – Fantasy, Coming-of-age, Drama

In Beastars, the world is populated by anthropomorphic animals, and the story centers on Legoshi, a large, shy and silent gray wolf. Following the murder of Tem, an alpaca and friend of Legoshi, relations between the school's carnivores and herbivores, already fragile, become sour. At the same time, Legoshi begins to have feelings for Haru, a dwarf rabbit.
Here's another great Netflix original TV series worth watching.
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19. Cells at work! – Comedy

Cells at Work! takes place inside a body and tells the story of a rookie red blood cell and a white blood cell he frequently encounters when he gets lost during his deliveries. The red blood cell is determined to do its job well, and the white blood cell, although ruthless when it comes to doing its own job, is a very gentle individual and very little talkative.
The interactions between the two are very entertaining, and it's the perfect thing to watch if you're looking for a light-hearted anime TV series.
20. Carole & Tuesday – Musical

This adorable anime takes place on a partially terraformed planet Mars and follows Tuesday Simmons, the daughter of a politician who runs away to pursue her dream, and Carole Stanley, an orphaned refugee from Earth.
Both gifted in music, Tuesday with her guitar and Carole with a piano, they decide to team up and write songs together under the name Carole & Tuesday. This is another anime to watch if you're looking for something light. But be careful, it's very easy to become emotionally invested in the characters.
21. Food Wars – Slice of Life, Comedy

This is another fun and light-hearted anime. It tells the story of Some Yukihira, a teenager who wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a chef at the family restaurant. His father enrolls him in an elite culinary school, and there, Soma faces some challenges related to food (and sometimes society).
Don't watch this anime if you tend to get hungry while watching cooking shows.
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22. The Way of the Househusband – Slice of life, Action, Comedy

This anime follows the adventures of Tatsu, a once-feared yakuza boss who called himself the Immortal Dragon. Today, he has retired from his life of crime and is living his best life as a housewife who supports his wife, Miku, the couple's breadwinner.
The anime shows Tatsu in a number of humorous events where his intimidating personality is often a major contrast to the domestic chores he performs. The situation is further enhanced (for the audience) by the fact that he constantly runs into people from his old life.
If you want a good laugh, look no further. The animated television series won several awards for Netflix, including Best Overall Series at the Pixiv Comic Ranking Awards.
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23. Violet Evergarden – Steampunk, Coming-of-age

This anime television series tells the story of Violet Evergarden, a young ex-soldier who tries to reintegrate into society after fighting in a war for which she was raised to be a deadly weapon. During the war, she was seriously injured and lost the only person dear to her, disturbed by the words they exchanged.
She begins working as an automatic memory doll (someone who transcribes the thoughts of others onto paper) and embarks on an adventure that will reshape and heal not only her but also the clients she writes for.
This animated television series is not only beautifully drawn, but also a beautifully told story that will strike a chord with anyone who decides to watch it. The emotions of Violet and the other characters are explored with love and sincerity, and the story will likely make you cry on several occasions.
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24. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Adventure

The dystopian nightmare of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners will definitely make this one of the best animated TV series on Netflix – but it's also one of those series that you can only watch once. This emotional rollercoaster will take you through the neon-lit streets of Night City and delve deeper into the story of Cyberpunk 2077.
Edgerunners presents the uplifting story of David Martinez and his unexpected rise to power. Before becoming an outstanding mercenary, David was a street urchin who struggled to fit in and live up to his mother's expectations. But after meeting Lucy, everything changes.
This Netflix original anime has it all: quality animation (thanks to Studio Trigger), complex characters, and a story that will tear your heart out. With only ten episodes, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners will make you wish you had spent more time with its incredible characters and make you grateful you don't live in a technological dystopia. And yet…
25. Vinland Saga – Adventure, Drama, Action

Do you want a dark, medieval story of Vikings, revenge and moral awakening? Then you need to head to Vinland Saga on Netflix. This epic historical anime begins with Thorfinn, a young warrior thirsty to avenge his father's murder by dueling against the ruthless Askeladd. But his quest turns out to be more complicated than expected.
At first, Vinland Saga shocks viewers with gruesomely realistic battle sequences, as Thorfinn and Askeladd's band of marauders lead raids and battles across Northern Europe for land, power, and riches. The animation is fluid and recreates the harshness of Viking life.
But amid the shield-smashing action lies a deeper coming-of-age story, as the idealistic Thorfinn must re-examine his motivations. Fans of brutal medieval anime like Attack on Titan will quickly discover why Vinland Saga is considered one of the best anime TV series on Netflix.
26. Den-noh Coil – Science fiction, adventure, comedy

An anime as eccentric as it is haunting, Den-Noh Coil strikes the perfect balance between the strange and the absurd to create a memorable sci-fi adventure.
We follow Yuuko and her friends, a group of children living in the distant future of 2026, where everyone wears augmented reality glasses connected to the Internet. At first, it's just fun games and virtual pets. But things get darker when Yuuko discovers that the glasses could be linked to a big supernatural conspiracy.
It takes time to understand this confusing plot, but patient viewers are rewarded with a story that resonates on an emotional level. Are virtual worlds real? What defines consciousness and death in a technologically fused reality? Den-Noh Coil explores these philosophical questions without ever becoming too heavy-handed.
27. Kotaro Lives Alone – Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama

Prepare to have your heart warmed by this one-of-a-kind anime. Kotaro Lives Alone follows a mature 4-year-old boy who lives alone in an apartment after the tragic death of his mother. A strange situation, isn't it? But this Netflix original movie will have you laughing one moment and reaching for tissues the next.
Young Kotaro quickly becomes friends with his strange neighbor: a lazy manga artist. This unlikely friendship is the heart of the series and one of the many reasons why anime fans would definitely consider Kotaro Lives Alone to be one of the best anime TV series on Netflix – especially if you like comedies in slices of life.
While tackling serious topics like loss, addiction, and loneliness, the series remains surprisingly optimistic. The colorful images overflow with warmth, offering a more heartwarming version of Crayon Shin-chan – without as many shenanigans.
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28. Little Witch Academia – Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure

If you've ever wondered what Hogwarts turned into an anime would look like with a bumbling witch as the protagonist, you need to see Little Witch Academia! This Netflix series captures all the magic of the Harry Potter universe with its own quirky animation touches.
We follow Akko, an optimistic novice witch who attends the prestigious Luna Nova witchcraft academy. She idolizes the fun-loving witch Shiny Chariot and even owns Chariot's magic wand Shiny Rod. But there's a problem: Akko has trouble casting even the most basic spells correctly.
With Akko's adorable mischievousness and the academy's eccentric magic classes, this anime exudes good humor. It's light-hearted, with colorful images and fluid character movements akin to those of Studio Ghibli. As the mysteries deepen, we witness surprising emotional revelations amid laughter.
29. Aggretsuko – Comedy, slice of life, musical

If you're looking for one of the best anime TV series on Netflix that packs a big punch in bite-sized episodes, let Aggretsuko be your spirit animal. This Sanrio gem features the adorable Retsuko, an underestimated office worker who vents her daily frustrations with death metal karaoke sessions.
One of the best short-lived anime series on Netflix, each episode offers a hilarious insight into the monotonous indignities Retsuko faces working in the accounting department at a soulless company.
Beyond the laughs are astute commentary on dysfunctional work culture and modern adulthood fueled by frustration. Ultimately, Aggretsuko is more than a Hello Kitty for a new generation – it's a chronicle of the lives of most twenty-somethings struggling to make ends meet.
30. Super Crooks – Superhero, action, adventure

Looking for an animated heist story with superpowers, action and kick-ass anti-heroes? In that case, immerse yourself in Netflix's Super Crooks, based on the comic book by Mark Millar, famous for his film Kick-Ass. With its retro atmosphere, tension-filled heists and a pinch of moral ambiguity, it's a juicy series for fans of antiheroes.
We follow Johnny Bolt, a former supervillain forced to retire for one last job – the heist of his life in Spain. Well, that was in the comics. Since this is an anime, the last mission takes place in a Japanese resort.
The slick animation features neon colors and high-energy action, all balanced by a groovy jazz soundtrack. The characters are overflowing with charisma, especially our protagonists – Johnny Bolt and his beloved Kasey.
Superpowers enhance heists, but they take a backseat to the team's charismatic dynamics and perspectives on what drives someone to a life of crime. Although easily overlooked, Super Crooks is easily one of the best animated TV series on Netflix.
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31. Baki Hanma – Action, Drama, Adventure

Martial arts fans need to watch Baki Hanma on Netflix ASAP. This action-packed anime finally continues the story of the Baki the Grappler series from the early 2000s, satisfying loyal fans who have been waiting for years. We find Baki Hanma on his quest to become the strongest fighter ever by participating in the world's deadliest underground fighting tournament.
With hard-hitting fights centered around different fighting disciplines, Baki features some of the best-choreographed clashes ever seen in an anime. The testosterone-filled action celebrates the masculine spirit through muscular designs and hyper-macho motivations.
Yet beyond the heavy-handed combat lies some interesting philosophies about the meaning of true power. Is Baki's goal to surpass his inmate father through sheer physical strength or through understanding mercy? The story explores complex father-son dynamics when it's not showing muscular guys beating each other up.

What list of the best animated TV series on Netflix would be complete without the masterpiece that is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? This epic adventure remains the gold standard for anime that feature gripping stories, complex themes, and thrilling action.
In a fantasy world where alchemy reigns supreme, we follow brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric. After failing in their attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy, the two brothers set off in search of the philosopher's stone to restore their bodies.
While the first Fullmetal Alchemist strayed from the manga storyline, Brotherhood faithfully adapts the entire story. The result is a thrilling epic that piles on memorable fights, endearing characters and heartbreaking drama, culminating in a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
With its poignant storytelling, fluid animation and chilling emotional depth, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood meets all the criteria that make anime an exceptional film.
33. BNA: Brand New Animal – Action, Comedy, Adventure

Prepare for a wild ride with BNA: Brand New Animal – a Netflix-exclusive anime that features human-animal hybrids in a dystopian city plagued by social unrest. We follow Michiru, a young human girl who mysteriously transforms into a tanuki beastman and seeks refuge in the special district of Anima City.
But as Michiru struggles to adjust to her new identity as a tanuki amid Anima City's political tensions and gang warfare, secrets involve sinister experiences that spark her metamorphosis.
BNA's characters are fun and beautifully animated, thanks to Studio Trigger. The entire color palette and setting may be why the studio was chosen to direct the animated adaptation of Cyberpunk.
There's energetic humor and antics balanced by moving drama as Michiru bonds with the wolf gangster Shirou to discover the oddities of Anima City. BNA is an endearing family tale that celebrates self-acceptance.
For Beastars fans looking for new furry adventures, BNA will not disappoint. While it's not as popular as other entries on our list, its artistic value alone makes it one of the best anime TV series to binge-watch on Netflix.
Honorable mentions:
Ouran High School Host Club, Great Pretender, and Inuyasha.