Since thousands of anime series have been released in the past few decades, it can be very difficult to know where to even start. So many anime series are worth watching, but a small handful are absolutely necessary viewing for anyone who considers themselves to be an anime fan. Eight animes in particular definitely deserve a watch, and both brand-new and old anime fans will enjoy them.

Some of these series are fairly recent and just debuted in the past couple of years, while others have stood the test of time and are considered to be anime classics. Although they are all vastly different, what all these shows have in common is their high-quality animation, unique plots, and lifelike characters that stick with viewers long after watching. After watching these eight anime series, it will be pretty difficult to find anything that tops them.

8 Attack on Titan

Based on the Original Manga by Hajime Isayama, Produced by Wit Studio and MAPPA

Few anime series are as much of a masterpiece as Hajime Isayama's series, Attack on Titan. The series follows Eren Yeager, a boy living in a world where humanity is at war with man-eating beasts called Titans. Although Eren's home is safely guarded by sets of walls, his peace is shattered when a Titan breaks in for the first time in a century. The murderous incident claims hundreds of lives, including Eren's own mother, incentivizing the boy to dedicate his life to fighting these creatures at all costs.

Attack on Titan is a somber story with some of anime's best fight scenes, that also depicts the dire consequences war can have. The series is packed with plot twists, and every time viewers think they know what's coming next, Attack on Titan throws them for a loop in an unexpected way. Aside from the fight with Titans, there are conflicts among humans too. The complicated nature of Attack on Titan's story will give viewers plenty to think about and lessons that will stick in their minds for life.

7 Spy x Family

Based on the Original Manga by Tatsuya Endo, Produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks

Spy x Family blends genres effortlessly, combining an intense spy drama, a comforting slice-of-life family comedy, and an adorable rom-com all at once. When Agent Twilight is assigned his most difficult mission yet, protecting peace between the East and the West in the midst of a cold war, he has to create a fake family to blend in. After adopting a child, Anya, and getting into a fake marriage with his wife, Yor, his situation becomes even more confusing as he has to balance his double life.

The humor in Spy x Family is laugh-out-loud, as Anya's hijinks constantly keep Loid on his toes, and the emotional scenes are truly touching, as it becomes evident that Loid cares for this fake family more than he ever expected to. The series will appeal to anime fans looking for action-packed fights, chase scenes, and spies sneaking around, as well as those searching for a silly, heartfelt story about a found family. Spy x Family is a mix of all of these elements, and combines them all beautifully, meaning it deserves a spot on any anime watchlist.

6 Cowboy Bebop

Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, Written by Keiko Nobumoto, and Produced by Sunrise

Cowboy Bebop can only be described as timeless, since it is still every bit as entertaining and insightful as it was when it first came out in 1998, over two decades ago. The plot follows a group of adventurous bounty hunters on various missions that send them venturing across the galaxy. Cowboy Bebop has elements of a space western, and its theatrical setting in space makes for so many heart-racing fights and other curious discoveries for the main cast as they go on adventures.

Cowboy Bebop is more than just another battle-packed anime though, it also explores deeper messages like self-discovery, loneliness, and other tough topics. The series' episodic style of storytelling makes each episode feel self-contained and easy to watch, but also connected by an overarching plot and the bonds between the characters. Anyone who has not yet watched Cowboy Bebop should see for themselves why it is so beloved.

5 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Created by Hideaki Anno, Produced by Gainax

Neon Genesis Evangelion may seem like just another anime drama, but it is actually one of the deepest, most thought-provoking anime out there. In Neon Genesis Evangelion, a war between humanity and angels is occurring, with no signs of stopping anytime soon, and Shinji Ikari discovers that he is one of few people capable of piloting an EVA robot and fighting back.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a standout in the mech anime genre, which is an extensive subcategory that includes series featuring massive robots. The series not only helped popularize mech anime, its emotional storytelling and true-to-life characters make it an unforgettable piece of anime history. Neon Genesis Evangelion is more tear-jerking than most series, due to its apocalyptic setting, but the complex moral issues the series tackles will leave viewers pondering long after the end credits have rolled.

4 Naruto

Based on the Original Manga by Masashi Kishimoto, Produced by Pierrot and Aniplex

Naruto is pretty much a household name, with a successful franchise that boasts a manga that ran for 15 years, two anime adaptations, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, 2 spin-off anime series, and a few spin-off manga. Despite the anime's overwhelming length, which may seem insurmountable to a new viewer, Naruto's combined 31 seasons are well worth the hours they would take to watch all the way through.

Naruto is a perfect introduction to shonen anime, a genre that focuses on action and adventure elements, large-scale fights, and deeper morals like friendship, protecting others, finding one's own identity, and other interpersonal struggles. Naruto touches on all of these points, and also features a creative and interesting power system, irable heroes, and complex, multifaceted villains to boot. Naruto is a classic for a reason, and after watching one episode, most anime fans will find themselves interested in checking out everything the franchise has to offer.

3 Demon Slayer

Based on the Original Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, Produced by Ufotable

There is so much to love about Demon Slayer, from its lovable characters to the tidbits of wisdom and life advice embedded in the story. Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist, is an average teenager whose life is upended when he returns home one day and finds his entire family dead, except for his younger sister, who was transformed into a demon. After this unspeakable tragedy, Tanjiro embarks on a quest for both revenge and a solution to restore his sister's humanity.

Demon Slayer's fights are truly cinematic, with battles, like Kyojuro Rengoku vs. Akaza in the Mugen Train film and Tanjiro and Nezuko vs. Daki and Gyutaro in the Entertainment District Arc, that show off the characters' years of training. Another reason Demon Slayer is so ired is because its protagonist, Tanjiro, started out average, but through hard work he became exceptional, which is a motivational story that any anime fan can draw inspiration from.

2 Jujutsu Kaisen

Based on the Original Manga by Gege Akutami, Produced by MAPPA

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best shonen anime around, and its popularity only skyrocketed even higher when its second season aired in July 2023. MAPPA's exhilarating animation brought the dark fantasy manga to life, and it is a true wonder to behold some of the series' most energetic sorcerer vs. cursed spirit battles on-screen. At its core, Jujutsu Kaisen is about sorcerers fighting cursed spirits, but that is truly an understated oversimplification of the standout series.

Yuji Itadori, Jujutsu Kaisen's protagonist, develops powers due to an unexpected incident, and suddenly becomes involved in a clash between humanity and sorcerers. Jujutsu Kaisen's battles are on another level, allowing fighters to show off creative techniques that are as visually awe-inspiring as they are epic. Jujutsu Kaisen's character development is also incomparable, with heroes like Gojo and villains like Mahito that can never be forgotten. The series is a must-watch, encoming everything great about the shonen genre.

1 Solo Leveling

Based on the Original Web Novel by Chugong, Produced by A-1 Pictures and Aniplex

Solo Leveling is a newer anime, based on a web novel by Chugong that began releasing in 2016 and an on-screen adaptation that did not come until January 2024. Although Solo Leveling does not have the established presence over many years that some series do, it has managed to captivate fans rather quickly, immersing them completely in the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo's, remarkable world and chronicling his experience as a hunter.

Solo Leveling is heavy on action elements, as Jinwoo advances on his journey as a hunter and "levels up" by fighting monsters that get increasingly stronger and more difficult to overpower. The series is not just excellent in its own right, with compelling character arcs and monster battles that are nothing short of epic, Solo Leveling helped inspire a whole subgenre. Fans who enjoy anime series with video game elements, dungeon settings, and intense battles should check out Solo Leveling and see why it inspired so many other similar projects.

Source: @animetv_jp on X