Here is a list of the top 10 must-watch anime series of all time, based on their popularity, influence, and critical acclaim.

10. Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a classic anime series that blends sci-fi, western, noir, and jazz elements. It follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters (called cowboys) who travel across the solar system in their spaceship Bebop. The main characters are Spike Spiegel, a former hitman with a mysterious past; Jet Black, a former cop and the owner of the Bebop; Faye Valentine, a femme fatale with a huge debt; Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV (Ed for short), a quirky hacker girl; and Ein, a genetically engineered corgi. Cowboy Bebop is known for its stylish animation, memorable soundtrack, and episodic stories that explore themes such as existentialism, loneliness, and freedom.

9. Death Note

Death Note is a psychological thriller anime series that revolves around a high school student named Light Yagami, who finds a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Light decides to use the notebook to create a utopian world where he is the god-like ruler and eliminates anyone he deems as evil. However, his actions attract the attention of L, a mysterious and genius detective who is determined to catch him. Death Note is a cat-and-mouse game between Light and L, as they try to outsmart each other using their intelligence, logic, and morality.

8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series that follows the journey of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are alchemists in a world where alchemy is a science that can manipulate matter. The brothers attempt to use alchemy to resurrect their dead mother, but fail and pay a terrible price: Edward loses his left leg and right arm, while Alphonse loses his entire body and has his soul bound to a suit of armor. To restore their bodies, they embark on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone, a mythical object that can amplify alchemy. Along the way, they uncover a dark conspiracy that threatens the fate of their world.

7. Naruto

Naruto is an anime series that tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who dreams of becoming the Hokage (the leader) of his village. Naruto is shunned by his peers and villagers because he has the Nine-Tailed Fox, a powerful and destructive beast, sealed inside him. Despite this, Naruto never gives up on his goal and strives to prove himself through hard work and determination. Naruto is joined by his friends Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno as they go through various missions and challenges as ninjas. Naruto is an epic saga that spans over 700 episodes and explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, rivalry, betrayal, redemption, and destiny.

6. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is an anime series that depicts a world where humanity lives in fear of giant humanoid creatures called Titans that devour humans without reason. The remnants of humanity live inside three concentric walls that protect them from the Titans. The story focuses on Eren Yeager, a young boy who witnesses his mother being eaten by a Titan during a breach of the outermost wall. Eren vows to exterminate all Titans and joins the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that fights against the Titans outside the walls. Eren soon discovers that he has the ability to transform into a Titan himself, which makes him both an asset and a threat to humanity.

5. One Piece

One Piece is an anime series that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who gains the power to stretch his body like rubber after eating a Devil Fruit. Luffy dreams of becoming the Pirate King by finding the legendary treasure One Piece left by the previous Pirate King Gol D. Roger. Luffy forms his own pirate crew called the Straw Hat Pirates and travels across the Grand Line, a vast ocean where One Piece is hidden. Along the way, he meets various friends and foes who either help or hinder his quest. One Piece is one of the longest-running and most popular anime series of all time with over 1000 episodes.

4. Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate is an anime series that is based on a visual novel of the same name. It follows the story of Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who runs a makeshift laboratory in Akihabara, Tokyo. Okabe and his friends accidentally discover that they can send text messages to the past using a modified microwave oven, which they call the Phone Microwave. This leads them to experiment with changing the past and creating different timelines, which they call world lines. However, they soon realize that their actions have unforeseen and dangerous consequences, as they are entangled in a conspiracy involving a mysterious organization called SERN and a mysterious girl named Makise Kurisu.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an anime series that is considered a masterpiece and a landmark in the history of anime. It is set in the year 2015, when the world is under attack by monstrous creatures called Angels. The only hope for humanity lies in the hands of NERV, a secret organization that operates giant mecha called Evangelions. The Evangelions can only be piloted by teenagers who are compatible with them, such as Shinji Ikari, the son of NERV’s commander Gendo Ikari. Shinji is reluctantly recruited to pilot the Evangelion Unit-01 and fight against the Angels, along with other pilots Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu. Neon Genesis Evangelion is a complex and psychological anime series that explores themes such as identity, depression, trauma, religion, and human nature.

2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is an anime series that combines mecha, political intrigue, and supernatural elements. It is set in an alternate world where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered most of the world, including Japan, which is renamed Area 11. The story follows Lelouch vi Britannia, a former prince of Britannia who was exiled to Japan after his mother was assassinated and his sister was crippled. Lelouch vows to destroy Britannia and create a better world for his sister. He obtains a power called Geass from a mysterious girl named C.C., which allows him to command anyone to obey his orders. He uses this power to lead a rebellion against Britannia under the alias Zero.

1. Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is an anime series that is based on the manga of the same name by Akira Toriyama. It is the sequel to Dragon Ball, which follows the adventures of Goku, a boy who was raised by a martial arts master and learns that he is an alien from the Saiyan race. Dragon Ball Z continues Goku’s story as he grows up and faces new enemies and challenges, such as the evil Frieza, who destroyed his home planet; the androids and Cell, who threaten to destroy Earth; and Majin Buu, who is awakened by an evil wizard. Goku is joined by his friends and family, such as his son Gohan, his rival Vegeta, his mentor Piccolo, and his best friend Krillin. Dragon Ball Z is one of the most influential and popular anime series of all time, with over 500 episodes. It has inspired countless other anime and manga series, as well as video games, movies, merchandise, and fan works.

Conclusion

Anime is a diverse and rich medium that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for action, comedy, drama, romance, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, or anything in between, you can find it in anime. The above list is just a sample of some of the best anime series of all time that you should watch if you are an anime fan or want to become one. Of course, there are many more anime series that are worth watching, since this list is based on popularity, influence, and critical acclaim and so feel free to explore and discover your own favorites.

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