Ranked · Anime · Updated June 2026

The Best Anime to Watch in Order

The medium at its absolute peak: titans of storytelling, animation, and emotion ranked best-first. From flawless 64-episode masterpieces to genre-redefining mind-benders, these are the anime worth every hour. Start at the top and you cannot go wrong.

  1. 1
    Fullmetal Alchemist Watch OrderAnime

    The gold standard: 64 episodes, zero filler, perfect ending. Start here.

    See the order
  2. 2
    Hunter x Hunter Watch OrderAnime

    Subverts shonen at every turn; the Chimera Ant arc is untouchable.

    See the order
  3. 3
    Attack on Titan Watch OrderAnime

    A decade-long puzzle box that sticks the landing with brutal payoff.

    See the order
  4. 4
    Frieren Watch OrderAnime

    Elegy on time and grief, animated like a moving painting. Quietly devastating.

    See the order
  5. 5
    Steins;Gate Watch OrderAnime

    Slow-burn time-travel thriller that becomes one of anime's tensest rides.

    See the order
  6. 6
    Code Geass Watch OrderAnime

    Lelouch's chess-match rebellion: pure operatic spectacle with the best finale.

    See the order
  7. 7
    Death Note Watch OrderAnime

    Genius-versus-genius cat-and-mouse so tight it never lets you breathe.

    See the order
  8. 8
    Cowboy Bebop Watch OrderAnime

    Effortlessly cool jazz-noir that defined anime for the West.

    See the order
  9. 9
    Vinland Saga Watch OrderAnime

    A Viking's journey from vengeance to pacifism; brutal then profoundly humane.

    See the order
  10. 10
    Evangelion Watch OrderAnime

    The genre-shattering mech-deconstruction that rewired what anime could be.

    See the order
  11. 11
    Gurren Lagann Watch OrderAnime

    Pure escalating hype that drills straight through the heavens. Believe in you.

    See the order
  12. 12
    Jujutsu Kaisen Watch OrderAnime

    Sakuga-stuffed modern shonen with Studio MAPPA flexing at full power.

    See the order
  13. 13
    Demon Slayer Watch OrderAnime

    Ufotable's animation is breathtaking; the Mugen Train fights are jaw-dropping.

    See the order
  14. 14
    One Piece Watch Order (Sagas & Arcs)Anime

    The greatest adventure ever told, if you commit to the voyage.

    See the order
  15. 15
    JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Watch OrderAnime

    Gloriously absurd, hot-blooded, and endlessly meme-worthy across wild generations.

    See the order
  16. 16
    Mob Psycho 100 Watch OrderAnime

    ONE's empathy plus ONE Studio's animation equals explosive emotional catharsis.

    See the order
  17. 17
    Chainsaw Man Watch OrderAnime

    Punk, horny, and tragic; Denji is anime's messiest unforgettable hero.

    See the order
  18. 18
    Made in Abyss Watch OrderAnime

    Gorgeous, whimsical, and quietly horrifying. Do not let the art fool you.

    See the order
  19. 19
    Monogatari Series Watch OrderAnime

    Wordy, stylish, hypnotic dialogue-art unlike anything else in the medium.

    See the order
  20. 20
    Studio Ghibli Movies in OrderAnime

    Miyazaki's timeless films: the warmest, most beautiful entry point of all.

    See the order

Frequently asked questions

What's the best anime to start with if you're new?

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the near-universal recommendation: a complete 64-episode story with no filler, perfect pacing, and a satisfying ending. For something gentler, Studio Ghibli films are the warmest on-ramp.

Should I watch in release order or chronological order?

For standalone series, just watch each in its intended episode order. For franchises like JoJo's or Demon Slayer, follow release/arc order: the studios designed them to be watched front-to-back, and recaps catch you up.

How long would it take to binge this whole list?

Most entries are 20-60 hours each, but One Piece alone is 1,000+ episodes. Realistically the full list is years of viewing, so treat it as a lifetime watchlist rather than a single binge.

More rankings

All mediaThe Best Franchises to Binge Right Now16 ranked →BeginnerBest Entry Points: The Easiest Franchises to Start15 ranked →UniversesThe Biggest Shared Universes, Ranked12 ranked →LengthThe Longest Binges: Franchises That Eat Your Whole Month12 ranked →DifficultyThe Most Confusing Watch Orders, Ranked12 ranked →Anime · ShonenThe Best Shonen Anime, Ranked12 ranked →Anime · IsekaiThe Best Isekai Anime, Ranked10 ranked →FilmThe Best Movie Franchises to Watch in Order18 ranked →
← All rankings