The Ultimate Anime Guide: Top Picks, Streaming Platforms, Characters, and More!

Anime has become increasingly popular in Western countries since the start of the 21st century. Streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE have made it possible for viewers to watch new shows soon after their debut in Japan, leading to online discussions about the most popular anime. With dozens of new and returning series each season, the industry is constantly evolving, making it challenging to keep up.

Although anime is sometimes categorized as a genre on streaming services like HBO Max or Netflix, it covers a wide range of demographics and genres, from children's comedies to adult thrillers. It's more akin to a general term like "books."

To help both longtime fans and newcomers to Japanese animation find their next favorite show or movie, this directory provides recommendations organized by streaming service, genre, studio, director, and other criteria. Separate guides are also available for each anime season, with previews, reviews, and discussions for the most popular shows.

While anime movies often take longer to make their way to Western countries than series, there are still many fantastic films to discover. This directory includes recommendations for the best anime movies, anthology movies, and short films.

With so many anime shows out there, it's impossible to create a definitive "best of" list. However, this directory provides a good starting point for those new to the genre. It includes recommendations for the best anime series and OVAs.

Like Western releases, anime shows are available on a variety of streaming platforms, each with its own unique shows and price point. This directory includes recommendations for the best series and movies on different platforms, from specialized sites like Crunchyroll to general platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It also includes recommendations for the best general series, comedy series, and shonen series.

To summarize, this directory provides a comprehensive guide to the world of anime, helping viewers navigate the constantly evolving industry and discover their next favorite show or movie.

Discover the Best Series and Movies

- Best Anime On HBO Max

Top-Rated Series

Blockbuster Movies

- Best Anime On Hulu

Unmissable Series and Movies

- Best Anime On Netflix

Must-Watch Series

- Best Anime On TubiTV

Top Series and Movies

- Free Anime On Youtube

Fan-Favorite Series

Upcoming 2023 Anime

Get Ready for the Best Anime of 2023

The year has just begun, but we already have exciting announcements for Spring and Summer. With highly-anticipated sequels like Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 3, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc, and Dr. Stone: New World, as well as new releases spanning diverse genres, it's clear that 2023 will be a thrilling year for anime fans.

From horror and romance to shonen and sports, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements and get ready to watch your new favorite series.

Best Of 2022

The Best Anime of 2022: A Year to Remember

2022 brought us a plethora of unforgettable anime, with each season delivering standout shows that captivated audiences. Which anime stole our hearts and defined their genres? Who were the most beloved characters?

Best Anime of 2022

Underrated Gems of 2022

- Characters

Most Memorable Female Characters

Funniest Characters that Kept Us Laughing

Unforgettable Male Characters

Villains We Loved to Hate

- Genres

Anime is a medium that cannot be categorized into just one genre. It covers a vast array of popular genres such as action, comedy, romance, sci-fi, slice of life, and horror. However, some genres are more frequently produced than others.

Action-packed anime with avant-garde elements and battle shonen with no filler are among the most popular genres. Biographies, cyberpunk, dark romance, fantasy, gender-bender, harem, horror, idol, isekai, iyashikei, magical girl, magic realism, mecha, medical, music, mystery, parody, psychological, reincarnation, and romance are also among the popular genres. In addition, anime also offers endings and openings that are just as iconic as the stories they tell.

- OPs & EDs

- OPs & EDs

Best Anime Per Genre

Demographics in Manga and Anime

Romance Movies

Sci-Fi

Slice Of Life

Sports

Supernatural

Historical

War

Wuxia

Best Anime Per Demographic

Manga and anime have different demographics that cater to specific audiences. These demographics are generally divided into five categories: Kids, Shojo (teen girls and young women), Shonen (teen boys and young men), Josei (adult women), and Seinen (adult men). Although these demographics are not strict guidelines, they tend to tackle similar themes and appeal to the same audience.

Kids

Shojo

Shojo (Darkest)

Shonen

Shonen (Darkest)

Josei

Seinen

Seinen (Darkest)

Best Anime Per Decade

Anime Through the Decades

Anime has been around for over 50 years and has evolved significantly since its inception. Here are some of the most iconic and influential anime shows of each decade:

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Best English Dubs

English Dubbed Anime

While some anime fans prefer to watch with subtitles, there are also great English dubbed versions of popular shows. In some cases, the English dub can provide a fresh experience that sets it apart from the original Japanese version.

Isekai

Romance Anime

Shonen Anime

Best Anime Per Studio

Best Anime Studios

Anime studios put their unique stamp on each project through their art styles, narrative choices, and animation quality. While there are many active studios, some companies stand out from the crowd:

A-1 Pictures

CloverWorks

Gonzo

Some of the most influential anime studios have helped to shape the medium and bring it to a global audience. From Studio Ghibli to Kyoto Animation, these studios have left their mark on the industry.

Best Anime Per Director

Several notable directors have made a significant impact on anime's legacy through their films. Hayao Miyazaki, Hideaki Anno, and Isao Takahata are just a few of the names that stand out as creators who helped to extend anime's reach across the world.

Best Anime Per Source Material

Anime creators have found inspiration in a wide range of sources over the years, from classic fairy tales to popular manga series. Some anime adaptations are even based on video games, light novels, and other forms of media.

- Games

Fighting games, franchises, and JRPGs are just a few of the sources that anime studios have turned to in search of inspiration. With so many different types of media to draw from, the possibilities for anime adaptations are endless.

Anime adaptations have become increasingly popular in recent years, and not just limited to manga and light novels. Live-action adaptations of popular anime series have also started gaining traction, as seen with the recent release of the Netflix original series, Cowboy Bebop. Other adaptations in the works include manhwa, Egyptian, Greek, and Norse mythology, novels, songs, urban legends, and Western comics. With so much potential source material, the possibilities for live-action anime adaptations are endless.

From realistic to fantastical, anime has the ability to bring a diverse range of settings to life.

- City, Country, Continent, & Planet

- Europe

- Mars

- The Moon

- Not Set In Japan

- Tokyo

- United Kingdom

- United States

- Unique Locations & Settings

- The Afterlife

- All-Boys Schools

- All-Girls Schools

- Boarding Schools

- Gothic Castles

- Jungle

- Magic Academy

- Post-Apocalyptic Shonen

- Ships

- Spaceships

Best Anime About...

Anime and manga cover a wide range of topics, from basic life skills to fictional sports and everything in between. Whether it's learning how to cook or exploring Japanese folklore, there's something for everyone in the world of Japanese animation.

Anime: A Timeless Art Form

Anime has been around for centuries, with its roots tracing back to the Edo period in Japan. Despite its long history, anime remains a dynamic and ever-evolving art form that is not restricted by time. Similar to space, anime has the power to transport viewers to different worlds and time periods, from feudal Japan to the 22nd century and beyond.

Similar Anime Recommendations

For those who are struggling to choose what anime to watch next, there are plenty of options available. From epic adventures like Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball to supernatural thrillers like Death Note and The Devil is a Part-Timer!, anime has something for everyone. Other popular titles include Classroom of the Elite, Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. For those interested in unique themes and genres, Girls und Panzer, Gintama, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners are also worth checking out.

Anime at its Best

What makes an anime great? Is it the plot? The animation? The music? While all these elements are important, there is one thing that stands out above the rest: the characters. A well-written character can make or break an anime, and these shows prove that anime at its best is all about the characters.

From the fierce and determined Naruto to the lovable and mischievous Takagi-san, each of these characters brings something unique to their respective shows. Whether you're a fan of action-packed adventures or heartwarming romances, there's something for everyone on this list.

Best Anime Characters

So, if you're looking for a new anime to watch, start with these shows and get ready to fall in love with some of the best characters in anime history.

Rats are fascinating creatures that are often misunderstood. They are highly intelligent and social animals that make great pets. Male rats tend to be more laid-back and cuddly, while females are often more energetic and curious. When it comes to breeding, males can be territorial and may fight with each other, while females can become aggressive when protecting their young. Rats are also underrated as archetypes, with February, March, April, May, June being associated with these creatures. In addition, rats can represent family members such as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, twins, grandmothers, grandfathers, stepmoms, and stepfathers. Overall, rats are complex and fascinating animals that deserve more appreciation and understanding.

Variety of Characters

With a range of characters to choose from, readers will never be bored. There are stepbrothers and stepsisters, each with their own unique personalities. Additionally, there are characters with different hair colors, including bald, blonde, brown, white, and red. For those who prefer more exotic characters, there are alien boys and girls, androids, angels, cat boys and girls, fairies, female vampires, fox demons, ghosts, giants, kitsune, and zombies. Finally, readers can choose characters from different nationalities, like American, British, French, and Italian.

- Powers & Abilities

Unique Superpowers

While many anime and manga series include common superpowers like fire and ice, some stand out with more unique abilities. These may include shapeshifting or sand manipulation.

- Professions

Diverse Occupations

Anime and manga feature a wide range of occupations for their characters, from bodyguards and bounty hunters to librarians and nurses. These varied professions add depth and complexity to the stories and characters.

- Protagonists

Female Protagonists

Final Forms Of Shonen Protagonists

Funniest Shonen Protagonists

Gundam

High Kill Counts

Middle-aged Protagonists

Seinen Protagonists

Strongest Isekai Protagonists

Strongest Shonen Protagonists

Smartest Isekai Protagonists

Smartest Shonen Protagonists

Smartest Slice Of Life Protagonists

- Roles

Archers

Axe Wielders

Battle Mages

Beastmasters

Blue Mages

Bikers

Cowboys

Dark Magical Girls

Demon Kings

Double Agents

Gangsters

Ghost Hunters

Gods

Inventors

Knights

Lancers

Ninja

Pirates

Ronin

Sages

Samurai

Snipers

Sports Captains

Student Council Presidents

In conclusion, the world of anime and manga is filled with a diverse range of protagonist archetypes. From female protagonists to smartest shonen protagonists, and even sports captains and student council presidents, there is a character for everyone to relate to and admire. The possibilities are endless, making it an exciting and ever-evolving genre that continues to captivate fans worldwide.

- Roles

Incredible World-Building

Kings, queens, princes, and princesses all have a place in the anime world, but what truly sets a series apart is the depth of its world-building. From intricate magic systems to complex political landscapes, the best anime immerse viewers in a fully-realized world that feels alive. These worlds are often teeming with unique creatures, cultures, and histories, making them a joy to explore. So if you're looking for a new anime to lose yourself in, look no further than those with incredible world-building.

Unforgettable Villains

A great villain can be just as compelling as any hero, and anime has no shortage of unforgettable antagonists. From the master manipulators who pull the strings behind the scenes, to the shonen villains who push our heroes to their limits, there's no shortage of variety when it comes to anime villains. Some even have a point to their evil deeds, making them all the more complex and interesting. So the next time you're watching an anime, keep an eye out for the villains who steal the show.

Dynamic Characters

Anime is full of characters who grow and change over the course of a series, and these character arcs are often what make a show truly memorable. Whether it's a bookworm who learns to stand up for themselves, or a rivalry that turns into a friendship, these moments of growth and transformation are what keep us invested in a story. So if you're looking for an anime with dynamic characters, keep an eye out for those with strong character development.