Top 10 must-watch anime series based in Tokyo

Tokyo is often referred to as the mecca of all things anime. Here are our top 10 anime series set in the capital city of Japan.

Few cities can match the bright, vibrant, and densely populated atmosphere of Tokyo. This metropolis is a technological wonderland, with its concrete jungle offering a plethora of unimaginable experiences.

Discover the best anime series set in Tokyo if you can't visit the city in person or want to experience its history and culture in a unique way. From slice-of-life dramas to epic fantasy adventures, these series offer a virtual tour of the world-famous city.

10 best anime series set in Tokyo

Get ready to experience Tokyo like never before, with these fantastic anime series.

10. Tokyo Revengers

Kicking off our lineup is the often-overlooked science fiction suspense film, Tokyo Revengers. Drawing inspiration from Ken Wakui’s manga series running from 2017 to 2022, Tokyo Revengers melds the distinct realms of adolescent street cliques and temporal manipulation.

Takemichi Hanagaki, a 26-year-old part-time worker, is thrust into a time-traveling adventure after his ex-girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, dies in a gang-related incident. While on his way home from work, he is unexpectedly transported back to his junior high years and soon realizes that he possesses the power to manipulate time. As he navigates through different timelines, Takemichi endeavors to rewrite the past and alter the tragic fate of his former girlfriend. Can he succeed in saving her life?

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll and Disney+

9. Your Name

Next in line is the bittersweet 2016 movie Your Name.

Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the film tells the tale of a Tokyo high school boy and a Nagano high school girl who inexplicably switch bodies. It starts as a one-time occurrence, but persists, leading the two to unravel the mystery behind this peculiar phenomenon.

This high school student tale set against the stunning landscapes of Tokyo and Nagano broke box office records upon release, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards. Watch it on: Prime Video and Apple TV.

8. City Hunter

Now it’s time for an older anime series. Although there’s also a movie and live-action to watch as well.

City Hunter is a classic anime series that originally aired in the late 80s and early 90s. Despite its age, the show's blend of humor and drama has kept it popular with audiences over the years. The story centers around Ryo Saeba, a skilled gun-for-hire, known as a sweeper, who operates in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. His two main weaknesses are his love for money and beautiful women.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

7. Mitsuboshi Colors

Mitsuboshi Colors is a refreshing change from the action-packed sci-fi, fantasy, and isekai anime that currently dominate the charts. Set in a small corner of Tokyo, the story follows three elementary schoolgirls, Yui, Sat-chan, and Kotoha, who form an organization called The Colors. Together, they perform various good deeds and errands to help and protect the people of their city, bringing a delightful, bright, and colorful touch to the anime world.

Available to watch on: HIDIVE

6. Steins;Gate

Time travel and anime are a perfect match, and Steins;Gate stands out as one of the greatest time travel series ever. The story takes place in Akihabara, Tokyo, and follows a mad scientist named Rintaro Okabe, who runs a Future Gadget Laboratory from his apartment with his friends Mayuri Shiina and Itaru Hashida. Together, they discover a way to send messages back through time, but their many time travel experiments don't always go according to plan.

While the setting of the anime doesn’t play a huge role in the storyline, it does immerse you into what life as a college aged student in Tokyo would be like.

Available to watch on: Prime Video

5. Tokyo Ghoul

As you’ll see with the remaining entries on this list, we’re now onto some of the biggest anime series of all time. At number five, we have Tokyo Ghoul.

Set in a Tokyo overrun by flesh-eating ghouls, this popular series follows the story of 18-year-old student Ken Kaneki. After a near-fatal encounter with a ghoul named Rize, Ken undergoes a life-saving organ transplant from the very creature that attacked him, only to discover that he has become a half-ghoul. The series chronicles Ken's struggle to survive in a dangerous world populated by murderous ghouls and human hunters, as he comes to terms with his new existence.

Available to watch on: Netflix and Prime Video

4. Death Note

Next in line is Death Note, a supernatural thriller that frequently tops various popular anime lists and is based in Tokyo. The plot revolves around a high school prodigy named Light Yagami who stumbles upon a mysterious black notebook that belongs to a bored Death God (shinigami) named Ryuk. What follows is a gripping storyline of psychological warfare, cat-and-mouse games, and mass murder.

Available to watch: Prime Video and Crunchyroll

3. One Punch Man

One Punch Man is a widely known anime that has gained international acclaim for subverting traditional shonen genre conventions. It is often regarded as one of the most popular parody series of all time.

The plot is set in a fictionalized version of Tokyo, which is under constant threat from monstrous attacks. The story revolves around Saitama's transformation from being a hero for fun to becoming a member of the Hero's Association. Despite being the most powerful hero, he is often not recognized for his efforts by the city's inhabitants.

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll

2. Demon Slayer

Set during Japan's Taisho period, Demon Slayer initially unfolds in a rural setting before transporting us to a historical rendition of Tokyo that is on the cusp of embracing modern technologies such as electric lights and automobiles.

The story revolves around Tanjiro Kamado, a young man who experiences the brutal annihilation of his family by a demon, with only his sister Nezuko surviving, albeit in the process of transforming into a demon herself. As Tanjiro embarks on a quest to join the enigmatic Demon Slayer Corps, the central questions loom: will he succeed in avenging his family? And can he find a way to restore his sister's humanity?

Available to watch on: Netflix and Prime Video

1. Jujutsu Kaisen

Located in the Tokyo district of Shibuya, Jujutsu Kaisen is a shonen sensation that blends ancient Japanese folklore with contemporary life. This tale centers on a young boy named Yuji Itadori, who ingests a cursed item that turns him into the host of the most formidable curse ever: Sukuna. As he is catapulted into the realm of Jujutsu Sorcerers, Itadori’s existence undergoes a dramatic transformation, as he must consume more of Sukuna’s remaining fingers and confront lethal curses in battle.

The Shibuya setting may not directly impact the story, but the vibrant animation brings the characters to life, making it feel like you've been transported to Tokyo. Stream it on Crunchyroll now.

How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023

ExpressVPN allows you to unlock Crunchyroll's extensive anime collection, including popular titles like One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen, no matter where you are in the world.

To access Crunchyroll's full selection while abroad, simply sign up for ExpressVPN. Their ultra-fast servers offer a secure and private connection no matter where you are in the world.

Connect to any location in the US with Express VPN, which offers 24 different spots to choose from, ranging from New Jersey to Santa Monica. Head over to Crunchyroll online and begin streaming your favorite animes, as well as discovering new ones.

Accessing Crunchyroll's US lineup offers a significant advantage. For instance, users in Hong Kong are limited to fewer than 100 titles, while those in the US can enjoy access to almost 1,000 movies and TV shows.

Furthermore, users can stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Alternatively, a subscription can be purchased – and there's even a 14-day free trial available for those who are undecided.

You can check out our other anime coverage here.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the recognition of Tokyo as the mecca of anime. The city's vibrant and densely populated atmosphere, coupled with its technological advancements, provides an ideal setting for captivating anime series. The diversity of genres, from science fiction suspense to slice-of-life dramas, ensures that there is something for everyone.

Personally, I am drawn to the blend of humor and drama in the classic anime series City Hunter. The character of Ryo Saeba, a skilled gun-for-hire with a weakness for money and beautiful women, adds a unique charm to the show. The setting in Shinjuku district of Tokyo further enhances the authenticity and relatability of the series.