Top 10 must-watch seinen anime series

Seinen might not be the most mainstream anime genre, but it has a number of exceptional series that are worth watching. If you're looking for more mature anime content after outgrowing childhood favorites like Naruto, then the seinen genre is a perfect fit for you.

Looking for a new favorite anime? Explore our list of the top 10 best seinen series of all time, which offers diverse storylines and characters free from typical shonen tropes, making it appealing to a wider audience across multiple generations.

Top 10 best seinen anime series

Seinen, ranging from dark fantasy to historical dramas, is widely regarded as one of the most diverse genres in the world of anime. With such a wide spectrum of options, finding your new favorite show is just a few clicks away.

10. Hellsing Ultimate

To kick things off, we're starting off this compilation with a unique dark fantasy vampire tale. Originally created as a manga series by Kouta Hirano in 1997, Hellsing Ultimate has been adapted into multiple anime versions. However, the most highly regarded one is certainly the 2006-2012 rendition.

The tale centers on a vampire named Alucard, his leader Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, and his newly turned soldier Seras Victoria. Taking place in modern-day England, the show focuses on the enigmatic Hellsing Organization and their efforts to fight against vampires, ghouls, and other supernatural creatures that pose a threat to the peace in England.

Streaming on: Crunchyroll

9. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is a fan favorite among many anime fans. It has a little bit of everything to make it a classic (although, in truth it’s underrated).

The setting is Tokyo, where the story unfolds the tragic journey of Ken Kaneki, a young college student who gets entangled in the sinister world of ghouls following a disastrous date. Filled with intense battles, horrifying torture scenes, and emotional moments, this anime series serves as an ideal gateway into the seinen genre or as a slightly more mature anime series.

Available to watch on: Netflix

8. Made In Abyss

The Made in Abyss anime, based on Akihito Tsukushi's long-running manga series, captivated audiences when it premiered in 2017. The story takes place in a small town built around a massive hole known as the Abyss, which holds remnants of ancient civilizations. Cave Raiders regularly venture into the Abyss in search of their fortunes.

Watch the story of a young orphan girl, Riko, who forms a friendship with a part-robot boy named Reg. When her mother, a Cave Raider presumed dead, leaves behind papers documenting her discoveries in the Abyss, Riko and Reg set out to find her. Will they be successful? Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Crunchyroll.

7. Pluto

Netflix has produced several anime series, but Pluto stands out as one of the best murder-mystery thrillers. Adapted from Naoki Urasawa’s popular seinen manga, which was serialized from 2003 to 2009, Pluto pays homage to Osamu Tezuka’s The Greatest Robot on Earth story arc in Astro Boy.

In a world where humans and robots coexist, the story centers around Gesicht, a leading Europol robot detective, as he works to unravel a series of robot and human deaths. His investigation reveals deeper, more sinister secrets, some of which are meant to remain hidden.

Streaming on: Netflix

6. Psycho-Pass

Cyberpunk thriller series Psycho-Pass is an anime classic, and has spawned an entire franchise including multiple films and two manga series.

In a dystopian Japan, individuals are assigned a Psycho-Pass number that dictates their societal worth and personal freedom. The story is narrated through the eyes of Inspector Akane Tsuemori, as she pursues the former Inspector-turned-Enforcer, Shinya Kogami, in his quest to capture his nemesis, Shogo Makishima. Can she apprehend him?

Available to watch on: Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video

5. Code Geass

Ranked in the middle of our list is the popular alternate history series, Code Geass. With supernatural elements and intense mecha battles, this series has something for every anime fan to enjoy and is sure to be loved for generations.

In a parallel timeline, Code Geass is set in a world divided into three superpowers: the Holy Britannian Empire, the Chinese Federation, and Europa United. The story unfolds after the Holy Britannian Empire conquers Japan with their advanced Knightmare Frame weapon, stripping the citizens of their rights, freedoms, and even their country's name.

Watch former prince Lelouch Lamperouge as he seeks revenge against the Empire for their crimes against his family, waging a war with the goal of destroying Britannia. With his newfound power and tactical ability, Lelouch could actually succeed.

Streaming now on: Amazon Prime Video and Crunchyroll.

4. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

Taking the 4th spot is a series that strays from the typical seinen norms. Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, a romantic comedy and slice-of-life anime, cleverly blends elements of seinen and shojo to offer a refreshing and lighthearted alternative in a landscape often filled with dark and intense series.

The story takes place at Shuchiin Academy, a high school where the student council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya come up with various schemes to confess their love for each other. Throughout the series, you'll experience the ups and downs of teenage romance and the challenges of high school life alongside these characters.

Available to watch on: Funimation and Crunchyroll

3. One Punch Man

One of the top three anime series of this generation is One Punch Man, a popular and hilarious superhero series and shonen parody. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out. Set in a version of Tokyo inhabited by superheroes, rampaging monsters, and villainous aliens, the show follows the story of Saitama, a once-regular human who can defeat any opponent with just one punch. Despite facing plenty of monsters, none of them pose the challenge he yearns for.

Watch as Saitama navigates the world of superheroes in this entertaining series. While he can defeat any villain, winning the hearts and minds of the general public is a whole different challenge.

Stream on: Crunchyroll

2. Vinland Saga

With a 9.4/10 rating on IMDb, this acclaimed historical drama expertly weaves together thrilling action sequences and compelling character growth, ensuring its place as a timeless series for future generations.

Makoto Yukimura's manga, Vinland Saga, draws inspiration from real historical events and tells the tale of a young Icelander named Thorfinn. After his father is killed by a Viking named Askeladd, Thorfinn joins the Viking's crew with the sole purpose of seeking revenge. The series can be streamed on Netflix.

1. Monster

Finally, at number one on our list, is the classic series Monster.

Based on Naoki Urasawa's highly-praised manga series, Monster has garnered multiple awards and is considered one of the standout anime series of its era.

The plot centers around Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a talented young Japanese brain surgeon working at the Eisler Memorial Hospital in West Germany. Despite his success, he grows disillusioned with prioritizing political figures over ordinary citizens. When forced to choose between saving a young boy or the city's mayor, Tenma opts to save the child, inadvertently leading to the mayor's demise.

Watch on Netflix as Tenma must confront his past when it is revealed that the young boy he saved has become a serial killer, wreaking havoc in Germany.

How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023

If you're a fan of anime like One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen, you'll love Crunchyroll. With ExpressVPN, you can unlock the platform's complete library from anywhere in the world, not just the US.

When traveling internationally, follow these simple steps to unlock Crunchyroll's complete content library:

Register for ExpressVPN, a service with high-speed servers and a secure, private network accessible from anywhere in the world.

Connect to any location in the US with Express VPN's option to choose from 24 different spots, including New Jersey and Santa Monica. Head to Crunchyroll online to start streaming your favorite animes – and maybe discover some new ones too.

Accessing Crunchyroll's US library provides a significant advantage. For instance, Hong Kong users are limited to fewer than 100 titles, whereas the US offers access to nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows.

Additionally, you have the option to stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can choose to subscribe and pay for a membership. If you're undecided, there's even a 14-day free trial available.

Explore more of our anime coverage featuring topics such as the possibility of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, the ending explanation of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the announcement of the Culling Game Arc in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, and insights into the One Piece treasure.

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Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of seinen anime, I am thrilled to see the recognition and appreciation for this genre. The top 10 must-watch seinen anime series listed in the article offer a diverse range of storylines, characters, and themes that cater to a more mature audience. Seinen anime often delves into complex narratives, darker themes, and more realistic character development, which sets them apart from mainstream shonen anime.

The inclusion of titles like "Hellsing Ultimate," "Tokyo Ghoul," "Made in Abyss," "Pluto," and "Psycho-Pass" is a testament to the quality and popularity of seinen anime. These series have captivated audiences with their unique blend of action, mystery, drama, and psychological exploration. Each show brings its own distinct world-building, character arcs, and thought-provoking themes that resonate with viewers on a deeper level.