Image via Toho Animation, MAPPA, Studio Madhouse
Crunchyroll has one of the largest collections of anime, and we have collected the best ones for you!
Being an anime fan with a Crunchyroll account is a lot of pressure. With hundreds of different anime series and movies to choose from, it can be hard to make a decision. We definitely don’t want you to worry away your weekends about what to watch and choose something that you hate. That’s why we have collected the best anime shows from Crunchyroll right here. From romance to sports, and from Shonen to Seinen, we have a recommendation for every anime fan right here!
Horimiya
Starting the list off with something sweet and romantic, we have Horimiya, also known as Hori-san to Miyamura-kun. This adorable high school romance, based on Hiroki Adachi’s manga, follows a bright and popular girl Hori, who keeps her home life a secret from her friends. On the other side is the typical loser kid Miyamura, who actually has tattoos and piercings he hides from everyone. When their two worlds collide, Hori and Miyamura start falling in love without even realizing it. Without too many bells and whistles, this show is realistic and profound, yet sweet and funny. The beautiful portrayal of love, friendship, and high school life will leave you wanting more!
Jujutsu Kaisen
This list would be incomplete without the mention of JJK. The show was first released in 2020 and immediately stole the attention of anime fans worldwide with its intricate world-building and fantastic action sequences. Following a high-school boy named Yuji Itadori, this anime delves into the world of Curses and Sorcerers, standing on two sides of humanity. Both seasons of the anime were extremely well-received, although the second one was pretty heartbreaking. Fans are eagerly waiting for the third season as the original manga, by Gege Akutami, ended in 2024. The anime is also the most in-demand animated show in the world as per the Guinness World Record.
Apothecary Diaries
Adapted from the popular light novel series of the same name by Natsu Hyūga, Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, an apothecary working at the red-light district in the capital of Imperial China during the Tang Dynasty. One day, she’s kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace where she begins working as a servant. However, when she solves a terrible mystery plaguing the palace, she is selected by the Jinshi, the eunuch who runs the inner palace, to help him in other such cases. Full of amazing mysteries and medical marvels, this series will scratch your brain in just the right way. Apothecary Diaries also has some of the best female cast in anime history, and a second season is already airing!
Slam Dunk
The holy grail of sports anime Slam Dunk, based on Takehiko Inoue’s manga is also available to stream on Crunchyroll. This immensely popular series begins with high school delinquent Hanamichi Sakuragi, who joins the school’s basketball team to impress his crush, Haruko Akagi. He is soon joined by handsome prodigy Kaede Rukawa, talented three-point shooter Hisashi Mitsui, and the speedy point-guard Ryota Miyagi. As Hanamichi starts falling in love with basketball, the team decides to try for the nationals as it’s the dream of their team captain Takenori Akagi. The story of a no-name high school club making history at the nationals has inspired many sports dramas that came after it. However, Slam Dunk remains the OG for its emotions, nostalgia, and amazing characterisation.
Steins;Gate
Based on the visual novel game of the same name, Steins;Gate follows Rintaro Okabe, Mayuri Shiina, and Itaru Hashida (Daru). The mad scientist Okabe and his friends accidentally make a machine that can send text messages to the past, effectively changing the present. They’re joined by Kurisu Makise, a neuroscientist whose life was saved by the text messaging machine. This amazing sci-fi thriller will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. The show is a delight to watch and perfect for a binging session.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Touted as one of the best releases of 2024, this fantasy adventure made massive waves when it was first released. Adapted from Kanehiko Yamada’s manga series, the story follows Frieren, a lonesome elven mage who has lived for hundreds of years. When Himmel, a hero of the party Frieren was a part of decades ago dies, she finds herself questioning their relationship and what lies after death. She takes on an arduous journey, with a human mage apprentice named Fern, and another human warrior named Stark, to find out what lies beyond the fleeting lives of humans and to meet Himmel one last time. The show has incredible animation, and their journey and battles are portrayed perfectly. A second season of the series is also on the way!
Vinland Saga
Makoto Yukimura’s manga and its anime adaptation both are regarded as some of the best works of historical fiction in the industry. We follow Thorfinn, an Icelandic explorer and his struggle to find the Vinland. Although Thorfinn is a real historical figure, most of his journey in the anime is fictional. However, fans absolutely love the raw and devastating nature of the story which takes Thorfinn and his men through harsh nature and destructive battles. If you like historical fiction with a dash of gritty action, then this anime is the perfect watch for you.
One Piece
The anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s ongoing manga series is one of the longest-running series in anime history. As you might already know, it follows Luffy, a young pirate who wishes to be the Pirate King. In his journey, he meets new crewmates such as Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, and many more, while also facing down powerful enemies who wish to stop him. If adventure is the genre that rocks your boat (pun intended), then it’s high time you start watching One Piece. Don’t be too intimidated by the length of the series, as you can take your time and enjoy it for months on end. This legendary anime earns every bit of fanfare it gets on the internet with its impressive world-building and lore. The next season of the show is set to air in April 2025.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Adapted from Hiromu Arakawa’s shonen manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, this classic anime should be on everyone’s watchlist. In the fictional country of Amestris, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric start working as State Alchemists. However, we learn that when they were young, an experiment to bring back their dead mother ended terribly, causing Edward to lose one arm and leg, while Alphonse lost his whole body. With the help of their friend Winry Rockbell, Edward has prosthetic limbs, while Aphonse’s soul is attached to a massive suit of armour thanks to his brother. The two siblings take on the arduous task of finding out what sinister plans are being cooked up in their country before it’s too late. If you’re not a fan of long series, then this 64-episode show is just perfect for you. Interesting from the beginning to the end, FMAB won’t bore you even for a moment.
Attack on Titan
If we’re talking about the best anime of all time, then Attack on Titan will definitely make it to the list. Based on Hajime Isayama’s manga series of the same name, the plot takes place on a small piece of land surrounded by three massive walls. Beyond these walls are giant creatures known as Titans who kill and eat humans. Eren, a young boy, loses everything when his mother dies in a Titan attack. Eren and his friends Mikasa and Armin join the Survey Corps and become part of the Special Operations Squad led by Erwin Smith, Levi Ackerman, and Hange Zoe. As the squad makes its way out of the walls and finds the history behind Titans, Eren and the others realize that they’re not the only humans on the planet. When the sinister reason behind their country being surrounded by walls comes to light, Eren learns the reality behind his own existence. A perfect balance of fantasy, action, gore, and mystery, AoT is easily one of the best anime series you can ever watch on Crunchyroll.
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