Anime is an international phenomenon nowadays, and this development can be at least partially credited to platforms like Crunchyroll. Firmly established as the main option for streaming anime content, the service has an ever-expanding library that covers classics and modern releases, making them as accessible as possible. While not exhaustive, Crunchyroll has the most substantial (legal) selection in the North American market, exceeding both anime-focused and general alternatives. This fact was reinforced by its merger with Funimation, which saw many of the latter’s exclusive shows make their way to Crunchyroll.
Related
All Crunchyroll Originals, Ranked
Crunchyroll is among the most popular anime streaming services, with a selection of a few original series as well. Here are the best of them.
Whether watching free episodes or picking up a subscription, Crunchyroll users will find themselves overwhelmed with content. The platform has nearly every genre well covered, offering shonen, romance, comedy, horror, slice of life, mecha, isekai, fantasy, and almost everything else. As such abundance can make picking the next series to watch quite difficult, let’s go through the best anime on Crunchyroll per genre or theme.
Updated November 3, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 anime season is going well so far, and Crunchyroll’s lineup is packed with newcomers that deserve attention. Consequently, a new series has been added.
Best New Fall 2024 Anime On Crunchyroll
Slowly but surely, Fall 2024 is reaching its halfway point. The season had quite a bit of hype, which can be a double-edged sword; fortunately, most of the “big” names have hit the mark. Some have even exceeded expectations, with only a couple of disappointments (Blue Lock season 2).
As always, Crunchyroll has by far the widest selection of seasonal shows, covering most genres except for a few omissions like horror. With nearly 50 anime included in its lineup, the streaming service should have most preferences covered, regardless of whether a subscriber is searching for a sequel or a new series. For the most part, continuations have been attracting most of the attention, and rightfully so. However, Crunchyroll also has plenty of great new anime that deserve an audience.
New anime will be prioritized. That said,
Re:ZERO
,
Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga
,
Blue Lock
,
Dragon Ball Daima
,
Kenshin
,
Shangri-La Frontier
, and
Natsume’s Book of Friends
are just a couple of sequels airing on Crunchyroll.
Dandadan
- Release Date
- October 3, 2024
- Studio
- Science Saru
- Creator
- Yukinobu Tatsu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.62
Out of all the Fall 2024 new anime on Crunchyroll, Dandadan had far and away the most hype leading into the season. Yukinobu Tatsu’s shonen manga has garnered a very respectable reputation over the years, and Science Saru is shaping up to be the perfect studio to adapt the source material’s brilliance into animated form. Blending humor, action, and character depth, the first episode serves as a splendid showcase of Dandadan‘s strengths, setting the stage for what could prove to be one of the best anime of 2024. That might sound premature, but this series warrants it. The following episodes were nearly as good.
Related
Fall 2024 Preview: Dandadan
Get ready for Halloween this year with the upcoming anime Dandadan! If you haven’t heard of it before, you’ll want to add it to your watch list.
Conceptually, the anime has a simple but awesome premise. Momo and Ken believe in ghosts and aliens respectively, so they set out to prove the existence of their side of the supernatural coin. Before long, they are dragged into a chaotic world that pushes their concept of reality to its limits. Both protagonists are incredibly likable, and their dynamic changes quickly and convincingly. More important, Dandadan‘s visuals are spectacular.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
365 Days to the Wedding
OK, this one seems to be pretty divisive. Fall 2024 has quite a few great romance anime, but arguably the best one (Blue Box) is not available on Crunchyroll. While not a replacement, 365 Days to the Wedding is worth consideration by people who are craving something a touch different from the genre, and that uniqueness goes beyond the refreshingly older cast. When they learn that they might be relocated to a different country by their employer due to being single, Rika and Takuya agree to an engagement of convenience; however, keeping up the ruse becomes way more complicated than initially expected as their coworkers are very excited by the news.
So, 365 Days to the Wedding is kind of a weird one. Rika and Takuya are not particularly charismatic nor do they have extremely strong chemistry, both of which seem by design. They are socially awkward and have grown accustomed to being isolated, meaning their communication skills are not great. While they are “engaged,” they have no interest in marriage and actively discourage themselves from falling in love. Although not off-putting, they are not necessarily likable either.
Despite some frustrating moments, it is interesting to watch these two characters gradually learn more about each other and, in the process, themselves.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii
Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii
- Japanese Title
- Raise wa Tanin ga Ii
- Release Date
- October 7, 2024
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Creator
- Asuka Konishi
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.21
Organized crime and love are a peculiar but not unheard of combination, and Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii shows why this concept tends to be popular in romance circles. Based on a reasonably well-liked manga, Studio Deen’s anime adaptation does not leave an extremely strong initial impression, partly due to using an art style that seems like a throwback to the mid-2000s. More importantly, Yoshino, the female lead, does not hit her stride until the end of the first episode and its follow-up, when she transitions from a reactive to proactive character.
So, what’s the story? Well, Yoshino is informed by her Yakuza grandfather that she has to move to Tokyo and marry the grandchild of another crime boss. Naturally, she is not excited by this turn of events, and her desire to break things off intensifies when she meets Kirishima, a good-looking but extremely violent guy who tends to discard partners when he gets bored. As she has to spend at least a year in Tokyo, Yoshino takes a more aggressive approach when dealing with her potential future husband, only for this to backfire and cause Kirishima to fall in love with her.
Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii mostly works due to Yoshino, who is arguably among Fall 2024’s best female characters. She is intelligent, relatable, and courageous enough to stand up to temperamental and dangerous people, to say the least. Kirishima is more of an acquired taste, but he is pretty entertaining due to his unpredictable nature. The Yakuza aspect is both ever-present and a background factor so far, which makes sense as Yoshino is not exactly trying to become involved in the day-to-day operations.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Demon Lord 2099
Demon Lord 2099
- Japanese Title
- Maou 2099
- Release Date
- October 13, 2024
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Creator
- Daigo Murasaki
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.31
Demon Lord 2099 is a stealth reverse isekai, along with also being a rare cyberpunk story. Suffering defeat at the hands of his rival, the immortal Demon Lord Veltol succumbed to a potentially eternal sleep, only to be reawakened 500 years later by his most loyal subordinate, Machina. However, Veltol finds himself in a climate he does not recognize. A few decades before his resurrection, his world fused with Earth, creating a fusion of the two universes that feature both magic and technology. Also, his immortal demon race has faced wide discrimination, forcing themselves into hiding or an unsatisfying life.
Despite having so many overdone tropes, Demon Lord 2099 feels surprisingly fresh, largely thanks to its setting. Offering a fun blend of reality, fantasy, and sci-fi, Shinjuku should be the star attraction, and it will hopefully be explored thoroughly throughout the season. Veltol is a fine enough protagonist as well, and his relationship with Machina is cute. Isekai and reincarnation stories are both overdone, but Demon Lord 2099 brings something novel to the plate, and that should be commended.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended New Fall 2024 Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Battle Shonen Anime On Crunchyroll
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Release Date
- April 5, 2009
- Studio
- Bones
- Number of Episodes
- 64
- Creator
- Hiromu Arakawa
- MyAnimeList Score
- 9.09
At some point during the 2010s, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood usurped the likes of Naruto as the ultimate gateway anime, particularly for people looking for action or battle shonen shows. Ambitious and epic, FMA:B takes place in a world where alchemy is possible, which is governed by the rule of equivalent exchange. When the Elric siblings break this rule, they pay a hefty price, one that requires them to find a Philosopher’s Stone to reverse.
Related
14 Best Side Characters In Battle Shonen Anime
You don’t need to be the main character to make an impact, and these fantastic side characters in battle shonen anime series prove it.
Although a bit rushed in its opening stages, FMA:B tells a fantastic story that delivers impeccable action, heartbreaking moments, and an overabundance of humor. Picking the best action anime on Crunchyroll ultimately comes down to personal preference, but FMA:B is the ideal place to start.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man
- Release Date
- October 12, 2022
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Creator
- Tatsuki Fujimoto
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.50
Most seasons typically have a few shows competing for the crown of “most anticipated” anime – Fall 2022 was not one of those seasons. Chainsaw Man was comfortably the most hyped show of the season, and Fall was by no means lacking in big names.
Since debuting towards the end of 2018, Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga has bloomed into one of the most popular shonen stories of the last decade. Chainsaw Man is gory, well-written, and surprisingly complex. The anime’s first season does justice to its source material, delivering (mostly) fantastic animation that guarantees every drop of blood is crystal clear.
Bolstered by a seasoned cast of voice actors, the characters have seemingly survived the transition into animation in one piece, and Denji’s scenes with Makima, Aki, and Power have already produced memorable moments. Even this early in its adaptation process, Chainsaw Man is already shaping up to be one of the best Crunchyroll anime.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan
- Release Date
- April 7, 2013
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 94 (Or 87 + 2 Specials)
- Creator
- Hajime Isayama
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.55 (Season 1)
After almost a decade, Attack on Titan is slowly approaching its end, although the final season still has a third part to go. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the last remnants of humanity live behind walls to “protect” them from massive man-eating beasts called Titans, this beloved anime is unpredictable, intense, well-animated, and complex.
Each season brings with it a substantial shift in the story’s direction, often taking seemingly straightforward characters and subverting expectations. Attack on Titan set a high standard for not just shonen anime but the industry in general, and it will take something special to fill the hole left by this series when it ends.
Attack on Titan
is not typically associated with battle shonen, but the anime is being included here since it is action-heavy and a shonen property.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Battle Shonen Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Non-Shonen Action Anime On Crunchyroll
Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero
- Release Date
- October 1, 2011
- Studio
- Ufotable
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Creator
- Gen Urobuchi
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.28 (Season 1)
Based on Gen Urobuchi’s light novel, Fate/Zero belongs to Type-Moon’s larger Fate franchise. Focusing specifically on anime, the 2011 show is likely to be someone’s first exposure to this universe, and Fate/Zero makes quite an initial impression. The story revolves around the Holy Grail war, which involves human Masters summoning warriors from history. The last competitor standing will be granted any wish they desire; naturally, people are willing to do nearly anything to achieve this goal.
Related
Fate: The Order You Should Watch All The Anime Shows And Movies
The Fate series has plenty of entries for anime fans to enjoy, but starting the series can seem intimidating. This is the best way to experience Fate.
Featuring smooth animation that holds up beautifully despite the anime now being more than a decade old, Fate/Zero pits legendary heroes from history in epic and vicious battles for supremacy. Ufotable’s anime is not just pleasing to the eyes, though, as the story dives into the philosophies and psyches of its characters. Almost nobody is portrayed as being purely good or evil, which enhances the fights since they often have an ideological component to them.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon (2006)
- Release Date
- April 9, 2006
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 29
- Creator
- Rei Hiroe
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.03 (Season 1)
A seinen classic, Black Lagoon is a rip-roaring action extravaganza predominantly set in Roanapur, a seedy city defined by criminal organizations and corruption. Operating within this world is Lagoon Company, a mercenary group that is more than willing to take on risky jobs, even if it entails turning an entire city against them or facing off against a killer maid. Rock, a fairly ordinary Japanese businessman, is kidnapped by Lagoon, but he winds up joining them when he realizes that he means nothing to his company. While arguably not the real main character, Rock’s transformation serves as the anime’s main throughline.
Split into two seasons and an OVA series, Black Lagoon delivers fantastic action, endearing characters, and the occasional philosophical musing. While some arcs overstay their welcome or are not all that memorable, the anime is still reasonably consistent. At its best, Black Lagoon is about as good as any other action anime to ever come out.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Action Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll
Gintama
Gintama
- Release Date
- April 4, 2006
- Studio
- Sunrise, Bandai Namco Pictures
- Number of Episodes
- 367
- Creator
- Hideaki Sorachi
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.93 (Season 1)
As a parody of shonen stories, Gintama should not be someone’s introduction to anime; if nothing else, they should at least watch Rurouni Kenshin first, which is also on Crunchyroll. Once that masterpiece is out of the way, Gintama awaits, along with plenty of laughs.
Related
Gintama: Every Main Character’s Age, Height, And Birthday
Even hardcore fans of the Gintama anime and manga series might not know all these details about the series’ main characters.
In this alternate reality, Earth has fallen to aliens (Amanto), and samurai have been banned in Edo. With not much else to do, Gintoki has no choice but to accept any random job that happens to fall on his lap. More often than not, hilarity ensues. As it progresses, Gintama introduces arcs that are pure battle shonen. These are also great, even if the anime shines the brightest as a comedy.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Nichijou – My Ordinary Life
Nichijou – My Ordinary Life
- Release Date
- April 3, 2011
- Studio
- Kyoto Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Creator
- Keiichi Arawi
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.46
A thin line separates slice of life from full-blown comedy, and Nichijou is one of the best representatives of both genres. Orbiting around three friends, a professor, a robot, and a talking cat, this series blends the mundane with the surreal, with the latter becoming more pronounced as the season progresses. Just to provide an example of the strangeness on offer, at one point, a character witnesses a wrestling match between her school’s principal and a deer. It is glorious.
Nichijou pushes “slice of life” into bizarre territory, but it is still ultimately a relaxing show without much in the way of conflict. The anime simply happens to follow “lives” that are not tethered to conventional reality.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Bocchi The Rock!
Bocchi the Rock!
- Release Date
- October 9, 2022
- Studio
- CloverWorks
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Creator
- Aki Hamaji
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.81
2022 had more than a few great anime, but none managed to surpass expectations quite like Bocchi the Rock!. Based on Aki Hamaji’s manga, the show follows Hitori “Bocchi” Gotou, a talented guitarist who struggles with social anxiety. After spending middle school alone, Hitori wishes to turn things around by joining a band, but her insecurities constantly impede her dream. One day, she is randomly approached by a girl named Nijika Ijichi who asks her to join Kessoku Band as their guitarist has gone missing right before a show. Unable to decline, Hitori finds herself on stage (and in a box) alongside two new bandmates.
On the surface, Bocchi the Rock! might seem like a “cute girls doing cute things” story, but that is not the case. The anime focuses heavily on Bocchi’s growth as she struggles to face the challenges that come with being in a band and just socializing in general. Surprisingly character-driven, the series blends imaginative and surreal comedy sequences with relatable moments driven by Hitori’s fears.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Slice Of Life Anime On Crunchyroll
A Place Further Than The Universe
Classifying A Place Further Than The Universe as slice of life does not feel 100% accurate since the show’s subject is far from ordinary. The anime follows four girls who wish to go to Antarctica, all of whom have their own reasons for pursuing this ambitious goal. Madhouse’s series is powerful, heartbreaking, funny, and grounded (despite the somewhat outlandish premise).
Even though the girls are focused on their destination, A Place Further Than The Universe is just as much about the journey, and this is very much a coming-of-age story. Boasting gorgeous animation, an unbeatable story, and lovable characters, this show has very few peers in anime.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Barakamon
Barakamon
- Release Date
- July 6, 2014
- Studio
- Kinema Citrus
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Creator
- Satsuki Yoshino
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.38
Slice of life stories might generally avoid drama as they try to stick to the status quo, but that does not mean their characters cannot undergo development. Barakamon is a prime example of the genre’s capacity for crafting narratively satisfying journeys fueled by a protagonist’s growth. Sei, a talent calligrapher, reacts to criticism in the worst possible way, which prompts his father to send him to an island where he can “work.” In truth, the goal behind this trip is to push Sei to develop his social and interpersonal skills.
Barakamon emphasizes the importance of finding and engaging with a community. In the span of just 12 episodes, Sei undergoes an extraordinary change that is fully earned and never comes across as forced. The anime is also consistently hilarious, and all of its humor is wholesome.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Slice Of Life Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Sports Anime On Crunchyroll
Run With The Wind
Sports anime might not seem all that attractive to the uninitiated, however, the genre is among the most accessible in anime. It does not matter whether a viewer has any knowledge or interest in the main sport since, for the most part, it is only used as a vehicle to supply character development, drama, and humor.
Running with the Wind is about healing, friendship, and finding satisfaction by establishing personal goals. Outside a few exceptions, Kansei University Track Club consists of novices, so they have a long journey ahead of them if they wish to attend the Hakone Ekiden.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Haikyu!!
Haikyu!! is about volleyball; to be exact, it is about passionate players who refuse to give up their desire to play the sport regardless of the obstacles in their way. It is about the partnership between the energetic Shoyo Hinata and the unapproachable Tobio Kageyama, two people who do not get along but also bring out the best in each other. It is about teamwork, hardship, success, and failure. Basically, Haikyu!! is about life.
More importantly, this anime is ridiculously entertaining, be it through its captivating matches, memorable characters, or on-point humor. Each season is awesome in its own right, and there is scarcely a bad episode to be found across the series.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Fighting Spirit
Except for Tomorrow’s Joe, Fighting Spirit is the most famous boxing anime of all time, and it ranks among the sports genre’s greatest creations. The story follows Ippo, a timid and bullied teenager who is inspired to take up boxing after meeting the loudmouthed Takamura. Through hard work and dedication, Ippo sets out to climb to the top of the boxing scene, a process that involves plenty of intense battles for supremacy.
Fighting Spirit is one of Madhouse’s best shows, which is saying a lot. Even though the original season is more than two decades old by this point, the animation still looks fantastic, particularly during matches. In between bouts, Fighting Spirit falls back on a strong roster of characters, some of which are downright hilarious.
Weirdly, Crunchyroll does not have this show’s second season, making for an incomplete and disjointed experience. Still, season one has 75 episodes, so there is a lot of content to go through before hitting that wall.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Sports Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll
Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann
- Japanese Title
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- Release Date
- April 1, 2007
- Studio
- Gainax
- Number of Episodes
- 27
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.63
Gainax’s Gurren Lagann is hype in anime form. No, that makes it seem like the show is nothing but glorious action, but this 2007 anime backs its universe-spanning conflicts with multifaceted characters, a consistent thematic identity, and ambitious storytelling. Gurren Lagann is all about pushing beyond your limits in search of freedom.
Toeing the line between sci-fi and pure fantasy, Gurren Lagann‘s greatest strength is that the anime never ignores its human element in favor of spectacle. Ultimately, this is a coming-of-age story that just happens to take place in an incredibly unconventional reality.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate (2011)
- Release Date
- April 6, 2011
- Studio
- White Fox
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Based On
- Visual Novel
- MyAnimeList Score
- 9.07
Adapted from a visual novel, Steins;Gate is split into two halves: the first twelve episodes have an almost slice of life tone as they follow the quirky lives of the Future Gadget Laboratory’s members, led by the enigmatic Rintaro Okabe. The anime’s second half is a sci-fi thrill ride centering around the consequences of time travel and the people willing to kill for it.
Related
Steins;Gate: 8 Things The Anime Does Better Than The Visual Novel
The popular Steins;Gate anime began as a visual novel game — but in some ways, the adaptation improved on the source material.
Both halves are brilliant when viewed in isolation, and they are even better when taken as a whole. Steins;Gate meshes together an array of genres, and it executes all of them well. After completing the series, Crunchyroll subscribers can also check out Steins;Gate 0, an alternate reality spin-off that is pretty fabulous in its own right.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Space Brothers
Space Brothers is a different type of sci-fi anime, one grounded in reality. As its title suggests, the story follows two siblings who, as kids, wished to become astronauts. While one brother pursued this ambition, the other did not; however, the latter got an opportunity to change that, and he decided to seize it.
Space Brothers focuses heavily on the hard work and dedication required to head out into space. Most of the narrative centers on Mutta Nanba’s training, and while these stretches can last for quite a long time, they are generally intriguing and immersive. When it does venture out into the great unknown, the anime is impossible to put down.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Cowboy Bebop
- Release Date
- October 24, 1998
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.75
Cowboy Bebop transcends anime, and that goes beyond Netflix’s mediocre live-action adaptation. The 1998 series not only introduced plenty of people to the glorious world of anime, but also demonstrated that shows like Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon are just a small slice of what the industry has to offer.
Related
8 Most Iconic Anime Spaceships, Ranked
Space-centered anime tend to have creative storylines, often bolstered by incredible spacecraft. Hence, here are the most iconic anime spaceships.
Set in the (not too) distant future, humanity has set up roots across the galaxy. The eponymous ship belongs to two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, who are willing to take on all sorts of odd jobs. Before long, their crew expands to include Faye, Ed, and an adorable dog. Cowboy Bebop offers a perfect mix of stand-alone episodes and serial storytelling; the former are highly entertaining, while the latter add depth to the characters. The anime’s soundtrack is also phenomenal.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Thriller Anime On Crunchyroll
Death Note
Death Note (2006)
- Release Date
- October 4, 2006
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 37
- Creator
- Tsugumi Ohba
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.62
One of the quintessential gateway anime, Death Note‘s legacy is cemented as an all-time great. The story follows Light Yagami, an intelligent teenager who gains access to a god of death’s book, the Death Note, that allows him to kill anyone by just writing that person’s name in it. Empowered by a sense of righteousness, Light sets out to mold the world to fit his interpretation of justice, a plan that quickly attracts the attention of the police and, specifically, a master detective named L.
Related
Death Note: Every Version Of Light Yagami, Ranked
With many variations to the popular manga, Death Note, there is a lot of different depictions of the story’s main character, Light.
Death Note brings together two geniuses in a battle of wits, charisma, and drive. Packed with twists, surprises, and ethical themes, this anime is an addictive watch featuring perhaps the greatest cat-and-mouse battle in anime, except for perhaps Monster.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass
- Release Date
- October 12, 2012
- Studio
- Production I.G, Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 41
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.34 (Season 1)
Added to Crunchyroll at the end of May 2022, Psycho-Pass immerses viewers in a dark, futuristic world where Japan is built upon a justice system that judges people on their potential to commit future crimes. Once a person’s Psycho-Pass is stained, they are removed from society with precious little hope of staging a comeback. The law is maintained by Inspectors and Enforcers, the latter of which are people already tagged as latent criminals.
Psycho-Pass is an intense sci-fi thriller that explores themes dealing with accountability and whether the preservation of the many outweighs an individual’s rights. Mature, violent, and thought-provoking, this anime is rarely an easy sit, but it is also never dull. Crunchyroll only has the show’s first two seasons, but they each tell complete stories in their own right. Season one is particularly strong and features one of the most memorable villains in anime.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Thriller Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Horror Anime On Crunchyroll
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
- Japanese Title
- Yami Shibai
- Release Date
- July 14, 2013
- Studio
- ILCA
- Number of Episodes
- 130
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.00 (Season 1)
Horror aficionados might find Crunchyroll’s selection of animated nightmares to be a touch lacking. Horror anime are just generally in short supply, and most of the genre’s best series – Mononoke and Shiki – are not on the streaming service. At the moment, no (legal) platform has an exhaustive selection of horror anime, and subscribers will have to make do with a small range of options. Thankfully, Crunchyroll does have some quality picks.
Related
6 Horror Anime With The Creepiest Monsters
Anime fans can enjoy classic horror animes and modern shows while getting to know some of the scariest anime creatures who ever existed.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories is one of anime’s more popular horror properties, and the series has produced more than 10 seasons so far. Consisting of short episodes, each segment is inspired by a Japanese urban legend or folk tale. The anime uses a minimalist animation style that can take a bit of getting used to, although it does often complement the stories being told. While every season has a handful of legitimately frightening shorts, Yamishibai becomes progressively more inconsistent as it goes along.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Ghost Hunt
Ghost Hunt
- Release Date
- October 3, 2006
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- Creator
- Fuyumi Ono
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.76
While Yamishibai‘s best segments are Crunchyroll’s scariest horror content, Ghost Hunt is overall the genre’s most consistent representative on the platform. A more conventional series, the show follows Kazuya Shibuya and Mia Taniyama as they investigate a string of supernatural cases. The anime is split into eight arcs, each of which introduces new monsters, settings, and minor characters.
Ghost Hunt‘s individual cases are well-written and engaging. While rarely terrifying, the anime has its share of creepy moments as well. The show’s core characters are also likable enough to carry the weaker mysteries. Since it aired during the mid-2000s, Ghost Hunt uses an old-school animation style that lends itself well to the horror genre.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Horror Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
Crunchyroll is not lacking in isekai anime, so anyone looking to jump into another world will be set for a couple of months at the very least. The concept has produced plenty of great content, however, due to similarities in setting, tone, and protagonists, many of the subgenre’s shows can start to blend together after a while. Although it shares imagery with other isekai series, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- is a unique beast.
A normal human, Subaru, finds himself teleported to a fantasy world with magic, waifus, and talking mascots. Standard as this setup might be, Re:ZERO wastes little time in establishing that it has no interest in telling a power fantasy story. Subaru’s journey is one filled with suffering, failure, and self-discovery. The side characters are also quite interesting, with season 2 doing a stellar job of expanding on Emilia’s personality.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is not the easiest show to unabashedly recommend since it stars a rather unlikable protagonist, especially during the first season; however, at its core, this is one of the best-written isekai anime of all time. Dying after committing his solitary good act, a NEET reawakens in a fantasy world as Rudy, a baby born to a loving couple. Rudy remembers his past life completely, and his former personality frequently shines through his actions. Unlike many other isekai stories, Mushoku Tensei‘s main character is not a blank slate or a self-insert.
Mushoku Tense‘s world-building is generally fantastic, and the show does not rush things either. The story gradually chronicles Rudy’s life as he grows up and changes along the way. He does not become a beacon of virtue since he never really stops being deeply flawed, but he is not static.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Fantasy Anime On Crunchyroll
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Japanese Title
- Sousou no Frieren
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Kanehito Yamada
- MyAnimeList Score
- 9.34
Fall 2023 was not lacking in massive releases. The Apothecary Diaries is fantastic and features one of the best female protagonists in recent years, and Shangri-La Frontier is a fun thrill ride that will likely hit the mark with action fans.
Related
Best Fall 2023 Anime (& Where To Watch Them)
Isekai, goblins, and horse girls, these are the best Fall 2023 anime.
As good as these shows were, they existed in the shadow of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, a fantasy anime that might go down as Madhouse’s ultimate masterpiece. As the title suggests, the story takes place long after the hero’s party defeated the Demon King, ushering in a new era of peace. Frieren, an elf mage, has outlived most of her former companions, and she did not take full advantage of her time with them. Wishing to remember them while remnants of their original journey remain, she goes on a new adventure with a few young comrades.
Frieren is, essentially, a slice of life fantasy story, albeit one that has quite a bit of action along with a fairly concrete goal the characters are working towards. The anime is primarily about celebrating the present while learning from the past, providing experiences that encourage the protagonists to grow, reflect, and live. Most episodes are happy to just let Frieren, Fern, and Stark’s banter and occasionally interact with the locals. While the characters are brilliant, the anime also has clever and subtle world-building that convincingly hints at a long and complex history without relying on extensive exposition.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Fantasy Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Mecha Anime On Crunchyroll
Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam is the definitive Mecha franchise, one that has not only shaped the genre’s development but also people’s understanding of it. Crunchyroll does not have every Gundam series in existence, but it has a solid selection taken from across the franchise’s storied history. Here are a couple of seasons to take note of:
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Aside from the dated visuals and slow pacing compared to modern shows, the original series still holds up pretty well from a story perspective. This is plainly a great war anime.
- Mobile Fighter G Gundam: More of a traditional action series, this 1994 release mostly pushes the political elements to the side to focus on glorious over-the-top action. It is a solid pick for newcomers to the series as it stands on its own pretty well.
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans: Arguably the best entry-level modern series in the franchise, Iron-Blooded Orphans boasts fantastic animation, a mature storyline, and brilliant action.
Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
- Japanese Title
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
- Release Date
- October 6, 2006
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Number of Episodes
- 50
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.70 (Season 1)
In 2006, anime had a thing for empowering manipulative geniuses with a desire to shape the world in their image. Code Geass envisions an alternate reality where Japan fell at the hands of the Britannian Empire; while a resistance group does exist, they are barely more than a small nuisance for the country’s rulers. At least, that was the case until a new hero, Zero, rose up to protect the Japanese people from the discriminating Empire.
Zero’s real identity is Lelouch, and his actions are not quite as noble as they might seem to the public. The rebel fighter also has the power to force someone to follow one order, an ability Lelouch uses to good and horrifying effect. Combining mind games and mecha battles, Code Geass is a highly entertaining show with barely a dull moment to be found.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Mecha Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Romance Anime On Crunchyroll
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket (2019)
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.22 (Season 1)
TMS Entertainment’s adaptation of Natsuki Takaya’s Fruits Basket manga is a work of art that tells a brilliant story that covers a wide spectrum of genres and, more importantly, does justice to each one of them. At points, Fruits Basket can be a hilarious comedy, an intense drama, or a devastating romance.
Related
The Greatest Romance Anime Of All Time (October 2024)
There are plenty of great romance anime out there. These romantic tales are sure to pull on the heartstrings of any anime fan.
The show’s romantic element largely revolves around Toru, Yuki, and Kyou, and Fruits Basket has arguably the best love triangle in anime. Even if romance tends to be an acquired taste, Fruits Basket‘s appeal is universal. This is one of the absolute best anime on Crunchyroll.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Shuchiin Academy’s Student Council is run by Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, who both like each other but are anxious to admit it. Coming from vastly different backgrounds and suspicious of each other’s intentions, Miyuki and Kaguya take part in battles to see who will be tricked into announcing their feelings first.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War starts as an over-the-top comedy, one that almost parodies romance anime. However, the series steadily begins to properly explore its core relationships, allowing its characters to change and grow along the way. The Ultra Romantic season aired in the Spring of 2022, and Kaguya-sama went from strength to strength. While comedy plays a major role, the show is constantly pushing forward its relationships and producing heart-pounding romantic moments.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Perhaps unexpectedly, Summer 2024’s best comedy and romance were Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! A-1’s series is just an all-around delight, delivering constantly fantastic animation, endearing characters, relatable heartbreak, and, yes, humor. Makeine kind of subverts romance and harem tropes by surrounding its male lead with girls who lost at the harsh game of love, requiring them to put on a smile and pretend they are fine with watching their crush be happy with somebody else.
As a premise, this could work for a comedy or drama, and Makeine threads the line between both tones. For the most part, the episodes are lighthearted and silly, particularly whenever Anna takes center stage. However, the anime does not ridicule its characters for their heartbreak, instead allowing them to experience these emotions without judgment.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Your Lie In April
Your Lie in April has become a cornerstone of the romance genre. The beloved manga led to an anime adaptation, along with a light novel extension and a live-action movie. For the most part, each iteration of the story or addition to the franchise is, at the minimum, pretty good. At their best, they are fantastic, and the anime falls within the latter category.
Music serves as this tale’s beating heart. Not only does it bring together the main characters, but it fuels their passion, growth, and trauma. Following a personal tragedy, the young Kosei has struggled to play the piano, letting his talent go to waste. One day, he meets Kaori, an exceptional violinist who embraces life with every fiber of her being. Kosei is drawn to Kaori, and vice-versa.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Romance Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Boys Love Anime On Crunchyroll
Given
Given
- Release Date
- July 12, 2019
- Studio
- Lerche
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Creator
- Natsuki Kizu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.32
Romance anime are an acquired taste, and boys love stories take that to the next level. While reasonably popular in the grand scheme of things, the shounen-ai genre is also rather insulated and might seem impenetrable to the uninitiated. Ultimately, these are simply romance shows featuring two male leads. If someone is unsure where to start, then they can hardly do any better than Given.
The anime focuses on four band members, two of whom are in high school while the others are college students. Even though each character is well-written and gets their time to shine, the series primarily revolves around Mafuyu and Ritsuka, the high schoolers. The former is the latest addition to the band, and while he is not that accustomed to music, he is passionate about learning.
Given treats its leads as individuals rather than couples in the making. They all come with baggage that defines the way they act both in and out of romantic situations. Mafuyu’s history drives most of the first season as his backstory is gradually revealed to his bandmates and the audience. The payoff is unforgettable.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Sasaki And Miyano
Boys love anime have a reputation for veering into scandalous and taboo territory, which can make some of the genre’s most well-known stories difficult to recommend to newcomers. Sasaki and Miyano seems to exist to satisfy this blind spot, acting as an easy-going and wholesome option in a genre that does not have all that many of them.
Related
Best BL Anime To Watch If You Love Sasaki And Miyano
Sasaki and Miyano is a brilliant “boys love,” or BL, anime. For fans of the show and the genre, here are some other series worth checking out.
Miyano loves consuming shounen-ai media, but he is too embarrassed to broadcast this fact to the larger world. One day, he meets an upperclassman named Sasaki who shows an interest in boys love manga. Before long, the two high school students find themselves discussing these stories while slowly growing closer. Miyano and Sasaki are not only adorable together, but they are also positive influences in each other’s lives. As their friendship is believable, their eventual romance also comes across as authentic and endearing.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Welcome Home
If boys love anime are considered “inaccessible,” then the Omegaverse might as well be impenetrable to the uninitiated. While way too complicated to explain in detail, Fusion Product’s universe basically expands gender norms by introducing a system split into three categories: Alphas (can impregnate men and women), Omegas (can become pregnant regardless of their gender), and Betas (standard folks who do not fall under the other classes). Omegas tend to face discrimination as they are seen as submissive and beneath Alphas.
Welcome Home revolves around a married couple, Masaki (Omega) and Hiromu (Alpha) as they raise two children while trying to navigate a society that tends to judge these types of relationships. While touching upon themes of prejudice and the self-doubt it can cause, Welcome Home is primarily a wholesome slice of life about a family that is growing and blossoming. Hiromu and Masaki are great together and with their children, and they are supported by a strong roster of supporting characters who shine a light on the wider social situation.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Boys Love Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Girls Love Anime On Crunchyroll
Strawberry Panic
Strawberry Panic
- Release Date
- April 4, 2006
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Creator
- Sakurako Kimino
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.28
In the grand scheme of things, there are not all that many classic anime with explicit yuri relationships, and the exceptions can be difficult to find on legal streaming platforms. Thankfully, one of the yuri genre’s defining stories is accessible on Crunchyroll. Strawberry Panic revolves around a dormitory that houses female students from three academies, and the plot launches with the arrival of a girl named Nagisa. As she tries to fit within her new crowd, Nagisa captures the attention of one of her senpais, the rather aggressive Shizuma. Although their dynamic is not all that even at first, the anime eventually balances things out as it explores Shizuma’s past.
Strawberry Panic hits the mark in most areas, even if it tells a fairly conventional tale by the romance genre’s standards. The anime does a great job with its characters, and that goes beyond just Shizuma and Nagisa. A number of other relationships are given time to flourish, and they are different enough from the main pairing to stand out. Provided someone can tolerate their share of love triangles, Strawberry Panic is a must-watch.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily
Similar to yaoi shows, Crunchyroll does not have an overabundance of girls love anime. Still, the service has a couple of noteworthy shows that can scratch someone’s yuri itch, although they might not all be prototypical examples of the genre. As its title suggests, YuruYuri revolves entirely around female friendships that could become something more; however, the anime is a slice of life comedy and not a romance. In fact, the series has more in common with Nichijou and Lucky Star than Strawberry Panic and Bloom Into You.
Related
Best LGBTQ+ Anime To Watch
These anime offer just as amazing LGBTQ+ representation and even better stories for viewers to enjoy.
Set in middle school, YuruYuri follows a group of friends who meet up as part of the Amusement Club, which generally means they spend their free time doing nothing and everything. While season one plays it relatively safe, the sequels gradually ramp up the absurdity and creativity. The yuri aspect tends to lean heavily into one-sided crushes, which can get repetitive, but the characters themselves are charming enough to keep things interesting. Ultimately, YuruYuri is all about its humor, and the anime is more than capable of delivering laughs on a regular basis.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
I’m in Love with the Villainess
Technically, I’m in Love with the Villainess fits into the isekai category as well, but it is not really among that theme’s best Crunchyroll anime. However, it is certainly among the service’s better girls love offerings, which is admittedly not saying much since the genre is fairly underrepresented in general. Long story short, a woman dies from overwork, reincarnates in an otome game as the protagonist (Rae), and sets out to give her favorite character – a villainess named Claire – a happy ending. While constantly declaring her love for Claire, to the point of coming across as creepy at times, Rae mostly just wants to guide her away from a terrible fate, regardless of whether they end up together at the end.
Although a mixed bag overall, I’m in Love with the Villainess is at its best when focusing on Rae and Claire’s relationship, particularly once the former’s antics settle down and the latter starts to warm up to them. The show is pretty funny as well, largely thanks to the villainess. Due to crossing over with the eternally popular isekai concept, this anime is an accessible gateway to the girls love genre.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Girls Love Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Magical Girl Anime On Crunchyroll
Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura
- Release Date
- April 7, 1998
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 70
- Creator
- Clamp
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.16 (1998 Series)
Except for Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura probably introduced most people to magical girl anime, at least for those who watched Japanese animation during the early 2000s. Developed by Madhouse, this series tells the timeless tale of a young girl who suddenly finds herself with magical powers, and she goes on a quest to collect missing cards.
Cardcaptor Sakura‘s brilliance lies in its balance. The anime handles action, comedy, romance, and suspense well, blending them together to craft an experience that feels complete. Although generally acceptable for younger viewers, the series also has its share of dark moments that provide something a little heavier for older fans.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Japanese Title
- Shoujo Kakumei Utena
- Release Date
- April 2, 1997
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 39
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.20
An anime classic that falls within the Magical Girl genre without being a prototypical example, Revolutionary Girl Utena is a surreal masterpiece overflowing with symbolism. Yearning to be a prince, Utena enrolls at Ootori Academy and becomes involved in a battle to determine who will basically own Anthy, the Rose Bride. As the two become close friends, Utena acts as Anthy’s protector as she takes part in countless bizarre fights that do not pay too much attention to internal logic, at least when it comes to the academy’s structure.
Related
10 Best Anime For Fans Of Revolutionary Girl Utena
With Revolutionary Girl Utena now available on Crunchyroll, fans of the series may want to check out these other shows with similar flair and themes.
Revolutionary Girl Utena is an anime that yearns to be analyzed and to inspire discussion. Released in 1997, the anime has aged exceptionally well, and the series should be watched before trying out 1999’s Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena movie.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Japanese Title
- Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
- Release Date
- January 7, 2011
- Studio
- Shaft
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.37
Puella Magi Madoka Magica might be the most famous magical girl anime of the last two decades, at least with hardcore fans of the medium. The show’s reputation precedes it; in fact, the anime’s twist has become so well-known that it can inadvertently lessen the story’s impact or shock factor. Even with the twist spoiled, Puella Magi Madoka Magica still has fantastic writing, unforgettable characters, and some of the creepiest designs in anime to fall back on. Shaft’s show is one of the best anime on Crunchyroll regardless of genre, so watch it eventually. That said, newcomers to magical girls looking for a traditional example of the genre should not start with Puella Magi Madoka Magica since the series is very much its own entity.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Magical Girl Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Seinen Anime On Crunchyroll
This section includes seinen anime that do not fall neatly under action (
Hellsing Ultimate
), thriller (
Parasyte: The Maxim
), or any other genre.
March Comes In Like A Lion
Thanks to its indecipherable name, March Comes In Like a Lion can be a hard sell. While good, the anime’s opening season moves at a glacial pace at times and focuses quite a bit on its protagonist’s shogi career, with most of these scenes being dry. Consequently, some people might drop the show before reaching season 2, which comfortably places March Comes In Like a Lion among the best anime on Crunchyroll.
Orphaned at a young age, Rei moves in with a family friend, a place he never quite felt like he belonged. In fact, that feeling extends to nearly every part of Rei’s existence, although that starts to change when he meets the Kawamoto sisters. March Comes In Like a Lion tells a coming-of-age story that deals with depression, anxiety, listlessness, loneliness, and bullying. Rather than settle for easy answers, the anime takes a realistic look at all of these themes, and it handles them very well.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Ping Pong The Animation
Ping Pong The Animation
- Release Date
- April 11, 2014
- Studio
- Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Creator
- Taiyō Matsumoto
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.62
An argument could be made that most sports anime are not truly about their chosen activities, but they tend to follow a formula that allows them to be grouped into a specific genre. Despite its on-the-nose title, Ping Pong the Animation has little in common with traditional sports shows, to the point that the series basically belongs in its own category. Peco and Smile have been tight for years, with the latter seeing the former as something of a hero. They are both regarded as Ping Pong prospects, although Peco begins to fall off after he suffers a loss.
Ping Pong the Animation uses a rather simple set-up to tell a complex tale about growing up, anxiety, expectations, and friendship. In just 11 episodes, the show completely dissects its characters, going beyond just Smile and Peco. Visually, the anime is undoubtedly unique, even if the art style might not be to everyone’s tastes.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Bungo Stray Dogs
At this point, Bungo Stray Dogs cannot do anything else to plead its case. The show’s opening season is, admittedly, not amazing, although it is still more than watchable; since then, the anime has gone from strength to strength, culminating in the fantastic season 4 and 5. The latest two entries focus on telling one arc that finds the Armed Detective Agency framed for a heinous crime by the Decay of the Angel, an extremely powerful group led by a hidden figure. The villains’ members and motives are shrouded in mystery, and the storyline has done a stellar job of peeling back the layers at a consistent pace.
It is worth getting through Bungo Stray Dogs‘ slow start to get to the good stuff.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Best Shojo Anime On Crunchyroll
This section includes shojo anime that do not fall neatly under romance (
Fruits Basket
), magical girl (
Revolutionary Girl Utena
), or any other genre.
Yona Of The Dawn
Based on Mizuho Kusanagi’s highly regarded manga, Yona of the Dawn is a fantasy epic that chronicles the titular character’s growth from a naive princess to a hardened warrior. The anime only lasted for one season, and while the episodes are of impeccable quality, they merely scratch the surface of the source material. Consequently, Pierrot’s anime should be regarded as a teaser for the manga, which is definitely worth seeking out.
Leading a peaceful and fantastical life in the kingdom of Kouka’s palace, Yona has little to no experience with the world at large. One day, the king is killed by Su-won, Yona’s childhood friend, and the protagonist finds herself on the run with only her bodyguard as a companion. Stripped of everything she has ever known or owned, the princess goes on a punishing journey of self-discovery as she seeks to take down Su-won.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Ever since he was a child, Takashi Natsume has been able to see yokai, an ability he inherited from his grandmother. The teenager also received something else from his grandparent: a book containing the names of different spirits. This gives the notepad’s owner authority over these yokai, making Natsume a target for all sorts of entities.
This premise seems made for a supernatural action series, but Natsume’s Book of Friends takes things in another direction. Rather than vicious battles, Natsume only wants to return each name, freeing the yokai from the book’s control. This journey is a generally peaceful one.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Shojo Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Idol Anime On Crunchyroll
Zombie Land Saga
Zombie Land Saga
- Release Date
- October 4, 2018
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.51 (Season 1)
Some of the most popular anime of the last decade fall within the idol genre, but these shows are the definition of an acquired taste. Similar to mecha shows, idol anime can be a tough sell to people who are not immediately enamored with the idea.
This is where Zombie Land Saga comes in. Do not be misled by the undead protagonists, this is an idol anime through and through, and a great one at that. Kotaro Tatsumi revives a bunch of girls to form Franchouchou, an idol group set within the Saga Prefecture. While most of the girls have no experience performing in front of a crowd and come from wildly different backgrounds, they slowly come together to take the industry by storm.
First and foremost, Zombie Land Saga is a comedy, albeit one that is character-driven rather than split into sketches. All the girls are given an opportunity to shine, and while Kotaro is mostly a comedic foil, he also has some depth to him. Both seasons are strong, but the sequel is a touch superior as it features better animation during Franchouchou’s performances.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
- Japanese Title
- Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai
- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Studio
- Bandai Namco Filmworks
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.50 (Season 1)
It really cannot be understated how massive of a franchise Love Live! is. The license has produced five incarnations, starting with 2010’s School Idol Project and culminating with Summer 2022’s Superstar!!. Just to be clear, there is no indication that the franchise will be slowing down anytime soon. Across its lifespan, Love Live! has produced games, movies, and anime shows, the latter of which has some representation on Crunchyroll.
Related
Best Idol Anime, Ranked
Fans looking for an anime idol group to get behind will find these shows should tickle their fancy.
In terms of quality, Love Live! is quite consistent, which each era producing its sharing of lovable characters and memorable tunes. The most recent anime, Superstar!!, is shaping up to be the franchise’s best season; however, in terms of completed stories, Nijigasaki High School Idol Club is a great place to start.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Idolish7
Idolish7
- Release Date
- January 7, 2018
- Studio
- Troyca
- Number of Episodes
- 62
- Based On
- Game
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.71 (Season 1)
Idol culture extends to both genders, and that holds true for anime. In the world of male performers, Idolish7 is probably the most highly regarded. As the title suggests, the story revolves around an idol group consisting of seven members who are managed by the inexperienced Tsumugi Takanashi. Although a constant presence throughout the anime, Tsumugi plays a supporting role both narratively and thematically, allowing the idols to take center stage. Each member of the group develops into a fully fleshed-out figure with engrossing backstories, dreams, fears, and insecurities.
Along with great character studies, Idolish7 also takes a sobering look at the idol industry’s darker characteristics, which is something very few of the genre’s representatives do. While some of the antagonists are a bit over-the-top, the main characters’ struggles are generally grounded in some form of reality. The anime also introduces a myriad of other groups, most of which are just as interesting as Idolish7.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Idol Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best Harem Anime On Crunchyroll
The Quintessential Quintuplets
If someone is craving a traditional harem anime, The Quintessential Quintuplets is arguably among the genre’s greatest representatives. The story sets up its key participants straight away as Futaro Uesugi accepts a job tutoring five sisters who are all struggling at school. Rather than instantly throwing out potential romances, The Quintessential Quintuplets devotes most of its early episodes to establishing each character as an individual with distinct dreams, quirks, and insecurities. Consequently, the story becomes about six people growing and maturing together rather than just a standard “who will win” dynamic, although the latter is still part of the experience.
The Quintessential Quintuplets is funny, heartwarming, and occasionally quite sad. While they do not get equal time with Futaro Uesugi, the sisters’ relationships with each other are also central to the narrative, allowing for each of them to shine regardless of whether they are genuine love interests.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You
Thanks to a literal god, Rentarou has 100 soulmates, and he must please them all. That is the basic concept behind The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, and the show goes for it. While most harem protagonists would faint at the mere prospect of dating one girl, Rentarou is primed and ready to take on every waifu imaginable, all of whom seem to be fine with the thought of polygamy. The show has only introduced a few girls so far, and most episodes highlight a new partner while giving the established characters something to do.
Just in case it was not clear from the premise, 100 Girlfriends is an over-the-top parody that starts ridiculous and gets progressively more unhinged. The humor leans heavily into slapstick, with Rentarou and Karane being particularly great at physical humor; however, the show tries to have something for just about everyone.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Kiss Him, Not Me!
Harems are not just for men. Kiss Him, Not Me! follows Kae Serinuma, a girl with an appreciation for Boy’s Love stories. Following a makeover, she begins to attract the attention of her male classmates, although she would rather push the guys together rather than pursue them as partners.
4:06
Related
The Best Harem Anime Of All Time (October 2024)
Beloved for their numerous love interests, harem anime are eternally popular. These are the best harem animes ever made.
Kiss Him, Not Me! does not take itself seriously at all, and that is its most endearing trait. The anime devotes its energy to establishing the personalities of Kae’s partners, and the series largely sticks to a slice of life format. As an introduction to the manga or the reverse harem anime genre in general, this show does its job.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll
Other Recommended Harem Anime On Crunchyroll:
Best “Other” Anime On Crunchyroll: Monogatari
Monogatari
- Release Date
- July 3, 2009
- Studio
- Shaft
- Number of Episodes
- 100
- Creator
- Nisio Isin
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.33 (Season 1)
Some anime defy classification or incorporate so many genres that they become something utterly unique. These shows are often acquired tastes, but they can also be quite spectacular.
Even though it takes elements from the psychological, slice of life, and supernatural genres, Monogatari very much fits into its own bracket of anime. The only other show that is remotely comparable is Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai, and even then, any similarities are surface-level. An adaptation of Nisio Isin’s light novels, Monogatari is essentially about a guy who becomes sort of a vampire and winds up helping a group of girls suffering from supernatural afflictions.
Related
A Beginner’s Guide To The Monogatari Series
The Monogatari series can be intimidating to newcomers. This is everything potential viewers need to know going into the anime.
That might be the show’s premise, but Monogatari is far more than just that. It is a dialogue-heavy drama packed with philosophical musings and the capacity to occasionally dish out a bloody battle. At the same time, this is an anime that is willing to craft extensive scenes revolving entirely around adolescent humor, frequently concluding on a juvenile punchline that seems to work in spite of itself. Monogatari is a visual masterpiece and a contender for Shaft’s greatest work, even if this same art style can be off-putting and overwhelming.
Basically, Monogatari is worth trying simply because there is nothing else like it.
Check It Out On Crunchyroll