Cover photo is a collage of anime by cinos619 of deviantart.

Here is a collection of our choices for the top anime series of all time! Keep in mind that these are our opinions and you are entitled to your own!

1. Cowboy Bebop

Studio: Sunrise
Episodes: 26

Spike and his crew of bounty hunters with their highly intelligent corgi travel around the Solar System in the year 2071 as they search for criminals. The Earth has become practically uninhabitable while the rest of the rocky planets in the Solar System have been colonized by humans. Much like the days of the Old West, the ISSP (Inter Solar System Police) have allowed bounty hunters to bring in wanted criminals as the crime rate only increases across the planets. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Edward all face events from their past while on their adventures.

Cowboy Bebop is an anime series that is different from the rest. It pulls themes from both the Western and noir genres, with its musical themes are heavily influenced by jazz.

2. Steins;Gate

Studio: White Fox
Episodes: 24

Mad-scientist Rintaro Okabe runs “Future Gadget Laboratory” with Itaru “Daru” Hashida and Mayuri Shiina. While attending a conference on time travel, Okabe finds research scientist Kurisu Makise stabbed to death. When Okabe texts Daru, the timeline suddenly shifts and he discovers not only that Kurisu is still alive, but that his message appears to have been sent a week before. They later learn their Phone Microwave (Temporary Name) has caused his text message to be sent back in time. The research team, along with Kurisu, begin to investigate their time machine and experiment by sending text messages back to the past. Steins; Gate is an anime adaptation of a visual novel game.

3. Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal

Studio: Studio Deen
Episodes: 4

Before Hiruma Kenshin became a wandering samurai who does not kill, he was an assassin. This Rurouni Kenshin OVA covers his origin story, explaining his iconic cross-shaped scar and revealing his past with Yukishiro Tomoe. Taken as a young boy by slave traders, Kenshin becomes the sole survivor when their group is ambushed by bandits and he is saved by Hiko Sheijuro. Sheijuro takes Kenshin as his apprentice and trains him with under the Hiten Mitsurugi sword technique and philosophy. But Kenshin leaves before he completes his training to join the Choshu Clan in their revolution to overthrow the Tokugawa Shoguns. A fateful encounter pairs both Kenshin and the fiancée of a bodyguard he killed during a previous assassination.

4. Maison Ikkoku

Studio: Studio Deen
Episodes: 96

This 1980’s anime series is sure to warm your heart with this love story. Yusaku Godai is a 20-year-old, struggling to pass his college entrance exams and is a current resident at the old boarding house, Maison Ikkoku. He blames his repeated failures on the distractions at the apartment, with his noisy eccentric neighbors. As he is threatening to move out for the umpteenth time, he is stopped by the entrance of the new apartment manager, Kyoko Otonashi. Godai is captivated by Kyoko’s beauty and falls in love with her immediately. The tenants learn Kyoko is a young widow, whose husband has recently died in a tragic accident. The series focuses on Godai and Kyoko’s growing friendship over time, as he resolves to make her happy for the rest of her life.

5. Baccano!

Studio: Brain’s Base
Episodes: 13

Baccano! is a series of seemingly random stories coming together and occasionally crossing paths. It takes place in various parts of a fictional United States during various time periods, often during the 1930s. As each separate storyline begins to intersect, the events begin to spiral out of control. The characters include alchemists, mafia, outlaws, and thugs. In 1711, a group of alchemists is given an elixir of immortality by a demon. When they decide to let the secret of immortality die with them, one renegade alchemist resists. In 1930, this alchemist recreates the elixir in 1930s Manhattan, but the formula falls into the wrong hands and chaos ensues.

6. Mushi Shi

Studio: Artland
Episodes: 26

Besides flora and fauna, there are creatures similar to spirits that are everywhere. These ethereal creatures are called Mushi, and are the most primitive forms of life. Most people cannot see them but Ginko, a wandering Mushi-shi, is one of the few who can see and interact with them. He is devoted to helping people with problems caused by Mushi. He travels around researching these Mushi in this episodic style anime series. Watch Mushi Shi if you are in the mood for a calm and relaxing show with its melodic music and ambient atmosphere.

7. The Rose of Versailles

Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Episodes: 40

The Rose of Versailles takes place at the royal palace in France just before the French Revolution. Oscar François de Jarjayes is a woman who was raised as a boy by her father so she could become his successor as the Commander of the Royal Guards. After winning a swordfight match against Captain Girodelle, Lady Oscar becomes the Commander and is assigned as the principal bodyguard to Marie Antoinette. Central to the story is her conflicts of choosing between royalty and the unrest among the French people. She also struggles between maintaining her life as a man in a position of military power and her desires to live as a woman. She also develops relationships between Marie Antoinette, Count Axel von Fersen, and her servant friend Andreé Grandier.

8. Ima, Soko Ni Iru Boku (Now and Then, Here and There)

Studio: AIC
Episodes: 13

Shuzo “Shu” Matsutani is just a normal young boy who loves kendo but whose life is drastically changed one day. While walking home from kendo school, he sees a mysterious blue-haired, blue-eyed girl, Lala-Ru, sitting on top of a smoke stack. He attempts to save her from an attack by people with dragon-like machines but gets pulled into their world. The world Shu gets pulled into is a desert land with no water, child soldiers, and an insane dictator. Because Lala-Ru can control the water contained in her blue stone pendant, the dictator, Hamdo, is hell-bent on capturing her to exploit her powers for his flying fortress, Hellywood. Ima, Soko Ni Iru Boku’s setting starts out as calm and peaceful in a typical Japanese small town but soon turns into a dystopian war world. This anime series is action-packed and intense, taking on heavy issues such as the terrors caused by war, child exploitation, torture, and slavery.

9. Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Studio: Artland
Episodes: 110

Legend of the Galactic Heroes is the longest OVA ever made, with 110 episodes. This space opera features the epic 150-year-long interstellar war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance and the two rival commanders who drastically change the course of the war. On the Empire side, Commander Reinhard von Lohengramm becomes renowned for being invincible in battle. Meanwhile, Admiral Yang Wenli on the Alliance side is gaining traction with his well thought out strategies. With grand orchestrations to match the dramatic war battles, LOTGH is replete with action. While the anime series focuses on the actions of the two rivals, there are also plenty of side story arcs involving countless other characters.

10. Usagi Droppu (Bunny Drop)

Studio: Production I.G.
Episodes: 11

Daikichi is a 30-year-old bachelor who adopts his late grandfather’s illegitimate 6-year-old daughter, Rin. Her mother has abandoned her for her career as a manga artist, while the rest of Daikichi’s family consider her as a disgrace and want to put Rin up for adoption. Daikichi decides to take her in and raise Rin as a single parent. While Rin is a little girl, Daikichi frequently asks for advice from the mother of Rin’s friend, Yukari. Despite the difficulties, he believes the changes in his life that have come with a child has been rewarding. Usagi Droppu follows Daikichi and the new heartfelt experiences he gains while raising a child.

11. Rurouni Kenshin

Studio: Studio Gallop, Studio Deen
Episodes: 94

Himura Kenshin is the former assassin samurai, Hitokiri Battousai, who is now a wandering samurai, pledged to protect Japan but to never kill again as atonement for his past. Seeking a respite from his travels, Himura decides to stay at Kamiya Kaoru’s place to help her rebuild her father’s Kamiya Kasshin Style kendo school after a former student, bent on vengeance, went on a killing rampage tarnishing their name. After staying at the kendo school for a few months, Himura gains new friendships. Rurouni Kenshin is an anime series about redemption and forgiveness, following the adventures of Himura. Over time, the series gains a more serious tone as Himura when enemies from his past come back to challenge him.

12. Moribito Guardian of the Sacred Spirit (Seirei no Moribito)

Studio: Production I.G.
Episodes: 26

Balsa, a 30-year old spear-wielding bodyguard for hire, roams the lands in search of closure for her humble upbringing. Upon her arrival to Yogo, Balsa is prompted to save a child from the collapse of a bridge into a roaring river below it. With her strength and skills, Balsa is able to go against the current and bring the child to safety. Little did she know that the child she saved is the Chagum, the prince, and heir of the kingdom. In a small conversation with the Second Empress, Balsa is tasked with protecting Chagum from the assassinations sent out to kill him by his father, the Emperor. Prior to the assassination attempts, the Emperor has heard that his son was mumbling strange things in his sleep; so, all it took was for a Holy Sage to determine that the child was unfit to live. This dawned on the Emperor and he immediately sent out secret assassination attempts on his son. Guardian of the Sacred Spirit follows Balsa the bodyguard and Chagum the prince on their journey of survival against these vicious attacks and discover the truth of Chagum’s unknown possession of a spirit.

13. Planetes

Studio: Sunrise
Episodes: 26

Planetes is a story that takes place in the foreseeable future where space travel and colonization of planets are a norm to the human world. And with the exploration of space, there are bound to be a vast amount of clutter. This is where Ai Tanabe comes in. Her aspirations of space and wonder have driven her to the Technora Corporation. The only thing is that she is a measly bottom-of-the-barrel janitor of the Debris Section, the clean up team of space. The Debris Section is seen as a shit show with its understaffed, underfunded, and underutilized. Ai Tanabe is willing to show the world what she is capable of and accomplish her dreams. With the help of fellow coworker Hachirota Hoshino, a simpleton with goals of one day owning a spaceship, will Ai and the crew show their worth or will they still be the most looked down upon a group of the space world?

14. GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka)

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Episodes: 43

GTO, or Great Teacher Onizuka, follows Eikichi Onizuka, a former gangster, who decides to become a teacher for the perverted perks. He only initially decided to become a teacher when a woman he tried to sleep with left him for her middle-aged teacher boyfriend. Eikichi was shocked by the sexual appeal a teacher could have and decided to get his teaching license. However, during his first teaching job, he discovers he has a sense of morals, and switches from having a penchant for high school girls to their attractive, more age-appropriate mothers. He also gains a sense of purpose after discovering he enjoys teaching and becomes determined to become the greatest teacher ever. Eikichi uses unconventional methods to get his class of delinquents into shape.

15. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (Musekinin Kanchou Tylor)

Studio: Tatsunoko Productions
Episodes: 26

If you thought Legend of the Galactic Heroes was too long and dramatic, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is the complete opposite: a humorous, 26-episode space opera. While the main background conflict involves the interspace war between the United Planets Space Force and the Raalgon Empire, this anime series follows happy-go-lucky Justy Ueki Tylor. Tylor has managed to go far with his carefree and cavalier attitude towards life. He expected to have an ordinary life with an ordinary government desk job after the military so he can retire with a comfortable pension. However, one day he stumbles upon a hostage situation and manages to save a retired admiral. With his accidental achievement, Tylor gets promoted to Lieutenant Commander and becomes captain of the rundown destroyer Soyokaze. As captain, Tylor leads his crew into successful missions whether intentionally or not. No one can be certain whether Tylor is an idiot or a pure genius.

16. Lupin the 3rd

Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Episodes: 23

Arsène Lupin III is a world-famous thief, following in the footsteps of his equally famous gentleman thief grandfather. He often works with the expert marksman Daisuke Jigen in their robberies, stealing high profile treasures and sending out calling cards beforehand. They also work with an expert swordsman Goemon Ishikawa XIII or the femme fatale Fujiko Mine. Inspector Koichi Zenigata has made it his life’s goal to capture Lupin. Lupin III is such a popular series has been brought back several times over the years. So much so, there are five anime series of Lupin III. The first Lupin III Part 1 has a more serious tone than Lupin III Part 2. Nonetheless, all series are full of action and crime adventures, with theme elements of violence and sexuality.

17. Death Note

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 37

Death Note opens with genius high-schooler Light Yagami witnessing a notebook falling from the sky while in class. After school, when he goes to the spot, he finds the notebook labeled Death Note with instructions inside. The Death Note allows anyone to commit murder by merely writing someone’s name down in the book while picturing their face, at which point that person will suddenly die. The notebook was dropped down to earth by the Shinigami Ryuk because he was bored and wanted to see what would happen if a human had control of the notebook. Light tests the book and when he determines it is real, decides to continue using the Death Note for “good” and begins to target criminals. After a while, the police believe a serial killer known as Kira is on the loose and targeting criminals, and send a renowned detective named “L” to investigate.

18. Berserk

Studio: OLM
Episodes: 25

Berserk is an anime series that takes place in a dark fantasy world with a medieval Europe-type setting. The story follows the mercenary Guts who, until now, has lived as a true mercenary his whole life, working for whichever is the winning side. He has no allegiances to anyone until he encounters the Band of the Hawk mercenary group, and joins them after being defeated by their leader Griffith. Griffith takes his Band and goes through the Midland on a quest to rule his own kingdom. While traveling with this group, Guts gains friends and a purpose for fighting. However, he also learns that man has no control over their will, and that fate is unavoidable. Berserk is replete with violent bloody scenes and contains sexual elements.

19. Hunter x Hunter

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 148

After discovering his father is not actually dead but alive somewhere, Gon Freecss decides to follow in his footsteps and also become a Hunter. Gon learns from a Hunter named Kite that his father, Ging, is the best Hunter in the world. A Hunter explores new places and goes on adventures to uncover mysteries. They are licensed to track down treasures, beasts, or people. Gon resolves to become a Hunter himself in order to find his father. To become one, Gon must first pass the Hunter exam. He becomes friends with some of the applicants at the exam, and they begin their journey together. The original Hunter x Hunter anime series aired in 1999 and ran for 62 episodes while the reboot in 2011 ran for 148 episodes.

20. Elfen Lied

Studio: Arms
Episodes: 13

The first episode of Elfed Lied is quite shockingly violent. Lucy, a Diclonius held in an experimentation facility, breaks free but not without carnage. She escapes after brutally killing 25 people, using her telekinetic “vector” arms. Lucy manages to leave the island but is shot in the head as she falls. She is next found at the beach in Kamakura by Kohta and his cousin, Yuka. Lucy’s injury has caused her to develop a naïve, innocent personality named Nyu. Diclonii is a newly mutant species; they are humanoid but have horns on their head and have telekinetic “vectors” that can be used to grab things or to kill. As Nyu is cared for by Kohta and Yuka, they often encounter the Special Assault Team and other Diclonii sent to recapture and kill Lucy. Elfen Lied is definitely an anime series full of graphic violence and nudity and explores themes of genocide and the cruelty of humans.

21. Samurai Champloo

Studio: Manglobe
Episodes: 26

From the same director as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo takes on similar unconventional stylistic elements, mixing the traditional wandering samurai story with hip-hop aspects and historical Japanese Edo events. After a scuffle between themselves and the governor’s son, Mugen and Jin find themselves in jail to be publically executed in the morning. Mugen is a free-spirited, sword-wielding vagrant while Jin is the complete opposite: a conventional, stoic ronin. Ruu, a waitress at the teahouse that burned down in their fight, enlists their help to find the “samurai who smells of sunflowers” in exchange for helping them to escape.

22. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Studio: Gainax, Tatsunoko Production
Episodes: 26

This futuristic anime series takes place after half of humanity has been killed after a giant explosion in an apocalyptic world. In Tokyo-3, teenager Shinji Ikari is recruited by his dad to work for NERV in order to combat Angels and to prevent another catastrophe. NERV is developing their own man-made biotechnological mecha to match the monstrous Angels. Shinji is brought in to be a pilot for one of this mecha as part of their Evangelion program. The Angels are nearly invincible and can withstand all human firepower other than the weapons of the Evangelion biomachines. Neon Genesis Evangelion is an anime series that helped established the mecha genre.

23. City Hunter

Studio: Sunrise
Episodes: 51

City Hunter follows the private detective and city “sweeper” Ryo Saeba and his partner Hideyuki Makimura. Ryo is determined to rid Tokyo of crime with underground methods, meeting with clients in a hostess club or being contacted by an “xyz” sign written on a blackboard at a train station. After Hideyuki is murdered, Ryo takes care of his sister Kaori, who becomes Ryo’s new partner. The jack-of-all-trades detective is adept at catching criminals but also has an eye for the ladies. Kaori frequently takes out her 100 kg hammer to rein him in. Though City Hunter lacks an overarching story, its episodic cases are full of action, detective work, and humor with its complex characters.

24. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Studio: Production I.G.
Episodes: 26

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is set in a time where technology has advanced for enough for humans and machines to be fused into new tech. Although innovative for mankind, the technology for humans with mechanical attributes or vice versa are able to be in the hands of the wrong people. Criminals with nefarious intentions are easily accessible to this and use it to their dangerous benefits. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex follows Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, leaders of Section 9, on their struggles of fighting crime and corruption of this cyborg technology. Not everything is rainbows and sunshine in the justice scene. A hacker that is notoriously known as “The Laughing Man” has caused a big facade for the Section 9 crew. The Laughing Man leaked information of the corruption between big manufacturing companies and the Japanese government with their plan to profit off of an easily curable disease. Will the Laughing Man finish his goal of exposing the government’s plans of profit or will section 9 have the last laugh?

25. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Studio: Sunrise
Episodes: 25

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion follows Lelouch vi Britannia, a genius prince, as he is stuck in the middle of a war between two nations. HIs father, Emperor Charles vi Britannia sent Lelouch and his sister, Nunnally vi Britannia, as a wager to end the war. The exiled Lelouch, with hatred in his heart, vows to end the Britannia Empire for all that it has done. Seven years after this incident, Lelouch changes his name to Lelouch Lamperouge and attends Ashford Academy, a high school. One day, Lelouch is found to be in a terrorist attack and is saved by a girl named C.C. With her, Lelouch is presented with the power of Geass, “The Power of Kings.” This power of Geass gives Lelouch the ability to command anyone to do whatever he desires. Lelouch with this overwhelming power of Geass wants to avenge his mother, destroy the Empire of Britannia, and claim peace in the world. Can Lelouch achieve this ultimate dream?

26. Black Lagoon

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 12

Black Lagoon focuses around a team of vandals named the Lagoon Company that smuggle products around Asia. The Lagoon Company “headquarters” are located in a small harbor in Thailand. They are relentless and have no remorse for any illegal actions they do. Rokurou Okajima, a Japanese businessman, is captured and held ransom by the Lagoon Company for leverage on his life for their own riches. This backfires as Rokurou’s employers didn’t see him as an asset and left him to die. Now an outsider, Rokurou decides to join the Lagoon Company for his own safety and a life of adventure. Follow Rokurou on his newfound transition of becoming a crook from a boring businessman. To be honest, what’s a crook to a businessman?

27. Darker Than Black (Kuro no Keiyakusha)

Studio: Bones
Episodes: 25

It has been 10 years since Heaven's Gate appeared in South America and Hell's Gate appeared in Japan, veiling the once familiar night sky with an oppressive skyscape. Their purposes unknown, these Gates are spaces in which the very laws of physics are ignored. With the appearance of the Gates emerged Contractors, who, in exchange for their humanity, are granted supernatural abilities.In the Japanese city surrounding Hell’s Gate, Section 4 Chief Misaki Kirihara finds herself at odds with an infamous Contractor codenamed Hei. Called "Black Reaper" in the underground world, Hei, like his associates, undertakes missions for the mysterious and ruthless Syndicate while slowly peeling back the dark layers covering a nefarious plot that threatens the very existence of Contractors.

28. Yu Yu Hakusho

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Episodes: 112

One fateful day, Yuusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old delinquent with a dim future, gets a miraculous chance to turn it all around when he throws himself in front of a moving car to save a young boy. His ultimate sacrifice is so out of character that the authorities of the spirit realm are not yet prepared to let him pass on. Koenma, the heir to the throne of the spirit realm, offers Yuusuke an opportunity to regain his life through completion of a series of tasks. With the guidance of the death god Botan, he is to thwart evil presences on Earth as a Spirit Detective.

To help him on his venture, Yuusuke enlists ex-rival Kazuma Kuwabara, and two demons, Hiei and Kurama, who have criminal pasts. Together, they train and battle against enemies who would threaten humanity's very existence.

29. Ranma ½

Studio: Studio Deen
Episodes: 161

Ranma Saotome is a top-class martial artist and prodigy at the Saotome "Anything-Goes" school of martial arts. While training in China, he and his father meet a terrible fate when they accidentally fall into a cursed spring. Now, Ranma is cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water, and only hot water can turn him back into a boy. Things are only complicated further when Ranma discovers that his father has arranged for him to marry one of Soun Tendo's three daughters in order to secure the future of the Tendo dojo. Though Soun learns of Ranma's predicament, he is still determined to go ahead with the engagement and chooses his youngest daughter Akane, who happens to be a skilled martial artist herself and is notorious for hating men. Ranma ½ follows the hilarious adventures of Ranma and Akane as they encounter various opponents, meet new love interests, and find different ways to make each other angry, all while their engagement hangs over their head.

30. Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)

Studio: Asread
Episodes: 26

Lonely high school student, Yukiteru Amano, spends his days writing a diary on his cellphone while conversing with his two seemingly imaginary friends Deus Ex Machina, who is the god of time and space, and Murmur, the god's servant. Revealing himself to be an actual entity, Deus grants Yukiteru a "Random Diary," which shows highly descriptive entries based on the future and forces him into a bloody battle royale with 11 other holders of similarly powerful future diaries. With the last person standing designated as the new god of time and space, Yukiteru must find and kill the other 11 in order to survive. He reluctantly teams up with his obsessive stalker Yuno Gasai (who also possesses such a diary), and she takes it upon herself to ensure his safety. But there's more to the girl than meets the eye, as she might have other plans for her unrequited love.

31. Gungrave

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 26

Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel, two friends so close they could be called brothers, receive an abrupt and violent reminder one fateful day of how appallingly merciless the world around them can be. Their whole lives before then were simple and easygoing, consisting largely of local brawls, seducing women, and committing petty theft to make a living and pass the time. What they failed to realize is that in this cruel world, happiness is fleeting, and change is inevitable.

Enter Millennion, the largest and most infamous mafia syndicate in the area, which accepts Brandon and Harry into their ranks and starts them at the bottom of the food chain. Harry has ambitions to ascend the ranks and one day replace Big Daddy as the supreme leader of Millennion, while Brandon only wishes to support his friend and appease Big Daddy who has taken custody of the woman Brandon loves.Based off the third-person shooter video game under the same name, Gungrave is an epic story of friendship, betrayal, and avarice that spans the course of several years, ultimately tying back to the gripping and foreboding first episode, all the while building up to the story's thrilling conclusion.

32. Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann

Studio: Gainax
Episodes: 27

Simon and Kamina were born and raised in a deep, underground village, hidden from the fabled surface. Kamina is a free-spirited loose cannon bent on making a name for himself, while Simon is a timid young boy with no real aspirations. One day while excavating the earth, Simon stumbles upon a mysterious object that turns out to be the ignition key to an ancient artifact of war, which the duo dubs Lagann. Using their new weapon, Simon and Kamina fend off a surprise attack from the surface with the help of Yoko Littner, a hot-blooded redhead wielding a massive gun who wanders the world above. In the aftermath of the battle, the sky is now in plain view, prompting Simon and Kamina to set off on a journey alongside Yoko to explore the wastelands of the surface. Soon, they join the fight against the "Beastmen," humanoid creatures that terrorize the remnants of humanity in powerful robots called "Gunmen." Although they face some challenges and setbacks, the trio bravely fights these new enemies alongside other survivors to reclaim the surface, while slowly unraveling a galaxy-sized mystery.

33. Crest of the Stars (Seikai no Monshou)

Crest of the Stars and Banner of the Stars (series I and II) follow Jinto Lynn, a young count whose world is taken over by the space-dwelling race of the Abh. When Jinto was a young boy, his father, Rock Lynn, under threat of invasion, handed over their world, Martine, to the Abh in exchange for a position within Abh society. Young Jinto is sent off to school to learn the ways of Abh nobility and the story of Crest of the Stars picks up as he meets the young Abh princess, Lafiel as they are about to travel to military school for Jinto's further training.
However, in the midst of their travels, Lafiel and Jinto (along with the Abh ship Gothlauth, aka Gosroth) find themselves at the very beginnings of a war between the Abh Empire and the Four Nations Alliance of humankind—an anti-Abh alliance of the democratic nations of the United Mankind, the Federation of Hania, the Republic of Greater Alcont, and the People's Sovereign Union of Planets.

34. Claymore

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 26

Claymore takes place in a world with invaded by Yoma, a demonic race of predators that take prey on human organs and taking over their physical attributes. As a guard, an organization of humans created a new race of half Yoma and half Human to defend towns of the dangers of Yoma. These warriors, called Claymores by humans, were made to be sent out to towns in search of Yomas and eliminate them at all costs. Claymore follows Raki, a poor young boy that lost his family to Yoma, as he is in search for a place in this lonely, dark world by accompanying Clare, a Claymore sent to defend his town of Yoma. On their adventure, Clare and Raki discover more about themselves than each other. Clare comes from a humble past. Her family was killed by a Yoma impersonating her brother and a Claymore comes to assist her. From there, Clare swore to defend humans from Yoma by becoming a Claymore.

35. Fullmetal Alchemist

Studio: Bones
Episodes: 51

In a world where alchemy exists and highly skilled alchemists work for the government, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric are on a search for the Philosopher’s Stone. In a failed attempt to bring back their dead mother using alchemy, Ed lost his arm and leg while Al lost his whole body. The mysterious stone is said to be able to help them gain what they have lost. Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series that follows the two brothers as they begin their journey after Edward has become a State Alchemist. Along their way, the two brothers encounter Homunculi, who are out to collect any new Philosopher's Stones that may be created.

36. Hellsing Ultimate OVA

Studio: Madhouse, Satelight
Episodes: 10

There exist creatures of darkness and evil that plague the night, devouring any human unfortunate enough to be caught in their grasp. On the other side is Hellsing, an organization dedicated to destroying these supernatural forces that threaten the very existence of humanity. At its head is Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who commands a powerful military and spends her life fighting the undead. Integra's vast army, however, pales in comparison with her ultimate weapon: the vampire Alucard, who works against his own kind as an exterminator for Hellsing. With his new vampire servant, Seras Victoria, at his side, Alucard must battle not only monsters but all those who stand to oppose Hellsing, be they in the guise of good or evil. In a battle for mankind's survival, Hellsing Ultimate proves that appearances are not all they may seem, and sometimes the greatest weapon can come in the form of one's worst nightmare.

37. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu )

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 14

Haruhi Suzumiya may seem like the typical quirky high school student, but she is far from it. Kyon just wants to live an ordinary high school life when he encounters Haruhi and captures her attention. Kyon is dragged into Haruhi’s wacky whims. She is obsessed with encountering the supernatural and sets up the SOS Brigade club in order to find aliens, time travelers, and espers. Seemingly by chance, the three students she recruits aside from Kyon happen to include an alien, time traveler, and an esper, although Haruhi is unaware of this. Are all of these really by chance? Kyon learns that an ordinary life will never be possible as long as he is involved in Haruhi’s life.

38. Monster

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 74

Are all lives truly created equal? Monster focuses on Dr. Kenzou Tenma, an intelligent surgeon with a natural talent for surgically intricate operations on patients. Many of his colleagues deem him the best surgeon of the region! He is the top candidate to become the Chief of Surgery with the help of his fiance, the daughter of the incoming Chairman of the Board. But, being an incredible surgeon has its downsides: morality, the cost of someone’s life. Many perceive a life to be equal to another, but as a doctor, your decision is in the hands of the Directors ranked above.

When a woman begging for her husband’s life back after a last second decision switch of surgeons, Dr. Tenma questions his place as a surgeon and realizes that every death has its consequences, even without his choice. On one tragic night, a family of 4 was shot down in a robbery, leaving the parents dead and one child in critical condition from a bullet to the middle of his head. Dr. Tenma was woken from his slumber to the emergency room of the hospital, preparing for this intricate surgery on the boy’s brain. With seconds to the surgery and much to his concern, Dr. Tenma was prompted by a call from the Director to do an emergency surgery on the Mayor, who promised a substantial amount of funding for the hospital. Dr. Tenma chooses to disobey the Director and perform the operation on the child! Little does he know, Dr. Tenma will regret his decision and face the consequences of his choices.

39. Eureka Seven

Studio: Bones
Episodes: 50

The series focuses on Renton Thurston, the fourteen-year-old son of Adrock Thurston, a military researcher who died saving the world. He lives what he considers a boring life with his grandfather in a boring town. He loves lifting, a sport similar to surfing but with trapar, a substance abundant throughout the air, as the medium. He dreams of joining the renegade group Gekkostate, led by his idol Holland Novak, a legendary lifter. An opportunity to do so literally falls into his lap when a large mechanical robot, called the Nirvash type ZERO, and Eureka, its pilot and a member of Gekkostate, crash into Renton's room. Renton's grandfather orders him to deliver a special part to the Nirvash called the "Amita Drive", which releases the immense power dormant within the type ZERO called the "Seven Swell Phenomenon". Afterward, Renton is invited to join Gekkostate, where he quickly discovers that the behind-the-scenes life of Gekkostate is hardly as glamorous or as interesting as printed in the glossy pages of their magazine, ray=out. Only one thing makes it all worthwhile for him: the presence of Eureka, the mysterious pilot of the Nirvash. Renton, Eureka, and the Gekkostate embark on an adventure that will shape their future as well as the world’s.

40. Katanagatari

Studio: White Fox
Episodes: 12

Katanagatari is the story of Yasuri Shichika, a swordsman who fights without a sword, and Togame, an ambitious strategist who seeks to collect 12 legendary swords for the shogunate. The son of an exiled war hero, Shichika is the seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school of fighting and lives on isolated Fushou Island with his elder sister, Nanami. At the request of Togame, Shichika sets out on a journey across Edo-era Japan to locate the Deviant Blades, all wielded by formidable opponents. But in order to prove his loyalty to Togame, who has been betrayed before and relies on neither money nor honor, Shichika must fall in love.

The main focus of the story is the gathering of twelve distinct weapons that were crafted by Kiki Shikizaki, a reclusive swordsmith. His blade work had been widely popular during the last war, but only twelve out of the many he had done are rumored to have been specially crafted via alchemy, the occult, and other magical means. Although they are supposed "katana", not all of them are such, for they have different forms, such as a suit of armor, a dagger, and a pair of guns. The reason for the "Deviant" label is that the people wielding them are prone to their "poison" and will do anything to keep it to themselves, which is the case of most of their current wielders. Each of the blades has a distinct feature or ability that makes them the strongest. Later it is revealed that all twelve swords were created with the sole purpose of perfecting which Kiki labels as the ultimate Deviant Blade, the Yasuri family's Kyotōryū fighting style, which is fulfilled during Shichika's journey to retrieve them

41. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 12

Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu is a companion series to the anime series Full Metal Panic! by Kyoto Animation, and takes place between the first season and The Second Raid. Markedly different in tone to the first series, Fumoffu emphasizes the high school romantic comedy aspects of Full Metal Panic! with often crude humor and focuses on the romantic tension between Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori. It frequently parodies itself and anime stereotypes. None of the mecha combat or political intrigue, which characterized much of the original Full Metal Panic!, can be seen in the series. The only reference to the mecha aspect of Full Metal Panic! is the Bonta-kun, which is one of the most prominent parodies in the anime. Sousuke uses spare Bonta-kun costumes to make highly effective suits of power armor, but they look like teddy bears wearing army gear and can only say: "Fu" and "Mo" in different combinations.

42. Bakemonogatari

Studio: Shaft
Episodes: 15

The story centers on a young high schooler named Koyomi Araragi, who was a vampire but turned human again from a strange man. One day, his classmate Hitagi Senjougahara falls down the stars and Araragi saves her. He discovers that Hitagi weighs next to nothing as if she defies physics. Despite being threatened by her to keep away, Koyomi offers his help and introduces her to Meme Oshino, the same strange man who helped him be cured from being a vampire. Koyomi becomes involved in cases related to unusual supernatural creatures, eventually meeting new people and discovering secrets from those whom he is already familiar with.

43. Tenchi Muyou!

Studio: AIC
Episodes: 26

Tenchi Masaki is your typical teenager in rural Japan. Until one day, a gang of women from outer space bombards his household. The gang has a mixture of personalities: a space pirate, two princesses, a scientist, a cop, and a rabbit-cat hybrid. The gang of women starts developing an infatuation toward Tenchi! Being a timid boy, Tenchi neglects these advances as his only concern is his family and safety. Tenchi might be a significant figure in the world that these women are from. Watch how these girls try to get Tenchi’s affection!

44. Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan)

Studio: Studio Rikka
Episodes: 6

Eve no Jikan (Time of Eve) takes place in a world where technology is at its peak with human-like androids and artificial intelligence. Although these robots are incredible at their tasks, most humans do not consider them anything more than technology to use at their disposal. The believers of androids being equivalent to humans are called dori-kei, and are typically looked down upon. For Rikuo Sakisaka, his android is a lonely housekeeper that does chores on command.

Lately, his android has been coming home at an irregular time every day. Rikuo decides to investigate and track her previous GPS locations. He discovers that his android has been visiting an illegal android-human cafe! In this cafe, there are no distinctions between androids and humans. He meets Akiko, a very overzealous and outgoing girl who explains the culture that she believes in: humans and androids being family, same on the outside, different on the inside. Rikuo questions his morality about androids and soon finds out Akiko was not human as he once thought. This quirky anime spans about 6 episodes and introduces the question of taking technology for granted.

45. Spice and Wolf (Ookami to Koushinryou)

Studio: Imagin
Episodes: 13

Spice and the Wolf (Ookami to Koushinryou) is about Kraft Lawrence, a free roaming merchant trading European goodies, and a 600-year-old wolf-like demigod in shape of a young teenage girl, Holo, on their journey to their dreams. Kraft Lawrence has aspirations of one day owning his own shop. Holo has dreams of heading back to her hometown of Yoitsu. But Holo has a big obligation: she’s the harvest goddess of town she currently lives in. To follow her dreams, she strikes a deal with Lawrence to accompany on his trek and she will provide knowledge to expand his pockets with money. It’s a win-win situation for both parties! Holo does have other reasons to go back to her hometown, though.

46. Macross Frontier (Macross F)

Studio: Satelight
Episodes: 25

A war between the humans and the giants Zentradi is prominent in future. With little to no hope for survival, the humans send a space colony called the Macross Frontier out into the depths of space. Macross Frontier follows the struggles of the humans and their battle with unknown species of aliens making them prey. The S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) is the main frontline to these attacks. The army of VF-25 Messiah variable fighters is armed with multiple gun pods, sniper rifles, machine guns, knives, and a gigantic shield.This new tech combined with strategy from the humans will provide comfort and safety to the colony. The story of Macross Frontier revolves around Alto Saotome, a 17-year-old SMS student pilot, Sheryl Nome, a famous singer, and Ranka Lee, a teenager of the colony. Follow this story of survival, love, and futuristic gun fights in Macross Frontier!

47. School Rumble

Studio: Studio Comet
Episodes: 26

I love you. I love you. I love you.

The hardest phrase to say in life is “I love you.” Especially for Tenma Tsukamoto, the phrase “I love you” may as well be a death sentence. Tenma Tsukamoto, a second year of high school, wants to confess her love to a fellow classmate and boy of her dreams, Oji Karasuma. Oji Karasuma seems to be oblivious to her shenanigans. School Rumble also follows the deadbeat student Kenji Harima with his similar struggle to utter the words ‘I love you’ to his crush, Tenma Tsukamoto. This love triangle gets more complicated as the story goes as Harima gets closer to Tsukamoto’s friends and family to try to slither his way into her heart, while Tenma Tsukamoto’s priorities are in becoming a doctor to aid Karasuma in his tragic accident that caused his amnesia.

I love you. I love you. Did I love you?

48. Fighting Spirit (Hajime no Ippo)

Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 75

From being bullied all his life, Makunouchi Ippo was truly the definition of wimpy. He is a doormat, lacks a social life, pathetic, and weird. But are these traits what truly define him? Walking home from class one day, he was approached by a gang of bullies that assaulted him for smelling like his family business, fishing supplies. Ippo looks broken as blood runs through his face. Fortunate enough for him, Ippo is saved by Takamura Mamoru, a boxer that happened to be jogging by Ippo’s route. Ippo is then brought to Mamoru’s boxing gym to heal up before heading home. The atmosphere of the boxing gym inspired Ippo to gain confidence and wants to take up boxing to better himself. Takamura Mamoru assigns Makunouchi Ippo with an impossible task of punching without breaking leaves in the palm of his fists. Can Ippo unlock his inner potential or will he continue to be the punching bag he was before?

49. InuYasha

Studio: Sunrise
Episodes: 167

All is well in the Shinto shrine; until one day, Kagome Higurashi, a fifteen-year-old girl, is dragged into a well by a feminine demon centipede groaning a “sacred jewel” that is in Kagome’s possession. InuYasha follows Kagome Higurashi as she climbs out of the well and is sent back 500 years in time in Japan’s Sengoku period to fend for herself. Fortunate for her, she walks to a familiar “Sacred Tree” where she finds a human attached to the tree with dog ears, fangs, and claws called InuYasha. The feminine demon centipede finds Kagome and bites into her ribs to claim the sacred jewel. Kagome’s presence wakes InuYasha!

InuYasha destroys the centipede in a heartbeat. Kagome later breaks the jewel and requests InuYasha to help her collect the scattered shards. It is up to them to prevent evil from retrieving these shards of the sacred jewel for their own nefarious benefits.

50. The Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokuki)

Studio: Studio Perriot
Episodes: 45

Juuni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms) follows the story of Yoko Nakajima, a disheartened high school student, looking for her everybody’s acceptance. On her first day back to school, she is voted back to being the class president, a role that she despises. This is only the first in the chain of weird events leading up to the discovery of her other life. The next day of school will be one she will never forget. A mysterious man named Keiki wielding a sword approaches her and commands her to come with him if she values her life. Suddenly, a gigantic crow-like beast attacks the school room they are in. These demons are on the hunt for Yoko Nakajima. Keiki hands her a beautiful sword and in a swift second, Nakajima turns into a warrior and slays the demon crow, saving herself and her friends from the beast. Then, Keiki transports them to the new world from which he claims Nakajima is from. Will these humans be able to defend themselves in a world of roaming beasts and magic?

Top 50 Anime Series of All Time