With so many Top 10 Anime lists around, you’re probably up to date with the latest releases. After all, we’re also here to make sure you’re up to date. Though anime started picking popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, the number of best anime shows that keep releasing is quite a bit to handle.
Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll have made anime much more accessible to larger audiences and also bring Dubs and Subs in many languages. If you need to add to your binge-watch list on Netflix, here are some recommended watches that you may or may not have caught up with till now. Naruto, Bleach, and Death Note have been kept off the best anime list because well, those are staples and you probably love those anime already.
If you love anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and the action-packed shonen joyride is your thing or if you like romcoms like Kaguya-Sama or Thillers like Another, we bring you the Best Anime Series you have to watch on Netflix. Do remember, these top anime series are not ranked and will definitely differ from other lists you may have come across. But these highest rated anime on Netflix are surely worth a watch!
1. Yu Yu Hakusho
Fun Trivia! It wouldn’t be possible for you to have a Sasuke today if Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho did not exist (yes Hiei was the inspiration for Sasuke Uchiha). This legendary anime series makes it to the Top 10 Anime you need to Watch on Netflix without any hesitation.
Yusuke Urameshi is a 14-year old delinquent who winds up dead trying to save a child. What happens when the series begins with a dead protagonist? After training as a spirit detective, Yusuke is joined by Kuwabara, Kurama Hiei, Botan and Master Genkai and must fulfil his mission to fight the evil forces that threaten the destruction of the world.
The world of Yu Yu Hakusho is riddled with monsters and superpowers and makes a blueprint for famous Shounen anime, also making it to our Top 10 anime list. The series has a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDb and 8.4/10 on My Anime List. With 112 episodes, Yu Yu Hakusho has 5 seasons on Netflix. The creator of Yu Yu Hakusho, Toshihiro Togashi is also well-known for creating another legendary Shounen series – Hunter x Hunter.
2. Hunter x Hunter
You cannot make it to Netflix Best Anime series without adding Hunter x Hunter to it. The original anime series was released in 1999 and a newer version was released in 2011, ultimately being Hunter x Hunter 2011.
The story revolves around 11-year old Gon Freecs who sets out to become a pro-Hunter and find his father who left him as a child. Gon’s father left him to continue his job as a hunter and Gon feels determined to follow in his footsteps. In his journey, he makes friends in the form of Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio and meets one enemy greater than another.
Smashing into Top 10 Anime series is the obvious answer for this series with intricate world-building, one of the best power-systems in the anime world and one of the best arcs anime has. Hunter x Hunter has 148 episodes and 6 seasons on Netflix. It has outstanding reviews on My Anime List with a 9.1/10, a 9/10 on IMDb and 4.8/5 on Crunchyroll. This should be enough to tempt you!
3. Gintama
If you love a good laugh, Gintama has to make it to your Top 10 Anime list. With ridiculous plots (what plot), even funnier characters and a perpetual tendency to break the fourth wall, Gintama is prepared to tickle you to tears.
The plot for Gintama is set in alternate world, somewhere in the Late-Edo period where human and aliens live in the same world. Oh, and samurais. Sakata Gintoki, an eccentric samurai, Kagura, a literal alien girl and Shinpachi take on hilarious adventures as freelance helpers ‘ The Yorozuya’.
The series is famous for its tendency to create parodies of other Netflix anime series. Hideaki Sorachi is the creator of the manga which was serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump. The anime is ongoing with over 300 episodes and 8 existing seasons with multiple spin-offs, shorts, and OVAs. The series has a rating of 8.6/10 on IMDb and 9/10 on My Anime List.
4. Violet Evergarden
A tale of empathy and recovery, Violet Evergarden contains everything that you need for a heartwarming watch. The series makes it to out Top 10 Anime on Netflix list because of its stunning visuals, the soundtrack and an incredibly moving story.
Violet is a young woman, a former soldier in the war with extraordinary skills. After the passing of her superior, she becomes an Auto memory doll who ghost writes letters for people. In the process, she discovers her own emotional capacity and sets out to find meaning in her life after.
Violet Evergarden is a shorter best anime series on Netflix with 13 episodes and an OVA and an upcoming movie. The series has a rating of 8.5/10 on IMDb and 8.6/10 on My Anime List. We insist – This is Top 10 Anime potential!
5. Psycho-Pass
To make this Top 10 Anime List a bit more thrilling, Psycho-Pass seems to be the answer. The series is categorized as a psychological thriller and is quite heavy on gore and some disturbing themes. The first season is possibly the best of the lot with its characters, cases and plot twists.
A dystopian cyberpunk future brings in the nuances of the law enforcement system in which Inspectors and Enforcers work together to keep a check on human behavior. The plot is complicated by the Sibyl System and questions of moral greyness and sinister masterminds who hide behind the shadows.
The series has a rating of 8.4 on My Anime List and 8.2 on IMDb. It spans 3 seasons with 41 episodes in total and makes for a strong recommendation for your Netflix Best Anime series.
6. Cells at Work!
If your biology lesson became an anime, this is exactly what would happen. Cells at Work makes it the Best anime to watch on Netflix and blends in the best elements of a lighthearted show fit for any age group.
Inside a human body, anthropomorphized cells work together to keep their environment up and running. But like any other show, you need villains. Germ cells and diseases are the literal villains of the show. The main characters are a red blood cell and a white blood cell who seem to keep meeting despite the unlikelihood. The show is fluffy and surprisingly source accurate so despite being an animation, you’re probably doing your homework well!
The series has a 7.6/10 on IMDb and has 13 episodes in the first season.
7. The Future Diary
Mirai Nikki or The Future Diary is one of those anime that you cannot shake off. A psychological thriller loaded with gore and plot twists, Future Diary is set to keep you at the edge of your seats. Here’s why it needs to make you Top 10 Anime List.
The story revolves around a loner, Yukiteru Amano who records things in his phone diary. He has an imaginary friend Deus who is not so imaginary. As the God of Time nears his end, Deus announces 10 future diary users who will participate in a survival game and the winner will be the new God of Time. And thus, a blood bath ensues.
The series has 25 episodes and has a rating of 7.6/10 on IMDb and 7.5/10 on My Anime List.
8. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
If Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood does not make it to your Top 10 Anime, what are you even doing? The series has received critical acclaim since its release in 2009 and is probably one of the best anime you could ever watch.
The story revolves around The Elric Brothers as they try to find a way to get their bodies back to the way they were. As a State Alchemist and a dog of the military, Edward finds allies as well as formidable enemies as a conspiracy brews underneath that surpasses anyone’s imagination.
With 64 episodes, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood goes to the depth of questions in human existence, science, religion, morality, life, love and death. A complete package. A masterpiece. Fullmetal Alchemist is rated 9.2/10 on My Anime List, 9.1/10 on IMDb and a whooping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
9. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Before the live action become a thing, Ghost in the Shell was acclaimed as one of the watershed moments in anime history that helped revolutionize anime along with Akira (1988). As one of the giants of the cyberpunk genre, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex needs to make it to your Top 10 Anime.
The anime series originally aired in 2002 and narrated the story of the members of the Public Security Section 9 in the year 2030. The dystopian world is run over by cyborgs and prosthetic beings. The ex military and special force officials aim to expose the corruption and misdoings of different parts of the the ruling government.
The series has 52 episodes and has been rated 8.4/10 on My Anime List and 8.5/10 by IMDb. Top 10 Anime Stuff!
10. Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom or Ansatsu Kyoushitsu released in 2015 and gave us some of the most memorable characters to date. The series focused on Kunugigaoka High School and specifically class 3-F, the class of the ones at the bottom.
Koro Sensei, the new teacher of Class 3-F is an alien who will blow up the earth if he is not assassinated in a year. His an unkillable superbeing who is determined to teach this class and requests the students to make attempts to assassinate him. In the process, while Koro Sensei needs to be killed, the students form a bond with him. That does not stop them from assassination attempts!
Assassination Classroom has 46 episodes over 2 season and has a rating of 8/10 on IMDb and 8.3/10 on My Anime List
Tell Us Your Top 10 Anime!
While this was our list of best anime series on Netflix, we would love to know all about your Top 10 Anime and everything else that you are excited about! Don’t forget to check out our article on the upcoming releases for Summer 2021!
