Best Anime On Crunchyroll

For the longest time,

Crunchyroll

served as most people’s main (or only) source of anime. As the likes of Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu entered the market, anime properties started to spread across multiple platforms, especially when it comes to new series. Nowadays, someone has to subscribe to various services if they want to follow a sizable portion of the seasonal releases; however, when it comes to sheer size, Crunchyroll’s library is second to none.

Funimation acquiring Crunchyroll not only did not hinder the latter’s potential but served to promote its catalog to reach greater heights than ever before. With thousands of series available on the platform, newcomers to Japanese animation might not know where to start. To make that process easier, here are the

best anime on Crunchyroll

across multiple genres.

The Japanese titles of the anime include links to their Crunchyroll pages.

Best Fall 2023 Anime On Crunchyroll

As Fall is here, this is the perfect time to highlight some of Crunchyroll’s announced shows for the season. Obviously, the platform is airing a bunch of returning properties, most of which are fairly high-profile.

Dr. Stone: New World Part 2

,

Spy x Family Season 2

,

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3

,

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2

, and

Goblin Slayer 2

are only a handful of Fall 2023 sequels, and they all have their strengths.

However, the season has a lot more to offer than just sequels. Some of Fall’s most exciting anime are new adaptations, and most of them will be available on Crunchyroll.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Based on Kanehito Yamada’s beloved shonen manga,

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

shines a unique light on the typical fantasy narrative. Set after a group of heroes defeated a demon king, the story specifically focuses on Frieren, an elf who eventually finds herself alone due to living a longer life than her comrades. Along with showing flashbacks of the heroes’ adventurers, the manga also follows Frieren as she seeks out magic spells alongside an apprentice.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

tells an introspective tale that touches upon themes of friendship, mortality, and grief. Launching with four episodes, the adaptation got off to a running start, and Madhouse has so far delivered on the source material’s potential. Frieren is impossible to not like, and Fern balances the elf out well while still coming across like a fully developed character rather than a side-kick. The flashbacks have also been integrated well into the story.

I’m In Love With The Villainess

Fall 2023 has a pretty good isekai lineup, at least on paper. One of the theme’s most highly-anticipated shows,

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2

, is not airing on Crunchyroll, but the service has a number of other sequels (

The Rising of the Shield Hero

,

The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent

, and

The Faraway Paladin: The Lord of Rust Mountains

). In terms of new isekai anime, Crunchyroll has two picks:

I Shall Survive Using Potions!

and

I’m in Love with the Villainess

. The former has “fine” written all over it, but the latter could be something special.

After dominating the light novel scene for years, villainess stories have now fully crossed over into anime.

I’m in Love with the Villainess

shakes up the formula by reincarnating its protagonist as an otome game’s female hero, and she instantly decides to dedicate all her time to courting Claire, the story’s big bad. They should make for a cute and hilarious duo, at least once the story starts to develop their dynamic beyond just a comedy routine.

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You

A late addition to Crunchyroll’s Fall 2023 lineup,

100 Girlfriends

pushes the harem genre to its natural conclusion. Instead of handpicking a few character tropes, why not just include all of them? And, rather than forcing the protagonist to pick the best girl, why can’t they all share the spotlight? Love is in the air, and Rentarou has spent all his life being rejected by girls. However, a god informs him that he will meet 100 soulmates at high school, and he must please them all. Being the ultimate harem protagonist, Rentarou has a minor panic attack before accepting the responsibility, starting him down a path that will undoubtedly lead to mayhem but also positive feels for everyone involved.

100 Girlfriends

is hilarious. This premise would not work if Rentarou was anything less than a complete boss, and he is more than up to the challenge. While only a few girls have been introduced so far, they are funny and endearing in their own right. As a parody series,

100 Girlfriends

benefits from a viewer’s familiarity with harem conventions, but it can still be enjoyed even if someone has never stepped foot into that genre.

Shangri-La Frontier

Fall 2023 is not lacking in great action anime, and one show that should not be overlooked is

Shangri-La Frontier

. The story revolves around Rakurou, a teenager who specializes in defeating broken games. One day, he decides to test his skills against a god-tier title,

Shangri-La Frontier

, starting him down a path filled with adventure, action, and curses. Just to be clear, C2C’s anime is not isekai since the characters are simply playing a game, and they even get to spend time in the normal world.

Shangri-La Frontier

could be dismissed for being style over substance, but the former is more than great enough to make up for a slight lack of depth. However, that’s not to say the show only has pretty visuals to offer, as the protagonist is likable and the MMO’s presentation is fairly grounded by anime standards.

Tearmoon Empire

Fall 2023 is shaping up to be the funniest season of the year, and Crunchyroll has most of the comedy genre’s heavy-hitters.

100 Girlfriends

is arguably the cream of the crop, and it is in good company with

Girlfriend, Girlfriend

,

I’m in Love with the Villainess

, and

Spy x Family Season 2

. Even

I’m Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness

and

The Family Circumstances of the Irregular Witch

have produced some decent gags.

Last but certainly not least is

Tearmoon Empire

, an anime with a fabulous twist on the reincarnation theme. Filling in the Marie Antoinette role, Mia Luna’s life of luxury comes crashing down due to a revolution that leads to the princess having a date with the guillotine. However, she reincarnates as her younger self, giving her the opportunity to set things right and change her future. Hilarious but also quite dramatic,

Tearmoon Empire

has a stellar premise and, so far, a great execution.

Best Battle Shonen Anime On Crunchyroll

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

At some point during the 2010s,

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

usurped the likes of


Dragon Ball Z


and


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.

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.

Chainsaw Man

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

.

Attack On Titan

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.

Other Recommended Battle Shonen Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Non-Shonen Action Anime On Crunchyroll

Kill La Kill

Trigger’s

Kill la Kill

might be the most “anime” anime to ever anime, and that’s definitely a compliment. From its smooth animation to its gloriously over-the-top presentation and tongue-in-cheek fanservice,

Kill la Kill

feels like a celebration of the medium, one that goes for broke and takes no prisoners.

Armed with a magical girl outfit and a scissor blade, Ryuuko Matoi arrives at Honnouji Academy in order to take down the student council and avenge her father. This

simple

premise goes to some

incredible

places.

Fate/Zero

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.

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.

Black Lagoon

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.

Other Recommended Action Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll

GTO – The Animation

A classic comedy anime about a reformed gang leader who becomes a high school teacher,

Great Teacher Onizuka

follows its eponymous sensei as he tries to connect with students who have valid reasons to not be that willing to embrace him.

GTO

tackles a number of sobering subjects, including suicide and bullying, while maintaining a consistently humorous tone. However, it also takes these themes seriously.

Onizuka is an all-time great comedy protagonist. While perverted, the sensei has his heart generally in the right place; in the meantime, his face can be relied upon to deliver one hilarious reaction after another.

Gintama

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.

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.

Nichijou – My Ordinary Life

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 teetered to conventional reality.

Bocchi The Rock!

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.

Other Recommended Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Slice Of Life Anime On Crunchyroll

Laid-Back Camp

There tends to be quite a bit of overlap between comedy and slice of life, but the latter shows are more preoccupied with characterization than gags. Take

Laid-Back Camp

as an example; the anime has many funny moments, but these jokes are never the point of an episode. Instead, the focus is always on the experiences of the main girls as they travel to different camping locations in Japan.

Largely free of anything resembling tension,

Laid-Back Camp

is a soothing watch, one filled with breathtaking scenery, endearing characters, and (narrative) warmth.

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.

Bunny Drop

Slice of life anime are associated with a carefree, light tone, a description that cannot be used to describe

Bunny Drop

‘s opening episode. At his grandfather’s funeral, Daikichi Kawachi meets the young Rin, the deceased relative’s illegitimate daughter. Angered by his family’s dismissive attitude towards the girl, Daikichi decides to essentially adopt Rin, a commitment he is ill-prepared to handle.

Bunny Drop

chronicles the pair’s unconventional relationship as they gradually establish a parent-child dynamic.

Although presenting a realistic portrayal of this sort of situation,

Bunny Drop

is overall wholesome and sweet. Rin and Daikichi are both fantastic characters, and their relationship grows organically in a way that complements their backstories and personalities. At just 11 episodes, the anime never overstays its welcome and also ends on a satisfying note.

Barakamon

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.

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.

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.

Ace Of Diamond

Based on Yuji Terajima’s manga,

Ace of Diamond

dives headfirst into baseball, a sport that features in quite a few great anime. As its name suggests, this series pushes the pitcher role to the forefront as it revolves around the rivalry between two very different players who are striving to establish themselves as Seido High School’s ace. On the one hand, there is Eijun Sawamura, a hot-head with a unique pitching style and a tendency to act like a lovable idiot; on the other side, there is the quiet Furuya Satoru, a pitcher who uses power to overwhelm batters.

Ace of Diamond

chronicles the development of not only these two characters but also Seido’s wider team, a group that undergoes quite a few changes over the course of the series. The anime opts for a realistic depiction of the sport and the training that goes into growing as a player and person. While these people are talented, they have plenty of flaws they need to overcome to achieve their potential.

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.

Other Recommended Sports Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll

Gurren Lagann

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.

Steins;Gate

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.

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.

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.

Cowboy Bebop

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.

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.

Other Recommended Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Thriller Anime On Crunchyroll

Kaiji

Gambling anime are rare, but the few that do exist are almost universally excellent. As great as shows like

Akagi

and

One Outs

are, they lack one thing that makes

Kaiji

so wonderful: unpredictability. Unlike the protagonists of the previous two shows, Kaiji is basically a normal human being who is constantly in over his head.

After being saddled with someone’s else debt, Kaiji takes part in perilous games that will either make him rich or put him deeper in the hole. Regardless of how big the cost seems to be, there is never a guarantee that Kaiji will win. Sure, he can be smart or devious, but he is not a genius capable of outwitting everyone at any time. This point is emphasized by the fact that the audience almost always knows Kaiji’s plan. This anime is nail-bitingly intense throughout its entire run.

Death Note

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.

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

.

Erased

Satoru Fujinuma suddenly picks up the ability to travel back in time, initially a couple of minutes and eventually years. Triggered by a tragedy, this power sends Satoru back to his childhood where he sets out to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

Erased

is a phenomenal show with a gripping central narrative, two endearing main characters who go through quite a bit of development over the course of the series, and consistently stellar animation. As a thriller that relies heavily on a central mystery,

Erased

tends to be valued by the strength of its resolution, which is admittedly quite divisive; however, taken as a whole, this series is comfortably one of the best thriller anime of all time.

Psycho-Pass

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.

Other Recommended Thriller Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Horror Anime On Crunchyroll

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

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.

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

is one of anime’s more popular horror properties, and the series has produced 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.

Ghost Hunt

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.

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.

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.

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

As fantastic as

Re:ZERO

is, it is not representative of isekai anime as a whole. If someone is looking to sample a more typical example of the subgenre, they should look no further than

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

, which is one of the

best anime on Crunchyroll

. After passing away, Satoru Mikami reincarnates as a slime in a fantasy world, albeit one with the power to learn the abilities of other creatures. Rebranding himself as Rimuru Tempest, the protagonist sets out to create a Utopia for monsters of all types.

After the opening few episodes, Rimuru becomes incredibly overpowered to the point that most battles are a foregone conclusion; however, the anime’s focus on diplomacy allows the story to maintain momentum even when battles lack much in the way of tension. The show’s characters are also irresistibly lovable.

Log Horizon

While not the first or most famous show about humans stuck in an MMORPG,

Log Horizon

might have delivered the definitive iteration of this concept, at least in its first season. When thousands of people find themselves unable to log out of Elder Tale, they suddenly have to learn how to not only co-exist with each other but also with the NPCs who populate this realm.

Log Horizon

excels at world-building, and the anime prioritizes diplomacy and social development above action (which there is still a lot of). Filled with well-written characters and intriguing concepts, this isekai anime is a must-watch, even if the sequels fail to live up to their predecessor.

Other Recommended Isekai 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.

SSSS.Gridman

SSSS.Gridman

is a trip that tends to divide audiences: people seem to either love or hate it. Based on the live-action

Gridman the Hyper Agent

series from the ’90s, the anime’s plot could be loosely described as a giant hero battles against an array of kaiju, however, there is a lot more going on here than a

Power Rangers

episode. The action sequences are as spectacular as one might expect from a Trigger production; in fact, the animation is splendid throughout.

SSSS.Gridman

also devotes a great deal of time to its characters, with one of the main antagonists, Akane, receiving a lot of attention and development. The exception is the protagonist, Yuta Hibiki, who is mostly presented as an avatar for Gridman.

Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion

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.

Other Recommended Mecha Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Romance Anime On Crunchyroll

Fruits Basket

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.

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

.

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 out 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.

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.

Other Recommended Romance Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Boys Love Anime On Crunchyroll

Given

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.

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.

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.

Other Recommended Boys Love Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Girls Love Anime On Crunchyroll

Strawberry Panic

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.

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

.

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.

Other Recommended Girls Love Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Magical Girl Anime On Crunchyroll

Cardcaptor Sakura

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 told 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.

Revolutionary Girl Utena

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.

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.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

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.

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.

Ping Pong The Animation

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kaleido Star

Directed by Junichi Sato, whose resume includes

Sailor Moon

,

Kaleido Star

is a strange anime that walks the line between realism and fantasy. Sora, a Japanese acrobat, dreams of performing as part of Kaleido Star, a circus renowned for excellence. Accepted for an audition, Sora eventually joins the troupe, although the process proves to be anything but straightforward.

Focusing on the cutthroat entertainment

business

,

Kaleido Star

does not sugarcoat how difficult the life of a performer is. Sora can be a touch too innocent at first, but she does undergo a fair amount of development as the show progresses. Unsurprisingly, Gonzo’s anime has great animation and art, particularly during the story’s stage performance. Season 2 tends to be divisive when compared to its predecessor, but it is still very watchable.

Other Recommended Shojo Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Idol Anime On Crunchyroll

Zombie Land Saga

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.

Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club

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.

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.

Idolish7

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.

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.

The Fruit Of Grisaia

Looking for a harem anime with a twist? Well,

The Fruit of Grisaia

is way darker than the genre’s typical offerings, while still retaining a lot of elements that should appeal to fans. Yuji Kazami joins a school that only has a few girls in attendance, and they are not allowed to leave of their own accord. Stoic and direct, Yuji’s background is anything but typical, and it is explored in great detail in

The Labyrinth of Grisaia

, a sequel short movie that is also available on Crunchyroll.

The Fruit of Grisaia

deals with mature themes and explores the psyches of all the main characters, be they Yuji or the girls. The anime handles these challenging storylines well, earning its shocking moments through strong characterization and unapologetic writing. For a harem anime, romance does not play that big of a part in the story, although it is still present.

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.

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.

Other Recommended Harem Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best “Other” Anime On Crunchyroll: Monogatari

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.

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.

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