anime series to watch
by funnytalkingdogs | created - 16 Jan 2014 | updated - 24 Jan 2014 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Samurai Champloo (2004–2005)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Fuu, a waitress who works in a teahouse, rescues two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin, from their execution to help her find the "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
Stars: Kazuya Nakai, Ginpei Sato, Ayako Kawasumi, Steve Blum
Votes: 55,372
2. Samurai 7 (2004)
TV-PG | 702 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A small village gets raided by bandits every harvest season. The villagers can't take it anymore, and decide to recruit samurais to defend them in exchange for rice. Will the villagers find who would defend them from the bandits?
Stars: R. Bruce Elliott, Christopher Sabat, Sean Teague, Colleen Clinkenbeard
Votes: 4,433
3. Rurouni Kenshin (1996–1998)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of a young wandering swordsman who stumbles upon a struggling martial arts school in Meiji era Japan.
Stars: Mayo Suzukaze, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Richard Cansino, Rebecca Forstadt
Votes: 20,554
4. Hunter x Hunter (1999–2001)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The history of Gon Freecs, a boy who left home alone to become a Hunter. In the hard test, Gon meets Leorio, Kurapika and Killua.
Stars: Junko Takeuchi, Hozumi Gôda, Yuki Kaida, Annika Odegard
Votes: 9,606
5. The Snow Queen (1957)
Unrated | 74 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
When the Snow Queen, a lonely and powerful fairy, kidnaps the human boy Kay, his best friend Gerda must overcome many obstacles on her journey to rescue him.
Director: Lev Atamanov | Stars: Vladimir Gribkov, Yanina Zheymo, Anna Komolova, Mariya Babanova
Votes: 3,023
6. Havoc in Heaven (1961)
Not Rated | 114 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Sun Wukong, the King of the Monkeys, sets off on his first adventure to gain a worthy weapon. This earns the attention of the Jade Emperor of Heaven.
Directors: Wan Laiming, Cheng Tang | Stars: Yue-Feng Qiu, Run-Sheng Fu, Hans Alfredson, Ke Bi
Votes: 2,393
7. Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982–2002)
TV-PG | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
An alien spaceship crash lands on Earth and her secrets lead to a desperate war against an alien enemy sent to retrieve the ship.
Stars: Arihiro Hase, Mari Iijima, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial
Votes: 2,304
8. Berserk (1997–1998)
TV-MA | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Guts, a wandering mercenary, joins the Band of the Hawk after being defeated in a duel by Griffith, the group's leader and founder. Together, they dominate every battle, but something menacing lurks in the shadows.
Stars: Marc Diraison, Nobutoshi Canna, Carrie Keranen, Kevin T. Collins
Votes: 53,126
9. Black Lagoon (2006)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A Japanese businessman, captured by modern-day pirates, is written off and left for dead by his company. Tired of the corporate life, he opts to stick with the mercenaries that kidnapped him, becoming part of their gang.
Stars: Megumi Toyoguchi, Daisuke Namikawa, Brad Swaile, Maryke Hendrikse
Votes: 17,916
10. Claymore (2007)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A deadly breed of monster - the Yoma - has only one foe: Claymore. These warrior women, human-Yoma hybrids, can deliver salvation by the edge of a blade for a fee. This is the tale of the Claymore called Clare's solitary path to vengeance.
Stars: Todd Haberkorn, Stephanie Young, Houko Kuwashima, Cherami Leigh
Votes: 15,165
11. Trigun (1998)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Vash the Stampede is the most infamous outlaw on the planet Gunsmoke and with a 60 billion double dollar price on his head the most sought after.
Stars: Masaya Onosaka, Hiromi Tsuru, Satsuki Yukino, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 24,180
12. Great Teacher Onizuka (1999–2000)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
About Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old ex-gangster member and a virgin. He has one ambition that no one ever expected from him. His sole life purpose is to become the greatest high school teacher ever.
Stars: Steve Blum, Kirk Thornton, Jun'ichi Suwabe, Wataru Takagi
Votes: 11,273
13. Hellsing (2001–2002)
TV-MA | 23 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
A British taskforce, lead by the daughter of the vampire hunter Prof. Van Helsing, battles the supernatural with the aid of two vampires.
Stars: Jôji Nakata, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Fumiko Orikasa, Steven Brand
Votes: 18,230
14. Death Note (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
An intelligent high school student goes on a secret crusade to eliminate criminals from the world after discovering a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written into it.
Stars: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong, Ryô Naitô
Votes: 378,379
15. Monster (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy. The boy, now a charismatic young man, reappears 9 years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders.
Stars: Hidenobu Kiuchi, Liam O'Brien, Mamiko Noto, Karen Strassman
Votes: 44,582
16. GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (1998)
60 min | Drama, Comedy, Action
Onizuka, a former delinquent finds himself in the role of a high school teacher, facing students who behave just as he used to. Using unusual methods, he manages to reach through to his students and help them with their problems.
Stars: Takashi Sorimachi, Nanako Matsushima, Yôsuke Kubozuka, Shun Oguri
Votes: 3,895
17. Paranoia Agent (2004–2005)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
Seemingly unconnected citizens of Tokyo are targeted for bludgeoning by a boy with a golden baseball bat. As detectives try to link the victims, they discover that following the assaults, the victims' lives have improved in some way.
Stars: Shôzô Îzuka, Toshihiko Seki, Mamiko Noto, Michael McConnohie
Votes: 14,221
18. Blood+ (2005–2006)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Adventure
In present day Okinawa, a young amnesiac girl named Saya combats vicious, shape-shifting vampires. Her adoptive family and friends help her track down their source and uncover her past.
Stars: Eri Kitamura, Katsuyuki Konishi, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Akiko Yajima
Votes: 4,853
19. Desert Punk (2004–2005)
TV-MA | 580 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
In the future, Japan is a wasteland with scattered humans in the Great Kanto Desert. A short-statured man named "Sunabozu" makes a living as a bounty hunter, but he has a weakness for the opposite sex.
Stars: Eric Vale, Cole Brown, Chihiro Suzuki, Luci Christian
Votes: 1,454
20. Lupin the Third (1971–1977)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the master thief Lupin III and his cohorts as they dive into various escapades, all the while in pursuit by the tenacious Inspector Zenigata.
Stars: Yasuo Yamada, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff, Tony Oliver
Votes: 2,441
21. Future Boy Conan (1978)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Long after a devastating war almost destroyed the entire world, a boy with superhuman strength fights to save his friends from those who seek to conquer what is left of civilization.
Stars: Noriko Ohara, Sabrina Pitre, Erin Mathews, Masatô Ibu
Votes: 4,991
22. Sherlock Hound (1984–1985)
24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of the canine detective Sherlock Hound and his loyal companions Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade.
Stars: Taichirô Hirokawa, Kôsei Tomita, Patricia Parris, Yôko Asagami
Votes: 1,634
23. Gurren Lagann (2007)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Two friends, Simon and Kamina, become the symbols of rebellion against the powerful Spiral King, who forced mankind into subterranean villages.
Stars: Tetsuya Kakihara, Shizuka Itou, Yuri Lowenthal, Marina Inoue
Votes: 21,026
24. Darker Than Black (2007–2010)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
In Tokyo, an impenetrable field known as "Hell's Gate" appeared ten years ago. At the same time, psychics who wield paranormal powers at the cost of their conscience also emerged.
Stars: Jason Liebrecht, Kate Oxley, Christopher Sabat, Brina Palencia
Votes: 12,471
25. Highschool of the Dead (2010)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
High school students are overwhelmed with the start of the zombie apocalypse.
Stars: Jun'ichi Suwabe, Eri Kitamura, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Hitomi Harada
Votes: 15,477
26. Baccano! (2007–2008)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A crazy fantasy caper involving alchemists, immortals, gangsters, outlaws and an elixir of immortality, spread over several decades.
Stars: Michael C. Pizzuto, J. Michael Tatum, Caitlin Glass, Akemi Kanda
Votes: 12,663
27. Afro Samurai (2007)
TV-MA | 26 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A Black samurai goes on a mission to avenge the wrongful death of his father in a futuristic feudal Japan.
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Phil LaMarr, Yuri Lowenthal, Greg Eagles
Votes: 18,227
28. Code Geass (2006–2008)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
After being given a mysterious power to control others, an outcast prince becomes the masked leader of the rebellion against an all-powerful empire.
Stars: Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, Johnny Yong Bosch, Yukana
Votes: 80,183
29. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006–2009)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
The crazy adventures of the SOS Brigade, led by the insane but charismatic Haruhi.
Stars: Tomokazu Sugita, Aya Hirano, Yûko Gotô, Daisuke Ono
Votes: 9,139
30. The New Adventures of Gigantor (1980–1981)
30 min | Animation
At the beginning of the 21st century, scientists found that with new computers and super alloys, they could build an even bigger, faster Gigantor. They built the new Gigantor.
Stars: Barbara Goodson, Tom Wyner, Doug Stone, Keiko Toda
Votes: 129
31. Space Adventure Cobra (1982)
Not Rated | 99 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
After two years in hiding, a famed space pirate with a "psychogun" for a left arm joins a bounty huntress on a quest to save her world, only to find himself battling an old enemy.
Director: Osamu Dezaki | Stars: Shigeru Matsuzaki, Akiko Nakamura, Toshiko Fujita, Yoshiko Sakakibara
Votes: 2,310
32. City Hunter (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
The adventures of Ryo Saeba, a gun-for-hire living in the Tokyo metropolis, who will take on any dangerous job as long as it involves beautiful women.
Stars: Akira Kamiya, Kazue Ikura, Yôko Asagami, Tesshô Genda
Votes: 1,599
33. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
TV-14 | 316 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
Strange things start happening when a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with an interconnected virtual realm known as "The Wired".
Stars: Kaori Shimizu, Bridget Hoffman, Dan Lorge, Randy McPherson
Votes: 17,195
34. Mushi-Shi (2005–2014)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Ginko is an expert travelling around to investigate a primeval life-form, the "Mushi," and helping people with Mushi-related supernatural problems.
Stars: Yûto Nakano, Travis Willingham, Kôjun Itô, Jennifer Seman
Votes: 14,592
35. Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012)
Not Rated | 50 min | Animation, Action, Fantasy
The vampire Alucard, his master Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, and his newly sired ward Seras Victoria, try to protect England from a war-crazed SS-Major who seeks to start an eternal war with his vampire army.
Stars: Katie Gray, Crispin Freeman, Victoria Harwood, Ralph Lister
Votes: 26,731
36. Planetes (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi
Ai Tanabe joins the Debris Section of the Technora Corporation as they work to remove the debris left around Earth. As Ai tries to accommodate to space life, she learns more about her crew on the dilapidated 'Toy Box'.
Stars: Kazunari Tanaka, Satsuki Yukino, Ai Orikasa, Kirk Thornton
Votes: 3,929
37. Wolf's Rain (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 701 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a post-apocalyptic future where humans live in domed cities surrounded by wasteland, wolves are assumed to be two hundred years extinct.
Stars: Sarah Hauser, Darren Pleavin, Kenta Miyake, Akio Suyama
Votes: 8,252
38. Ergo Proxy (2006)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a post-apocalyptic future humans live in peace with androids in a domed city. However, a strange series of murders has intruded into bored inspector Re-l Mayer's life.
Stars: Kôji Yusa, Akiko Yajima, Liam O'Brien, Rachel Hirschfeld
Votes: 16,408
39. Golgo 13 (2008–2009)
TV-MA | 1,250 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Duke Togo, a.k.a. Golgo 13, is a highly-skilled assassin hired only by those who pay top-dollar for his services - whether it's the FBI, CIA, industrial corporations or mafias. Regardless ... See full summary »
Stars: Hiroshi Tachi, David Wald, Chris Ayres, Mitsuo Senda
Votes: 523
40. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Drama
After being falsely convicted for the murder of his entire class, a young man must learn to survive in a mysterious prison with a perverted take on incarceration while also looking to clear his name.
Stars: Monica Rial, Kana Hanazawa, Greg Ayres, Romi Park
Votes: 12,009
41. Rainbow: The Seven from Compound Two, Cell Six (2010)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Crime, Drama
Set in 1955, the anime follows the story of seven teenagers locked in a reformatory, waiting for a ray of light in a daily hell of suffering and humiliation, focusing especially on how they faced the life once regained freedom.
Stars: Shun Oguri, Romi Park, Takaya Kuroda, Tatsuya Hasome
Votes: 2,971
42. Outlaw Star (1998–2001)
TV-MA | Animation, Action, Adventure
The adventures of an outlaw crew of an advanced starship.
Stars: Ayako Kawasumi, Bob Buchholz, Bridget Hoffman, Emilie de Azevedo Brown
Votes: 4,133
43. Eureka Seven (2005–2006)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
14-year-old Renton joins the rebel GekkoState ship, co-pilots the TypeZero with the mysterious Eureka, and unknowingly becomes part of a grand scheme.
Stars: Yûko Sanpei, Keiji Fujiwara, Kaori Nazuka, Johnny Yong Bosch
Votes: 3,305
44. Last Exile (2003)
TV-PG | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a world of airships and civil war, two messengers come across a special girl who will change the course of history.
Stars: Mayumi Asano, Chiwa Saitô, Paul St. Peter, Yukana
Votes: 3,828
45. Barefoot Gen (1983)
TV-PG | 83 min | Animation, Biography, Drama
A powerful statement against war, Barefoot Gen is a disturbing story about the effect of the atomic bomb on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people.
Director: Mori Masaki | Stars: Issei Miyazaki, Catherine Battistone, Yoshie Shimamura, Iona Morris
Votes: 9,207
46. The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
TV-14 | 253 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
When a nameless student at Kyoto University encounters a demigod one night, he asks to relive the past three years in order to win the heart of Ms. Akashi, the object of his affection.
Stars: Shintarô Asanuma, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Rin Mizuhara, Maaya Sakamoto
Votes: 4,938
47. Kemonozume (2006)
Animation, Action, Drama
Shokujinki can take a human form while feeding on humans. Kifuken hunt them down. Toshihiko, latest heir of the Kifuuken, is in love with Yuka, a shokujinki.
Stars: Ken Uo, Tomoyuki Shimura, Masahito Yabe, Katsuhiro Harasawa
Votes: 941
48. Kaiba (2008)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
In a futuristic dystopian world where memories are literally stored, bought and sold and rich have all the privileges, a young amnesiac is trying to find out who he is.
Stars: Romi Park, Mamiko Noto, Houko Kuwashima, Taketora
Votes: 1,974
49. Crest of the Stars (1999)
TV-14 | 26 min | Animation, Action, Drama
Jinto is a polite young man whose world was overrun by the biggest empire in the galaxy canned the Abh Empire. He meets the lovely Lafiel who he befriends.
Stars: Yuka Imai, Ayako Kawasumi, Takako Fuji, Desiree Yow
Votes: 539
50. Banner of the Stars II (2000–2005)
TV-PG | Animation, Action, Romance
Now that three years has passed since their first adventure, Lafiel is now captain on a new ship and Jinto has just finished his training. They go out to complete a mission of defending the Laptic Gate.
Stars: Haruhiko Jô, Ayako Kawasumi, Matthew Erickson, Yuka Imai
Votes: 426
51. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom (2009)
TV-MA | 25 min | Animation, Action, Crime
The story of two brainwashed assassins, Ein and Zwei, who struggle to regain their memories as they work for the Inferno crime syndicate.
Stars: Miyu Irino, Newton Pittman, Ayahi Takagaki, Lindsay Seidel
Votes: 1,927
52. Attack on Titan (2013–2023)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
After his hometown is destroyed and is traumatized, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
Stars: Jessie James Grelle, Bryce Papenbrook, Trina Nishimura, Yûki Kaji
Votes: 510,825
53. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006–2014)
TV-14 | 25 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
"Weak Legs" Kenichi Shirahama would rather spend his time reading self improvement books than fighting.
Stars: Jessie James Grelle, Carrie Savage, Christopher Sabat, Kent Williams
Votes: 2,400
54. When They Cry (2006)
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Drama, Horror
The story of a group of young friends and the mysterious events that occur in the rural village of Hinamizawa.
Stars: Sôichirô Hoshi, Mai Nakahara, Satsuki Yukino, Yukari Tamura
Votes: 6,483
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