Whether you’re an anime-watching veteran or a total novice, there’s an anime series for all levels of otaku, now available for streaming on Netflix. Here are some of the best anime series on Netflix right now, both new anime releases and beloved classics.
Best Anime Shows on Netflix to Watch Now
1. Naruto
The story of Naruto is one of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who longs to become a Hokage—leader of his village. He dreams of acceptance from his peers and being a hero, something we can all relate to. The series is a for-TV adaptation of the fourth best-selling Japanese manga series in history (it’s sold more than 250 million copies worldwide). Written by Masashi Kishimoto, the fact that Naruto is a ninja-in-training makes for some rather compelling fight scenes. If you binge-watch the entire series (there are nine seasons on Netflix right now) and still can’t get enough, there are several Naruto Shippûden movies you could also stream to prolong your Naruto hangover.
2. Japan Sinks: 2020
Based on the disaster novel of the same name (sans the “2020”) by Sayo Komatsu, the anime Japan Sinks: 2020 is perhaps one of the most relatable titles on Netflix right now. Devastating earthquakes threaten the very existence of Japan and as the archipelago continues to sink, one family goes on the journey of their life. If it sounds like 2020, minus the earthquakes and the sinking, that’s because chaos is universal. Especially now more than ever when we’ve all experienced a year like last year.
3. Neo Yokio
Anime enthusiasts will say that Neo Yokio is an “anime-inspired show” rather than traditional anime itself and while that’s an important distinction, fans of classics like Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dragonball Z will still enjoy Neo Yokio. From series creator Ezra Koenig—of Vampire Weekend fame—Jaden Smith also voices Kaz Kaan in Neo Yokio, an anime-esque series set in a post-apocalyptic version of New York City that has been partially flooded out. Aside from some pretty exciting star-power backing this series, there’s also the important supernatural plot line of Kaz Kaan fighting off demons against the backdrop of this dreary, future version of Manhattan.
4. Death Note
A clear fan-favorite amongst the anime streaming on Netflix right now, Death Note is the story of a Japanese high schooler, Light Yagami, who finds himself the owner of a mystical notebook. He quickly discovers it’s the ultimate Burn Book, as after writing someone’s name in the book, that person mysteriously drops dead.
5. One-Punch Man
It’s the best of anime culture combined with the world of superheroes! One-Punch Man follows Saitama, the world’s most powerful superhero who can take out any villain with, as the title suggests, just one punch. But in a surprisingly relatable twist, the One-Punch Man has some rather human kryptonites: depression and ennui, which complicate his job of saving the world.
6. Komi Can’t Communicate
A comedy anime series with new episodes weekly, Komi Can’t Communicate is about an aloof, anxious girl named Komi who, well, doesn’t have the easiest time communicating. That is until she finds a friend in Tadano, a schoolmate who’s magic power just might be helping Komi open up to him and other people.
7. Castlevania
Certainly one of the most popular anime titles amongst enthusiasts, Castlevania feels part-Buffy the Vampire Slayer, part-Game of Thrones, part-anime. A vampire hunter is tasked with battling Dracula’s evil army of beasts in order to save the city. Set in medieval times and full of gory fighting sequences, the series, which was inspired by the video game, is pure fun to watch.
8. Avatar: The Last Airbender
One of the more well-known, mainstream anime series is Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which our protagonist is a 12-year-old named Aang, who wakes up from a long hibernation to learn he is the last hope in ending the Hundred Year War. As the only avatar with all four bending capabilities (airbending, earthbending, firebending, waterbending, and then eventually, energybending) that promise to defeat the Fire Nation once and for all, Aang is not only the secret weapon in ending the world’s long-term turmoil, he’s also one of anime’s most beloved protagonists.
9. Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Exclusively streaming on Netflix is Pokémon Journeys, the newest adaptation of the classic anime show that gave us some of the world’s most beloved animated characters. In Journeys, Ash and Pikachu are back this time with a new friend, Goh. Together, they work as research fellows at Professor Cerise’s lab and travel the world learning more than they ever thought they could about Pokémon.
10. Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Originally, Pokémon the Series: Sun &Moon debuted on Disney XD, but ever since the finale, the complete series found a new home streaming on Netflix. Throughout the show’s three seasons, Ash and Pikachu travel to Alola, enrolling in Pokémon School and taking on Team Skull, the Alola region’s villainous two-person gang notorious for stealing Pokémon.
11. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
Chiyo, a high school girl, has a crush on her fellow student, Nozaki, but she doesn’t know he’s a well-known manga artist. While his fame is not nefarious enough in its own right, Nozaki’s secret desire to use their “relationship” in order to find plotlines for his romance manga definitely poses some problems. It’s the ultimate art imitates life romantic comedy.
12. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Right up there with Pokémonand Avatar as the standard for mainstream anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! was bolstered by the popularity of a real-life version of the trading card game Yugi Muto and his friends, Joey, Tritan, and Téa play in the series. But it’s still relevant and still streaming today. That’s because what drives Yugi Muto is a relatable motivation more important than any other: to free his father’s soul, which has been captured and detained. His life, and the lives of his friends, are certainly forever changed, but Yugi has to do whatever he can to save his dad.
13. Little Witch Academia
For fans of Sailor Moon and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there’s Little Witch Academia. A young girl named Akko attends Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy and to put it plainly, she’s no Hermoine Granger. Her witchcraft is rickety at best and her attempts at spells often go awry, but the antics and her bright and positive personality certainly make for an enjoyable little series that at its core is about friendship.
14. Bleach
Have you ever wondered whose job it is to round up all the lost souls ‘round the world? Why, it becomes Ichigo Kurosaki’s job in Bleach. After the teen finds himself enabled with superpowers after acquiring them from a wounded soul reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo joins Rukia’s journey bringing all the lost souls home. Right now, Netflix has five seasons for you to make your way through, but many hope there will soon be more. After all, there’s a total of 16 seasons and Bleach isn’t done yet. Season 17 is supposed to premiere in realtime sometime in 2021.
15. One Piece: The East Blue and Alabasta Sagas
Like Bleach, there are many sagas of One Piece—nine in total—but for now, Netflix has the series’ first two arcs, the East Blue and Alabasta Sagas. In One Piece, we follow the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body appears to be made of rubber (a “superpower” Monkey acquired after eating a weird, unknown fruit). Now, he’s on a mission to become the ultimate pirate king as he chases after One Piece, the ultimate treasure. Four seasons are now available on Netflix but it seems like we’ll also get a live-action version of One Piece soon, in addition to the other five sagas.
16. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Now in its second season, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime in which demon characters attack. Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko are the only surviving members of their family, but their survival is complicated by the fact that Nezuko, too, is turning into a demon. To save his sister, avenge his family, and survive, Tanjiro must become the demon slayer.
17. A Whisker Away
Calling all cat lovers! A Whisker Away is charming and adorable and centers around Miyo Sasaki, who just so happens to be in love with her classmate, Kento. Miyo’s version of flirting is to transform into a cat but the more she morphs, the more she becomes one with her cat-self.
18. Wolverine
2011’s Wolverine blends the best of anime, sci-fi, and action all in one mini TV series. Sadly, there’s only one season to watch, but it’s still worth a look. In this anime series, Logan and a long-lost friend unite to take down Shingen Yashida’s crime syndicate as well as safe Mariko, Logan’s former flame. Next up, these are the 18 best ways to watch cartoons for free.
