30 Best Anime on Netflix

How do you watch anime? There are several ways to enjoy watching anime such as TV, DVDs, YouTube and other anime streaming platforms. Anyway, it has got easier to access Japanese and international anime from your home recently. Here, I would like to recommend Netflix as one of the cool ways to watch anime and best anime to watch on Netflix.

Netflix allows you to watch anime and other movies and TV programs unlimitedly just for around 10 dollars (1,000 yen) per month, offering its service in over 190 countries. By downloading your favorite anime on Netflix, you can watch them anywhere without worrying about Internet data usage.

There is a wide range of anime on Netflix from classic anime series loved for a long time to the latest titles. Netflix invests substantial resources in making its own anime and distributing them exclusively. It is decided to add the famous Studio Ghibli anime movies to the Netflix’s collection all over the world except Japan, United States and Canada.

This is the list of 30 best anime on Netflix to watch right now, which will help you to find your next target, Of course, it will be an opener for beginners to start watching anime. Each anime below is recommended for three types of people: Beginners (who rarely watch anime), Anime Fans (who have watched some anime) or Anime Freaks (who love anime).

Please be noted that there would never enough time for you to watch anime on Netflix if you are obsessed with them!

▶︎Here is the list of the best anime movies on Netflix!

1. Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden (ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン), based on the light novel that won the fifth Kyoto Animation Award in 2015, is an ongoing popular anime produced by Kyoto Animation. It represents no battle scene in the war or no science fiction theme while the main character Violet Evergarden experienced the large-scale war. Just a woman’s journey to search for her life’s purpose is focused on in the story.

Genre: Drama

Originally aired: from 2018

Highly recommended for Fans

2. Dragon Ball Z

The highlight of the classic Japanese anime and manga series Dragon Ball is Dragon Ball Z (ドラゴンボールZ). The story is based on the time when the main character Goku fas grown up following the first series “Dragon Ball”. Dragon Ball Z is the first anime that made the establishment of the anime genre of action by using unique techniques like Kamehameha.

Genre: Action, Adventure

Originally aired: 1989-1996

Highly recommended for Beginners

3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃), aired in Japan in 2019, is one of the best ongoing anime in the 21st century. It is getting more popular all over the world while the original manga is also winning a big market. After the 26 episodes in the first season in 2019, the sequel film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train was released in 2020, which is added with an extra episode to Netflix. The second season Entertainment District Arc started in the end of 2021.

Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy

Originally aired: from 2019

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

To a wide range of Netflix users from beginners to experienced geeks, the legendary fantasy adventure franchise JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険) is worthy of being watched completely. It consists of several parts in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga series, and you can enjoy all of its anime adaptations made so far on Netflix. The fifth and latest season titles Stone Ocean has been released with 12 episodes since the end of 2021 exclusively on Netflix. Following episodes await you on Netflix in the autumn of 2022.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure presents the mysterious adventures of the Joestar family. A main character varies by the part, but they all are the Joestar family. The fifth season Stone Ocean begins when a protagonist Jolyne Cujoh, the daughter of Jotaro Kujo, is placed in a jail.

Genre: Adventure, Dark fantasy

Originally aired: from 2012

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans/Freaks

5. Spy×Family

Spy×Family is a recommended trendy anime to watch on Netflix now, released in the spring of 2022. Its original manga series has been serialized on Shonen Jump+ as its front title since 2019, and its anticipated anime adaptation is made by Wit Studio and CloverWorks. The comedy anime with the theme of spy tells the story of an expert spy Loid Forger, who forms a fake family with an assassin wife and a psychic daughter as part of his mission. The serious storyline is mixed with their humorous daily life.

Genre: Comedy

Originally aired: 2022

Highly recommended for Beginners

6. Pocket Monster/Pokémon

Pocket Monster/Pokémon (ポケットモンスター) has been more and more famous and popular all over the world. The season 1 of the anime series started in 1997 after releasing the original video game, and the anime is still going on. The main character Satoshi travels around the world with his partner Pikachu and other Pokemon. Both kids and adults can enjoy watching the anime.

Genre: Kids, Family, Adventure

Originally aired: from 1997

Highly recommended for Beginners

7. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン), which is also abbreviated as EVA, is one of the most famous and popular anime in the world. Neon Genesis Evangelion contributed a lot to the anime industry before 2000s when anime was never more popular than now. Giant humanoid robots “Evangelions” piloted by the main characters Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami and other teenagers battle with unidentifiable enemies “Angels”.

Genre: Mecha, Fantasy

Originally aired: 1995-1996

Highly recommended for Fans

8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST) is one of the most famous sci-fi anime worldwide, based on the original manga with 27 volumes. Alchemist brothers Edward and Alphonse loses their part of body or the whole body since they violate a taboo. The previous title Fullmetal Alchemist is totally different from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which ends up with the anime’s original story.

Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Dark Fantasy

Originally aired: 2009-2010

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

9. Great Pretender

As one of the finest crime anime series, Great Pretender has been watched globally since it was first added to Netflix in 2020. After 23 episodes were distributed on Netflix, Great Pretender, made by Wit Studio, was aired on television. It is composed of four parts: Los Angeles Connection, Singapore Sky, Snow of London and Wizard of Far East. Set in diverse corners of the world, it centers on a beginning Japanese con man Makoto Edamura and an experienced French con man Laurent Thierry, who are involved in major international con games.

Genre: Crime, Comedy

Originally aired: 2020

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

10. 7 Seeds

The Sci-Fi anime 7 Seeds started to be distributed only on Netflix with 12 episodes as the season 1 in 2019, and the next season is scheduled to be released in 2020. The store starts with a predict that a meteor will fall in the earth and some selected people should be cryonically preserved to pass humankind down the generations.

Genre: Science Fiction

Originally aired: from 2019

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

11. Japan Sinks 2020

Japan Sinks 2020 (日本沈没2020) is a recent original Netflix anime, which is distributed with 10 episodes only on Netflix. The adventure anime is based on a disaster novel Japan Sinks published in 1973. The setting is the fictional Japan just after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 come to an end. The story begins when Japan is attacked by huge earthquakes and mega-tsunami, and a family of four is mainly focused on in this anime.

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Originally aired: 2020

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱) is looked on as one of the most important Japanese anime that has popularize an anime and a light novel in Japan. The story consists of daily high school life and fantastic unreality due to the club SOS Brigade’s members including aliens.

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

Originally aired: 2006-2009

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

13. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

If you keep up with the modern trends, you should not miss the romantic comedy Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (かぐや様は告らせたい〜天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦〜). The A-1 Pictures’s series began with the 12-episode first season in 2019, followed by the next season in 2020. The upcoming third season will be available on Netflix in April, 2022.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War focuses on a delicacy but comical relationship between two students at a prestigious high school. Miyuki Shirogane is a student council president protagonist and Kaguya Shinomiya is a vice-president heroine. They fall in love with each other, however, they are too proud to confess their love.

Genre: Romantic comedy

Originally aired: from 2012

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

14. Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX) is the first title of the anime series of Ghost in the Shell. The anime was aired in 2002 following the previous story Ghost in the Shell that was the movie released in 1995. In the setting of the story 2030, the members of Public Security Section 9 investigate various incidents. As the newest title of the legendary sci-fi anime, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 (攻殻機動隊 SAC_2045) began with 12 episodes on Netflix in 2020.

Genre: Science Fiction

Originally aired: from 2002

Highly recommended for Freaks

15. Record of Ragnarok

If you are looking for a unique and powerful action anime, Record of Ragnarok (終末のワルキューレ) should be the anime to watch on Netflix right now. Its original manga has been published since 2017, and Netflix welcomed 12 episodes of its first anime adaptation made by Graphinica in 2021. To override a decision made by the gods that irredeemable human beings should go extinct, 13 selected humans from all of human history fight against 13 strongest gods. The large-scale battle begins with the one between the notable Chinese warlord Lü Bu and the thunder god Thor.

Genre: Action, Fantasy

Originally aired: 2021

Highly recommended for Fans

16. The Promised Neverland

One of the most popular ongoing Weekly Shonen Jump manga The Promised Neverland (約束のネバーランド) was aired on TV in 2019 as an anime with the first 12 episodes. Then, the anime series of The Promised Neverland was completed with the secound season in 2021. This is a little abstract introduction to avoid being a spoiler, but orphans including Emma and Ray survive the tough world resisting the cruel fate, set in 2045.

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Originally aired: from 2019

Highly recommended for Beginners

17. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン) is known as one of the most famous ongoing anime and light novels. The protagonist Kirito and the heroine Asuna play the MMORPG named Sword Art Online diving into the virtual reality world. The player’s brain is connected to the game physically and mentally.

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure

Originally aired: from 2012

Highly recommended for Beginners

18. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

Speaking of one of the modern anime trends, you cannot avoid the genre of Isekai anime where the characters are sent to the parallel world from their daily lives. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活) is one of the best popular Isekai anime to watch on Netflix. You may find the anime with the title “Re: Life in a different world from zero” on Netflix. The protagonist Subaru repeatedly died and revived due to his special ability in the fantasy world to accomplish his goals. The second season followed it in 2020 and 2021, which includes 25 episodes as well as the previous season.

Genre: Isekai, Adventure, Dark Fantasy

Originally aired: from 2016

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

19. Beastars

If you are looking for a good recent drama title, Beastars is one of the most recommended hottest anime to try next on Netflix. The serialization of the original manga series started in 2016 and completed in 2020. It was first adapted into the anime series in 2019 and the second season came in 2021.

Beastars is set in the world where anthropomorphic animals characters live. At an elite school Cherryton High School, an alpaca student named Tem is murdered by a carnivorous animal. And, a silent gray wolf named Legoshi, who is a member of the drama club that Tem also joined, is received with suspicions of the murder case. There remains a feud between the herbivorous animals and the carnivorous animals.

Genre: Coming of age, Drama

Originally aired: from 2019

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

20. Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail (フェアリーテイル) is a popular adventure anime and manga series, and all of the 328 episodes were aired on TV for about a decade. A dragon slayer wizard Natsu Dragneel, who is a member of the Fairy Tail guild, ventured into various requests with other members.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Originally aired: 2009-2019

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

21. Code Geass

Code Geass is a popular anime franchise in Japan, and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ) is the first title you should start with. Lelouch vi Britannia stand against the the Holy Britannian Empire to avenge the murder of his mother and protect his sister. The main character is presented as not a pure hero but a villain.

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Mecha

Originally aired: from 2006

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

22. Gin Tama

For a popular comedy anime, Gin Tama (銀魂), originally made as a Weekly Shonen Jump manga that completed its story in 2018, is your thing to watch on Netflix. The setting of Gin Tama is the fictional Edo period in Japan which was invaded by aliens. The unique world is inspired by various essences in the real world including topical news, politics, pop cultures and so on.

Genre: Adventure, Comedy

Originally aired: 2008-2018

Highly recommended for Freaks

23. Baki

Baki (バキ) is a famous action series based on the manga series consisting of Baki the Grappler and several following parts. After the first part of the anime series Baki the Grappler aired with 48 episodes in 2001 and the second part Baki in 2018 and 2020, Baki Hanma (範馬刃牙), which includes 12 episodes, was exclusively released on Netflix in September, 2021.

The martial arts action anime centers on a 17-year-old high school boy named Baki Hanma, who is the champion of the underground fighting arena in Tokyo, and his more powerful father Yujiro Hanma. It shows various intense martial arts battle scenes presenting “What is the strongest in the world”.

Genre: Action

Originally aired: from 2001

Highly recommended for Freaks

24. Tokyo Revengers

Tokyo Revengers (東京リベンジャーズ) is one of the most popular anime especially among national fans in this decade, produced by Liden Films. A Yanki (a kind of Japanese young gangs) is a familiar theme to fans of manga and anime for a long time. The modern Yanli-themed manga written by Ken Wakui has been serialized since 2017, which was fist adapted into the 24-episode anime in 2021. Tokyo Revengers is set in Tokyo, revolving around a protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki. He repeats trips back to the past and contact the powerful Tokyo Manji Gang to save his ex-girlfriend.

Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Comedy

Originally aired: 2021

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

25. Doraemon

Doraemon (ドラえもん), which is still one of the most popular anime among children in Japan and around the world, has long history. The first series of Doraemon started to be aired on TV in 1973, and the current series have been distributed since 2005. Doraemon, a robot coming from the 22nd century, helps the poor Nobita with the magical gadgets to fly in the sky, teleport and do other unbelievable things.

Genre: Kids, Family, Comedy. Science Fiction

Originally aired: from 2005

Highly recommended for Beginners

26. The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins (七つの大罪) is an adventure anime, based on the popular manga with 41 volumes. The main character Meliodas, who is the leader of a group of knights named Seven Deadly Sins embarks on adventures to save the Liones Kingdom getting asked by the Liones’ third princess Elizabeth.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Originally aired: from 2014

Highly recommended for Fans/Freaks

27. Erased

Lots of mystery fans around the world have liked the modern anime series Erased (僕だけがいない街), which has been watched on Netflix recently. Based on the 8-volume manga series written by Kei Sanbe, it was made into the anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures. There are 12 episodes in the anime series airing in 2016. Erased tells the story of a struggling 29-year-old manga artist, who goes back in time to prevent tragedies from happening around him. You can enjoy the unpredictable story in the thrilling and suspenseful anime.

Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction

Originally aired: 2016

Highly recommended for Beginners/Fans

28. Conan The Boy in Future

Conan The Boy in Future (未来少年コナン), which is also known as Future Boy Conan, is famous as the anime series that Hayao Miyazaki first directed. In the original Sci-Fi novel The Incredible Tide,  the lively protagonist Conan survives the time of the setting 2008 when the catastrophic war between the United Staes and Russia breaks out. However, Hayao Miyazaki reconstructed the story especially for children to enjoy watching.

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Originally aired: 1978

Highly recommended for Freaks

29. Mob Psycho 100

For comedy lovers, the popular Mob Psycho 100 (モブサイコ100) is a good recommendation to watch on Netflix, which offers the first season with 12 episodes and the second season with 13 episodes. Based on the original manga series by One who is also famous for One-Punch Man, the anime series has been produced by a Japanese anime studio Bones. It has been officially announced the third season will be made and released in the near future.

Mob Psycho 100 tells the story of a junior high school boy called Mob, who is not good at studying, playing sports or getting along with other people. However, it is found that he is the strongest esper with psychic powers. In addition to intense action parts, you can see lots of comedy scenes throughout the series.

Genre: Comedy, Action

Originally aired: from 2016

Highly recommended for Freaks

30. Cardcaptor Sakura

Cardcaptor Sakura (カードキャプターさくら) is a worldly known anime especially to girls, started its first season on TV in 1998. A ten-year-old girl Sakura Kinomoto recaptures the mystical Clow Card fighting with the magic of the cards. The new season Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card just ended up with 22 episodes in 2018.

Genre: Kids, Family, Science Fiction, Romance

Originally aired: 1998-2018

Highly recommended for Beginners

+1. Studio Ghibli Movies

There is a lineup of the famous Studio Ghibli movies from the top-rated Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away to the classic My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on Netflix around the globe (except Japan, United States and Canada) from 2020. You should try all of the Ghibli films since you can get the unlimited access to them!

▽I have listed my best Ghibli movies below!▽

Note: Some anime may be unavailable on Netflix now on your country.

<<Where to Watch Anime? ▶︎Best Legal Anime Streaming Sites>>

---

▽Wanna keep up with Japanese trends?▽

---

If you explore more anime in Netflix, you should also check the best anime movies to watch on Netflix here!

▽For anime fans all over the world, here is the list of 30 best anime of all time!

This best Netflix anime list includes only well-selected anime that is worth watching, and it is recommended to watch the first episode of the anime if you are interested in some at the very beginning. For more information about anime, manga and other Japanese pop cultures, you might also like these articles below, too!