The Best Anime Series on Netflix Right Now
Are you looking for the best anime series on Netflix right now? From mecha to magical girls, adorable red pandas to horrific demons, Netflix continues to grow its anime library. It can be a challenge to choose which anime to binge next as Netflix continues to shake up its library with new licenses and originals each month. The IGN Staff took on the task of picking the best anime currently streaming on Netflix in the U.S. From Neon Genesis Evangelion to Aggretsuko to Devilman Crybaby and beyond, we've got the best of the best on this list.
Oh, and when you're done here, it's also time to check out our list of the 7 Essential Anime Every Fan Should Watch and what's new to Netflix this month.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-anime-series-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Or follow these links for the best of other genres:- The best sci fi movies on Netflix
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- The best horror TV shows on Netflix
- The best horror movies on Netflix
Note: As this is a list of anime series and shows to watch, no anime movies were considered for this feature. Also, this list pertains to U.S. Netflix subscribers. Some titles may not currently be available on international platforms. This page is periodically amended to remove anime series and seasons no longer available to watch on Netflix, and to include great anime shows that are now available for streaming on the service.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is among the best known and best-loved anime series, and yet it's also been one of the more difficult series to find (in terms of cost and legality that is). But Netflix now has the original show and two sequel films available to stream -- Evangelion: Death True² and The End of Evangelion. And yet that doesn't mean that Evangelion's arrival on Netflix hasn't come without some controversy. Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix.
Aggretsuko
Sanrio may be known for cute and charming characters, and while this raging red panda is certainly lovable, the themes and topics her anime tackles are anything but sweet. Sanrio’s Aggretsuko follows Retsuko, a Tokyo office worker who deals with her frustrations with daily sexism and other workplace mistreatment through death metal karaoke. But even with such serious topics, Aggretsuko manages to still make those themes approachable through its great writing and fun cast of characters. This anime is great subbed or dubbed too!
Available subbed and dubbed
Death Note
Imagine if you could kill someone, just by writing their name in a book. You just scribble it down, and they’re dead. A frightening concept, right? Well, a terrifying demon grants that ability to High School Student Light Yagami in Death Note. This pulse-pounding game of cat and mouse features an unforgettable rivalry between Light and L, the quirky teen-prodigy detective tasked with hunting down Light’s killer alter ego, Kira. Light’s rise to power chills and mesmerizes, as he toys with the idea of who truly deserves punishment and who is the right person to deliver that judgement.
Available subbed and dubbed
Devilman Crybaby
A compelling, psychedelic plot that’s hyper-violent and hyper-sexual and features drug-use, Devilman Crybaby commits to its adult themes, but all in service to a story that left us breathless. In the series, main character Akira (one of the world’s biggest softies) transforms into a bestial demon, but rather than giving in to his darkest carnal desires, he uses his newfound abilities to combat a world that has gone to hell. This anime has potency, heaviness and intensity comparable to the classic Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Devilman Crybaby on Netflix.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
As far sprawling character-driven adventures go, you’d be hard-pressed to find one more gripping than the journey of Edward and Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The Elric brothers try to bring their dead mother back to life, using forbidden alchemy and pay a tormenting physical and mental price. The brothers set out to find a way to restore what was lost. Their journey to redemption, while dark and fascinating, also has lots of comedic moments and extremely lovable characters. While there’s some debate over which one’s better, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood adheres more closely to the manga, and arguably weaves a more cohesive and gripping narrative than the original 2003 series.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Netflix.
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Gurren Lagann
This electric anime combines the post-apocalyptic and mecha genres with vibrant, colorful animation and a fun, dynamic story. Humanity has been forced underground after monsters have overtaken Earth’s surface, but an unlikely duo (a flashy dude in sick 80s shades and a scrawny, worried-eyed boy) drills their way to the top, joining a sniper-wielding badass in a bikini (oh, and a little mole creature). Gurren Lagann is a wild ride you do not want to miss!
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Gurren Lagann on Netflix.
Kill la Kill
In Kill la Kill, fashion reaches new levels of fierce -- and deadly. Satsuki is the heiress of a powerful fashion empire and the fearless leader of the Honnouji Academy Student Council. One day, Ryuko appears and disrupts Satsuki’s groomed system as she searches for her father’s murderer. This show plays on so many classic anime tropes while staying compelling and fresh, with two main characters that are completely badass, backed by a team of fun, hilarious characters! Fan Service Alert! The provocative transformations in Kill la Kill are just the beginning.
Available subbed
Watch Kill la Kill on Netflix.
One-Punch Man
With the popularity of superhero movies and shows thriving more than ever, One-Punch Man is the perfect anime to scratch that itch while bringing a totally hilarious take on the hero journey. One punch is all part-time hero Saitama needs to defeat his enemies, but his laid-back attitude and nonchalance is the complete opposite of what we usually see. Prepare for laughs, but also exceptional fight scenes from the amazing animator Yutaka Nakamura (My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood). One-Punch Man is a must-see anime for any shounen fan. And don’t worry, a second season is on the way in 2019.
Available subbed
Watch One-Punch Man on Netflix.
Ouran High School Host Club
After finding herself massively in debt, Haruhi Fujioka winds up becoming part of the Ouran High School Host Club: a group of handsome boys, running the gamut of romance comedy archetypes. Cool and stoic, cutesy and mischievous -- it’s all here! Ouran High School Host Club is one of the all-time greats of the shojo genre, but beyond that, it’s also simply one of the funniest anime you’ll ever see. It’s simply impossible not to (kiss kiss) fall in love with.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Ouran High School Host Club on Netflix.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The magical girl genre takes a dark turn with the Puella Magi Madoka Magica in a beautiful, but disturbing story of friendship, regret, and determination. When a magical being offers middle school girls Madoka and Sayaka the chance to fulfill any wish, they have to decide whether or not to become magical girls to fight for their dreams. Forget what you know about magical girls, this is one great anime that subverts expectations to tell its engrossing story.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica on Netflix.
Your Lie in April
If you’re up for an emotional rollercoaster, Your Lie in April is anime drama you’re looking for. This beautifully animated and lovingly scored anime centers around Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy whose life is shattered when his abusive mother passes away. No longer able to hear the music when he presses the keys, Kousei decides to give up on being a pianist—that is, until a violinist named Kaori Miyazono breaks into his life. Your Lie in April is a wonderfully crafted anime that left some of our editors an emotional wreck, but we came away from this heartbreaking drama grateful for the experience.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Your Lie in April on Netflix.
Fate/Zero
At this point there are a ton of anime and spin-offs in the Fate franchise, most of varying quality, but Fate/Zero is unquestionably one of the best to jump into this fantastic series with its dark story and focus on mature themes.
Available subbed and dubbed
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
If you’re looking for some quality comedy to perk up your day, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is arguably one of the funniest anime on Netflix with its ridiculously quirky characters and unreal predicaments that surround a psychic teenager.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. on Netflix.
Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia is a joyous witchy adventure that we just had to mention. It’s a delightful anime with great messages beyond the goodness of friendship (like ignoring toxic comments) that you can watch with just about anyone.
Available subbed and dubbed
Watch Little Witch Academia on Netflix.
How We Choose the Best Anime Series on Netflix
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The goal is to have a list of great anime series that span many subgenres. We've included a mix of popular classics like Evangelion and Fullmetal Alchemist, along with relatively more obscure titles like Ouran High School Host Club and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Whether you're a complete anime newbie or a hardcore otaku, there's something for everyone here.
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