10 best anime shows on Netflix

There are tons of anime you can watch on Netflix, but it can be hard to actually find what’s most appealing – so, here’s a list of the 10 best anime shows on the streaming platform.

When it comes to watching anime shows, Netflix may not be the first place that comes to mind, especially when specialized services like Crunchyroll are available.

However, the streaming service actually has a wide selection to choose from, and it’s well worth checking out if you already have a subscription. But with such a wide selection, how do you pick the best? Well, that’s why we’re here.

Below is your handy guide to the best anime series, from timeless classics to new-gen releases, that you can currently stream on Netflix. Just a note: some of these anime may only be available on Netflix accounts in certain countries, so check before you binge!

10. Carole & Tuesday

Netflix

Carole & Tuesday is a science-fiction music anime series that follows two young girls who meet by coincidence. Realizing their passion for music, they decide to live together and collaborate to build a reputation for themselves.

Unfortunately, their dream is nearly impossible to achieve with AI producing 99% of all music. The story takes place on Mars 50 years after humanity has relocated there. However, not all hope is lost when they pique the interest of an unknown manager.

9. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

Netflix

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a hilarious anime series with lovable characters and an all-powerful protagonist. The story follows Saiki Kusuo, a high school student with unimaginable psychic abilities. However, since he hates to be the center of attention, he keeps his powers hidden – or at least, he tries to.

Although he tries to stay out of the spotlight, he always attracts the attention of his eccentric classmates. The series follows Kusuo’s daily struggles of using his powers to avoid his classmates while dealing with his overly enthusiastic parents.

8. Delicious in Dungeon

Netflix

Fans of gourmet and isekai can reunite now as Netflix’s Delicious in Dungeon is here to give you a taste of both. First released in Winter 2024, this anime is as wonderous as it’s hilarious. Full of colorful characters, exciting worldbuilding, and disgusting-looking food, it’s got everything to keep you hooked.

The story follows Laois Touden, a knight who’s trapped in the eponymous dungeon, and finds a ragtag team to accompany him. Joining him is Marcille the elf, Senshi the dwarf, and Chilchuck the Half-foot, all of whom will have you laugh until your stomach hurts.

7. Jujutsu Kaisen

Crunchyroll

Let’s be honest: if you haven’t watched anime at all, chances are you’ve still heard of or seen Satoru Gojo. Yes, the tall, white-haired, blindfold-wearing guy. He’s a major character from 2020’s megahit Jujutsu Kaisen, an anime that turned many non-anime watchers to avid fans.

Jujutsu Kaisen is set in a Japan where people’s negative energy takes forms of hideous monsters who kills thousands of humans every year. Protecting them from these beings are the jujutsu sorcerers. Yuji Itadori’s life turns upside down when he meets one such sorcerer one fateful day and ends up becoming the vessel of Sukuna, the King of Curses.

If you’re planning to catch up with the whole Jujutsu Kaisen franchise on Netflix, you’re going to be disappointed. Only the first season is available on Netflix US, so you won’t get to watch Season 2 and the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie on the streaming platform.

6. My Hero Academia

Kohei Horikoshi/Bones

After shonen giants like Naruto, Bleach, and Dragon Ball Z ended, fans worried about the future of the genre. However, Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia arrived like a tornedo and proved in only a few episodes that the genre’s future couldn’t be in a better hand.

Eight years later, it’s proved itself right and become one of the best superhero anime of all time. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s set in a world where 80% of the population is born with superpowers called Quirks and only some of them become great enough to be Heroes.

Our protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, is born without a Quirk, yet dreams of becoming the No. 1 Hero like his idol All Might. His aim finally comes one step closer as All Might bestows upon him the strongest Quirk of all: One For All.

5. Forest of Piano

Netflix

Music anime are always so unfairly underrated. Forest of Piano, a Netflix anime, is a beautiful coming-of-age story centering around Kai Ichinose, who grew up in the red light area with his mother, a sex worker. Somehow, Kai can play an abandoned and broken piano in the forest.

However, no one else can play it, not even Shuuhei Amamniya, a bright piano prodigy whose father is a renowned pianist. Kai and Shuuhei, who became close friends in childhood, chose separate paths for music until they met in the same competition years later.

4. Haikyuu!!

Haruichi Furudate/Production I.G.

For those of us who aren’t blessed with athleticism, sports anime are a way to live vicariously through. And no sports anime does it better than Haikyuu!! Based on Haruichi Furudate’s manga, this beloved show is responsible for singlehandedly causing a rising practice of indoor volleyball in Japan.

It doesn’t stop here, though. From getting national athletes doing photo sessions with its fictional characters to having its opening theme song play during the Olympics, Haikyuu!! has reached the peak of success. And it’s only getting better, as we see the massive box office collection of the 2024 anime movie Haikyuu!! The Dumpter Battle.

The story of this beloved anime revolves around Shoyo Hinata, a short but naturally athletic boy, and Tobio Kageyama, a genius with an asocial personality, and how the fated rivals find themselves thrust into the same team.

3. Demon Slayer

Crunchyroll

Anime has always looked good (in most cases), but until Demon Slayer came along, we didn’t know it could look THIS good! Undoubtedly one of the most influential anime in the last decade, this show has a fairly straightforward story with the protagonist seeking vengeance against the demon lord.

The kindhearted Tanjiro got the shock of his life when he discovered his entire family killed on a random day. The only one left alive is his sister Nezuko, but she’s turned into a demon. Thus begins his journey to turn his sister back to human and kill the man who slaughtered his family: Muzan Kibutsuji.

The entire Demon Slayer series is available on Netflix, including the four seasons and the Mugen Train Arc bonus season. However, you won’t find the Mugen Train movie here. Maybe the upcoming Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie trilogy will arrive on the platform.

2. Terminator Zero

Netflix

The future of the Terminator franchise has been looking bleak for a while (the irony!), but Netflix’s Terminator Zero has successfully rejuvenated it to its former glory. Unanimously considered the best addition to the franchise in decades, it’s a must-watch for every sci-fi enthusiast.

Like its predecessor, Terminator Zero is set in two different timelines. One is the present – 2022 – which sees the endless war between humans and machines. The other one is 1997 when Skynet first gains self-awareness and begins to take over the world.

The story follows a soldier, Eiko, as she’s sent to 1997 to protect Malcolm Lee, the scientist making an AI that could counter Skynet. However, it won’t a simple guarding assignments for her as she’d have to battle deadly forces from the future.

1. One Piece

Crunchyroll

Is there any anime enthusiast out there who hasn’t heard of One Piece? Probably not and for good reason. The screen adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece has been reigning over the anime industry for nearly three decades now and still has viewers asking for more.

Following Luffy’s journey to become the King of Pirates, the anime has the Straw Hats at the center as they look for the eponymous treasure. They’re going to have to battle powerful foes along the way. But with unbreakable bonds and a love for adventure, the ragtag group is ready to take on anything.

While you won’t be able to binge One Piece from the start on Netlfix, we’ll find the ongoing Egghead Arc on the platform. It’s shame, but better than nothing. Hopefully one day the anime’s entire library will be available on the streaming giant.

For more top picks, check out our lists of the top upcoming Fall 2024 anime, best anime like Solo Leveling and the best anime like Kaiju No 8.