These are essential viewing for anime fans! Join Ashley as we look over the must-watch anime that everyone can enjoy
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the anime series that everyone
00:11 should check out at least once.
00:20 Number 30, Mob Psycho 100
00:23 Being a teenager can be a confusing enough time in someone's life.
00:27 But Mob is also the most powerful psychic in the world.
00:31 He has to navigate his growing pains while also battling evil spirits and fellow psychics.
00:44 And all while aided by his friends, including mentor Reigen Arataka, the 21st century's
00:50 greatest fraud…
00:51 I mean, psychic.
00:53 Two shows manage to blend comedy, action, character development, and themes quite as
00:59 well as Mob Psycho.
01:00 The distinctive art style, spectacular scenes, and heartfelt moments all help make Mob Psycho
01:07 100 a must-watch anime.
01:11 Number 29, Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba
01:22 When an anime has the highest-grossing movie in Japanese history, you know it's worth
01:26 checking out.
01:35 Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamuro, a young man whose family is killed and whose sister,
01:41 Nezuko, is turned into a demon.
01:44 Determined to restore his sister's humanity, Tanjiro sets out to battle against demons
01:49 while also looking for a cure.
01:51 The premise may be straightforward, but every aspect is impeccable.
02:00 The storytelling is emotional, the comedy is hysterical, and the fight scenes look like
02:05 paintings come to life.
02:07 With all this going for it, it's no wonder Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba has rapidly
02:12 achieved success worldwide.
02:14 And it's never too late to check out what all the fuss is about.
02:24 Number 28, Yu Yu Hakusho
02:26 Spoiler alert, the protagonist dies… in the first episode.
02:32 Yusuke Urameshi is a high school tough guy killed in a car accident.
02:42 But death isn't the end for Yusuke.
02:44 Since he's revived as a spirit detective and charged with looking into supernatural
02:49 incidents in the human world and afterlife.
02:53 While that may sound like a mystery series on paper, in practice, Yu Yu Hakusho is more
02:58 of an action series.
03:07 Yusuke and his allies are pitted against various powerful foes, both in pitched battles and
03:13 high-stakes tournaments.
03:14 A forerunner of many modern shonen series, this is one of the gold standards of classic
03:20 action anime, and it still holds up brilliantly today.
03:32 Number 27, Monster
03:34 Slow burn anime like this are kinda hard to get into.
03:38 But they're well worth the investment.
03:47 Monster is about physician Kenzo Tenma, whose life is turned upside down after he learns
03:53 that one of his former patients, Johan Liebert, is a psychopathic killer.
04:04 A complex game of cat and mouse ensues between them.
04:08 A pulse-pounding psychological thriller, Monster will have you re-examining human nature, good
04:14 and evil, and plenty of other fundamental topics.
04:17 Each new twist and turn keeps you hooked until the show's final moments.
04:22 It's a thoroughly gripping anime that simply doesn't get as much attention as it deserves.
04:34 Number 26, Jujutsu Kaisen
04:37 After consuming a cursed object, Yuji Itadori is thrust into the world of jujutsu sorcerers,
04:43 who work behind the scenes to battle against curses.
04:47 A dark twist on many familiar shonen tropes, Jujutsu Kaisen shines through its execution.
05:01 The series features a large ensemble cast, all of whom have incredibly different fighting
05:06 styles and techniques.
05:08 The characters bounce off each other in some fantastic comedic moments, although the show
05:13 also isn't afraid to go super grim.
05:19 But the real highlight is the fight scenes, whose incredible choreography and fluid animation
05:25 gets us hyped every time.
05:27 Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime worth expanding your mind, along with your domain, about.
05:38 Number 25, Bungo Stray Dogs
05:41 What if, rather than writing best-selling novels, famous authors instead fought each
05:46 other using supernatural abilities?
05:49 Such is the strangely compelling premise of this underrated anime.
05:53 Atsushi is a young weretiger who teams up with the bizarre Dazai.
06:03 He and his fellow members of the armed detective agency use their various supernatural abilities
06:09 to handle threats the police can't – usually villains with equally incredible powers.
06:21 The series not only features cleverly executed fight scenes, but its characters are all wonderfully
06:27 fleshed out, with heroes and villains alike having plenty of complexity to them.
06:32 Bungo Stray Dogs isn't talked about enough, which is why everyone should watch it.
06:46 Number 24, Free Ran - Beyond Journey's End
06:49 In many fantasy series, defeating the Demon King marks the end of the story.
06:55 In Free Ran, it's just the beginning.
07:01 The series follows the titular elf mage.
07:05 Following the death of one of her companions of old age, Free Ran starts to reflect on
07:10 their time together, as she sets out on a new journey with a new set of adventurers.
07:22 While it has all the adventure, battles and comedy you'd expect from most fantasy series,
07:28 Free Ran is also quiet and contemplative.
07:31 Just as Free Ran herself learns to appreciate the little things in her long life, viewers
07:36 also likely find themselves taking time to enjoy all the little details, both in the
07:41 show and in their own lives.
07:49 Number 23, One Piece
07:51 "But it's too long!"
07:53 Complains everyone who's never seen it.
07:56 However, most of those who undertake the journey find it very, very rewarding.
08:06 One Piece is the epic tale of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew's journey to find
08:11 the titular treasure.
08:13 It can be easy to mistake the series as being silly, and it is at times.
08:18 However, it also tackles plenty of dark subject matter, with tragic backstories aplenty.
08:24 The characters are lovable and unforgettable.
08:28 The world is vast and intricate, with lore as detailed as any fantasy novel.
08:33 Fights, comedy, drama, fantastic music, One Piece has it all.
08:46 It's one of the most successful anime ever for good reason.
08:50 One Piece could change your life, but only if you're willing to set sail.
09:01 Number 22, Berserk
09:03 Some believe some anime to have too many episodes.
09:06 Berserk has too few.
09:09 This dark fantasy series follows Guts, a swordsman who fights against the forces of evil.
09:17 The show primarily adapts a flashback arc, detailing Guts' backstory and history with
09:30 a mercenary band.
09:40 Berserk is among the most celebrated anime ever made, with its tragic story, iconic lead,
09:47 and beautiful music all making an impact that has lasted for years.
09:52 While the Berserk anime may not tell its whole story, it delivers enough to get anyone hooked
09:57 on this mature masterpiece.
10:05 Number 21, Dragon Ball Z
10:07 Yeah, look, we know every anime fan of a certain age has already seen DBZ.
10:12 But, for the younger crowd, you all should know it's a classic for a reason.
10:26 Every shounen action series, nearly every transformation, and even many character designs
10:32 in anime all owe a little something to Dragon Ball Z.
10:36 The story of Son Goku and his friends' battles against titanic threats is filled to the brim
10:42 with incredible action, unforgettable characters, and iconic moments that have defined anime
10:48 for decades.
10:58 Some people might not have time to watch it all, but even if you watch the remastered
11:02 Dragon Ball Z Kai, or just some highlights, every self-respecting anime fan needs to at
11:08 least see some of Dragon Ball Z.
11:10 But really, they should watch all of it.
11:22 Number 20, A Place Further Than The Universe
11:25 There's no shortage of coming-of-age stories across the anime scene, with some hitting
11:29 closer home than others.
11:31 Ironic that despite taking place on a voyage that sees four high schoolers travelling to
11:36 Antarctica, there's a universal beauty to this show that will strike a chord with anyone
11:41 who has felt anxious towards their future.
11:49 The comedy is just what you'd expect, the banter between the girls is all kinds of sweet,
11:54 and it all beautifully captures the medley of uncertainty that comes with preparing for
11:59 adulthood.
12:05 The gorgeous Antarctic backdrop doesn't hurt either.
12:15 Number 19, Erased
12:17 Who doesn't love a good mystery?
12:19 As far as whodunnits go, this was anime's breakout star, one that just so happened to
12:24 add time travel, parental abuse, and all kinds of emotions to the mix.
12:37 After discovering that he can travel back into the body of his child self, young Satoru
12:42 attempts to save his classmates, who are fated to be killed by a serial kidnapper.
12:47 While the lead-up to the reveal of the killer's identity is brilliantly crafted, it almost
12:52 plays second fiddle to the budding relationship that Satoru shares with Kao.
13:00 A girl he not only vows to save from her gruesome end, but also the demons of her home life.
13:14 Number 18, Higurashi When They Cry
13:17 Those of you who like their thrillers to come with an extra slice of crazy, then Ren and
13:21 the gang have you covered.
13:29 An extensive franchise unafraid to throw in time loops just to add to the madness, prepare
13:34 to watch cute girls unleash their inner monster, as a town's ancient curse slowly starts to
13:40 turn the populace into hacky-slashy maniacs.
13:54 It might have a few pitfalls in terms of spin-offs, but once you get to grips with the show's
13:59 signature sense of horror, then you'll be hooked, eager to pinpoint the moment a new
14:04 violent cycle has begun, and if Rika will ever get that elusive happy ending.
14:18 Number 17, Kaiji
14:20 A true underdog story, as well as a cautionary tale regarding greed and gambling, Kaiji's
14:25 struggle to free himself from financial hell will have you cheering for him every step
14:29 of the way, even if he's an idiot who really should have learnt his lesson by now.
14:38 The way in which he's forced to rely on wit and dumb luck to overcome horrendous trials
14:44 inflicted on him by the sickeningly wealthy never fails to rack up the tension, especially
14:49 with the consequences carrying a penalty far beyond an empty wallet.
14:56 You'll never trust a pachinko machine again, but Kaiji's gambles are worth a watch all
15:03 the same.
15:13 Number 16, Vinland Saga
15:15 Anime and Vikings, a match made in heaven, especially for those who thrive on historical
15:21 epics, unafraid to dive into the gory details surrounding its most legendary figures.
15:27 A fictitious retelling of the war between the English and the Danes, amidst all the
15:31 carnage we're introduced to Torfinn, an Icelandic warrior driven by vengeance.
15:41 The stylish savagery never ceases to amaze, but the true wealth of this modern masterpiece
15:46 is found in its characters.
15:48 Each one flawed, ferocious, and frantically pursuing a fleeting dream.
15:57 It's one of the greatest prologues we've ever come across in the medium, and missing
16:05 out on it is doing yourself a massive disservice.
16:08 And by that we mean, you'd miss out on Ash Lad.
16:15 Number 15, One Punch Man
16:17 It took a single gag and somehow succeeded in giving us one of the best superhero anime
16:22 to date.
16:23 While frequently poking fun at every superhero cliche out there, strong enough to decimate
16:35 every foe with but a single blow, Saitama's life is ruled by boredom and nonchalance.
16:46 Even though he's often the one thing capable of preventing the world from getting decimated
16:51 by the abundance of crazy strong monsters and villains.
16:55 You know how each bout is going to end, and yet the tightrope it walks between outrageous
16:59 humour and mind-blowing action assures that it always hits its mark.
17:17 Number 14, Golden Kamuy
17:20 A treasure hunt for the lost gold of an ancient tribe of people might sound like a spirited
17:25 adventure, and it is.
17:27 As long as you account for the map being tattooed on the bodies of several convicted killers,
17:32 the wilderness filled with giant animals, and every corner hiding a new psycho eager
17:38 to get down and bloody.
17:45 Thankfully, the one leading the charge is none other than Sugimoto, a former soldier
17:54 whose desperation to snatch the gold for a just cause pushes him further and further
17:59 into danger, willing to break anyone in his way.
18:08 Yep, it's that kind of treasure hunt.
18:21 Number 13, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
18:24 Unconventional would be putting it mildly.
18:27 If you ever wanted to know what all the fuss was about regarding JoJo mania, then there's
18:32 no better time to leap in.
18:46 Chronicling the crazy, action-packed adventures of the Joestar bloodline, each instalment
18:51 brings its own style and flair as the new JoJo on the block takes on supernatural threats.
18:58 Often complete with a crazy cast, crazy of fashion choices, and so many culture clashes
19:03 that the whole franchise has since become a meme unto itself.
19:19 Make no mistake, by the time you get to Diamond is Unbreakable, you yourself will have become
19:24 a JoJo reference.
19:35 Number 12, Steins;Gate
19:38 Quite possibly the purest example of a sci-fi thriller to ever grace the anime scene, the
19:43 exploits of the self-proclaimed "mad scientist" may trade in giant robots for a microwave
19:48 that can send texts to the past, but the result is nonetheless stellar.
19:59 Embracing both the absurd and the scientific, while it may seem like you're drowning in
20:03 physics jargon to begin with, rest assured that Okabe's timeline jumping is a masterclass
20:09 of both suspense and character.
20:18 A true decade-definer that will have you convinced risking humanity is worth it just to protect
20:24 Kurisu.
20:31 Number 11, Made in Abyss
20:33 Enchanting, breathtaking, a beautiful setting with a leading duo that are nothing short
20:38 of adorable.
20:39 How could this be anything but a magical, heartfelt adventure?
20:50 Well hold onto your incinerator because Riko and Reg's journey to the bottom of the abyss
20:55 is one of the most suspenseful and brutal fantasies to come out in recent memory.
21:07 There's no plot armour here, just an escalating set of dangerous creatures and cave raiders
21:15 waiting for them on the abyss' many levels.
21:18 Prepare yourselves since there's nothing this series loves doing more than snatching
21:22 away your feels and burning them right in front of you.
21:26 And yet, we still adore it.
21:32 Number 10, Fate/Zero
21:34 The Fateverse is truly a daunting juggernaut of a franchise, one that some of us are still
21:39 struggling to dissect and understand.
21:42 Still, if we had to recommend a starting point, we'd go with this prelude.
21:52 Not only is it an animated feast for the eyes thanks to Ufotable's unlimited budget works,
21:58 but we'll also likely throw you into a spiral of depression as the ugly side of the Holy
22:03 Grail War is put on full display.
22:18 The battles between the seven heroic spirits and their masters are phenomenal, but that
22:23 doesn't change how broken you'll feel by the end.
22:34 Have a weakness for brilliantly paced sci-fi epics, unafraid to go to the dark side?
22:39 Can't get enough of character-driven stories mired in tragedy?
22:43 Then we kindly invite you to watch the rise and fall of Lelouch v. Britannia.
22:52 With the country divided between the ruthless Empire of Elites and the oppressed Japanese
22:57 masses, a disillusioned noble takes up arms against his family to set things right.
23:02 Fueled by the power of mind-controlling Kiyas while operating under the moniker of a masked
23:07 rebel known as Zero, the consequences of Lelouch's actions not only make for some of anime's
23:21 most impactful moments, but push the boundary as to just how morally grey a hero can become.
23:44 A progenitor of the tropes that would go on to define the shonen genre, everything this
23:49 anime sets out to accomplish, it nails.
24:05 The gold standard for power systems, a sprawling world with endless story arc potential, some
24:10 truly transcendent villains, and at the centre of it all, we've got one boy who wants to
24:15 become a hunter just so he can find his way with dad.
24:21 It's a hell of an undertaking, and the lack of a sequel never gets less painful, but Gon's
24:26 adventures are just too rich to ignore.
24:42 You're not here for sentimentality; you're here for incomprehensibly large robots beating
24:49 the crap out of each other with an entourage of best girls waiting in the wings.
25:06 And to that we say, why not have both?
25:09 With visuals so trigger-gasmic, they'll have you literally seeing stars, the exploits
25:14 of Simon the Digger and his fellow human rebels against the Beastmen threat is layered with
25:19 all the sci-fi absurdities you could want.
25:33 Including but not limited to giant drills being the be-all and end-all, relationships
25:38 that hit way harder than they have any right to, and the manliest man to ever dismiss shirts
25:44 in the form of Kamina.
25:57 What would you do if you were given the power to take a life with just a written word?
26:01 Well, if you're Light Yagami, you declare yourself the god of the new world and start
26:06 wiping out everyone perceived to be wicked.
26:15 This not only opens up the floodgates for the hard questions revolving around the concepts,
26:20 such as justice and virtuous violence, but also one of the greatest mind games in anime.
26:25 On one side, you've got Light and his murderous crusade as Kira, and on the other, you have
26:30 the world-famous detective known as L. Two geniuses locked in a mental battle where
26:36 losing equals death.
26:43 The pen is mightier than the sword, and makes for a far more compelling watch.
26:57 The granddaddy of giant robots, if you're in the mood for an absolute classic whose
27:02 themes on war and ideologies still hold up to this day, then the original Gundam is the
27:08 way to go.
27:16 The mecha action packs just as much of a punch, Amuro's plight and trauma as a civilian
27:21 thrown into the battle are all too sympathetic, and Char remains a trendsetter among anime's
27:27 greatest anti-heroes.
27:33 Decades on, and it's still impossible to not be giddy at the sight of the RX-78 unleashing
27:38 its beam sabers.
27:55 One of the few times that we can wholeheartedly say, "Yes, the hype is real."
28:00 Starting off as an Elseworld, dark fantasy fight fest that pitted the last of humankind
28:04 against giant, man-eating humanoids known as Titans, this series has since evolved into
28:09 something far greater.
28:25 Refreshingly original, brutal in its execution, seeing Eren and the Survey Corps slowly uncover
28:30 the truth about their world is practically an obligation at this point.
28:50 If only for the gloriousness that is the final season, as well as watching Levi strut his
28:55 stuff.
29:09 When it comes to cool, there's just no topping the space cowboy.
29:24 Composed of mostly self-contained episodes, the antics of the bebop crew as they endeavor
29:29 to land bounties and carve out a living in the seedy cosmos is stuffed to the brim with
29:35 swag.
29:36 From taking out wayward criminals, outwitting and out-shooting the craziest things the galaxy
29:41 has to offer, all the way to facing off against the ghost of his past, Spike Spiegel just
29:46 does it better than the rest.
29:55 Plus the music.
29:57 Can you really pass up the chance to listen to jazz this good?
30:16 Most anime can only dream of achieving this kind of status.
30:19 A complete story spanning over 60 episodes, a tightly constructed plot and world-building
30:25 that few could hope to match.
30:27 All we can do is encourage you to take the plunge, since the Elric brothers' journey
30:31 to reclaim their bodies in the wake of a tragic mistake will have you enthralled from beginning
30:36 to end.
30:43 The characters sublimely well-realized, the lore riveting, the action the perfect amount
30:49 of crazy, an equivalent exchange of quality and quantity if ever there was one.
31:18 The sheer amount of symbolism and its inability to settle on a conclusion might seem a bit
31:23 off-putting at first, but the original Evangelion outing is still phenomenal.
31:33 From the Eva unit battling the angels, all the way to its meditation on just how frail
31:38 and foolish humans are, a la Shinji's inability to get in the damn robot.
31:50 All of it unravels together into this vortex of intense, heartbreaking action, while also
31:55 making you second-guess everything you've witnessed.
31:58 It'll undoubtedly leave you puzzled by the end, but the journey to reach its fever dream
32:03 ending is still very much worth it.
32:13 But hey, which anime do you think everyone should watch?
32:28 Let us know in the comments!