Best Anime to Watch Right Now

Curated recommendations for your next binge-watching session. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran.

Stuck in a watching slump? Overwhelmed by the sheer number of options? Whether you are a complete beginner looking for your first show or a seasoned veteran searching for something fresh, we have curated the best anime to watch right now.

We have broken this list down by category to help you find exactly what you are in the mood for.

For Beginners: The Gateway Drugs

These shows are accessible, fast-paced, and universally acclaimed. They are the perfect introduction to the medium.

1. Death Note

• Genre: Psychological Thriller, Supernatural
• Episodes: 37

A high school genius finds a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. He decides to use it to cleanse the world of criminals and become a god. What follows is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse between him and a mysterious detective named L. It's intense, cerebral, and impossible to put down.

2. One Punch Man

• Genre: Action, Comedy, Superhero
• Episodes: 24

Saitama is a hero who can defeat any enemy with a single punch. Sounds boring? It's actually hilarious. The show satirizes superhero tropes while delivering some of the best animation you will ever see. It's a fun, low-commitment watch that is pure entertainment.

3. Spy x Family

• Genre: Action, Comedy, Slice of Life
• Episodes: 37+

A spy must build a fake family to infiltrate an elite school. He adopts a telepathic daughter and marries an assassin, but none of them know each other's secrets. It's wholesome, funny, and action-packed. A perfect show to watch with friends or family.

For Action Junkies: Hype and Spectacle

If you want adrenaline, incredible fight choreography, and "sakuga" (high-quality animation), these are for you.

4. Jujutsu Kaisen

• Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy
• Episodes: 47+

High schooler Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed finger and becomes the host of a powerful demon. He joins a school of sorcerers to find the rest of the fingers. The fights are brutal, the power system is cool, and the animation by MAPPA is top-tier.

5. Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

• Genre: Action, Historical, Fantasy
• Episodes: 55+

Tanjiro Kamado becomes a demon slayer to cure his sister, who has been turned into a demon. The story is simple and traditional, but the execution is flawless. Studio Ufotable's animation is often cited as the best in the industry, blending 2D and 3D elements seamlessly.

6. Chainsaw Man

• Genre: Action, Horror, Dark Fantasy
• Episodes: 12

Denji is a poor boy who merges with his pet chainsaw devil to become Chainsaw Man. It's gory, chaotic, and surprisingly cinematic. It feels different from your typical shonen anime, with a more grounded and gritty direction.

For Drama Lovers: Prepare Your Tissues

These shows focus on character relationships, emotional growth, and the human condition.

7. Violet Evergarden

• Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
• Episodes: 13 + Movies

Violet is a former child soldier who knows nothing but war. After the war ends, she becomes an "Auto Memory Doll," writing letters for people who cannot express their feelings. Through her work, she learns what "I love you" means. The animation is breathtakingly beautiful.

8. Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)

• Genre: Drama, Romance, Music
• Episodes: 22

A piano prodigy loses the ability to hear his own playing after his mother's death. He meets a free-spirited violinist who drags him back into the world of music. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful story about trauma, love, and the power of music.

For Sci-Fi Fans: Mind-Bending Concepts

These shows explore complex themes, futuristic worlds, and philosophical questions.

9. Steins;Gate

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
• Episodes: 24

As mentioned in our "Top Anime" list, this is the gold standard for time travel stories. It starts slow but builds into a frantic thriller where every decision matters. El Psy Kongroo.

10. Psycho-Pass

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, Police Procedural
• Episodes: 22 (Season 1)

In the future, a computer system called the Sibyl System can measure a person's mental state and crime coefficient. If your "Psycho-Pass" gets too high, you are arrested or executed before you even commit a crime. It explores themes of free will, justice, and authoritarianism.

11. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

• Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Tragedy
• Episodes: 10

Set in the world of the video game Cyberpunk 2077, this standalone story follows a street kid trying to survive in a technology-obsessed city. It's stylish, violent, and emotionally devastating. You don't need to play the game to enjoy it.

For Those Who Want Something Different

Unique shows that defy genre conventions.

12. Odd Taxi

• Genre: Mystery, Drama
• Episodes: 13

A walrus taxi driver gets entangled in a missing person case involving the yakuza and idols. The dialogue is incredibly natural and Tarantino-esque. The mystery is tight, and the payoff is fantastic.

13. Bocchi the Rock!

• Genre: Comedy, Music, Slice of Life
• Episodes: 12

A socially anxious girl joins a rock band. It captures the feeling of social anxiety perfectly while being hilarious and visually creative. The music is also genuinely great.