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The best anime on Netflix right now

The anthropomorphic wolf Legoshi in Beastars.
Netflix, Orange
The anthropomorphic wolf Legoshi in Beastars.
Netflix, Orange

Netflix remains an excellent platform for streaming the best anime. Its live-action originals will continue to dominate the limelight, including adaptations like One Piece, but the service features a well-rounded anime library too. With anime TV shows and movies spanning every genre and multiple franchises, veteran fans and newcomers alike have plenty to choose from.

This impressive catalog helps boost the genre’s mainstream appeal, bringing new fans in on the fun. However, all these options can overwhelm newbies. Thankfully, this guide simplifies things, and is updated monthly to spotlight some of the best anime on Netflix right now.

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If you want more options, check out our other guides to the best anime on Hulu and the best anime available on Amazon Prime Video. Plus, read about the best new shows to stream and the best shows on Netflix.

Recently added to Netflix

Beastars (2019)

Beastars
tv-ma
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Drama, Mystery
Stars
Chikahiro Kobayashi, Sayaka Senbongi, Yuki Ono
Watch on Netflix

The adaptation of Paru Itagaki’s Beastars was one of 2019’s most memorable shonen anime, and fans can finally start season 3. The plot is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals where a cultural divide splits the carnivores and herbivores, and eating meat is illegal. 

An otherwise gentle wolf and Cherryton Academy student, Legoshi, sees his predatory urges surface when his school is forced to deal with a murder. Beastars has been well-received so far for its vibrant animation and a cast the audience can invest in emotionally. Despite its larger-than-life premise, its characters feel grounded, and the story tackles meaningful themes of discrimination.

InuYasha (2000)

InuYasha
tv-14
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Mystery
Stars
Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Izumi Ōgami
Watch on Netflix

Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha was a shonen manga classic, and studio Sunrise’s anime adaptation did it justice in the early 2000s. The story opens in the 1990s when 15-year-old middle-schooler Kagome Higurashi is dragged down a well and transported to 1400s Japan. 

There, she meets the eponymous half-demon, half-human Inuyasha, and embarks on a quest to gather the pieces of a powerful jewel before they fall into nefarious hands. Inuyasha holds up as one of the best fantasy shonen to date. Experienced anime fans will be familiar with its shonen tropes, but its fantasy spin on Sengoku-era Japan, sense of adventure, and whimsical characters make its straightforward story work.

InuYasha: The Final Act (2009)

InuYasha: The Final Act
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Mystery
Stars
Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Izumi Ōgami
Watch on Netflix

Since the original Inuyasha anime adaptation couldn’t cover all of Takahashi’s manga, fans were eventually treated to Inuyasha: The Final Act, covering the concluding 21 volumes of the series.

This direct sequel show picks up from its predecessor, following Inuyasha and Kagome’s continued adventures to recover pieces of the Shikon Jewel and prepare to face the half-demon Naraku. Inuyasha: The Final Act was warmly received for its faithful adaptation of the manga’s closing arc. Fans can expect more vibrant fantasy adventures, action, and emotional storytelling that will surely endear audiences to these characters.

Fighting Spirit (2000)

Fighting Spirit
tv-pg
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Drama, Action & Adventure
Stars
Kohei Kiyasu, Rikiya Koyama, Wataru Takagi
Created by
George Morikawa
Watch on Netflix

Alongside the likes of Ashita no Joe, George Morikawa’s Hajime no Ippo is one of the faces of boxing in anime. Studio Madhouse adapted an initial 75-episode anime series, telling the story of the kindhearted Ippo Makunouchi as he goes from a reserved high schooler to an elite boxer. 

What started as a way to channel his frustrations from being constantly bullied became a pathway to being one of Japan’s elite featherweight boxers. Fans of anime and sports owe it to themselves to watch Hajime no Ippo. The series balances inspiring coming-of-age tropes and action, with the story showing clear reverence for boxing as a sport.

Dragon Ball DAIMA (2024)

Dragon Ball DAIMA
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Masako Nozawa, Yumiko Kobayashi, Showtaro Morikubo
Watch on Netflix

Dragon Ball fans have plenty of content to enjoy between the Sparking! Zero video game and the latest anime, Dragon Ball Daima. The last work before the late creator Akira Toriyama’s passing, this series opens with Goku and his companions mysteriously warped into child-like forms. 

Goku and company travel to the Demon Realm and get wrapped in bombastic adventures, determined to uncover the root of this conspiracy. Using a premise somewhat similar to the catalyst for Dragon Ball GT’s story, Dragon Ball Daima feels like a wonderful celebration of this storied franchise. Daima’s imaginative world and engaging martial arts action are well supported by Toei’s solid animation.

Blue Box (2024)

Blue Box
tv-pg
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Drama
Stars
Shoya Chiba, Reina Ueda, Akari Kito
Watch on Netflix

Combining slice-of-life and sports, Blue Box is one of the best anime of the fall season. Adapted from Kouji Miura’s manga of the same name by Telecom Animation Film, the story revolves around first- and second-year high schoolers Taiki Inomata and Chinatsu Kano.

Taiki goes to the school’s gym every morning to refine his badminton skills. Taiki is secretly motivated by sharing the gym with Chinatsu, while the latter feels inspired by his determination. Blue Box is more evidence of how welcome the sports and romantic, slice-of-life genres are in the medium. Aside from breaking up the pace of watching action anime shows, Blue Box’s characterizations and coming-of-age-themed storytelling come across sincerely and provide a calmer change of pace.

Ranma1/2 (2024)

Ranma1/2
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara, Noriko Hidaka
Watch on Netflix

Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½ is regarded as a shonen classic in manga and anime, and the 2024 series is proving to be worth the watch. Animated by prolific studio MAPPA, this adaptation retells the original story of Ranma Saotome’s comedic misadventures. 

While traveling for martial arts training in China with his father, Ranma falls into a cursed spring. Cold water changes him into a girl, while hot water transforms him back into a boy. Being the third anime adaptation of the series, Ranma ½ set high expectations, but it’s been praised for maintaining the story’s spirit. While the plot is fairly simple, it tastefully balances endearing comedy, romance, and martial arts action.

Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge (2013)

Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge
97m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Stars
Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Miyuki Sawashiro
Directed by
Yuzo Sato
Watch on Netflix

While waiting for new chapters of Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga has been a slog, Hunter x Hunter remains a landmark shonen series. On top of two TV adaptations, fans can enjoy the Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge anime movie. It follows the main cast of Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio as the group tries to find Kurapika’s eyes after losing them in an attack. 

Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge is considered a non-canon movie to the main series timeline, but it’s an exciting standalone anime on its own terms. Canonical or otherwise, it offers an entertaining mystery, action, and a great excuse to highlight fan-favorite villains — the Phantom Troupe syndicate.

Dan Da Dan (2024)

Dan Da Dan
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Natsuki Hanae, Shion Wakayama, Nana Mizuki
Watch on Netflix

From Yukinobu Tatsu — former assistant on Tatsuki Fujmoto’s Chainsaw Man and Yuji Kaku’s Hell’s ParadiseDan Da Dan is one of fall’s must-watch anime adaptations. Science Saru’s adaptation sees high schoolers Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura swept into occult and extraterrestrial chaos. 

After Momo saves Ken from bullies in a spur of kindness, the two get into a heated debate about whether aliens or ghosts are real — only for both to be tragically right. Dan Da Dan has a surreal, zany atmosphere and is already being praised for its genre mashups and sense of humor. Supported by vivid animation and art direction, Dan Da Dan combines sci-fi and the supernatural with teenage quirkiness.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024)

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation
Stars
Hayley Atwell, Allen Maldonado, Earl Baylon
Watch on Netflix

Though more of an anime-inspired series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is one of Netflix’s biggest animated releases in October. Produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, the team behind Castlevania: Nocturne, this series follows the titular adventurer after the events of the Survivor video game trilogy.

Hayley Atwell lends her voice talents to Lara Croft, as the treasure hunter embarks on daring missions while confronting her troubled past. Animation has been a capable medium for gaming adaptations, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft looks promising. Powerhouse’s anime-style art direction looks like a seamless fit, and following the recent game trilogy is an exciting way to see her grow into the veteran adventurer longtime fans have come to know.

Inu-Oh (2022)

Inu-Oh
99m
Genre
Animation, Drama, Music, Fantasy, History
Stars
Avu-chan, Mirai Moriyama, Tasuku Emoto
Directed by
Masaaki Yuasa
Watch on Netflix

Based on Hideo Furukawa’s novel, Inu-Oh is one of the most creative anime movies in recent years. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and animated by Science Saru, the story revolves around the friendship between the titular dancer, born with unique physical traits, and the blind musician Tomona. 

The pair are shunned by society due to their physical differences. But they use their musical talents to reach international fame regardless. Inu-Oh’s unique artistry earned the movie critical acclaim, combining social commentary with stylized art direction. The use of 14th-century Japan made for an excellent period piece, which was surprisingly fitting for its rock-opera musical numbers.

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024)

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Drama
Stars
Maaya Sakamoto, Kenjiro Tsuda, Show Hayami
Watch on Netflix

While it’s not the most high-profile anime this season, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is nonetheless a worthwhile watch. Animated by Madhouse and adapted from Uoto’s manga, this series centers around child astronomy prodigy Rafal. However, in this 15th-century Polish setting, teachings that oppose the country’s religion are tortured and branded as heretics — including the idea that Earth revolves around the Sun. 

Orb: On the Movements of the Earth has been critically well-received for its combination of historical fiction and sci-fi. Orb uses its period-piece premise to explore themes of authoritarian control over the truth, and noble figures willing to fight to ensure that truth sees the light of day.

Terminator Zero (2024)

Terminator Zero
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Stars
Yuuya Uchida, Hiro Shimono, Saori Hayami
Created by
Mattson Tomlin
Watch on Netflix

While the Terminator films haven’t always been hits, they do occasionally spawn a worthy spinoff. Netflix and anime studio Production I.G collaborate on Terminator Zero, developed for TV by The Batman Part II co-writer Mattson Tomlin.

Set the day before the infamous Judgement Day, the story revolves around a relentless cyborg hunting down an AI scientist. Meanwhile, a mysterious warrior from 2022 is sent back to protect the scientist. Terminator Zero is a visually striking take on this sci-fi franchise filled with action. It’s a worthy addition to the Terminator canon and tells a story that stands proudly on its own merits.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
tv-pg
2 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, War & Politics
Stars
Kenichi Suzumura, Maaya Sakamoto, Toshihiko Seki
Watch on Netflix

Fans of the mecha genre are catered to on Netflix, as the entirety of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is now available. Animated by studio Sunrise, this franchise installment follows Kira Yamato, a Coordinator sucked into a brutal war between rival factions.

The Naturals (unaltered humans) and the Coordinators (genetically modified humans) are in conflict, and an attack on Yamato’s home colony leads him to don a titular mechanized suit. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is one of the most successful entries in the long-running anime franchise, boasting high-octane action and drama. Its intense wartime plot is well-paced and consistently engaging across its 50 episodes.

Blue Giant (2023)

Blue Giant
Genre
Animation, Drama, Music
Watch on

Besides the medium’s action-packed affairs, music is another compelling theme for anime to explore. Adapted from Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga by studio NUT, Blue Giant tells the story of an aspiring saxophone musician named Dai Miyamoto. After watching a live jazz performance, he becomes deeply moved and determined to learn the instrument despite not knowing how to read sheet music.

Blue Giant garnered acclaimed for its emotional storytelling, showing how versatile anime can be outside of the action series many audiences expect. In a two-hour movie, Blue Giant conveys the passion behind its music vividly through its animation and art direction.

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Grave of the Fireflies
89m
Genre
Animation, Drama, War
Stars
Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara
Directed by
Isao Takahata
Watch on Netflix

Studio Ghibli is revered in the industry, partly for its international influence. Directed by Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies takes place during World War II in Kobe, Japan. Siblings Seita and Setsuko are orphaned during the chaos of the Pacific War, and they struggle to survive in the conflict’s waning days.

Studio Ghibli’s catalog is an embarrassment of riches like The Boy and the Heron proved last year, but Grave of the Fireflies still stands out. It’s one of the most emotionally profound anime movies to date, exploring with tact and nuance the horrors of war and how it ruins children’s lives.

(2019)

8/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure
Stars
Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Watch on Netflix

Fans of unabashedly action-packed anime are well-served with Netflix’s Kengan Ashura. Animated by Larx Entertainment and adapted from Yabako Sandrovich and Daromeon’s manga, the plot follows the underground gladiator scene of Japan’s business world. 

Deals and disputes are settled by combat, with Ouma Tokita — “The Ashura” — aiming to be the best. Kengan Ashura has been well-received for its unapologetic approach to martial arts and straightforward premise. The anime does well to translate the visceral action, and fans can now watch the second part of season 2.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series (2023)

Pokémon Horizons: The Series
tv-y7
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Kids, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Minori Suzuki, Yuka Terasaki, Daiki Yamashita
Watch on Netflix

While it’s not easy to follow up on Ash Ketchum’s nostalgia factor from the original Pokémon series, Horizons has been a charming soft reboot. With big shoes to fill, Pokémon Horizons sees dual protagonists Liko and Roy go on a globe-trotting adventure. 

The pair join the galavanting group of adventurers known as the Rising Volt Tacklers, but elusive villains are hunting down Liko’s pendant. Pokémon Horizons new cast and premise do an admirable job of living up to high expectations. The young heroes are endearing in their own right, and now fans can enjoy another batch of new episodes on Netflix.

Rising Impact (2024)

Rising Impact
tv-pg
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Drama
Stars
Misaki Kuno, Yumiri Hanamori, You Taichi
Watch on Netflix

The sports genre has given audiences more great anime in recent years, and Rising Impact offers a satisfying golf-themed story. Animated by studio Lay-duce and adapted from Nakaba Suzuki’s manga, the story sees young Gawain go from an aspiring baseball player to a starry-eyed golf fan. 

After Lancelot Norman opens his mind to this newfound passion, he sets off for Tokyo to play and learn everything he can about the sport. Sports anime often provide a calmer, more colorful change of pace, and Rising Impact is no exception. The series tells an engaging and down-to-earth plot, and fans can now watch both seasons on Netflix.

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021)

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway
96m
Genre
Animation, Action, Drama, Science Fiction
Stars
Kensho Ono, Reina Ueda, Junichi Suwabe
Directed by
Shuko Murase
Watch on Netflix

The Gundam franchise is an anime staple, and it’s practically the face of the mecha genre. Animated by the franchise’s longtime studio Sunrise, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway follows Hathaway Noa as he leads an insurgency against the militant Earth Federation.

Hathway leads these attacks after witnessing the horrors of Char’s Rebellion, but dynamics change when he befriends a woman and a Federation colonel. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway has all the larger-than-life political drama and action fans would want. The mecha fights are animated well and the art direction is excellent, all within a concise runtime.

One Piece (1999)

One Piece
8.9/10
Genre
Action & Adventure, Comedy, Animation
Watch on

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the last manga from Shounen Jump Magazine’s “Big Three” that’s still publishing, and the anime is going just as strong. Animated by Toei Animation, the series follows the colorful exploits of Monkey D. Luffy. 

Joined by his Straw Hat Pirates crew, the ambitious youngster begins a quest to find the coveted treasure dubbed the “One Piece.” One Piece has shown impressive staying power in pop culture, earning acclaim for its meticulous worldbuilding, lovable characters, and vibrant visuals. The series’ swashbuckling tone is its most consistent strength, and fans can now enjoy it through season 21 on Netflix.

The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)

The Last: Naruto the Movie
114m
Genre
Action, Romance, Animation
Stars
Junko Takeuchi, Nana Mizuki, Jun Fukuyama
Directed by
Tsuneo Kobayashi
Watch on Netflix

The impact of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto can’t be understated. The Shippuden anime raises the stakes of Naruto Uzumaki’s quest from the original series, and The Last: Naruto The Movie is a satisfying endnote for the franchise. 

Directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi and animated by studio Pierrot, this movie sees Naruto and his team embark on a mission to rescue Hanabi Hyūga. She’s been kidnapped by a man aiming to punish all of humanity for weaponizing chakra — the source of energy ninjas tap into for combat. While The Last: Naruto The Movie is set before Shippuden’s finale, it’s a heartfelt standalone story that feels like a rewarding epilogue for longtime fans.

The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)

The Rising of the Shield Hero
tv-14
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Stars
Kaito Ishikawa, Asami Seto, Rina Hidaka
Watch on Netflix

The universe-jumping Isekai genre is one of the most popular in anime. The Rising of the Shield Hero is among its most successful representatives, telling the story of Naofumi Iwatani and his unlikely high-fantasy journey. 

The easygoing young man is transported to the land of Melromarc to join the other three Cardinal Heroes to save it from the Waves of Catastrophe. Studio Kinema Citrus handles the adaptation of Yaneko Usagi’s light novel series, garnering a generally positive reception for realizing this fantasy world. The Rising of the Shield Hero also subverts the grandiose fantasy hero trope by treating Naofumi as a more of a small-time people’s hero.

Violet Evergarden (2018)

Violet Evergarden
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Yui Ishikawa, Daisuke Namikawa, Takehito Koyasu
Watch on Netflix

Violet Evergarden offers a meaningful experience for anime fans wanting a quieter, more personal change of pace. Based on Kana Akatsuki and Akiko Takase’s light novel series, the plot revolves around the titular young woman as she integrates into a post-war society. 

Violet is an ex-soldier, emotionally damaged from her experiences, who takes on a letter-writing job to understand her past better. Violet Evergarden is a deeply resonant story thanks to its poignant themes and social commentary. This 13-episode series faithfully adapts Akatsuki’s intimate narrative, backed by rewarding character development and aesthetically pleasing art direction.

Black Clover (2017)

Black Clover
tv-pg
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Stars
Gakuto Kajiwara, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Kana Yuuki
Watch on Netflix

Creator Yūki Tabata’s Black Clover is a beloved shounen series, and viewers can now watch through season 3 of Pierrot’s anime adaptation on Netflix. The story is set in a fantasy world where people are given magical abilities, but orphan Asta is born without them. Asta and his surrogate brother Yuno swear to each other to compete for the title of Wizard King — the kingdom’s strongest mage.

Black Clover earned positive reviews for its creative fantasy universe and attention to detail in world-building. The narrative tropes and similarities between it and series like Naruto, Bleach, and Fairy Tale are undeniable. Even so, Black Clover justifies its place among them thanks to its likable core cast, substantive side characters, and exciting action.

Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura (2024)

Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura
60m
Genre
Animation, Action
Stars
Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Directed by
Toshiki Hirano
Watch on Netflix

The anime adaptions of Baki and Kengan Ashura have enjoyed steady viewership on Netflix. Now, fans can watch these thrilling martial-arts-themed worlds collide in the anime movie Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura.

Animated by studio TMS Entertainment, this ambitious crossover event will pit the strongest fighters from each series against each other. Both Baki and Kengan Ashura succeed in how they embrace the absurdity in their action-packed premises. This collaborative movie is no exception, offering an hour of over-the-top martial arts spectacle.

Hell's Paradise (2023)

Hell's Paradise
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Drama, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Chiaki Kobayashi, Yumiri Hanamori, Ryohei Kimura
Watch on Netflix

Anime fans have been greatly enjoying studio MAPPA’s work on Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and more. With Hell’s Paradise, audiences can look forward to the team’s next ongoing project. Adapting writer and illustrator Yuji Kaku’s manga, the plot follows the seemingly merciless assassin Gabimaru trying to evade his pending execution.

Tired of his life of bloodshed, he’s offered a pardon from the Shogunate if he embarks on a mission to find the mysterious Elixir of Life. Hell’s Paradise was praised for its interesting premise and elements of dark fantasy and horror. The intense action sequences are well animated too, and the story has even more potential with possible future seasons.

Pokémon (1997)

Pokémon
tv-y7
25 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Daiki Yamashita
Watch on Netflix

While Liko and Roy take up their predecessor’s mantle, fans can watch Ash Ketchum’s original Pokémon journey on Netflix. Sparked by the widespread success of the Game Boy games Pokémon Red and Blue, the 1990s anime was the beginning of Ash’s quest to become a Pokémon master. Together with his electric mouse Pikachu and travel companions Misty and Brock, the young trainer sets out to challenge the Indigo League.

Animated by studio OLM, Pokémon cements the franchise’s “monster-of-the-week” formula that sees the lovable cast meet new people and creatures nearly every week, realizing the colorful world the games create. With its wholesome messaging and “Saturday morning” feel, Pokémon remains an entertaining watch for nostalgic older fans and their young ones alike.

Mob Psycho 100 (2016)

Mob Psycho 100
tv-14
3 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Setsuo Ito, Takahiro Sakurai, Miyu Irino
Watch on Netflix

From the acclaimed creator of One-Punch Man, ONE’s Mob Psycho 100 is a unique coming-of-age story. Adapted by animation studio Bones, the series is about Shigeo Kageyama — known as “Mob” — a socially unassuming middle schooler who has powerful psychic abilities.

He works part-time after school for his con-artist boss Arataka Reigen, who claims to be a master spirit medium. Mob Psycho 100 is acclaimed for juggling oddball comedy, stunning action, and heartfelt storytelling with utmost sincerity. Mob’s reserved demeanor and suppressed psychic powers are clever representations of the story’s coming-of-age themes.

Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)

Jujutsu Kaisen
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Watch on Netflix

Creator Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most exciting ongoing shounen series, mixing intense martial arts action with the occult. Animated by studio MAPPA, the series begins with high school student Yuji Itadori being recruited into one of Japan’s elite Jujutsu Sorcerer academies.

These students train in supernatural and martial combat to defend citizens from malicious Cursed Spirits. Jujutsu Kaisen is praised for its stunning animation, adapting the action in the most visceral way possible. It depicts an exciting world with impressive detail in its mythos, as the modern-day Japanese setting meshes well with its dark fantasy elements.

One Piece Film: Red (2022)

One Piece Film: Red
115m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Music
Stars
Kaori Nazuka, Shuichi Ikeda, Mayumi Tanaka
Directed by
Goro Taniguchi
Watch on Netflix

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece pirate saga continues to excel across mediums with the series’ 15th movie. Directed by Goro Taniguchi and animated by Toei Animation, One Piece Film: Red takes Luffy and his pirate crew to an island to watch singer Uta’s first live concert.

The superstar musician is a childhood friend of protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, but tensions rise when Uta reveals her stance against pirates. One Piece Film: Red is a visual show-stopper that celebrates the elements that havemade this series so beloved since the late 1990s. It might not push the boundaries of what a licensed anime movie can strive for narratively, but it colorfully expands Oda’s world and offers new characters worth exploring.

Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)

Yu Yu Hakusho
tv-14
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Nozomu Sasaki, Shigeru Chiba, Megumi Ogata
Created by
Yoshihiro Togashi
Watch on Netflix

From Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho combines the supernatural with martial arts. Animated by studio Pierrot, the plot follows 14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi, a former high school delinquent who died saving a child from a car accident and is revived as an Underworld Detective.

Yusuke’s second lease on life leads him and his new companions on adventures that include demons and high-stakes combat tournaments. Yu Yu Hakusho is an anime classic acclaimed for its clever mix of occult atmosphere, exciting action, comedic relief, and sincere character development. The action becomes increasingly impressive as the martial arts elements are emphasized later in the story.

Haikyu!! (2014)

Haikyu!!
tv-14
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure
Stars
Ayumu Murase, Kaito Ishikawa, Yuu Hayashi
Watch on Netflix

Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyu!! became the biggest sports-themed sensation in manga and anime. Animation studio Production I.G adapts young Shoyo Hinata’s quest to become an elite volleyball player at Karasuno High School.

Despite his small stature, Hinata is determined to hone his skills, but he soon encounters competition when his middle school rival Tobio Kageyama joins the team. Haikyu!! is critically acclaimed for its refreshing and down-to-earth story and relatable cast of young characters. The volleyball action is thrillingly animated, and Production I.G’s adaptation doesn’t lose sight of the emotionally investing coming-of-age themes.

Mary and The Witch's Flower (2017)

Mary and The Witch's Flower
103m
Genre
Adventure, Animation, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Yuki Amami, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Hana Sugisaki
Directed by
Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Watch on Netflix

Mary and the Witch’s Flower is an excellent choice for anime fans who want a movie that offers a light fantasy experience. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, animated by Studio Ponoc, and based on author Mary Stewart’s 1971 novel The Little Broomstick, it tells the story of a clumsy little girl named Mary Smith who stumbles on a magical phenomenon.

Living a lonely life after moving in with her great aunt, Mary eventually finds a strange color-changing cat who leads her to a bundle of blue flowers that give her the powers of a witch for one night. Perfect for anime newcomers and those who are fond of Studio Ghibli movies, Mary and the Witch’s Flower is a visually dazzling and charming fantasy.

Delicious in Dungeon (2024)

Delicious in Dungeon
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy
Stars
Kentaro Kumagai, Sayaka Senbongi, Asuna Tomari
Watch on Netflix

Trigger, one of the most well-known and beloved animation studios in the industry, returns with another fresh anime adaptation. A TV adaptation of writer Ryoko Kui’s manga of the same name, Delicious in Dungeon is a creative cooking-themed fantasy hybrid. The series is set in a fantasy world where the Golden Kingdom is buried underground by a mad magician, with the kingdom’s ruler promising treasure to the guild who can defeat him.

One of these guilds’ leaders, Laios, embarks on an underground quest with his companions to save his sister, Falin, with the team resorting to hunting and eating the monsters within for survival. Delicious in Dungeon offers a fun and comedic spin on high-fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons-style adventuring tropes thanks to its cooking-themed trappings.

Pokémon Concierge (2023)

Pokémon Concierge
Genre
Animation, Family
Watch on

A Netflix-exclusive series, Pokémon Concierge is an colorful change of pace for the blockbuster franchise in the anime department. Produced by animation studio dwarf, this series takes place at the Pokémon Resort and follows protagonist Haru, a concierge at the vacation resort.

Across its four episodes, Pokémon Concierge has Haru make meaningful and entertaining encounters with the Pokémon and their owners who visit. Studio Dwarf’s stop-motion animation with figurine-like characters is a staple of the creative team, and it lends itself well to this vibrant fantasy world. It may be a brief miniseries even by miniseries standards, but it’s a delightfully lighthearted and concise watch.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin
Created by
Bryan Lee O'Malley, BenDavid Grabinski
Watch on Netflix

One of the more recent Netflix-original anime series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is an exciting take on this charming franchise. Animated by Science Saru and developed by Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski, this limited series takes the series in a bold new narrative direction. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off sees the titular character go missing, compelling his love interest Ramona Flowers to investigate his sudden disappearance, all while the supporting cast works on creating a fictionalized story about Scott’s life.

The series features the principal cast from the live-action movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World returning to reprise their roles, including Michael Cera as the titular character, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, and Brie Larson as Natalie Adams. From its charming character designs, storytelling, and animation work, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was acclaimed as a celebration of the franchise with an inventive new story.

PLUTO (2023)

PLUTO
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery, Crime
Stars
Shinshu Fuji
Watch on Netflix

Naoki Urasawa is credited with writing and illustrating some of greatest seinen manga in the industry, and Netflix obtained the license for the adaptation of Pluto. Set in the same continuity as Osamu Tezuka’s landmark Astro Boy series, Pluto tells a mystery involving the murder of the heroic robot Montblanc, who fought in the 39th Asian War.

Things become far bleaker when war veteran and Europol detective Gesicht investigates the grisly killing of the war hero, as the plot unravels a deep-rooted conspiracy against the robots who took part in the war. Though inherently less grounded as a premise compared to the revered Monster, Pluto is a gripping blend of the crime drama and science fiction genres. Urasawa is known for his cerebral stories, and the animation team at Studio M2 brilliantly conveys that in their anime adaptation.

Baki Hanma (2021)

Baki Hanma
6.7/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure
Watch on Netflix
Much like other series including Record of Ragnarok, Keisuki Itagaki’s Baki the Grappler — and subsequent sequels — embraces its over-the-top action. The anime adaptation continues its successful run on Netflix with the second part of Baki: Hanma season 2, concluding the Pickle Wars Saga where scientists discover a caveman who is then taken to take on a series of powerful combatants. Season 2, Part 2 fans will finally the anime’s final arc animated. The Strongest Father and Child Quarrel Saga, where Baki gets his chance to battle and exact revenge on his legendary father, nicknamed “Ogre.”

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Shuichiro Umeda, Tomori Kusunoki, Makoto Furukawa
Watch on Netflix
A delightful mashup of subgenres, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a welcome adaptation in the modern anime scene. Adapting the manga series of the same name by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata, Zom 100 is a satirical take on the zombie apocalypse by following the burnt-out Akira Tendou, who’s suffered three long years at an exploitative company in Japan. Suddenly, a zombie hellscape breaks out and, ironically, has reinvigorated Akira with a new lease on life. Combining sci-fi, horror, and comedy, studio Bug Films’ Zom 100: Bucket List of the Undead is a seinen anime series worth getting invested in.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
tv-ma
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Nobuhiko Okamoto
Created by
Koyoharu Gotouge
Watch on Netflix

Demon Slayer is one of the biggest hits in the modern anime and manga scene. Especially so for the former, as Ufotable brilliantly adapted Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga of the same name to film and TV.

Netflix now finally has the rights to stream the second season of the series after adding the first season and the Mugen Train arc. Demon Slayer season 2 covers the Entertainment District arc, which sees Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke go to the titular Japanese district in Yoshiwara to investigate a prowling demon wreaking havoc there.

Naruto (2002)

Naruto
tv-pg
4 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Junko Takeuchi, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura
Watch on Netflix

Another anime and manga phenomenon from Shonen Jump Magazine’s era of the “Big Three,” Naruto has effectively become a modern classic for newer generations of anime fans.

Masashi Kishimoto’s ninja series follows the titular Naruto Uzumaki going from village outcast to hometown hero, as he and the rest of Team 7 tackle an increasingly dangerous set of foes. It’s part of his grand dream to become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, but Naruto has also become known for having a wide cast of fan-favorite characters.

Dorohedoro (2020)

Dorohedoro
8.1/10
tv-ma
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Soungdok, Reina Kondo, Wataru Takagi
Watch on Netflix
While animation studio MAPPA has garnered emphatic acclaim for its adaptations of the likes of Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Vinland Saga, its take on Dorohedoro is also a worthy standout in its catalog. Taking place in a grimy world blending dark fantasy with science fiction, this adaptation of writer Q Hayashida’s manga captures all the morbid humor, bloody action, and inherent weirdness of the source material. Dorohedoro mainly focuses on an amnesiac, reptilian-headed man named Caiman and his friend Nikaido as they go on a mission to help recover his memories — and find out who gave him his scaly new appearance.

Monster (2004)

Monster
8.7/10
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Drama, Crime, Mystery, War & Politics, Animation
Stars
Mami Koyama, Mamiko Noto, Junko Takeuchi
Watch on Netflix
Naoki Urasawa’s source manga is commonly regarded as one of the greatest seinen series in the medium. Monster was widely acclaimed for its thoroughly gripping crime saga filled with dark psychological revelations, thrills, and drama. Veteran animation studio Madhouse adapted the full series into a 73-episode TV anime, which was arguably as well-received as the source material itself. Following the story of a Japanese former doctor living in Germany, Kenzo Tenma sees his life upended when a boy whose life he saved through brain surgery resurfaces as a deeply disturbed and elusive serial killer. It’s been a long time coming, but Monster is finally available on Netflix.

Vinland Saga (2019)

Vinland Saga
8.8/10
tv-ma
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Drama, War & Politics
Stars
Yuto Uemura, Shunsuke Takeuchi, Kensho Ono
Watch on Netflix
As far as contemporary seinen manga go, Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga is around the same plane of reverence as the late Kentaro Miura’s Berserk and Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond. And in 2019, the series’ early goings were adapted into an anime by the talented Wit Studio. MAPPA is now taking the reigns of season 2, but with essentially the same creative team as the debut season. This Viking epic was packed with thrilling action and intensely intimate and engaging character drama, and season 2 will follow Thorfinn Karlsefni’s next major milestone in growth and introspection.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
tv-ma
5 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Fairouz Ai, Daisuke Ono, Mutsumi Tamura
Watch on Netflix
Hirohiko Araki’s beloved JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga has become an anime juggernaut since its TV series adaptation in 2012 and arguably more so in its second season. Netflix made the bold move of obtaining the series for its platform, serving as the exclusive place to watch the latest season — Stone Ocean. The disjointed release schedule has understandably frustrated some longtime fans, but David Production’s adaptation of the story itself was been widely well-received. Jolyne Cujoh and company’s prison-breaking exploits have been entertainingly and faithfully adapted, with the final batch of episodes now available.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
KENN, Aoi Yuki, Hiroki Touchi
Created by
Rafał Jaki
Watch on Netflix
Animated by industry veterans and fan-favorite studio Studio Trigger (Promare, Kill la Kill) comes an original story set within video game developer CD Projekt Red’s world of Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners takes place in the same technologically-obsessed dystopia filled with cutthroat factions, following a young boy attempting to survive through it all. To have a fighting chance, the body-modified street kid joins the ranks of the titular mercenary Edgerunners also known as a Cyberpunk. The series is planned as a standalone 10-episode story, with expectations high that it will be a visually stunning and explosive series if Studio Trigger’s esteemed reputation is anything to go by.

Death Note (2006)

Death Note
9/10
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Animation, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Stars
Mamoru Miyano, Noriko Hidaka, Nozomu Sasaki
Watch on Netflix
Death Note is one of the most popular manga and anime series in the world, perhaps because of its intriguing premise. Teenager Light Yagami comes across a supernatural notebook with a deadly power. If Light, or anyone else, writes a name in the notebook, the person they named will die. Unfortunately for Light, he becomes intoxicated with the power, and he resolves to remake the world by eliminating “bad people.” This captures the attention of the cops, including the mysterious Detective L. Light soon realizes that L might be able to deduce his identity, but he can’t be killed until Light discovers L’s real name.

Hunter x Hunter (2011)

Hunter x Hunter
9/10
tv-14
3 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama
Stars
Megumi Han, Mariya Ise, Miyuki Sawashiro
Watch on Netflix
The word “hunter” doesn’t have its traditional meaning in the latest adaptation of Hunter x Hunter. In this world, Hunters are the adventurous men and women who can locate lost treasures, missing people, and find rare creatures. Very few Hunters are chosen, which is one of the reasons why a young boy named Gon is so obsessed with becoming a Hunter himself. Years ago, Gon’s father, Ging, abandoned the family to chase his dream of becoming a Hunter. Now, Gon is following in Ging’s footsteps, and he will face some incredibly difficult ordeals to earn his place among the Hunters.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Neon Genesis Evangelion
8.5/10
tv-14
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation, Drama
Stars
Megumi Ogata, Kotono Mitsuishi, Megumi Hayashibara
Created by
Gainax
Watch on Netflix

Giant robots fighting even bigger monsters is a common theme among anime series, but few have elevated the genre like Neon Genesis Evangelion. The series was set in the then far-off year of 2015, 15 years after the world was attacked by aliens that were known as “Angels.”

The show follows Shinji Ikari, a shy and emotionally withdrawn teenager who is forced to become an Evangelion pilot by his manipulative father, Gendo. Shinji slowly rises to the occasion alongside his fellow pilots, Rei and Asuka. However, the Angels aren’t the only ones with secrets on this show. And Shinji will have to face unimaginable nightmares and traumas before he can ultimately confront his own inner demons.

Movie images and data from:
Guillermo Kurten
Freelance Writer, Entertainment

A University of Houston graduate in Print Media Journalism, Guillermo has covered sports entertainment and practically all forms of geek culture as a freelance writer.

His young career so far has seen him write about soccer through websites including Read Bundesliga and Bayern Strikes, specializing in FC Bayern Munich. From there he moved on to Comic Book Resources, Game Rant, The Gamer, and Screen Rant to indulge his inner nerd, with over 2 years and counting as a senior writer at the latter.

Guillermo's interests span video games, movies, TV series, comic books, anime, and manga -- and if you're not careful, will talk your ear off specifically about the last 40-plus years of Batman lore.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Guillermo studied at Lone Star College in Texas before ultimately completing his Bachelor's degree.

Blair Marnell

Blair Marnell has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. His bylines have appeared in Wizard Magazine, Geek Monthly, SYFY Wire, Superhero Hype, Collider, DC Universe, and the official sites for Star Trek and Marvel. He also lends his pop culture expertise to Digital Trends on a variety of TV, movie, and streaming features.

Nick Perry

Nick Perry is a freelance writer who bounced from Hollywood to Silicon Beach to pajama pants. His work has been featured on Digital Trends, Good Morning America, Entrepreneur, Mashable, and more media outlets.

The best feel-good movies on Netflix right now
Stephan James runs as Jesse Owens in Race.

There probably isn't a certified doctor who would prescribe a feel-good movie to lift your spirits, but sometimes it really helps. Feel-good movies are a subgenre that ranges from comedies to dramas. The secret to their success is that the main characters overcome their anxieties, their personal roadblocks, and all other obstacles to achieve their goals. Who doesn't want to follow that example?

Netflix doesn't have a very robust selection of feel-good movies, but it does have some very good ones. As it happens, this month's new additions, Race and The World's Fastest Indian, are both true stories that share some common elements with each other. Neither film was made for Netflix, so they may not stick around for long. But for now, they have a prime place among the best feel-good movies on Netflix.
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The best fantasy movies on Netflix right now
Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing.

Finding great fantasy movies on Netflix is a bit of a fantasy in and of itself. The king of the streamers neglects this category, and it also relies heavily on Universal Pictures' catalog to bail out its shortcomings. That's why it's The Scorpion King and Van Helsing's turn to be on this list while Conan the Barbarian waits for yet another Netflix return.

The Scorpion King and Van Helsing aren't bad movies, but fantasy fans deserve a better selection from Netflix than films that are two decades old. Even this month's third addition, The Covenant, is closing in on 20 years. Netflix has made some original fantasy movies of its own, but not lately. For the most part, the best fantasy movies on Netflix are pretty stagnant. But when something new arrives, we'll be here to add it to the list.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

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The best kids movies on Netflix right now
A carrot and a stalk of broccoli prepare to do battle in Daddy Day Care.

The countdown to the holiday season has begun, and now's the time to get the best kids movies on Netflix on deck to keep your kids entertained throughout the long holiday break. Whether you're hosting or going somewhere else for the holidays, it's always good to have some quality entertainment for the kids to fall back on. That's why we scour the streamer's extensive collection every month to highlight the best options for your kids.

December, somewhat surprisingly, is another slow month for kids' movies on Netflix. There's just one addition to the list this month: Daddy Day Care. Read on for the rest of our picks of the best kids movies on Netflix now.

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