1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
BonesThe complete package.
Best overallWhy buy
- Masterful direction
- Memorable score
- Rewatchable
Keep in mind
- Slow first act
- Bleak tone
$09.6
Rank #1Loading page
The 7 Best Anime Series of All Time
For newcomers and completionists alike.
Leo NakamuraGaming & Culture EditorUpdated 5mo ago 581K reads
Verified
Winner
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Overview
Anime's greatest series aren't just shows — they're cultural events that reshape the medium. We rewatched the canon, argued about the canon, and ranked the seven series every newcomer should start with and every veteran should revisit.
Winner spotlight
And the winner is…
№1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
by BonesFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the answer to 'where do I start' and 'what's the best anime' simultaneously. A complete story, perfectly paced, with philosophy, action and heart in balance. It's the medium's most earned masterpiece.
Best overall$0
At a glance
Quick comparison
| Pick | #1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood $0 | #2 Attack on Titan $0 | #3 Frieren $0 | #4 Steins;Gate $0 | #5 Vinland Saga $0 | #6 Cowboy Bebop $0 | #7 Jujutsu Kaisen $0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Direction | Masterful | Brilliant | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Story | Masterpiece | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Visuals | Landmark | Stunning | Beautiful | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Rewatch value | Endless | Very high | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
The list
The top 7, ranked
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1
2Attack on Titan
Wit / MAPPAThe decade's biggest event.
Epic scaleWhy buy
- Stunning visuals
- Tight storytelling
- Great performances
Keep in mind
- Three-hour runtime
- Requires rewatch
$09.5
Rank #2
3Frieren
MadhouseA quiet masterpiece.
Emotional depthWhy buy
- Memorable score
- Rewatchable
- Bold ambition
Keep in mind
- Dense lore
- Polarising ending
$09.4
Rank #3
4Steins;Gate
White FoxTime travel, done right.
Plot twistsWhy buy
- Tight storytelling
- Great performances
- Masterful direction
Keep in mind
- Bleak tone
- Not for everyone
$09.3
Rank #45Vinland Saga
WitVikings with a soul.
Character growthWhy buy
- Rewatchable
- Bold ambition
- Stunning visuals
Keep in mind
- Requires rewatch
- Slow first act
$09.2
Rank #5
6Cowboy Bebop
SunriseJazz, space, perfection.
StyleWhy buy
- Great performances
- Masterful direction
- Memorable score
Keep in mind
- Polarising ending
- Three-hour runtime
$09.1
Rank #6
7Jujutsu Kaisen
MAPPAThe modern shonen king.
ActionWhy buy
- Bold ambition
- Stunning visuals
- Tight storytelling
Keep in mind
- Not for everyone
- Dense lore
$08.8
Rank #7Deep dive
Feature matrix
| Feature | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Attack on Titan | Frieren | Steins;Gate | Vinland Saga | Cowboy Bebop | Jujutsu Kaisen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director's cut | |||||||
| Soundtrack | |||||||
| Practical effects | |||||||
| Awards season | |||||||
| IMAX experience | |||||||
| Streaming | |||||||
| Sequels | |||||||
| Theatrical cut |
The verdict
Pros & cons
What we love
- Complete, satisfying stories
- Animation quality at an all-time high
- Dubs are now genuinely great
- Perfect entry points for newcomers
Watch out for
- Some are 100+ episodes
- Sub vs dub is a religious war
- Sequels and movies add homework
- Heavy themes in places
Before you buy
Buyer's guide
Every film was watched twice: once alone with full attention, once with company. Rankings weigh direction, story, visuals and the much harder metric — rewatch value.
Mood is a metric. The best film for a rainy Tuesday is rarely the best film for a flight. Our scores are absolute; your choice should be situational.
The winner of our The 7 Best Anime Series of All Time ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
Frequently asked
It has to be great on a first watch and better on a second. Ambition, craft and staying power matter more than box office.
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