Animes refer to animation in Japan, and despite their reputation for lowbrow graphics and nerdy content, they remain unique. They have been around for decades and are known for their gripping storylines. However, it can be hard to get into animes. If you are one of those or simply looking for the best animes to binge-watch, I got you covered!

I have compiled a list of the best animes to watch on Netflix and Hulu! Keep scrolling to find out.

1. Naruto

• Total Episodes: 369
• IMDb rating: 8.3
• Genre: Action, fantasy, adventure

Did you really expect that Naruto won’t be a part of this list? Any Top-10 anime list is incomplete without Naruto. While this one needs no introduction, I will still talk about the show’s gist if you want to awaken the inner Hokage in you.

Naruto follows the life and adventures of Naruto Uzumaki (surprise, surprise). In a line, Naruto is all about how relationships fade away, and that good people turn evil. The story follows the life of a boy, who is orphaned at a young age, and how he finds his family in a fictional village of ninjas.

I’d recommend Naruto to those new to animes.

Watch on Netflix

2. Death Note

• Total Episodes: 37
• IMDb rating: 9.0
• Genre: Crime, mystery, horror

Death Note is based on the manga published on the Weekly Shonen Jump. It is undoubtedly one of the best thriller animes out there!

Our teenage heartthrob Light Yagami stumbles upon a notebook which makes him God. You might be thinking, how exactly does a notebook make one as powerful as God? Because the notebook is called “Death Note,” and whoever’s name is written down in it, that person dies at the specified time.

Yagami starts unyielding this power to carry out a cleanse and starts killing “unworthy” people to make the world a better place. 

While the characters in Death Note will make you question your morality, you will still be left reeling for more episodes. And that’s where Death Note will let you down because it only has 37 episodes. Nevertheless, Death Note is one of the best short anime series.

It will hook you sheerly for its high-level game of wits that keep you on your toes through to the end. And I am not kidding!

Caution: Steer clear of the Netflix movie on the same. It was a big letdown for many like me!

Watch on Netflix

3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

• Total Episodes: 26
• IMDb rating: 8.7
• Genre: Drama, action, dark fantasy

Demon Slayer is set in the early 20th century in Japan, in a land where humans and demons co-exist. Our protagonist is Tanjiro Kamado, whose family is killed by demons while he is not at home. His sister, Nezuko, is converted to a demon. 

The plot follows Tanjiro as he decides to become a demon slayer, not to kill the demons of the world but to find a way to restore his sister to a human. 

You will fall in love not just with Tanjiro and his companions but with the scintillating graphics at play here too. Demon Slayer makes for a gripping watch. Like the previous two in the list, Demon Slayer is also based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotoge.

Moreover, unlike others, this one marked the start of the quality anime, making it one of the best on Netflix if you want visual treats too.

Watch on Netflix

4. Attack on Titan

• Total Episodes: 25
• IMDb rating: 9
• Genre: Dark fantasy, action

Attack on Titan, whose first season aired in 2013, has taken the world by storm. In this anime, humanity is restricted to live within huge walls. Outside of these walls, the world is ravaged by titans who eat humans for dinner. 

Our protagonists include Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman, who join the Survey Corps to hunt and kill titans. Eren is incredibly motivated and is hungry to kill titans, whereas Mikasa is laid back yet strong.

Attack on Titan will keep you on your toes with each episode, and you won’t find many other animes that will top the jubilation you will feel after watching this one. If you are in the mood for short series, this one fits the bill with only 25 episodes under its banner!

Watch on Hulu

5. My Hero Academia

• Total Episodes: 117
• IMDb rating: 8.4
• Genre: Fantasy, action

My Hero Academia has a different touch to it as compared to others on this list. While usual anime have a Japanese tinge to it, My Hero Academia has an American superhero flavor.

Superpowers have become the norm, everybody has one. Everybody except Izuku Midoriya. Izuku still dreams of becoming the best hero as he gets scouted by Japan’s “Captain America” – All Might.

Jam-packed with action, My Hero Academia has some exhilarating graphics, and the direction will leave you amazed. The anime has won over 20 awards and 18 nominations and is a must-watch.

Watch on Netflix

That wraps up our list of the best animes to watch right now! Don’t see your favorites? Share them in the comments below!

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