Ranked · Anime · Updated June 2026
The Best Anime to Watch in Order
The medium at its absolute peak: titans of storytelling, animation, and emotion ranked best-first. From flawless 64-episode masterpieces to genre-redefining mind-benders, these are the anime worth every hour. Start at the top and you cannot go wrong.
- 1 See the order
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FA
HX
AO
F
SG
CG
DN
CB
VS
E
GL
JK
DS
OP
JB
MP
CM
MI
M
SGFrequently asked questions
What's the best anime to start with if you're new?
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the near-universal recommendation: a complete 64-episode story with no filler, perfect pacing, and a satisfying ending. For something gentler, Studio Ghibli films are the warmest on-ramp.
Should I watch in release order or chronological order?
For standalone series, just watch each in its intended episode order. For franchises like JoJo's or Demon Slayer, follow release/arc order: the studios designed them to be watched front-to-back, and recaps catch you up.
How long would it take to binge this whole list?
Most entries are 20-60 hours each, but One Piece alone is 1,000+ episodes. Realistically the full list is years of viewing, so treat it as a lifetime watchlist rather than a single binge.