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Over the past couple of years, streaming platforms have worked on adding essential and original anime series to their anime library. There is no shortage when it comes to a variety of genres to choose from. If you are looking for a new show to watch or want to rewatch a favorite you’ve come to the right place. Don’t worry there is something for experienced fans and newcomers alike. Below is a list of 8 of the best and most binge-worthy anime. So sit down, get comfortable and prepare to spend your entire day in front of the TV.
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Heavens Official’s Blessing
- Studio: Bilbi
- Episodes: 12 (1 season)
- Where To Watch: Funimation, Netflix
A Donghua series based on a novel of the same name. Years ago, Crown Prince Xie Lian was banished from the “Heavens” back to the mortal realm. Now eight hundred years later, Xie Lian ascends to the Heavens for the third time. During his task back in the mortal realm, he meets a mysterious Demon King (Hua Cheng/San Lang) who rules over the ghosts and terrifies the Heavens. Ignoring the warnings to stay away, Xie Lian continues to interact with the Demon King gradually leading to a budding romance and a realization they’ve known each other for a long time.
Most of the world-building is left in the novel but the story and art more than make up for it. So even when you don’t exactly understand everything it doesn’t matter because it’s just so entertaining to watch. The opening melody is so beautiful. It’s a great slow-burn romance that will leave you wanting more by the end of the show.
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Jujutsu Kaisen
- Studio: Mappa
- Episodes: 24 (1 season), 1 movie
- Where To Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll, HBO Max
Yuji Itadori finds himself facing execution from a mysterious group of sorcerers after he accidentally swallows a cursed finger and gets possessed by an ancient demon king named Sukuna. A man named Saturo Gojo makes a proposition to allow Yuji to live if he enrolls in Jujutsu High and searches for the other fingers to exorcize the demon.
Jujutsu High expertly mixes elements of high-paced action, horror, and fantasy to make an epic shonen story. The animation is super consistent and incredible. It has an amazing cast of characters who are extremely likable, even the villains. Each character is given time to develop as their backstories and motivations are explored. “Jujutsu Kaisen” will leave you wanting more and taking a go at the manga as well.
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Castlevania
- Studio: Production I.G.
- Episodes: 32 (4 seasons)
- Where To Watch: Netflix
“Castlevania” is a dark fantasy series set in 1455, Wallachia. The citizens live under the oppressive rule of the Christian Church. When the church captures and burns Dracula’s wife at the stake they kick off a war between Dracula and his army of vampires. Enter Trevor Belmont, the last great monster hunter who sets out with two companions Sypha and Alucard to take down Dracula’s army and kill Dracula before he slaughters all of humanity.
“Castlevania” is the best video game adaptation out there. The creators build upon the existing property while making sure it shows off its originality. The show is accompanied by jaw-dropping animation, stylized visuals, well-developed characters, and amazing voice work. It’s easy to get swept up and watch it in one go.
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Demon Slayer
- Studio: Ufotable
- Episodes: 44 (2 seasons), 1 movie
- Where To Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu” no Yaiba follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who lives up in the mountains with his family. Tanjiro’s peaceful life is shattered when demons slaughter his family leaving only his younger sister who’s been turned into a demon. Tanjiro resolves to become a demon slayer in hopes of defeating the demon who turned his sister and finding a cure.
Since hopping onto the scene in 2019 and quickly became popular among fans and critics alike. Winning many awards and the movie broke the record for the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, in the middle of a pandemic! The animation is always on point especially when it comes to the fight scenes. It has a great cast of characters who all have their motivations and personalities we get to explore as we are introduced to them. Tanjiro sets himself apart from other protagonists in that he hates the path he’s been set on and would give anything to go back to his previous life.
- Great Pretender
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Episodes: 23 (2 seasons)
- Where To Watch: Netflix
“Great Pretender” follows Makoto Edamura, who makes his living as a con man. When a seemingly simple con on a tourist doesn’t go as planned Makoto is whisked away to Hollywood, California, and is forced to join a group of con artists, who target other criminals.
“Great Pretender” is your modern-day Robin Hood story filled with crazy schemes that will have you on the edge of your seat at every turn. Beautiful scenery with an upbeat, jazzy soundtrack blends together to create a great aesthetic. The show has a colorful cast of characters. First up is Laurent Thierry, a suave conman who mentors
Makoto in being a confident man. Next is Aby Jones, Laurent’s right-hand woman who is the muscle of the team. Last but certainly not least is Cynthia Moore who uses her beauty and brains to their advantage. The show takes its time exploring the characters’ backgrounds, allowing you to get a deeper understanding of the characters.
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Kuroko’s Basketball
- Studio: Production I.G
- Episodes: 75/3 OVA (3 seasons), 1 movie
- Where To Watch: Netflix
From the Teiko Middle School basketball club emerged five prodigies whose skills let them dominate the competition. This legendary group was known as the “Generation of Miracles”. Many believed there existed another member who the prodigies recognized and helped earn their coveted title dubbed the “Phantom Sixth Man.” Over time their talents turned their love for basketball into hatred and they parted ways after middle school. Now in high school, Tetsuya Kuroko the Phantom Sixth Man at Teiko, and Taiga Kagami are among the recruits to the Seirin basketball team. Along with his new friends, Kuroko is determined to prove his strength and show his old teammates that basketball can be fun.
Sports anime have this unique quality of turning any sport into a high-action thriller that can make anyone a fan regardless of their interest in sports and Kuroko No Basket is no different. The characters are well developed and all so unique. There are lots of laughs to be had and even some tears shed. This anime will leave you wanting more after every episode and wondering “what now” when it’s over.
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Violet Evergarden
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Episodes: 14 (1 season), 3 movies
- Where To Watch: Netflix
“Violet Evergarden” is a young orphan girl who must now settle back into society after only knowing life as a soldier who fought in the Great War. Searching for the meaning behind her ex-commander’s final words “I love you” Violet gets a job as an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters to help connect people and discover her feelings along the way.
Be prepared to have boxes of tissues on hand. This anime is going to make you cry. KyoAni knows how to put elements together that come together in an absolute masterpiece. The soundtrack is beautiful and it’s paired with breathtaking visuals. The story explores so many different relationships and the impact on Violet and the audience is felt.
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Attack on Titan
- Studio: Wit Studio, Mappa
- Episodes: 87/9 OVA, (4 seasons)
- Where To Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Netflix
One of the biggest shonen anime, Attack on Titan, quickly became a fan favorite when it debuted in 2013. The anime follows Eren Yeager, a young boy raised in a post-apocalyptic world where the last members of humanity are raised in cities surrounded by three enormous walls to protect them against a race of giant human-like cannibals known as Titans. After the destruction of his hometown and the death of his parents, Eren enlists in the military and vows to exterminate every last Titan.
Hajime Isayama is a genius with his storytelling. What started as a simple dystopian action anime quickly morphed into a show that will have your head spinning. There’s always some obscure clue or reference that ends up becoming essential to the story later on. The story is so riveting it’s impossible not to get sucked in. The show is filled with high-action violence, rich storylines, underlying political conflicts, and memorable characters.
Written by Hayley Samulski
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