The Best Anime on Crunchyroll Right Now

Updated on June 11, 2026 by Mark Sammut: Updated the Spring 2026 section with more recommendations. Added YuYu Hakusho to the action section. Rechecked all the shows to make sure they are still on Crunchyroll US (two weren’t!).

Crunchyroll dominates the anime streaming scene. Sure, other sites exist, but none of them come close to matching Crunchyroll’s library in terms of quantity or, arguably, quality. The best anime on Crunchyroll are also the best shows of the last decade, and they exist alongside all-time classics like Dragon Ball Z and YuYu Hakusho. Whether craving action, comedy, romance, slice of life, or horror, you will definitely find some good anime on Crunchyroll that match your interests.

Due to the sheer volume of series on the service, picking what to watch on Crunchyroll can be downright exhausting. At one point or another, we all find ourselves browsing page after page, searching for a standout that we cannot locate. While I can only present an entry-level overview of what Crunchyroll has to offer, I can at least make it a bit easier to pick a show.

Which New Anime On Crunchyroll Should You Be Watching?

The Best Spring 2026 Anime

As always, Crunchyroll has by far the most extensive lineup of anime for Spring 2026, and you can get by with only this subscription for the time being. From big newcomers to highly anticipated sequels, this season is shaping up to be all-around fantastic, and it has way more to offer than action-packed shonen or isekai stories. We have romance, psychological, sports, and whatever Dorohedoro is. As Crunchyroll has more than 50 Spring 2026 anime, shrinking the selection down can be downright exhausting. I am going to simplify that process by highlighting a few shows across a couple of genres, while also just mentioning my favorite series.

• Witch Hat Atelier – We might as well get the most obvious one out of the way. Witch Hat Atelier is the best new anime of 2026 so far, an accolade it is likely to retain for the rest of the year. A fantasy story about a girl who becomes the student of a witch, Witch Hat Atelier is a rare example of a full package. The animation is spectacular and, at times, borders on movie quality, and the art style fits the story and world perfectly. The main characters are generally likable, and they also have an edge that speaks to their history, struggles, and frustrations. Finally, the anime shows a reverence for magic that is absent from most modern series, depicting the phenomenon as something incredible but also dangerous. Watch this.
• Daemons of the Shadow Realm – Hiromu Arakawa, the mangaka behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is back with a new story that delivers a somewhat similar experience to her magnum opus. The story revolves around two siblings, Yuru and Asa, who were separated at birth since they have access to a power that can cause serious devastation in the wrong hands. In this world, Daemons form contracts with humans, acting as their protectors and weapons. Yuru is the master of two very powerful Daemons, while Asa has her own. The anime is fairly complicated, but it ultimately boils down to Yuru and Asa trying to form a connection with each other while searching for their missing parents. Good mix of action, suspense, and even comedy.
• Go For It, Nakamura-kun! – Perhaps a controversial pick, but this is personally my favorite new anime of Spring 2026. Boys Love anime is an acquired taste, but this series is very different from the standard story. For one, it is primarily a comedy and not a romance, and it revolves around the protagonist’s crush on a classmate rather than a genuine relationship. Nakamura just wants to become friends with Hirose, and his attempts tend not to go to plan. The concept is quite simple, but it is elevated by lovable characters and some pretty smart animation by Drive. Really solid anime.
• Marriagetoxin – I have to be honest, I wasn’t sold on Marriagetoxin initially, as I didn’t really find the main two characters all that interesting in the first two episodes. However, the series has improved since then, evolving into an enjoyable middle-of-the-road battle shonen. So far, Marriagetoxin has been divided into small arcs revolving around different cases taken on by Hikaru and, to a lesser extent, Mei. The former is a poison master, while the latter is a charming marriage counselor (and fraud). They are specifically taking these cases in the hope that Hikaru might find a partner he can marry, which is a bit weird, but it mostly produces funny moments.
• I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class – Spring 2026 has an absurdly strong romance anime lineup, all of which are on Crunchyroll. So far, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class is shaping up to be the genre’s standout, and it has gotten better with each new episode. The title pretty much explains it all, but it is a lot sweeter than it sounds.
• The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt – Yeah, I’m doubling down on romcoms, as this anime is just plain-old delightful. Poem and Tougo don’t quite match up, personality-wise; at least, that seems to be the case when their relationship boils down to the latter telling the former that her skirt is too short. Fortunately, they get to know each other a bit better, quickly forming a connection that threatens to evolve from cordial to romantic. Although a fairly typical “opposites attract” story, this anime makes the most of its cliché premise. The characters are charming, the humor is hilarious, and the romance actually develops.
• Kill Blue – Look, sometimes I just want a bit of dumb fun, and Kill Blue scratches that itch completely. A wasp stings the greatest hitman alive and regresses him to his early teens. While waiting for a cure, he attends middle school on a mission to protect the heir of a chemical company. Blending over-the-top humor with fairly dark ideas for a shonen series, Kill Blue is all over the place but, simultaneously, consistent. Just a little silly action-comedy.

Best Anime On Crunchyroll For Beginners

A Guide To Help Get Your Anime Life Started

With thousands of shows to pick from, Crunchyroll’s library can be downright intimidating for newcomers who are not intimately familiar with phrases like “isekai,” “battle shonen,” and “waifu.” If you are interested in a specific genre, I recommend checking out their individual sections, as most of the listed shows are relatively accessible. However, this section lists a few anime that are particularly great for beginners.

• Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Arguably the quintessential “introductory anime,” FMA: Brotherhood is just an all-around awesome show and the perfect representative for the genre as a whole. The story is gripping but easy to follow, and the characters are instantly endearing (or terrifying). The animation is also all-around fantastic.
• Grand Blue Dreaming – One for older viewers who love college comedies about drinking, messing around, and scuba-diving, Grand Blue is constantly hilarious, in a way that can be appreciated even by those who are not familiar with anime.
• Horimiya – The perfect pick for any beginner looking for a romcom. Horimiya‘s first season is mostly romance, albeit with some hilarious moments. The sequel is almost entirely comedy, albeit with some cute romantic moments. Overall, just a pleasure to watch.
• Spy x Family – Lighthearted family-friendly fun about a make-shift family who are all hiding huge secrets. The humor is delightful, the main characters are charming, and the action is great when it happens.

Best Action Anime On Crunchyroll

YuYu Hakusho Is An All-Time Shonen Masterpiece

Crunchyroll tends to skew towards modern releases, which makes sense considering its massive seasonal lineups. However, the library still has plenty of classics from yesteryear that deserve to be cherished and revisited until the end of days. Although not the most popular, YuYu Hakusho is arguably the best action anime of the ’90s, along with the best battle shonen of the decade. Even all these years later, Yusuke’s journey from delinquent to spirit detective and everything that comes after still manages to be consistently riveting, and its worst arcs are still solid 8/10s.

Rather than recycling the same story beats, YuYu Hakusho constantly shakes up the rhythm of its storytelling, with each arc wildly different from the last. The Dark Tournament might be the greatest tournament arc in anime history, and Chapter Black foreshadows Yoshihiro Togashi’s writing style in Hunter x Hunter. Seriously, if you have never watched YuYu Hakusho, make it your top priority. If you haven’t watched it since the ’90s, make it your top priority.

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Solo Leveling Has Some Of The Best Fights On Crunchyroll

Probably the most popular anime of the 2020s so far, Solo Leveling took the world by storm, potentially even blowing the doors open for future manhwa adaptations. When rifts to other dimensions began appearing on Earth, humans started to work as hunters to defeat them, leading to a hierarchy based on each person’s skill level.

Despite being the weakest hunter ever, Sung Jinwoo has no choice but to continue as he needs the money for his sick mother. During one doomed operation, his party finds a secret chamber that contains an enemy that is way more powerful than they are. As he lies dying with a missing body part or two, Sung is offered the opportunity to become a “player”; naturally, he accepts and starts down the road to becoming the most powerful hunter in the business.

Not renowned for its complicated storytelling or deep characterization, Solo Leveling is pure power fantasy and aura farming, both of which are amplified by A-1 Pictures’ stellar animation. The fight sequences are the definition of spectacular, with each one being a work of art in its own way.

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Jujutsu Kaisen Set A New Standard For Action Anime

Along with Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen has been carrying the “action” mantle for years, and it is arguably the best series out of those three. As with all great shonen anime, the story begins with a boy eating a cursed finger, suddenly causing him to become the vessel for the most powerful curse of all time. He is “recruited,” aka forced, to join a special school of sorcerers, leading him down a path defined by pain and the constant threat of death.

JJk has pretty decent world-building and characters, but the anime’s main selling point is its spectacular fight sequences. These not only feature amazing animation, but they also utilize a wide range of imaginative powers that allow for a wide variety of fighting styles. The action can be relentless, too, particularly in season 2.

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Is Maybe The Best Anime On Crunchyroll

At some point during the 2010s, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood usurped the likes of Naruto as the ultimate gateway anime, particularly for people looking for action or battle shonen shows. Ambitious and epic, FMA:B takes place in a world where alchemy is possible, which is governed by the rule of equivalent exchange. When the Elric siblings break this rule, they pay a hefty price, one that requires them to find a Philosopher’s Stone to reverse.

Although a bit rushed in its opening stages, FMA:B tells a fantastic story that delivers impeccable action, heartbreaking moments, and an overabundance of humor. Picking the best action anime on Crunchyroll ultimately comes down to personal preference, but FMA:B is the ideal place to start.

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Attack On Titan Is Maybe The Most Popular Anime On Crunchyroll

After almost a decade, Attack on Titan is slowly approaching its end, although the final season still has a third part to go. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the last remnants of humanity live behind walls to “protect” them from massive man-eating beasts called Titans, this beloved anime is unpredictable, intense, well-animated, and complex.

Each season brings with it a substantial shift in the story’s direction, often taking seemingly straightforward characters and subverting expectations. Attack on Titan set a high standard for not just shonen anime but the industry in general, and it will take something special to fill the hole left by this series when it ends.

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Other Recommended Action Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll

Gintama Is The Funniest Anime On Crunchyroll

As a parody of shonen stories, Gintama should not be someone’s introduction to anime; if nothing else, they should at least watch Rurouni Kenshin first, which is also on Crunchyroll. Once that masterpiece is out of the way, Gintama awaits, along with plenty of laughs.

In this alternate reality, Earth has fallen to aliens (Amanto), and samurai have been banned in Edo. With not much else to do, Gintoki has no choice but to accept any random job that happens to fall on his lap. More often than not, hilarity ensues. As it progresses, Gintama introduces arcs that are pure battle shonen. These are also great, even if the anime shines the brightest as a comedy.

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Grand Blue Dreaming Is The Ultimate College Comedy Anime

Grand Blue Dreaming

Release Date

2018 – 2025-00-00

Network

TBS, MBS

Directors

Atsuko Tonomizu, Yoshihisa Matsumoto, Tarou Iwasaki, Nanako Shimazaki, Ryuta Kawahara, Takashi Kobayashi

Anime loves its high schools, and it rarely opts to venture into other age brackets. There is also no need for a new university comedy, as Grand Blue Dreaming absolutely perfected the premise. While attending his new university, Iori is staying at his uncle’s diving shop, a situation that quickly spirals into all-night drinking sessions, stripping, and some of the funniest facial expressions since Great Teacher Onizuka.

Although not devoid of heartfelt moments, Grand Blue dedicates nearly all of its energy to creating PAINFUL belly laughs, and it succeeds way more often than it fails. The anime weaponizes stupidity while still allowing its characters to be relatable and likable.

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Nichijou – My Ordinary Life Is A Surreal Comedy Masterpiece

A thin line separates slice of life from full-blown comedy, and Nichijou is one of the best representatives of both genres. Orbiting around three friends, a professor, a robot, and a talking cat, this series blends the mundane with the surreal, with the latter becoming more pronounced as the season progresses. Just to provide an example of the strangeness on offer, at one point, a character witnesses a wrestling match between her school’s principal and a deer. It is glorious.

Nichijou pushes “slice of life” into bizarre territory, but it is still ultimately a relaxing show without much in the way of conflict. The anime simply happens to follow “lives” that are not tethered to conventional reality.

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Bocchi The Rock! Will Make You Laugh, Cry, And Cheer

Bocchi the Rock!

Release Date

2022 – 2022

Directors

Keiichirô Saitô

Writers

Erika Yoshida, Aki Hamaji

2022 had more than a few great anime, but none surpassed expectations quite like Bocchi the Rock!. Based on Aki Hamaji’s manga, the show follows Hitori “Bocchi” Gotou, a talented guitarist who struggles with social anxiety. After spending middle school alone, Hitori wishes to turn things around by joining a band, but her insecurities constantly impede her dream. One day, she is randomly approached by a girl named Nijika Ijichi, who asks her to join Kessoku Band as their guitarist has gone missing right before a show. Unable to decline, Hitori finds herself on stage (and in a box) alongside two new bandmates.

On the surface, Bocchi the Rock! might seem like a “cute girls doing cute things” story, but that is not the case. The anime focuses heavily on Bocchi’s growth as she struggles to face the challenges of being in a band and just socializing in general. Surprisingly character-driven, the series blends imaginative and surreal comedy sequences with relatable moments driven by Hitori’s fears.

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Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Splits Its Time Being One Of Crunchyroll’s Best Comedies And Romances

Shuchiin Academy’s Student Council is run by Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, who both like each other but are anxious to admit it. Coming from vastly different backgrounds and suspicious of each other’s intentions, Miyuki and Kaguya take part in battles to see who will be tricked into announcing their feelings first.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War starts as an over-the-top comedy, one that almost parodies romance anime. However, the series steadily begins to properly explore its core relationships, allowing its characters to change and grow along the way. The Ultra Romantic season aired in the Spring of 2022, and Kaguya-sama went from strength to strength. While comedy plays a major role, the show is constantly pushing forward its relationships and producing heart-pounding romantic moments.

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Other Recommended Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Fantasy Anime On Crunchyroll

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Is The Greatest Fantasy Anime On Crunchyroll

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End might go down as Madhouse’s ultimate masterpiece. As the title suggests, the story takes place long after the hero’s party defeated the Demon King, ushering in a new era of peace. Frieren, an elf mage, has outlived most of her former companions, and she did not take full advantage of her time with them. Wishing to remember them while remnants of their original journey remain, she goes on a new adventure with a few young comrades.

Frieren is, essentially, a slice of life fantasy story, albeit one that has quite a bit of action along with a fairly concrete goal the characters are working towards. The anime is primarily about celebrating the present while learning from the past, providing experiences that encourage the protagonists to grow, reflect, and live. Most episodes are happy to just let Frieren, Fern, and Stark’s banter and occasionally interact with the locals. While the characters are brilliant, the anime also has clever and subtle world-building that convincingly hints at a long and complex history without relying on extensive exposition.

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Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Is The Best Isekai Fantasy Anime On Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is not lacking in isekai anime, so anyone looking to jump into another world will be set for a couple of months at the very least. The concept has produced plenty of great content; however, due to similarities in setting, tone, and protagonists, many of the subgenre’s shows can start to blend after a while. Although it shares imagery with other isekai series, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- is a unique beast.

A normal human, Subaru, finds himself teleported to a fantasy world with magic, waifus, and talking mascots. Standard as this setup might be, Re:ZERO wastes little time in establishing that it has no interest in telling a power fantasy story. Subaru’s journey is one filled with suffering, failure, and self-discovery. The side characters are also quite interesting, with season 2 doing a stellar job of expanding on Emilia’s personality.

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One Piece Will Take Over Your Life (And Let It)

Well, here is the big one. One Piece is almost impossible to recommend solely because of its length, which exceeded 1000 episodes years ago. Yes, newcomers who decide to start this shonen fantasy epic will likely have to dedicate the rest of 2026 to the Straw Hats, and they will need to watch multiple episodes every day to even come close. How can I possibly recommend a series that requires such a commitment to complete?

Well, the fact that One Piece is amazing helps matters. Although hardly flawless, Toei’s anime is so absurdly charming that it overrides the frustrating pacing, uneven animation, and endless recaps. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats are not only lovable as individuals, but they also combine to create one of the greatest found families in all fiction. While starting relatively small in scope, One Piece is pretty much constantly expanding, reaching the point where the heroes are taking on the world government and threatening entities that are unapproachable in this universe.

If you are just interested in seeing unique fantasy settings, then One Piece is perfect, as each island has a unique identity.

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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Is A Divisive But Great Isekai Anime

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is not the easiest show to unabashedly recommend since it stars a rather unlikable protagonist, especially during the first season; however, at its core, this is one of the best-written isekai anime of all time. Dying after committing his solitary good act, a NEET reawakens in a fantasy world as Rudy, a baby born to a loving couple. Rudy remembers his past life completely, and his former personality frequently shines through his actions. Unlike many other isekai stories, Mushoku Tensei‘s main character is not a blank slate or a self-insert.

Mushoku Tensei‘s world-building is generally fantastic, and the show does not rush things either. The story gradually chronicles Rudy’s life as he grows up and changes along the way. He does not become a beacon of virtue since he never really stops being deeply flawed, but he is not static.

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Best Romance Anime On Crunchyroll

Fruits Basket Is The Best Romance Anime On Crunchyroll

TMS Entertainment’s adaptation of Natsuki Takaya’s Fruits Basket manga is a work of art that tells a brilliant story that covers a wide spectrum of genres and, more importantly, does justice to each one of them. At points, Fruits Basket can be a hilarious comedy, an intense drama, or a devastating romance.

The show’s romantic element largely revolves around Toru, Yuki, and Kyou, and Fruits Basket has arguably the best love triangle in anime. Even if romance tends to be an acquired taste, Fruits Basket‘s appeal is universal. This is one of the absolute best anime on Crunchyroll.

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Given Is A Fantastic Boys Love Anime

Given

Release Date

2019 – 2019

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Akiyo Ohashi

Romance anime are an acquired taste, and boys’ love stories take that to the next level. While reasonably popular in the grand scheme of things, the shounen-ai genre is also rather insulated and might seem impenetrable to the uninitiated. Ultimately, these are simply romance shows featuring two male leads. If someone is unsure where to start, then they can hardly do any better than Given​​​​​​.

The anime focuses on four band members, two of whom are in high school while the others are college students. Even though each character is well-written and gets their time to shine, the series primarily revolves around Mafuyu and Ritsuka, the high schoolers. The former is the latest addition to the band, and while he is not that accustomed to music, he is passionate about learning.

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Your Lie In April Blends Romance, Drama, Comedy, And Tragedy

Your Lie in April

Release Date

2014 – 2015

Directors

Kyohei Ishiguro

Writers

Takao Yoshioka

Your Lie in April has become a cornerstone of the romance genre. The beloved manga led to an anime adaptation, along with a light novel extension and a live-action movie. For the most part, each iteration of the story or addition to the franchise is, at the minimum, pretty good. At their best, they are fantastic, and the anime falls within the latter category.

Music serves as this tale’s beating heart. Not only does it bring together the main characters, but it also fuels their passion, growth, and trauma. Following a personal tragedy, the young Kosei has struggled to play the piano, letting his talent go to waste. One day, he meets Kaori, an exceptional violinist who embraces life with every fiber of her being. Kosei is drawn to Kaori, and vice versa.

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Ouran High School Host Club Is A Shojo Anime Classic

Honestly, Ouran High School Host Club could easily be slotted into the harem and comedy categories since it represents both genres at their best. However, this anime has a broad appeal that makes it an easy recommendation to pretty much anybody, regardless of whether they are into those genres. Among the most accessible and beloved shojo anime of all time, Ouran High School Host Club follows Haruhi, a girl who ends up working at the eponymous club after she breaks a vase. Crucially, she tends to be mistaken for a guy due to her fashion sense, which is sometimes used for comedic purposes but never for ridicule.

Ouran High School Host Club is filled with lovable characters who are equally capable of inspiring laughter or tears. Haruhi is a fantastic female lead, and she is supported by one of shojo’s greatest leading men: Tamaki. The rest of the reverse harem members are all three-dimensional characters too, and they have more going on than their dynamics with Haruhi.

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Other Recommended Romance Anime On Crunchyroll:

Best Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll

Steins;Gate Is Maybe The Best Anime On Crunchyroll

Steins;Gate

Release Date

2011 – 2011-00-00

Network

Sun TV, Teletama

Directors

Kazuhiro Ozawa, Kanji Wakabayashi, Tomoki Kobayashi, Koji Kobayashi, Tomoko Hiramuki, Hisato Shimoda, Shigetaka Ikeda, Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, Yuzuru Tachikawa

Adapted from a visual novel, Steins;Gate is split into two halves: the first twelve episodes have an almost slice of life tone as they follow the quirky lives of the Future Gadget Laboratory’s members, led by the enigmatic Rintaro Okabe. The anime’s second half is a sci-fi thrill ride centering around the consequences of time travel and the people willing to kill for it.

Both halves are brilliant when viewed in isolation, and they are even better when taken as a whole. Steins;Gate meshes together an array of genres, and it executes all of them well. After completing the series, Crunchyroll subscribers can also check out Steins;Gate 0, an alternate reality spin-off that is pretty fabulous in its own right.

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Dandadan Is The Ultimate Mash-Up Of Genres

To be honest, Dandadan fits into four categories: Action, Comedy, Romance, and Sci-Fi. More importantly, it excels at pretty much all of them, proving itself to be a flexible master of genres, styles, and personality. The best anime of 2024, and one of the best of 2025, follows Momo and Okarun as they get into wacky supernatural and sci-fi misadventures, nearly all of which are massive in scope and execution. From aliens to kaiju and ancient worms, Dandadan is willing to go anywhere, and that approach is absolutely fantastic.

What centers Dandadan is that everything is built upon and services the characters’ relationships, particularly Momo and Okarun’s endearing dynamic. Seriously, this over-the-top battle shonen tells one of the best love stories of the current decade, at least in anime. It doesn’t matter if you are into any of these genres; give Dandadan a try.

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Space Brothers Is An Underappreciated, Realistic Sci-Fi Anime

Space Brothers

Release Date

2012 – 2014

Network

Nippon TV, YTV

Directors

Hideaki Uehara, Shigeru Ueda, Takahiro Harada, Matsuo Asami, Nanako Shimazaki, Yasuo Tsuchiya, Daiji Suzuki, Toshimasa Ishii, Akiko Seki, Shigeru Yamazaki, Yoshihiro Oka, Hisatoshi Shimizu, Fumio Maezono, Yukihiko Asaki

Space Brothers is a different type of sci-fi anime, one grounded in reality. As its title suggests, the story follows two siblings who, as kids, wished to become astronauts. While one brother pursued this ambition, the other did not; however, the latter got an opportunity to change that, and he decided to seize it.

Space Brothers focuses heavily on the hard work and dedication required to head out into space. Most of the narrative centers on Mutta Nanba’s training, and while these stretches can last for quite a long time, they are generally intriguing and immersive. When it does venture out into the great unknown, the anime is impossible to put down.

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Cowboy Bebop Is A Must-Watch Masterpiece

Cowboy Bebop transcends anime, and that goes beyond Netflix’s mediocre live-action adaptation. The 1998 series not only introduced plenty of people to the glorious world of anime but also demonstrated that shows like Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon are just a small slice of what the industry has to offer.

Set in the (not too) distant future, humanity has set up roots across the galaxy. The eponymous ship belongs to two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet, who are willing to take on all sorts of odd jobs. Before long, their crew expands to include Faye, Ed, and an adorable dog. Cowboy Bebop offers a perfect mix of stand-alone episodes and serial storytelling; the former are highly entertaining, while the latter add depth to the characters. The anime’s soundtrack is also phenomenal.

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Gurren Lagann Is The Best Mecha Anime On Crunchyroll

Gainax’s Gurren Lagann is hype in anime form. No, that makes it seem like the show is nothing but glorious action, but this 2007 anime backs its universe-spanning conflicts with multifaceted characters, a consistent thematic identity, and ambitious storytelling. Gurren Lagann is all about pushing beyond your limits in search of freedom.

Toeing the line between sci-fi and pure fantasy, Gurren Lagann‘s greatest strength is that the anime never ignores its human element in favor of spectacle. Ultimately, this is a coming-of-age story that just happens to take place in an incredibly unconventional reality.

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Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion Is Wildly Entertaining

In 2006, anime had a thing for empowering manipulative geniuses with a desire to shape the world in their image. Code Geass envisions an alternate reality where Japan fell at the hands of the Britannian Empire; while a resistance group does exist, they are barely more than a small nuisance for the country’s rulers. At least, that was the case until a new hero, Zero, rose up to protect the Japanese people from the discriminating Empire.

Zero’s real identity is Lelouch, and his actions are not quite as noble as they might seem to the public. The rebel fighter also has the power to force someone to follow one order, an ability Lelouch uses to good and horrifying effect. Combining mind games and mecha battles, Code Geass is a highly entertaining show with barely a dull moment to be found.

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Other Recommended Sci-Fi Anime On Crunchyroll:

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Best Slice Of Life Anime On Crunchyroll

Journal With Witch Is One Of The Best Anime Of The Year

Journal with Witch

Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

Network

BS Asahi

Directors

Miyuki Ooshiro, Tomomi Kawatsuma, Satomi Nakamura, Mitsuki Kitamura

Except for Frieren season 2 and Witch Hat Atelier, Journal with Witch is arguably the greatest anime of 2026 so far. At the bare minimum, it is the best slice of life anime in a long time, although it is far more emotional than the genre’s typical release. After the death of her parents, Asa moves in with her aunt, Makio. The two have wildly different personalities and social preferences, which adds tension to their new situation, especially since Asa is naturally grieving.

Unlike so many series that skate through tragedy, Journal with Witch lets the characters experience them in their entirety as part of the healing process. On her side of things, Makio is presented as a realistic adult who has plenty of complications of her own. That might paint a heavy picture, but Journal with Witch isn’t just that. The anime showcases the different facades of both of their lives, with most of the episodes revolving around Asa and Makio’s attempts to live together.

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Natsume’s Book of Friends Has 7 Seasons Of Slice-Of-Life Supernatural Bliss

Ever since he was a child, Takashi Natsume has been able to see yokai, an ability he inherited from his grandmother. The teenager also received something else from his grandmother: a book containing the names of different spirits. This gives the notepad’s owner authority over these yokai, making Natsume a target for all sorts of entities.

This premise seems made for a supernatural action series, but Natsume’s Book of Friends takes things in another direction. Rather than vicious battles, Natsume only wants to return each name, freeing the yokai from the book’s control. This journey is a generally peaceful one.

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A Place Further Than The Universe Is A Short But Unforgettable Journey

Classifying A Place Further Than The Universe as slice of life does not feel 100% accurate since the show’s subject is far from ordinary. The anime follows four girls who wish to go to Antarctica, all of whom have their own reasons for pursuing this ambitious goal. Madhouse’s series is powerful, heartbreaking, funny, and grounded (despite the somewhat outlandish premise).

Even though the girls are focused on their destination, A Place Further Than The Universe is just as much about the journey, and this is very much a coming-of-age story. Boasting gorgeous animation, an unbeatable story, and lovable characters, this show has very few peers in anime.

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Barakamon Is An All-Time Slice Of Life Masterpiece

Slice-of-life stories might generally avoid drama as they try to stick to the status quo, but that does not mean their characters cannot undergo development. Barakamon is a prime example of the genre’s capacity for crafting narratively satisfying journeys fueled by a protagonist’s growth. Sei, a talented calligrapher, reacts to criticism in the worst possible way, which prompts his father to send him to an island where he can “work.” In truth, the goal behind this trip is to push Sei to develop his social and interpersonal skills.

Barakamon emphasizes the importance of finding and engaging with a community. In the span of just 12 episodes, Sei undergoes an extraordinary change that is fully earned and never comes across as forced. The anime is also consistently hilarious, and all of its humor is wholesome.

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March Comes In Like A Lion Is More Drama Than Slice Of Life, But It Is Incredible

Thanks to its indecipherable name, March Comes In Like a Lion can be a hard sell. While good, the anime’s opening season moves at a glacial pace at times and focuses quite a bit on its protagonist’s shogi career, with most of these scenes being dry. Consequently, some people might drop the show before reaching season 2, which comfortably places March Comes In Like a Lion among the best anime on Crunchyroll.

Orphaned at a young age, Rei moves in with a family friend, a place where he never quite feels like he belongs. That feeling extends to nearly every part of Rei’s existence, although that starts to change when he meets the Kawamoto sisters. March Comes In Like a Lion tells a coming-of-age story that deals with depression, anxiety, listlessness, loneliness, and bullying. Rather than settle for easy answers, the anime takes a realistic look at all of these themes, and it handles them very well.

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Best Sports Anime On Crunchyroll

Ping Pong The Animation Is The Most Experimental Sports Anime On Crunchyroll

An argument could be made that most sports anime are not truly about their chosen activities, but they tend to follow a formula that allows them to be grouped into a specific genre. Despite its on-the-nose title, Ping Pong the Animation has little in common with traditional sports shows, to the point that the series basically belongs in its own category. Peco and Smile have been tight for years, with the latter seeing the former as something of a hero. They are both regarded as Ping Pong prospects, although Peco begins to fall off after he suffers a loss.

Ping Pong the Animation uses a rather simple setup to tell a complex tale about growing up, anxiety, expectations, and friendship. In just 11 episodes, the show completely dissects its characters, going beyond just Smile and Peco. Visually, the anime is undoubtedly unique, even if the art style might not be to everyone’s tastes.

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Haikyu!! Is The Best Sports Anime On Crunchyroll

Haikyu!! is about volleyball; to be exact, it is about passionate players who refuse to give up their desire to play the sport regardless of the obstacles in their way. It is about the partnership between the energetic Shoyo Hinata and the unapproachable Tobio Kageyama, two people who do not get along but also bring out the best in each other. It is about teamwork, hardship, success, and failure. Basically, Haikyu!! is about life.

More importantly, this anime is ridiculously entertaining, be it through its captivating matches, memorable characters, or on-point humor. Each season is awesome in its own right, and there is scarcely a bad episode to be found across the series.

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Best Thriller Anime On Crunchyroll

Rainbow Is A Hard But Worthwhile Watch

Rainbow

Release Date

1972 – 1992-00-00

Network

ITV1

Directors

John Woods

Rainbow deserves to be watched by anyone craving a harsh and challenging drama. A historical look at adolescent correctional facilities in the 1950s, the story follows a group of prisoners who are effectively tortured during their stay by one of the most detestable villains in anime.

While those horrifying sequences are hard to stomach, they are complemented by the strong bonds that form between the prisoners as they refuse to give in to the prison guard’s cruelty. Rainbow is a mature seinen anime that shows the worst and best of humanity, often within the same few minutes. Although certainly not for everyone, this show is one of a kind.

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Takopi’s Original Sin Was The Best Anime Of 2025

Takopi’s Original Sin

Release Date

2025 – 2025-00-00

Network

Bandai Channel, Netflix, Prime Video, Niconico, ABEMA, Hulu, Disney+, FOD, d Anime Store, Anime Houdai, U-NEXT, TELASA, DMM TV, niconico Channel, Lemino, J:COM STREAM, milplus, WOWOW On Demand, Anime Times, Rakuten TV, VIDEX

Arguably 2025’s best surprise, Takopi’s Original Sin is an absolute triumph in nearly every way. Based on a short manga, the anime only lasts 6 episodes, but it makes every single second count. The story follows a cute alien, Takopi, from Happy Planet, who lands on Earth and befriends a depressed girl named Shizuka. Takopi’s goal is to try to make Shizuka smile, but he is way too innocent to really understand everything happening around him. Relentlessly bullied by one of her classmates and largely abandoned by her mother, Shizuka has been completely beaten down by the world, and she is desperate.

Takopi’s Original Sin tackles suicide, bullying, abuse, manipulation, and depression, themes that are not only rarely touched upon by anime but can also be handled so poorly that they cause a show to become infamous. Takopi’s Original Sin covers them spectacularly and with the nuance that they deserve, all the while telling an effective story that does not have a single dull moment. The writing is fantastic, and the same can be said for Enishiya’s animation.

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Psycho-Pass Is An Awesome Sci-Fi Police Procedural

Psycho-Pass immerses viewers in a dark, futuristic world where Japan is built upon a justice system that judges people on their potential to commit future crimes. Once a person’s Psycho-Pass is stained, they are removed from society with precious little hope of staging a comeback. The law is maintained by Inspectors and Enforcers, the latter of which are people already tagged as latent criminals.

Psycho-Pass is an intense sci-fi thriller that explores themes dealing with accountability and whether the preservation of the many outweighs an individual’s rights. Mature, violent, and thought-provoking, this anime is rarely an easy watch, but it is also never dull. Crunchyroll only has the show’s first two seasons, but they each tell complete stories in their own right. Season one is particularly strong and features one of the most memorable villains in anime.

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Vinland Saga Is Not A Natural Fit For The Thriller Genre, But It Needs To Be Recommended

Taking inspiration from history, Vinland Saga is an ambitious Viking story that touches upon revenge, guilt, and redemption. Currently, Wit Studio has produced two seasons, which follow Thorfinn as he seeks vengeance for the death of his father and then deals with the consequences of his choices.

While they complement each other beautifully, the seasons are wildly different, with the first delivering a fairly action-packed war epic that does a fantastic job of painting nearly all its characters in ambiguous colors. Season 2 is far more introspective, particularly in its dissection of Thorfinn, a protagonist who can initially come across as one-note. Vinland Saga is not only one of the best anime on Crunchyroll but also one of the greatest series of all time.

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Monogatari Is The Weirdest Anime On Crunchyroll (And Maybe The Best)

Some anime defy classification or incorporate so many genres that they become something utterly unique. These shows are often acquired tastes, but they can also be quite spectacular.

Even though it takes elements from the psychological, slice of life, and supernatural genres, Monogatari very much fits into its own bracket of anime. The only other show that is remotely comparable is Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and even then, any similarities are surface-level. An adaptation of Nisio Isin’s light novels, Monogatari is essentially about a guy who becomes sort of a vampire and winds up helping a group of girls suffering from supernatural afflictions.

That might be the show’s premise, but Monogatari is far more than just that. It is a dialogue-heavy drama packed with philosophical musings and the capacity to occasionally dish out a bloody battle. At the same time, this is an anime that is willing to craft extensive scenes revolving entirely around adolescent humor, frequently concluding on a juvenile punchline that seems to work in spite of itself. Monogatari is a visual masterpiece and a contender for Shaft’s greatest work, even if this same art style can be off-putting and overwhelming.

Basically, Monogatari is worth trying simply because there is nothing else like it.

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Anime That Don’t Fit Any Of The Above Categories

Not every series neatly fits into a common genre, and I don’t watch to stretch the definition to make them work. Therefore, this section is dedicated to great Crunchyroll anime that extend beyond the standard classifications.

• The Apothecary Diaries – One of the best anime of the 2020s, The Apothecary Diaries is a historical fiction piece that revolves around Maomao, a girl who uses her expertise in medicine and poison to solve mysteries set in the Imperial Palace.
• Dorohedoro – I guess this series could be classified as sci-fi, but I feel that is not really representative. Set in a grungy, dark fantasy world with traces of cyberpunk, Dorohedoro is about a guy with amnesia and a lizard for a head. The show has black comedy, gore, traces of humanity, and surprisingly nuanced characterization.
• Kingdom – A definitive epic war saga that is also perhaps the best historical anime on Crunchyroll.
• Mononoke – Horror and anime don’t really go together all that well, with almost none of the genre’s efforts being all that scary. Mononoke is not an exception in that regard, but it is a fantastic and surreal series that has very few peers.

FAQ

Q: Does every region have the same lineup of Crunchyroll anime?

No, Crunchyroll’s library can vary significantly from region to region. This article focuses on North America, so please take that into account when considering a subscription.

Q: Does Crunchyroll have every anime ever?

Crunchyroll has an impressively huge lineup that includes both classics and modern shows. That said, the streaming platform does not have every anime ever, nor does it come close to offering that (nor does it claim to achieve that).

Q: Does Crunchyroll have anime dubs?

Yes! Mind you, not every Crunchyroll anime has English or other language dubs, but quite a few of the major ones do. So, it is always worth checking to see if a show has alternative audios available.