Top 20 Binge Worthy Anime of the Century (So Far)

Script written by Dylan Musselman

Top 20 Binge Worthy Anime of the Century So Far

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Binge Worthy Anime of the Century So Far.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best of anime that leave you whispering to yourself “just one more” at the end of every episode.

Did we forget to mention a series that kept you up all night watching? Let us know in the comments.

#20: “Akudama Drive” (2020)

Channeling the madness of Danganronpa with the trappings of a Tarantino flick, Akudama Drive is the best kind of crazy. Revolving around highly skilled criminals, all of whom find themselves roped into taking on a dangerous job in exchange for some serious money, as well as their own lives. Naturally, everything goes wrong, with betrayal, death and wacky sci-fi twists spilling in every step of the way. Even if you regard it as style over substance, there’s a lot of fun to be had here with Swindler and the gang.

#19: “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

It’s popularity by this point is only matched by how bingeable it is! Following the slaughter of his family and his sister’s conversion to demon, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corp in the hope of seeking a cure. The breathtaking artstyle and epic scale of its battles have cemented it as a modern great, with its shonen storytelling allowing anybody to easily spiral down the rabbit hole. Between its arcs and record-breaking movie, it’s clear Demon Slayer fever is going to be sticking around for the long-haul.

#18: “Recovery of an MMO Junkie” (2017)

You can finish it in a single day, what are you waiting for? Falling into a mid-life crisis, Moriko decides to quit her successful job and throw all her time into an MMO RPG. She soon meets another player and begins to grow attached, not realizing that she may know them in real life. Heartwarming and adorable in every capacity, MMO Junkie tells a very relatable story about pursuing your passions even against societal pressures and the good and bad that come with it, and how anybody can find a little love along the way..

#17: “Odd Taxi” (2021)

Exquisitely written doesn’t even come close. Part mystery thriller, part meditation on Japanese culture as a whole, the series focuses on an middle-aged cab driver, who gets tangled up in the aftermath of a murder, with many of the key players just happening to end up in the backseat of his cab. Oh, and he’s also a walrus. The anthromopamoph edge might get some getting used to, but the snappiness and wit of the dialogue will have you entrenched before you know it.

#16: “The Seven Deadly Sins” (2014-15)

If binging this show is a sin, we don’t want to be right. After Princess Elizabeth’s kingdom is taken over, she seeks out the might of the Seven Deadly Sins; legendary warriors who were once framed, to help her take back her homeland from the traitorous Holy Knights. Not shying away from its sillier elements, there’s plenty of fun to be had here between the Sin’s individual quirks, personal journeys, and some great magical fights. Plus, you have to watch it for Escanor alone!

#15: “Fate/Zero” (2011)

If you need a place to start your descent into the Fate-Verse, we’d recommend this as a jumping-off point. It tells the tale of the Fourth Holy Grail War; a tournament where aspiring mages summon historical warriors to compete in a series of deathmatches to have their wish granted. The word convoluted might get thrown around a fair bit regarding this prequel, but the exceptional animation, wide variety of mythical and ancient characters and use of magic still paint it as one of the must-watch fantasies!

#14: “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.” (2016-18)

Quirky, crazy, and outright hilarious, Saiki K.’s day to day antics are a trainwreck that we can’t stop watching. Blessed with psychic powers that he deems a curse, Saiki struggles to lead a normal life but repeatedly runs into problems…mostly due to the rest of the normal yet equally outrageous cast. The fourth wall-breaking, fast pace of the jokes, and Saiki’s very own deadpan style of narration ensures that you’ll be laughing your antenna off before long.

#13: “Devilman Crybaby” (2018)

Insanity, tears, chaos - mesh it all together and you've got the crown jewel in the Netflix anime catalogue. When demons start to spill out into human society, former wimp Akira unwittingly fuses with one, and in doing attempts to save those he loves while struggling with his own dark desires. The animation feels like something close to a psychedelic trip with its vibrant colors, bizarre scenery and crazy runs, none of which takes away from just how heartwrenching and despair-inducing this series can be at the best of times. And you’ll still be happy for the ride.

#12: “One Punch Man” (2015-)

A premise so simple it’s almost beautiful. Deconstructing and taking jabs at the superhero trope, the story follows the exploits of the titular One Punch Man, Saitama; a man so strong that everything he punches is wiped out in only one hit. And that’s basically it. Despite being surrounded with all kinds of s-tier heroes, villains and everything in between, nothing comes close to the strength of Saitama’s fist. This not only makes for incredible action, but some stellar comedy, one that will have you drawn in all the way to that out of this world final boss fight.

#11: “Kuroko’s Basketball” (2012-15)

Trading in vicious battles for hype basketball matches, this is the sports anime that even casuals will adore. Eager to help his new team become the best in the country, basketball prodigy Kuroko lends his skills to Seirin, whilst competing against his former teammates for the championship. While not afraid to dip into anime logic from time to time, for the most part this is a riveting example of how sports, character growth and anime are a match made in heaven.

#10: “Kill la Kill” (2013-14)

As erotic as it is action-packed, Kill la Kill is quenessential Stuidio Trigger, firing on all cylinders with their outlandish sense of humour and ridiculously awesome fights. Following the tale of Ryuko Matoi and her quest to find vengeance for her father, Kill la Kill has sentient costumes, fanservice, slice of life, and so, so much more. Managing to toe the line between some serious topics and a light-hearted presentation, the series is compelling no matter which aspect of its crazy spectrum it's tackling. This is the anime that gave us Satsuki, it deserves your allegiance.

#9: “Erased” (2016)

Time travel and murder mysteries are apparently made for each other, especially when they’re layered together this magnificently. After being inexplicably transported back in time to when he was an elementary schooler, Satoru tasks himself with preventing the kidnapping and killings of his classmates, as well as uncovering the madman behind it. Unwavering in its exploration of both human failings and human compassion, Erased will thrill you from beginning to end. Fair warning, have someone close by to hug. This shit gets way too real, way too quickly.

#8: “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” (2021)

The isekai that started it all, and one in dire need of your attention. Starting off life as a depressed, wasteful layabout, Rudeus is given a literal second chance at life in a world where magic and monsters are commonplace. While the fantastical elements of the series are enjoyable on every level, it’s true heart lies in Rudy’s redemption, and how he slowly learns to become a better person whilst accepting his flaws. How something can be so heartwarming, savage, sleazy and eloquent at the same time is beyond us, but the mad lads accomplished it all the same.

#7: “Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

Swiftly establishing itself as this generation’s must-watch shonen, this series takes all the tropes you love, adds on an extra coat of darkness, and comes out swinging. After being bonded to a demonic entity, hard-headed yet lovable Itadori becomes a jujutsu sorcerer, with the intention of wiping out curses and ensuring the beast inside him remains sealed. What would be narrative pitfalls for lesser series excels here, from its magic system, its resident OP character, and its own particular brand of tragedy. Watch this space because this is only going to get better!

#6: “Made In Abyss” (2017-)

A work of art that loves nothing more than to strangle your soul, Made in Abyss is as bingeable as it is sadistic in the way in which it presents a captivating story with wholly innocent characters…who are forced to contend with both monsters and men of the worst kind. Alongside her cyborg companion, optimistic cave dweller Riko chooses to dive to the bottom of the chasm known as the Abyss in search of her missing mother, one that not only contains wondrous sights, but sinister forces all too happy to unmake them. Beautiful and blisteringly painful to watch at times, it's a trek that demands your attention, even if you want to turn away.

#5: “Higurashi: When They Cry” Franchise (2006-)

A horror show masquerading as a slice of life. When a new student arrives to a new town with the hope of enjoying a new life, he soon finds out that there’s something wicked afoot; a curse that loves nothing more than to loop time, just so it can present new opportunities for the cast to lose their minds and try to rip each other apart. Yeah, it’s one of those anime. Hardcore, yet engorssing, it may never truly give you that long-sought good ending, but seeing so many versions of the same characters try to fight their way out of worst kind of situations is still entertaining nonetheless.

#4: “Kaiji” (2007-11)

Shows based on death games are all the rage these days, with this being yet another classic example of why getting into debt is a terrifying thing. Desperate to overcome his financial hellhole, eternal loser Kaiji finds himself drawn into various games of life and death, all for the chance to earn that much needed green. He may be an idiot, but Kaiji’s quick-wittedness in the heat of the moment always makes for a riveting watch, especially with the crazy manner of contents tossed his way!

#3: “Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

Dreaming of finding his absentee father, Gon makes the fateful decision to become a hunter, and in doing so would helm what many consider to be the best shonen experience to date. The ingredients are all here - a fantastic tournament arc, foes with staggering complexities, fight scenes that put its contemporaries to shame, an endearing cast constantly challenged by the world around them, it just keeps going. The ride to reach the end is so good that it won’t even matter that a continuation seems increasingly unlikely…

#2: “Attack on Titan” (2013-)

Giant monsters, giant walls, and one angry youngster vowing to tear it all down. One of the century’s most explosive and enthralling anime experiences, Eren Jaeger and the Survey Corps’ mission to wipe out the Titans might sound like standard fare, but the series has quickly proven itself to be a master at subversive narratives and phenomenal world building. There’s never been a better time to dive in and see just what the hell everyone is talking about. You know, if you’re one of the two anime fans who haven’t chosen to take the plunge yet. You won’t regret it.

#1: “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

The second iteration of the Elric’s and their journey to find the Philosopher's Stone is generally agreed to be one of the greatest anime ever created, and it also proudly wears the crown of being the most binge-worthy, even with such a meaty episode count. Committing a terrible mistake whilst trying to bring back their deceased mother through the power of alchemy, Edward and Alphonse Elric’s journey to reclaim what they’ve lost is staggering in scope and effortless in execution. Brotherhood is no slouch when it comes to its brawls, but shines brighter than most when it comes to the introspection of its leads. No matter how you look at it, it’s the best anime has to offer.