Top 10 Anime Everyone Instantly Fell in Love With

Given its long hiatus and the mixed reception to season 2, it can be easy to forget how big “One Punch Man” was when it landed. The series hilariously lampoons common anime action and superhero tropes, while at the same time celebrating them with some absolutely killer fight scenes. And for as much as it’s a gag series, “One Punch Man” has some surprising depth to it as well, examining topics like ennui and the nature of heroism. The sheer hype of the gorgeous animation and the easy accessibility of its story helped make “One Punch Man” a success faster than a hit from Saitama - and that “caped baldy” is quite the speedster!

Cute anime girls forming a rock band is not a new concept. And yet, everyone was still over the moon about “Bocchi the Rock!” The series’ protagonist, nicknamed Bocchi, suffers from social anxiety, represented in the show by comedic and frequently bizarre changes in animation style. The series’ hilarious, offbeat moments (some of which parody other anime) often went viral online, leading to a consistent influx of fans during its initial run. The fantastic rock music, heartwarming friendships, and moments of personal growth certainly didn’t hurt either! Whether you relate to Bocchi’s worries or just think the jokes are hilarious, “Bocchi the Rock!” simply rocks!

This short anime film got everyone looking. “Look Back” tells the story of a pair of girls as they grow up, creating manga and art, both together and separately. The movie’s art style is beautiful and the music is incredible. Yet, it’s in the themes that “Look Back” shines. It examines why creators make art, as well as the impact of relationships on art and our lives. To say more would be to spoil an anime that isn’t even an hour long. But we’ll just say this - everyone who sees “Look Back” feels plenty of feels.

While there are certainly a lot of influences on “Dandadan,” there’s still nothing else like it! How many supernatural sci-fi rom-com action anime can you name? Much less one about two highschoolers battling ghosts and aliens while on a quest to retrieve the guy’s stolen privates! The sheer novelty of its unique premise would be enough to draw a crowd, but “Dandadan” blends its disparate parts together flawlessly! The animation is buttery smooth and makes striking use of colors in its spectacular action scenes. The comedy throughout is rude, bizarre, and hysterical! And if you’re not shipping Momo and Okarun by the end of episode one, we have to question whether you have a romantic bone in your body - and we’re not talking “bananas!”

It would’ve been easy to dismiss “Ranking of Kings” when it first came out. The storybook art style seems deceptively simple and the fantasy setting is pretty generic. And then, we all watched it, and Prince Bojji won us over instantly! The adorable protagonist may not be able to hear or speak with words, but his kindness and underdog story of reclaiming his kingdom still touched us all. While “Ranking of Kings” may appear straightforward, it’s surprisingly complex. All the characters are multifaceted and develop over time. The fight scenes are beautifully animated. Whether “Ranking of Kings” ranks highly in your personal rankings or not, it quickly secured a spot in all of our hearts!

Vikings have become increasingly popular of late, and this anime is no exception. The story of Thorfinn, a boy from Greenland, as he seeks revenge for the death of his father, “Vinland Saga” gripped viewers immediately with its grim and mature tone. An unconventional coming of age tale, the series explores the horrors of violence through the eyes of a young man, in one of the most profound anime stories in recent memory. But whether fans got into it for the action, the animation, or the beautifully written story and characters, “Vinland Saga” has brought us all on a journey of incredible discovery.

We spy with our little eyes, something beginning with PEAK! “Spy x Family” proved an immediate hit thanks to its delightful combination of action, comedy, and heartwarming family moments. A spy forming an ad-hoc family with an assassin and the most adorable child psychic sounds great on paper, but in practice it’s somehow even better! Thanks to its protagonists’ having a “particular set of skills,” it’s hilarious and awesome to see them try to apply them to everyday situations (as well as their day jobs). Plus, not only is Anya one of the cutest anime kids on the planet, she’s also basically a walking talking meme, with her every action or expression blowing up online!

Fantasy is everywhere in anime, but “Frieren” came along and showed everyone how it’s done! The story of the eponymous elven mage and several parallel journeys she undertakes, “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” has a lot to say about life and the little moments along the way. It perfectly balances the usual fantasy action, along with dramatic moments, hilarious comedy, and some subtle romance, all of which is underscored by some awe-inspiring music. While “Frieren” - the character and the show - may be fairly understated, viewers quickly came to appreciate their quiet depths and surprising majesty.

Now you may be saying to yourself, “of course everybody loved the new “Bleach” anime, it’s the conclusion of the previous one!” But think again! Longtime fans will tell you that “Bleach”’s final arc, which pits the Shinigami plus Ichigo and company against an army of Quincies, proved divisive in the manga. And for a variety of reasons, fatigue among them, the original run of “Bleach” did end prematurely. So, when “Thousand-Year Blood War” arrived on the scene sporting not only all of that old “Bleach” swagger, but also some god-tier animation and better pacing to boot, even the most skeptical of fans were won over! Call it absence making our hearts grow fonder if you want, but “Thousand-Year Blood War” rules!

If the ultimate meme anime becoming an overnight sensation surprises you, you haven’t been paying attention! The many strange and outlandish moments throughout the saga of the Joestar bloodline are absolutely grade-A meme-fodder, for sure. And yet, along with all those bizarre moments, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” also delivers a fantastic action-adventure series. The battles are strategic and involve both punches and mind games. Each part delivers a colorful new cast of characters, yet they all still feel like they belong to one cohesive narrative. And speaking of colors, the odd shading choices for the series make its look truly unique. Even if, DIO forbid, you’re not a “JoJo” fan, the series is truly inescapable.


Is there an anime the internet immediately had a love affair with that we forgot? Share your love for your favorites in the comments!