See what’s next. Image: Powerhouse Animation/MAPPA/Science SARU/Netflix/Kotaku
Netflix always asks you, “Are you still watching?” after dipping your toe into a few episodes of a show, but it never quite hits the propositions for which shows to watch next. No lie, the Surprise Me Netflix feature pointed me in the direction of this little-known indie TV series, Stranger Things. Suffice it to say, I wasn’t surprised, nor did I want to see it. However, if you’re craving the best anime Netflix has to offer, this list has been curated for you.
Before you get your hopes up, this list isn’t going to include popular anime like One Piece, Death Note, Naruto, or Bleach, because well… it wouldn’t be exciting to read yet another “What to Watch” list of anime that already exist well-known names. Plus, you can watch these animes outside of Netflix’s streaming limits, so where’s the fun in that? Variety is the spice of life, and so are the 10 anime on this list.
Aggretsuko
If you’ve always wanted to watch an anime about a Sanrio character trying to make the most of her precious little life while being crushed under the weight of late capitalism and a lackluster love life, Aggretsuko is the series for you. This slice-of-life comedy anime follows Retsuko, a red panda with a hopeless office job. This may interest you : Netflix’s Top Movies and Shows: What’s Trending June 27, 2022. But don’t be fooled by this show’s quick-witted comedy and cute anthropomorphic characters, Retsuko “goes through it.”
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Although Retsuko is only 25 years old, there are many things that can annoy her: be it lazy colleagues who take advantage of her for being kind, or sexism that rears its ugly head in both her professional and personal life. Luckily for her, Retsuko has an outlet to vent her suppressed emotions in death metal karaoke.
While a Sanrio character bemoaning capitalism on paper seems like an oxymoron, Aggretsuko is surprisingly candid in his commentary on adult issues like workplace harassment, social media FOMO, and the disillusionment of modern romance as the all-encompassing solution to the problems of life. Hell, the show even has a union plot point, calling out Instagram on how the app is impacting users‘ self-image effects in recent seasons. Aggretsuko is brave, charming, relatable as hell, and worth a watch.
A Silent Voice
When you’re emotionally ready to cry your eyes out, be sure to set aside some time to see Kyoto Animation’s award-winning film, A Silent Voice.
Children in elementary school can be cruel, especially to those who stand out. Unfortunately, that’s the case with Shouko Nishimiya, a deaf girl who transfers from her elementary school soon after entering because of malicious bullying from her classmates. See the article : Top 3 Prime Video Exclusive To Watch After You Get Amazon Prime For Free. However, the main character of this film is not the lovable Nishimiya, but Shouya Ishida, one of the kids who bullied her the worst.
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With time comes the ability to learn and change. After years of wallowing in his own self-pity and guilt for bullying Nishimiya, Ishida seeks redemption by befriending Nishimiya. At the heart of A Silent Voice is not just the trials that come with re-establishing a past relationship, but the ongoing soul-crushing task of forgiving yourself for who you once were.
Baki Hanma
What if JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was less about buff-types battling powerful ghosts in increasingly stupid battles, and instead focused on buff-types battling with their gross but intriguingly muscular physiques in increasingly stupid battles measure up? Enter baki hanma. See the article : Top Netflix Movies and Shows: What’s Trending On June 29, 2022.
Baki Hanma by TMS Entertainment is an action anime about the world famous fighter Baki who fights against the toughest martial artists in the world. In this sequel, the 18-year-old finds himself in an Arizona state prison after kidnapping the President. It turns out that Baki’s act of domestic terrorism was all about fighting the world’s strongest man and Arizona prison inmate, Biscuit Oliver.
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Aside from the bizarre but detailed depiction of human anatomy in motion in the anime, Baki Hanma is also hilarious as hell. This feat is credited to the series’ universe taking place in our own. Baki and Oliver aren’t the only fighters in this prison, it just so happens that Mike Tyson (aka “Iron” Michael) and Che Guevara (aka Jun Guevaru) also deliver to the Arizona Prison Tournament.
Baki Hanma is among Netflix’s anime catalogs as one of the smartest fighting animes out there. While his character’s impossible physics takes some getting used to, the anime perfectly emphasizes the artistry and brutality of the martial arts while occasionally embellishing his character’s superhuman feats.
Beastars
Orange Studio’s Beastars is a psychological drama about the social unrest in a world of anthropomorphic animals. At the center of this conflict is a mild-mannered high school wolf named Legoshi, who, after the gruesome murder of his herbivore friend Tem, is on a hunt to uncover his killer’s identity among his classmates.
Admittedly, this crime-thriller story arc is skipped a bit in Beastars season one to flesh out the world-building and various societal issues between its carnivores and herbivores. Beastars, much like Disney’s 2016 animated film Zootopia, treats virtually every “ism” imaginable through the lens of its anthropomorphic animals. Subjects such as racism, sexism, and classism are explored ad nauseam throughout the series, but not in a way that resonates with viewers.
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Social commentary aside, the Beastars season 1 and season 2 theme songs are certified bangers. While 3D animation and anime are go-tos for most viewers, Beastars’ 3D animation has remarkable composition and maintains a consistently high level of animation quality throughout the show.
Fun fact: Beastars mangaka Paru Itagaki is the daughter of Baki creator Keisuke Itagaki.
Blue Period
Imposter syndrome is a plague that plagues every creative person, and no Netflix anime manages that fear better than Seven Arcs slice-of-life drama Blue Period.
Blue Period follows Yatora Yaguchi, a high school prodigy who’s tired of excelling in his academic work and is looking for something to ignite a spark in his life. After stumbling upon a beautiful painting by his classmate, Yaguchi joins his school’s art club and commits to learning how to create his own masterpieces.
Despite the praise from his classmates and teachers, Yaguchi develops impostor syndrome, leading him to compare his talent to the technical know-how and years of experience of his peers. Yaguchi must overcome his fear to pursue his dream of enrolling at Tokyo University of the Arts – one of Japan’s most prestigious art schools.
Blue Period not only serves as a great explanation of various painting techniques, but is also a profound coming-of-age story that explores the harsh realities of being an artist. The show doesn’t shy away from depicting suicidal thoughts, creative burnout, or the soul-crushing adversity that comes with seeking approval from others.
Castlevania
If you’ve been living under a rock for the last five years, you should know that Netflix’s Castlevania is one of the best original anime series on the platform.
A loose adaptation of Konami’s 90s Nintendo Entertainment System game Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Castlevania follows vampire slayer Trevor Belmont, mage Sypha Belnades and half-vampire Alucard as the trio battle hordes of demons and vampires from another world in order to save the… To save the world from the tyranny of the almighty vampire Dracula.
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But Isaiah, Castlevania was animated by Powerhouse Animation, an American studio and therefore should not be considered an anime! Be silent. Just as Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are honorary anime, so is Netflix’s Castlevania. Anime is a state of mind and Castlevania is a galactic-brained romp with a likable cast of heroes and villains from start to finish.
When it comes to video game adaptations, Castlevania is a masterclass in storytelling, dialogue, and animation. And with the upcoming spin-off series, now is a better time than any to dive into this vampire epic.
Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby my love how could I count the ways that you were the paradigm shift that put Netflix on the map in the anime scene. His soundtrack: slaps. His animation: godlike. And his story: damn flawless.
Devilman Crybaby by Science SARU is an avant-garde supernatural horror remake of the 1970s anime Devilman by Toei Animation. After a near-death experience, a mild-mannered high school boy named Akira Fudo transforms into the anti-hero Devilman. With the help of his childhood friend Ryo, Akira protects the world from devils wreaking havoc on Earth.
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Be warned: Devilman Crybaby is a heavy anime that more than deserves its TV-MA rating. Its 10 episodes are packed with gruesome gore and graphic sex scenes. Despite his rating, Devilman Crybaby isn’t edgy to be edgy. At the forefront of his storytelling is a story about identity and hope in a world gone mad.
That Devilman Crybaby manages to strike a balance between the horror and commentary of his story isn’t surprising considering the original Devilman served as inspiration for his fantasy king, Berserk, and the end-all-mecha deconstructions -Anime Neon served Genesis-Evangelion. Similar to Berserk and Neon Genesis Evangelion, it’s best to pace yourself while watching Devilman Crybaby instead of watching it. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
Dorohedoro
Dorohedoro’s elevator pitch reads as follows: A man named Caiman and his best friend Nikaido are on a quest to find the magician who transformed Caiman into a half-human, half-lizard being. To find this wizard, Caiman chews on her head, making the mysterious man in his body ask her if you’re the one who guessed.
Don’t be fooled by the imposing appearances of Dorohedoro’s characters, the show is a riot of violence and laughter in equal measure. In one moment, a character carving an idiot into a modern art sculpture can be undercut by characters silly waving at a friendly devil floating by. While many anime fans bemoan Dorohedoro’s use of CG anime when they compare it to the dingy, detailed art style of its manga counterpart, Mappa’s anime CG animation becomes surprisingly charming once you’ve watched a few episodes.
What sets Dorohedoro apart from other Netflix animes is its phenomenal worldbuilding. Unlike most dystopian anime, Dorohedoro’s seedy loch cityscape and troubled Magic User World feel inhabited. Every episode of Dorohedoro is brimming with detail
Also, much like Devilman Crybaby, Dorohedoro has a lot of bops in its opening and closing credits – most notably its Doom-inspired ending.
Great Pretender
If political espionage and heist anime are more your thing, look no further than Netflix’s Great Pretender.
This mystery series follows Makoto Edamura, a young marginalized pickpocket who unexpectedly finds himself in the company of international scammers. A new blood among the Robin Hood-esque thieves, Edamura must prove he’s a worthy addition to the crew by helping pull off increasingly impossible heists.
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Similar to the Lupine The Third anime, Great Pretender has impressive, stylish art direction and a groovy soundtrack. Even if you are a big fan of queen and cats, you will love the credits.
Kotaro Lives Alone
Kotaro Lives Alone follows a kindergarten kid named Kotaro who, as the title suggests, lives alone in an apartment unit. While the beginning of the show is full of gags about Kotaro’s peculiar living situation, it is later revealed that the reason the four-year-old is living alone is because Kotaro comes from an abusive household. Kotaro’s venture into living alone serves as a way for him to “get stronger.”
With the help of his neighbors, a mangaka, a hostess, and a yakuza, Kotaro recovers from his trauma and unlearns the harmful habits he developed while living in foster care.
In addition to the life lessons taught by his pseudo-guardians, Kotaro also gives them clear insights on how they too can improve their lives.
Violet Evergarden
Last, but not least, is Violet Evergarden, Kyoto Animation’s slice-of-life drama. Similar to his feature film A Silent Voice, this anime is a teardrop.
After the cruel war between two powerful nations is finally over, Violet Evergarden, a soft-spoken soldier, begins her new life as an “Auto Memory Doll” – a person who translates people’s feelings into words and writes letters for them. On her journey, meeting people from all walks of life and sifting through their trauma to write her letters, Violet must confront her own trauma – particularly the guilt of her survivors at the loss of their commander and lover, Gilbert Bougainvillea.
Every story in Violet Evergarden is as beautifully heartbreaking as it is beautifully animated. Throughout the series, Kyo Animation maintains a feature film quality of animation that perfectly emphasizes the sadness and opportunity for hope that comes with loss.
