As one of the largest anime fan hubs online with over 4 million subscribed members, the Reddit anime community (r/anime) makes an ideal barometer for the most praised series. But new watchers may find the sheer breadth of Japanese animation intimidating. Have no fear – below I‘ll spotlight Reddit‘s 10 highest ranked anime series as ideal entry points for newcomers while including cool trivia for diehard otaku!
Why Turn to Reddit For Anime Suggestions?
Thanks to many niche interest forums across entertainment mediums, Reddit enables in-depth analysis and discussion. Within the thriving r/anime subreddit, fans vigorously debate new hit simulcasts along with all-time greats. Through upvotes and comment sentiment, clear favorites emerge regardless of air date or genre.
In an annual poll of over 8000 subreddit subscribers asking members to list their top 10 series, the below shows dominated with hundreds of votes apiece. These picks also align with wider critical discourse and industry accolades.
While personal taste plays a role, the Reddit list provides an insightful flashpoint into each era‘s landmark anime that newcomers can rely on as a crash course in the medium‘s history. Now let‘s count down the hits!
#10. K-On! (2009) – Cute Girls Do Cute Things…While Rocking Out!
The only 21st century show cracking the top 10, this slice of life series chronicled four bubbly high school girls forming a pop band. Relatable characters and humor-centric episodes with positive messages make it a lighthearted breather from action-packed contemporaries.
Though often labeled typical "cute girls doing cute things" (CGDCT) anime, K-On! elevated the genre‘s craft with production studio Kyoto Animation‘s captivatingly fluid animation and a frothy J-pop soundtrack. No wonder fans crowned it a modern moe classic!
|Series Info||
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|Release Years| 2009-2011|
|Episode Count| 39 + film|
|Genre Tags| Comedy, Music, Slice of Life, School|
|Streaming Avail.| Hulu, HiDive|
#9. JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure (1987-present) – Flamboyant Fisticuffs Spanning Generations
Based on a manga running over 30 years, JJBA chronicles generations of the noble Joestar family battling supernatural evils with martial arts and psychic powers. Imagine soap opera drama meets Saturday morning cartoon with vampires!
Each Story Arc stars a different descendant of 19th century elite Jonathan Joestar – from his grandson Joseph‘s Indiana Jones-esque adventures in the 1930s to delinquent punk Jotaro Kujo in the late 80s.
The longest running shonen series here, JJBA hallmarks like overly macho poses and ghosts named for classic rock bands make it one of anime‘s wackier offerings.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years| 1987-present |
|Episode Count| 152+ |
|Genre Tags| Action, Supernatural, Adventure, Vampire |
|Streaming Avail.| Crunchyroll, Netflix |
#8. Cowboy Bebop (1998) – Slick Space Noir for the Ages
Set in a downtrodden solar system colonized by humanity, this sci-fi opus nails stylish action, wry comedy, and melancholy moods. Bounty hunter crew Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, and Edward Wong chase bail jumpers across space while trying not to kill each other…with mixed results.
Helmed by director Shinichirō Watanabe (later of Samurai Champloo), Bebop wowed with fluid animation and a genre-blending jazz soundtrack. No question why it remains influential in the U.S. and Japan decades later!
|Series Info||
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|Release Year | 1998 |
|Episode Count | 26 |
|Genre Tags | Sci-Fi, Action, Noir, Comedy |
|Streaming Avail. | Hulu, Funimation, Netflix |
#7. Attack on Titan (2013-present) – Bleak Survival Horror with Conspiratorial Twists
In a walled sanctuary guarding humanity‘s last stand against gigantic human-eating "Titans", hotheaded cadet Eren Jaeger joins an elite squad facing the horrors beyond to reclaim their world.
Despite ample blood and gore, this militaristic thriller enraptured global fans with its complex plot mixing political subterfuge, internecine warfare, and ethical quandaries around sacrificing lives for a greater good.
Now in its final season, Attack on Titan remains a commercial juggernaut both in Japan and abroad 12 years since its first manga issue.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years| 2013-2023 |
| Episode Count| 75+ |
|Genre Tags| Action, Horror, Drama, Mystery |
Streaming Avail.| Crunchyroll, Hulu Funimation |
#6. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-07) – Tactical Teen Rebellion
After his royal family‘s assassination, exiled imperial prince Lelouch vi Britannia leads a guerilla insurgency against the occupying dictatorship using his Geass power to compel others‘ obedience. He soon learns such magic comes with a price…
This slam-bang mecha thriller gained fame for strategically smart battles where Lelouch outsmarts far larger armies. Its giant robot rumumbles meets political chess matches proved this wasn‘t your average high school anime.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years | 2006-2007 |
|Episode Count| 50 |
|Genre Tags| Mecha, Action, Drama, Politics|
|Streaming Avail.| Netflix, Hulu, Funimation |
#5. Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996) – Ground Zero for Shonen Fighting Anime
This phenomenon spawned decades of multi-media spinoffs and stands tall as one of Japan‘s most successful multimedia exports. Who isn‘t familiar with golden-haired martial artist Goku battling villains threatening the Earth?
While later series refined the formula, DBZ earns credit for establishing shonen anime tropes like training montages, beam struggle battles, and ever escalating planet-demolishing bouts. DBZ also warrants praise for dynamically animated fight scenes that never disappoint.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years| 1989-1996 |
|Episode Count | 291 |
|Genre Tags| Action, Martial Arts, Comedy |
|Streaming Avail.| Funimation, Crunchyroll |
#4. Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014) – Top Choice for Fantasy Adventure
Plucky 12 year old Gon journeys to become a Hunter, an elite adventurer and bounty hunter, hoping to track down his missing father. After grueling training exams, Gon and his genius new friend Killua enter a fantastical world rife with danger.
Praised for tonal balance between cheerful antics and engrossing action, this adaptation remains favorite thanks to its creative world-building and variety of intriguing characters that avoiding one-note stereotyping.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years | 2011-2014 |
|Episode Count| 148 |
|Genre Tags | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
|Streaming Avail.| Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix |
#3. Gintama (2006-2018) – Zany Edo Period Mayhem
What exactly is Gintama? Imagine an Edo period samurai who fights aliens armed with laser swords while making pop culture jokes and you‘ve got the gist. Historical and sci-fi tropes collide in this long running comedy.
Frankly summarizing the show‘s ridiculous plots does it little justice. Gintama earned its warm reception through uproarious slapstick, parody humor, and sword-swinging action all lampooning cliches. It‘s the anime equivalent of the Marx Brothers meeting Akira Kurosawa.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years| 2006-2018 |
|Episode Count | 367 |
|Genre Tags | Action, Comedy, Parody |
|Streaming Avail. | Crunchyroll |
#2. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) – Psychoanalytical Mechas!
This allegorical deconstruction of mecha anime tropes still garners academic analysis decades later. Set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo demolished by mysterious beings dubbed "Angels", only specially selected 14 year olds can pilot Evangelion biomechs, humanity‘s last hope.
While the show‘s heavy use of psychological themes like the Hedgehog‘s Dilemma and references to Sigmund Freud seemed aimed at older viewers, Evangelion significantly impacted pop culture. Many cite this as lighting the spark for "anime as art" perceptions in the West.
|Series Info||
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|Release Year | 1995-1996 |
|Episode Count| 26 + films|
|Genre Tags| Mecha, Drama, Psychological |
|Streaming Avail.| Netflix |
#1. One Piece (1999-present) – Sailing Strong as the King of Anime Pirates
In a world teeming with quirky swashbuckling pirates and the Navy hunting them, rubber-bodied captain Monkey D. Luffy assembles a rag-tag crew – The Straw Hat Pirates – on his quest to claim the ultimate treasure, One Piece, and become king of pirates.
As the best selling manga ever, One Piece‘s epic world-building, bombastic fight scenes, and emotional storytelling have captured fans young and old for 25+ years while the anime closes in on 1000 episodes! Its popularity is truly unmatched even compared to the most buzzed new Netflix hits.
|Series Info||
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|Release Years | 1999-present |
|Episode Count| 1000+ |
Genre Tags| Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
Streaming Avail.| Crunchyroll, Funimation |
While the top 10 represents a well-rounded introduction to acclaimed anime series, Redditors passionately advocated for several niche favorites in the poll:
- Yu Yu Hakusho (1992-1995) – Beloved retro supernatural adventure from Hunter X Hunter‘s author
- Made in Abyss (2017) – Dark fantasy tale with enchanting worldbuilding but grim violence
- March Comes in Like a Lion (2016-2018) – An emotional drama spotlighting Japanese board games and depression
- Clannad (2007-2008) – Romance story with slice of life drama and some surreal fantasy touches
Their continued popularity proves anime‘s exceptional depth between blockbusters like Dragon Ball Z and artsier offerings like Evangelion. I hope detailing this top 10 list helps kickstart your own anime obsession! Let your journey commence!
