Top 10+ Anime Everyone Should Watch at Least Once!

Some anime shows are so good you can only watch them once, rather than twice or more times.

While others are so bad you can’t even finish them.

Let’s talk about anime you need to watch at least once in your lifetime.

The kinds of anime that are:

Iconic.
Special.
Unique.
Underrated.

And those that deserve more credit than they’re given.

Here’s a list.

1. Monster

One of the original masterpieces depending on who you ask, this horror series to this day is one of the best of all time. A psychological series that few anime can compete with in 2024 and beyond.

The anime’s purpose is to show you the MONSTER that lies within each human being, waiting to come out when the wrong circumstances align.

It’s about a doctor who saves the life of a teenager who grows up to be a serial killer, and the guilt that comes with that reality.

2. Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is two stories. One, it’s about an introverted superhuman girl (Hina) who is lazy, demanding, powerful, and unintentionally comedic because of her nonchalant personality.

She lives with a Yakuza boss who finds her to be problematic at first.

The second story is of Anzu, a blonde girl with supernatural abilities but she ends up being homeless, living with the homeless, and gaining a new perspective on life that she ends up cherishing after her emotional experiences.

This anime is both comedy gold and a wave of strong emotions that are relatable and easy to empathize with.

3. Kill La Kill

Kill La Kill is about Ryuko Matoi, a daughter who wants revenge for the murder of her grandfather. She carries the scissor blades he gave to her.

She reaches Hannouji Academy with an attitude, gets disciplined, and then retreats to rethink her strategy. Ultimately this anime is about revenge but it morphs into so much more than that.

One of those things is the ecchi, fanservice side of things which is about empowerment, except it’s written in the most hysterical, non serious way you can imagine.

It’s too good of an anime to not watch at least once.

4. Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann is the hype man of the mecha world. The type of mecha series that feels like an adrenaline rush, a high, where you don’t want to get off.

It’s not just all hype though. The anime has a message, a meaning, and a purpose.

The main characters have lived underground for most of their lives like most people around them. This leads to the belief that they can never reach the surface and see what it looks like to be “outside”.

But Kamina, an important character doesn’t believe it’s impossible at all. His imagination inspires others and they find a way to break out of their underground world and reach the surface despite the dangers that await them.

It’s a story of using your imagination to fuel your drive, being motivated, and pushing forward no matter the challenge. But with bits of comedy, lighthearted content, and some more serious moments to add to it.

5. Death Note

Death Note is iconic, classic, and deserves to be put on a pedestal. But even if you don’t end up seeing it that way after watching it, it’s still one of those anime that you need to see at least once.

Just to get an understanding, and of course, to understand how this anime has influenced so many down the line with its ideas in the psychological, pathological, and supernatural sense (in terms of violence and strategy).

6. Code Geass

Code Geass only had two seasons and those seasons alone have made it one of the most iconic and respected series ever made in anime history.

The main themes in this anime are:

Battle.
Strategy.
Tactics.
War.
Pilitics.
Mecha.

And the complex drama in between that fuels the story, the emotions, the hatred, and the quality of storytelling.

7. Cells At Work

Cells At Work is an underrated series that classes as shonen. While it might be entertaining, it’s also educational, teaching you about red blood cells, white blood cells, how they function, the science behind it, and more.

All factual and has no BS.

Add the entertainment factor and the equality of the writing and you have an anime that’s a standout masterpiece (or quality series) that clearly isn’t getting enough credit for its creativity.

An anime you have to at least watch ONCE in your lifetime.

8. High School Of The Dead

High School Of The Dead isn’t even an anime I consider a quality series. But in the spirit of watching an anime at least once, this is one of those anime I recommend for different reasons.

It’s the sheer ridiculousness of its ecchi moments considering this anime is supposed to be a horror show filled with zombies and a zombie apocalypse. Plus a cast of characters trying to survive.

It sounds serious but the fanservice and its choice of storytelling make it funnier than it’s supposed to be.

The famous “sniper” scene is worth its weight in gold to prove the point of the anime being silly for a horror, but not in your average style.

9. Konosuba

Konosuba is a comedy series that will either hook you into the franchise based on its ridiculous comedy or make you hate it because of how ridiculous the comedy can be.

When I first watched it I wasn’t interested, and almost dropped it. But after giving it a chance my view changed.

For Isekai fans in particular it’s not just known, but it’s an anime you have to watch at least once to get a taste of something different in the world of Isekai and its typical tropes and cliches.

The 4 character cast always brings something to the table that will lighten the mood and help you let out some needed laughs, hysterically.

10. Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon is the perfect anime when it comes to concepts like Gangsters, drugs, the underworld, smuggling, and the grittier side of life in general.

The main character is called Rock. He is kidnapped and in the midst of the kidnapping, he decides to become part of the Lagoon company (those who kidnapped him) because he’s sick of his life and his job.

The other main character Revvy Rebecca, who he becomes closer with, and Dutch, the leader, welcome him aboard and he experiences a side to a life he’s been sheltered from.

Urban streets, warfare, guns, action scenes that are hard to not be entertained by, and personalities of all kinds make this action packed anime worthy of being watched at least once.

11. Seitokai Yakuindomo

Seitokai Yakuindomo is a successful franchise that does things a little differently. In this school/slice of life series, the comedy is geared towards inappropriate lighthearted jokes relating to sex, nudity, and things of that nature.

The main female character, Shino Amakusa, is the student council president. With Suzu Hagimura being the “genius”, and Shichijou being the supposed airhead.

That leaves Tsuda, the new member as the only male character and an important reason for this anime’s shenanigans and comedy.

In a world that’s trying to make everything “cute” and politically correct, Seitokai Yakuindomo is refreshing and a needed breath of fresh air that you should watch at least once.

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