Need a New Series? Here Are the Best Anime Shows to Watch on Netflix Right Now

Netflix is becoming increasingly known for producing original, genre-spanning, crowd-pleasing content that spans everything from The Queen's Gambit and Bridgerton to The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Space Force, and #BlackAF. But did you know the streaming platform is also working on expanding its animated library as well? And we don't just mean for kids, either. Netflix has been adding more and more adult anime series to its repertoire and soon, it might just be a premiere destination for streaming anime.

Whether you're an anime-watching veteran or a total novice, there's an anime series for all levels of otaku, now available for streaming on Netflix.

Here are some of the best anime series on Netflix right now, both new anime releases and beloved classics.

Best Anime Shows on Netflix to Watch Now

1. Naruto

The story of Naruto is one of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki who longs to become a Hokage—leader of his village. He dreams of acceptance from his peers and being a hero, something we can all relate to.

The series is a for-TV adaptation of the fourth best-selling Japanese manga series in history (it's sold more than 250 million copies worldwide). Written by Masashi Kishimoto, the fact that Naruto is a ninja-in-training makes for some rather compelling fight scenes.

If you binge-watch the entire series (there are nine seasons on Netflix right now) and still can't get enough, there are several Naruto Shippûden movies you could also stream to prolong your Naruto hangover.

2. Japan Sinks: 2020

Based on the disaster novel of the same name (sans the "2020") by Sayo Komatsu, the anime Japan Sinks: 2020 is perhaps one of the most relatable titles on Netflix right now. Devastating earthquakes threaten the very existence of Japan and as the archipelago continues to sink, one family goes on the journey of their life.

If it sounds like 2020, minus the earthquakes and the sinking, that's because chaos is universal. Especially now more than ever when we've all experienced a year like last year.

3. Neo Yokio

Anime enthusiasts will say that Neo Yokio is an "anime-inspired show" rather than traditional anime itself and while that's an important distinction, fans of classics like Sailor Moon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dragonball Z will still enjoy Neo Yokio.

From series creator Ezra Koenig—of Vampire Weekend fame—Jaden Smith also voices Kaz Kaan in Neo Yokio, an anime-esque series set in a post-apocalyptic version of New York City that has been partially flooded out. Aside from some pretty exciting star-power backing this series, there's also the important supernatural plot line of Kaz Kaan fighting off demons against the backdrop of this dreary, future version of Manhattan.

Related: The 100 Best Shows to Binge on Netflix

4. Death Note

A clear fan-favorite amongst the anime streaming on Netflix right now, Death Note is the story of a Japanese high schooler, Light Yagami, who finds himself the owner of a mystical notebook. He quickly discovers it's the ultimate Burn Book, as after writing someone's name in the book, that person mysteriously drops dead.

5. One-Punch Man

It's the best of anime culture combined with the world of superheroes! One-Punch Man follows Saitama, the world's most powerful superhero who can take out any villain with, as the title suggests, just one punch. But in a surprisingly relatable twist, the One-Punch Man has some rather human kryptonites: depression and ennui, which complicate his job of saving the world.

6. Komi Can't Communicate

A comedy anime series with new episodes weekly, Komi Can't Communicate is about an aloof, anxious girl named Komi who, well, doesn't have the easiest time communicating. That is until she finds a friend in Tadano, a schoolmate who's magic power just might be helping Komi open up to him and other people.

7. Castlevania

Certainly one of the most popular anime titles amongst enthusiasts, Castlevania feels part-Buffy the Vampire Slayer, part-Game of Thrones, part-anime. A vampire hunter is tasked with battling Dracula's evil army of beasts in order to save the city. Set in medieval times and full of gory fighting sequences, the series, which was inspired by the video game, is pure fun to watch.

Related: The 25 Best Action Movies on Netflix Right Now

8. Avatar: The Last Airbender

One of the more well-known, mainstream anime series is Avatar: The Last Airbender, in which our protagonist is a 12-year-old named Aang, who wakes up from a long hibernation to learn he is the last hope in ending the Hundred Year War. As the only avatar with all four bending capabilities (airbending, earthbending, firebending, waterbending, and then eventually, energybending) that promise to defeat the Fire Nation once and for all, Aang is not only the secret weapon in ending the world's long-term turmoil, he's also one of anime's most beloved protagonists.

9. Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Exclusively streaming on Netflix is Pokémon Journeys, one of the newest adaptations of the classic anime show that gave us some of the world's most beloved animated characters.

In Journeys, Ash and Pikachu are back this time with a new friend, Goh. Together, they work as research fellows at Professor Cerise's lab and travel the world learning more than they ever thought they could about Pokémon.

10. Little Witch Academia

For fans of Sailor Moon and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there's Little Witch Academia. A young girl named Akko attends Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy and to put it plainly, she's no Hermoine Granger. Her witchcraft is rickety at best and her attempts at spells often go awry, but the antics and her bright and positive personality certainly make for an enjoyable little series that at its core is about friendship.

11. One Piece

There are many sagas of One Piece, and Netflix has many, but not all of them available. (It's kind of complicated, however, so I won't go into the nitty gritty here). In One Piece, we follow the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body appears to be made of rubber (a "superpower" Monkey acquired after eating a weird, unknown fruit). Now, he's on a mission to become the ultimate pirate king as he chases after One Piece, the ultimate treasure.

12. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

With three seasons out, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime in which demon characters attack. Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko are the only surviving members of their family, but their survival is complicated by the fact that Nezuko, too, is turning into a demon. To save his sister, avenge his family, and survive, Tanjiro must become the demon slayer.

13. A Whisker Away

Calling all cat lovers! A Whisker Away is charming and adorable and centers around Miyo Sasaki, who just so happens to be in love with her classmate, Kento. Miyo's version of flirting is to transform into a cat but the more she morphs, the more she becomes one with her cat-self.

Next up, these are the 18 best ways to watch cartoons for free.