Crunchyroll has the world's biggest library of Japanese anime. It's perfect for watching ongoing series since the newest episodes arrive on the platform an hour after their Japanese premiere. In Spring 2022, Funimation merged with Crunchyroll, making its vast library even bigger.

It can be difficult to choose which anime to watch next since there are so many titles. Fortunately, Crunchyroll always adds new titles, whether they're older classics or brand-new series from every anime genre. There's an anime out there for everyone, and more likely than not, new viewers can find it somewhere in Crunchyroll's extensive library.

Update on April 12th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: Now that the Spring 2024 anime season has started, anime fans are in the mood to find the best possible anime on all of their favorite steaming platforms, Crunchyroll included. So, this list of the best anime on Crunchyroll has been updated again to add five new entries, and it also adheres to CBR's current publication standards.

30 Mashle: Magic and Muscles is About One Boy Fighting Back as a Heroic Muggle

Mashle: Magic and Muscles isn't just "Saitama goes to Hogwarts," though it has elements of that, too. Most of all, the Mashle anime is about self-acceptance and overcoming prejudice, giving it some surprisingly resonant and inspiring themes as a comedy action anime. Mashle features hard-hitting action sequences, goofy comedy, fun characters, and delightful satirical element as one of the best anime on Crunchyroll.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.62
• IMDb: 7.6
• Anime Planet: 3.98/5

In Mashle's story, the quiet himbo lead Mash Burnedead was born a Muggle in a world where magic means absolutely everything, and he's scorned for being a supposed lesser. But Mash is ready to fight back, literally and otherwise, to carve out a niche for himself in the world and prove that friendship, respect, and a good workout are more important than arcane talents.

29 The Dragon Ball Franchise Set the Standard For Modern Shonen

The legendary Dragon Ball franchise is more popular than ever, and fans can watch an immense amount of Dragon Ball content on the Crunchyroll site and app. That includes the classic original Dragon Ball anime, the beloved Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, the GT series, and 16 different Dragon Ball movies.

Dragon Ball Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.97
• IMDb: 8.67
• Anime Planet: 3.97/5

The story of Dragon Ball follows the Saiyan martial artist Son Goku, who adopted Earth as his new home and now fights hard to defend it from many alien -- and sometimes human or robot -- threats. The original anime is a winning blend of comedy and action, while the later series, starring adult Goku, lean more toward brutal action and cosmic stakes, but never forgot the series' trademark humor to make the Saiyan adventure fun.

28 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun Is a Colorful Isekai Adventure in the Demon Realm

Even if Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun isn't the single best isekai anime ever, it's still one of the better isekai anime on Crunchyroll to keep genre fans entertained. The Iruma-Kun! anime helps buck the trend of overpowered self-insert heroes by starring a kind boy named Iruma Suzuki who just wants to make everyone around him happy as the lone human in the demonic Netherworld.

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.74
• IMDb: 7.6
• Anime Planet: 4.08/5

Iruma Suzuki must maintain his cover as a human being while attending the Babyls school for young demons, where he will make some wonderful new friends and inspire them to embace the power of friendship and be their best possible selves. Iruma may not like fighting, but a few times in the anime, he must step up as a brave defender of peace, mostly with his magical Ring of Gluttony to give him the edge.

27 A Sign of Affection Features a Charming College Student Falling in Love

A Sign of Affection is a wonderful example of fresh representation in the world of anime. In this case, the heroine, Yuki Itose, is deaf and communicates mainly through text messages and Japanese Sign Language. That has limited her social life, but she still has a few good friends to call her own, and now she's ready to meet more people in college, too.

A Sign of Affection Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.28
• IMDb: 7.9
• Anime Planet: 4.29/5

The plot gets into motion when Yuki meets an adventuruous, handsome young man her age named Itsuomi Nagi, who enjoys traveling to other countries to meet new people and explore new cultures. In many ways, Itsuomi will expand Yuki's world, all while he learns sign language to express himself in new ways and connect with his lovely classmate Yuki. It's definitely one of the best romance anime on Crunchyroll, and one of the best new anime on that platform, too.

26 The Apothecary Diaries Stars a Girl Who Heals People

The Apothecary Diaries is a popular fantasy anime set in a Chinese-inspired, pre-modern world that anime fans can lose themselves in. The story focuses on the young female lead, Maomao, who works in an apothecary until her servitude is finally over. She may work in a red-light district, but she's more interested in medicine and how to heal people with it.

The Apothecary Diaries Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.93
• IMDb: 8.7
• Anime Planet: 4.61/5

Maomao tries to keep a low profile in the world of The Apothecary Diaries, but she will soon make a name for herself after using her medicinal skills to heal the children of the royal court. An influential eunuch will get involved, and that means Maomao will end up investigating more medical mysteries and help more people with her apothecary's stock.

25 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Tells the Tale of Six Joestar Family Heroes

The legendary JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga series, written and drawn by author Hirohiko Araki, launched in 1987, and the current anime launched much later. This is an anthology series, where each season tells its own story arc with a unique Joestar family protagonist, starting with Jonathan Joestar and ending with Jolyne Cujoh.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.89
• IMDb: 8.5
• Anime Planet: 4.08/5

The JoJo's series is famed for its creative Stand-based combat system, where creativity and resourceful thinking mean more than brute strength, and the series is also popular thanks to its off-beat humor and wacky characters in every arc. The original manga has a few more storylines beyond that, but there is no anime adaptation for them just yet. Fans should also note that the season with Jolyne Cujoh is not currently on Crunchyroll, but fans can find it on other streaming platforms.

24 Horimiya Shows What Low-Drama Relationships Should Look Like

Even if the Horimiya manga/anime franchise doesn't break new ground with the "high school rom-com" concept, it still makes the most of this comforting formula. This makes it one of the best anime on Crunchyroll for fans of humorous, light-hearted teenage adventures. It also has a pleasant animation style and has strong appeal for both shonen and shojo fans.

Horimiya Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.2
• IMDb: 8.1
• Anime Planet: 4.33/5

Horimiya has an underlying theme about people hiding their true selves from everyone except their closest friends and lovers. Indeed, protagonist Izumi Miyamura may look gloomy and sad, but he's actually a cool guy who can get along with anyone. His classmate-turned-girlfriend Kyoko Hori loves him for that, even if she's a bit rough and hot-tempered. The anime's first season is the main story, and interested fans can also check out the Horimiya: Pieces season, which includes many short storylines and skits that didn't end up in the original season.

23 One Piece Is the Epic Journey of Luffy, the Future Pirate King

By now, One Piece has cemented its position as not just one of the best anime on Crunchyroll, but of all time. One Piece is the legendary story of the rubbery hero Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to roam the world freely, building his own pirate crew while searching for the fabled One Piece treasure.

One Piece Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.71
• IMDb: 8.9
• Anime Planet: 4.3/5

One Piece has become a long-standing pillar of the anime community, with countless episodes and over a dozen movies to its name. Among all the anime on Crunchyroll, it will take the longest to catch up on One Piece, but it's worth it for shonen fans. By now, the One Piece anime has finally concluded the Wano story arc and has begun the Egghead Island arc, bringing the story into the final saga at long last. Fans might also check out the live-action version on Netflix or wait for The One Piece, a shortened anime adaptation of this legendary tale.

22 Hell's Paradise Features Criminals Fighting For Survival on a Supernatural Island

Many anime fans consider Hell's Paradise a member of the unofficial "dark trio," alongside Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. All three of them rank among the best anime on Crunchyroll for action/horror fans, with their gritty characters and intense action sequences.

Hell's Paradise Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.14
• IMDb: 8.2
• Anime Planet: 4.23/5

Hell's Paradise takes place in pre-modern Japan, where the seemingly immortal rogue ninja Gabimaru must take part in a perilous quest to the mysterious Shinsenkyo, a supernatural realm. There, Gabimaru and his fellow prisoners must risk it all to find the elixir of life while also figuring out how the strange creatures live and fight, which is key to their survival.

21 Vinland Saga Is a Medieval Anime About War, Vengeance, & the Meaning of Life

Vinland Saga is one of the best modern seinen series. The first season was produced by Wit Studio, while MAPPA handled the second. Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn Karlsefni after he becomes a mercenary to avenge his father and kill Askeladd, his murderer. Thorfinn ended up going against his father's pacifistic wishes in the process.

Vinland Saga Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.75
• IMDb: 8.8
• Anime Planet: 4.4/5

Vinland Saga explores the world of Vikings, but not in a way that fans have seen in the past. It's actually a deconstruction of medieval war epics, arguing that violence is pointless and only brings more misery to the world. Instead, Thorfinn must learn how to set meaningful goals and make the world a better place by building something new, which should also help him achieve inner peace. With brilliant, fluid animation and a compelling narrative, Vinland Saga is a must-watch for fans who want a darker story.

20 Demon Slayer Became a Shonen Classic Thanks To Its Characters & Fight Choreography

Demon Slayer's third season wrapped up in June 2023 and the Swordsmith Village arc did not disappoint. In Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado's entire family was killed by a vicious demon named Muzan Kibutsuji. His sister Nezuko, the sole survivor of the attack, became a demon herself.

Demon Slayer Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.49
• IMDb: 8.6
• Anime Planet: 4.47/5

Tanjiro vowed to heal his sister and avenge his family by joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Produced by the anime studio Ufotable, Demon Slayer's stunning animation and impressive character designs will keep viewers captivated from beginning to end. Now, anime fans can look forward to more when Demon Slayer Season 4 launches later in the Spring 2024 anime season, which will launch the Hashira training arc before the heroes move on to fight Muzan and his remaining Upper Moons.

19 Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War Is a High-IQ Romantic Comedy

Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War tells a love story between two high school geniuses—Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane—who are deeply in love with each other, but both of them are too prideful to confess. After all, love is war, and whoever confesses first in this high-stakes battle of wits loses.

Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.41
• IMDb: 8.5
• Anime Planet: 4.25/5

Instead of confessing, Kaguya and Miyuki would rather put each other (and everyone around them) through hell via a series of elaborate mind games to draw a confession out of the other. This seldom works, but it's equally entertaining and frustrating to witness. The sequel film, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War: The First Kiss Never Ends, was released in the U.S. in February 2023.

18 Hunter X Hunter Redefined Shonen With Its Nen Combat System

Hunter X Hunter is one of the greatest masterpieces that shonen anime offers. It's very formulaic but never feels contrived or like something fans have already watched a hundred times before. Hunter X Hunter follows Gon Freecs, a young boy who sets out on a mission to become a Hunter and follow in his estranged father's footsteps.

Hunter X Hunter Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 9.04
• IMDb: 9.0
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Ultimately, Gon wants to reunite with his father. Departing from Whale Island to take the Hunter Exams, Gon meets Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua. They all instantly hit it off and stuck by each other's sides for the exam's duration, though the group will split up somewhat when the exam ends and the four heroes pursue their personal goals. Kurapika Kurta, for example, longs for revenge against those who killed his family, and Killua has some unresolved drama with his family.

17 Attack On Titan Blends Mecha Anime With Horror & Politics

Attack On Titan's final episodes have arrived, and fans can now binge the entire series. Attack On Titan is one of the grittiest titles offered by the shonen demographic. A blood-soaked masterpiece, Attack On Titan follows Eren Yeager after his hometown is demolished by man-eating Titans.

Attack on Titan Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 9.04
• IMDb: 9.0
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Eren vows to join the Survey Corps and annihilate all of them. However, Eren soon learns that the waters are far murkier than he initially believed. Attack On Titan blurs the boundaries between heroes and villains, even arguing that one's allies could just as easily become their enemies if the political tides shift a certain way. Attack on Titan became one of the best anime on Crunchyroll because it challenges viewers with moral ambiguity, extreme violence, and thought-provoking politics that remind viewers that there are always two sides to a conflict to consider, sides with human beings with real emotions and fears.

16 Haikyuu!! Is an Inspiring Sports Anime About Volleyball

Haikyuu! is the juggernaut of modern sports anime. Hinata Shoyo is short, but he can jump to astounding heights on the court. After watching Karasuno High play during nationals, Hinata wanted to join their team and become the greatest player in Japan.

Haikyuu!! Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.44
• IMDb: 8.7
• Anime Planet: 4.41/5

Haikyuu!'s lovable ensemble cast presents at least a handful of characters for every type of potential viewer. Though Karasuno is the series' focal point, it's easy to fall in love with characters from every team. Haikyuu!! cements shonen as a diverse demographic.

15 Yu Yu Hakusho Is a Classic 1990s Action Anime For Fans of Bleach & Jujutsu Kaisen

Yu Yu Hakusho was Yoshihiro Togashi's first masterpiece prior to Hunter X Hunter. YuYu Hakusho follows Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent who nearly died trying to save a kid from getting hit by a car. Yusuke's unexpected self-sacrifice touched the authorities of the spirit realm, so they gave him a second chance, with some conditions.

Yu Yu Hakusho Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.46
• IMDb: 8.5
• Anime Planet: 4.11/5

With one of the best tournament arcs in shonen history, well-written antagonists, and exciting fight scenes, YuYu Hakusho is a must-watch for every shonen anime fan. It also features one of shonen's best tournament arcs of all time, the Dark Tournament, in which Yusuke will face his nemesis, Toguro. Anyone who enjoyed Yu Yu Hakusho might also check out the live-action version, which promises to help reverse the trend of bad anime live-action adaptations.

14 Mob Psycho 100 Stars a Shy Boy With OP Psychic Abilities

Mob Psycho 100 is an unconventional shonen hit that takes itself seriously for what it is while poking fun at the genre's most overdone trope. With a simplistic, but unique, art style and visually stunning animation courtesy of Studio Bones, Mob Psycho 100 is equally character-driven as it is action-packed.

Mob Psycho 100 Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.49
• IMDb: 8.6
• Anime Planet: 4.32/5

Mob Psycho 100 stars Shigeo Kageyama, or "Mob," a teenage esper who keeps his emotions bottled up to avoid overloading his ESP. If his emotions hit 100%, Mob's already powerful abilities grow terrifyingly strong. Mob just wants to live an ordinary life, but as an overpowered anime hero, he keeps finding himself dragged into trouble where the real conflict isn't whether he can win, but whether he even wants to fight -- and what it means for him.

13 Gintama Is the Finest Comedy Anime On Crunchyroll

Gintama is a critically acclaimed shonen series about Gintoki Sakata, a defiant samurai and lovable oddball who still carries around his wooden sword after alien invaders outlawed his profession. However, he has to pick up odd jobs and freelancing gigs at his business, Yorozuya, to make ends meet.

Gintama Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 9.03
• IMDb: 8.7
• Anime Planet: 4.17/5

Gintama is full of recognizable pop culture references that make the viewer forget the series takes place in feudal Japan. Gintama brilliantly combines slapstick comedy, sci-fi bizarreness, and shonen action all in one epic anime.

12 Fruits Basket is a Breathtaking Romance Anime About Second Chances

Fruits Basket is one of the greatest shojo anime of all time, and its 2019 remake received widespread praise for its faithful adherence to Natsuki Takaya's brilliant source material. Fruits Basket is an emotional series about Tohru Honda after she's taken in by the Sohma family. She soon learns that they're afflicted by the Zodiac curse, so if a member of the opposite sex hugs them, they turn into an animal from the Chinese Zodiac.

Fruits Basket Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.22
• IMDb: 8.6
• Anime Planet: 4.32/5

However, Tohru soon realizes that the Sohmas' story is one of pain and generational trauma, so she sets out to help them break the curse. The film, Fruits Basket -Prelude-, delves into Kyoko's backstory and fully fleshes her out as an abandoned delinquent. It's a stark contrast from the Kyoko fans came to love as Tohru's mother. It also includes lots of heartwarming moments between Kyo and Tohru. Anyone shojo fan who loves romance, drama, and high school hijinks will agree that Fruits Basket is one of the best anime on Crunchyroll by a comfortable margin.

11 Blue Lock is Perfect For Fans of Soccer Stories

Blue Lock is a unique sports anime that turns soccer into an all-or-nothing death game, since the best players in Japan are confined in a facility and forced to compete. Whoever comes out on top makes it to the national team as the best striker in Japan.

Blue Lock Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 9.04
• IMDb: 9.0
• Anime Planet: 4.2/5

Blue Lock follows Yoichi Isagi, a soccer player who cost his team nationals after making the mistake of passing instead of shooting. As the titular Blue Lock, Yoichi learns the importance of developing an ego as a player while he ruthlessly competes against his peers to become number one.