In anime, the term "seinen" refers to television series that specifically target mature audiences. Specifically, works within this genre are marketed and aimed at young adult men, though the range of whom it appeals to can be much broader, spanning across generations and genders.

Generally, anime that fall under the seinen category can vary wildly in subject matter, ranging from topics like adventure and science-fiction to more grounded areas like politics and sports. However, regardless of their subgenre, there are countless seinen series that stand out as exceptional, generative pieces of art. Accordingly, they deserve to be recognized for their efforts.

Updated on December 1st, 2023, by Louis Kemner: Shonen may be the most popular anime genre, but seinen has slowly and steadily taken a place in the heart of the fandom too. Since it has become more and more popular over the years, there are plenty of great series for fans to enjoy. This list has now been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.

This article discusses sensitive topics like extreme violence, sexual assault, and suicide.

30 Grand Blue Is Outrageous College Fun With SCUBA Diving

Although there is an abundance of high school-themed anime, it's much less common to see the college experience depicted in the medium. Grand Blue Dreaming tells the story of Iori Kitahara, a young man who moves into the residence above his uncle's surf shop as he prepares to enter his first year of university. There, Iori makes a variety of unlikely friendships that help him realize adulthood isn't as strange as it appears.

Grand Blue Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.43
• IMDb: 7.8
• Anime Planet: 4.18/5

Given the overwhelming success of the Grand Blue Dreaming manga, a quality television adaptation of the series seemed like an inevitability. In 2018, Zero-G, Inc. took advantage of the opportunity and licensed Grand Blue Dreaming for a 12-episode anime adapting the series' first 20 chapters. Overall, the excellent "new adult" humor, surprisingly sympathetic characters, and the sheer novelty of this comedy anime made it a seinen hit, but Grand Blue still lacks the deep, impactful themes that other, even better seinen anime have, so it ranks modestly among the most elite seinen anime.

29 My Dress-Up Darling Makes Cosplay Steamy & Fun

Wakana Gojo is an introverted high schooler who loves crafting hina dolls. Unfortunately, he feels like he has to hide his passion, otherwise, his classmates will make fun of him. This changes when he befriends Marin Kitagawa, the most popular girl at school, who confesses that she loves cosplay. Together, they work in creating the best cosplays ever, and encourage each other to pursue their unusual hobbies.

My Dress-Up Darling Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.21
• IMDb: 8.0
• Anime Planet: 4.27/5

My Dress-Up Darling is one of the best seinen anime to watch whenever fans are in the mood for something light, instead of a dark story. Wakana and Marin's friendship is a very emotional affair, and mature members of the audience will find them very relatable. Notably, Wakana and Marin aren't quirky as other couples in shōjo or shōnen.

28 Babylon Thrills Audiences With a Sinister Conspiracy Tale

Babylon, by Mado Nozaki and Zain, centers on Zen Seizaki, a prosecutor investigating pharmaceutical corruption after someone murders an expert anesthetist. Seizaki's determination to get justice puts him in the middle of a gigantic governmental conspiracy, in which Tokyo wants to legalize suicide.

Babylon Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 6.74
• IMDb: 6.4
• Anime Planet: 3.34/5

Although a modern series, Babylon has become a fan-favorite anime in recent years. From the very first episode, it flexes its animation's exceptional quality, as well as its dynamic, thrilling plot, and complex characters. It's a serious procedural anime, but Babylon avoids tired clichés, which makes it a refreshing option.

27 Goblin Slayer Is a Brutal Fantasy With Lovable Characters

Created by Kumo Kagyu and Noboru Kannatsuki, Goblin Slayer introduces a fantasy world where adventurers seek eternal glory with the help of the Guild. The series follows Priestess, an inexperienced healer, and Goblin Slayer, a fearless warrior who saves Priestess from the goblins in the first episode.

Goblin Slayer Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.42
• IMDb: 7.4
• Anime Planet: 4.01/5

Goblin Slayer is the perfect series for seinen and fantasy fans. This series is full of action-packed battles between adventurers and monsters, all in a medieval setting that viewers will love. However, it’s way more graphic than a shonen, even including sexual assault and tons of gore. For fans who can stomach it, though, Goblin Slayer is a fun, colorful D&D-style adventure with swords, elf archers, monsters, and more.

26 Planetes Should Appeal to Fans of Hard, Realistic Sci-Fi

For viewers in search of serious food for thought, look no further than Makoto Yukimura's 2003 series, Planetes. A unique piece of science-fiction anime, it primarily focuses on the crew of DS-12, a spacecraft that collects debris floating in the orbit of Earth or the Moon.

Planetes Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.26
• IMDb: 8.1
• Anime Planet: 4.05/5

Planetes is known for its scientific realism and themes of angst, existentialism, and space's relationship to man. These mature, nuanced concepts are a perfect fit in the modern anime landscape, and they help create some of the best scenes that the seinen genre has to offer.

25 Devilman Crybaby is a 1970s Classic With Modern Animation

A remake of Devilman, Devilman Crybaby brings Akira Fudo's story into the 21st Century thanks to Netflix. Throughout 10 episodes, the series pits Akira against different kinds of demons after he becomes Devilman — a man with demon powers but a human soul, all with the help of Ryo Asuka, his best friend.

Devilman Crybaby Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.75
• IMDb: 7.6
• Anime Planet: 3.83/5

Like the 70s series, which was known for its anti-war stand, Devilman Crybaby uses demons as a metaphor for otherness. The show offers an incredibly thrilling story, but it also deals with serious topics, such as bigotry, human rights, and LGBTQ+ representation, making it resonant in any decade. That ensured Devilman Crybaby's place among the best seinen anime, though more recent anime have more resonant stories and characters, pushing Devilman Crybaby down in the ranks.

24 Bungou Stray Dogs Is a Delightful Detective Story in Tokyo

Bungou Stray Dogs' protagonist, Atsushi Nakajima, begins the series as a disenfranchised, 18-year-old orphan who was recently kicked out of his orphanage. Before his departure, the orphanage became plagued by the activities of an odd, mystical tiger — one that only Atsushi is unaware of.

Bungou Stray Dogs Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.82
• IMDb: 7.8
• Anime Planet: 4.26/5

With Bungou Stray Dogs' protagonist now wandering the streets, he quickly meets an individual who sheds light on the being plaguing the orphanage. Osamu Dazai is a member of a group of supernatural investigators who take on unusual cases. After assisting the orphanage, he introduces Atsushi to a world of crime, mystery, and seemingly unexplainable occurrences.

23 Dorohedoro Stars a Lizard Hero Exploring a Strange Fantasy World

Although many seinen anime take place in hellish settings, Dorohedoro takes things a step further, literally casting its characters into a depraved, lawless area known as Hole. There, magic users are free to do as they please, forcing many of the location's non-magic inhabitants into lives of pain and sorrow.

Dorohedoro Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.05
• IMDb: 8.1
• Anime Planet: 4.10/5

Kaiman, the lizard-headed protagonist of Dorohedoro, calls Hole home. However, unlike many of the district's denizens, he benefits from a natural immunity to magic. Using this ability, he begins a bloody search for answers to his reptilian condition that takes him through every corner of the magic-using world. Such brutality and intrigue make Dorohedoro a great anime for fans who want gritty fantasy and not just carefree escapism.

22 xxxHOLiC Is About Spirits & Granting Wishes

Released in 2006, xxxHOLiC is part of a long list of top-tier anime produced by Production I.G. The comedic seinen follows the story of Kimihiro Watanuki, a young man with an unfortunate gift that allows him to see spirits and other supernatural creatures. To rid himself of this burden, Kimihiro aligns himself with a strange woman who promises to remove the ability.

xxxHOLiC Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.98
• IMDb: 7.6
• Anime Planet: 3.94/5

However, there is one catch — he must help his new acquaintance by granting the wishes of people who wander into her shop. The only things that hold xxxHOLiC back are its spindly character designs and questionable art style. Thankfully, its refreshing tone, innovative storytelling, and attachment to Japanese spiritualism more than makeup for its shortcomings.

21 Run With The Wind is a High-Voltage Sports Anime About Running

Run with the Wind is a sports anime, but instead of focusing on baseball, soccer, or tennis, the series revolves around running. Its protagonist, Kakeru Kurahara, ends up joining a team of runners at his university after their de facto leader sees Kakeru demonstrate his speed while shoplifting.

Run With The Wind Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.39
• IMDb: 8.4
• Anime Planet: 4.23/5

Thanks to its college setting, Run with the Wind naturally lends itself to adult audiences. The show's cast undergoes significant development throughout its run, blending the best elements of the sports and slice-of-life genres. Any anime fan who's seen enough soccer or baseball sports anime will definitely like Run with the Wind as a neat change of pace.

20 Parasyte: The Maxim is a Gruesome But Fascinating Watch

In Parasyte: The Maxim, 16-year-old Shinichi Izumi's life changes forever when a parasite-like alien descends on Earth. The creature is attempting to crawl up a human's nose to take over their mind, but after invading Shinichi's body, it can only take over his right hand.

Parasyte: The Maxim Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.33
• IMDb: 8.3
• Anime Planet: 4.27/5

Parasyte: The Maxim's protagonist befriends his alien acquaintance, eventually gaining a degree of control over its massively destructive powers. Unfortunately, several other aliens have taken over their own hosts, launching Shinichi and his parasite into a series of increasingly dangerous battles with the body snatchers. It may sound like an odd premise, but Parasyte: The Maximum's fascinating story and bizarre alien antics proved popular among fans, so the series earned a spot among the best seinen anime. Still, a variety of seinen anime are even better since they have deeper themes and more worldly messages.

19 Elfen Lied is a Tragic Sci-Fi Anime With Humanistic Themes

Rarely does an anime series generate the same level of cult following as Elfen Lied. The 13-episode seinen is one of the most violent series in recent memory, but thanks to its mature themes and contemplative storytelling, even squeamish watchers can appreciate its value.

Elfen Lied Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.47
• IMDb: 7.9
• Anime Planet: 3.95/5

Elfen Lied revolves around the story of Lucy, who's part of a special group of humans called "Diclonius." These humans are capable of ultra-violent, mega-powerful acts. As seen throughout the series, they aren't afraid to use their powers on a regular basis.

18 Space Brothers is a Heartfelt Anime About Shooting For the Moon

Space Brothers is a grounded seinen anime, even if its characters find themselves careening through space. It follows two brothers, Mutta and Hibito Nunba, as they attempt to live up to their childhood promise to become astronauts. Unfortunately, things have not turned out as expected for Mutta, who works at an automotive company while Hibito is on his way to the Moon.

Space Brothers Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.49
• IMDb: 8.2
• Anime Planet: 4.16/5

The plot of Space Brothers really kicks off when Mutta loses his job and is presented with a chance to become an astronaut once again. It makes for a great watch with exceptionally well-researched details and themes of sibling rivalry that should appeal to fans of all ages.

17 Ping Pong The Animation Boasts Unique, Memorable Visuals

Ping Pong the Animation stands out from other anime because of an incredibly unique art style that fits perfectly with the show's fast-paced ping-pong action. Makoto Tuskimoto is a ping-pong player with little motivation other than his love for the sport, while his friend, Yukata Hoshino, is an outgoing person who wants to be the best table tennis player in the entire world.

Ping Pong The Animation Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.62
• IMDb: 8.6
• Anime Planet: 4.15/5

This avant-garde work follows the pair as they compete in a variety of matches while coming to terms with themselves and who they are. Ping Pong the Animation makes for an exceptional and unconventional story that feels nothing like other shows, anime or otherwise.

16 Black Lagoon is Perfect For Tarantino Fans

Set in the fictional town of Roanapur, Thailand, Black Lagoon follows a group of mercenaries as they forge their own destinies in the waters surrounding Southeast Asia. These four individuals — Revy, Benny, Dutch, and Rock — all hail from different countries and walks of life, but their brash attitudes and in-your-face tones prove to be more than enough to bring them together.

Black Lagoon Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.03
• IMDb: 7.9
• Anime Planet: 4.12/5

Produced by Madhouse, Inc. (the studio behind One-Punch Man, Death Note, and Hunter x Hunter), Black Lagoon is an absolute blast for fans of Tarantino-esque action sequences and banter. The series only contains 24 episodes and five OVAs, making it the perfect low-investment choice for fans in search of something new.

15 March Comes In Like A Lion Explores Dark But Compelling Themes Like Depression

March Comes in Like a Lion might not be the most popular seinen anime, but it's certainly one of the best of the modern generation. It follows the melancholic Rei Kiriyama, who drifts through life, isolated and apart from others around him.

March Comes In Like A Lion Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.38
• IMDb: 8.3
• Anime Planet: 4.08/5

Rei is also a professional shogi player who lives on his own, meaning there is little in the way of family to pull him out of his shell. The show follows his life as his solitary daze starts to fall away after meeting the Kawamoto sisters and the vibrant personalities that are all around him. March Comes in Like a Lion makes for a tale of growth and humanity, even in the face of depression, which makes for a compelling watch, hence March Comes in Like a Lion's middle rank among the very best seinen anime of all.

14 Hellsing Ultimate is a Brutal, Exciting Vampire Story

Vampire stories have been a mainstay in international media for generations, so it shouldn't come as any shock that Hellsing Ultimate capitalized upon their success. In this grim seinen series, only the Hellsing organization can fight back against the forces of darkness, and the vampire Alucard is Hellsing's secret weapon.

Hellsing Ultimate Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.35
• IMDb:
• Anime Planet:

Alucard's the ultimate vampiric warrior, and he even has his own apprentice, Seras Victoria. Hellsing is famed for its dark and gothic tone, guns and blood, vampires, and more. When the heroes are almost as scary as the villains themselves, that's when viewers know that they've wandered right into seinen territory. Hellsing Ultimate will greatly appeal to anime fans who love brutal antiheroes, vampires, and gory action/horror, making it an exciting watch.

13 Blade Of The Immortal Follows a Cool Samurai Who Can Never Die

In the 1990s, there were countless samurai-centric manga being syndicated, including the underappreciated 1993 seinen Blade of the Immortal. However, while more popular series like Rurouni Kenshin quickly received anime adaptations, Blade of the Immortal went on until 2019 before receiving a proper animated counterpart.

Blade Of The Immortal Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 6.82
• IMDb: 6.7
• Anime Planet: 3.39/5

Luckily, when the Blade of the Immortal anime finally made its debut on television screens, fans received an expertly made adaptation. The series has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, making it one of Liden Films' most successful projects to date.

12 ERASED Explores Time Travel & Tragedy

ERASED follows protagonist Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old manga artist with a mysterious power called Revival. This ability allows him to go back in time to prevent accidents and tragedies, and on multiple occasions, he uses it to save many lives. However, things take a turn when he is accused of murder and sent 18 years into the past.

ERASED Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.3
• IMDb: 8.5
• Anime Planet: 4.34/5

There, Satoru Fujinuma realizes the murder he's being blamed for may be related to the killing of one of his old classmates. ERASED follows him as he attempts to find the truth in the past, save his former classmate, and protect the future that he cares about. Such heartfelt themes with a cool time travel twist make ERASED a must-watch for any drama fan.

11 Tokyo Ghoul Is a Dark Half-Other Tale of Hope & Crime

In terms of sheer popularity, few seinen series have ever reached the same heights as the iconic 2014 series, Tokyo Ghoul. The brooding, violent series follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a soft-spoken young man forcefully ushered into Tokyo's ghoulish underworld.

Tokyo Ghoul Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.79
• IMDb: 7.7
• Anime Planet: 4.14/5

Although the Tokyo Ghoul anime received some backlash after changing the plot of the original manga, it's still fantastic as a standalone product. Kaneki Ken makes for the perfect troubled protagonist, and his deterioration over the show's two seasons is easily one of the most enthralling character arcs in recent memory.