Interest Stacks

A slow paced fantasy journey that explores life through the lens of the passage of time with occasional high octane action.

Frieren is the type of show that has a little bit of something for everyone. Aside from its beautiful production, it has action, comedy, contemplation, slice of life moments and even touches of romance all in a fantasy setting.

Defining feature: A slow and reflective style of parallel storytelling aided with symbolism

A robot murder mystery by the acclaimed Naoki Urasawa. Covers themes of morality, human nature and politics.

Pluto is an excellent entry point for viewers that wish to be acquainted with the works of Naoki Urasawa. A philosophical mystery thriller that adapts an arc of Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy, it features themes and storytelling that would easily be appreciated by adults.

Defining feature: Naoki Urasawa's iconic thriller-style storytelling in a science-fiction setting

A dialogue based mystery with multiple perspectives and an ensemble cast

Odd Taxi is a show that seems oddly mature despite its strange setting. With the premise of a murder mystery, it weaves together many different characters and storylines into a single plot, in a way that's earned it comparisons to Quentin Tarantino.

Defining feature: Well written dialogue and story that slowly comes together in a very satisfying way as the plot progresses

A fresh take on fairy tales which subverts expectations and has surprisingly complex characters

Ranking of Kings may at first seem childish but that just belies its well written plot with lots of dark twists, lovable characters and unique worldbuilding

Defining feature: Loveable characters wrapped up in a fantasy story which subverts fairy tale tropes

A story of a young woman who loves poison being pulled into the Chinese Royal Palace and ends up solving mysteries there while navigating its inner politics

The Apothecary diaries features a brilliantly eccentric protagonist in Mao Mao and does an excellent job at creating and exploring mysteries related to Ming-Era Chinese palace politics. It sets up the characters and mysteries very well so that the stories come together in a satisfying way.

Defining feature: A quirky, entertaining protagonist solving different mysteries and dealing with palace politics along the way

This story features a kingdom of three-legged ravens that can take human form. Filled with political intrigue, power politics, shifting allegiances and mysteries.

This anime is filled to the brim with mysteries, well thought out characters and engaging plot lines. It feels like every character and plot beat is meticulously placed for a unique fantasy story based on Heian era politics.

Defining feature: Incredibly well written plot and characters in a Heian era fantasy world

The remake of a classic series featuring a Wolf Goddess and merchant travelling through Medieval Europe with a focus on character banter/chemistry and economics.

Focusing on the relationship of two lonely individuals, Spice and Wolf is about their journey together in search of Holo's home. The biggest draws for this series are the chemistry between Lawrence and Holo, their banter and the way they use their knowledge of Medieval economics to solve their problems.

Defining feature: Excellent banter, character chemistry and detailed knowledge of Medieval economics

The story of a group of middle schoolers sucked into an alternate dimension and given psychic powers trying to adjust to their new situation and escape back home

This is an incredibly unique avant garde anime that we rarely get nowadays. It focuses on character development and abstract concepts while showing us many different unique worlds and dimensions.

Defining feature: A unique coming of age story with different concepts being explored in interesting and cool worlds and dimensions

A harrowing post-apocalyptic tale that features two perspectives and rewards its viewers for paying attention to subtle details

Heavenly Delusion is a fun story to pay attention to. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, there's some unique storytelling and mysteries that can be figured out with the subtle hints and details laid out in the story.

Defining feature: A post-apocalyptic adventure mystery that rewards viewers for paying attention to the story

A boy in 15th Century Poland decides to secretly study Heliocentrism despite the risk that it will lead to torture and execution by the Church

Defining Feature: A more grounded anime rooted in discussions about theology, beliefs, science and astronomy

This historical tale recounts the story of the Taira clan through their schemes and politics

A must watch for those that enjoy history, Heike Monogatari features the legendary tale of the Taira Clan during the Heian Period.

Defining feature: A well told story based in history

A story with a darker look into several facets of the entertainment industry

Filled with interesting character moments, Oshi no Ko delves into the entertainment industry and what it's like for those within it. It reveals how the industry works and its effects on the people that work in it all while carrying the personal drama of the characters.

Defining feature: Lifting the curtain on how the entertainment industry works behind the scenes while also exploring what it's like for the characters

A fantasy about a party eating their way through a dungeon with unique worldbuilding and a plot that grows thicker as they progress

This show feels tailor made for fans of fantasy. It has incredibly unique worldbuilding, and even though it may not seem character focused or deep at first, the show does explore various themes and topics.

Defining feature: Unique worldbuilding in a fantasy world that explores more than just the dungeon as the story progresses

A bleak dystopian cyberpunk story where people have a penchant for mechanical augmentation despite its drawbacks

Based on a video game, Edgerunners gives us a modern cyberpunk anime series that is as dark as it is entertaining. The mechanical augmentation and social class divides are explored through well animated scenes.

Defining feature: Bleak and emotional cyberpunk series with fast-paced action

A highly influential isekai series with a controversial protagonist

If you can get past the degeneracy of the protagonist, this highly influential series makes for a great entry point into the isekai genre. It cares about its worldbuilding and fully realizes many of its characters.

Defining feature: An adaptation of a classic isekai which focuses on worldbuilding and fleshing out characters

A (mostly) wholesome slice of life coming of age story which coincides with the end of the world

***Recommended watch order is: 1-16 > 0 > 17

This is famed mangaka Inio Asano's first anime adaptation. At its core its a coming of age story but it also features a doomsday plot, aliens, and political/societal commentary.

Defining feature: A unique blend of slice of life coming of age, sci-fi doomsday, and satire aimed towards human society

A war drama with key themes of discrimination and the disposability of human life

This beautifully animated show is a great starting point for fans that want to dive into mecha since the robots themselves aren't really a selling point for the story. Instead the story focuses on flaws and issues humans may have when waging war.

Defining feature: A bleak war story that focuses on the fragility of life and the folly of humanity

A hit modern dark battle shounen series with great action

Jujutsu Kaisen is a must watch for fans of action and battle shounen. With spectacular animation and choreography and varied fighting styles, this dark and brutal anime hits the spot for action junkies while providing horror style elements in a modern setting.

Defining features: Well done action, animation and cool fights with horror in modern day Tokyo

A darker and more gruesome battle shounen with a lot of influence from classic film

A unique and gruesome battle shounen that doesn't shy away from being gross or disturbing. The story can get pretty crazy at times which adds to a more unhinged horror feeling.

Defining feature: Crazy and unhinged battle shounen series which doesn't care about being too violent, gross or gory

The crazy adventures of a boy and a girl being sucked into the world of the supernatural, extraterrestrial and the occult

Defining Feature: Wacky story with fantastic and unique art and animation

A tense and thrilling supernatural murder mystery

This anime is a must watch for fans of thrillers and murder mysteries. It combines action with characters having to carefully think through events with a time limit.

Defining Feature: A tense story full of unpredictable twists and turns

A mystery series featuring two friends that can jump into photos and temporarily live the life of a person in them

This show has a very unique premise. By jumping into the photos to live the life of their clients at that time, the pair is tasked with specific things to do. However, their actions in the past may have consequences on the present.

Defining Feature: A thriller with unique time travel powers and suspenseful & emotional storytelling

A heartfelt story about Zhuge Liang (Kongming) being incarnated into the modern world and helping a young woman achieve her dreams of saving people through her music.

This is a pretty wholesome music anime. And for those that like watching shows where characters make elaborate plans and strategies to 'defeat' their foes, it provides an interesting twist on the genre.

Defining Feature: A wholesome music anime with big brain tactics and strategies

A wholesome slice of life romance about an insomniac pair bonding through astronomy

This is a simple and wholesome romance. It's perfect for anyone that wants a comfy slice of life that doesn't have high tension or jarring comedy mixed in.

Defining Feature: Wholesome and relaxing romance with some astronomy mixed in

A slice of life that takes place in high school with surprisingly nuanced characters

Skip and Loafer is slice of life at its finest. It's about a bunch of kids entering high school but the characters, conflicts and scenarios feel real and natural without being too dramatic.

Defining Feature: Incredibly well done slice of life with characters that are more than surface level

A romance about a high school badminton player trying to win the heart of his basketball playing school mate, while both try to become the best at their respective games

Defining Feature: An anime with a good balance of both romance and sports

This story features a trio of girls producing their own animation

Defining Feature: Unique plot and a love letter to animation

A dark and grimy story in a cyberpunk world that incorporates elements of fantasy

Defining Feature: A unique dark and grimy story

A beloved classic slice of life rom-com

Defining Feature: A classic story that is beloved by rom-com fans

A time travelling robot songstress seeks to prevent a robot apocalypse and find meaning in her voice

Defining Feature: A terminator 2-esque storyline with elements of music and purpose

The story of an immortal creature slowly becoming human and learning about different aspects of the human experience

Defining Feature: Very unique premise and story that explores the human experience

A rom-com about a shy boy making cosplay for his nerdy female friend

Defining Feature: The female lead in this rom-com is a huge cosplay nerd

This comedy features a spy, an assassin and a psychic all forming a family out of convenience but each trying to keep their abilities a secret from each other

Defining Feature: The unique struggles of each protagonist being balanced around a comedic story

A slice of life featuring a socially anxious girl from a band with her schoolmates

Defining Feature: Incredibly well adapted version of the classic "Cute Girls Doing Cute Things" in a band

Teenagers compete in a death game style soccer tournament to join Japan's nation soccer theme

Defining Feature: Playing Soccer in unique and interesting scenarios

The modern remake of one of Japan's most culturally significant anime/manga series by Rumiko Takahashi

Defining Feature: A wacky blend of romantic comedy, science fiction, the supernatural and social satire

Another remake of one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular works

Defining Feature: Wacky comedy in a genderbending martial arts series

The reboot of a series where the peaceful Vash lives on a Wild-West like planet and always finds himself in trouble

Defining Feature: A pacifistic protagonist in a science-fiction, Wild-West setting

The story of an elite task force which eliminates Kaiju

Defining Feature: A battle shounen where the protagonist gains powers from the monsters which he aims to destroy

The adaptation of a beloved videogame featuring sentient androids created by humans trying to wipe out robots created by alien invaders

Defining Feature: Thought-provoking robot philosophy in a post-apocalyptic world

A drama/romance between a neglected woman and her arranged husband with psychic powers added to the mix

Defining Feature: Wholesome romance story with some drama and supernatural elements

A mystery series featuring well known monsters and fictitious historical characters

Defining Feature: A fun mystery series with lots of familiar characters and monsters

The story of a young man being exhilarated at a zombie apocalypse because it means he can leave his dead-end job and finally live his life

Defining Feature: A story with a bizarrely positive outlook during a zombie apocalypse

A rom-com with the unique twist that everyone in the group has been rejected

Defining Feature: A rom-com where the focus is on getting over rejection rather than seeking romantic love

The coming of age of five girls trying to break into the music industry

An action series featuring a main character and his encounters with organized crime

A rom-com where a socially outcast fantasy killer end up in a romance with his model classmate

The latest entry in the Dragon Ball Franchise and the final one worked on by Akira Toriyama