43 Anime Shows On CrunchyRoll That You Should Be Watching Right Now

It's binge time.

If you've yet to take the dive into anime, now is the perfect time to do some incredible binging.

Mappa

With Crunchyroll being free to download, there's no excuse to be on the outside looking in when it comes to some great animes. I listed what I felt were some of the best anime to start off with and I hope this list can guide you to watching even more in the future. I'll be crossing my fingers that I can get any newcomer on the anime train.

1. My Hero Academia

Bones

In a world of superheroes, "Quirks" is what gives you the power to be extraordinary, in MHA we follow Izuku Midoriya and his journey from quirkless wimp to standout hero. It's a show with some great fight scenes as well as some heartfelt moments that had me teary-eyed a few times. The class of 1-A that the show really focuses on, gives you a great selection of characters to cheer for as you see all of them take another step closer to becoming Pro Heros. 

2. Attack on Titan

Wit Studio/MAPPA

A dark fantasy drama set in a post-apocalyptic world where giant humanoid "Titans" roam the land making humans live behind walls to protect the last of humanity. This story goes deeper into the why and how these "Titans" came to be and the importance of the main protagonist Eren Jaeger in all of it. It's a show that has taken the anime world by storm and, personally is one of my favorites.

3. Fire Force

David Production

For any pyro fan out there, this show is for you. It revolves around Shinra Kusakabe and his fellow Fire Force comrades from Company 8 who take on not only fire-bursting demons called "Infernals" but also a doomsday cult by the name of "The White Clad." It's yet another addictive show with amazing animation and rich storytelling that has you cheering for not only Shinra but all of the Company 8 members, in particular Arthur, whose dumb persona makes him sometimes the most genius fighter. 

4. Sword Art Online

A-1 Pictures

Imagine you decide to play a VR MMORPG game and find out that you're trapped in the game until you die or someone beats the game. That is the beginning premise of this incredible anime that has Kazuto Kirigaya living his young life in a simulation with very real consequences. Heads up though, that seasons get more intense when it comes to its violence, it took me by surprise by Season 4.

5. Haikyu!!

Production I. G

I never thought I'd find a sports anime to my liking, I figured there wouldn't be any real stakes to watching a show about sports in anime form. Boy was I wrong, as I finally took the leap on Haikyu!! and realized how invested I was in seeing the rise of Shoyo Hinata. You get to see the short-statured kid fall in love with the game of volleyball and deliver some crushing spikes on his opponents. Don't sleep on this anime as I did for so long.

6. Jujutsu Kaisen

MAPPA

Whenever I think of Sorcerers, Harry Potter comes to mind but this isn't that kind of sorcery. In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, people radiate cursed energy through negative emotions which in turn create cursed monsters. Sorcerers are trained to not only control their cursed energy but to use it to defeat these curses that are looking to destroy humanity. It's a wild concept that's done superbly well and makes anybody a fan of the show's lead Yuji Itadori, although Gojo is probably another fan favorite character as well.

7. Naruto and Naruto Shippuden

Pierrot

Following the story of young Naruto Uzumaki, both these shows tell stories of a different part of this young ninjas life. Naruto is primarily set during his early years of training to become a ninja. This comes with some ridicule as his immaturity downplays his dreams of becoming the next Hokage of his village. This is also the time when he learns about the Nine-Tailed Fox that was sealed into his body as a baby and what that power means for young Naruto. In Naruto Shippuden, we see a more mature and skilled ninja, as well as details of other tailed beasts' hosts that are being captured and killed for mysterious reasons. 

8. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Pierrot

Following the events from Naruto Shippuden, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations focuses on Boruto and the children from some of our favorite Naruto characters. We get to see the kind of parent that Naruto has become and also how similar Boruto is in his aspirations and maturity. 

9. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Bones

With the original series airing in 2003, FMA: Brotherhood is a more accurate depiction of the manga than the previous adaptation. The story follows two brothers Edward and Alphonse, who in a desperate attempt to bring back their deceased mother try a form of alchemy that leads to Edward losing an arm and leg while Alphonse loses his body but has his soul housed in a suit of armor. This is just the beginning of this duo's journey as they travel on a quest to discover more about the powerful Philosopher's Stone, and the potential of restoring their bodies. 

10. Rurouni Kenshin

Studio Gallop

After a life of being a ruthless assassin, Himura Kenshin travels the countryside of Japan offering his aid to anybody in need as his penance for the murders he's committed. He wields a reverse katana so that even in combat he won't take another life, though this proves to be difficult as old and new foes test the limit of his peaceful ways. 

11. Trigun

Madhouse

Vash the Stampede is wanted for sixty billion dollars and even though he is a pacifist who is more lover than fighter, he just can't stop bringing destruction to any town he visits. It was a slow burn in the beginning for me, but Vash's kind-hearted and comedic way of dealing with sticky situations always carried an episode even if it felt like a filler. Another great show that you can get through relatively quickly without investing too much time. 

12. Hunter X Hunter

Madhouse

When Gon Freecss finds out that his father is not only alive but a famous hunter, he goes out on his quest to find him. To do so he must become a licensed hunter himself and with a select group of friends they must overcome some impossible odds to get to their goal. 

13. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Ufotable

Tanjiro Kamado comes home after a day in the village to discover his family slaughtered by a demon, and his only surviving sibling Nezuko, who has transformed into a demon herself, shows signs that her humanity is still somewhere in her. After running into a Demon Slayer and proving his bravery and willingness to protect his now demon sister, he is given a chance to become a Demon Slayer himself and be on the search for a possible cure for Nezuko. 

14. One Piece

Toei Animation

One of the longest-running anime and manga to still exist, One Piece is not for the faint of hearts. If you decide to start watching this show commitment is key. The pirating adventures of Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are countless at this point but offer a deep rich story that you can only get with a show that has been running since 1999. Luffy and his crewmates are fantastic characters to cheer for as they search for the coveted treasure "One Piece" that will make Luffy the next Pirate King.

15. Bleach

Pierrot

With the ability to see ghosts, Ichigo Kurosaki never thought much of his gift until he meets Rukia, a Soul Reaper whose sole purpose is to rid evil spirits known as Hollows. After his younger sister is taken by a Hollow, he recklessly jumps into action which leads Rukia to be severely injured and left with no options but to siphon some of her power to Ichigo. This is the genesis of his Soul Reaping and introduction into the spiritual world he knew nothing about. 

16. Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting!

Madhouse

As a boxing fan, Hajime No Ippo really does their homework on not only the history of boxing but the techniques that made some of history's best boxers the greats that they were. Ippo is a shy kid who never stands up for himself until one day a pro boxer saves him from some bullying and shows him the benefits of being able to box. This lights an immense fire in Ippo as he is naturally strong from all the manual labor he does working for his mom. Ippo's development into the boxer he becomes is inspiring to see but also comedic when combined with the brotherly relationship he develops with Pro Boxer Takamura. Although the animation may look dated, the boxing matches and overall technique shown is top-notch. 

17. One-Punch Man

Madhouse

There are a lot of overpowered protagonists on this list but none more than Saitama who can literally defeat most villains in a single punch. This leads to Saitama being bored from never being challenged by the countless monsters that terrorize the city. This premise really makes for an interesting take on the superhero genre and lends to some great laughs when you see Saitama's unenthusiastic face when facing enemies, unless he of course is shopping which seems to be his only joy in life. 

18. Inuyasha

Sunrise

When Kagome is taken down her family's well by a demon, she is transported to another time where she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon, half-human who is searching for a jewel of immense power. After the jewel is shattered into many pieces, the duo travels all over Japan on an adventure to collect the shards to covert Inuyasha into a full demon. Their adventures lead to meeting some great allies but also some formidable foes as many demons and humans alike are also in search of the shattered jewel. 

19. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

David Production

Unlike most animes, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure doesn't focus on one main protagonist. It follows the story of the Joestar family over generations and the history that the last name comes with.  The most frequent powers used are called "Stands" which is like an extension of the user and comes in different forms some good and some strange. It's a refreshing take on storytelling focusing on how this family became the warriors they are and how they have faced off against evil time and time again. 

20. Death Note

Madhouse

When a mysterious black notebook called the "Death Note" falls into the hands of Light Yagami, he discovers that he can kill anyone as long as he writes their name in the book and knows their face. He further learns the history of this notebook from a "Shinigami" named Ryuk and why he brought this powerful book to the human world. This compels Light to rid the world of criminals which makes him the greatest killer but also the most wanted criminal of them all. 

21. Black Clover

Pierrot

An anime that starts off rather slow but works its way to an awesome adventure. In this world of magic with a protagonist like Asta who never gives up even when the chips are stacked against him, you get to see some great battles and get introduced to some amazing characters along his journey. If wizardry and magic are your thing, then this is the anime for you. 

22. Tokyo Revengers

Liden Films

This show has a hell of a way to get your attention. A down-on-his-luck adult, Takemichi learns that his childhood ex-girlfriend and her younger brother have both been murdered by a notorious group called the Tokyo Manji Gang. Shortly after this, he is then pushed in front of a train which suddenly transports him back in time to middle school and gives him another lease on life. He decides the only way to save his childhood love and her brother is to join the gang, climb the ranks, and save his friends from untimely ends.

23. Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma

J.C. Staff

Now if you’ve heard anything about this show you’ve heard how sexualized they have made the food, where literally dishes are known to give people orgasms or blow their clothes clean off from how good they are. So it's safe to say this isn't a family show to watch. With that being said, the recipes on this show are pretty damn amazing and the premise of a humble chef trying to save his restaurant and going against the elites who look down on mom and pop shops is a good story with some great laugh out loud moments if you can get past the sexualization aspects of the show. It’s popular for good reason and I’d like to think it’s more than the moans and groans of characters eating delicious meals. 

24. Fairy Tail

A-1 Pictures

In search of his adoptive father, Natsu goes on an epic journey exploring the Kingdom of Fiore and befriending many that join him on his mission. They fight many criminals, go against rival guilds and find the truth about Natsu’s origin and the real reason he was born.

25. Dragon Ball Super

Toei Animation

I think anybody who’s anybody watched Dragon Ball Z growing up. Dragon Ball Super was kind of a do over on Dragon Ball GT which you could say didn’t get the most love from fans. This refreshing take on Goku’s saga after the Majin Buu era has taken fans by storm and revitalized a franchise that fans had been wanting to come back for a while again. The updated animation style and storytelling really gave fans old and new what they always wanted which was more Dragon Ball.

26. Yu-Gi-Oh!

Toei Animation

For anybody in the mood for some nostalgia, Yu-Gi-Oh! is the story of young Yugi who after solving the millennium puzzle is possessed by the Pharoah spirit of Yami Yugi who helps the youngest at times of peril. It is through a beloved card game in which battles take place that hold higher stakes than you would normally think. If Pokemon was your anime growing up, and you never watched this one, you should definitely give this a chance. 

27. Berserk

Liden Films

A sequel to the 1997 series and the Golden Age Arc, Berserk continues Guts journey following the tragedy he experienced at the hands of his former comrade Griffith which leads the mercenary back to his old ways with one mission in mind, vengeance.

28. The Rising of the Shield Hero

Kinema Citrus

When Naofumi is summoned to a parallel world he is quickly thrust to the role of a hero and out of a group of fellow heroes with different weapons he is the only one with defensive equipment being given just a shield. Things then take a turn for the worst as he is shunned by the kingdom and has to restore his name through quests and heroic actions throughout the land. For anybody who wants to start an anime that is new, this might be the one for you as season 2 is coming out this year. 

29. Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon

Sunrise

If you were a fan of Inuyasha you should definitely be watching this show. Set a few years after the final act of Inuyasha, Sesshomaru’s twin daughters Towa and Setsuna are separated after a forest fire in which Towa, unfortunately, wanders into a tunnel that takes her to present-day Japan. It is then that Kagome’s brother Sota, finds her raises her for a decade until the tunnel reopens again to which Towa is able to finally reunite with her long-lost sister. Though when she finally gets back to her she realizes things are not the same. It’s this premise that makes for a great story set in an amazing world that fans of Inuyasha are familiar with.

30. Akame Ga Kill!

White Fox

When Tatsumi makes his way to the Imperial Captial in hopes to bring back some money to help his village he quickly realizes things are not as they seem in the big city. This becomes even more apparent when he is taken in by the infamous Night Raid, a group of assassins who are trying to support the rebellion against the Empire who has been oppressing their people for too long. 

31. Mob Psycho 100

Bones

When an average kid nicknamed “Mob” is found out to be a powerful esper whose emotion can lead to irreparable damage things get really interesting. To learn how to control his emotions he decides to work alongside a conman who pretends to be a psychic all while trying to live out a “normal” life. This is an interesting premise, to say the least, combined with its unique animation from studio Bones it makes for a hell of a show.

32. Parasyte - The Maxim

Madhouse

This horror/sci-fi anime centers around high schooler Shinichi Izumi who encounters tiny worm-like aliens called “Parasites” who have invaded Japan. Luckily for Shinichi his encounter with one of these aliens allowed to stop him from getting to his brain and isolating him to his right hand, this forces the pair to form an unlikely alliance in this battle between humans and Parasites.

33. Reborn!

Artland

Tsuna is somewhat of an overall failure, but his life turns around when a baby called Reborn comes into his life to groom him to become the boss of the Vongola family. The ties between Tsuna and the Vongola’s first boss is made clear and the reluctant kid becomes more and more aware of his talent and skill to be the next boss of this notorious family. 

34. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Eight Bit

A middle-aged Satoru Mikami is happy with his rather monotonous life when he is suddenly stabbed, and is reborn in an alternate world as a slime. With a new name and new body, he sets out to create a world where all races can be accepted.

35. Gin Tama

Sunrise

Set in an alternate time in Japan where aliens invaded and defeated the samurai during the Edo period. The story focuses on Gintoki as he works odd jobs to make ends meet as well as make new friends and still personify all the great things of a samurai even as the alien controlled Government does everything to hold them back. 

36. Blue Exorcist

A-1 Pictures

In a setting where there are two worlds that can never merge, the Assiah where humans live and Gehenna where Satan rules, demons are the only beings that can cross over by possession. Due to those possessions, Exorcists are vital to making sure demons can be sent back to their world. For Rin Okumura, he is determined to follow in his guardians' footsteps and become an exorcist despite who his demonic father is and he will use all his demonic powers to do so.

37. Kill La Kill

Trigger

If you like revenge stories, this anime might be for you. Ryoku Matoi is a transfer student on the search for her father's killer. She believes to be hot on their trail when she arrives at the Honnouji Academy where students wear Goku Uniforms that give them superhuman abilities and depending on your class depends on how powerful your uniform might be. With the odds not in her favor, Ryoku makes some great allies and learns more about her Goku Uniform so she can take on the forces that took her father's life.

38. Demon King Daimao

Artland

Akuto Sai has high aspirations when it comes to becoming a part of the highest order of magicians. To do so he joins the Constant Magic Academy but very quickly learns after his aptitude test that his path might lead him elsewhere, specifically, to be the “Demon King.” I guess even in anime, aptitude tests can be a big deal. 

39. Fate/Zero

Ufotable

After 3 failed Holy Grail wars, prominent families are preparing for the fourth battle royale where they send powerful mages and warriors in their stead to claim the elusive “Holy Grail” which has the power to grant any wish to the winning members. With this kind of power at stake, there's no limit to what these different families will do to be the victor.  

40. Fist Of The North Star

Toei Animation

A nuclear war has decimated most of civilization leaving the world in a desert wasteland where most survivors are fighting amongst themselves for resources and preying on the weak. Kenshiro is a man who is skilled in the most dangerous martial art but lives his life in peace, until he is separated from his beloved. It is then that he starts his journey of defending the weak and becoming the hero his post-apocalyptic world needs, using the skills he’s been avoiding having to use. He takes pressure points to a whole another level.

41. Tokyo Ghoul

Pierrot

This gruesome show follows Ken Kaneki, who has had a run-in with a ghoul and, due to some lucky circumstance, ends up being operated on and fused with the very ghoul that almost devoured him. In this world where ghouls are feared, he learns that there's more to learn about the demonic creatures with immense powers. This show has some fantastic fight scenes and gripping characters that'll keep you invested throughout the series. 

42. Spy x Family

Wit Studio/ Clover Works

Twilight is the master spy for his country and has been given the hardest mission to date. He is to recruit an unknowing family to help him get close to a political figure of his rival country and the only way to do that is to have his "child" be accepted into one of the most prestigious schools around. This fun anime will keep you smiling as you see this master spy having to improvise as his "wife" Yor and "daughter" Anya, keep him on his toes when it comes to accomplishing his mission.  

43. Dragon Ball Z

Toei Animation

With the newest addition to Crunchyroll being this classic, there's no way you shouldn't watch this original to see just how far this show has come. I understand that Dragon Ball Super is the newest and coolest but when it comes to this original continuation of Dragon Ball you really got to check out this storyline that dominated the anime world in the 90s. Yes, the animation might look dated but the fight is still top-notch. 

Have you seen these shows already? Are any of these your favorites? What's the next anime on your queue? Comment below and let me know.