Top 5 list of best anime of all time!

The anime industry still draws millions of viewers worldwide, and the classics hold their ground even as new seasons roll out every spring and fall. This list keeps the focus on five titles that reward first-time watchers and longtime fans alike, mixing shonen epics with one standout boy-love story. Each pick earned its spot through rewatch value, tight storytelling, and the way it still pops up on 2026 ranking lists.

My personal list of the best anime 

To create this list, I mainly focused on my tastes. Still, I also did plenty of online research to compare my opinions with those of hardcore fans who have watched anime for the past couple of decades. This list has a couple of Shonen anime due to its popularity, but you can find some other types as well. Overall, these animes are great. I only hope that you have as much fun as me when you watch them. In time, you will be able to create your very own list as well. I should also point out that I included one great pick for boy love anime. This genre has grown in popularity over the last few years! If you are interested in this topic, please visit gayfriendly.com for a complete list of the best gay anime series and movies.

The 5 best anime to watch right now! 

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: 

For many, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a must-have anime experience, and it's easy to see why. This is a faithful adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's popular manga series. Brotherhood is ahead of its time in almost every aspect: fighting, loss, sadness, war, racism, and moral ethics. In addition, the show has a perfect pace, as it blends neatly wrapped arcs to support a more important global story. Lastly, Brotherhood is just the right length. This anime never overkills, and it proves how versatile and adaptable the shōnen manga customs are. It streams on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix, giving new viewers an easy entry point.

Recent Hiromu Arakawa Works

Arakawa returned in 2026 with Daemons of the Shadow Realm, which premiered on Crunchyroll in April. Reviewers quickly called it a spiritual successor to Fullmetal Alchemist, citing the same sharp world-building and moral questions. The new series keeps her signature mix of action and quiet character moments, so fans who finished Brotherhood now have fresh material to explore.

2. Doukyuusei: 

Unlike the other animes on this list, this anime is not about action and heroes. It is a soft, romantic, and boy love anime that has ruled the charts ever since it came out! Unlike many boy love animes, this one has its focus on two male protagonists. One of them is Rito, a high school student, and the other is Hikaru, a band guitarist. Although they are on entirely different paths, the anime explains how fate puts them together until they eventually establish a romantic relationship. The pace and dialogue really put this anime on a whole new level. Fresh 2026 licensing deals added the film to more North American platforms, keeping the quiet romance easy to find.

3. Dragon Ball Z: 

Dragon Ball is among the most classic anime and manga, which initially began the whole anime revolution in Japan! The original series was a classic, but it was Dragon Ball Z that marked the series's transition from a national treasure to a global phenomenon. Due to its hyperkinetic violence, incredible energy attacks, spectacles of massive extinction, and moments of continuous escalation, Dragon Ball Z is a unique and vital part of the martial arts-action-animated canon today. The franchise stays active with an enhanced Battle of Gods arc remake slated for fall 2026, plus ongoing games and merch that keep the Z-era fights alive for new audiences.

Dragon Ball Franchise Evolution

Dragon Ball Super remasters and side projects continue to feed off Z's legacy. The planned fall 2026 remake targets the Battle of Gods storyline with updated animation, while new manga chapters and mobile titles keep Goku and Vegeta in rotation. The core appeal of escalating power levels and tournament spectacle remains the same, which is why Z still anchors most franchise conversations.

4. Hunter X Hunter:  

There are countless anime that focus on groups of young characters who use supernatural skills and deductive reasoning to solve problems. But what makes Hunter x Hunter a rare discovery is its attention to detail, fantastic story, unique characters, and emotional investment. This anime is full of quirky subplots that don't always end in significant events, but you will somehow feel that it all forms part of the story. Before you start watching it, I must let you know you will lose your mind with Gon Freecss, the protagonist, who is on a path to becoming a Hunter. Eventually, you will want to be just like Gon! The manga resumed in June 2026 with chapter 411 and now sits at 39 volumes, giving longtime viewers new material after years of hiatuses.

Hunter x Hunter Manga Resumption

Serialization restarted in Weekly Shonen Jump on June 29, 2026, after multiple breaks. The return brought chapter 411 and steady monthly releases that fans had waited years to see. With 39 volumes in print as of July 2026, the story now offers fresh arcs that line up with the anime's character focus and inventive power system.

5. One Piece: 

Without a shroud of doubt, this is the most famous and best-selling manga and anime in the world. The manga's first volume was published back in 1997, and now more than 90 volumes are sold worldwide. The anime began two years after the first manga was released, and since then, more than 900 episodes have been aired. Today, One Piece is divided into about 10 parts, and even beginners can enjoy it even if they don't start from the beginning. For those who don't know, the anime follows the adventures of the main character Monkey D. Luffy and his crew in the pirate world. The primary mission is to find the ultimate treasure called "One Piece."

One Piece's New Seasonal Format

Starting April 2026 the series switched to a reduced schedule of no more than 26 episodes per year, split into two cours. The change makes the long-running show less intimidating for newcomers while still advancing the Elbaph arc. Manga volume count now sits at 114 as of March 2026, and the anime has passed 1,150 episodes, yet the new pace keeps weekly viewing manageable.

Evolving Top Anime Consensus

2026 rankings still place Attack on Titan and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood near the top of IMDb lists, while Crunchyroll Anime Awards highlighted both ongoing series and new standouts such as Frieren and Jujutsu Kaisen. Coverage in Esquire and Complex noted that viewers continue to revisit the classics on this list even as fresh seasons arrive. The mix shows that personal favorites and critical consensus can overlap without forcing anyone to choose between them.