Top 15 IMDB Rated Anime of All Time

There are a ton of websites and a large number of social media pages that will rank anime. Some will cover the strongest or smartest character, while others will rank their top anime based on their own criteria. Most then end up with very different lists from one another.

IMDB however is incredibly widely used and has a means of force ranking shows based on their own algorithm. It has a tremendous amount of internal data and is arguably the best among it’s competitors. c While there are a ton that could have been added, I think most would have at least a few of these in their own personal top 5.

Last note that the higher ratings were not all in order, but that seems to be a function of IMDBs algorithm and ranking. It was not done on purpose from my end. Please don’t hurt me.

Without further ado, let’s jump in!

#15 – Monster – 8.7/10

First on the list at number 15 is Monster, which is one of the heavier and darker anime’s you will ever watch. Monster follows a doctor who makes a medical and moral decision that leads him down an incredibly tough and heavy road.

It is not action based nor incredibly fast paced, but the weight and gravity of the ongoing decisions that are made are sure to keep you hooked.

Monster is not typically one of the first anime I would personally recommend because of its pacing and the weight of the story overall. That said, it has no fantasy elements which may be preferred by some. At 74 episodes total, it’s also pretty easily watchable.

If you like Death Note, Erased, or Parasyte, Monster is certainly an anime that you should try.

#14 – Naruto: Shippuden – 8.7/10

Naruto: Shippuden is the second part of the Naruto story, which takes place three years after the original Naruto story ends. Both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden are incredibly good and there is a lot of back and forth on which one is ultimately better. According to IMDB though, Shippuden takes the cake.

All of Naruto is an incredible anime that was the OG anime for a number of millennial anime fans. No matter who you ask, it’s likely to sit in their top 5. Whether you are looking for action, character development, worldbuilding, or otherwise, Naruto really does have it all. And although it certainly does not have the animation quality of those being released today, it still holds up and would be worth watching today.

Both Naruto and Shippuden total around 750 episodes, so it’s not exactly a quick watch. That said, it has about 30%+ of filler, which most will recommend skipping entirely. If you decide to take it on, you will not be sorry.

#13 – One Punch Man – 8.7/10

Coming in at #13 is none other than One Punch Man. OPM was released in 2015 and is still running to this day. If One Punch Man could be described in two words, it would be hilarious and awesome, in that order.

One Punch Man takes Saitama, who for all intensive purposes should be a normal person, and makes him ridiculously overpowered. Saitama describing how he became strong is a hilarious scene in itself. Despite being ridiculously overpowered, he still has to navigate a world where he has to appease others and compete against a sea of other “heroes”.

Despite the hilarious nature of the show, One Punch Man still finds a way to have a number of incredible fights that are worth watching on their own.

So, if you are looking for an anime that is both awesome and hilarious, then look no further than One Punch Man.

#12 – Berserk (1997) – 8.7/10

Coming in at #12 is likely the heaviest and most mature anime on this list (even #2 would have trouble arguing). Berserk has violence and some incredibly heavy themes and situations, so it has more than earned its R rating.

All that said, Berserk is on this list for a reason. The story is unbelievably good. The flow is incredible. Add in some fantasy in what starts out as a medieval action story, and you’ve got an anime that is not like anything else out there.

While IMDB only references the original 1997 Berserk (which you can find on Youtube by the way), it may be near impossible to stop at that point. Good thing there is a watch order for the anime and a ton more manga available after the anime stops if you need to scratch that itch more. I certainly did.

#11 – Steins; Gate – 8.8/10

Steins; Gate is a quirky, slow burn, time travel story. It’s not action based like most others on this list and violence is certainly limited. Fans though say that the slow start and the quirkiness among the characters is part of what makes it a great anime.

While Steins; Gate may not be for everybody, it’s uniqueness and themes around the effects of time travel make it one worth trying. And since it is only 25 episodes, there is minimal time investment required to get into what many consider an incredible anime!

#10 – Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – 9/10

Bleach is an anime that is considered one of the “Big Three” alongside One Piece and Naruto. Bleach alongside the other two are credited with making anime globally popular, so it’s no wonder that (spoiler alert) all three show up on this list.

Much like Naruto and Shippuden though, IMDB separated Bleach and its original episodes from the newest arc, Thousand-Year Blood War. Where Bleach sits at 8.2 Stars, the TYBW arc sits at an impressive 9.0.

And it’s no wonder. The animation takes a MASSIVE step up in the arc and the storyline takes a bit of a darker turn while bringing in a lot of new pieces of the Bleach puzzle. While it is recommended to watch all of Bleach before starting the Thousand Year Blood War (you can skip the fillers), there are videos of people giving the rundown so you don’t have to.

#9 – Vinland Saga – 8.8/10

Vinland Saga is both a newer anime and another on this list that is currently still running. But while there are only currently 2 seasons out, Vinland Saga has gotten some incredible hype and built an impressive following since it’s release.

Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn, a boy from a Viking group, and brings you through his long and arduous journey in the world. Even through just two seasons, you see some incredible emotion and life questions as the things Thorfinn wants consistently get questioned and taken away.

Add into the fact that Vinland Saga has some of the best anime intros I’ve ever heard, and you’ve got all you need to check this one out.

#8 – Dragon Ball Z – 8.8/10

Next up on the list is an OG anime for many, Dragonball Z. Even just typing that out I can hear the voice at the end of every episode (RIP Doc Harris).

The Dragonball series is a long one, so this rating belongs to Dragonball Z particularly, which follows only the original Dragon Ball when Goku is a young boy. If you need a watch order this article can help.

Dragonball Z had fight scenes that were ahead of its time and has an incredible progression of villains that are hard to match. While some could argue that Dragonball Z doesn’t have as much “depth” as some of the others on this list, the fight scenes and general entertainment makes it worth a watch.

The original Dragonball Z has 291 episodes, which is not a small amount. Good news though, Dragonball Z Kai was released on Dragonball Z’s 20th anniversary and is a recut and remastered version of the original with 167 episodes. Note that Dragonball Z Kai has a lower rating at 8.3, but fans still disagree on which is better to watch.

#7 – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – 8.9/10

Coming in at #7 is the newest anime on the list, Frieren. While Frieren only has one season out, it quickly gained popularity for it’s stunning visuals and incredible feel.

While the action in Frieren is incredibly good, it is not a major focal point of the show. Because of that, some consider Frieren a slower pace than most other anime out there. That said, it has gained major popularity for a reason.

Frieren is undoubtably one of the best anime released in 2023. It already has a major following and will continue to gain more as new seasons get released. If you’re looking for some great emotion and character development with a more mellow pacing, Frieren is definitely for you.

#6 – One Piece – 9/10

One Piece for many is the greatest anime of all time. It has arguably the best worldbuilding of any anime, and is still running today with over 1100 episodes!

One Piece follows Luffy, a boy who wants to become the King of the Pirates. He gathers new crew members along the way and fights against Government, other Pirates, and all sorts of other creatures and villains to get what he wants in his journey.

One Piece is highly entertaining with action, emotion, goofy characters, ridiculous laughs, and quite a few wholesome moments. While it is incredibly long, it is a journey that many would recommend taking on.

If you want to scratch the itch in a different way, One Piece also has a live action version that has respectable reviews.

#5 – Cowboy Bebop – 8.9/10

Coming in at #5 is Cowboy Bebop, which is one of the original anime’s to air on Toonami back in Cartoon Network days. And even if you missed it at that point, it still holds up unbelievably well today. As a matter of fact, it is one that many recommend as a top Starter Anime for those looking to dip their toe in the world of anime.

And it’s no wonder. Cowboy Bebop feels very much like a live action show (despite actually having one also) rather than an anime. Add in the depth of the characters stories and the fact that it is only 26 episodes, and many would consider it to be a must-watch for everyone.

#4 – Death Note – 8.9/10

Coming in at #4 on the list of Top IMDB Rated Anime of All Time is Death Note. Death Note is a psychological anime and arguably one of the greatest cat and mouse psychological thriller shows ever released. Against all shows ever released, anime or not, Death Note sits at an incredibly impressive #36 as an IMDB top show of all time.

Part of what makes Death Note so great is that it plays on some incredibly deep concepts. It makes you question how far you would go to uphold your morals, god complexes, what is necessary for the good of society, and much more.

Sprinkle in a bit of religious themes and you have an anime that is incredibly hard to top. The best part? Death Note wraps up an incredible story in just 37 episodes.

#3 – Hunter x Hunter – 9/10

Hunter x Hunter (said as just Hunter Hunter), may at first seem like any other Shonen anime. If you haven’t tried Hunter x Hunter and think that, then you will be sorely mistaken.

While the plot on its surface seems incredibly basic; a young boy named Gon goes on a search to find his father; Hunter x Hunter gains major points for the depth and intrigue of the characters, the unbelievable word building, arguably the best power system ever created, and also arguably the best bad guys of any anime.

So if you’re looking for an anime with action, amazing characters, and great humor, Hunter X Hunter is absolutely worth trying.

Lastly, Hunter x Hunter has been on hiatus for 10 years as of December 2024. The author Yoshihiro Togashi has had ongoing health issues but has been writing new chapters recently. While it’s not certain, the new releases are giving fans hope that more Hunter x Hunter will be released before too long.

#2 – Attack on Titan – 9.1/10

Coming in at #2 is none other than Attack on Titan. Attack on Titan quickly rose in popularity due to it’s intense and gripping storyline and unbelievable worldbuilding. It is is an incredibly intriguing anime and is hard to compare to any other. On this list, it is second only to Berserk in its gore, intensity, and brutal nature.

It should also be said though that the intensity and gore of Attack on Titan is just one aspect of the show. AOT brings in politics, societal interests, genuine human interaction and emotion, and caps it all off with an incredible ending. It most certainly earns a spot on this list despite not being for everyone.

Because of the intensity of the scenes, the gore, and the horrifying nature of the Titans, Attack on Titan is certainly not for everyone and should be viewed with caution. If you are okay with those things, Attack on Titan is a must watch for all anime fans.

#1 – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – 9.1/10

At #1 is none other than Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. FMA Brotherhood has been long standing in the number 1 spot across a number of anime ranking sites despite being completed in 2010.

FMA Brotherhood tells a unique story about two brothers trying to regain their lost bodies after trying to revive their lost mother. It brings in humor, psychological and philosophical depth, a number of incredibly well written good and bad characters, and caps it all off with an incredibly satisfying ending.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a must watch for all anime fans. At only 64 episodes, it keeps a great pace throughout and is incredibly easy to binge in a short time.

On top of that, FMA Brotherhood is incredibly good in both Japanese and English. Regardless of whether you like sub or dubs, you will not be disappointed.

Honorable Mention: Avatar The Last Airbender – 9.3/10

No, Avatar The Last Airbender is not technically an anime. That said, it definitely deserves a mention here as it is the top rated cartoon of all time and is currently #7 on the list of Top Shows of All Time according to IMDB.

While that may seem crazy, anyone who has seen Avatar will tout how great of a show it is for both kids and adults. Avatar has unbelievable characters and character development, a highly built out plot, and covers a lot of very heavy political and cultural ideas, while still remaining a Y-7 rated kids show.

So is Avatar an anime? No. But is it worth watching? Most definitely.

Thanks for reading!