Even though Jujutsu Kaisen is so new that it’s still airing, we’re confident that it’ll go down as one of the most technically impressive action anime of the decade. That’s because the fine folks at Studio MAPPA have put every ounce of their souls into realizing the full potential of this tale about superpowered exorcists in modern Tokyo. We were particularly impressed by the recent battle against the cursed forest spirit Hanami, which showcased meticulously detailed fight https://i0.mspcdn8.xyz/galleries/1858967/8.jpgchoreography that looked like the animators had put thought into every punch. Even non-violent moments like Toge using his Cursed Speech technique felt weighty and powerful due to the complexity of his mouth movements (and the fact that he has a really sexy voice). We can’t wait to see what happens next!

Veteran anime director Masaaki Yuasa (known for his work on The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong: The Animation, and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, among others) lends his sketchy, unhinged animation style and expert storytelling chops to this modernized remake of the 1970s manga series Devilman. If you can stomach the truly colossal amount of sex and violence in this Netflix-exclusive series, you’ll see that it’s actually a thought-provoking take on how paranoia and xenophobia can tear humanity apart much more efficiently than a demon invasion ever could. This sense of frantic terror carries into the fight scenes, which feel like some unholy combination of a Tex Avery cartoon and a deadly mosh pit – all set to thumping synthwave tracks that continue to pulse through your brain long after each episode is over. We won’t be forgetting this anime anytime soon.

Here’s another fresh new take on a very old manga – this time, it’s the overlooked historical fantasy story Dororo, penned by none other than Osamu Tezuka himself. This version shrugs off many of the outdated elements of its 1960s counterpart (namely the Disney-esque character designs and out-of-place slapstick comedy) to tell a haunting tale about a prosthesis-laden ronin named Hyakkimaru who wanders the war-torn lands of feudal Japan in search of the twelve demons who stole his body parts before he was even born. Along the way, he meets a young thief named Dororo who teaches Hyakkimaru about the world and slowly forms an adorable partnership with him. Let’s just say that if you’ve never seen a deaf-blind warrior with swords hidden in his wooden arms take down eldritch horrors of Japanese mythology before, you’re going to want to give this one a watch as soon as you can.

From the creator of Hellsing comes this balls-to-the-wall insane anime about warriors from all across world history being transported to a fantasy world and warring against each other in the bloodiest way possible. It’s essentially one big “ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny” with historical figures, although the script has been flipped so that historically heroic characters like Joan of Arc are villainous and warlords like Nobunaga Oda are presented as anti-heroes. There are plenty of comedic moments to break up the action, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we can’t help but enjoy every second of this over-the-top battle royale.

Speaking of over-the-top, Studio Trigger’s breakout hit Kill la Kill brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “cutting edge fashion” (sorry). Brash teen Ryuuko is on the hunt for her father’s murderer, armed only with a scissor-shaped sword and a highly revealing sentient superpowered sailor uniform. To capture the culprit once and for all, she must defeat her school’s all-powerful student council president Satsuki and the elite four committee chairs who surround her. Fans of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and FLCL will recognize the animators’ highly expressive art style that eschews pesky things like realistic human movement and the laws of physics to deliver some of the most hype action sequences we’ve ever seen. A word of warning, though: if you try to binge this series all in one go, your heart just might burst out of your chest!

On the completely opposite end of the realism spectrum, we have Vinland Saga: a sobering tale about the horrors of war and the pointlessness of revenge, set in the real-world Viking era. Thorfinn starts out as a cheerful kid, but when an outlaw named Askeladd kills his nigh-invincible father, Thorfinn sneaks his way into Askeladd’s gang and vows to get his vengeance one day. This anime doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to violence – innocent people die gruesome deaths for no reason other than the Vikings’ greed, Thorfinn frequently gets his ass handed to him by foes he has no chance of defeating, and even kind-hearted souls like Prince Canute learn that their lives will be miserable if they don’t actively fight against the hellish society they live in. This is definitely an action anime that’ll really make you think about shounen tropes in a whole new way.

Yoshihiro Togashi’s legendary shounen series Hunter x Hunter, particularly its 2011 anime adaptation, is often considered one of the most well-written action series of all time. The “Nen” power system is thoroughly fleshed out and varied, the characters have believable motivations and a surprising amount of depth, and the villains (especially Hisoka) are genuinely terrifying. You’d be forgiven for thinking at first that this anime is just a generic happy shounen, but when the cheeky skateboarding 12-year-old rips out a man’s still-beating heart with nothing but pure death in his eyes, you’ll understand what Hunter x Hunter is really about. The only bad thing is that we may never see the end of the full story since the manga is still in publication after 22 years and the odds of a new chapter releasing in any given month are about the same as getting struck by lightning...

Attack on Titan’s first season was a hype-tastic thrill ride, featuring disturbing monster designs and a unique parkour/zipline fighting style for the humans, but it was essentially just a zombie apocalypse plot when you got right down to it. But from the second season onward, its story expanded significantly into an intricately written political thriller that defied everyone’s expectations and transformed standard shounen protagonist Eren into a morally ambiguous wild card with motives known only to himself. The animation is fantastic no matter which season you’re watching, although some of our favorite moments are Levi’s first fight with Kenny during the Uprising arc and Eren’s grand entrance in Liberio during the Marley arc.
Now that Attack on Titan is approaching its end, we can’t wait to see the absolutely insane scenes from the last chapters of the manga brought to life by the talented animators working on this monumental anime.

We couldn’t in good conscience make a list about the best action anime without including JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, so here’s Golden Wind – a phenomenally strange and yet amazing show about fashionable mobsters beating the crap out of each other with superpowers named after real-world music references. Hirohiko Araki’s signature art style, which combines aspects of classical Greek statues and ‘80s fashion illustrations, is translated perfectly onto the screen by David Production in some of their most stylish work to date. Stand battles have never felt more vibrant or intense, and scenes that manga fans have been waiting decades to see like the Cioccolata beatdown or the final fight with the boss are simply beautiful to behold. Even if you haven’t watched the other parts yet, you should still give Golden Wind a shot – it’s a great place to start your journey into the weird, wonderful world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t the only recent Weekly Shounen Jump juggernaut with an anime whose sanctified animation has dropped jaws worldwide – the other (and possibly superior) one is the Taisho-era supernatural drama Demon Slayer. Tanjiro’s journey to defeat infamous demon Muzan Kibutsuji and regain his sister Nezuko’s humanity is a heartfelt and deeply engaging one, and Studio Ufotable’s masterful visuals complete the whole package. Episode 19’s fight against the spider demon Rui practically broke the internet overnight, and its movie Mugen Train has shattered records worldwide, all thanks to the killer combo of mangaka Koyoharu Gotouge’s writing and Ufotable’s ukiyo-e inspired artwork. Right now, it’s our absolute favorite action anime!

An oldie but a goodie! Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is the ultimate power fantasy. Dubbed as a "loser" by his peers, Tsunayoshi Sawada's reputation as a clumsy and talentless weakling precedes him. Stuck in a boring life with little room to grow, Tsuna's life takes a turn for the weird when a baby hitman arrives on his doorstep.

Recognized as one of the most valuable Mafiosos in the world, Reborn belongs to a powerful Italian family and was sent to train Tsuna as the next heir to the throne. Initially, Tsuna waves away Reborn's attempts, but the baby awakens a hidden power in the once dull teenager. Even if Tsuna is no longer a pushover, his newfound worth makes him a target for a lot of dangerous people.

With the exception of the first 20 comedy-heavy episodes, Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is an entertaining over-the-top shounen series that follows Tsuna as he builds his own Mafia family and takes on some truly nasty foes!

In terms of pure Hollywoodesque action, Black Lagoon is the creme of the crop. Set in the city of Roanapur in Thailand, Madhouse's anime is named after a mercenary group that operates from within this criminal haven. Willing to take on pretty much any job, Black Lagoon is a thrilling heart-pumping rollercoaster ride that occasionally tackles themes of morality and existentialism; however, the anime is mostly about gun-wielding nuns, sociopathic maids, and Revy's awesomeness!

Employed as a businessman, Rokurou Okajima is the living embodiment of average. Leading a trite life while working for an emotionless organization, Rokurou ends up held for ransom by Black Lagoon but decides to join their team due to his bosses opting to let him die. In contrast with his new comrades, the soft-spoken Rokurou is driven by a moral compass that, sooner-or-later, will get him killed in Roanapur. Black Lagoon chronicles this former businessman's transformation from a faceless drone into a proficient mercenary.

Unsurprisingly, Madhouse's animation is smooth-as-silk and a joy to behold. Well-choreographed and always compelling, Black Lagoon is a must watch for any anime fan who appreciates a bit of mayhem!

Out of nowhere, a mysterious alien-like creature destroys part of the moon and threatens to do the same to Earth unless someone puts a stop to his evil plan. While that is already strange enough, the monster decides to start teaching a Middle School class of delinquents who are tasked by the government to assassinate their teacher. In this case, the anime's title fits the premise like a velvet glove!

Based on Yuusei Matsui's hit manga, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu is a thoroughly engrossing action comedy that features the near-legendary protagonist of Koro-sensei. At first, the teacher is seen as nothing more than a deadly monster by his pupils, who attempt to bring him down with a swift hit. As their efforts prove futile and time marches on, Koro-sensei develops a positive relationship with his class and starts to teach them how to be better people.

With a solid blend of humor and imaginative action, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu is the full package. While the story gets progressively darker and the fight scenes intensify, Lerche's anime regularly finds ways to pull at the audience's heartstrings with a couple of touching moments.

When it comes to anime, CGI tends to be rather hit and miss. To this day, Land of the Lustrous remains the prime example of how the animation style can be used to complement the setting and bring the best out of the storyline. Based on Haruko Ichikawa's manga, Houseki no Kuni was originally adapted into a puzzling one minute short; thankfully, in due time, studio Orange stepped in to bring this beautiful story to the small screen.

Set in a world destroyed by six meteors, crystalline organisms labeled as Gems are tasked with defeating the Lunarians, a species who enjoy destroying the former to use as decorations. At first, these two factions seem to be the only players, but the Admirabilis are eventually introduced to another dimension.

Land of the Lustrous follows the weakest of the gems, Phosphophyllite, as he attempts to learn more about himself and the purpose he serves. As a Gem, sacrifices must be made to improve upon oneself, so Phosphophyllite is constantly at the risk of losing himself. From the stiff movements of the Gems to the glamorize Adrmirabilis, the animation reflects the nature of the characters and adds personality to the action.

In comparison with the other entries in this list, Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu is slightly more subdued and atmospheric. Developed by Madhouse and adapted from Hitoshi Iwaaki's manga with the same name, Parasyte's premise pivots on a parasitic alien race that invades Earth by attacking vulnerable people and taking over their brain. Once in control, their plan is to slowly spread to people in power and dominate the planet without needing to trigger a full-scale war.

Picked as a suitable target, sixteen-year-old Shinichi Izumi fights off an alien's attempted incursion and quarantines the parasite to his right hand. Renamed as Migi and forced to co-exist, these two gradually bond while fighting off hostile parasites who plan to turn Earth into their playground.

Violent and bloody, Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu is not for the faint of heart. At times, Madhouse's series ventures into horror territory, but there should be more than enough action to satisfy the majority of viewers. By nature, parasites are efficient, so the fights tend to be short but explosive. The core relationship between Shinichi and his unwanted guest progresses at a fantastic pace, with both characters experiencing a fair amount of development.

Sports anime might not be the first thing to pop into someone's mind when thinking of action, but boxing toes the line between entertainment and violence. Presented as somewhat of an alternate reality to the legendary Ashita no Joe series, Megalo Box questions the amount of pain one is willing to endure in order to achieve their dream.

Boxing with robotic arms; in this universe, Megalo Box is everything! The richest companies either specialize in the technology or host the events that use the equipment. Outside of the glitz and glamour of the big leagues, Junk Dog earns a living as an underground fighter who throws matches to keep a crime syndicate off his back. Partnered up with a former professional manager, Junk Dog dreams of challenging the champ at a huge tournament called Megalonia.

Megalo Box encapsulates the best elements of sports and action anime. The sci-fi gimmick adds a degree of unpredictability to the actual matches, while Dog's background means that every fight could lead to his death. Due to a lack of money, the protagonist is forced to compete without the assistance of any robotic arms, which only serves to further heighten the stakes.

By this point, Boku no Hero Academia probably can make due without an introduction. Similarly to One Punch Man and Tiger & Bunny, two other anime worth watching, Bones' series is set in a world where superheroes are common. Quirks refer to unique abilities inherited by the vast majority of the population; depending on their usefulness, the ability's owner can opt to attend a school for heroes.

Unfortunately, Deku lacks any powers whatsoever. A huge admirer of the greatest hero, All Might, Deku's dream of following in his idol's footsteps seems to be fading fast. One day, the teenager gets involved in a perilous situation that requires the intervention of All Might, who then decides that Deku would serve as his ideal successor.

Currently on its third season, Boku no Hero Academia deserves to be watched by pretty much everyone. From the school setting to the compulsory tournament arc, Bones' anime sticks close to shounen tropes but does them better than nearly all of its contemporaries. Packed with lovable characters and unbelievable fights, Boku no Hero Academia is popular for a reason!

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure lives up to its name and requires a bit of getting used to. Split into a variety of parts, the story follows the misadventures across different generations of the JoJo family. Starting with Jonathan Joestar's encounter with the vampiric Dio, the anime has only gone from strength to strength. Set in the late '90s, JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai finds the series at the height of its power.

Building on its predecessor, Diamond is Unbreakable continues to develop the concept of "Stands," which are the living embodiment of someone's fighting spirit. Varying in appearance and combat style, no two encounters are ever the same in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

This time around, Jousuke Higashikata takes center stage and finds himself embroiled in a string of mysterious disappearances that point towards a serial killer. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable plays around with convention by establishing a villain who wants nothing to do with Jousuke. Imaginative and highly enjoyable, the action scenes are probably the best and most intense of the series.

With ONE's One Punch Man manga receiving a highly-regarded anime adaptation, Mob Psycho 100 was the next in line. Developed by Bones, this anime boasts a truly unique and exaggerated animation style that seems better suited for comedy rather than action, but the latter ends up being the show's selling point.

Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama is an eighth-grader possessing psychic prowess beyond his control. As long as he is calm, Mob can keep a lid on his powers, but all hell breaks loose when that is not the case. Worried that he might accidentally hurt someone, Mob turns to Arataka Reigen for guidance. While the latter pretends to be a psychic, he is really just a con artist who tricks people out of their hard-earned cash; however, Mob believes in his sensei.

Throughout the episodes, Mob Psycho 100 depicts a gradually increasing counter that explodes once it hits hundred. At that point, Mob goes completely insane and the action jumps from great to mind-blowing!

Here we are; the pinnacle of action anime! Dark and uncomfortable, Ufotable's Fate/Zero has a fantastic story, fascinating characters, and some of the most fluid animation in the business. As high-octane combat is the name of the game, expect to be on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the anime's run!

Every couple of decades, a Holy Grail War takes place that brings together the strongest Magus families in the world. In order to qualify for this battle royale, the combatant has to be able to summon a servant to represent them in the contest. Armed with their own personal hero, the winner will be granted any wish they desire.

Fate/Zero does not pretend that such a contest could be fun or enjoyable. The Holy Grail War is a battle for survival and the fights echo this mentality. Be it the servants or their masters, everyone involved aims to put down their opponent for good. Place your bets, because the battle royale is about to begin!

Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry tells the story of Ikki Kurogane, a young academy student in an alternate version of our world where the merit of students is measured in terms of their innate magical abilities. Because of his apparent lack of any magical abilities whatsoever, he is shunned by his classmates and the faculty, who don’t realize that what he lacks in inherent magical powers, he more than makes up for with rigorous combat training and a strong moral fiber. When he is forced to become roommates with the voluptuous, magically-endowed Stella Vermillion, it sets him on a path to prove that a person should be measured by the effort they put into their deeds.

This show is perfect for fans of the action genre, as it has a ton of edge of your seat action in the form of duels between students, as well as dangerous encounters outside of campus grounds. Although the storytelling can be rather light-hearted, due in part to heaping doses of ecchi moments, when the weapons come out the slick animation makes sure the action is the star of the show.

Perhaps one of the most stylish new anime to come out this past season, Bungo Stray Dogs tells the story of Nakajima Atsushi, a young orphan cast out of his home because of his connection to a serious of mysterious murders. He finds himself on the bank of a river, starved nearly to death, when he encounters Dazai Osamu, an eccentric man trying, unsuccessfully, to drown himself. This fateful encounter leads him to join the ranks of the Armed Detective Agency, which pits itself against the city’s criminal underbelly.

The word bungo loosely translates from Japanese as “literary master,” which is what almost the entirety of the cast is comprised of. Members of both the Armed Detective Agency, as well as their adversary, are inspired by real-life Japanese authors who were highly influential to the crime and mystery genres, and their abilities are in-turn inspired by their literary creations. The storytelling is as hard-boiled as it comes, and when these famous literary figures start slinging their powers, it’s sure to delight any fan of the action genre.

When it comes to action, it’s hard to find a world as filled with it as that of criminals. With that in mind, we come to Gangsta. It takes place in the gritty, down and dirty town of Ergastulum, where crime is the name of the game, and the “wrong side” is whichever side puts you in front of the barrel of a gun.

The story follows a pair of deadly handymen, Worick, a gigolo with a scarring family history, and Nicolas, a deaf mercenary with superhuman abilities from prolonged use of a super drug. The plot revs into fourth gear after they save Alex, a former prostitute. The show is as hard-hitting as the setting, painting a grim landscape of moral ambiguity and hard choices whose consequences are measured in the bodies that hit the ground, and will engage any action fan with an interest in the genre.

Based off of the hit videogame series of the same name, God Eater is set in the near future, in Japan, where some of the last vestiges of humanity struggle against giant monsters known as Aragami, and the brave soldiers that battle them are known as “God Eaters.” Young military trainee Lenka joins the Fenrir Far East branch when it is discovered that he can utilize his “God Arc,” a weapon created from the DNA of Aragami to battle them, can switch between blade and gun form.

Like any war story worth watching, God Eater has a relatable cast of heroes to root for, forced to battle through situations where the stakes are literally life and death. In a world where success is measured by survival, lessons are often learned hard, and at the expense of your squad mates’ lives, the action of the show comes at the viewer's hard and fast, making it essential viewing for fans of the game, and action anime in general.

There’s a legend that states that when an evil god awakens, the god of fate will appoint six warriors, called “Braves,” and grant them the power to combat darkness and save the world. The self-proclaimed “strongest man alive,” Adlet Meyer believes he deserves to be welcomed into the order and given the chance to prove his valor and get revenge for the destruction of his village. However, when he gathers at the appointed location, there are seven Braves total, not six, and it’s up to Adlet and co. to get to the bottom of it.

Although Adlet might not be the strongest man alive, he is a savvy warrior, as are all the Braves. The fight scenes in are truly a sight to behold, with dynamically animated scenes that are almost cinema-like, accompanied by an appropriately epic score. While the main narrative hook of the show is a bit more like a “whodunit,” there’s plenty for action fans to sink their teeth into.

The kingdom of Pars is an economic and cultural crossroads in the fictional, Middle Eastern-inspired world The Heroic Legend of Arslan. When Andragoras the 3rd falls victim to a sinister plot carried out by some of his most trusted advisors, it forces his son Arslan to flee his rightful home and sets him on a harrowing adventure for survival. Although Arslan is young, he has a good heart and inspires the loyalty of a small band of brave, intelligent warriors who work effortlessly to reclaim his throne.

The Heroic Legend of Arslan will scratch any fantasy or action fan’s itch for an epic adventure. With its ensemble cast of memorable characters, its historical scope, and sweeping scale, and its brutal action scenes, it’s a show that has captured the essence of a series that has endured multiple iterations in Japan. With another season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to catch up.

Although it placed on the previous list, we would feel remiss if we didn’t include the brutal, now-iconic show Attack on Titan, which helped raise the bar for the action genre in the west. If you’ve somehow missed it, the show takes place in a dark fantasy world where humans have managed to survive a near-extinction event due to the sudden appearance of titans, monstrous, mindless giants that rampage and feast on humanity. Behind three massive walls, they’ve lived a relatively peaceful life, until a colossal titan breaches the outermost wall, allowing smaller titans to enter and wreak havoc. The story follows an ensemble cast surrounding three main characters, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, as they struggle to gain ground against the advancing titans and understand the nature of the monsters themselves.

To say the action scenes in the show are brutal is perhaps an understatement. The titans are literally larger-than-life, and wreak havoc wherever they go. Although the self-defense corps fights valiantly against them, their pyrrhic victories are often at the expense of countless lives, as young soldiers are devoured by the thoughtless monsters. Although it drags a bit in the middle due to filler, the final twist more than makes up for it, and the constant action ensures that the show never wears out its welcome.

In the fictional, Tokyo-inspired metropolis, City Z, day to day drudgery is the least of anyone’s problems. The city is prone to attacks from super-villains and monsters and is defended by the do-gooders in the Hero Association, always willing to come to the aid of citizens in their time of need. Amongst their ranks is Saitama, an unremarkable, milquetoast-looking man of unparalleled physical prowess, thus earning him the nickname, “one-punch man.” Years of training have pushed him to his peak, and he has grown bored with his ability to conquer even the greatest threats without breaking a sweat, so he constantly seeks more powerful opponents.

One Punch Man has exploded in popularity since it came onto the scene, and it’s easy to see why. With an endearing protagonist and a fun, sometimes infuriating cast of supporting heroes and villains, there’s a lot for the audience to get attached to. Which isn’t to mention the fight scenes, of which there are plenty, and often resolve themselves hilariously. Perhaps a bit light-hearted compared to other entries on the list, but One Punch Man is essential viewing for action fans.

Another entry from the previous list that is just so good that it’s worth repeating, the critically and fan-acclaimed series rounds out the list. If you’ve somehow missed this show despite its meteoric rise to popularity over a decade ago, it centers on Spike Spiegel. A former hitman turned “cowboy” in a future in which mankind has colonized most of space and established a contract-based bounty hunting force to supplement the Inter Solar Space Police. Partnered with his former officer friend, Jet Black, the pair scours the galaxy for big scores and pick up a few more members of their ragtag bounty hunting outfit, including bombshell Faye Valentine, and a Mensa-level Corgi.

This show is a genre-bending masterpiece, with iconic characters, a fantastic musical score, non-linear storytelling, and a jaw-dropping denouement. While most episodes take place in a sort of case of the week format, they’re all suitably action-packed, with space battles, gunfights, and melee skirmishes. If you haven’t yet, please, watch this show. You won’t be disappointed.

The latest, and arguably greatest entry in the immensely popular, iconic Dragon Ball series, Super is a landmark in that it’s the first original content created in the series in over eighteen years, finally moving the story forward for beloved characters. While Dragon Ball needs no introduction, it tells the story of Goku, a kind-hearted man with immense strength, who defends the inhabitants of Earth with his friends and family.

The series is known for constantly upping the ante throughout its story arcs, introducing iconic, increasingly-powerful villains that threaten Goku and co., and the fate of the galaxy. Dragon Ball Super is no different. With the introduction of a literal god of destruction, the return of one of the series’ most nefarious villains, and the exploration of alternate realities, the show is pushing its own boundaries while staying true to the aspects of it that made it so popular in the first place. For old fans or those interested in the series, Dragon Ball Super meets every expectation.