Hey there! Have you heard about some of the amazing anime series that Redditors are raving about? As one of the biggest online discussion platforms, Reddit is a great place to take the pulse on what anime fans consider the absolute best of the best.
In this post, I‘ll walk you through Reddit‘s 10 highest rated and most beloved anime series. From psychological thrillers to comedy classics, these shows represent the gold standard and are must watch material for both diehard otaku and newcomers.
Trust me – after over 15 years as an anime fan and active Redditor on r/anime and other related subreddits, I‘ve seen all of these shows and can break down exactly why Redditors put them on a pedestal. Each one brings something special and unique to the table that has allowed it to stand the test of time.
Let‘s get started!
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Any post on Reddit asking about the best anime will inevitably have Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood near the very top. This action-packed epic series has been called "anime‘s closest equivalent to a masterpiece" by IGN critic Meghan Sullivan [1]. On MyAnimeList, it has the #1 spot as the highest rated anime with a score of 9.23/10 [2].
So what makes Brotherhood so beloved? This adaptation was created to follow the original Fullmetal Alchemist manga‘s story much more faithfully than the 2003 adaptation. Set in a meticulously built steampunk world where alchemy is real, Brotherhood hooks viewers with its complex plot, meaningful character development, and shocking twists.
Protagonists Edward and Alphonse Elric lost their mother at a young age and attempted to use alchemy to resurrect her, losing Ed‘s arm and leg and Al‘s entire body in the process. Their ill-fated transmutation sets them on a quest to find the Philosopher‘s Stone to undo the damage. Along the way, they become caught up in a conspiracy involving the shadowy Homunculi and the military.
Brotherhood blends drama, comedy, and pulse-pounding action seamlessly. The anime‘s ending is incredibly cathartic and earned after everything the characters go through. On Reddit, fans praise how well-constructed and conclusive the story is, while still finding ways to surprise you. The complex themes of morality, family, and human nature resonate strongly.
Popularity and Rankings
- Ranked #1 anime of all time on Reddit‘s r/anime polls in 2017 and 2021 [3]
2. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan skyrocketed to enormous popularity when it first premiered thanks to its cinematic visuals and engrossing premise. Today, it remains a juggernaut that‘s often brought up as one of the best modern anime. On Reddit, it stands as the #2 highest rated anime on the platform behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood [4].
In an apocalyptic world where humanity lives inside walled cities for protection from human-eating Titans, Attack on Titan starts out focused on the military squad fighting back after the walls are breached. But over its seasons, the mystery and scope expands enormously in unpredictable ways.
Fans on Reddit praise Attack on Titan‘s phenomenal plotting across seasons, with payoffs to details hinted at dozens of episodes earlier. There‘s nary an ounce of filler across its run. The anime reinvented itself multiple times, while still feeling like a coherent, unified story. And the foreboding atmosphere, tension-filled action sequences, haunting soundtrack all come together to create an immersive, cinematic experience.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.10/10 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #2 [5]
- Ranked #2 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood [4]
3. Steins;Gate
Among anime fans looking for compelling sci-fi stories, Steins;Gate is widely considered top-tier when it comes to time travel plots and thrillers. On MyAnimeList, it has a 9.12/10 rating, putting it at #3 on the all-time highest rated list [6].
Steins;Gate starts out deceivingly light-hearted, centered on eccentric "mad scientist" Rintaro Okabe and his experiments with time travel and world lines. But when things go horribly wrong, what follows is a gripping rollercoaster where every choice has far-reaching consequences.
Redditors praise Steins;Gate for its meticulously constructed, layered narrative where small details come back in hugely significant ways. The writers clearly plotted out the ramifications of time travel thoroughly. Plus, the characters feel very human and their relationships develop organically. Unlike many sci-fi stories, there‘s an emotional core that draws you in.
For those who normally find time travel paradoxes and mechanisms confusing, Steins;Gate makes them engaging and easy to follow. This anime is widely considered the pinnacle of the genre.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.12/10 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #3 [6]
- Ranked #6 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
4. Cowboy Bebop
Whenever someone asks "What anime should I watch first?" on Reddit, you‘re guaranteed to see Cowboy Bebop as one of the top recommendations. This space western from the late ‘90s remains iconic and is considered one of the most flawless anime ever made.
Set in a future where space travel is common, Cowboy Bebop follows an eclectic crew of bounty hunters aboard the ship Bebop. It‘s episodic, with each session telling a unique story as the crew takes on various bounties and gets into misadventures. Despite this format, the anime has an overarching narrative focused on the tragic pasts of its central characters that all ties together beautifully by the end.
Along with its smooth stylish animation, vibrant worldbuilding, and sonically perfect jazz and blues soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop endures thanks to its mix of thrilling actions, humor,and emotional weight. Redditors describe the series as aging like fine wine, retaining its magic and resonance decades later. It‘s essential viewing.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.03 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #27 [7]
- Ranked #4 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
5. Death Note
Few anime premises grab people‘s attention right off the bat like Death Note. This dark fantasy series introduced the now iconic rivalry between genius high school student Light Yagami and enigmatic detective "L".
After Light finds a supernatural notebook that can kill anyone simply by writing their name, he takes it upon himself to rid the world of evil by killing criminals. But his killings attract attention, and genius eccentric detective L takes it upon himself to catch the mysterious "Kira". What follows is a compelling cat-and-mouse game of tactics and deception.
Death Note is lauded for how tightly plotted and fast paced it is, with every episode furthering the central conflict. Light and L‘s confrontation raises fascinating questions about morality and justice. Backed by striking visuals and music, Death Note sucks you into its twisted, high stake mind games.
On Reddit, fans praise how dense the show is with details that gain immense significance on rewatches. The bizarre premise allows the writers to continuously shock and surprise viewers. Over 15 years after its original run, the anime still holds up incredibly well.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.04 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #24 [8]
- Ranked #9 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
6. Mob Psycho 100
From acclaimed One Punch Man author ONE, Mob Psycho 100 has become a Reddit favorite for its endearing characters, stylish visuals, and perfect balance between action, comedy, drama, and slice-of-life.
Socially awkward middle school psychic Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama wants to live a normal life and keeps his emotions in check. But working for con man Reigen Arataka leads to unpredictable misadventures testing Mob‘s morals and power.
Fans describe Mob Psycho 100 as having an "infectious" positivity alongside the hype action sequences. Despite Mob‘s immense psychic abilities, he stays humble and introspective. The contrast between his kind personality and god-level powers makes for great comedy.
Under its comedic exterior, the anime packs an emotional punch, especially in how Mob grows to understand his feelings. With an eye-popping animation style, fluid action, and colorful aesthetic, Mob Psycho 100 encapsulates the creative vision that makes anime such a great medium.
Popularity and Rankings
- 8.69 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #66 [9]
- Ranked #15 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
7. Gintama
In the mood for some ribs-hurting laughter alongside fourth-wall breaking action? Then Gintama should be on your radar! Redditors love Gintama for putting common shounen anime tropes through a hilarious filter, subverting expectations through meta humor.
The show follows Gintoki Sakata, an eccentric samurai who takes on odd jobs in feudal Japan…which is suddenly overrun by aliens. With sharp tongue-in-cheek writing, ridiculous sight gags, and no fear of crossing genres, Gintama‘s comedy involves a lot of slapstick absurdism, screwy situations, and running gags with its enormous cast.
Underneath all the silliness and sight gags are meaningful themes on humanity, revealing the "Life Lessons with Gin-chan" wisdom beneath the show‘s insane exterior. Emotional moments hit hard amidst the laughter. Overall, Gintama‘s ability to organically blend goofy comedy and heart-wrenching drama is why fans remain so attached.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.05 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #22 [10]
- Ranked #11 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
8. Hunter x Hunter
Long-running shonen anime often start to drag or lose steam over time. But Hunter x Hunter remains intriguing and engaging across its run, without feeling bloated.
It follows Gon Freecss, a boy who sets out to become a pro Hunter like his absent father. Alongside seasoned Hunters like Killua and Kurapika, Gon learns to survive harsh challenges and forge bonds.
Hunter x Hunter is praised for its creative and balanced power system Nen, which introduces various abilities without breaking established rules. The fights are thrilling thanks to clever strategies rather than overpowered attacks. Outside of battles, there‘s also meaningful character development during lower stakes moments.
Redditors describe Hunter x Hunter as "masterclass shonen storytelling". There‘s a sense of wonder and discovery to early arcs, which then transitions into darker, heavier themes while retaining its levity. It avoids typical tropes and goes in directions you can‘t anticipate, keeping you hooked.
Popularity and Rankings
- 9.12 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #3 [11]
- Ranked #5 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
9. Monogatari Series
No modern anime has an aesthetic and style as unique as the surreal Monogatari Series. On Reddit, fans gush over its sharp wordplay-filled writing, creative cinematography, thematic depth, supernatural elements, and cast of endearing oddballs.
Each arc focuses on former vampire protagonist Koyomi Araragi helping girls possessed by oddities haunting them. Known for its lengthy, fast-paced dialogues and references to Japanese wordplay and mythology, it‘s a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.
The anime weaves in plenty of visual symbolism and creative editing around its long conversations to keep things interesting. Despite following a familiar "help the girl of the week" format, each story expands the characters and setting. Overall, the Monogatari Series‘ novelty has made it a standout.
Popularity and Rankings
- 8.77 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #41 [12]
- Ranked #7 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
10. Neon Genesis Evangelion
It‘s incredible how Neon Genesis Evangelion, over 25 years after its original release, remains influential in anime. Despite the years, it remains a fixture in discussions around the best and most thought-provoking anime on Reddit.
In a post-apocalyptic future, special pilots control biomechanical mechas called Evas to fight invading celestial beings called Angels. But the focus lies more in analyzing the psychologies of the Eva pilots struggling with trauma.
Where Evangelion innovated was in how it unexpectedly shifted from a conventional mecha anime into a surreal, experimental character study diving deep into the pilots‘ mental states. The show‘s iconic and symbolic visuals paired with its existential themes analyzed human nature and psychology in ways few anime did back then. Its atmosphere and style are still captivating today.
Popularity and Rankings
- 8.66 rating on MyAnimeList, ranked #50 [13]
- Ranked #8 on Reddit‘s r/anime polls [4]
One amazing aspect of anime is just how much variety the medium offers – there‘s truly something for everyone! But on a platform like Reddit where seasoned fans gather, certain masterful, influential titles float to the top.
The anime that rank extremely highly among Reddit‘s community showcase some of the most top-tier storytelling, animation, worldbuilding, and imagination that the anime industry has delivered. These shows resonate so strongly thanks to their compelling themes, characters, and sheer vision.
Hopefully this breakdown has provided a peek into why Redditors consider these shows the best of the best. Beyond just being wildly popular, they represent the incredible creativity and potential of animation to tell stories in ways no other medium can.
So what are you waiting for? There‘s never been a better time to experience these anime masterpieces and see firsthand what makes them so special. Trust Reddit – you‘ll almost certainly find some new all-time favorites here!
