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When it comes to streaming anime, Crunchyroll is essentially the default platform of choice. Not only does it have more than 1,000 shows and movies in its streaming library, but Crunchyroll is often the only place to stream some of the most popular (and most anticipated) titles. Even though big shows like Jujutsu Kaisen eventually make their way to other platforms, Crunchyroll always gets first dibs. In that sense, it always feels like other streaming services are playing catch-up and only occasionally get a major exclusive.
Netflix has a decent anime library that grows every month, and the streaming service has also produced some excellent original anime over the years. Some of its most popular originals — like Castlevania and Blood of Zeus — aren’t technically anime, but they still boast complex storytelling and spectacular animation with an overall look that sure seems like anime. That said, when it comes to legitimate anime, Netflix does have a fair number of exclusive shows and movies that are absolutely worth watching.
Here’s a look at the seven best Netflix Original anime that everyone should see at least once.
7
Blame!
Tsutomu Nihei’s Blame! is a pure distillation of the cyberpunk ethos. Nihei’s manga embraces the cosmic chaos of a universe that feels indifferent to human civilization. While Blame! unravels perfectly on monochrome pages, translating such a layered, abstract tale to the big screen is no walk in the park. Blame! follows a silent loner named Killy, who wanders the vast, dystopian space of The City in search of an extinct genetic marker that can help humanity regain control over civilization.
Netflix’s Blame! might not replicate the depth of its source material, but it does a wonderful job of turning these abstractions into an action-heavy sci-fi spectacle. There’s a lawlessness to Nihei’s manga that makes Killy feel almost like a cowboy in the Wild West. But this Blame! adaptation leans much deeper into gritty cyberpunk aesthetics. Killy wields his Gravitational Beam Emitter whenever things get dire which makes for a destructive spectacle. But Netflix’s movie adaptation wisely grounds the story in his efforts to help protect the remnants of human society.
6
Dorohedoro
Quirky, absurdist, and unpredictable at all times, Netflix’s Dorohedoro will give you the best kind of genre whiplash. Set in a post-apocalyptic world that thrives on class-based division, Dorohedoro follows Caiman, an amnesiac who desperately wants to punish the sorcerer responsible for giving him a lizard head.
Caiman gets help from his friend Nikaido and ends up confronting uncomfortable truths along the way. The show’s distinct aesthetic allows the most grotesque elements to pop onscreen, which serves the anime’s tendency to jump between slapstick comedy and gory, traumatic moments. MAPPA has been doing some incredible work over the years, but Dorohedoro shows off the studio’s ability to experiment with tone and atmosphere without losing any momentum.
5
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
You don’t need to play Cyberpunk 2077 before experiencing the absolute perfection that is Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, but familiarity with Night City will certainly make you appreciate this Netflix miniseries even more. The story maps the tragic life of David Martinez, who sheds his humble Street Kid origins to become an Edgerunner, a cybernetically enhanced mercenary outlaw who lives on the fringes of society.
Like any compelling entry in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners explores the cost of obsessive cybernetic modification, the death of innocence in a dystopian metropolis, and the rampant corruption in every strata of society. David’s story, especially his romantic relationship with the Netrunner Lucy, becomes the emotional core of an anime that opens up the world while bringing complex in-game concepts to life. Edgerunners retroactively adds crucial context to V’s branching fates in the game, but even as a standalone story, it captures the tragedy of a young man whose dreams remain unfulfilled even after he claims the coveted moniker of “legend.”
4
Great Pretender
In Netflix’s Great Pretender, Makoto Edamura is a petty con-artist who boasts that he’s a renowned swindler. An attempt to hoodwink a French tourist goes south, and Makoto ends up targeted by the police. Unprepared to deal with the gravity of the situation, Makoto is then roped into the world of skilled con artists who target powerful public figures.
What makes this a solid anime is its ability to pull off intricate, globe-trotting heists and blend such a high-octane premise with enthusiastic comedy. Some heists are smooth and stylish, modeled after the ones in the Ocean’s franchise, while others use the heist framework to unravel Makoto as a character. Deception is the name of the game here, which means that these adventures are often structured in ways to catch the audience (and by extension, Makoto) off guard. As a bonus, Great Pretender also features Queen’s rendition of the eponymous track as its main theme.
3
Devilman Crybaby
An unforgettable one-season wonder, Devilman Crybaby adapts Go Nagai’s Devilman manga while updating its 1970s setting to the current era. Akira and his dear friend Ryo are up against an ancient race of demons hell-bent on destroying humanity, which makes them believe that the best way to defeat them is to tap into their powers. Things take a decidedly heartbreaking turn from this point onwards, with Devilman Crybaby telling a raw, emotionally resonant tale about empathy and paranoia.
The core appeal of the anime lies in its eagerness to dabble in grey areas. The definition of what makes someone a “monster” is questioned at every turn, as humans end up hunting innocents out of unfounded suspicion. There’s also a staunch anti-war philosophy at the heart of Devilman Crybaby — every conflict ends in unchecked violence and countless casualties, making it impossible to crown either side as “righteous.” Akira and Ryo’s relationship is recontextualized through a stunning metaphor towards the end, adding greater weight to the nihilistic ending that the story chooses to embrace.
2
Delicious in Dungeon
Dungeon crawl anime like Solo Leveling and Made in Abyss tackle the central trope in interesting ways, but Delicious in Dungeon emerges as an incredible standout. In this world, adventuring parties raid dungeons in hopes of finding the mysterious Golden Country. A human spellcaster named Falin gets consumed by a dragon during one such expedition, but she manages to magically teleport her party to safety.
Led by Falin’s brother Laios, this party survives the harsh conditions by harvesting, prepping, and cooking the monsters they encounter during their quest. Netflix’s Delicious in Dungeon makes a hearty meal out of its layered world-building and attention-heavy storytelling, where every detail allows us to better understand the environments they interact with. Although these segments have a warm, cozy quality, the anime gradually ramps up its stakes and veers into its dark fantasy roots without ever losing its charm or humor.
1
Violet Evergarden
Netflix helped put a spotlight on Kyoto Animation’s Violet Evergarden, a beautifully animated, 13-episode gem that will definitely make you cry. Set in the land of Telesis after The Great War, the anime focuses on a young girl named Violet, who had been raised as a weapon of war. Having lost both arms during the final battle, Violet uses prosthetics to write letters on behalf of clients after the war ends.
Violet feels disconnected from herself and those around her, as she is yet to comprehend what love and empathy truly mean. As a child soldier, Violet needs to process unimaginable trauma while navigating these heavy emotions, which isn’t easy when she isn’t sure what kind of person she is (or wants to be). Violet Evergarden dwells on these somber themes while mapping a steady path of forgiveness and acceptance for its protagonist. It is a gorgeous, moving story about the power of the written word, which acts as an emotional tether for Violet during her journey.
