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Although only available in the United States,Funimationis one of the leading platforms in the world of anime. However, its streaming component is no longer a massive selling point. In March 2022, Funimation and Crunchyroll confirmed that the former’s library will be gradually transferred over to the latter, combining to create the largest (legal) anime catalog on the internet. Regardless of this development, Funimation has continued to support its service, especially since the brand offers far more than just streaming.
Covering both new and classic anime, the service’s library is stacked with goodies. It does not matter what genre someone prefers, they are likely to find a show on the platform that fits their needs. Let’s take a look at thebest anime on Funimation.
Shonen and comedy anime have dedicated articles:
Horror and anime do not regularly go hand-in-hand, but there are acouple of exceptions. Luckily for fans of the genre, most of the best horror anime are on Funimation, andGhost Huntis the most crowd-pleasing show on the service. Split into an array of cases, each arc follows Kazuya Shibuya and Mai Taniyama as they investigate all sorts of spooky tales, and they are accompanied by a quirky cast of recurring characters.
Ghost Hunthas haunted houses, creepy dolls, and a fair amount of genuine scares. The anime delivers a traditional horror experience fit for Halloween night or a random Tuesday.
An adaptation of Kouhei Kadono’s light novel series, Madhouse’sBoogiepop Phantomis a challenging sit, both thematically and narratively. Following a non-linear structure, the anime is simultaneously episodic and serial, as each chapter follows a different character who is connected through a shared event. Consequently, the story can be tough to follow at times, and the episodic narratives exist to further the anime’s main psychological themes.
Boogiepop Phantomis not going to be to everyone’s tastes, and that is perfectly fine. However, the series is unique enough that it should be tried by anyone interested in horror.
Except for maybeAnother,Higurashi: When They Cryis arguably the most popular horror anime of all time; however, some people might not be aware that the franchise made acomeback over the last few years.Goureturns viewers to Hinamizawa for another loop, and while the story initially hits many of the same beats as the 2006 show, things eventually find a new path that comes with more than a few exciting (and horrifying) surprises.
As tends to be the case with this series, the horror mostly comes in the form of gore, althoughGoualso does a decent job of building up tension in its second cour. Even if some familiarity withWhen They Cryis recommended, newcomers starting withGoushould still be available to follow the plot.
Slice of lifetends to be associated with the mundane, but that is not fully accurate; rather, the genre depicts the everyday lives of its characters. In some cases, this involves attending school in a quiet Japanese town while leading a life free of worries. Other times, a character’s “normal” involves ferrying a gondola on another planet that has been terraformed to resemble Venice.
Ariais therapeutic. Guiding viewers through a beautiful city alongside delightful and grounded characters, the anime will heal somebody’s tired mind after a stressful day behind a desk.
Following a public bust-up with a critic, Seishuu Handa, a talented but indignant calligrapher, is sent to a remote island by his father. Initially, Seishuu sees this as an opportunity to focus on his work, but the artist soon finds that the locales will not leave him alone. This proves to be exactly what the arrogant guy needs.
Hilarious and emotionally satisfying,Barakamonaccomplishes a lot during its short runtime. Not only does it do a stellar job of establishing the culture of Goto Islands, but the anime guides Seishuu through a brilliant arc while also introducing a wide roster of three-dimensional characters. If someone is trying to introduce a friend to slice of life,Barakamonis the anime to pick.
Technically,Barakamonis a comedy, but the anime is an even better representative of the slice of life genre.
Mushi-Shiis quite atypical for a slice of life anime, mainly because its subject is about as far removed from the mundane as possible. The eponymous Mushi are entities that exist alongside humans, although most people cannot perceive them directly. Seemingly tied to nature, these beings are mostly harmless, but they can inspire incidents to happen out of no ill will.
Mushi-shi are people who devote their lives to studying the Mushi, as they travel across Japan to further their knowledge. One such person is Ginko, and while the anime’s protagonist largely tries to remain a silent observer, he does occasionally have to get involved.Mushi-Shiis a beautiful and quiet anime that tackles the surreal in as naturalistic a way as possible.
An all-time classic,Toradora!is likely to be among someone’s first exposure to romance anime, even if the show’s initial episodes lean into comedy more than anything else. Ryuuji and Taiga are direct opposites in more ways than one. While the former’s intimidating presence hides a mature and gentle personality, the latter’s cute appearance does not reflect her fiery and violent nature. Ryuuji and Taiga have generally avoided each other, but the high school students decide to combine forces since they both have crushes on the other person’s closest friend.
Toradora!chronicles the main characters' friendship as they grow to trust and respect each other. Ryuuji and Taiga’s dynamic is endearing, funny, and even emotional, and their relationship develops naturally throughout the series.
Funimation has a couple ofBoys Love stories, which is one of the most niche subgenres in anime. People unfamiliar with these shows might struggle to find a welcoming entry point, especially since quite a few of these anime are rather intense. Regardless of whether someone is a BL newbie or veteran, they need to addSasaki and Miyanoto their watch list if they are at all interested in romance.
Sasaki and Miyano have a chance encounter and wind up bonding over Boys Love manga, a world the latter introduces to the upperclassman. As the two spend more time together, they start to develop a mutual interest, something neither boy is fully prepared to handle.Sasaki and Miyanois simply charming, and the anime’s core relationship is healthy and sweet.
Your Lie in Aprilis probably the most famous romance anime of all time, and such a reputation can produce high expectations that are nearly impossible to meet. That said, the show more than lives up to the hype. A gifted pianist, Kousei Arima has been unable to perform ever since his mother’s passing, causing the teenager to turn his back on music. One day, Kousei stumbles upon an enigmatic violinist named Kaori, a performer who embraces life with every fiber of her being. The two hit it off, launching a beautiful friendship built on music, love, and tragedy.
Your Lie in Aprilhas all the trappings of a traditional romance anime, but the story primarily revolves around Kousei’s attempts to face and move on from his trauma. In many ways, this is a coming-of-age anime that happens to use romance as a catalyst for its protagonist’s maturation. While not without flaws,Your Lie in Aprilis a modern classic with strong characters and great music.
Your Lie in Aprilis a shonen manga, but it is too popular of a romance show to not feature in this section.
Funimation has a couple of movies in its library, including quite a few of Mamoru Hosoda’s projects.Wolf Childrenis generally regarded as the director’s masterpiece, and the film has not aged a day since its 2012 debut. Hana falls in love with a werewolf, and the couple has two children. Unfortunately, her husband passes away, forcing Hana into a situation where she has to raise her unique kids on her own.
Wolf Childrenis about parenthood and family, and the story chronicles more than a decade in Hana’s life. Boasting beautiful animation, powerful writing, and lovable characters, this feature is fantastic and a must-watch for any anime fan.
Drama is such a vague concept that hundreds of shows could theoretically slot into the category, however,March Comes in Like a Lionis the definitive dramatic anime. Just to be clear, the show is not melodramatic or relentlessly sad; in fact, it has its fair share of lighthearted moments. That said, the anime’s depiction ofdepression, bullying, and self-hatred is fantastic.
Rei is a young shogi player with a bright future, however, he is also socially awkward and tends to isolate himself from everyone around him. Over its two seasons,March Comes in Like a Lionexplores Rei on a psychological and emotional level, all the while introducing a myriad of nuanced characters who shape the protagonist’s development without sacrificing their own lives.
Quindecim is a bar that exists outside of time and space, and its purpose is to decide which of the recently deceased deserves another chance or to be wiped out of existence. Governed by Decim, two people enter the bar and engage in some type of contest, the winner of which is awarded reincarnation.
Along with exploring the Quindecim’s behind-the-scenes mechanics,Death Paradelargely follows an episodic format as it dives into the lives of the story’s competitors. Unsurprisingly, this is one intense anime.
Bunny Dropcould slot into theslice of life section, however, the anime’s opening episode has quite a dramatic tone compared to most of that genre’s output. At the funeral of his grandfather, the directionless Daikichi meets Rin, the deceased relative’s illegitimate daughter. After seeing how his shocked and grieving family shuns the girl, Daikichi decides to step up and become her guardian.
Initially, the two struggle to adjust to each other and their new situation, but they gradually develop a touching bond built on respect and love.Bunny Dropis a beautiful, grounded anime about parenthood, responsibility, and growth, the latter of which is experienced by both Daikichi and Rin.
After finishing theBunny Dropanime, think twice before reading its manga’s unadapted chapters.
Do not judge a story by its title, a suggestion exemplified byRascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai. Based on Hajime Kamoshida’s light novels, this anime follows Sakuta Azusagawa, a teenager who tends to get dragged into supernatural-esque mysteries fueled by “Puberty Syndrome.” This essentially means that somebody’s insecurities begin to manifest in reality; for instance, if someone believes that nobody sees them, they would start to disappear.
Split into short arcs centering around a different girl that Sakuta needs to assist,Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpaitackles themes and struggles that many people might be able to relate to. This is also not a harem, as the story’s beating heart is the relationship between Sakuta and Mai Sakurajima, the eponymous bunny girl.
While the service is primarily known for shows, a discussion regarding thebest anime on Funimationwould not be complete without mentioningAkira. Arguably the most famous non-Ghibli anime film of all time, the sci-fi classic helped introduce many Westerners to the glorious world of Japanese animation. It also eliminated the idea that “anime is for kids.”
Set in a dystopian version of Neo-Tokyo,Akiraenvisions a world defined by corporate corruption, social unrest, and unfiltered violence. The leader of a biker gang, Kaneda becomes ensnared in a government conspiracy involving human experimentation and espers.Akirais a wild and unpredictable ride that ends with an epic but horrifying final act. Visually, the animation holds up incredibly well, as does the voice acting.
By this point, it is almost a cliche to mentionCowboy Bebopin a “best of” list. It is the anime equivalent of sayingCitizen Kaneis the greatest movie of all time; nevertheless, a boring pick is deemed as such because it is usually valid.Cowboy Bebopis one of thebest anime on Funimationbecause it is among the greatest shows of all time, and its brilliance has not diminished at all over the last two decades.
Throughout its 26 episodes,Cowboy Bebopdelivers unforgettable standalone storylines and deep character studies for the main crew, all of which receivesatisfying conclusions. The anime’s music, visuals, and writing are all top-notch.
Psycho-Pass
A popular subset of sci-fi is cyberpunk, and, alongsideGhost in the Shell,Psycho-Passis arguably the best example of this subgenre in anime. The series envisions an alternative future where Japan has gained stability by punishing thoughts rather than actions. This society is built on the Sibyl System, a network that measures a person’s biometrics to determine their Crime Coefficient (or Psycho-Pass). If someone is deemed a threat, a special unit of the Public Safety Bureau shows up to deal with the situation, usually arresting or killing the target. While reversible initially, if someone’s Psycho-Pass is clouded for long enough, they have no way to come back to normal.
Psycho-Passfollows the officers in charge of upholding Sibyl’s peace. The characters are divided into Inspectors and Enforcers, the latter of whom are expected to do the dirty work since their Psycho-Passes are already beyond the point of no return. Throughout its stellar first season, this sci-fi anime slowly dissects Sibyl’s influence on society, presenting arguments both in favor and against its existence. While heroes and villains exist,Psycho-Passshows that both sides are nuanced.
AlongsideCowboy Bebop,Steins;Gatehas established itself as the definitive sci-fi anime. A convincing argument can be made that the genre has yet to produce a project superior to White Fox’s 2011 show, and that extends to the very goodSteins;Gate 0, which is also available on Funimation.Steins;Gaterevolves around the Future Gadget Laboratory, a group that seeks to unlock the secrets of time travel. Led by the enigmatic Rintaro Okabe, this organization spends most of its time either goofing around or conducting groundbreaking research that could have dire consequences.
An anime of two halves,Steins;Gate’s first cour plays out almost like a slice of life as it follows the everyday misadventures of the laboratory’s members. While slow, these episodes are charming and firmly establish the main character’s personalities and the relationships that ground them. The anime’s second half is an entirely different beast, delivering action, suspense, and tragedy. Different as these two halves might be, they come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Kazuma Kamachi’sA Certain Magical Indexlight novels are awesome, but its anime adaptation is a bit all over the place. While the first two seasons are passable interpretations of a great story, the anime’s third series is a rushed mess that leaves a lot to be desired. Luckily, someone does not need to like or even watchA Certain Magical Indexto enjoyA Certain Scientific Railgun, a spin-off that eclipses the main show in just about every way.
Set in Academy City, the anime follows Mikoto Misaka and her closest friends (or enemies) as they hang out, take part in festivals, and investigate conspiracies involving clones and human experimentation. Outside a few filler arcs, it is mostly riveting and entertaining stuff, and that includes a season 2 storyline that is a genuine contender for the best arc in anime history.
Slightly overshadowed by other late ’90s sci-fi series,Outlaw Stardeserves to stand alongside the likes ofCowboy BebopandTrigun. Sunrise’s show follows a group of misfits in search of the Galactic Leyline, a quest that takes them across the universe.
Packed with humor, lovable characters, and solid action, this cult classic offers pulpy fun with hints of depth. The show’s animation is off its era, however, like nearly everything else aboutOutlaw Star, it has aged like fine wine.
Funimation has both the 2001 and 2019 adaptations ofFruits Basket; while the former has its moments, the latter is a far more enjoyable and complete experience. The homeless but still optimistic Tohru Honda moves in with the Sohma family, a respected group who hide a rather unique secret. It does not take too long for Honda to develop close friendships with the family’s members, forming relationships that drive growth for everyone involved.
Gorgeously animated, beautifully written, and narratively satisfying,Fruits Basketis one of thebest anime on Funimationregardless of genre or demographic.
A somewhat lesser-known shoujo anime,Kaleido Staris a character-driven drama set within a circus troupe. Sora Naegino makes her way to the United States to pursue her dream of joining the eponymous Kaleido Star, a journey that has a rough start and hardly gets easier as things proceed. Although there are some fantastical elements, the 2004 anime predominantly focuses on the challenges faced by young performers seeking to survive in an industry that has little time for failure.
The characters make this anime, as they feel like real people rather than archetypes. The first season is stronger than the second, although the latter is still enjoyable and picks up steam nicely as it goes along.
An indisputable classic,Revolutionary Girl Utenais a masterpiece. A deconstruction of shoujo anime in many ways, the 1997 series follows Utena Tenjou, a girl who wishes to become a prince in honor of someone she met as a child. This road ushers her to Ohtori Academy and Anthy, a girl with a strange power that could change the world. Deciding to protect Anthy, Utena takes on all sorts of threats, including from other students.
Revolutionary Girl Utenarevolves around the relationship between Utena and Anthy, chronicling their growth as people who are searching for their identities. As it is quite surreal, the anime can be a touch difficult to follow at times, but it is worth the effort.
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa,Ping Pong the Animationis a sports anime that is really not about its primary activity. The story revolves around two friends, Smile and Peco, who bounded over table tennis. However, when Peco starts to lose his way, Smile makes it his mission to bring his friend back.
Ping Pong the Animationpacks a lot of depth into its short run, exploring the psyches of its core characters and the relationships that help shape them. Its art style is also unique and complements the narrative.
Harem stories are all about bringing people together in an attempt to spread love, friendship, and miscommunication. The genre is an acquired taste, but if someone is looking to test this flavor,Saekanois the perfect sample. In the pursuit of his dream to develop a game, Tomoya Aki assembles a team of talented individuals who specialize in different areas. Now, they happen to be all women, which proves to be a blessing (or a curse) since Tomoya is creating a dating sim.
Saekanoblends romance, slice of life, and comedy quite well, crafting a holistic and satisfying overall experience. Most of the main characters are likable and fully developed, which is not that common in harem shows. Unfortunately, only season one is available on Funimation, so fans will need to look elsewhere to watch the rest of the show.
The Quintessential Quintupletsis shockingly good. On the surface, a show about a guy tutoring five identical twins who gradually develop feelings for their mentor sounds like it should be trash (in a fun way); yet, the anime blows away these expectations almost immediately.
The Quintessential Quintupletstreats its characters with respect, allowing each of them to exist with flaws, eccentricities, and fears. This mentality extends to both the protagonist and the girls, all of whom feel like three-dimensional people rather than archetypes. Season 2 is particularly strong.
The Quintessential Quintupletsis a shonen anime, but it was included here since that demographic is not traditionally associated with the harem genre.
Isekai has been around for a long time, but the concept truly became mainstream over the last decade. Nowadays, every season tends to have a couple of shows about people being whisked away to other worlds; consequently, this subgenre has become oversaturated and overexposed. While there are plenty of underwhelming isekai stories out there, occasionally something likeThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimecomes along that illustrates why this premise has so much potential.
Funnily enough, this show contains many of the common tropes that characterize isekai: an overpowered protagonist and a (somewhat) generic fantasy world influenced by MMOs. However,That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimebuilds beautifully on these foundations, crafting an uplifting story filled with action, comedy, and unforgettable characters. When Satoru passes away, he reawakens in a new world as a slime. Despite starting from the bottom, Satoru learns that he has the power to consume the skills of other monsters, and he quickly grows strong. Going by Rimuru, the protagonist sets out to start a kingdom for monsters.
Essentially the exact opposite ofThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,Overlordtells the story of Ainz Ooal Gown, a former human who becomes trapped as his gaming avatar in a world reminiscent of the RPG he used to play. There is just one massive difference: Everyone in this world is far less powerful than Ainz.
Cast in this new role alongside servant NPCs that are also quite deadly, Ainz sets out to learn more about this world, a journey that sees him embracing a straight-up villainous role.Overlordis an isekai anime from the perspective of the final boss of a game set within a universe that has no heroes to fall back on. Darkly comical and bizarrely satisfying, this show is evil in the best possible way.
In many ways,Log Horizonis the prototypical MMORPG isekai anime. Thousands of Japanese players suddenly find them stuck as their avatars in Elder Tale, a game world that is, luckily for the heroes, a bit more forgiving thanElden Ring. While there is the usual adventuring that one comes to expect from the genre,Log Horizonfocuses heavily on the players' attempts to integrate themselves within this world. While they were birthed from code, Elder Tale’s NPCs are living, breathing entities who have made this realm their home. Consequently, the teleported players must learn to co-exist with these people.
Log Horizon’s first season stands toe-to-toe with nearly any other isekai anime out there. It has a fantastic and unique main character, good animation, andstellar world-building. The sequel seasons struggle to reach the same heights, but they are still enjoyable in their own right.
Anyone looking for smooth animation and glorious fight sequences can safely turn to theFatefranchisefor guidance. Not everything associated with the license strikes gold, but when one of its anime hits the mark,Fatereaches a standard of quality touched by precious few properties. A decade after its debut andFate/Zerois still arguably the franchise’s best anime, a claim that is not made easily consideringFate/stay nightand its movies also exist.
Fate/Zerofollows the Holy Grail war where human mages summon servants, aka heroes from history, to duke it out in battles to the death. The winner gets to make any wish they want, and there is absolutely no way that could backfire. Ufotable pulled out all the stops when makingFate/Zero, crafting an adaptation that delivers unbeatable action, a gripping storyline, and iconic characters.
Madhouse was on a roll during the mid-2000s, andBlack Lagoonis among the studio’s most persevering releases. Set within Roanapur, Thailand, the story follows a Japanese businessman who winds up the hostage of a group of mercenaries; long story short, Rokurou Okahima (Rock) decides to start work with the “criminals” as they show him a life filled with excitement (and danger).
Black Lagoonboasts absolutely splendid action, not only in terms of animation but also variety. Each arc offers something different from the last, be it a trip to an abandoned submarine or an all-out battle royale in the streets of Roanapur. The chaos on screen is complemented by a strong roster of characters, all of which are fully formed and have unique ideologies that set them apart from more cookie-cutter protagonists. Revy and Rock, in particular, are an all-time great anime pair.
The action-adventure series is unpredictable; one scene might involve a gory fight against a bear or a blade slashing across a character’s mouth, while a few minutes later the same figures are indulging in silly banter that would makeGintamaproud. Quite a few shows struggle to balance drama and comedy, butGolden Kamuyhas figured out the formula.
When it comes to its story, this series is no slouch either. Set after the Russo-Japanese War,Golden Kamuyfollows different groups as they pursue the Ainu people’s gold, a quest that requires piecing together a map painted across the bodies of many prisoners. The characters are also fantastic, as is the complex relationship between the battle-worn Saichi Sugimoto and the young Asirpa.
Released over the course of six years,Hellsing Ultimateis a grand celebration of excess. The vampire-themed anime envisions a world where demons are rampant and the only thing standing in their way is an organization run by Integra Hellsing and her dog, Alucard. This anime has Nazis, enough gore to fill a dozen swimming pools, and more monologues than an Oscar bait movie; more importantly,Hellsing Ultimateis ridiculously entertaining.
While the anime does not take itself too seriously, that does not mean Madhouse cut any corners when it comes to this OVA series' animation. Smooth, creative, and unforgettable, the action sequences are among the studio’s greatest achievements, and that is saying something.
