45 Best Short Anime Series You Need To Check Out

45 Best Short Anime Series You Need To Check Out


The sheer length of some of the most famous anime series can be something of a turnoff for newcomers, leading some fans to wonder what the best short anime are. Friends may enthusiastically recommend Naruto, One Piece, or The Legend of Galactic Heroes, but those shows, classics that they are, have hundreds of episodes, making them something of a time commitment, to say the very least.

Maybe a viewer is new to anime and isn’t sure that they want to sink that much time into a single piece of media, or maybe they’re a longtime fan who simply doesn’t have the time or patience to sit through another 70 episodes until they finally reach the story arc their friends keep raving about. Luckily for those pressed for time, anime has a lot of excellent shorter shows that aren’t held back by their length, coming in at 13 episodes or less. The best short anime series don’t waste time getting to the good stuff.

45

High School of the Dead (2010)

12 Episodes + 1 OVA


Highschool of the Dead is an anime series set in a high school where students and staff are suddenly thrust into a zombie apocalypse. The story follows a group of students, led by Takashi Komuro, as they struggle to survive and find safety amidst the chaos. The series combines elements of action, horror, and drama while exploring the breakdown of societal norms in a crisis.

Release Date

June 28, 2011

Cast

Jun’ichi Suwabe
, Eri Kitamura
, Nobuyuki Hiyama
, Hitomi Harada
, Maggie Flecknoe
, Leraldo Anzaldua
, Marina Inoue
, Miyuki Sawashiro
, Yukari Fukui
, Shin’ya Hamazoe
, Monica Rial
, Jessica Boone

Creator(s)

Daisuke Satô

Seasons

1

The type of anime one describes as “to watch for the plot,” High School of the Dead checks boxes for mature themes, violence, and fanservice and the result is one of the best zombie anime. The series is perhaps infamous for each of these elements, the latter of which is practically a font of memes, but it’s also notably short, with twelve episodes and an OVA to its name. In more recent years, High School of the Dead has come under fire for its sexual content, which often goes beyond the typical fanservice fare.

Still, beyond these experiences, one can find a surprisingly thrilling action-horror series. The premise is simple enough: a zombie outbreak causes a collapse of society, with many humans losing their moral compass in the process. This results in wanton violence on top of a fight for survival against mindless hordes of the undead, with the principal survivors starting at their high school. Multiple moments will compel viewers to leap out of their seats in excitement or provoke a good laugh for its more gratuitous scenes.

44

No Game No Life (2014)

12 Episodes + 1 Movie

features The Blank, a duo of elite gamers named Sora and Shiro who spend much of their time online due to their status as social outcasts. After defeating the god Tet in a game of chess, they are transported to a new realm known as Disboard and must conquer the land’s various kingdoms to once again face Tet.

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While it may sound like relatively standard isekai fare, No Game No Life is bolstered by its flashy neon visuals and impeccable art direction, and the series is still held in high regard almost a decade after its initial premiere. Isekai anime can often be intimidating, especially the genre’s vanguard which can feature daunting episode counts and a good amount of lore. In contrast, No Game No Life keeps things short and to the point, making it one of the best isekai anime for fans of something like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime who want a shorter series to dig into.

43

Angel Beats (2010)

13 Episodes

Angel Beats, by the same scriptwriter of Clannad, not only has one of the best openings of all time but is a tear-jerking anime loaded with comedy, endearing moments, funny characters, and great twists, becoming a must-watch for any fan of drama.

Angel Beats shares the nostalgic feeling of series like Kanon and the later Charlotte and although it might seem like the typical high school story, it takes flight from its second episode onwards thanks to its original way of addressing topics such as death, the meaning of life, and the pending issues people have when they die. Even though its large cast could have been better fleshed out in two cours, the anime does a great job developing the main characters, in addition to having a great soundtrack and an emotional lesson for the audience.

42

Baccano! (2007)

13 Episodes

Baccano! is a series that takes place across three different places and times: a 1930 story involving a mafioso and the fabled alchemical elixir of life, a 1931 story set aboard a transcontinental train where a killer is on the loose, and a 1932 story focusing on a young woman searching for her missing brother. These three disparate plot lines come together in unexpected ways, and have characters who span across the various stories.

Needless to say, Baccano! is a very unique anime, and there’s really not much else quite like it. Based on a series of light novels, which are a bit more straightforward in their presentation, Baccano! is a celebrated series full of action, mystery, and the occasional laugh. Its setting of 1930s America is definitely an unusual choice for an anime, but it all comes together well.

41

MegaloBox (2018)

13 Episodes

MegaloBox is a series created to celebrate the anniversary of one of Japan’s most popular anime/manga series of all time, Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow’s Joe), which tells the story of an underdog boxer and his rise to the top. MegaloBox puts a sci-fi spin on the premise by having its boxers fight with special equipment called simply “Gear,” which amplifies the power of punches, making fights more exciting than ordinary boxing.

As an underdog story, it follows the broke and nameless hero, known only as “Junk Dog,” on his rise from a nobody who’s fighting to earn money to the upper echelons of the sport. It has a gritty, cyberpunk style to it which really enhances the show’s vibe, even if the Gear itself is ultimately superfluous. MegaloBox did have something of a spinoff/continuation in the series Nomad, but it’s not necessary to watch Nomad to enjoy the series.

40

Deadman Wonderland (2011)

12 Episodes

Deadman Wonderland tells the story of Ganta Igarashi, a young boy who’s framed for the murder of his classmates and sent to a private prison facility which doubles as an amusement park, where inmates fight to the death. There, Ganta discovers he has special powers to control blood, and meets with a strange albino girl by the name of Shiro who seems to have knowledge of his past that Ganta can’t quite remember…

The series is packed with brutal battles as Ganta must learn to stand up for himself and defend against the other inmates, many of whom are legitimately insane. While based on a manga, the 12-episode anime doesn’t cover the entire series, instead only focusing on the first chapters. That does mean that Deadman Wonderland doesn’t have a very conclusive ending, but it’s enjoyable regardless.

39

Eden of the East (2009)

11 Episodes

Eden of the East is a series which opens with its protagonist, Saki, encountering a naked man with a gun and a cell phone standing in front of the White House. Offering him her coat out of modesty, Saki watches as the young man, apparently named Akira, proceeds to escape—with her passport in the coat’s pocket. Saki then has to track down Akira, and becomes wrapped up in the mystery that he’s found himself in.

Eden of the East is a compelling mystery that leaves fans scratching their heads at every turn. Somehow, the fate of Japan has come to rest on the shoulders of these two unlikely companions, who are now stuck together. The series is an anime original, and has two follow-up films if viewers find themselves dying for more.

38

Run with the Wind (2018)

23 Episodes

What separates Run with the Wind from other sports anime is that its story centers on a group of college students where almost all of them aren’t actually athletes or have shown an interest in marathons. So, rather than focusing on aiming to win first place from the get-go, the anime is a clear life lesson of how people are capable of surpassing themselves and doing things they never would have imagined before.

The anime shines especially thanks to its fun and complex characters, each with their own personalities, struggles, and frustrations, and unlike other series that require several seasons to complete a tournament, Run with the Wind, in its short run, is capable of awakening endless emotions in the audience, moments of drama and tension, adrenaline, and happiness, delivering a self-contained and engaging story about improvised but persevering runners.

37

.hack//Legend of the Twilight Bracelet (2003)

13 Episodes

.hack// is a larger franchise, but Legend of the Twilight Bracelet is a shorter, stand-alone series within that franchise that actually makes for a great entry point for beginners. It tells the story of Shugo and Rena, two twins separated by divorce who are able to spend time together once again in an online game after winning a pair of special avatars.

The series has a fair balance of action and comedy, often taking an unusual slice-of-life look at what it’s like to play an MMORPG. While the series does get more dramatic towards the end, it never completely loses its sense of humor. Based on a manga, Legend of the Twilight Bracelet is one of those series that diverges from its source material, so even those familiar with the manga can get something new out of it.

36

Katanagatari (2010)

12 Episodes

Adapted from a light novel by Nisio Isin (of Bakemonogatari fame), Katanagatari tells the story of an ambitious woman and her somewhat dull-headed warrior guardian on a quest through Japan to collect 12 legendary blades. Despite being Deviant Blades though, not all of the weapons even resemble swords in the first place, with some resembling things like armor, a mechanical doll, and a pair of handguns.

Featuring striking anime character designs, outstanding animation, and engaging dialogue, Katanagatari is not to be missed. One caveat is that while there are only a dozen episodes, each has a forty-five-minute runtime, meaning that Katanagatari will be a bit of a time-sink relative to other single-season anime series. Still though, fans willing to put up with the extra-length episodes will find a great series in Katanagatari.

35

Bloom Into You (2018)

13 Episodes

Bloom Into You


Bloom Into You follows Yuu Koito, a high school student who has always dreamed of receiving a romantic confession, and Touko Nanami, the student council president who unexpectedly develops feelings for her. As they navigate their complex emotions and develop a unique bond, the series explores themes of identity, love, and self-discovery within the backdrop of their school lives.

Cast

Amber Lee Connors
, Brittney Karbowski
, Luci Christian
, Tia Lynn Ballard
, Ai Kayano
, Marissa Lenti
, Shanae’a Moore

Release Date

December 28, 2018

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Nio Nakatani

The short anime series Bloom Into You follows teenager Yuu Koito as she goes through a period of self-discovery. She loves romance stories, but when a boy confesses his feelings for her, she doesn’t get the excitement she expects from it, and has to determine why. As she eventually discovers after asking another female student for help, that might be because she isn’t interested in boys at all.

It’s rare for romance anime to center on same-gender relationships, but Bloom Into You does just that in a great coming-of-age story that is both sweet and fun. With fans of LGBTQ anime to watch clamoring for more series, it’s worth revisiting Bloom Into You as it is a standout series. At just 13 episodes, it’s not rushed, and it doesn’t feel unfinished either, which can also be rare in romance anime.

34

Odd Taxi (2021)

13 Episodes

Both a slice of life and a crime anime, Odd Taxi is pretty fascinating. It’s got anthropomorphic animals as its main characters, and the main character is a walrus who happens to drive taxis. His story cycles through a lot of eccentric passengers, but ultimately, it centers on him being connected to a missing person’s case. Hiroshi Odokawa might be blunt and a little eccentric himself, but his life is completely turned on its head when both the police force and members of the yakuza are set on him.

More than living up to its name, Odd Taxi is a delightfully strange series with enough heart to win over any fan of crime dramas who may be put off by the series’ animal designs. Rest assured, Odd Taxi is far from family-friendly. There’s so much to enjoy in Odd Taxi, whether it’s the different passengers in the taxi, or the overall mystery, that fans might want to watch it twice.

33

Yuri!!! On Ice (2012)

12 Episodes

Yuri!!! on Ice focuses on a prominent figure skater who finds himself suffering after a crushing loss, as well as a world champion figure skater who offers to help him out. The two find exactly what they need in one another when they’re not sure where their paths should point them next.

Yuri!! on Ice became a massive hit thanks to its stellar animation and focus on same-sex relationships, and seven years after the original airing of the anime, fans and critics alike are still waiting in anticipation for the release of its sequel film, Yuri!!! on Ice the Movie: Ice Adolescence. Unfortunately, if there’s one flaw with the series, it’s that the series’ central relationship is only strongly implied as opposed to being outright confirmed. Still, far from subtext, the implications are clear to anyone paying even a little bit of attention.

32

The Yakuza’s Guide To Babysitting (2012)

12 Episodes

Some of the best short anime come from the unexpected situations characters are thrown into. This is certainly the case for The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, which follows a yakuza member whose boss thinks he doesn’t know how to rein in his darker tendencies. The solution is to have him babysit the boss’ young daughter, which seems like a bit of a stretch but makes for both a humorous and dramatic storyline. After all, a yakuza with no restraint tasked with handling the day-to-day responsibilities of his boss’ seven-year-old is bound to become a comedy of errors.

The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting is both humorous and heartwarming in equal measure. The yakuza member, Kirishima, is a great character with a good deal of depth and his charge, Yaeka, is far from the typical annoying child. Their dynamic is the beating heart of the series, as viewers watch the duo learn and grow alongside each other.

31

Violet Evergarden (2018)

13 Episodes

Inspired by a light novel (released in four volumes) originally published in 2015, Violet Evergarden is an exploration of just what love means. It’s poignant and emotional to watch a character who doesn’t understand love slowly come to realize how it affects the world – and her. The titular character works as a transcriptionist following her time as a soldier in a war. When the last words of her mentor are “I love you”, she tries to understand them, and it takes her on a trip to which she tells other people’s stories while searching for answers.

Violet Evergarden is short at 13 episodes, but it spawned two movies in the years that followed its release as well, making it a little longer of a watch than some of the other short anime here if fans want the full picture.

30

91 Days (2016)

12 Episodes

With a historical setting in America during the prohibition era, 91 Days is a perfect anime for those who enjoy revenge stories following Avilio Bruno’s tumultuous journey to avenge the murder of his family. Avilio gets involved in the dangerous world of the mafia, full of violence, death, and betrayal, which makes it one of the best options for those who aren’t fans of anime and have enjoyed series like Peaky Blinders.

The anime has a somber atmosphere and intelligent and complex characters showing the functioning of organized crime and the disputes between different groups, in addition to a realistic vision of a character immersed in hatred who will do anything to achieve his revenge. 91 Days captivate viewers and is easy to binge-watch in a day for those drama enthusiasts who don’t mind a story with a little blood spilling.

29

Gunbuster & Diebuster (1988 & 2004)

12 Episodes

1988’s Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster is notable for being an early work from the venerable Studio Gainax of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann fame, and just as notably, Gunbuster was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, the mastermind behind Neon Genesis Evangelion. The result is one of the best retro anime that more than holds up.

Part campy ’80s training montage and part war story about the horrors of relativistic time during space travel, Gunbuster deserves its reputation as a classic. Gunbuster would eventually receive a sequel in 2004’s Diebuster, and while somewhat controversial, both stories are still parts of a whole and deserve to be viewed both on their own merits and in relation to one another. If for no other reason, fans of anime history should watch Gunbuster, as it’s an incredibly influential mech OVA that helped further the career of an absolute industry legend like Hideaki Anno.

28

Barakamon (2014)

12 Episodes

Barakamon (2014)


Barakamon centers on Seishu Handa, a young calligrapher who relocates to a remote village after a public outburst. Seeking inspiration and personal growth, Seishu discovers solace and unexpected friendships among the quirky villagers. The series blends elements of self-discovery and artistic struggle within a tranquil, rural setting.

One of the best laid-back slice-of-life animes, Barakamon tells the story of Seishu Handa, a calligrapher sent to a rural island after an incident to clear his mind and find inspiration. There, he meets all kinds of weird and excessively friendly neighbors and a little girl, Naru, who becomes an essential part of his new self-discovery journey.

Handa must face his fears while reflecting on his art, dreams, family, and new friends, showing the path towards maturity is spiced with the beauty of cotidianity. Barakamon is a lighthearted and simple story without many pretensions and full of endearing and funny moments that warm the heart and invite viewers to enjoy life and the importance of taking a breather to go back on track, which makes it the perfect short anime for a lighthearted watch.

27

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

12 Episodes

When recommending Puella Magi Madoka Magica, it’s best not to say much about it other than to stick with it until the fourth episode at the very least. Madoka challenges the magical girl genre in a number of interesting ways; it’s just that they don’t reveal themselves until a viewer has settled into the show a bit. The series initially follows a young girl named Madoka as she becomes involved in the world of magical girls, but the plot is truly much more complicated than that.

Although Madoka works well as a self-contained twelve-episode series, there are also a number of sequels and side stories in the form of movies and other adaptations. Madoka is even receiving another sequel movie in the near future. Fans typically consider some of these entries to be essential viewing, so those who find themselves wanting more can continue happily after finishing the original series.

26

FLCL (2000)

6 Episodes

Combining an outlandish visual style with wild set pieces and excellent animation, FLCL is one of the best-regarded OVAs from Studio Gainax. Naota is an ordinary boy living in an ordinary town when a woman from space strikes him with a guitar which leads him to sprout a fighting robot from his forehead. As any fan of early adult swim knows, FLCL only proceeds to get weirder from there.

Although its presentation and concepts might be bizarre at face value, FLCL is actually a surprisingly mature exploration of the transition into adulthood and what exactly adulthood ought to look like once one actually gets there. With fluid animation and some gut-busting humor, FLCL has earned its status as a classic. It’s a classic single-season anime with only six episodes, so there isn’t really a good reason not to watch it.

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