5 Top-Rated Anime Shows to Add to Your Watchlist

Anime is a major global moment, and the numbers back it up.

Rabat – Anime has long moved beyond its niche beginnings to become a global entertainment phenomenon, with some series earning the kind of devoted fanbases and critical acclaim usually reserved for prestige television.

These five anime rank among the highest-rated series on IMDb, based on ratings from hundreds of thousands of viewers.

‘Attack on Titan’ – 9.1/10

Few anime have transformed as dramatically as “Attack on Titan.”

The series follows Eren Yeager, a young man who joins the Survey Corps after his hometown is destroyed and his mother is killed by Titans, giant humanoid creatures that threaten humanity.

What begins as a survival story gradually expands into a much larger tale involving war, political conflict, identity and the origins of the Titans.

Running from 2013 to 2023, the series has 98 episodes and currently holds a 9.1/10 rating on IMDb from around 731,000 ratings.

Its combination of high-stakes action, major plot twists and increasingly complex storytelling has helped make it one of the most internationally recognized anime series of the past decade.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ – 9.1/10

At the heart of “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” are brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose attempt to bring their deceased mother back to life through alchemy ends disastrously, leaving both with devastating physical consequences.

The brothers then set out to find the Philosopher’s Stone, hoping it can restore what they lost.

Along the way, their journey becomes intertwined with military conspiracies, political power struggles and questions about the limits of human ambition.

The 2009–2010 series consists of 64 episodes and currently carries a 9.1/10 IMDb rating from roughly 253,000 ratings.

Its mix of fantasy, action, humor and emotional storytelling has helped Brotherhood remain one of anime’s most consistently celebrated titles.

‘One Piece’ – 9.0/10

If longevity counts for anything, “One Piece” has certainly earned its place on the list.

The series follows Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate with rubber-like powers who sets sail with the Straw Hat crew in search of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.

What started in 1999 has grown into one of the biggest anime franchises in the world, with Luffy’s journey taking him across a vast world filled with rival pirates, powerful enemies and the mysterious World Government.

IMDb currently gives One Piece a 9.0/10 rating from around 360,000 ratings. The series remains ongoing, with more than 1,100 episodes already released.

Its enormous world, long-running character arcs and ability to balance comedy with surprisingly emotional storytelling have kept audiences invested for more than two decades.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ – 9.0/10

“Hunter x Hunter” follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who wants to become a hunter, an elite individual capable of taking on extraordinary challenges, while searching for the father who left him as a child.

Created by Yoshihiro Togashi, the 2011–2014 adaptation spans 148 episodes and gradually evolves from a colorful adventure into a much darker and more psychologically complex story.

The series currently holds a 9.0/10 rating on IMDb from around 199,000 ratings.

Its reputation comes largely from its unpredictable battles, layered characters and willingness to challenge the conventions of traditional shōnen anime.

‘Death Note’ – 8.9/10

Before there was a sprawling fantasy world or an army of supernatural fighters, there was a notebook.

“Death Note” centers on Light Yagami, an exceptionally intelligent high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written inside it.

What follows is a psychological battle between Light and those determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious killer known as Kira.

The series ran for 37 episodes between 2006 and 2007 and remains one of the most accessible entry points into anime for newcomers. IMDb currently rates it 8.9/10 from around 490,000 ratings.

Rather than relying primarily on huge battles, Death Note builds its tension through strategy, deception and the increasingly dangerous rivalry between Light and detective L.

What are you watching next?

With each title attracting hundreds of thousands of IMDb ratings, these aren’t obscure fan favorites, they’re some of the medium’s most enduring global hits.