The 25 Best Anime You Can Watch In One Day
Vote for the most bingeworthy anime series that'll have you racing through each episode.
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- Erased
- A-1 Pictures
Episode Count: 12
After being framed for his mother’s murder, Satoru Fujinuma gets the opportunity to time travel and change what would have been inevitable. 18 years prior, his middle school classmate had been killed by the same person who took his mother’s life. Satoru goes back in time to stop the chain of events and save more than just one individual.
Often considered the best time travel anime ever made, Erased features a heart-wrenching, unforgettable story of mysteries and second chances.
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- Violet Evergarden
- Kyoto Animation
Episode Count: 13
Following a war that left her wounded, Violet Evergarden begins a new life as an Auto Memory Doll - or, a ghostwriter hired to write letters for others. This leads her on an adventure of self-discovery as she tries to rejoin society after fighting as a child soldier in a devastating war.
Violet Evergarden is an anime that you won’t want to stop watching once you get started, and it will stick with you long after the last episode.
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- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Trigger
Episode Count: 10
Based off of the popular game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set in a futuristic world filled with cyberware. Living in a crime-ridden city, teenager David Martinez implants a cybernetic prosthetic onto his back after being attacked by a street gang. This begins a series of events that leave David with his dreams crushed, stuck in the slums with nothing left. Down on his luck and looking for a way out, he joins a criminal cyborg team called the Edgerunners and starts his new life ready to risk it all.
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- No Game No Life
- Madhouse
Episode Count: 12
Gamer sibling duo Sora and Shiro are sent into a magical gaming world where they have to navigate their way around and defeat the God of the Games. The two find themselves in the middle of countless high-stakes battles against enemies who sometimes seem impossible to beat.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, this is an easy binge-watch if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, gaming isekai anime.
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- Angel Beats!
- Sentai Filmworks
Episode Count: 13
Have you ever wondered what happens to a soul once a person’s life ends? 17-year-old Yuzuru Otonashi meets his end and discovers a dimension of the afterlife where lost souls gather. These souls don’t have any recollection of who they once were, but they do have the drive to rebel against whoever it was that brought them this fate.
Angel Beats! follows Otonashi as he explores this strange world and questions if the rebellion aligns with what he knows is right.
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- My Dress-Up Darling
- CloverWorks
Episode Count: 12
Wakana Gojo has an affinity for Hina dolls, and has dreamt of becoming a Hina doll master since he was a child. However, he was previously teased for his “feminine” hobby, and now doubts he can ever make friends because of it. His popular and effervescent classmate Marin Kitagawa seems to be worlds apart from him, but when she finds out that he has a talent for sewing, she asks for his help with her cosplaying hobby.
Together they form a connection over their nonjudgmental outlooks and start to fall in love along the way.
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- Terror in Resonance
- MAPPA
Episode Count: 11
Terror in Resonance lives up to its name as a mystery suspense anime centered around two boys and the chaos they may bring. The two boys, named Nine and Twelve, leave only a video trace of themselves after a devastating terrorist attack hits Tokyo. In the video, they warn that another attack is to come unless a strange puzzle of theirs can be solved.
Viewers will learn about the dark and strange history behind these boys, all while the police and detectives do whatever they can to stop them.
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- A-1 Pictures
Episode Count: 11
Having just started a new office job, Narumi Momose has one goal: don’t let anyone find out about her otaku persona. She quickly realizes that she won’t be able to hide her secret from everyone as one of her coworkers is her childhood friend, Hirotaka Nifuji. Thankfully, he’s an otaku too, and so are the other two coworkers who catch wind of her interests.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku is an upbeat anime with romance, comedy, and of course, lots of geeky interests.
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- Yuri!!! on Ice
- MAPPA
Episode Count: 12
Things are looking bleak for Yuuri Katsuki’s skating career after a huge loss at the Grand Prix Finale. Just when he thinks his title as a top Japanese skater no longer has meaning, he’s offered to be mentored by Russia’s best, Viktor Nikiforov. They both share a deep love of the ice, but over time they also develop a romantic love for each other.
It’s no surprise that Yuri!!! On Ice is on this list since it’s considered to be one of the best sports anime of all time and is an easy one-day watch.
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- Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
- Doga Kobo
Episode Count: 12
What was supposed to be a love confession ends up turning into an assistant job after Chiyo Sakura fails to communicate to her crush how she feels about him. Instead, he misunderstands and assumes she’s discovered his secret of being a famous shojo manga author.
This fun, lighthearted anime follows the hilarious turn of events Chiyo and Nozaki find themselves a part of, while also struggling to define their relationship.
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- Elfen Lied
- Arms, Studio Guts
Episode Count: 13
Elfen Lied is the story of a girl named Lucy and the twisted situations she finds herself entangled in. From being a victim to inhuman experiments to suffering from a head injury that birthed a split-personality, Lucy lives in a world full of horrors and uncertainties.
If you’re a Stranger Things fan, you should check this one out, especially since some aspects of Stranger Things were actually inspired by Elfen Lied, according to an interview with creators, Matt and Ross Duffer.
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- Afro Samurai
- Gonzo
Episode Count: 5
When Afro’s father is defeated in a samurai duel, Afro vows to one day avenge his death. Now older and sitting as the Number Two warrior, Afro is finally in a place where he can challenge his father’s murderer: the current Number One. But getting to the all powerful Number One won’t be easy, as everyone is now after Afro’s Number Two headband, and he must defeat them all in order to get his shot.
Will Afro be able to achieve his ultimate goal, or will someone stop him before he even gets the chance?
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- SK8 the Infinity
- Bones
Episode Count: 12
SK8 the Infinity brings the world of skateboarding to the sports anime genre. After Langa Hasegawa moves from Canada to Japan, he soon meets Reki Kyan, who introduces him to skateboarding. To Reki’s surprise, Langa takes to the sport fast, and the duo quickly find themselves immersed in a secret skateboarding organization. They quickly get wrapped up into this underground world and discover more than just skating.
This series is a fun, easy watch that explores team dynamic and friendship, and features some amazing animation.
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- Devilman Crybaby
- Science SARU
Episode Count: 10
At a party gone wrong, Akira Fudo accidentally merges himself with a demon when attempting to save the life of his friend. Now a Devilman, he has the dark impulses of a devil but still holds onto his soft, kind heart. The juxtaposition of the two creates an infinite internal battle within himself that he has to come to blows with, while also navigating his new life as a Devilman.
Devilman Crybaby is a heavily praised anime for its stunning animation, unforgettable storyline, and dedication to the original manga.
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- Barakamon
- Kinema Citrus
Episode Count: 12
If you want a good slice of life to binge-watch, this is the one. After getting sent to the Goto Islands, city native and narcissist Seishuu Handa realizes that country life isn’t going to be what he expected. Instead of peaceful quiet, he is constantly visited by energetic members of the Goto community, even when they were never invited over.
Despite seeming annoyed by the constant interruptions, the dynamic relationships he forges with the Goto Islands residents teach him much more than he thought possible.
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- Bocchi the Rock!
- CloverWorks
Episode Count: 12
One of the best feel-good anime to watch in one sitting is Bocchi the Rock!. Hitori Goto AKA Bocchi is a socially awkward high school student who longs for friends as much as she longs to make it in the rock music industry. She meets and joins the newly formed Kessoku Band, and now the four girls find happiness in performing together.
This simple yet engaging premise sets the series up for a fun slice of life with characters you can root for.
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- 91 Days
- Shuka
Episode Count: 12
Seven years after his family is brutally murdered, Avilio Bruno is prompted by a mysterious letter to return to the hometown he ran away from. Now with a new name and new identity, he strives to infiltrate the mafia that took his family’s lives by befriending the mafia boss’ son. He develops a deep camaraderie with Nero Vanetti despite its secretly dark origin.
This story takes place over the course of 91 days and produces a fast-paced, high-stakes series. Will Avilio succeed in his act of revenge, or will his betrayal of friendship all be in vain?
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- Serial Experiments Lain
- Triangle Staff
Episode Count: 13
It’s important to note that this is an older anime, because that fact makes it even creepier. This story focuses on Lain Iwakura and the scary world of Wired, which is eerily similar to our modern-day internet. After receiving an email from a dead classmate, Lain is plunged into this online world where the lines between life and cyberspace begin to blur.
Serial Experiments Lain is a 1998 anime that is heavily noted for having prophesied the impact social media and technology would have on our society.
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A Place Further Than The Universe
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- A Place Further Than The Universe
- Madhouse
Episode Count: 13
Two girls go from strangers to travel companions when they unexpectedly cross paths. While one is trying to make the most of her youth, the other is yearning to find her mother who never came back from her expedition to Antarctica three years ago.
They also form a connection with two other girls, and now the four of them are on their way to do more with their lives. Together they venture towards Antarctica and discover more about themselves and each other than they could’ve imagined.
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- Ya Boy Kongming!
- P.A. Works
Episode Count: 12
In his last moments, war hero Zhuge Kongming wishes to be reincarnated into a more peaceful era. His wish is granted when he wakes up as an entirely new person in modern-day Tokyo. He meets and is taken in by an aspiring pop singer named Eiko Tsukimi, who he is determined to help achieve her dreams. Using his past war knowledge and unwavering resolve, he takes on the role of her manager and strives towards her success.
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- Odd Taxi
- OLM, P.I.C.S
Episode Count: 13
Although this anime seems a bit strange at first glance, it has a great cast of characters with an amazing mystery plotline.
Hiroshi Odokawa is a walrus who drives a taxi for a living, leading a normal day-to-day life. But things take a turn when a missing person’s case is connected back to him and now he’s the number one enemy on multiple lists. He gets thrown into an underground world with corrupt police, yazuka, and more, but must keep his cool while fighting for his innocence.
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- Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan
- Studio Blanc
Episode Count: 13
For anyone who has ever had to keep a smile on at work, but felt miserable on the inside, you’ll probably resonate with Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan.
Uramichi Omata works as a host of a children’s television show, so he’s used to keeping a positive attitude, even if that attitude is fake. Adulting is hard, and behind-the-scenes he’s the polar opposite of his on-camera character. Sometimes his pessimistic persona slips out onscreen, but that just makes this anime even funnier.
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- Paranoia Agent
- Madhouse
Episode Count: 13
Musashino City is terrorized by a mystery assailant nicknamed Lil’ Slugger, who goes around on inline skates and beats people with a bent golden bat. Pressure begins to build as more and more citizens fall victim to the criminal’s actions. Detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa work together to identify the person behind these weird attacks, but as details continue to be uncovered, it is now a race against the clock as paranoia begins spreading throughout the community.
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Play It Cool, Guys
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- Play it Cool, Guys
- Studio Pierrot
Episode Count: 24
These four guys may always seem cool and collected, but they’re incredibly clumsy and are constantly having slip-ups throughout the day. Despite this, they make a valiant effort to always keep their composure - which only makes them seem even cooler to people around them. This anime will have you falling in love with these guys for being just as adorable as they are relatable.
Although this anime is over 20 episodes long, it’ll probably be the quickest watch on this list as the episodes are roughly 11 minutes each.
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- Ping Pong The Animation
- FUNimation
Episode Count: 11
Best friends Smile and Peco have one thing in common: their intense love of ping pong. While Peco has the ambition to become the best ping pong player in the world, he lacks the drive. Meanwhile Smile is highly skilled, but doesn’t see a point in playing the game if not purely for fun. The two of them battle rivals and search for a deeper meaning behind the game they love in this award-winning sports anime.
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