Angel Beats! starts as a wild ride in a strange afterlife, where a band of rebellious teens fights back with guns and goofy schemes. But the show quickly reveals its true heart, weaving sharp humor together with quiet, sad moments about lost lives and unfinished business. It’s a short series that manages to feel both riotously fun and genuinely touching by the end. | © Aniplex of America
Kill la Kill is an over-the-top, action-packed parody that embraces and exaggerates anime clichés with pure gusto. The story follows a schoolgirl seeking revenge with a sentient sailor uniform, leading to non-stop, high-energy battles that are as absurd as they are brilliantly animated. It’s a hilarious, unapologetic, and surprisingly smart ride that knows exactly how ridiculous it is and runs with it. | © Aniplex of America
Paranoia Agent is a surreal psychological thriller that starts with a simple mystery: a rollerblading boy attacking people with a golden bat. As the investigation deepens, the show masterfully unravels into a dark exploration of urban stress, collective delusion, and the human psyche. It's a clever, disturbing, and brilliantly crafted series that only the late Satoshi Kon could deliver. | © Geneon Entertainment USA
Durarara!! throws a wild cast of characters into the chaotic streets of Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. The story brilliantly connects their lives through shifting perspectives, secret online chats, and clashes between urban legends and street gangs. It's a stylish, clever puzzle of a series that finds both chaos and cool in its interconnected web of stories. | © Aniplex of America
Psycho-Pass is a smart sci-fi thriller set in a future where a system can instantly judge a person's criminal intent. It follows detectives who must enforce this law, grappling with profound questions about free will, justice, and whether you can condemn someone before they ever act. With dark atmosphere, complex characters, and gripping philosophical tension, it's a sophisticated and compelling series for any fan of psychological mystery. | © Funimation
The Big O is a stylish noir series that expertly blends the intrigue of a James Bond thriller with the spectacle of giant robot battles. Its episodic structure often follows a satisfying pattern of espionage and mystery before culminating in a tense mech showdown. While the overarching plot becomes convoluted near its conclusion, the show's unique atmosphere and classic monster-of-the-week charm make it a compelling and memorable watch. | © ADV Films
Redline is an absolute explosion of style and adrenaline, focused purely on the world's most dangerous, illegal galaxy race. Every frame of its hand-drawn animation bursts with a hyper-kinetic energy, following racers with outrageous personalities and even more outrageous vehicles. It doesn't bother with a complex plot, because the sheer, joyous cool of its spectacle, backed by an eclectic rock-and-electro soundtrack, makes it an unforgettable experience. | © Anchor Bay Films
Shirobako is a fascinating look into the intense, chaotic reality of creating an anime. It follows a group of friends as they navigate their different roles in a production studio, showcasing everything from writing and sound design to endless crisis management. For anyone curious about animation or who simply loves anime, this series is a must-watch celebration of the passionate people who bring our favorite shows to life. | © Sentai Filmworks
Death Parade is a gripping psychological anime that throws its newly deceased characters into a mysterious bar to be judged. They must play high-stakes games that force their darkest emotions and hidden memories to the surface, revealing the truth of their lives. While the enigmatic world of the arbiters isn't fully explained, the intense focus on human morality makes for a uniquely thought-provoking and suspenseful series. | © Funimation
Code Geass is a brilliant thriller set in an alternate future where an exiled prince gains the supernatural power to command absolute obedience. This kicks off a complex war of rebellion, packed with strategic mecha battles, shocking betrayals, and a massive cast where no character is safe. It masterfully blends high-stakes political intrigue with deep moral dilemmas, delivering one of anime's most clever, dramatic, and satisfying conclusions. | © Bandai Entertainment
Samurai Champloo is an absolute blast, seamlessly blending hip-hop culture with Edo-period Japan for a one-of-a-kind adventure. It follows the explosive journey of three mismatched travellers on a quest to find a mysterious samurai. With a phenomenal soundtrack, stylish action, and perfect pacing, it’s a consistently fun and incredibly cool series that leaves you deeply attached to its unforgettable characters. | © Geneon Entertainment USA
Violet Evergarden is a visually stunning anime, with lush colors and detailed animation creating a truly beautiful world. The story follows Violet, a former soldier learning to understand human emotions by becoming a ghostwriter for others' heartfelt letters. While some episodic stories feel detached, the series rewards patience, building into a poignant and emotionally resonant journey about healing from trauma. | © Netflix
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is not your typical magical girl anime. It follows young girls who make a Faustian bargain with a mysterious creature, trading their souls for a single wish in exchange for a life of battle. What begins innocently soon spirals into a beautifully animated story of despair and cosmic horror, delivering a clever, psychological twist on the genre that is both profound and deeply unsettling. | © Aniplex of America
Cowboy Bebop earns its reputation as a timeless classic by blending gritty sci-fi with effortless cool. Its episodic adventures are a masterful mix of jazz-soaked noir, jaw-dropping action, and sudden, poignant tragedy. From Spike Spiegel's stylish swagger to Yoko Kanno's legendary jazz soundtrack, every element oozes a singular vibe that simply never gets old. | © Bandai Entertainment
Neon Genesis Evangelion starts as a classic giant robot series, with a teenage boy piloting a bio-mecha to defend against alien Angels. It quickly becomes less about the fights and more about psychological trauma and existential dread, a surprising twist that still defines it. The characters are often difficult, the ending is famously strange, but its raw exploration of depression and iconic imagery solidify its status as an essential, groundbreaking anime. | © ADV Films
We all know anime and manga go hand in hand, but some of the medium's most groundbreaking stories started as original screenplays. From psychological thrillers to timeless space adventures, here are 15 brilliant anime that were never based on a manga.
