Funimation has a wealth of excellent anime series for fans of all tastes. The streaming service offers a wide variety of new and classic anime series for viewers to choose from, so they can always find something they like. Of course, that’s not all Funimation is famous for; they were also early adopters of simulcasting and simuldubbing, making new episodes available to fans shortly after their Japanese premiere and dubbing them into English just as soon.
And when it comes to Funimation’s extensive library, series like Samurai Champloo and Kill La Kill are just the top of the enormous iceberg of the streaming platform’s collection. Therefore, here is a rundown of the top ten anime series on Funimation.
10. Steins;Gate
Produced by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate is an anime adaptation of the eponymous visual novel. The plot of Steins;Gate revolves around the antics of Rintarou Okabe and his band of misfit scientists. They experiment with changing the past after accidentally discovering a technique to transmit texts into the past. Unforeseen repercussions, however, cause them to become entangled in a labyrinth of time travel and plots.
Between April and September of 2011, the show broadcast 24 episodes. Its portrayal of human nature, time travel, gender identity, and post-traumatic stress disorder were all lauded by reviewers. Many say it is the best anime series of this decade. There have been four web animation episodes based on the series and a movie that is a spinoff. Steins;Gate 0, an anime adaptation and sequel to the original Steins;Gate video game, debuted in 2018.
9. One Piece
One Piece‘s story, setting, art, characters, and humor have all received high praise. Critics, reviewers, and fans unanimously agree that it is one of the best manga ever written. As of August 2022, approximately 516.6 million copies were circulated across 61 countries and territories, making it the best-selling manga series ever and the best-selling comic series ever to be published as a book.
The series follows the exploits of Monkey D. Luffy and his band of pirates as they travel the world searching for the legendary treasure known only as “One Piece.” Along the way, they face up against formidable foes, find new allies, and venture into a vast, mysterious, and dangerous realm. One Piece has won the hearts of anime viewers all across the world with its unique blend of humor, action, and touching moments.
8. Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is a 2004 Japanese historical adventure anime series that mixes traditional features with anachronistic modern allusions like hip-hop to create a dramatized image of Japan during the Edo period. Tea waitress Fuu, wandering outlaw Mugen, and Ronin Jin are the protagonists of this series. After rescuing Mugen and Jin from certain death, Fuu coerces them to help her in her search for a warrior with a sunflower scent.
The show is structured like a road movie, and its key themes include the depiction and acceptance of death and the tolerance and acceptance of minorities. Pre-production on the series began in 2002, but director Shinichiro Watanabe had been working on the characters and premise since 1999 (during his work on Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and The Animatrix). The series has received mostly excellent reviews, with particular attention paid to its animation and music; it has also been commercially successful in the West.
7. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Both reviewers and fans agree that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is among the most outstanding anime series ever made. Critics praised the series for being faithful to the manga and for adding new characters and plot elements that weren’t in the 2003 anime Fullmetal Alchemist. The story follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who find themselves in a terrifying new reality after a botched alchemy experiment in their home.
Despite knowing that human transmutation is against the alchemical principle, the boys attempted to bring their mother back to life. Years of research lead the Elric brothers to seek out the Philosopher’s Stone, a powerful stone that allows an alchemist to break the traditional laws of Equivalent Exchange. With his alchemy skills on the rise, Edward acquires the nickname “Fullmetal,” and the boys’ exploits soon involve them in a global conspiracy. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime classic with a deep story, memorable characters, and a compelling world.
6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge. It was the eighth best-selling manga series of all time, with over 150 million copies in circulation by February 2021 (including digital editions). Both in 2019 and 2020, it was the most popular manga in print. The manga and its anime adaptation are both well-received. The anime series has been hailed as one of the best of the decade and is a multiple-award winner.
The protagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a young boy named Tanjiro Kamado, who decides to become a demon slayer when demons kill his family and transform his sister, Nezuko, into a monster. Tanjiro and Nezuko take a dangerous journey in search of a cure for her illness and vengeance against the demons responsible, where they cross paths with other demon slayers and face off against formidable foes. The series keeps you hooked with its stunning visuals, thrilling action scenes, and gripping narrative.
5. Death Note
In Death Note, a high school student named Light Yagami gains the ability to kill anyone by just writing their name in a mysterious notebook. As Light eliminates criminals with the Death Note, he finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with the mysterious detective L, who is desperate to bring him to justice. The series Death Note is riveting and profound, dealing with issues of right and wrong and the balance of power.
Death Note was ranked the tenth best manga of all time in a 2007 Japanese Ministry of Culture study. Takarajimasha’s ranking of the finest manga of 2006 and 2007 for male readers, “Kono Manga ga Sugoi!,” placed this series in second place. In addition, it was nominated for the Best Comic award at the 38th Seiun Awards in 2007. The manga won both the Best Manga and Best Screenplay awards at the 2007 Japan Expo. As voted on by British manga enthusiasts, this series took up the Eagle Award for Favorite Manga in 2008.
4. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
In Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, high school student Lelouch vi Britannia finds himself able to order anyone to do anything with just a thought. Lelouch uses this ability to topple the oppressive Holy Britannian Empire to make a better world for his sister Nunnally. Code Geass is an exciting, emotionally resonant series that will leave you wanting more because of its intricate plot, well-realized characters, and spectacular action sequences.
Code Geass has successfully sold over a million DVDs and Blu-rays in Japan. Animage’s Anime Grand Prix and Animation Kobe’s Best of Show are only a few accolades bestowed upon both series. The script, voice acting, commercial success, character conflicts, and moral ambiguities all received high marks.
3. Kill la Kill
As Ryuko Matoi, a homeless teen, tries to find out who killed her father, she comes into violent conflict with Satsuki Kiryuin, the ruthless president of the student council at Honnouji Academy and the heiress to Ragyo Kiryuin’s fashion dynasty. These seemingly sentient garments endow Ryuko, Satsuki, and the rest of the cast with extraordinary martial arts abilities.
In general, critics praised Kill la Kill. Robert Frazer of U.K. Anime Network gave high marks to the “keen selection of music” and the animation of combat scenes and character movements. In 2013 the series won the “Best streaming anime” award at the U.K. Anime Network Awards. Several trophies, including Best Character Design and Best Script, were given to Kill la Kill at the 4th Annual Newtype Anime Awards.
2. Cowboy Bebop
To create something fresh and stylish, the creators of the iconic anime Cowboy Bebop combined ideas from science fiction, westerns, and film noir. The plot begins in 2071, and follows a motley crew of bounty hunters traveling the galaxy searching for wanted criminals aboard the spacecraft Bebop. The compelling histories of each complement the show’s examination of issues like isolation, nihilism, and the weight of one’s choices.
Cowboy Bebop‘s persuasive narrative and unforgettable characters make it a must-watch for any anime fan. After 26 episodes, the show was considered one of the greatest animated TV shows ever. Critics and fans gave the show rave reviews. The art direction, characters, screenplay, voice acting, animation, and score all received high scores. Cowboy Bebop was also a commercial success upon its initial release and earned several major anime and science fiction awards.
1. My Hero Academia
Based on the manga by Kohei Horikoshi, My Hero Academia is a smash-hit anime series. Superpowers, or “Quirks,” are ubiquitous in this universe, and the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, is a young kid who aspires to become a hero despite not being born with one. The legendary hero All Might, whom he has always admired, transforms his life forever by designating him the heir to his Quirk, “One For All.”
The series follows Izuku through high school at U.A., where he trains to become a professional hero and meets other heroes-in-training. The latest episodes of My Hero Academia and prior seasons are available on Funimation’s streaming service. Fans can watch the latest episodes as soon as they air in Japan thanks to Funimation’s simulcast service. For those who prefer to view anime with an English audio track, Funimation also provides English dubbed episodes.