Netflix continues to demonstrate its presence as a global giant in video streaming services. Within its array of content, the anime genre has been steadily establishing a popular position. Netflix has played a significant role in integrating anime into the lives of those who normally don’t watch it, making it more accessible and familiar. Additionally, Netflix has taken on a role similar to an anime studio, producing its original anime titles.
Hundreds of new anime titles are released each year, with many key works being distributed almost in real-time globally through Netflix. This era could be considered a golden age of anime, where anyone can access the latest anime easily. So, what should one watch on Netflix now?
This article will introduce a curated list of the best anime to watch on Netflix in 2024. Focusing mainly on popular titles released in the last few years, the list also includes timeless masterpieces that continue to be popular over time. Watching these anime should elevate you from an anime beginner to the next level.
Let’s enjoy the cutting-edge great anime on Netflix!
▶︎Check out the list of Best Anime Movies to Watch on Netflix for 2024!
Featured Anime on Netflix 2024: Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation
Eiichiro Oda, the famous manga artist known for the One Piece series, has one of his early works, Monsters, adapted into an anime in 2024 and is being streamed worldwide on Netflix. The manga One Piece started in 1997, but preceding it was this short manga, Monsters, released in 1994. It was later included in a collection of Oda’s short stories published in 1998. The anime adaptation, titled Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (MONSTERS 一百三情飛龍侍極), is produced by E&H Production and has been streaming since January this year. The director is Sunghoo Park, known for his work on The God of High School in 2020 and the Jujutsu Kaisen series from 2020-2021.
In a town terrorized by surprise attacks from a feared dragon, Ryuma, a wandering hungry samurai, finds himself. Amid various misunderstandings, Ryuma is not welcomed by the townspeople. In the face of such adversity, Ryuma ends up confronting not only the dragon but also an unexpected entity as his true enemy.
Monsters is set more than 400 years before One Piece but shares part of its world. Ryuma, who appeared in the Thriller Bark arc of One Piece, is featured in this story. Eiichiro Oda himself has confirmed that it’s the same character. The protagonist seems a character reminiscent of a combination of Luffy and Zoro from One Piece, and indeed, this anime offers a glimpse into the prototypes of the main characters of One Piece. While it is a must-watch for One Piece fans, its 25-minute one-shot format also makes it recommendable for anime newcomers and Netflix users.
10. My Happy Marriage
One of the biggest hit anime series of 2023 is likely My Happy Marriage (わたしの幸せな結婚). It has been licensed and distributed worldwide by Netflix. The genre is a blend of romance, drama, and fantasy, and hearing this, My Happy Marriage might not seem particularly novel at first. So, what made this anime so popular? One factor is the deep portrayal of the struggles experienced by a woman with an unfortunate life, and the presence of Kiyoka Kudou, a man with a significant gap between his appearance and inner self. Of course, the beautiful scenic depictions, such as memorable cherry blossoms, also add to its charm.
Miyo’s misfortune is largely due to a culture reminiscent of old Japanese household systems, but the anime also adeptly portrays universal human emotions like jealousy and hatred. Originally a light novel serialized on Shosetsuka ni Naro by Akumi Agitogi, it was adapted into a 12-episode anime by Kinema Citrus. It also gained attention for being adapted into a live-action movie in Japan in the same year. I recommend watching at least the first three episodes of this anime to get a glimpse of its world.
If you can’t wait until the next season’s coming, check out this light novel reading guide: Where Does My Happy Marriage Anime End in Light Novels and Manga!
9. Akuma-kun
Akuma-kun (悪魔くん) is one of the masterpieces of the legendary manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, who is also known for GeGeGe no Kitaro, the most famous horror series for people of all ages. The manga series was intermittently published from 1963 to 1993. Shigeru Mizuki’s works continue to attract attention, and in November 2023, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth, a completely new feature-length animation titled Kitarou Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo was released.
This Akuma-kun was previously adapted into a 42-episode anime by Toei Animation from 1989-1990. However, in 2023, a new version was produced by Toei Animation and exclusively distributed by Netflix.
The 2023 version of Akuma-kun has several different settings from the previous anime series, including a different name and personality for the protagonist, Akuma-kun. His real name is Ichiro Umoregi, a cool, condescending, and arrogant character, but a genius that appears once every ten thousand years. Along with his new partner Mephisto III, this mysterious detective buddy story follows their challenges in inexplicable incidents while pursuing the mystery of their origins. Familiar characters from past works, such as Shingo Umoregi and Mephisto II, also appear.
8. Baki / Baki Hanma
For those who want to experience the authentic martial-arts action anime series, Baki and Baki Hanma is must-watch contents to check on Netflix. Based on Keisuke Itagaki’s manga series serialized since 1991, the anime adaptation of the Baki series just started in 2001. After the first series Baki the Grappler (グラップラー刃牙) consisting of 48 episodes, the second title Baki (バキ) was distributed on Netflix, divided into two seasons in 2018 and 2020. And then, the third title Baki Hanma (範馬刃牙) was made as an original anime by Netflix and its first season was distributed exclusively on Netflix in 2021. It was followed by the second season in October 2023.
So, now is the time to include these two titles of the Baki series as anime you should watch on Netflix. It is recommended to start with Baki, and it is designed to be enjoyable even if you haven’t watched the first work Baki the Grappler. However, it contains quite grotesque combat scenes, so those who are concerned about that should be cautious. The protagonist of Baki is, of course, Baki Hanma, and the story begins with the world’s strongest death row inmates escaping from prisons around the world to fight him, gathering in Tokyo. Then, in Baki Hanma, the story finally focuses on the fateful battle between Baki and his father and the strongest creature Yujiro.
7. Komi Can’t Communicate
If you’re interested in checking out a popular slice-of-life romantic comedy anime on Netflix, I recommend Komi Can’t Communicate (古見さんは、コミュ症です。). The story begins with Hitohito Tadano, a high school freshman, who encounters the breathtakingly beautiful Shoko Komi on his first day. He soon learns that despite her aloof appearance, Komi struggles with communication but desires to make friends. He begins to communicate with her at her own pace and helps her towards her dream of making 100 friends.
The series is rich in comedy, featuring numerous parodies of anime, games, and internet memes. It also boasts beautiful animations of sceneries like cherry blossoms, and emotionally charged scenes like the ones where the two characters communicate through writing. Based on the manga by Tomohito Oda, which has been serialized since 2016, its first anime adaptation was produced by OLM Team Kojima. Licensed by Netflix, the 24-episode series was globally streamed in 2021-2022.
If you have finished watching all of the Komi Can’t Communicate anime’s existing episodes, check out this manga reading guide: Where Does Komi Can’t Communicate Anime End in Manga!
6. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Zombies are a globally popular theme on Netflix, and among them, a popular work in the anime category is Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (ゾン100〜ゾンビになるまでにしたい100のこと〜). It’s licensed by Viz Media but streamed on Netflix and others. This anime is a well-blended mix of horror, comedy, and adventure. Originally, it was a manga that began in 2018, written by Haro Aso and illustrated by Kotaro Takata. It was later adapted into an anime by the studio Bug Films. The first season consists of 12 episodes, but production was slightly delayed, and episodes 10-12 were broadcast around Christmas 2023, concluding the first season.
The main character, Akira, working in a black company, feels despair in his life due to his boss’s power harassment and the poor working environment. The advent of zombies, which shatter the routine of daily life, even brings him joy, thinking, “I don’t have to go to the company anymore.” In this new world, he lists the things he truly wants to do and starts to act on them. Although zombies are a threat to humanity, the world is not depicted as overly serious but filled with humor and comedy. Akira embarks on a journey with realistic beauty Shizuka, and his former best friend Kencho, among others.
If you want to enjoy the following story after the Zom 100 anime ends, check out this manga reading guide: Where Does Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Anime End in Manga!
5. One Piece
One Piece is now one of the most well-known anime and manga series without a doubt. In 2023, it became more known for its live-action series, exclusively released on Netflix. However, many fans consider the best way to experience One Piece is through the anime or the manga. The manga has already surpassed 100 volumes, and the anime has exceeded 1000 episodes, making it a mega-series that will undoubtedly leave its mark in history. Being able to enjoy this ongoing series in real-time is a privilege for those of us living in the present. The full series, including the latest episodes, can be watched on Netflix. Many read the manga, but the anime offers a different charm. While its length may seem daunting to newcomers, it’s a masterpiece worth dedicating time to.
To date, One Piece has had over ten main story arcs, each featuring a strong world-building and heart-stirring story development. The protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, aims to become the Pirate King and continues his voyage in search of the legendary treasure, One Piece, along with his charismatic crew. The story is built on a foundation of world history, making it globally relatable and enjoyable for fans. With its unique character designs, cool combat scenes using special techniques, moving storylines, and the fun of analyzing foreshadows to predict future developments, it’s a top-notch anime in every aspect. One Piece is picked out here partly because Netflix released Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, a short animation set in the past world of One Piece, this year.
If you want to enjoy the following story after the One Piece anime ends, check out this manga reading guide: Where Does One Piece Anime End in Manga!
4. Great Pretender
Not every anime that becomes popular in Japan is guaranteed to be a hit overseas, but Great Pretender certainly contains many elements that can be enjoyed worldwide. In fact, it might be even more highly rated abroad. The reason for this isn’t just that the setting spans various cities like Los Angeles and London. The story, centered around con artists and full of plot twists, makes for a suspenseful watch where the outcome is unpredictable. For those who haven’t seen it yet, a sequel Great Pretender: Razbliuto is coming in 2024, so now is a good time to catch up. The original anime, which does not have a manga or novel source, was first produced by Wit Studio with 23 episodes and globally released on Netflix in 2020. The second title was licensed by Crunchyroll in North America, though.
The protagonist is a young, naive Japanese con artist named Makoto Edamura, who gets tricked by Laurent, a much more skilled swindler. Following Laurent to Los Angeles, Edamura unwittingly becomes involved in much larger-scale crimes. According to Laurent, Edamura is “an honest, innocent boy who pretends to be bad.” What’s interesting is that Edamura doesn’t just follow Laurent’s lead, but also does things beyond Laurent’s imagination. Edamura has a sad background, which is gradually revealed. The series is composed of four cases, and once you start the first case, it’s hard to look away.
3. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (サイバーパンク エッジランナーズ) has become the most exciting anime series among Netflix’s exclusive anime releases in recent years, and it stands out as one of the coolest works in the classic anime genre of cyberpunk. It is based on the game Cyberpunk 2077, which was developed in 2020 by the Polish game company CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners reimagines this world as a prequel with an original story. The anime production was a joint effort by Trigger and CD Projekt. In 2022, all 10 episodes were released globally on Netflix.
The story unfolds around a young boy named David Martinez, who grows up in a poverty-stricken family in the highly advanced dystopian city of Night City. After losing his mother in an unexpected accident, David, desperate to survive, installs cyberware into his body, enhancing his physical abilities at the expense of putting a strain on his body. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets the heroine Lucy, joins a criminal gang, and gets involved in a major conspiracy. The anime is cool and stylish in every aspect, including animation, background art, music, and character design. However, viewers should be aware that it contains violence and sexual content.
2. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
The long-running anime series that is a must-watch on Netflix is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険). The latest series, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean (ストーンオーシャン), was first released on Netflix from 2021 to 2022 with 38 episodes and was also broadcast on TV until 2023. The anime consists of multiple series, each related through the lineage of the characters, but one of JoJo’s appeals is that you can enjoy any series regardless of where you start. Particularly, the recent anime Season 4: Golden Wind (黄金の風) and Season 5: Stone Ocean are likely to be more accessible to modern fans (in the original manga, these are Part 5 and 6, but the anime grouped Part 1 and 2 as Season 1, resulting in a numbering shift between the manga and anime).
This unique anime series combines classic elements of anime like bonds between friends, thrilling battles, and exciting adventures, with horror and psychological thriller aspects. Its art style and the characters’ unique dialogues have garnered a cult following for Hirohiko Araki’s manga series. The anime adaptation has expanded its fanbase even further. The recent series have been quickly released worldwide on Netflix, significantly increasing its global recognition.
From the second season of the anime (Part 3 in the manga), Stardust Crusaders (スターダストクルセイダース), the introduction of supernatural powers known as Stands dramatically enhanced the action scenes. The story consistently revolves around the confrontation between characters from the Joestar family lineage and their enemies who hold grudges against them. As each season centers on entirely different characters, each one feels fresh and enjoyable.
1. Pluto
This article wants to conclude Pluto is the best anime to watch on Netflix in 2024, which has been appraised by global fans since its release on the streaming platform in October 2023. In recent years, Netflix’s anime adaptation of Pluto might not be easily enjoyable for everyone, but it offers deep insights for audiences living in this highly advanced society, making it a must-watch anime for today. Pluto is an anime adaptation of a manga by Naoki Urasawa, known for works like 20th Century Boys and Monster. The manga is based on an episode of Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka, known as the god of manga. This anime is comprised of eight episodes, each lasting about an hour, and concludes in its entirety within these eight episodes.
Although Astro Boy is a key character, the protagonist of this anime is Gesicht, a detective robot. The story begins with the targeting of seven highly advanced robots in the world, including Gesicht. Unable to pinpoint the root of evil, Gesicht and Astro Boy continue to investigate, seeking the truth behind the incidents. The anime blends mystery with cyberpunk, but what’s most notable in Pluto is the robot technology that has developed to the point of being indistinguishable from humans.
The depiction of Astro Boy adopting human mannerisms and gradually understanding emotions is fascinating. While the story is interesting in its pursuit of the mysteries like who the mastermind is and what the threat’s origin is, we, living in a society with rapid advancements in AI technology, might find this world more real than ever.
In the future, Netflix plans to continue adding promising new anime, so let’s keep an eye on it. You can enjoy some greatest anime movies in English on Netflix, too. Check this list below!
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