2016 | 2h 10m 

Based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Oima, A Silent Voice follows a former bully turned outcast who decides to reconnect and befriend the deaf girl he had tormented when he was a kid. The movie weaves themes like disability, bullying, social alienation, and the pursuit of redemption. A Silent Voice is a little gem among anime movies and deserves all its recognition!

1997-Present | 1000+ episodes

Oh, this is such a classic anime for kids! Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum, who sets out on a journey through the beautiful region of Kanto, determined to fulfill his dream of becoming the greatest Pokémon trainer of all time. The show has spawned several sequels and spin-offs over the years, but they all share the same basic premise — the main character wants to get strong enough to beat the greatest trainers and become the champion. Ready to catch ’em all?

2001 | 2h 5m 

Here we are with Hayao Miyazaki’s classic anime movie, where a young girl finds herself lost in a world of spirits. This classic film is the first and only Japanese movie to receive an Oscar award for Best Animated Feature. For many years, Spirited Away held the title of the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, earning over $395 million globally. However, this record was broken by Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, released in 2020.

2008-2009 | 208 episodes

Chi’s Sweet Home is a lovely anime about a kitten who gets separated from her mother and siblings during a walk outside. She gets adopted by a kid and his family, despite their housing complex’s strict no-pets policy. The story is told through Chi’s eyes as she learns about the world through her new family, people, and other pets.

2001-2003 | 75 episodes

A young boy, Hikaru Shindo, accidentally awakens the spirit of a deceased Go prodigy while exploring his grandfather’s shed. This ghost, Fujiwara-no-Sai, still harbors aspirations of achieving the “Kami no Itte,” a perfect move in the Go game, and chooses to aid Hikaru in developing his Go skills. In case you don’t know, Go is believed to be the oldest board game ever, still played to the present day by more than 20 million people worldwide.

2013-2014 | 22 episodes

Silver Spoon is the story of Yuugo Hachiken, a city boy who relocates to a rural area to attend an agricultural high school and escape the strained relationship with his parents. He has no idea what’s in store, but he soon realizes this isn’t just any ordinary school year. The series is based on a manga by Hiromu Arakawa, creator of Fullmetal Alchemist. Although it may not be as popular as other shows on this list, it’s worth checking out!

2012-2013 | 48 episodes

When a kingdom where characters from fairy tales reside is attacked by the evil Pierrot, the Queen sends the messenger Candy to Earth to form a group of five magical girls. The series follows the team’s birth and the girls’ adventures as they battle their enemies, collect powerful tokens, and grow their abilities to try and save the kingdom.

1979-Present | +2000 episodes

Doraemon’s plot revolves around the life of Nobita, who is frequently bullied by other kids. Despite his best efforts, he often finds himself in trouble, resulting in Doraemon, a cat from the future, saving the day using his futuristic gadgets. The show tackles themes relevant to childhood — most episodes introduce moral lessons, teaching the importance of taking responsibility for your actions, as well as showing the negative effects of bad habits, like neglecting one’s studies or resorting to violence to solve problems.

2016 | 12 episodes

Flying Witch is a slow-paced, slice-of-life anime about a young witch named Makoto Kowata who moves in with some relatives after living on her own for most of her life. This family-friendly anime has plenty of heartwarming moments and some of the most adorable characters ever to grace anime screens. It also features delicious food scenes that will satisfy any food lover and breathtaking landscapes to leave you in awe!

2014-2020 | 85 episodes

This series falls into the spokon genre, a type of anime focused on sports and competition. Haikyuu!! follows a high school student, Shouyo Hinata, and his journey to becoming a professional volleyball player. It’s not the easiest dream considering Hinata is pretty short for a volleyball player, but his impressive determination and ability to jump higher than most of the other characters balance it perfectly. When he meets his new teammate Kageyama Tobio, the tyrannical but talented setter who defeated him in middle school, his dream begins to feel a little more achievable. Two anime movies have been announced in 2022 and will serve as the series finale.

1992-1997 | 200 episodes

One of the most emblematic examples of the majokko genre — focused on young girls with magical powers — and a great representation of the emotional maturation of a careless teenager with a heart of gold, Usagi. The series chronicles the adventures and growth of five schoolgirls reborn as the incarnations of princesses with powerful abilities.

2015-2016 | 24 episodes

Shirayuki, always taught to hide her unusual red hair from the world, is noticed by Prince Raji, who wants to make her a concubine. With nowhere to go, she flees to another kingdom, where she meets Prince Zen. It’s the beginning of a new life at the royal palace of Clarines! A refreshing fantasy story about a cheerful heroine and a prince who cannot help but fall in love with her.

2013 | 12 episodes

Tamako Market is a sweet and heartwarming anime that follows the daily life of Tamako, a cheerful and clumsy girl who works in her parents’ mochi (sweet rice cake) shop in a busy shopping district. Along with her friends, family, and a diverse cast of characters, Tamako navigates the ups and downs of growing up, all while maintaining her love for mochi and her strong sense of community. With its lovable characters, lighthearted storytelling, and wholesome themes, Tamako Market is an ideal choice for viewers looking for a feel-good anime.

2016 | 13 episodes

ReLIFE follows the life of 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki, who is given a chance to relive his high school years through a mysterious program called “ReLIFE.” With the help of a pill that makes him look like a 17-year-old student, Arata returns to high school, where he tries to figure out what went wrong in his life. The series explores themes of growth and coming of age, making it a touching and inspiring anime for teenagers.

2016 | 12 episodes

Sweetness and Lightning is a heartwarming anime about a teacher and single father named Kouhei, who is struggling to raise his daughter, Tsumugi, after the loss of his wife. When one of his students convinces him to try cooking for the first time, Kouhei and Tsumugi discover the joys of homemade meals, and their bond becomes stronger than ever.

2009-2010 | 39 episodes

K-On! is a slice-of-life comedy anime that follows the lives of four teenagers (later five) as they join their school’s music club to keep it from disbanding. Join Yui, Mio, Ritsu, Tsumugi, and Azusa as they navigate high school and make memories that will last a lifetime! With a mix of humor, sweet moments, and an infectious soundtrack, K-On! is a must-watch for fans of the genre and those looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable show.

1988 | 1h 26m

Produced by Studio Ghibli, My Neighbor Totoro follows two sisters as they move to the countryside to stay with their sick mother and then meet the magical spirits who live in the nearby forest. It’s not only a classic of Japanese animation, but the movie is also partially autobiographical. When Hayao Miyazaki and his brothers were children, their mother suffered from spinal tuberculosis for years and spent much of her time hospitalized. He once said the movie would have been too painful for him to make if the two protagonists were boys instead of girls.

2016 | 1h 47m 

If you’re an active member of the anime community, there’s a 100% chance that you’ve heard about this movie. It follows a high school boy from Tokyo and a high school girl from the Japanese countryside who suddenly and inexplicably begin to swap bodies and live each other’s lives. This is the perfect anime for teenagers and has everything you can look for — outstanding graphics, a catchy soundtrack, and a breathtaking plot.

2018 | 12 episodes

The last gift Sora Kashiwagi ever expected to receive from his adventurous father was… a mummy! Not the scary type, though — Mii-kun is so adorable and is tiny enough to fit in the palm of a hand! As he struggles to look after this miniature creature, Sora discovers the joys of caring for someone and the challenges that come with it. With a cast of quirky characters, this anime will surely leave kids and adults smiling!

2018-Present | 25 episodes

Laid-Back Camp, also known as Yuru Camp, is the epitome of slow, outdoor adventures. We get introduced to a group of girls who explore the stunning landscapes of Japan’s countryside and discover the joys of spending time in nature. With breathtaking visuals and a slow-paced, calming atmosphere, Laid-Back Camp is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A third season has been announced.

2004 | 1h 59m 

This is one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved films and for a good reason. The story follows Sophie, a teenage girl who spends time at her late father’s hat shop. After meeting Howl, a powerful wizard, she ends up cursed by a witch to look like an old woman. Howl will use all his talent to return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.

2019- Present | 35+ episodes

A mysterious flash petrifies all of humanity, and everybody spends the upcoming 3,700 years as stones. A fifteen-year-old prodigy named Senku Ishigami is able to revive himself and finds other living humans in hopes of starting a new society. And that’s what you need to know! The series is full of interesting factual information on chemistry and engineering (come on, it’s always nice to learn something new!), memorable characters, and most of all, tons of fun.

1998 | 27 episodes 

The very first series from the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, and an ideal watch for teenagers. Yugi Mutou is a shy boy who has finally completed his grandfather’s ancient Millennium Puzzle. Little did he realize that the puzzle unleashed an alter ego who challenges anyone who hurts Yugi to dangerous games. The Shadow Games reveal the true nature of someone’s heart, and the losers are often subjected to dark punishments. The author initially wanted to make Yu-Gi-Oh! a horror anime and, despite the change of plan, some horror aspects still influenced the story as we know it.

2007-2008 | 24 episodes 

The rebel student Tomoya Okazaki and the shy girl Nagisa Furukawa couldn’t be more different. Treated like a delinquent by everyone, Tomoya’s fateful meeting with Nagisa will change everything. Tomoya begins to open up, enjoying and appreciating life so much more. It’s widely considered one of the best anime series of the 2000s.

2016 | 120 episodes

Saiki Kusuo is a student with strong psychic powers who hates attracting attention. Yet, he’s surrounded by colorful characters who always find a way to remove him from his ordinary life. It may sound like a cliché plot with high school students having funny adventures in their daily lives, but trust us when we say this anime is everything but ordinary!

2016-2022 | 37 episodes

A series worth watching! Mob Psycho 100 follows the story of Shigeyo Kageyama — a pretty average schoolboy with a lack of presence. Although he looks like a meek person, he’s actually a powerful esper with vast psychic abilities. A train of miseries follows Shigeyo and his suppressed emotions threaten to unleash his hidden powers, but he meets other espers right at the tipping point. The series was praised for its unusual visual style, character story, and the concepts of heroism and society. The third season aired in 2022.

2017-2021 | 170 episodes 

Asta is a boy who lives in a world where seemingly everyone has a magic power but him. One day, Asta gains a powerful grimoire and sets out to become the next Wizard King despite having no magic in him. In January 2021, Crunchyroll revealed that Black Clover was its most-watched series of 2020, and if that’s not a quantifier for an excellent watch, we don’t know what is!

2008-2009 | 25 episodes

Who would have thought that one of the best romance anime of all time would be a story about a tiger and a dragon? If you’re looking for a teenager-targeted love anime that combines humor, romance, and sheer hilarity, then Toradora! is the show for you. Ryuuji may look like a criminal with his sharp eyes and intimidating aura, but he’s actually a nice guy. On the other hand, Taiga is a tiny, doll-like student with a foul temper and an even fouler mouth. When their lives become intertwined, they decide to help each other out in order to pursue their own romantic interests.