Best Anime of All Time to Watch in 2025″, which features Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Death Note, Cowboy Bebop, and One Piece — including their directors, main characters, plot summaries, and where to watch:
Best Anime of All Time
Anime has enthralled millions with its engaging narratives, memorable characters, and breathtaking animation. Even in 2025, some classic anime are still fan favorites — they’ve aged like a fine wine. Whether you’re a new fan or a dedicated otaku, these are the top 5 greatest anime of all time you should definitely watch (or rewatch) in 2025.
1. Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)
- Director: Tetsurō Araki (Seasons 1–3), Yuichiro Hayashi (Season 4)
- Studio: Wit Studio (Seasons 1–3), MAPPA (Final Season)
- Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Dark Fantasy
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu
Story Overview:
When giant humanoid Titans consume humans, survivors take refuge behind enormous walls. When a Titan breaks through the outer gate, Eren Yeager swears to take revenge upon seeing his mother get killed. He enlists in the Survey Corps along with Mikasa and Armin to battle the Titans and learn about the history of the Titans.
Key Characters:
- Eren Yeager – The determined hero with an unknown past.
- Mikasa Ackerman – A fierce warrior and faithful friend of Eren.
- Armin Arlert – The strategic thinker with an exceptionally sharp mind.
- Levi Ackerman – The strongest human soldier.
- AOT is an emotional rollercoaster of political manipulation, war, betrayal, and existential inquiry.
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Best Anime Of all time
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Director: Yasuhiro Irie
- Studio: Bones
- Genre: Adventure, Supernatural, Military, Drama
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Story Overview:
Edward and Alphonse Elric perform the forbidden art of human transmutation to bring back their deceased mother. Ed loses limbs and Al loses his entire body. The brothers embark on an adventure to find the Philosopher’s Stone to get their bodies back — but discover a conspiracy that may consume the world.
Main Characters:
- Edward Elric – The Fullmetal Alchemist, strong-willed and intelligent.
- Alphonse Elric – Younger brother of Ed, stuck in a suit of armor.
- Roy Mustang – The Flame Alchemist and a central military commander.
- Scar – A revenge-seeking warrior with a troubled past.
- FMAB is credited for its impeccable storytelling, character development, and the correct balance of feeling, action, and humor.
3. Death Note
- Director: Tetsurō Araki
- Studio: Madhouse
- Genre: Supernatural, Psychological Thriller, Mystery
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Story Summary:
Light Yagami, a high school student who’s a certified genius, finds a Death Note — a supernatural notebook that makes him capable of killing anyone simply by writing down their names. As he starts eliminating criminals as “Kira,” a master detective codenamed “L” comes forward to put a stop to it.
Key Characteristics :
- Light Yagami – The god-complex antihero.
- L – The quirky, unparallelled-intellect detective.
- Ryuk – A Shinigami (Death God) who had discarded the notebook.
- Misa Amane – A dedicated Kira fan and Death Note user.
- An intense game of cat and mouse, Death Note has you wondering till the final minute.
4. Cowboy Bebop
- Director: Shinichirō Watanabi
- Studio: Sunrise
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Neo-Noir, Space Western
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Story Overview:
Based in a futuristic 2071, the series tracks a team of bounty hunters aboard the spaceship Bebop as they pursue criminals throughout the solar system. Each character struggles with their own past while pursuing exciting cases.
Main Characters:
- Spike Spiegel – The suave, enigmatic ex-hitman haunted by a tragic past.
- Jet Black – The captain of the Bebop and former cop.
- Faye Valentine – A memory-loss femme fatale.
- Edward – A quirky hacker girl.
- Ein – A super-smart “data dog.”
- Famous for its legendary soundtrack, serious themes, and fashionable animation, Cowboy Bebop is a classic.
5. One Piece
- Director: Konosuke Uda (earlier), several directors
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Comedy
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Story Overview:
Monkey D. Luffy embarks to acquire the world’s greatest treasure, the “One Piece,” and claim the title of Pirate King. He gathers a crew, battles warlords and marines, and uncovers secrets of the Grand Line.
Main Characters:
- Monkey D. Luffy – The rubber man pirate with indomitable will.
- Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe – Luffy’s eccentric and affectionate crew.
- Gol D. Roger – The mythical Pirate King.
- Shanks, Whitebeard, Blackbeard – Key pirate players.
- One Piece has more than 1000 episodes and is an adventure in friendship, aspirations, and tenacity — and it’s still running.
