Top 10 Action Anime [Updated Best Recommendations]

 

Liberated from the burdens of reality, films and TV shows can journey to worlds beyond what is currently feasible. If a creator craves to explore the furthest reaches of space or dive into the deepest darkest ocean, their imagination is the only limiter. Animation takes this freedom a step further and anime continues to treat fans to some of the craziest experiences of the medium.

Action anime are fist-pumping thrill rides packed with enough explosions to make Michael Bay cry. While nothing beats an exhilarating car chase, the best of the best incorporate an engaging storyline that injects emotional heft to the action. Here are our current top 10 action anime!

10. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (Reborn!)

• Episodes: 203
• Aired: October 2006 – September 2010

An oldie but a goodie! Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is the ultimate power fantasy. Dubbed as a "loser" by his peers, Tsunayoshi Sawada's reputation as a clumsy and talentless weakling precedes him. Stuck in a boring life with little room to grow, Tsuna's life takes a turn for the weird when a baby hitman arrives on his doorstep.

Recognized as one of the most valuable Mafiosos in the world, Reborn belongs to a powerful Italian family and was sent to train Tsuna as the next heir to the throne. Initially, Tsuna waves away Reborn's attempts, but the baby awakens a hidden power in the once dull teenager. Even if Tsuna is no longer a pushover, his newfound worth makes him a target for a lot of dangerous people.

Except for the first 20 comedy-heavy episodes, Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is an entertaining over-the-top shounen series that follows Tsuna as he builds his own Mafia family and takes on some truly nasty foes!

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9. Black Lagoon

• Episodes: 12
• Aired: April 2006 – June 2006

In terms of pure Hollywoodesque action, Black Lagoon is the creme of the crop. Set in the city of Roanapur in Thailand, Madhouse's anime is named after a mercenary group that operates from within this criminal haven. Willing to take on pretty much any job, Black Lagoon is a thrilling heart-pumping rollercoaster ride that occasionally tackles themes of morality and existentialism; however, the anime is mostly about gun-wielding nuns, sociopathic maids, and Revy's awesomeness!

Employed as a businessman, Rokurou Okajima is the living embodiment of average. Leading a trite life while working for an emotionless organization, Rokurou ends upheld for ransom by Black Lagoon but decides to join their team due to his bosses opting to let him die. In contrast with his new comrades, the soft-spoken Rokurou is driven by a moral compass that, sooner-or-later, will get him killed in Roanapur. Black Lagoon chronicles this former businessman's transformation from a faceless drone into a proficient mercenary.

Unsurprisingly, Madhouse's animation is smooth-as-silk and a joy to behold. Well-choreographed and always compelling, Black Lagoon is a must-watch for any anime fan who appreciates a bit of mayhem!

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8. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (Assassination Classroom)

• Episodes: 22
• Aired: January 2015 – June 2015

Out of nowhere, a mysterious alien-like creature destroys part of the moon and threatens to do the same to Earth unless someone puts a stop to his evil plan. While that is already strange enough, the monster decides to start teaching a Middle School class of delinquents who are tasked by the government to assassinate their teacher. In this case, the anime's title fits the premise like a velvet glove!

Based on Yuusei Matsui's hit manga, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu is a thoroughly engrossing action comedy that features the near-legendary protagonist of Koro-sensei. At first, the teacher is seen as nothing more than a deadly monster by his pupils, who attempt to bring him down with a swift hit. As their efforts prove futile and time marches on, Koro-sensei develops a positive relationship with his class and starts to teach them how to be better people.

With a solid blend of humour and imaginative action, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu is the full package. While the story gets progressively darker and the fight scenes intensify, Lerche's anime regularly finds ways to pull at the audience's heartstrings with a couple of touching moments.

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7. Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous)

• Episodes: 12
• Aired: October 2017 – December 2017

When it comes to anime, CGI tends to be rather hit and miss. To this day, Land of the Lustrous remains the prime example of how the animation style can be used to complement the setting and bring the best out of the storyline. Based on Haruko Ichikawa's manga, Houseki no Kuni was originally adapted into a puzzling one minute short; thankfully, in due time, studio Orange stepped in to bring this beautiful story to the small screen.

Set in a world destroyed by six meteors, crystalline organisms labelled as Gems are tasked with defeating the Lunarians, a species who enjoy destroying the former to use as decorations. At first, these two factions seem to be the only players, but the Admirabilis are eventually introduced to another dimension.

Land of the Lustrous follows the weakest of the gems, Phosphophyllite, as he attempts to learn more about himself and the purpose he serves. Like a Gem, sacrifices must be made to improve upon oneself, so Phosphophyllite is constantly at the risk of losing himself. From the stiff movements of the Gems to the glamorize Adrmirabilis, the animation reflects the nature of the characters and adds personality to the action.

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6. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte -the maxim-)

• Episodes: 24
• Aired: October 2014 – March 2015

In comparison with the other entries in this list, Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu is slightly more subdued and atmospheric. Developed by Madhouse and adapted from Hitoshi Iwaaki's manga with the same name, Parasyte's premise pivots on a parasitic alien race that invades Earth by attacking vulnerable people and taking over their brain. Once in control, their plan is to slowly spread to people in power and dominate the planet without needing to trigger a full-scale war.

Picked as a suitable target, sixteen-year-old Shinichi Izumi fights off an alien's attempted incursion and quarantines the parasite to his right hand. Renamed as Migi and forced to co-exist, these two gradually bond while fighting off hostile parasites who plan to turn Earth into their playground.

Violent and bloody, Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu is not for the faint of heart. At times, Madhouse's series ventures into horror territory, but there should be more than enough action to satisfy the majority of viewers. By nature, parasites are efficient, so the fights tend to be short but explosive. The core relationship between Shinichi and his unwanted guest progresses at a fantastic pace, with both characters experiencing a fair amount of development.

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5. Megalo Box

• Episodes: 10+
• Aired: April 2018 – Ongoing

Sports anime might not be the first thing to pop into someone's mind when thinking of action, but boxing toes the line between entertainment and violence. Presented as somewhat of an alternate reality to the legendary Ashita no Joe series, Megalo Box questions the amount of pain one is willing to endure to achieve their dream.

Boxing with robotic arms; in this universe, Megalo Box is everything! The richest companies either specialize in the technology or host the events that use the equipment. Outside of the glitz and glamour of the big leagues, Junk Dog earns a living as an underground fighter who throws matches to keep a crime syndicate off his back. Partnered up with a former professional manager, Junk Dog dreams of challenging the champ at a huge tournament called Megalonia.

Megalo Box encapsulates the best elements of sports and action anime. The sci-fi gimmick adds a degree of unpredictability to the actual matches, while Dog's background means that every fight could lead to his death. Due to a lack of money, the protagonist is forced to compete without the assistance of any robotic arms, which only serves to further heighten the stakes.

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4. Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academia)

• Episodes: 13
• Aired: April 2016 – June 2016

By this point, Boku no Hero Academia probably can make do without an introduction. Similarly to One Punch Man and Tiger & Bunny, two other anime worth watching, Bones' series is set in a world where superheroes are common. Quirks refer to unique abilities inherited by the vast majority of the population; depending on their usefulness, the ability's owner can opt to attend a school for heroes.

Unfortunately, Deku lacks any powers whatsoever. A huge admirer of the greatest hero, All Might, Deku's dream of following in his idol's footsteps seems to be fading fast. One day, the teenager gets involved in a perilous situation that requires the intervention of All Might, who then decides that Deku would serve as his ideal successor.

Currently on its third season, Boku no Hero Academia deserves to be watched by pretty much everyone. From the school setting to the compulsory tournament arc, Bones' anime sticks close to shounen tropes but does them better than nearly all of its contemporaries. Packed with lovable characters and unbelievable fights, Boku no Hero Academia is popular for a reason!

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3. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable)

• Episodes: 39
• Aired: April 2016 – December 2016

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure lives up to its name and requires a bit of getting used to. Split into a variety of parts, the story follows the misadventures across different generations of the JoJo family. Starting with Jonathan Joestar's encounter with the vampiric Dio, the anime has only gone from strength to strength. Set in the late '90s, JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai finds the series at the height of its power.

Building on its predecessor, Diamond is Unbreakable continues to develop the concept of "Stands," which are the living embodiment of someone's fighting spirit. Varying in appearance and combat style, no two encounters are ever the same in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

This time around, Jousuke Higashikata takes centre stage and finds himself embroiled in a string of mysterious disappearances that point towards a serial killer. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable plays around with convention by establishing a villain who wants nothing to do with Jousuke. Imaginative and highly enjoyable, the action scenes are probably the best and most intense of the series.

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2. Mob Psycho 100

• Episodes: 12
• Aired: July 2016 – September 2016

With ONE's One Punch Man manga receiving a highly-regarded anime adaptation, Mob Psycho 100 was the next in line. Developed by Bones, this anime boasts a truly unique and exaggerated animation style that seems better suited for comedy rather than action, but the latter ends up being the show's selling point.

Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama is an eighth-grader possessing psychic prowess beyond his control. As long as he is calm, Mob can keep a lid on his powers, but all hell breaks loose when that is not the case. Worried that he might accidentally hurt someone, Mob turns to Arataka Reigen for guidance. While the latter pretends to be a psychic, he is really just a con artist who tricks people out of their hard-earned cash; however, Mob believes in his sensei.

Throughout the episodes, Mob Psycho 100 depicts a gradually increasing counter that explodes once it hits a hundred. At that point, Mob goes completely insane and the action jumps from great to mind-blowing!

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1. Fate/Zero

• Episodes: 13
• Aired: October 2011 – December 2011

Here we are; the pinnacle of action anime! Dark and uncomfortable, Ufotable's Fate/Zero has a fantastic story, fascinating characters, and some of the most fluid animation in the business. As high-octane combat is the name of the game, expect to be on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the anime's run!

Every couple of decades, a Holy Grail War takes place that brings together the strongest Magus families in the world. To qualify for this battle royale, the combatant has to be able to summon a servant to represent them in the contest. Armed with their own personal hero, the winner will be granted any wish they desire.

Fate/Zero does not pretend that such a contest could be fun or enjoyable. The Holy Grail War is a battle for survival and the fights echo this mentality. Be it the servants or their masters, everyone involved aims to put down their opponent for good. Place your bets, because the battle royale is about to begin!

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Final Thoughts

Precious little compares to the thrill of the fight and the excitement of a high-speed chase. Anime is free to explore scenarios beyond the realms of sensibility, and the best teleport viewers into their own crazy universes. Whether set in Thailand or in the middle of a fantastical battle royale, action anime offers an ideal break from everyday life!

What is your favourite action anime? Please let us know in the comment section below.