Anime has gained massive popularity, and streaming platforms are competing to secure the rights to the next big hit.

Services like Amazon Prime and Crunchyroll often take risks to bring anime to global audiences, but predicting whether an anime will resonate internationally remains uncertain.

Among these platforms, Netflix has consistently delivered a solid anime lineup, earning a reputation for quality content.

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The streaming giant offers a diverse selection of anime, ranging from action-packed adventures to light-hearted comedies, appealing to a broad audience.

Netflix’s original anime library, in particular, stands out for its creative storytelling and unique animation.

With a variety of genres to explore, viewers can enjoy some of the best original content the platform has to offer, ensuring there’s something for every anime fan to explore.

1) Devilman Crybaby

In Devilman Crybaby, high school student Akira Fudo teams up with his childhood friend, Ryo Asuka, to fight against devils living on Earth.

During a visit to an underground nightclub, they witness people turning into devils. When Ryo is attacked, Akira merges with a powerful devil named Amon and becomes a Devilman, a human who controls the devil’s power instead of being consumed by it.

With this new strength, Akira helps Ryo battle devils, but he soon starts questioning Ryo’s true motives.

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The anime gained popularity due to its shocking and apocalyptic ending, which left viewers stunned and sparked a lot of discussions.

The controversial conclusion is often seen as nihilistic, leading fans to debate the deeper meaning behind the story.

Originally based on the manga Devilman, which carries an anti-war message, Devilman Crybaby updates its themes for modern audiences by addressing issues like prejudice and discrimination.

In the series, demons symbolize people who are considered different or other, and when society learns about them, fear and hatred take over.

This reaction exposes issues like transphobia, homophobia, and racism. By using the devils as metaphors for real-world bigotry, Devilman Crybaby delivers a powerful message and encourages viewers to engage in meaningful conversations about the anime’s themes.

2) Beastars

Beastars tells the story of teenage animals who live in a world where herbivores and carnivores try to coexist peacefully.

Legoshi, a quiet gray wolf, is a student at Cherryton School and a member of the drama club. He wrestles with his natural instincts as a carnivore and his growing feelings for Haru, a white dwarf rabbit.

Meanwhile, he is also caught up in solving the mystery of who killed his friend and fellow drama club member, Tem.

The series uses its animal characters to explore real-world issues like discrimination and identity struggles. In Beastars herbivores often fear carnivores and treat them with suspicion, while carnivores fight against their predatory instincts.

The anime doesn’t offer easy answers to these problems but instead invites viewers to think about how these themes reflect issues like social inequality and prejudice in our own world.

Legoshi’s growth is a key part of the series and has been praised by both fans and critics. He is a relatable and complex character who not only seeks justice for his friend but also tries to support his classmates despite his inner battles.

Though he prefers to stay in the background, Legoshi’s courage and strong sense of right and wrong make him stand out, proving that even the most unlikely heroes can make a big difference.

3) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime inspired by the video game Cyberpunk 2077. The story centers on David Martinez, a young Latino-American who faces bullying at the prestigious Arasaka Academy because of his poor background.

After his mother’s death, David joins a crew led by Maine and becomes an edgerunner in the dangerous world of Night City.

The anime is well-regarded for its detailed world and character development. Night City, where the series is set, is a grim city controlled by powerful corporations and plagued by crime, corruption, and addiction to cybernetic enhancements.

David’s journey through this tough environment showcases his struggle against poverty and his quest to find meaning beyond being seen as worthless.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is also noted for its remarkable animation. The series showcases how cyber technology changes people’s bodies and abilities, such as David’s speed, which is shown with vibrant, fast-moving visuals.

The anime blends reality and illusion to depict cyber psychosis, creating a visually amazing experience.

It has received high praise for its animation, character design, and world-building, and won Anime of the Year at the 2023 Crunchyroll Awards.

4) Great Pretender

Great Pretender is an original anime created by Wit Studio, featuring Makoto Edamura, who calls himself Japan’s Greatest Swindler.

He ends up joining forces with a French con artist, Laurent Thierry, and his team known as Team Confidence.

They pull off elaborate heists, targeting wealthy and corrupt individuals across different cities, including Los Angeles and London.

Western audiences enjoy Great Pretender for its exciting, action-filled heist plots. The series stands out with its diverse cast of characters from various cultural backgrounds.

Each member of Team Confidence has their own flaws, which makes them more relatable and interesting to viewers.

Despite their questionable morals, their personal stories add depth to the characters, making them more than just con artists.

The series also raises thought-provoking questions about morality. The members of Team Confidence were drawn into con artistry after facing injustice and trauma from other criminals.

While their schemes involve tricking others, viewers are left to wonder if their actions are justified, given the backgrounds that led them to this life.

5) The Way of the Househusband

The Way of the Househusband tells the story of Tatsu, a former yakuza boss who has traded his life of crime for a much quieter role as a stay-at-home husband.

Now fully devoted to supporting his wife Miku’s career, Tatsu spends his days managing the household.

Despite his focus on domestic life, his past as a yakuza often creeps back in, with old associates and enemies popping up and disrupting his peaceful routine.

The series has received some criticism for using a motion comic style instead of full animation, but that hasn’t stopped it from gaining popularity.

With two seasons under its belt, fans continue to enjoy the comedic contrast of seeing a once-feared gangster tackling ordinary household chores with the same intensity he brought to his former life.

Beyond the humor, The Way of the Househusband* also touches on deeper themes, particularly around breaking gender stereotypes.

Tatsu’s character challenges the idea that housework is just for women, showing that men can also thrive as homemakers.

The anime presents a more modern view of marriage, where both partners can take on different roles to support each other’s lives and careers.

6) Delicious in Dungeon

Delicious in Dungeon blends fantasy adventure with cooking, set in a world similar to Dungeons and Dragons. The story begins with a group of adventurers who enter a dungeon to fight a red dragon.

After many are killed, the survivors, led by Laios Touden, use magic to escape. Their goal is to return to the dungeon to rescue their friend Falin, who is in danger of being eaten by the dragon.

To help with their quest and cooking needs, they hire a dwarf named Senshi, who prepares meals using ingredients from the dungeon monsters.

The anime combines cooking and fantasy in a unique way, often adding humor through the character Marcille Donato, who has over-the-top reactions to the unusual dishes made from dungeon creatures.

Although the anime is comedic and focuses on food, it also has serious moments. There are action scenes where the characters face dangerous situations and come close to death, adding a darker edge to the story.

Delicious in Dungeon stands out by mixing culinary creativity with a high-stakes adventure. While it entertains with its funny cooking scenes and fantasy elements, it also keeps viewers engaged with the suspense of dangerous dungeon explorations.

7) Romantic Killer

Anzu Hoshino is a teenage girl who loves her single life, spending her days playing video games, eating chocolate, and hanging out with her pet cat, Momohiki.

One day, her life takes a surprising turn when a wizard named Riri appears in a video game. Riri’s mission is to help Anzu find a romantic partner as part of a campaign to boost dating and birth rates in Japan.

However, Anzu isn’t interested in romance and tries to avoid the situations Riri sets up for her. The series is filled with humor as Anzu constantly tries to dodge Riri’s attempts to create romantic encounters.

Along the way, there are unexpected twists and surprising endings that keep viewers hooked and eager to see what happens next.

The mix of funny moments and unpredictable storylines adds to the anime’s charm, making it an entertaining watch.

Unlike typical shōnen romances, which often feature a perfect male lead surrounded by admiring girls, Romantic Killer takes a different approach.

Anzu is an independent girl who values her friends and hobbies over boys, offering a more realistic portrayal of how many teenage girls actually feel.

This fresh perspective makes the series stand out, showing that not every story has to revolve around romance.

8) Komi Can’t Communicate

In Komi Can’t Communicate, Shoko Komi becomes popular at Itan Private High School because of her calm and graceful appearance.

However, despite her popularity, she struggles with severe social anxiety, making it difficult for her to talk to others and enjoy her high school life.

Her classmate, Hitohito Tadano, notices her struggle and decides to help her make 100 friends to improve her communication skills.

The anime sheds light on social anxiety and how it affects people’s ability to connect with others. Komi genuinely wants to become more sociable, so she takes steps to change her daily life and grow as a person.

Her journey to overcome her communication difficulties is both relatable and inspiring to viewers who face similar challenges.

Through Komi’s story, the anime emphasizes the importance of building meaningful relationships and finding support in others.

It reminds viewers that everyone can change and grow, especially with the help of friends who understand and care about them.

9) Kotaro Lives Alone

Kotaro Lives Alone is a touching slice-of-life anime about a young boy named Kotaro Sato who lives by himself in the Shimizu Apartment complex. Despite his young age, Kotaro manages to live alone, and he forms close bonds with his neighbors, including Shin Karino, a manga artist.

The residents of the apartment complex take on a parental role, attending Kotaro’s kindergarten events and sharing meals with him.

The anime addresses serious issues like child neglect and abuse. Through Shin’s discoveries, viewers learn about Kotaro’s troubled past, including the neglect and starvation he faced because of his parents.

Kotaro’s father is also abusive, which led Kotaro to run away and live independently. These heavy themes highlight the challenges Kotaro has endured, evoking empathy and sadness from the audience.

Despite the serious subject matter, Kotaro Lives Alone balances the drama with light-hearted moments and comedy.

The interactions between Kotaro and the apartment tenants add warmth and humor to the story.

The series emphasizes the importance of community and how the supportive neighbors help raise Kotaro with love and strong family values.

10) Aggretsuko

Aggretsuko is an anime that reflects the struggles of young working adults. The main character, Retsuko, is a 25-year-old red panda who works in the accounting department at Carrier Man Trading Co. Ltd. She deals with a toxic work environment and complex relationships with her coworkers.

Even though she wants to quit her job due to the stress and financial pressures, she manages to cope by singing death-metal karaoke to vent her frustrations.

The anime is often compared to The Office because both series use comedy to explore workplace issues.

Aggretsuko addresses problems like toxic work environments, sexism, and harassment, which many people, especially women, face at work.

The series uses humor to make these serious topics more approachable and relatable. Retsuko’s experiences and coping methods, like heavy-metal karaoke, yoga, and binge drinking, resonate with many working adults.

Her way of handling stress and frustration is something that many office workers can relate to, making Aggretsuko appealing to a broad audience, even those who aren’t typically anime fans.