Top 10 Action Anime Series of All Time (Updated)
Anime’s biggest and so far most famous genre is Shounen. But, the action troupe of anime has also caught the eyes of many fans around the world and is now not very far away from Shounen in terms of popularity.
Over the years, many amazing and thrilling battles have taken place in different anime between different characters. But, of course, there has to be some of the best series that have been idolized as the best Action anime.
So, here is a list of the top 10 best action anime series that have been entertained and loved by many, so scroll down and tell us in the comments how far you agree with the list!
1. Baki
Without any doubt, Baki is the ace of the Shounen action troupe. Baki first came out in Japan as an original manga written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki in October 1991. Since then, Baki has published 143 volumes & 1023 chapters and is still continuing.
It has been 30 years since it was first published and the manga is still quite popular. The anime adaptation of Baki first came out in 2001, which only had 48 episodes. Later in 2020, Netflix decided to remake this legendary series. The revamped series premiered on June 25th, 2020, and aired 39 episodes ONA. Another season of 12 episodes aired in 2021 and left every fans stunned.
With the amazing mix of martial art plus ruthless drama and action, Baki is a character every anime fan fitness freak looks up to. This revenge story has brutal action and inhuman violence. Every veteran anime fan knows how good this show actually is, and hence it is the perfect title to kick off our list.
2. Dragon Ball
“Can he beat Goku though?” If somebody isn’t aware of this line, the person cannot be considered an otaku. The Dragon Ball series is an impeccable and amazing action series and was also one of the first among the big three of the shounen troupe. The series has completed 831 episodes over multiple seasons and many movies.
The original Dragon Ball manga was written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It has published 42 volumes and 519 chapters from December 3th, 1984 to June 5th, 1995, and has sold 400 million copies until now.
The series is still being continued as Super Dragon Ball: Big Bang mission and has managed to keep fans on their toes with each new episode. However, it is only a promotional anime and does not feature a canon storyline.
Both the quality and animation of the series have drastically improved since it came out back in 2016. Dragon Ball featured a lot of memorable battles, and hence, the series certainly deserves a place in our list of the Top 10 Action anime series.
3. Fate series
The Fate series don’t joke around when it comes to action. The series is used as an example for smooth and epic action. The fate series, which started as a game back in 2004, has now become a huge franchise.
Several manga, OVAs, ONAs, and even anime with alternative routes, the Fate series is a treasure for Godly action, a battleground for many gods, and it features characters like Gilgamesh, Karna, and many others who have incredible strength.
The fights in the series aren’t limited to one universe also but spread through several multiverses. The Fate series may be complex to watch, but with all the epic action and animation, it’s certainly worth it.
4. One Punch Man
The biggest rival for Goku comes from this very show. Who is stronger? Saitama or Goku? This is a never-ending debate among the otaku world. But, while Dragon ball has over 800 episodes, the One Punch Man series only has 26 episodes and only a few OVAs. Still, it is being compared to Dragon Ball. This fact might be enough to tell how amazing this series is.
It started as Webcomic, which was written and illustrated by ONE in 2009. The manga series, still running, has become a sensation over the years. Action in the OPM series means absolute destruction with unworldly animation.
The OPM series takes everything up the notch. The serious punch of Saitama is a treat for its fans. The unmatched action and crazy fan-following earned this show a spot on our list of the Top 10 Action Anime series.
5. Attack on Titan
“Tatakae!” means “Fight.” This very word is enough for anyone to describe the AoT series. Hence, this show doesn’t belong anywhere but among top action tropes in anime.
Attack on Titan isn’t for the weak-hearted. This dark fantasy action drama came with concussions of war and massacre. The series can challenge morale and ideals, but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the most amazing anime which is now sweeping awards and nominations. It already surprised everyone in the Crunchyroll Awards 2022 nominations.
Attack on Titan anime will finally reach its climax in 2022. The manga of Shingeki no Kyojin already ended last year. Just like Game of Thrones, getting attached to one character in this show might be a wrong choice because deaths in this anime come without a knock. With its final season airing, fans have finally prepared themselves for many heartbreaks and eye-popping action.
6. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is one of those anime, which became famous instantly. It is an anime gold for shounen lovers, the show doesn’t beat around good or evil. Just straight-up action awaits the fans watching this series.
Jujutsu Kaisen started as an original manga series, written and illustrated by George Akutami. It debuted in 2018 and is still going on with more than 170 chapters published. When the anime’s first episode came out, fans criticized it by calling it a rip-off of the Bleach series. However, as the series progressed it only got better and better.
The animation and action sequences in the series are jaw-dropping and when the first season of 24 episodes of the series ended in 2021, fans were left amazed. Now fans are waiting for Season 2 so that they can watch more of their favorite action series.
7. One Piece
One Piece is probably the most famous anime in the world. It is a never-ending journey of out-law pirates in action. The series is a masterpiece and every creator looks up to it as an example.
One Piece may have suffered criticism for its odd character designs. But, the storyline and mysteries in the anime are just G.O.A.T.
The One Piece original manga is written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It started in 1997 and has collected 101 volumes so far. Not only this but the manga is also considered to be the best-selling manga of all time.
While the One Piece manga hasn’t finished yet, the action of the One Piece has never gone downhill since its premiere in 1999. The variety and well-written characters are the biggest strength of the series.
Now that One Piece moved one step closer to its climax in the Wano arc, the action in the series will only get better.
8. Bleach
The truly underrated masterpiece Bleach has proven its worth and potential as an action anime over the years. Bleach anime has faced many ups and downs but it finally announced its return in Jump Festa 2022 anime.
Bleach first came out as an original manga series in August 2001 and finished after collecting 74 volumes and 686 chapters in August 2016.
The first TV anime of the series came out in 2004 and went headstrong for 366 episodes till 2012. The fans have enjoyed the action and drama throughout its run. It also featured one of the best villains of all time in Aizen. The cool weapons and thrilling Bankais were the cherries on the cake.
The fans still haven’t seen a lot of things that they will finally witness in the Thousand Year Blood Wars arc later this year.
9. Demon Slayer
The sensation of the New Generation Anime, Demon Slayer is real hype. The new anime watchers can start with this amazing anime which is praised for its amazing animation and jaw-dropping action.
Demon Slayer’s plot may sound simple at first, but the action has knocked out the senses of many. It was not like many other happy-go-lucky series, but sometimes it was painful to watch too.
Not just that, but it has also left many hearts shattered with its recent movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train which came out in 2020. Demon Slayer manga ended in May 2020 and has completed 23 volumes and 205 chapters.
The anime began airing in April 2019 and is still ongoing. Demon Slayer Season 2 is a part of the Winters 2022 anime lineup and is featuring the Entertainment District arc. The action unfolded in each episode became a hot topic on the internet every single time. The show is certainly one of the best action anime fans can yearn for.
10. My Hero Academia
Action and superheroes have always walked hand in hand over the centuries and all over the world. But the darker the world is, the stronger the heroes should be, and the better the action will be.
Boku Hero no Academia is a current and thrilling action troupe of the shonen series, which has created a huge fandom worldwide among youth for its brilliant writing and modern-day warfare setting.
The series was written and illustrated by Kouhei Horikoshi and has been ongoing since July 2014. The anime has already aired 5 seasons which featured 113 episodes and the 6th season is already renewed.
The series became popular thanks to its more realistic approach to the villains. They always have far more ominous plans than massacres. The Heroes always put their lives on the line in order to stop the evil deeds of the villains. All this back and forth between villains and heroes make My Hero Academia one of the best action series.
