In the vortex universe of anime, where some series seem to elongate forever, short anime is a great genre that offers you an enthralling and immersive experience without compromising quality. These short anime find the perfect balance of storytelling, good animation, and powerful narrative within a limited time. Whether you’re an anime aficionado with a hefty watchlist or someone just stepping into the colorful world of Japanese animation, short anime offers a delightful escape and a welcome change from longer series.

If you are here to quench your thirst for short anime you are at the right place. From thought-provoking journeys to heartwarming tales, we’ve compiled a list that spans various genres and themes, catering to every anime lover’s taste. So, get ready to be captivated, moved, and entertained as we delve into these bite-sized treasures that prove, in the realm of anime, that size is but a number.

Short Anime Series to Binge in One Day

THE PROMISED NEVERLAND

Total episodes: 23 / 2 Seasons

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Science fiction thriller

Released date: 11th January, 2019

In “The Promised Neverland,” there are three primary characters: Emma, Norman, and Ray. They live in Grace Field House. They soon learn that the orphanage is a trap for them. The adults in charge want to feed the children to beasts.

The youngsters are quite intelligent, and they realize they must flee. They make plans, solve puzzles, and solve the problems. It’s a mystery anime. By playing smart, the main characters try to escape the monster. 

This is a must-watch anime because it delivers beautiful emotion and suspense that will make you guess. Having only 23 episodes, it will not take more than 4 days to complete this anime. The cat-and-mouse-like play makes you hooked till the very end. Each episode is thrilling and mysterious. Similarly, this anime has a perfect blend of suspense and thriller with a mixture of layered and complicated characters. 

IMDb: 8.2/10

ROTTEN TOMATOES: 100%

SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN

Total episodes: 13

Genre: Psychological horror/ Cyberpunk

Released date: 6th July, 1998

This anime is about technology that shows you the reality of the virtual world and the real world. Lain Iwakura is the protagonist of this show. She discovers a mysterious network called “The Wired”. In this network, all the users’ consciousnesses are in connection to one another. Later, she discovers something called ” The God of Wire”. It is a concept in the anime that influences the consciousness of users connected to “The Wired”. Though this anime is about technology it also has a philosophical and psychological theme. It shows the impact of technology on our existence and makes us question our reality. And if you are into the Sci-fi genre then this is a must-watch anime for you.

With its early episodes, it creates thrilling story-building and engrosses you in this dystopian world that compels you to understand the world more and more. The character development of Lain Iwakura is interesting to watch. What’s even more interesting is her discovery of a network that is impacting the human brain. She gets entangled in various bizarre events that lead her to question her existence, identity, and her life. 

In today’s technological era, young people are more and more consumed by technology. This is the short anime that all technological weeb must watch at least once.

IMDb: 8.1/10

MyAnimeList.net: 8.1/10

ERASED

Total episodes: 12

Genre: Mystery/ Detective/ Suspense

Released date: 8th January, 2016

Do you love time travel stories? If yes then “Erased” is definitely for you. This is a story about Satoru Fujinuma who has a special power called “Revival”. He can use this power to go back in time for a short period. This power activates when he faces big trouble and life-threatening situations. The story takes an interesting turn when Fujinuma finds himself in his childhood. There he has to prevent a sequence of mass killings and murders. He also has to save his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki. He has limited time to save his friend and solve the mystery.

The story about time travel is always fascinating and feels like a movie. This makes this short anime a must-watch for any viewers. Besides having a supernatural power, this anime is full of suspense and thriller. The suspense is revealed very slowly making it more and more interesting to watch. Every episode will take you to a state of amusement and questions. How does the main character try to solve a mystery? How did his classmate disappear? Will he be able to save his loved one? These are the questions you will be having while watching this series. Every episode will make your heart pound.

IMDb: 8.5/10

DEATH PARADE

Total episodes: 12

Genre: Psychological thriller

Released date: 10th January, 2015

Ever wondered what judgments the soul has to face after death? or how do the judgments work? Then you should watch “Death Parade”. There is a unique bar in this anime under the supervision of a character named Decim. Characters reveal their true nature and motives with the help of the games they play. Based on their motives and morals, they either go to heaven or hell.

I could not believe what I watched and I still sometimes think about that specific scenes. I won’t spoil that for you. And if you are wondering which scenes I’m referring to then you must watch it and we might discuss it real soon. With such immersive storytelling and compelling philosophy, this anime questions you, puzzles you and simply entertains you.  

The dark sides of human nature and morals hold the core of this short anime. To make things more interesting, “Death Parade” has clever game modules. Each character has their own unique identity. It helps to expand our views on the basic definition of human ethics.

IMDb: 7.9/10

MyAnimeList.net: 8.2/10

BEASTARS

Total episodes: 12

Genre: Drama / Fantasy

Released date: 10th October, 2019

The innovative means to thrust anthropomorphic animals into the modern world and create an engaging and immersive anime with their never-ending tug-of-war between two races is a treat to watch.

BEASTARS is a unique story between carnivore and herbivore animals. They have the body of an animal but behave like humans. The story builds up as two groups of animals get into a dispute following the murder. Legoshi is the most interesting character in this series. Despite being a carnivore, he tries to suppress his own identity. Legoshi wants to live together with herbivores and sometimes goes against his race for peace.

If you are new to the anime world or you don’t watch anime or you are an avid viewer, this anime offers new something for all the viewers. And if you are tired of consuming mediocre content then you must watch this great anime.

World-building is an exciting part of this short anime with amazing characters and a philosophical undertone. It’s a thrilling murder mystery experience with unusual romance coupled with social satire. As the anime progresses, there are certain parts you may be uncomfortable with and don’t connect with it. Still, you are questioned as an audience, you are challenged as an audience. Not every anime would have the courage to show what this short anime has done in 12 episodes. And this anime leaves you with some serious questions that you might want to explore more and more.

IMDb: 7.7/10

MyAnimeList.net: 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

A PLACE FURTHER THAN THE UNIVERSE

Total episodes: 13

Genre: Adventure

Released date: 2nd January, 2018

Mari, Shirase, Hinata, and Yuzuki. are four female characters in this anime. The story starts when Mari wants to do something new during her high school. Then enters a new character, Shirase, whose nickname is ” Antartic “. Shirase is a weird girl and has very few friends. The only thing she wants to talk about is Antarctica. After the death of Shirase’s mother, Mari, and Shirase decides to travel their way to Antarctica. The story focuses on the struggle of their journey to reach the far and unknown continent.

When was the last time you were so involved in the story that you forgot to breathe in the real world and just live in the imaginative world?

You will start loving this anime as the journey of four girls starts to unfold. The graphics and scenery of Antarctica are so beautiful that you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. For those who want personal growth and motivation in their lives, you must watch it. Your short time is worth investing in this short anime.

IMDb: 8.2/10

MyAnimeList: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

DEATH NOTE

Total episodes: 37

Genre: Psychological thriller / Crime

Released date: 4th October, 2006

At least once in your lifetime, you may have heard of this masterpiece or even watched it. Death Note has pulled in the non-anime into anime-enthusiast.

While Light Yagami is sitting in his class, a notebook drops from the sky. The book has the power to kill anyone whose name gets written on it. So, Light Yagami decides to use this power to kill every criminal in this world. The most interesting part of the story begins when Light meets a new character called “L”. Two get into a psychological war and try to beat each other in every possible way.

I have never seen any piece of art that balances the character and mysterious plot such as this anime. This anime is relentless in the writer and the characters are dealing with psychological battles, emotional battles, and some real battles. 

Many believe this is the greatest anime of all time. Every episode is full of suspense and thriller. Light Yagami and L will steal your time and you won’t even know it, such is the power of this story. It’s a must-watch short anime if you are a fan of the psychological genre.

IMDb: 8.9/10

MyAnimeList.net: 8.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

PARANOIA AGENT

Total episodes: 13

Genre: Thriller / Drama

Released date: 2nd February, 2004

Lil Slugger is a little boy who is also known as Shonen Bat/ Bat Boy. What does he do? Well, he assassinates people with his bat. As more people start dying, people have only 3 clues behind these mysterious assaults. These 3 clues include golden skates, a baseball cap, and a golden baseball bat. Two characters, Ikari and Maniwa now have a responsibility to put an end to this crime.

If you are a fan of a dark series then this one’s for you. It shows the story of suffering and frustration. You may relate yourself to its character and insight into your own. How this short anime has been able to show the deeper reality of our society is unbelievable. After watching, you will have a broader sense of human suffering. Every episode shows the lives of people with different identities. They all end up becoming a victim of the ‘Bat Boy’.

IMDb: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

MyAnimeList: 7.7/10

ODD TAXI

Total episodes: 13

Genre: Mystery

Released date: 6th April, 2021

As the name suggests, it’s the story of a taxi driver. Like Beasters, characters are animals who have human personalities. Hiroshi Odokawa is the main character who lives quite a normal life. He transports different characters who have their own unique stories.

But his normal life is about to change. Two corrupt police officers chase him as a suspect in the case of a missing girl.

Characters in “ODD TAXI” is a perfect example of ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’. It has an excellent pacing. You will find extreme reality in people’s characters. Even the ending is not what you would expect. In the list of short must-watch anime, this show is one of the most underrated. You must watch it if you love suspense and mystery shows.

IMDb: 8.4/10

MyAnimeList: 8.7/10

Crunchyroll: 4.9/10

ZANKYOU NO TERROR

Total episodes: 11

Genre: Psychological thriller

Released date: 10th July, 2014

Rising Peace Academy did experiments on orphans with special human abilities. The experiment was to turn these orphans into human weapons. Two teenage boys, who call themselves “Sphinx”, steal an atomic bomb in a terrorist attack. 

These two boys were the survivors of that experiment. What’s interesting is they upload a strange video on the internet, with a puzzle. If it is not solved they threaten to destroy the entire Tokyo city. 

The cat and mouse game, the character study, the plot, and the amazing background music blend to make one of the best anime-watching experiences. 

Zankyou no Terror is one of the best short anime which has crimes and is thrilling to watch. You will get into the minds of criminals and their stories. Two teenage boys battle a psychological war with the government. Great soundtracks and animation are a plus point for this series.

IMDb: 7.8/10         

ANOTHER

About the anime

Total episode: 12

Genre: Horror / Drama

Released date: 9th January 2012

Another is based on a novel by Yukito Ayatsuji. Koichi is the main character in this series. This short anime revolves around mysterious and senseless deaths. The story starts to grab its audience when Koichi meets a curious girl named Misaki. Every episode of this short anime is filled with twists and turns. You will find yourself guessing what will happen next.

Why watch this anime?

If you love a terrifying show, this is for you. Every episode will keep you awake and surprised. It’s filled with twists, and bending storylines in every episode. With its gloomy background and soundtrack, it lives up to the hype of the horror genre. Revelations are great, perfectly timed, and make sense.

IMDb: 7.5/10

AniList: 70%

FLCL

Total episodes: 6

Genre: Sci-fi / Comedy / Surreal

Released date: 26th April, 2000

How does it feel to hear a robot emerging from someone’s head?

You can watch a good anime in just 1 day and for good. This is one of the shortest anime series. Its surreal plot makes it unique and worth watching. A young boy named Naota gets into an accident with a girl named Haruko. She gives Naota CPR and then later hits him with her electric guitar. Boom!! What happens next is that Robots start emerging from his head. As the story moves forward, it gets more surreal.

This anime was an anime that made me believe that I’m never going to stop watching anime in my life. I take away various important life lessons from this limited anime series. I understood it is okay to be stupid and not serious all the time rather you have to be more sincere understanding and positive towards life. The characters really made me believe that it’s okay to be weird and absurd as long as you are a good human being with good values.

Why not watch a different anime than most sci-fi series out there? Robots emerging from someone’s head are not the only grab of this very short anime. It has beautiful surreal plots. You will love its bizarre world and comedy too. It also delivers a beautiful message of why you need to take risks to succeed in life.

IMDb: 8.1/10

MyAnimeList: 8/10

ANOHANA: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY

Total episodes: 11

Genre: Drama / Tragedy

Released date: 14th April 2011

Anohana is a sad story of a group of six childhood friends. When a friend named Meiko Honma dies, their group separates. Jinta Yadomi withdraws from society and does not go to high school. One day, Meiko’s ghost appears and asks Yadomi a wish. Her ghost tells him that if her wish is not granted she won’t be able to achieve the afterlife. The story builds up when Yadomi gathers his old friends to fulfill Meiko’s wish. But everyone thinks that he is hallucinating. 

This anime was life-changing for me. Without the influence of this anime, I would be far from the anime world. Anohana grabbed me by my hand and invited me to this world of love, laughter, inspiration, sadness, and profound philosophy. 

This is one hell of an emotional ride. You will get mixed emotions of tears and happiness. Don’t worry, this anime has a happy ending enough to brighten up your day as well. Grab a popcorn and watch it with your family, it is short and worth watching.

IMDb: 8.2/10

MyAnimeList.net: 8.3/10

GRAND BLUE

Total episodes: 12

Genre: Comedy

Released date: 14th July, 2018

If are you tired of watching anime with mission, plot, and heavy characters and want a warm and comfortable watching experience then you should watch Grand Blue. It helped me to escape mundane reality and was transported into the world of this beautiful anime.

This show is all about partying, drinking, and fun. Kitahara is the central character. He moves to a new town and finds his passion for diving. He discovers new life and friends. This show is full of entertainment, happiness, and hilarious moments. Kitahara’s funny moments with his friends continue with his passion for diving.

Who doesn’t like an adult comedy? In our day-to-day life of stress and struggle, we need something to cheer us up. Get back to your home, open your laptop or TV, and watch this anime. You can try watching each episode a day because you may not want this short anime to end as fast. You will also want to go diving someday with your friends after watching it. I feel this anime needs to release more episodes and make us viewers happy free and engrossed. It is a must-watch show for you.

IMDb: 7.8/10

MyAnimeList: 8.4/10         

YURI ON ICE

Total episodes: 12

Genre: Sports / Competition

Released date: 6th October, 2016

Yuri Katsuki is a skater who starts doubting his skills. He now thinks of leaving his skating career. After returning to his hometown, Yuri tries to perform a great skill with his idol Victor. His performance is so admirable that a secretly recorded video is uploaded to the internet. Victor sees this video and decides to coach Yuri. He then meets Yuri and it is later revealed that they have already met before. Yuri P. is a new character introduced later in the series. Both Yuri now fight a battle to decide who will become Victor’s student. Before participating in a major competition.

Sports anime is always great. They are filled with competition where everyone is battling for a win. Yuri On Ice perfectly sets up a good and competitive tournament. It also features a gay character (Victor) and his relationship with Yuri. You will not be able to predict the winner of the finale. Similarly, the humanness and the flawlessness it depicts are so heartwarming and emotional that this anime makes you believe in love and faith.

IMDb: 8.3/10

MyAnimeList.net:7.9

Hyouka

Total episodes:22

Genre: Mystery, slice of life

Release date: April 22, 2012

This anime revolves around a boy named Houtarou Oreki who believes in energy conservation disruption after he joins the Literature club in his school. He comes across a charismatic Chitanda who gets in the way of his energy conservation philosophy. She talks about her uncle and his mystery and how he is legally dead now but she is investigating the disappearance. With little evidence and investigation paper, they with their other friend start the investigation. For amazing revelations, mystery, comedy, and an interesting character, you need to watch this anime.

The characterization of Hyouka resonates with almost every teenager. He believes doing things in life need energy so choosing the right thing is always the right thing to do. But he wants to learn about the unexplainable things, he wants to explore the things that are deemed difficult and unexplainable. Apart from the character, the plot and mystery hook you and make you desperate to understand more. But when the anime ends, it leaves you with questions and a little philosophical and tangled answers. 

MyAnimeList.net:8.1/10

IMDb:7.8/10

Bloom Into You

Total episodes:13

Genre: Drama

Release Date: April 27, 2015

We meet enchanting Yuu Koito who lives in her fairy tale world of romantic movies, manga, and love songs. She has a definite and imaginative world of her own expectations of romance and love partners. But her imagination bubble shatters when a middle school boy in her school makes a love confession to her. She realizes that she has a concept of love and romance but she has yet to experience first hand love.

At its core, this anime is about love and its ripple effect. How you should love yourself first to love others. Bloom into you explore the bold themes like the underlying disease we all suffer like what people think of us, what people have perception of us. And our relentless effort to be accepted, to be understood. While watching this anime, you will understand more of yourself and understand your fears and insecurities better. It gives us hope, a reason for what makes us human and what makes us like we are at a miniature level.

MyAnimeList:7.9/10

IMDb:7.8/10

Devilman Crybaby

Total episodes:10 Episodes

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action fiction, Superhero fiction, Animation

Release date: January 5, 2018

When the best friends come back with the news of some powerful demon arriving at Earth to attack and invade. Our protagonist turns into a devil-boy, a half-demon and half-human creature with the power of a demon and still a human. He sets on a mission into the war-torn world full of violence and rebels to save species like him.

This anime is a joy to watch. Its immersive storytelling perfectly married with enthralling and powerful background music makes it a great watch for you. Similarly, the action sequences and the everchanging plot and character motivations grab you by the hand and are immersive in this world amidst the war between demons and humans. 

MyAnimeList:7.8/10

IMDb:7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes:89%