10. Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry (Chivalry of a Failed Knight)
Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry tells the story of Ikki Kurogane, a young academy student in an alternate version of our world where the merit of students is measured in terms of their innate magical abilities. Because of his apparent lack of any magical abilities whatsoever, he is shunned by his classmates and the faculty, who don’t realize that what he lacks in inherent magical powers, he more than makes up for with rigorous combat training and a strong moral fiber. When he is forced to become roommates with the voluptuous, magically-endowed Stella Vermillion, it sets him on a path to prove that a person should be measured by the effort they put into their deeds.
Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry tells the story of Ikki Kurogane, a young academy student in an alternate version of our world where the merit of students is measured in terms of their innate magical abilities. Because of his apparent lack of any magical abilities whatsoever, he is shunned by his classmates and the faculty, who don’t realize that what he lacks in inherent magical powers, he more than makes up for with rigorous combat training and a strong moral fiber. When he is forced to become roommates with the voluptuous, magically-endowed Stella Vermillion, it sets him on a path to prove that a person should be measured by the effort they put into their deeds.
This show is perfect for fans of the action genre, as it has a ton of edge of your seat action in the form of duels between students, as well as dangerous encounters outside of campus grounds. Although the storytelling can be rather light-hearted, due in part to heaping doses of ecchi moments, when the weapons come out the slick animation makes sure the action is the star of the show.
9. Bungo Stray Dogs
Perhaps one of the most stylish new anime to come out this past season, Bungo Stray Dogs tells the story of Nakajima Atsushi, a young orphan cast out of his home because of his connection to a serious of mysterious murders. He finds himself on the bank of a river, starved nearly to death, when he encounters Dazai Osamu, an eccentric man trying, unsuccessfully, to drown himself. This fateful encounter leads him to join the ranks of the Armed Detective Agency, which pits itself against the city’s criminal underbelly.
Perhaps one of the most stylish new anime to come out this past season, Bungo Stray Dogs tells the story of Nakajima Atsushi, a young orphan cast out of his home because of his connection to a serious of mysterious murders. He finds himself on the bank of a river, starved nearly to death, when he encounters Dazai Osamu, an eccentric man trying, unsuccessfully, to drown himself. This fateful encounter leads him to join the ranks of the Armed Detective Agency, which pits itself against the city’s criminal underbelly.
The word bungo loosely translates from Japanese as “literary master,” which is what almost the entirety of the cast is comprised of. Members of both the Armed Detective Agency, as well as their adversary, are inspired by real-life Japanese authors who were highly influential to the crime and mystery genres, and their abilities are in-turn inspired by their literary creations. The storytelling is as hard-boiled as it comes, and when these famous literary figures start slinging their powers, it’s sure to delight any fan of the action genre.
8. Gangsta.
When it comes to action, it’s hard to find a world as filled with it as that of criminals. With that in mind, we come to Gangsta. It takes place in the gritty, down and dirty town of Ergastulum, where crime is the name of the game, and the “wrong side” is whichever side puts you in front of the barrel of a gun.
When it comes to action, it’s hard to find a world as filled with it as that of criminals. With that in mind, we come to Gangsta. It takes place in the gritty, down and dirty town of Ergastulum, where crime is the name of the game, and the “wrong side” is whichever side puts you in front of the barrel of a gun.
The story follows a pair of deadly handymen, Worick, a gigolo with a scarring family history, and Nicolas, a deaf mercenary with superhuman abilities from prolonged use of a super drug. The plot revs into fourth gear after they save Alex, a former prostitute. The show is as hard-hitting as the setting, painting a grim landscape of moral ambiguity and hard choices whose consequences are measured in the bodies that hit the ground, and will engage any action fan with an interest in the genre.
7. God Eater
Based off of the hit videogame series of the same name, God Eater is set in the near future, in Japan, where some of the last vestiges of humanity struggle against giant monsters known as Aragami, and the brave soldiers that battle them are known as “God Eaters.” Young military trainee Lenka joins the Fenrir Far East branch when it is discovered that he can utilize his “God Arc,” a weapon created from the DNA of Aragami to battle them, can switch between blade and gun form.
Based off of the hit videogame series of the same name, God Eater is set in the near future, in Japan, where some of the last vestiges of humanity struggle against giant monsters known as Aragami, and the brave soldiers that battle them are known as “God Eaters.” Young military trainee Lenka joins the Fenrir Far East branch when it is discovered that he can utilize his “God Arc,” a weapon created from the DNA of Aragami to battle them, can switch between blade and gun form.
Like any war story worth watching, God Eater has a relatable cast of heroes to root for, forced to battle through situations where the stakes are literally life and death. In a world where success is measured by survival, lessons are often learned hard, and at the expense of your squad mates’ lives, the action of the show comes at the viewer's hard and fast, making it essential viewing for fans of the game, and action anime in general.
6. Rokka no Yuusha (Braves of the Six Flowers)
There’s a legend that states that when an evil god awakens, the god of fate will appoint six warriors, called “Braves,” and grant them the power to combat darkness and save the world. The self-proclaimed “strongest man alive,” Adlet Meyer believes he deserves to be welcomed into the order and given the chance to prove his valor and get revenge for the destruction of his village. However, when he gathers at the appointed location, there are seven Braves total, not six, and it’s up to Adlet and co. to get to the bottom of it.
There’s a legend that states that when an evil god awakens, the god of fate will appoint six warriors, called “Braves,” and grant them the power to combat darkness and save the world. The self-proclaimed “strongest man alive,” Adlet Meyer believes he deserves to be welcomed into the order and given the chance to prove his valor and get revenge for the destruction of his village. However, when he gathers at the appointed location, there are seven Braves total, not six, and it’s up to Adlet and co. to get to the bottom of it.
Although Adlet might not be the strongest man alive, he is a savvy warrior, as are all the Braves. The fight scenes in are truly a sight to behold, with dynamically animated scenes that are almost cinema-like, accompanied by an appropriately epic score. While the main narrative hook of the show is a bit more like a “whodunit,” there’s plenty for action fans to sink their teeth into.
5. Arslan Senki (The Heroic Legend of Arslan)
The kingdom of Pars is an economic and cultural crossroads in the fictional, Middle Eastern-inspired world The Heroic Legend of Arslan. When Andragoras the 3rd falls victim to a sinister plot carried out by some of his most trusted advisors, it forces his son Arslan to flee his rightful home and sets him on a harrowing adventure for survival. Although Arslan is young, he has a good heart and inspires the loyalty of a small band of brave, intelligent warriors who work effortlessly to reclaim his throne.
The kingdom of Pars is an economic and cultural crossroads in the fictional, Middle Eastern-inspired world The Heroic Legend of Arslan. When Andragoras the 3rd falls victim to a sinister plot carried out by some of his most trusted advisors, it forces his son Arslan to flee his rightful home and sets him on a harrowing adventure for survival. Although Arslan is young, he has a good heart and inspires the loyalty of a small band of brave, intelligent warriors who work effortlessly to reclaim his throne.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan will scratch any fantasy or action fan’s itch for an epic adventure. With its ensemble cast of memorable characters, its historical scope, and sweeping scale, and its brutal action scenes, it’s a show that has captured the essence of a series that has endured multiple iterations in Japan. With another season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to catch up.
4. Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
Although it placed on the previous list, we would feel remiss if we didn’t include the brutal, now-iconic show Attack on Titan, which helped raise the bar for the action genre in the west. If you’ve somehow missed it, the show takes place in a dark fantasy world where humans have managed to survive a near-extinction event due to the sudden appearance of titans, monstrous, mindless giants that rampage and feast on humanity. Behind three massive walls, they’ve lived a relatively peaceful life, until a colossal titan breaches the outermost wall, allowing smaller titans to enter and wreak havoc. The story follows an ensemble cast surrounding three main characters, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, as they struggle to gain ground against the advancing titans and understand the nature of the monsters themselves.
Although it placed on the previous list, we would feel remiss if we didn’t include the brutal, now-iconic show Attack on Titan, which helped raise the bar for the action genre in the west. If you’ve somehow missed it, the show takes place in a dark fantasy world where humans have managed to survive a near-extinction event due to the sudden appearance of titans, monstrous, mindless giants that rampage and feast on humanity. Behind three massive walls, they’ve lived a relatively peaceful life, until a colossal titan breaches the outermost wall, allowing smaller titans to enter and wreak havoc. The story follows an ensemble cast surrounding three main characters, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, as they struggle to gain ground against the advancing titans and understand the nature of the monsters themselves.
To say the action scenes in the show are brutal is perhaps an understatement. The titans are literally larger-than-life, and wreak havoc wherever they go. Although the self-defense corps fights valiantly against them, their pyrrhic victories are often at the expense of countless lives, as young soldiers are devoured by the thoughtless monsters. Although it drags a bit in the middle due to filler, the final twist more than makes up for it, and the constant action ensures that the show never wears out its welcome.
3. One Punch Man
In the fictional, Tokyo-inspired metropolis, City Z, day to day drudgery is the least of anyone’s problems. The city is prone to attacks from super-villains and monsters and is defended by the do-gooders in the Hero Association, always willing to come to the aid of citizens in their time of need. Amongst their ranks is Saitama, an unremarkable, milquetoast-looking man of unparalleled physical prowess, thus earning him the nickname, “one-punch man.” Years of training have pushed him to his peak, and he has grown bored with his ability to conquer even the greatest threats without breaking a sweat, so he constantly seeks more powerful opponents.
In the fictional, Tokyo-inspired metropolis, City Z, day to day drudgery is the least of anyone’s problems. The city is prone to attacks from super-villains and monsters and is defended by the do-gooders in the Hero Association, always willing to come to the aid of citizens in their time of need. Amongst their ranks is Saitama, an unremarkable, milquetoast-looking man of unparalleled physical prowess, thus earning him the nickname, “one-punch man.” Years of training have pushed him to his peak, and he has grown bored with his ability to conquer even the greatest threats without breaking a sweat, so he constantly seeks more powerful opponents.
One Punch Man has exploded in popularity since it came onto the scene, and it’s easy to see why. With an endearing protagonist and a fun, sometimes infuriating cast of supporting heroes and villains, there’s a lot for the audience to get attached to. Which isn’t to mention the fight scenes, of which there are plenty, and often resolve themselves hilariously. Perhaps a bit light-hearted compared to other entries on the list, but One Punch Man is essential viewing for action fans.
2. Cowboy Bebop
Another entry from the previous list that is just so good that it’s worth repeating, the critically and fan-acclaimed series rounds out the list. If you’ve somehow missed this show despite its meteoric rise to popularity over a decade ago, it centers on Spike Spiegel. A former hitman turned “cowboy” in a future in which mankind has colonized most of space and established a contract-based bounty hunting force to supplement the Inter Solar Space Police. Partnered with his former officer friend, Jet Black, the pair scours the galaxy for big scores and pick up a few more members of their ragtag bounty hunting outfit, including bombshell Faye Valentine, and a Mensa-level Corgi.
Another entry from the previous list that is just so good that it’s worth repeating, the critically and fan-acclaimed series rounds out the list. If you’ve somehow missed this show despite its meteoric rise to popularity over a decade ago, it centers on Spike Spiegel. A former hitman turned “cowboy” in a future in which mankind has colonized most of space and established a contract-based bounty hunting force to supplement the Inter Solar Space Police. Partnered with his former officer friend, Jet Black, the pair scours the galaxy for big scores and pick up a few more members of their ragtag bounty hunting outfit, including bombshell Faye Valentine, and a Mensa-level Corgi.
This show is a genre-bending masterpiece, with iconic characters, a fantastic musical score, non-linear storytelling, and a jaw-dropping denouement. While most episodes take place in a sort of case of the week format, they’re all suitably action-packed, with space battles, gunfights, and melee skirmishes. If you haven’t yet, please, watch this show. You won’t be disappointed.
1. Dragon Ball Super
The latest, and arguably greatest entry in the immensely popular, iconic Dragon Ball series, Super is a landmark in that it’s the first original content created in the series in over eighteen years, finally moving the story forward for beloved characters. While Dragon Ball needs no introduction, it tells the story of Goku, a kind-hearted man with immense strength, who defends the inhabitants of Earth with his friends and family.
The latest, and arguably greatest entry in the immensely popular, iconic Dragon Ball series, Super is a landmark in that it’s the first original content created in the series in over eighteen years, finally moving the story forward for beloved characters. While Dragon Ball needs no introduction, it tells the story of Goku, a kind-hearted man with immense strength, who defends the inhabitants of Earth with his friends and family.
The series is known for constantly upping the ante throughout its story arcs, introducing iconic, increasingly-powerful villains that threaten Goku and co., and the fate of the galaxy. Dragon Ball Super is no different. With the introduction of a literal god of destruction, the return of one of the series’ most nefarious villains, and the exploration of alternate realities, the show is pushing its own boundaries while staying true to the aspects of it that made it so popular in the first place. For old fans or those interested in the series, Dragon Ball Super meets every expectation.
