10 Anime You Must Watch Before You Die

Do you have a bucket list of the various things you want to die before your time is up on this Earth? If you don’t or you just want to add some anime series to that list, I have some recommendations for you. Below, you’ll find the 10 anime series that I think every single anime fan should watch or at least try once before they die.

10 Anime You Must Watch Before You Die

When it comes to determining the 10 anime series to watch before you die, I tried to broaden the spectrum and focus on series that are seemingly completed or at least have a fair bit to watch. In addition, I wanted to focus on various genres from action to romance to more depressing works. While not perfect, these are series that I think will impress and appeal to the most people at once.

I also tried to focus mainly on more recent anime since many people already know about the classics like Akira, Clannad, Cowboy Bebop, and Naruto. Without further ado, here are the 10 anime series I recommend to everyone to try:

• Death Parade: This is Madhouse at its finest. Taking place in the afterlife, each every two episodes or so focuses on a new set of people who die at the same time. They compete in fun little games before being judged for their actions. The revelations that come about during these seemingly innocent games provides some of the most thought-provoking and tragic anime moments of all time.
• Dr. Stone: One of the few modern masterpieces, this series takes place in the far future as people start to awaken from being petrified in place for thousands of years. Its storytelling is remarkably consistent alongside the welcome action as main character Senku reinvents science and technology in surprisingly realistic ways.
• Fruits Basket: If you want to see a romance series, look no further. The masterpiece manga series was made even better in its latest anime adaptation. It is so well-rounded, able to make you laugh one second, cry the next, and constantly cheer for this Zodiac-themed, animal-transforming family.
• Kino’s Journey – The Beautiful World: Episodic anime series tend to be some of the best and this is one prime example. Each episode focuses Kino and a talking motorcycle as the duo travels from town to town. It never overstays its welcome, while also teaching some unforgettable lessons about life, especially in the latter half. The less you know, the better here.
• March Comes in Like a Lion: No other anime takes a look at depression like this one. It follows an orphan boy who happens to be a genius shogi player. While it may appear like a sports or competition anime at first glance, it is actually a riveting and unforgettable look at mental health through the eyes of the incredible Studio Shaft.
• My Hero Academia: While not completely done at the time of writing, it is quite close. This superhero action-packed shonen series can appeal to anyone. However, its real value comes from the incredible action and characters that only get better as the series goes on.
• Spy x Family: Yes, this is still ongoing. But there are a couple of seasons, a movie, and still more on the way. Spy x Family is the quintessential anime for everyone. It has a bit of action with this spy and assassin-themed makeshift family’s shenanigans. But then it is also extremely heartwarming and hilarious the rest of the time. This is the feel-good anime series.
• To Your Eternity: No list about dying is complete without the anime that focuses on an immortal character. His journey across hundreds of years leads to some of the depressing yet meaningful plot development and characters I have ever seen.
• Violet Evergarden: This emotional masterpiece tells the story of a girl who experiences trauma and becomes half a mechanical doll, both literally and figuratively. She helps a different person in each episode. At the same time, she learns about herself, leading to some of the most tearjerking scenes in anime.
• Yuri on Ice: Even if you aren’t a sports anime fan, this is the one to watch. It tells the story of Yuri, a down-and-out former ice skater looking to return, and Victor, his renowned coach. The two’s connection with one another leads to one of the most memorable relationships in anime. Plus, the actual ice skating sequences from MAPPA are gorgeous along with having one of the best soundtracks. It is a shame, honestly, that we will likely never see a continuation of this series.