The Ultimate Ranking of the Best Netflix Original Anime of All Time
When discussing mainstream availability for anime, Crunchyroll has historically held the lion’s share of the market. The most sought-after and heavily anticipated series—such as summer sensations like One Piece: Heroines and Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You—remain exclusive to that platform. Meanwhile, rival streaming giants are aggressively narrowing the gap; a prime example is Prime Video’s The Ghost in the Shell, which has generated immense excitement through its refreshing interpretation of the classic source material.
<p>Although Netflix maintains a robust and constantly expanding animation catalog, it has also cultivated an impressive roster of phenomenal original projects. While titles like <a href="https://www.polygon.com/tv/2017/7/29/16062578/netflix-castlevania-religion-corruption-warren-ellis/" target="_blank"><em>Castlevania</em></a> and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/10/30/21542531/blood-of-zeus-die-talos-hera-heron-in-greek-mythology/" target="_blank"><em>Blood of Zeus</em></a> may not fit the strict definition of traditional anime, they consistently deliver intricate narratives and breathtaking visual artistry.</p>
<p>On the traditional front, Netflix has championed numerous notable releases over the years, including <em>Blue Period</em>, <em>Kengan Ashura</em>, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/mobile-suit-gundam-hathaway-the-sorcery-of-nymph-circenew-movie/" target="_blank"><em>Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway</em></a>, <em>Altered Carbon: Resleeved</em>, and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/cosmic-princess-kaguya-review-anime-netflix/" target="_blank"><em>Cosmic Princess Kaguya!</em></a>. More recently, the platform's acquisition of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/netflix-jojo-steel-ball-run-premiere-impressions/" target="_blank"><em>JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run</em></a> debuted with a modest <a href="https://www.polygon.com/jojo-steel-ball-run-netflix-release-schedule-controversy-explained/" target="_blank">double-premiere rollout</a>, yet it instantly captivated viewers enough to spark immediate demands for more.</p>
<p>Here are the 7 absolute best Netflix Original anime series and films that demand a spot on your watchlist.</p>
<h2 id="blame">
<span class="item-num">1 </span>
<span>Blame!</span>
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<img width="825" height="436" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Killy points his Gravitational Beam Emitter at someone in Blame!" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/who-wins-in-a-boom-blap-pow-fight-v0-uvkgo19jbxac1-1.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=1" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/who-wins-in-a-boom-blap-pow-fight-v0-uvkgo19jbxac1-1.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=1" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Polygon Pictures/Netflix</small>
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<p>Tsutomu Nihei’s <em>Blame!</em> serves as a masterclass in foundational <a href="https://www.polygon.com/features/2018/8/30/17796680/cyberpunk-2077-history-blade-runner-neuromancer/" target="_blank">cyberpunk storytelling</a>. The manga revels in a cosmic indifference toward humanity, utilizing deep existential dread to shape its sprawling dystopian setting. While Nihei’s intricate work shines on the printed page, adapting such an abstract, atmospheric narrative to animation is no small feat. The plot follows Killy, a quiet wanderer traversing the endless metallic expanse of The City as he searches for a lost genetic marker that might restore human dominance.</p>
<p>Rather than attempting to mirror the dense complexity of the original chapters, Netflix’s adaptation channels those philosophical themes into a high-octane sci-fi thriller. Because the manga's sprawling lawlessness defies simple visual translation, the film takes a more contained approach while preserving the signature grit. Instead of an endless trek, the cyborg protagonist frequently unleashes his devastating Gravitational Beam Emitter in moments of crisis, shifting the narrative focus squarely onto the desperate survival efforts of the Electrofishers.</p>
<h2 id="dorohedoro">
<span class="item-num">2 </span>
<span>Dorohedoro</span>
</h2>
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<p>Deeply eccentric, surreal, and wonderfully unpredictable, Netflix’s adaptation of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/dorohedoro-season-3-confirmed-netflix/" target="_blank"><em>Dorohedoro</em></a> delivers a masterclass in genre whiplash. Set in a starkly stratified post-apocalyptic metropolis, the story centers on Caiman, an amnesiac with a reptilian head on a quest to hunt down the mysterious sorcerer responsible for his transformation.</p>
<p>Partnering with his loyal confidante Nikaido, Caiman gradually uncovers disturbing revelations regarding his past. The series' distinctive visual flair makes its grotesque elements pop brilliantly, perfectly complementing the show's effortless transitions between slapstick humor and intense, bloody horror. Studio MAPPA consistently produces phenomenal work, yet <em>Dorohedoro</em> stands out as a brilliant showcase of their versatility in handling erratic tonal shifts without missing a beat.</p>
<h2 id="cyberpunk-edgerunners">
<span class="item-num">3 </span>
<span>Cyberpunk: Edgerunners</span>
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<p>While prior experience with <a href="https://www.polygon.com/game/cyberpunk-2077/7564/" target="_blank"><em>Cyberpunk 2077</em></a> isn't strictly mandatory to enjoy <a href="https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23349865/cyberpunk-edgerunners-netflix-review-2077/" target="_blank"><em>Cyberpunk: Edgerunners</em></a>, familiarity with Night City adds an incredible layer of appreciation. The narrative charts the heartbreaking journey of David Martinez, a young street kid who abandons his humble beginnings to become an Edgerunner—a cybernetically enhanced mercenary scraping by on society's violent margins.</p>
<p>True to the spirit of the universe, <em>Edgerunners</em> thoroughly examines the devastating toll of excessive body modification, the crushing weight of systemic corruption, and the loss of youth within a sprawling urban nightmare. David’s romance with skilled netrunner Lucy forms the emotional core of a series that brilliantly translates complex in-game mechanics into gripping visual storytelling. Even for viewers stepping in blind, the show captures the undeniable tragedy of a young man whose grandest ambitions ultimately fall short of true legend status.</p>
<h2 id="great-pretender">
<span class="item-num">4 </span>
<span>Great Pretender</span>
</h2>
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<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Con man Makoto Edamura, Cynthia Moore, Abigail Jones, Laurent Thierry in Great Pretender" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22488177/The_Great_Pretender_Gang_Edamame_Shocked.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22488177/The_Great_Pretender_Gang_Edamame_Shocked.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Photo: WIT Studio/Netflix</small>
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<p>In Netflix’s <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21376734/great-pretender-review-netflix-new-anime-wit-studio/" target="_blank"><em>Great Pretender</em></a>, Makoto Edamura fancies himself Japan’s premier petty swindler. However, when a simple scam targeting an unsuspecting tourist goes completely wrong, Makoto finds himself caught in the crosshairs of law enforcement. Out of his depth, he is quickly absorbed into an elite network of international con artists who pull off elaborate setups targeting the world's most powerful elite.</p>
<p>The series thrives on its ability to seamlessly combine high-stakes, globe-trotting heists with vibrant comedic energy. Some capers emulate the sleek, stylish pacing of the <em>Ocean’s</em> franchise, while others dive deep into Makoto’s psychology and backstory. Deception forms the backbone of every episode, ensuring that unexpected twists continually keep both the protagonist and the audience guessing. To top it all off, the anime features an incredible rendition of Queen's iconic track as its closing theme.</p>
<h2 id="devilman-crybaby">
<span class="item-num">5 </span>
<span>Devilman Crybaby</span>
</h2>
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<div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/devilman_crybaby_queeen_bee_clip_02.jpg" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-img-caption='"Image:&nbsp;Science Saru\/Netflix"'>
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<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="A boy with jet black hair rides his bike with a blonde-haired guy on the back in Devilman Crybaby" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/devilman_crybaby_queeen_bee_clip_02.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/devilman_crybaby_queeen_bee_clip_02.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Science Saru/Netflix</small>
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<p>A phenomenal single-season achievement, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2018/1/8/16862868/devilman-crybaby-season-1-review-netflix/" target="_blank"><em>Devilman Crybaby</em></a> modernizes Go Nagai’s classic manga, seamlessly translating its 1970s aesthetic into the contemporary world. Protagonist Akira and his close friend Ryo find themselves thrust into a war against an ancient race of demons bent on human extinction. To stand a chance, Akira merges with demonic forces, initiating a heartbreaking descent into a raw, emotionally resonant narrative exploring empathy, fear, and human nature.</p>
<p>The true strength of the series lies in its refusal to deal in absolutes. The line separating humanity from monstrosity blurs continuously as ordinary people succumb to panic and paranoia, hunting innocents out of baseless suspicion. Underlying the violence is a stark anti-war ethos—every conflict results in senseless bloodshed and devastating casualties, making it impossible to label either side as purely righteous. The complex dynamic between Akira and Ryo culminates in a striking metaphor that elevates the narrative's profoundly tragic conclusion.</p>
<h2 id="delicious-in-dungeon">
<span class="item-num">6 </span>
<span>Delicious in Dungeon</span>
</h2>
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<p>While standard dungeon-delving anime like <a href="https://www.polygon.com/best-anime-like-solo-leveling/" target="_blank"><em>Solo Leveling</em></a> and <em>Made in Abyss</em> approach fantasy tropes in conventional ways, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/24025746/delicious-in-dungeon-netflix-finally-some-good-food/" target="_blank"><em>Delicious in Dungeon</em></a> carves out a uniquely delightful niche. Within this realm, adventuring groups scour labyrinthine dungeons seeking the legendary Golden Country. During one such expedition, a spellcaster named Falin is devoured by a dragon, though she manages to teleport her surviving comrades to safety beforehand.</p>
<p>Spearheaded by Falin’s brother Laios, the remaining party resolves to survive the brutal subterranean environment by foraging, preparing, and cooking the fantastical beasts they encounter. Netflix’s adaptation delivers a remarkably rich culinary adventure driven by meticulous world-building and clever writing, where every meal reveals deeper insights into the ecosystem. Though these segments exude a comforting warmth, the series gradually ramps up its stakes, seamlessly pivoting into dark fantasy territory while retaining its signature wit and charm.</p>
<h2 id="violet-evergarden">
<span class="item-num">7 </span>
<span>Violet Evergarden</span>
</h2>
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<img width="825" height="464" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Violet stands in the library and looks ahead in Violet Evergarden" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/mv5by2i2yzg2zjctnje3oc00otgzlwewmdutzde2zge5ndu0nzvlxkeyxkfqcgc-_v1_-1.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=1" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/mv5by2i2yzg2zjctnje3oc00otgzlwewmdutzde2zge5ndu0nzvlxkeyxkfqcgc-_v1_-1.jpg?q=70&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=1" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Kyoto Animation/Netflix</small>
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<p>Netflix helped propel <a href="https://www.polygon.com/netflix-kyoto-animation-sparks-of-tomorrow-trailer/" target="_blank">Kyoto Animation</a>’s <em>Violet Evergarden</em> into the global spotlight—a visually stunning, 13-episode masterwork guaranteed to evoke tears. Set in the post-war continent of Telesis, the story centers on Violet, a young woman raised exclusively as a living weapon. Having lost both arms in the final conflict, she relies on prosthetic limbs to work as an Auto Memory Doll, crafting letters on behalf of clients seeking to express their inner feelings.</p>
<p>Initially emotionally detached from herself and everyone around her, Violet struggles to comprehend genuine love and empathy. As a former child soldier, she must process profound trauma while figuring out her own identity and desires. <em>Violet Evergarden</em> treats these delicate themes with immense care, charting a steady, moving path toward healing and self-forgiveness. It stands as a gorgeous, profoundly touching tribute to the transformative power of the written word, which serves as Violet's essential anchor throughout her journey.</p>Source: Polygon
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