Best Seinen Anime

Anime

is not a world for children’s eyes alone. While plenty of shows cater to a younger audience, some of the best in the medium fall under the seinen category. Distinguished from the teen-oriented shounen properties, seinen stories explore

more mature topics

geared toward adults.

Of course, some themes found in these types of anime may be a little uncomfortable for younger audiences; however, viewers looking for more mature stories might find that one of the

best seinen anime series

is more their speed.

Berserk

Bloody seinen stories with buff, sword-wielding protagonists aren’t exactly the most family-friendly choices in anime. At least, Kentaro Miura’s

Berserk

proves that much. With a brutish sword-wielding protagonist and a band of mercenaries just as violent, the anime is thrilling for the same reasons that it isn’t meant for everybody.

Frankly, the story of Guts and the Band of Hawks makes for a great time for willing viewers. Its gory, life-threatening nature makes the story more meaningful, knowing that cheap plot armor isn’t in play. All in all,

Berserk

is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, perfect for viewers that loved the battle elements of shonen anime.

Skip And Loafer

A small-town high school girl moves to the big city, aka Tokyo, in pursuit of a life-long dream. As basic as this premise sounds on the surface, Misaki Takamtsu’s

Skip and Loafer

should not be dismissed as just another run-of-the-mill slice of life. The manga has been on a roll since debuting in 2018, and it has steadily established itself as one of the better ongoing seinen properties. Mitsumi is the girl in question, and while she is wholly unprepared for a bustling city like Tokyo, she nevertheless dives headfirst into the challenge without stopping to take a breath. She also receives a helping hand from a classmate named Shima.

Skip and Loafer

blends comedy, introspection, and character development. While relatively relaxed, the story offers a grounded take on high-school life, which can be dramatic and stressful. So far, P.A. Works has done a great job with the adaptation.

Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

Almost nothing can be more different from

Berserk

than a school-life romantic comedy series. Yet,

Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

has more than proven itself to be a very competent seinen series.

The story focuses on Shuchiin Academy’s student council president, Miyuki Shirogane, and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya, as they try their best to get each other to confess — via witty commentary and psychological warfare, of course.

Kaguya-sama

is perfect for anime fans who want an amazing comedy that also explores some mature themes.

Vinland Saga

Vikings aren’t a common topic in anime. It is fairly uncommon for Japanese animation to explore the intricate world of Scandinavian warriors.

Vinland Saga

proves why this subject is perfect for the screen, with dark, gory warfare and a historical twist.

Following the story of the youth Thorfinn, the seinen anime explores the unique lifestyle of Viking warriors and their motivations. Frankly, a lot of the battle elements found in

Berserk

make

Vinland Saga

the amazing anime that it is. However,

Vinland Saga

is a little different, as it’s a better fit for history lovers.

March Comes In Like A Lion

Granted,

March Comes In Like A Lion

may not have the mainstream popularity that other series on this list have. However, the series is unique in its exploration of depressing themes and hopefulness.

The story focuses on Rei Kiriyama, an introverted, professional shogi player, and his relationship with the Koda family. The story is truly heartwarming, which is a little uncommon for many seinen series that tend to stray more into tragedy.

Made In Abyss

Mystery is one of the best sub-genres of seinen anime, and for good reason. These types of series fascinate audiences with information manipulation and clever world-building, allowing the author to regulate tension and suspense far more than in another type of series — something that

Made in Abyss

does very well.

The series tells the story of an orphan named Riko and her connection with a gaping hole near her town called the Abyss. As more about the mysterious abyss becomes revealed, viewers will find themselves growing more and more connected to the characters of the series. A truly

great seinen anime

for viewers looking for a mix of mystery and character development.

Parasyte -The Maxim-

Another modern classic of the seinen genre,

Parasyte

received global love for its horrific visuals and interesting concept. The story focuses on an alien species called parasites that drill into a person’s brain, to completely control their body.

However, unlike how this process usually goes, the story’s protagonist Shinichi Izumi stops his parasite from taking his body, trapping it in his right hand instead. Viewers then will be held in the suspenseful pacing of the series, as they watch Shinichi and his parasite (called Migi) survive the incurring apocalypse.

Kingdom

Based on Yasuhisa Hara’s highly regarded manga,

Kingdom

is an ambitious historical anime set during China’s Warring States Period. The story follows two orphans, Xin and Piao, as they pursue their dream of serving as generals. Eventually, the anime shifts focus to Xin, who becomes one of King Zheng of Qin’s most loyal soldiers.

Kingdom

‘s animation can be off-putting since the anime combines 3D CGI with 2D backdrops. The show’s first season has a particularly divisive presentation, but the animation does improve in the sequels. While the art style takes some getting used to,

Kingdom

‘s story and characters are strong from the start, and they only get better as the anime progresses.

Hellsing Ultimate

Somehow, vampires have become their own genre among fantasy anime. From apocalyptic

Seraph of the End

to the dramatic

Strike the Blood

, vampires became commonplace. That said, it all comes back to one seinen classic in particular:

Hellsing Ultimate.

The story takes audiences into the shoes of Alucard, a vampire and faithful servant of the evil-hunting Hellsing family. While the series doesn’t escape common vampire clichés (after all, it started most of them), it does make for one of the most brutal experiences in

modern seinen anime

. For suspense lovers that didn’t get enough violence from

Berserk

,

Hellsing Ultimate

will be sure to thrill.

Golden Kamuy

Golden Kamuy

is bizarre, and that should be taken as a compliment. Set in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese war, the anime centers around a rat race as various groups strive to discover the Ainu people’s hidden gold, a treasure that requires stitching together a map spread across the skins of various prisoners. Seeking to make amends for the blood he shed throughout the war, Saichi Sugimoto aids an Ainu girl named Asirpa as they try to keep the riches out of the wrong hands.

Brain’s Base’s series flip-flops between visceral acts of gory violence and comedic silliness that would not look out of place in something like

Gintama

. More importantly, the anime manages to balance these two tones perfectly, a triumph many shows struggle to experience.

Erased

What if

any event in a person’s past could be undone? Well, this is exactly the situation that the seinen anime

Erased

focuses on. The anime tells the story of Satoru Fujinuma and the mysterious incidents that took the lives of his mother and his childhood friends.

The twist? Satoru must use the ability that sends him eighteen years in the past, in which he must solve the incidents as his childhood self. The mystery of

Erased

is eye-catching, offering a good variety of fast-paced scenes and striking visuals. To say the least, most seinen fans will find something they enjoy about

Erased.

Oshi No Ko

Aka Akasaka’s

Kaguya-sama

is one of the most popular manga and anime of the last decade, but it is hardly the mangaka’s only masterpiece. Although not devoid of humor or uplifting moments,

Oshi no Ko

takes a rather sobering look at the entertainment industry, opting against offering any illusions about its cutthroat nature and seedy underbelly.

To avoid going into spoilers since this show needs to be experienced as blindly as possible,

Oshi no Ko

is for anyone looking for a murder mystery that touches upon themes of fame, obsession, and grief. Unsurprisingly, Doga Kobo’s animation is top-notch, and the same can be said for the anime’s voice acting.

Ping Pong The Animation

Sports anime are simultaneously extremely mainstream and an acquired taste. If someone falls in love with the genre, they might never look back, especially since each season tends to introduce a couple of new shows. However,

Ping Pong the Animation

is one of a kind. Ever since they were kids, the timid Smile saw the confident Peco as his hero, and they bonded over a shared interest in ping pong.

After suffering a shocking defeat, Peco steps away from the table and begins to change into someone Smile does not recognize; consequently, the latter makes it his mission to bring back the friend he knew.

Ping Pong the Animation

revolves entirely around Smile and Peco’s friendship, with the anime serving up a deep

study

of both characters.

Land Of The Lustrous

Anthropomorphic anything has become a common trope in anime. Warships, animals, and even countries have been made into people. However, few know about the series focused on anthropomorphic gems. Following the story of Phos,

Land of the Lustrous

explores an intricate world where Earth is too toxic for human life and Lunarians are on the assault.

It’s hard to say that there is a more unique seinen anime series than this. Living gemstones make for a world that is hard to beat in that regard, but all of this makes the series so entertaining. The metallic art style that strays from the standard, the unique properties of the characters, and even the unusual factions at play, make

Land of the Lustrous

a series hard to predict.

Space Brothers

As children, the brothers Mutta and Hibito dreamed of heading into space; as adults, Hibito is on the verge of actualizing his goal, while Mutta has largely floundered. After being fired from his sales job, Mutta realizes that he is at a crossroads in his life, and he decides to chase after his boyhood dream.

Space Brothers

falls within the sci-fi genre, but it is very much rooted in reality. The anime chronicles Mutta’s journey as he tries to become an astronaut, covering the trials and tribulations such a path entails.

Bungo Stray Dogs

Bungo Stray Dogs

is kind of like

Psycho-Pass,

but it instead focuses on detectives in alternate-reality Yokohama modeled after the 1920s with supernatural abilities. Okay, in reality, the only thing in common is the focus on detective-like characters. Nonetheless,

Bungo Stray Dogs

makes for an interesting alternative for viewers who don’t like the dark atmosphere of

Psycho-Pass

.

Bungo Stray Dogs’

biggest draw is its characters. In a way, the story was built around the characters rather than the other way around. All this means is that the series offers a more


complex insight


into character development in the supernatural genre. It’s really a perfect series for people who enjoy getting attached to each and every character.

Mushi-Shi

Mushi-Shi

is a challenging series to describe since it contains slice of life, supernatural, drama, and even horror elements. The anime follows Ginko, a Mushishi who travels across Japan in

search

of Mushi, supernatural entities connected to nature. Although he takes on an active role on occasion, Ginko primarily acts as an observer soaking in the lives of others and the Mushi that exist alongside them.

Mushi-Shi

immerses viewers in a beautiful world filled with wonder, beauty, and sadness. While slow-paced at points, the anime is very well written.

Fate/Zero

Part of the infamous

Fate

series, it’s hard to say that

Fate/Zero

isn’t seinen. Published as a seinen manga, it has a much darker tone than other entries in the

Fate

series. This story is alluring for a multitude of reasons. Deep narratives, heavy world-building, exquisite artwork, sound, and


breathtakingly, beautiful fight scenes


all make this anime stand out.

That said, audiences should take into consideration the watch order of the

Fate

series. Of course,

Fate/Zero

can be watched on its own conclusively. However, for those looking to watch the rest of the series,

Fate/Zero

serves as the prequel to

Fate/Stay Night

.

Rainbow

While certainly among the

best seinen anime

of all time,

Rainbow

is the definition of an uncomfortable and unpleasant sit. The demographic is known for dark stories like

Made in Abyss

and

Berserk

, but unlike those series,

Rainbow

‘s tragedy is not coated in a veil of fantasy. No, this anime’s horrors are completely human.

Set during the 1950s,

Rainbow

follows a group of teenagers who are imprisoned in a reform school governed by one of the most disgusting and vile characters in anime. As they live through a living hell, they can only turn to each other for support.

Ghost In The Shell

Live-action movies aren’t uncommon in the world of anime. However, a series with a live-action movie released in the West is a different story.

Ghost In The Shell

earned its international acclaim as a seinen masterpiece with striking artwork for the time period and an interesting concept.

Focusing on the story of Motoko Kusanagi, an android designed for fighting, the

Ghost In The Shell

series creates one of the best narratives in the sci-fi, police genre. Featuring deep, complex characters and an action-packed world, it’s easy to see why the movie and the subsequent series are among the

best seinen anime

.

Monster

Naoki Urasawa is one of the greatest manga creators of all time, but most of his works have not been adapted into anime.

Monster

is a rare exception, and the psychological thriller has precious few peers when it comes to seinen anime. Kenzo Tenma is an idealistic surgeon living in Germany who one day goes against orders and saves a child rather than a prominent political figure. This decision not only costs Tenma his career but also births an unbreakable bond with Johan, the boy saved by the doctor. The latter is not a positive thing.

Monster

is grim, mature, and intelligent. Spanning more than 70 episodes, the anime barely sets a foot wrong as it weaves one of fiction’s most complex and ambitious narratives.

Best Fall 2023 Seinen Anime

Fall 2023 should be another solid season thanks to series like


Jujutsu Kaisen


,

Undead Unluck

,

Spy x Family

,

Dr. Stone: New World

, and

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

. Most of these properties are shonen, which should come as no surprise since that demographic regularly delivers quantity (and quality).

In terms of

seinen anime, Fall 2023

is looking pretty good. Although not a weekly release, Netflix’s

Pluto

is one of the season’s most highly anticipated projects; more importantly, if it lives up to the source material, the 8-part ONA series should be among the year’s best releases.

Migi & Dali

,

Under Ninja

, and

Dead Mount Death Play Part 2

should also help keep seinen fans happy, and the same can be said for

Goblin Slayer 2

. Still, which weekly shows will likely be the quarter’s strongest?

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

This is it, the pinnacle of harem anime. In a genre known for sparking waifu wars,

100 Girlfriends

dares to ask “but, what if they all win?” Unlucky at love, Rentaro wears his heart on his sleeve, a personality trait that has resulted in constant rejection. Prior to entering high school, the teenager heads to a shrine to pray for guidance, only to be directly answered by a god who reveals that Rentaro will be soon meeting 100 girls who are his soul-mates. Also, he has to keep all of them happy. Brief panic attack aside, Rentaro is more than up to the task.

100 Girlfriends

is both a hilarious and over-the-top parody of harem and a stellar entry in the genre. Direct and oozing innocence, Rentaro is an absolute delight, which he has to be for this premise to even remotely work. While the anime is still in its early days, the female characters introduced so far are perfect matches for the lead, and they are just as funny.

MF Ghost

Racing anime almost never come out. After countless seasons with no new additions, Fall 2023 finally broke the streak by including two shows that fit the genre, and they are both shaping up to be great.

Overtake!

is a must-watch for Formula 1 fans, while

MF Ghost

is a sequel to undoubtedly the most famous racing anime ever:

Initial D

. Set decades after its predecessor, the anime envisions a version of Japan where cars drive themselves. While most folks never get behind the wheel, some people cannot resist the call of the engine, giving rise to a motorsport revolving around street racing.

Raised in British but half-Japanese, Kanata heads to Japan in order to compete in these competitions, all with the hope of attracting his father’s attention. A genius behind the wheel, Kanata is capable beyond his years.

MF Ghost

lives and dies on the strength of its races, and they have so far kept to the very high standard set by

Initial D

.

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