Shonen anime is extremely popular, with series like Naruto and My Hero Academia having huge fanbases. Even non-anime fans probably know about those two shows. As action-packed as they are, the episodes also come with plenty of character development and slow periods, which may not gel well with every anime fan out there. These moments may be important to add more depth to the personalities on the show or explain certain powerups and how they come into existence, but it comes at the cost of the viewer possibly losing attention and moving on to another show.

As a result, some viewers may want to skip ahead to the action and don’t care as much about intricate plot lines. If that is the case, many shows offer more distilled experiences. It’s hard to get completely away from downtime, but these action-packed anime are pretty close, with their fight scenes being full to the brim with high stakes, fun powerups, amazing twists, and everything else along the same lines.

Shows like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and One Piece have been left out since they can have long stretches of non-action between battles. That said, they all have many great action sequences, particularly the former two.

Best Winter 2024 Action Anime

Unsurprisingly, Winter 2024 is not lacking in action anime, and the selection goes beyond shonen stories. With isekai, fantasy, and sci-fi all having representatives, people craving specific flavors of action should be able to find something that suits their tastes.

While not great overall, Metallic Rouge has some of the slickest animation of the season. The Witch and the Beast and Blue Exorcist: Shirmane Illuminati Saga are not quite non-stop action, but when they go down that route, they are a blast. Finally, Fall 2023's Shangri-La Frontier and Undead Unluck have continued to air episodes, and they are comfortably among the current season's best action anime.

What are the greatest action anime of Winter 2024?

Solo Leveling

Winter 2024's most hyped anime has, for the most part, lived up to expectations. Based on a beloved manhwa, Solo Leveling's legacy will be determined by the quality of its art and fights, two elements that are synonymous with the source material. Initially, the adaptation focuses on short bursts of action rather than elongated battles, which makes sense as the protagonist starts as a weakling who cannot hope to last long against monsters. However, as Sung Jin-woo grows more confident, the fights become more ambitious, complex, and impressive.

Portals to dungeons have spawned around Earth, and these areas must be cleared by hunters before they turn into gates that monsters can pass through. Considered the weakest hunter in the business, Sung Jin-woo knows that each mission is life or death; unfortunately, a run-of-the-mill operation heads south when the human hunters stumble upon a chamber they cannot hope to overcome. Sung is left as a sacrifice, although he is granted an opportunity while on his deathbed.

Ninja Kamui

A very late addition to the Winter 2024 lineup, Ninja Kamui came somewhat out of nowhere. Licensed by Warner Bros., the anime follows a former ninja whose family is massacred by his clan; naturally, revenge becomes his sole focus. Set roughly during the modern era (albeit with slightly more advanced technology), Ninja Kamui has garnered quite a bit of attention for its action sequences and their willingness to get bloody.

While every episode has a few fights, they tend to be short and visceral, which reflects the characters' killer intent. At times, the story can be a bit too cliche, although Ninja Kamui shines in its world-building, blend of traditional ninja archetypes and sci-fi elements, and deepening mystery. That said, this show is ultimately all about the action, and it has yet to deliver a dud.

Ishura

One of Winter 2024's most overlooked anime, Ishura gets off to a challenging start that lasts roughly five episodes. Set in a fantasy world filled with overpowered isekai protagonists, the story revolves around a war between two kingdoms, both of which fight using these OP characters. In a move that might push viewers away, the anime dedicates its first few episodes to introducing all its key warriors, with each segment almost feeling like a standalone movie that is barely connected to its predecessor or successor.

This structure results in a confusing storyline that only starts to come together about halfway through the season; however, after that point, Ishura consists of almost nothing but awesome fights pitting ridiculously powerful archetypes. While not quite on the same level as Solo Leveling, the animation is generally pretty good, particularly during the action sequences. Isekai fans looking for something a touch different should try the power through Ishura's first few episodes.

Now, here are the best action anime that are not currently airing new episodes...

Baki Hanma

MyAnimeList Score: 7.66/10

A martial arts anime with some brutal fights, Netflix's Baki and Baki Hanma are both brilliant action shows that focus on the battles of the titular character in an underground fighting arena full of savage combat that tests the fighter's limits, and then some.

This ends up being perfect for Baki, who decides to hone his skills in this ruthless place to get revenge on his father. The show has some great animation, with the battles being a treat in every way. It helps that there are more than enough fights to carry the anime with ease!

Kengan Ashura

MyAnimeList Score: 7.44/10 (Season 1)

Kengan Ashura is a series that may seem a lot like Baki, and there definitely are some similarities to be pointed out here. However, Kengan Ashura still has some differences that make it worth checking out for fans of mature anime with more reasonable fighting techniques.

Tokita Ohma is the protagonist of the series, fighting on behalf of a businessman in an underground gladiator arena. The premise may sound rather cliched, but Kengan Ashura's bombastic action and brilliant pacing help it stand out as a quality shonen series.

Demon Slayer

MyAnimeList Score: 8.49/10

Demon Slayer is a series that admittedly starts off rather slow, with Tanjiro barely knowing how to swing a blade when his family is completely and utterly killed off by Muzan, with Nezuko turning into a demon in the process. It takes him a while to learn the basics, but Tanjiro quickly gets thrown into the action after learning the basics of Water Breathing and becoming a powerful swordsman in combat.

What follows is a series of battles against powerful demons, with minor moments of respite in between. There are many reasons why Demon Slayer has become such a popular show, and the amazing animation during its many awe-inspiring battle scenes is one of the main reasons why.

Jujutsu Kaisen

MyAnimeList Score: 8.63/10

Another anime that has become all the rage in modern times is Jujutsu Kaisen, with the story of Yuji Itadori and his twisted relationship with Ryomen Sukuna being quite fascinating to watch. The use of cursed energy in this series to fuel attacks and develop unique powers makes for a great time, with the show becoming a massive hit around the globe for its unique use of these powerups.

Jujutsu Kaisen's unique blend of humor, action, and horror makes its scenes pop out quite a bit, and the series doesn't shy away from relentlessly showing several action set pieces that are a blast to witness in every way. It helps that the characters are all pretty unique and engaging in their own way, making it easy to see why fans are finding the wait for the next season to be positively agonizing.

Tokyo Ghoul

MyAnimeList Score: 7.79/10

Tokyo Ghoul is one of the biggest what-ifs in anime history, which is a shame given the immense quality of its first season. Barring an original ending, the show was pretty faithful to the manga and did a great job of adapting the gory action that fans of the series are intimately familiar with.

However, later seasons were a royal disappointment that rushed throughout the manga's chapters, focusing mostly on the action and even switching up the narrative, which is a cardinal sin for any anime. That being said, there's no denying that the animation was still brilliant during these battles, with Kaneki's evolved powers looking mesmerizing at times.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

MyAnimeList Score: 7.89/10

Best believe that an anime based on a fighting game has countless action sequences and is far from the standard issue combat; this is JoJo's Bizarre Universe, after all! With five seasons to choose from, each unique arc focuses on a different aspect of the Joestar Clan as they master their Stand abilities and artfully eliminate the enemy while attempting to lift the family's curse.

The most recent addition to this franchise is Stone Ocean, which follows Jotaro's daughter, Jolyne Cujoh, as she navigates through the prison system while a mysterious mastermind tries his hand at playing God. The fact that the girls take the lead this time around does little to dampen the bloodshed and instead offers back-to-back battles as Joylne and her crew fight for their lives.

Chainsaw Man

MyAnimeList Score: 8.54/10

Denji took the world by storm after he merged his dying form with an adorably demonic dog and received bonus chainsaw accessories and a new purpose in life as a result. There are no holds barred depicting how much damage Denji's hardware can inflict, and amazingly, he's not even the strongest guy around!

The ladies are a force of nature in their own right and dominate on the battlefield with their hardcore assaults (and refusing to allow the ecchi factor to deprive of the fight scenes' quality). Funny, ferocious, and surprisingly sentimental, Chainsaw Man ticks all the boxes for most anime fans out there.

Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

MyAnimeList Score: 9.04/10

While the older seasons of Bleach often get bogged down with torturous filler episodes, the Thousand Year Blood War has caught up with the times and subsequently jammed exciting action scenes into each episode (so far.) Chaos reigns upon Ichigo and his friends from the very beginning, and they barely get a moment to catch their breath as humans, Soul Reapers, and Hollows team up against an all-new foe (or rather, a really old one!)

Set not long after the Arrancar Arc (approximately 1.5 years), both Sereitei and Hueco Mundo are in desperate need of the Substitute Soul Reaper's assistance, and the team is spread thin as the believed-to-be-dead Quincy attack on all fronts. The Shinigami find themselves helpless for the first time, and the Espada are desperately missing their Queen; meanwhile, the fate of the Universe lies in the balance.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

MyAnimeList Score: 8.60/10

If Cyberpunk: Edgerunner's artwork doesn't captivate viewers, then the jaw-dropping battle mechanics will; this RPG-inspired show blows the term 'cyborg' right out of the water! While genetic enhancements are the norm in the dystopian Night City, some extremists take things to the next level, turning themselves into deadly machines (while putting their own lives on the line in the process.)

Battling the internal demons of Cyberpsychosis while struggling to survive against the nefarious forces of Arasaka and Millitech is guaranteed to keep anyone on their toes. The veterans may have some experience in the matter, but does a novice like young David have what it takes to live another day?

My Hero Academia

MyAnimeList Score: 7.88/10

Training to become a Hero without possessing natural-born superpowers is a tall task indeed, but Izuku Midoriya's determination can overcome any obstacle. The Villains, however, are discontent with the distribution of power in society and wish to dethrone the false Heroes, while the UA students somehow end up entangled in their schemes at every turn.

There are a few brief moments of inactivity sprinkled through My Hero Academia's timeline where things are toned down; however, the show is predominantly a classic battle shonen, and action is always around the corner. The first cour of Season 6, in particular, dishes out a consistent supply of combat and intrigue. Awesome worldbuilding combined with captivating Quirks and a debatable moral code (for Heroes and Villains) provides enough suspense to keep viewers glued to the edge of their seats.

Attack On Titan

MyAnimeList Score: 8.54/10

Attack on Titan should need no introduction. It’s about the last remnants of humanity holding out in various walled cities, safe from the terror of giant human-like monsters known as Titans. That is until the peace is disturbed when the Colossal and Armored Titan make a resounding appearance that completely changes Eren's life for good.

There is some political intrigue and quieter moments, especially in seasons 2 and 4, in between the heart-pounding action, but more often than not, every episode is a thrill ride. No one is safe — even characters that seem like a big deal. It's the intense nature of the action coupled with the hopeless nature of the world that makes Attack on Titan such a brilliant show.

Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress

MyAnimeList Score: 7.27/10

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress was actually directed by the same man behind a majority of Attack on Titan, Tetsuro Araki. It has a similar concept in that humanity is on the brink of extinction. The big differences are that zombies (called Kabane) are killing people, and the setting is in a steampunk version of samurai-era Japan.

The anime is very short, but there is a sequel movie as well that is worth checking out. The anime delivers near-constant action that is well-animated. As soon as viewers are able to get past the AoT similarities and take a moment to appreciate the gruesome, twisted content before them, jam-packed with intricately detailed and beautifully choreographed confrontations, they will understand what makes Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress so epic!

Kill La Kill

MyAnimeList Score: 8.04/10

Kill la Kill was the premiere anime for Studio Trigger, and they hit it out of the park. The plot follows Ryuko, a girl who is looking for her father’s killer. The city she travels to operates on a class system which she is also trying to bring down with her iconic scissor blade.

Ryuko also has a talking outfit that boosts her strength; unfortunately, the enemy students also have their own useful clothes in the form of the Goku Uniforms. The animation is without rivals, which makes the action an absolute treat to watch.

Hellsing & Hellsing Ultimate

MyAnimeList Score: 7.49 (Hellsing), 8.35/10 (Hellsing Ultimate)

Hellsing has two anime adaptations from the manga. The first veered off course heavily but is still worth a watch just for the music alone. The reboot, Hellsing Ultimate, follows the manga closer and is considered the better of the two iterations. Both anime have a ton of action in them and are relatively short.

On the downside, the character development leaves a lot to be desired in this bloody vampire festival of gore and sarcasm. Hellsing Ultimate is perfect for the hungry action fans out there who want over-the-top characters, vicious action, and great animation.

One-Punch Man

MyAnimeList Score: 8.50/10

One-Punch Man is like a parody of superhero shows. The main character, Saitama, trained "super hard," and now he can defeat any enemy with a single punch. His appearance looks silly, so people don’t take him seriously, a mistake many villains come to regret.

The comedy comes into play best when villains monologue about how strong they are, only to be defeated with barely a tap from Saitama. It’s a great takedown of the genre but also has some exciting fights with other characters.

The God Of High School

MyAnimeList Score: 7.07/10

The God of High School is a tournament show that has everyone signing up to win big. There’s more to the anime than just nonsensical brawling, but most episodes have a lot of combat in them. It looks great too.

This show is based on a South Korean manhwa by Yongje Park, which released its third volume early this year. While not Japanese in origin, The God of High School still looks the part and is epic all the same for those really craving some well-choreographed fist-to-fist action.

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex

MyAnimeList Score: 8.42/10

Ghost in the Shell started off as a manga but became more famous after its anime adaptation came out in 1995. The movie still looks great and has some amazing action, ideas, and music; however, it doesn't have the time to explore the characters in a significant way.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, which consists of two full-length seasons and a movie, manages to strike a better balance. Characters seem more human, especially the Major, who doesn’t come off as a total robot. Don’t worry, as there is still plenty of cool cyberpunk action.

Btooom!

MyAnimeList Score: 7.29/10

Btooom! is like a Battle Royale clone in that the main characters are all sent to a mysterious island. They wake up with bombs and are urged to kill each other in order to survive and get supplies. It’s a dark anime that, unfortunately, was only one season long.

Sadly, Btooom! ended with a lot of questions still up in the air. Although its lack of a continuation is a little disappointing, the anime's action is still great. Plus, the manga is much longer for those who do actually want to get some answers.

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