The film category of anime isn't a genre in and of itself; rather, it comprises series and films of all kinds with the distinct style of Japanese animation. The top anime genres vary with what shows are popular at the moment, but they typically feature the same elements of comedy, romance, or science fiction. There are many genres of anime for shows to be classified under, from more obscure ones like iyashikei to well-known staples like shonen.

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In each genre lies at least one of the most popular anime of all time, from Sailor Moon to Naruto. These iconic, top-watched shows are excellent ways to explore each anime category. To get a good feel of what each genre of anime has to offer, check out the top animated series that defined their specific subgroup.

Updated on December 3, 2022, by Levana Chester-Londt: Haters of this thriving industry based on their experience with certain derogatory tropes (such as the sexualization of females or lack of black character representation) clearly haven't done their research. Anime may all be, well, animated, but as the Otaku Populus can testify, there is certainly something for everyone regardless of age or gender.

Although many series fall into stereotypical traps, other anime genres are expected to exploit these tropes for entertainment purposes, while certain shows are filled with nothing but respectable, heartwarming content. Just knowing which types of anime to look for will undoubtedly change one's viewing experience, for the better! For those who aren't fluent in Japanese, discerning the different anime genre meanings may seem confusing and complicated, but this comprehensive list will certainly steer viewers in the right direction.

18 Drama - A Silent Voice

silent voice anime

Not all popular anime are action-packed or humorous, as many stellar storylines focus on serious issues and sentimental content, focusing substantially on character development. It would be tough to find someone who has watched A Silent Voice and not shed a tear at some point, as this moving narrative is an emotional rollercoaster dealing with depression, disabilities, suicidal tendencies, and the brutality of bullying. There is not a lot of lighthearted content in this movie, but it is certain to leave the audience with a warm fuzzy feeling by the end!

Shoko Nishimiya struggles to integrate into her new school and becomes an easy target due to her hearing impairment, with Shoya Ishida enthusiastically participating in tormenting her. When things go too far, Shoya gets a taste of his own medicine when he is ostracized by his classmates, and begins to obsessively grapple with his intense guilt while trying to somehow earn Shoko's forgiveness.

17 Historical - Rose of Versailles

The Rose of Versailles anime

Rose of Versailles is not considered a historical anime because of how old the series is (which debuted way back in 1979), but rather because the entire plot revolves around the French Revolution and is an intriguing spin on the iconic Marie Antoinette tale. Set in the palace of Versailles, this story follows a Parisian noblewoman who is raised as a boy under the name of Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes, because her father was in desperate need of a male heir.

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The older Lady Oscar gets, the more complicated things become, eventually leading to a crossroads, as she must decide whether to dedicate her energy to the masculine role of savior and protector in the Royal Guard or walk a more feminine path instead. Don't be perturbed by the fact that this classic love story only has one season, as there are forty episodes crammed into it to keep fans thoroughly entertained.

16 Josei - Nana

nana anime main characters

Similar to shojo series, josei targets a female audience but caters to adults rather than kids and teens. While there is often a romantic subplot roaming around, chasing after handsome men is not the entire focus of this genre, which often attempts to empower women (and not their derogatory stereotypes.)

Two girls sharing the same name and with little else in common end up living together in Tokyo and subsequently become inseparable besties supporting each other's dreams. Nana Osaki seeks fame and fortune, while Nana Komatsu is more interested in cultivating her love life, but, unfortunately, the closer they come to their aspirations, the more their friendship is jeopardized, and some difficult decisions must be made.

15 Supernatural - Castlevania

Platformer Anime- Castlevania Trevor Sypha Alucard

Within this broad scope of supernatural anime content, Castlevania stands out from the rest by addressing the intricacies of the paranormal realm from all sides with vampires, demonic monstrosities, mages, necromancers, minotaurs, cyclopses, a dhampyr, and even Death personified; the list goes on! With a medieval setting overflowing with magic, anything seems possible; however, do the humans stand a chance against such superpowered adversaries?

In an effort to thwart Vlad "Dracula" Tepes' murderous warpath, three unlikely allies team up to protect the innocent (while trying not to kill each other in the process!) Meanwhile, Dracula has some rebellious vampire subordinates to contend with, and only his loyal human companions to rely on for support; oh the irony!

14 Musical - Carole and Tuesday

Carole and Tuesday in Carole & Tuesday

Countless musical anime follow the pop-icon route and, although this trope effectively entertains the masses, the actual musical elements often fall to the sidelines of the storyline. In contrast, Carole and Tuesday revolve everything around their music, with each episode introducing sensational performances accompanied by a breathtaking musical score and some of the most inspired lyrics written for an anime series.

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The girl's passion for melody is utterly contagious as they compete against other talented stars who are all making their claim to fame in the Mars Brightest Competition. This uplifting series does not shy away from addressing serious topics to create a well-rounded narrative, while the diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters helps to spice up the storyline significantly.

13 Romance - Fruits Basket

Fruits-Basket-Season-2

One of the most popular genres of film and television of all time, animated or not, is romance. People love watching people fall in love, in all sorts of circumstances and fictional worlds. One anime that sticks out above all the rest when it comes to romance is Fruits Basket, a show based on a best-selling rom-com manga.

It's safe to say that Fruits Basket is way more than an average teen romance story. It deeply explores each of its incredible characters, features dangerous curses, and highlights important friend and family relationships as well as romance. This show is guaranteed to make audiences blush, in a good way!

12 Comedy - Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran-Highschool-Host-Club

Many shows feature comedy as a secondary genre, their primary focus being fantasy or romance, or adventure. Thus it's hard to pick just one anime series that captures comedy at its finest. One show that is iconic for its goofy jokes, fantastic banter, and hilarious plotlines is Ouran High School Host Club.

This show definitely has some cheesy love elements, but it stays true to the lighthearted, over-the-top, and truly wacky nature of comedy anime. The kind-hearted yet spoiled rotten host club boys have the most knee-slapping interactions with the middle-class Haruhi, and their contrasting dynamic makes for incredible comedic situations.

11 Seinen - Berserk

Berserk-Seinen-Anime

Seinen is a genre that typically caters to an audience of men 18 and older, but can still be relatable to many other viewers as well. A highly loved yet highly controversial anime that took off with the Seinen genre is Berserk.

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This series is controversial only because passionate fans of the manga were put off by the inaccuracy of the animated adaptation. However, it still reigns as one of the most iconic and popular seinen anime for its grittiness, action, and impressive characters. This dark show features many mature themes in its ominous European-inspired fantasy world and is a great choice for viewers who want something more mature.

10 Isekai - Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online Anime

Isekai is a genre of anime in which the main characters enter a new world unlike their own, typically resembling an MMORPG or fantasy land. Sword Art Online was originally released back in 2013, and it boosted the genre into the spotlight.

The show has faced a fair amount of backlash and criticism for unoriginal characters and repetitive plots, but still, it was the start of something greater. Since its release, dozens of other shows involving virtual worlds or video-game-like settings have sprung into popularity, including the beloved That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

9 Mecha - Mobile Suit Gundam

Original Mobile Suit Gundam

This iconic anime from the late 70s is one of the most popular, well-known, and continued anime in Japan. There was even a life-sized Gundam created in Yokohama! Mobile Suit Gundam was the biggest show to boost viewers' interest in Mecha anime.

There have been many shows and films inspired by this classic story, and it's not tricky to see why. It's exciting, full of action, and it was a brand new concept animated in such a stunning way.

8 Sports - Haikyuu!!

Shoyo and Yu Celebrating

Athletically-orientated anime have taken over the industry and they're not slowing down any time soon. Name any competitive physical game, whether it's soccer, ice skating, or badminton, and viewers are guaranteed to find a sports anime about it.

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Haikyuu!! is definitely the most popular and well-received sports anime that defined the genre, with its hilarious and relatable characters, nail-biting competitions, and budding friendships. It's a classic that will go down in anime history.

7 Psychological - Death Note

Light, L, and Ryuk from Death Note

Death Note continues to reign as one of the best anime series of all time. It is a common show that people not familiar with anime watch to get into the animated film scene, since it avoids any of the weirder, funkier, and sometimes perverted tropes that other anime tend to have.

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Death Note is iconic for its drawn-out psychological games between the main characters and the plot twists at each and every turn.

6 Horror - Elfen Lied

Lucy sad and hurt

This dark horror anime went viral back at its release in 2004 and continues to be one of the creepiest and most famous horror shows in the genre. Elfen Lied is set in a world where a newly mutated species similar to but stronger than humans is threatening to wipe out the Earth's population to replace it with their own.

The series highlights societal inequalities, questions humanity, and comments on genetic discrimination. While other horror media use bloody ghosts and fantastical beasts to be spooky, this series terrifyingly pits violence against humans and their mutated counterparts.

5 Adventure - One Piece

Luffy and the crew posing

Considering Luffy and his crew have been on their grand adventure since 1999, this classic series takes the top spot in the Adventure genre.

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The manga it is based on began in 1997 and is still being written and animated to this day, making it one of the longest-running anime of all time. The manga is also leading as the best-selling manga series in history! The plot of One Piece is simply one gigantic pirate-filled adventure across the mystical seas, with powerful enemies and even more powerful protagonists.

4 Sci-Fi - Cowboy Bebop

Spike Smoking Cigarette

This popular anime from 1998 stands as arguably the best sci-fi anime out there. The story follows the charming Spike Spiegel and his ragtag crew of bounty hunters traveling through space to make some cash.

There's an overlying main story arc that concludes in a powerful way, mixing in intense, serious themes to the fun, easy-going vibe of the show. Cowboy Bebop has millions of fans who continue to watch and promote the show to everyone they know.

3 Slice of Life - Clannad

Clannad Anime

The Clannad anime was based on a visual novel of the same name. The show follows the main character Tomoya Okazaki, a high school delinquent who has his life flipped upside down when he becomes friends with a girl named Nagisa Furukawa.

The show is loved for its realistic character development, comedy, and emotional effects. A sequel series called Clannad After Story continues the story and gained just as many diehard fans as the first series.

2 Shoujo - Sailor Moon

Usagi Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon is the end-all, be-all, greatest shoujo/magical girl anime to ever exist. The early 90s show inspired so many future anime focused on powerful female characters and magical themes. It affected anime genres of every kind, including its male counterpart, shonen anime.

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Sailor Moon and her fantastic team of magic-wielding young women continue to be just as popular as ever, with many games, sequels, toys, and remakes being popularized every year. It has romance, adorable friendships, humor, and tons of cute artwork.

1 Shonen - Dragon Ball

Goku ready to battle

It shouldn't be a surprise that Dragon Ball is the defining anime that shaped shonen anime as we know it today. The original manga and show were created back in the 80s and new series based on the classic are still being animated to this day.

There are very few anime characters who can be identified as easily as Goku, and even people who don't watch anime will know what is being referenced when they hear "Kamehameha!" It's a classic that continues to be watched and loved even nearly 40 years after its initial premiere.

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