Available in the United States, VRV is a streaming service that combines different subscriptions: Crunchyroll, Mondo Media, and VRV Select. Out of those three, Crunchyroll's library makes up the majority of VRV's catalog, so anime fans are well served by the platform.

Costing $9.99 per month, VRV is certainly worth considering for those who have access to it or prefer its video player over Crunchyroll's. Let's take a look at some of the best anime on VRV that might not be as well-known as shows like Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer.

To avoid overlap, this article excludes shows mentioned in this collection covering the best anime on Crunchyroll. Please note that 99% of those series are on VRV. Conversely, the anime listed in this article are also on Crunchyroll.

Best Anime On VRV

Covering a wide spectrum of genres, VRV should have an anime to suit everyone's needs. The service also has quite a few currently airing shows, but those will be omitted from this discussion.

A Certain Scientific Railgun

VRV has the entire A Certain Magical Index franchise, including the main series, its movie, Accelerator's spin-off, and A Certain Scientific Railgun. Out of all those releases, Railgun is considered to be the strongest by quite a margin, particularly its sequel seasons. Revolving predominantly around Mikoto Misaka, the anime initially has a slice of life tone before it dives into pure sci-fi territory with arcs dealing with clones and identity. The Sisters Arc is a masterpiece.

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Familiarity with A Certain Magical Index is not required to enjoy Railgun as the spin-off does a great job of re-establishing any recurring characters along with the franchise's main setting, Academy City.

Bunny Drop

Bunny Drop tells the wholesome tale of a directionless adult adopting the illegitimate daughter of his grandfather. While their relationship gets off to a rocky start, Daikichi Kawachi and Rin Kaga quickly grow to love each other; in the meantime, they blossom as people.

Besides an uncomfortable but still fantastic pilot episode, Bunny Drop is relaxing and charming. The slice of life anime is also firmly grounded in reality, both in the way the show presents its characters and its flashes of humor.

Akagi

Feel like watching a show about mahjong? Correction, feel like watching an extremely tense show about mahjong, life and death stakes, and an addiction to adrenaline? Akagi is named after its protagonist, a young gambler who cannot turn down a bet. Akagi also happens to be something of a genius when it comes to mahjong.

Similar to shows like Kaiji and One Outs, Akagi has a seedy aesthetic that matches its suspenseful atmosphere. Animated by Madhouse, this anime grips viewers from the first second.

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is a rare breed of anime, one that covers a subject seldom touched upon by the industry. A single-person theatrical art, rakugo is on the decline in Japan, something Studio Deen explores through the experiences of its dual protagonists.

An ex-con, Yotaro is enamored by rakugo and asks Yakumo, a master, to take him on as an apprentice. Along with covering Yotaro's growth as a person and performer, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju also flashes back to reveal Yakumo's history.

Golden Boy

Ecchi has a less-than-stellar reputation, being synonymous with low-effort shows that use fanservice as a crutch in lieu of interesting characters or engaging stories. Golden Boy is, in many ways, the quintessential ecchi anime, one that showcases nearly all the tropes associated with the genre. It is also a cult classic and one of the funniest series of the 1990s.

Kintaro travels across Japan seeking odd jobs and beautiful women, two avenues that simultaneously highlight the protagonist's general incompetence and endearing charm. Golden Boy is still risky by today's standards, but the show's enduring legacy can be credited to its deft and diverse comedic touch.

Space Brothers

The Space Brothers in question as Mutta and Hibito, two siblings who made a promise to go to space. While the latter pursued this dream, the former dropped it somewhere along the way. When he loses his job, Mutta is encouraged by Hibito to once again aim for the stars.

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Space Brothers takes a relatively realistic (and optimistic) look at the process of becoming an astronaut and space travel in general. Although quite slow-paced, Space Brothers' characters are very strong, particularly Mutta.

Black Clover

After weathering an initial wave of criticism, Black Clover quickly found its footing and developed into one of the better long-running battle shonen anime to debut in the 2010s. In a world that prioritizes magical prowess, Asta's lack of magic appeared to doom him to a life defined by irrelevancy and powerlessness; however, this setback did nothing to discourage the orphan from pursuing his dream of becoming the Wizard King. Somehow, Asta receives a black grimoire despite his magical ineptitude, and he winds up joining the Magic Knight's Black Bulls, a squad consisting of nothing but outcasts.

Black Clover has a great roster of characters, and the anime dedicates arcs to flesh out most of the Black Bulls. As the show progress, its storylines get progressively more ambitious and satisfying.

My Love Story!!

A delightful twist on the shojo genre, My Love Story!! tells the heartwarming tale of Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato's romance. Although he has a heart of gold, Takeo's large frame tends to put girls off, most of whom usually feel attracted to his traditionally handsome friend, Makoto Sunakawa. Rinko is the exception.

My Love Story!! does not waste too much time in bringing Takeo and Rinko together, allowing the anime to explore their romantic relationship rather than just their journey toward one. They are also just adorable, and while their time together is not always smooth sailing, it is rarely stressful.

Fist Of The North Star

The most classic of classic battle shonen anime, Fist of the North Star's shadow washes over so many of the demographic's greatest releases over the last three decades. Set in a Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic world, the anime follows Kenshiro, a martial artist with strict rules and the ability to decimate people before they even know they have been hit.

Fist of the North Star's animation is naturally dated since the show aired during the 1980s, but the anime's storytelling holds up shockingly well, especially in the second half of its run. This series continues to be referenced to this day for a reason – it is one of the all-time greats.

Fire Force

Based on a manga by Atsushi Ookubo, the creator of Soul Eater, Fire Force is an action-packed shonen series that is likely to hit the mark for anyone fond of shows such as One Piece and Fairy Tail. In this universe, an event left most countries in flames and caused people to spontaneously combust, becoming Infernals in the process. Consequently, the Fire Force was created to stop these incidents.

Putting aside some polarizing comedy and fanservice, Fire Force is mostly an easy watch. The heroes are generally likable, while the villains are intimidating and interesting. The animation is also consistently good, particularly during the fight sequences.

Mob Psycho 100

From the same mind that blessed the world with One-Punch Man comes Mob Psycho 100, a series that expertly blends comedy, slice of life, action, and emotion. Shigeo Kageyama is an extremely powerful psychic who constantly pushes down his emotions to keep a lid on his abilities. With nobody to turn to for guidance, the soft-spoken teenager leads a life of solitude, at least until he finds a mentor in Reigen Arataka, a con artist pretending to be a spirit medium.

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Mob Psycho 100 establishes a touching relationship between Shigeo and Reigen, one that permits both characters to flourish and grow. The action is also spectacular, although that is to be expected from an anime by Studio Bones.

ReLIFE

What would you give to receive a second chance at growing up? ReLIFE takes this concept and runs with it. Set in a universe with de-aging technology, the directionless Arata Kaizaki is presented with the opportunity to return to high school as a student, all with the purpose that he uses this experience to properly contribute as an adult.

Wonderfully written and emotionally effective, ReLIFE uses its sci-fi premise as grounds to explore the psyches of not just Arata but also the anime's secondary characters, particularly Chizuru Hishiro. Although comedic during its first few episodes, ReLIFE gradually shifts its focus to drama, and it handles both tones well.

Full Metal Panic!

Full Metal Panic! comes in two forms: the primarily action-driven main series and the Fumoffu gag anime spin-off. Despite being very different beasts, both of these incarnations are stellar and do a great job of highlighting the strength of FMP!'s characters.

Mecha fans should give the primary seasons a try, and the anime improves steadily as it goes along. For those who can take or leave the main show and are looking for a comedy similar to something like Gintama, Fumoffu is a must-watch.

Classroom Of The Elite

In order to give them a specialized education, Japan assembles its best and brightest teenagers in a school that emphasizes autonomy and competitiveness. The academy puts its students through rigorous challenges, pitting classes against each other in physical and mental battles. Assigned to the worst class, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji is the definition of an average student, or at least that seems to be the case.

Classroom of the Elite consists of a series of mind-games, all of which present enthralling dilemmas that push the characters to their limit. The anime also loves a good twist and a lengthy monologue, and the writing is strong enough to make these scenes work. Season 3 has been announced for 2023, so this is the perfect time to binge the available episodes.

The Fruit Of Grisaia

Based on a visual novel, The Fruit of Grisaia is a harem anime for those who do not like the genre's typical releases. Yuuji Kazami transfers to a school that only has a couple of female students, and he quickly finds himself dealing with their issues.

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On the surface, that is a rather standard premise for a harem, however, The Fruit of Grisaia takes its story to some dark and real places. A disconcerting sit at times, The Fruit of Grisaia is unsettling, complex, and suspenseful. The characters are all well-written, particularly the lead.

Yakitate!! Japan

Food Wars was hardly the first anime to take a shonen approach to the art of cooking, and some people might even argue that Yakitate!! Japan did it better. For all its exquisite cuisine, Japan cannot quite match some other countries when it comes to bread; at least, that's until Kazuma Azuma shows up with hands seemingly designed by the gods to bake. The lovable protagonist joins Pantasia, a bakery, and sets out to change the bread game forever.

Yakitate!! Japan is absolutely hilarious, largely thanks to its fantastic roster of main characters. Azuma is a solid lead, but he is constantly overshadowed by the anime's bigger personalities like Ken Matsushiro and Kyousuke Kawachi. Whether delivering a training arc or dropping the bakers in a tournament, this anime is just a joy to watch.

Best Non-Anime Series On VRV

VRV's non-anime library is a major reason why someone might subscribe to this platform over Crunchyroll. Consequently, here are a few of the best live-action and Western animated series on VRV.

Lastman

A prequel to a French comic, Lastman is a genre-bending adult cartoon that is packed to the brim with '80s-esque action, twists, and clever writing. With each episode lasting 10 minutes, Lastman moves at a blistering but never overwhelming pace. Even as things go off the rails, the story still manages to make sense, even if things do not always work out well for the heroes. This is a mature series that is packed with violent scenes and also sexual content, so please keep that in mind before starting Lastman.

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Gary And His Demons

A unique take on the Chosen One concept, Gary and His Demons refers to a hero who is long past his prime as a demon slayer. More than sick of this responsibility and feeling disconnected from his peers and the world he has dedicated decades to protecting, Gary's "demons" are both literal and metaphorical. Created for the Mondo Media channel, Gary and His Demons is only available on VRV, and it is one of the main reasons to pick up a subscription.

Final Space

Final Space is such a delight. Gary Goodspeed is a lovable idiot who winds up befriending an alien that can destroy planets, which unsurprisingly attracts quite a bit of danger. Funny, heartfelt, and filled with memorable twists, Final Space is a space opera that starts small and gradually expands to extraordinary lengths. Also, David Tennant voices the main villain, so that's awesome. Unfortunately, VRV does not have season 3 of the show.

Killjoys

A Canadian sci-fi series about three bounty hunters, Killjoys is simply a fun time. While not devoid of ideas that might inspire discussion, this show predominantly focuses on delivering entertaining action, witty dialogue, and fun characters. The leads are all charismatic and bounce off each other brilliantly, while the minor characters are generally memorable in their own right. Killjoys is the perfect series to throw on when someone wants to shut their brain off for a couple of hours.

Kamen Rider Series

The Summer 2022 anime season has Fuuto Pi, a sequel to 2009's live-action Kamen Rider W. These two shows are just a drop in the bucket that is this universe, one that has been around since 1971. Since then, there have been more than 30 Kamen Rider tokusatsu series, along with dozens upon dozens of movies, specials, and games. The franchise, as a whole, can be overwhelming, but VRV does provide an entry point by containing three seasons in its ranks.

The streaming service has the original Kamen Rider, 2002's Kamen Rider Ryuki, and 2019's Kamen Rider Zero-One. All of these series highlight different eras in the franchise, and they serve as a solid introduction to this vast catalog of content. Zero-One is particularly great.

Super Sentai Series

In the United States, people might be familiar with Power Rangers, a decades-long property featuring charmingly cheesy acting, mechas, and corny villains. That beloved series is based on Super Sentai, with Power Rangers' fight sequences being derived from the iconic Japanese franchise. Debuting during the mid-1970s, Super Sentai is currently on its 46th season, and the series has shown no indication that it plans to slow down anytime soon.

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VRV has most of the '90s seasons, along with a few that spilled over into the early 2000s. While they do occasionally reference other eras, most seasons try to do their own thing in order to not put off newcomers. Also, just to be clear, Super Sentai is not Power Rangers. The Japanese show has a considerably darker, more mature tone, making it arguably a better fit for older viewers.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Arguably one of the most influential shows of all time, Mystery Science Theater 3000 legacy can be seen in Rifftrax and the myriad of YouTube channels dedicated to comedic commentary. In the grand scheme of things, VRV only has a small selection of MST3K goodness, but each episode is 90 minutes long. Therefore, this is still a lot of material to get through, and it is all quality.

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