Do you believe that anime needs a dozen episodes to leave a lasting impact? If yes, you are absolutely wrong. Sometimes, a handful of episodes delivers an unforgettable experience with the gripping narrative, amazing visuals, and intense themes. So, if you don’t want to spend weeks or months watching an anime, here are the 10 best short anime series that you shouldn’t ignore.
10. Paranoia Agent
- Release Date: February 3, 2004
- Director: Satoshi Kon
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 13
- MyAnimeList: 7.66
Paranoia Agent is yet another anime that won’t take up that much of your time, but will leave a lasting impression on you with its amazing story. The anime features the story of a mysterious young boy who is allegedly attacking several people with his baseball bat. The payoff as to who this boy actually is and why he is attacking these people will surely leave you scratching your head at the very end of the story.
Oh, talking about the story, let me tell you this short anime, like other anime on the list, doesn’t stretch for multiple episodes. Paranoia Agent only has 13 episodes, so you can basically finish it in a single sitting.
9. 91 Days
- Release Date: July 9, 2016
- Director: Hiro Kaburagi
- Studio:
Shuka - Episodes: 12
- MyAnimeList: 7.82
Praised for its historical atmosphere and intense narrative, 91 Days is one of the most underrated and best short anime series that deserves your attention. It is indeed a piece of art that won’t let you blink your eyes from the beginning to the end. The anime will blow your mind in the first episode, and it only gets better with each subsequent episode. So, if you haven’t yet watched this masterpiece, you’re really missing out on something crucial as an anime fanatic.
91 Days is a slow-burning thriller that revolves around Angelo Lagus, a young man who goes into hiding following a tragic incident that changed him forever. However, seven years later, under the alias Avilio Bruno, he returns to the lawless district to seek revenge from those who snatched everything from him.
8. Terror in Resonance
- Release Date: July 10, 2014
- Director: Shinichirō Watanabe
- Studio:
MAPPA - Episodes: 11
- MyAnimeList: 8.08
Terror in Resonance is definitely a binge-worthy short anime series that no anime fanatic should miss. Animated by MAPPA, the anime features really gorgeous visuals that leave you speechless. Besides that, it’s the gripping storyline, complicated characters, and the high-stakes emotional depth that make Terror in Resonance find a place among the best short anime series of all time.
Terror in Resonance follows two teenage boys called Nine and Twelve. They grew up as human weapons, and after growing up, they adopted the nickname “Sphinx.” The duo orchestrates a number of terrorist attacks in Tokyo, capturing the attention of the police and the young detective Shibazaki. However, as the story moves forward, every viewer gets to know that their true motives are far from simple villainy.
7. Death Parade
- Release Date: January 9, 2015
- Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa and Jun Shishido
- Studio:
Madhouse - Episodes: 12
- MyAnimeList: 8.13
Death Parade is a great watch for the striking animation, morally complex story, strong themes, amazing characters, and the top-notch soundtrack. The way it blends the psychological elements and the human drama makes it look grounded but also equally gripping. Those who have watched the psychological thriller anime call it a hidden gem.
The anime depicts the souls of recently deceased people being sent to a mysterious bar in the afterlife. There, they are made to play several dead games; their performance in the games determines whether they will be reborn or exiled.
6. Anohana
- Release Date: April 14, 2011
- Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Episodes: 11
- MyAnimeList: 8.29
Anohana is a tear-jerker anime that evokes strong emotions in its viewers. It is one such anime appreciated for its emotional depth. It balances three pivotal elements of the story, ie, heartbreak, humor, and nostalgia. Moreover, A-1 Pictures’ stunning animation and vibrant summer landscapes naturally amplify the emotional weight of the anime.
Anohana revolves around a group of friends who grew distant after one of the members of the group died tragically when they were kids. However, the fractured group reunites in their teenage years, when their former leader starts seeing the ghost of their deceased friend.
5. Erased
- Release Date: January 8, 2016
- Director: Tomohiko Itō
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Episodes: 12
- MyAnimeList: 8.30
Erased is considered an anime with the most compelling premise. It blends serious themes like loneliness, abuse, and redemption in such a way that you won’t feel bored with the anime even for a second. Additionally, unlike most other anime, Erased features a flawed protagonist with whom the audience easily connects, making it one of the best short anime series that should be on your watchlist.
Erased tells a story of Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old struggling mangaka, whose mother dies a tragic death in his own home. However, with his unique ability called Revival, he travels back in time to prevent the tragedy and save the person he loves the most.
4. Cyberpunk Edgerunners
- Release Date: September 13, 2022
- Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
- Studio: Trigger and CD Projekt
- Episodes: 10
- MyAnimeList: 8.62
Cyberpunk Edgerunners is a masterpiece, period. Isn’t that enough? Should I convince you even more? Well, in that case, let me tell you that Edgerunners is based on CD Projekt Red’s incredible Cyberpunk game. What everyone predicted to be a mediocre anime turned out to be an unforgettable story. The original characters, the music, and of course, the incredible Night City in Edgerunners will take you by surprise. And to top it all, the anime only has 10 episodes. You should definitely not skip this short anime series.
3. Violet Evergarden
- Release Date: January 11, 2018
- Director: Taichi Ishidate and Haruka Fujita
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Episodes: 13
- MyAnimeList: 8.69
Violet Evergarden is praised for its character development and strong supporting characters. Besides that, Kyoto Animation left no stone unturned in making the anime visually appealing and a treat for the eyes. The well-crafted storyline and the steady pacing make Violet Evergarden one of the greatest anime series of all time.
It revolves around Violet Evergarden, an orphan girl raised as a child soldier during the war. With the trauma of the brutal war, Violet is sent to a postal company to take the job of an Auto Memory Doll. This job makes her write letters on behalf of others to get accustomed to human emotions.
2. Cowboy Bebop
- Release Date: October 23, 1998
- Director: Shinichirō Watanabe
- Studio: Sunrise
- Episodes: 26
- MyAnimeList: 8.75
Honestly, if you haven’t heard about Cowboy Bebop, then you are surely living under a rock. Cowboy Bebop is an original anime that is still considered one of the best anime series of all time. The music, characters, and overall environment are simply unforgettable. We might see several space cowboy anime in the coming years, but nobody, I mean nobody, can dethrone Spike from Cowboy Bebop. Like other anime series in the past, Cowboy Bebop is also a short anime series that has only 26 episodes.
1. Steins;Gate
- Release Date: January 11, 2018
- Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki
- Studio: White Fox
- Episodes: 24
- MyAnimeList: 9.07
Steins;Gate is one of the best sci-fi anime shows of all time. The anime flexes an incredible story that catches you off guard with its amazing twists and turns. The story basically revolves around a couple of people who stumble upon a time travel device that lets them send messages to their past selves. Overall, it is a great anime that set a standard for several sci-fi anime series, and the best part is that you only have to watch 24 episodes to complete this series.
Shashank Shakya
