15 Best Short Anime Series You Can’t Afford to Miss

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.

Best Short Anime Series Overview

Below is a table that will let you make an educated choice of which short anime you would like to watch in 2026:

Anime Name	Details
Paranoia Agent	Release date: February 2, 2004 Director: Satoshi Kon Studio: Madhouse Episodes: 13 Seasons: 1 MAL: 7.66
91 Days	Release date: July 9, 2016 Director: Hiro Kaburagi Studio: Shuka Episodes: 12 Seasons: 1 MAL: 7.82
Terror in Resonance	Release date: July 10, 2014 Director: Shinichiro Watanabe Studio: MAPPA Episodes: 11 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.08
Death Parade	Release date: January 9, 2015 Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa Studio: Madhouse Episodes: 12 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.13
Anohana	Release date: April 15, 2011 Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai Studio: A-1 Pictures Episodes: 11 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.29
Erased	Release date: January 8, 2016 Director: Tomohiko Ito Studio: A-1 Pictures Episodes: 12 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.30
Cyberpunk Edgerunners	Release date: September 13, 2022 Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi Studio: Studio Trigger Episodes: 10 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.62
Violet Evergarden	Release date: January 11, 2018 Director: Taichi Ishidate Studio: Kyoto Animation Episodes: 13 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.69
Cowboy Bebop	Release date: April 3, 1998 Director: Shinichiro Watanabe Studio: Sunrise Episodes: 26 Seasons: 1 MAL: 8.75
Steins;Gate	Release date: April 6, 2011 Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki, Takuya Sato Studio: White Fox Episodes: 24 Seasons: 1 MyAnimeList: 9.07

Paranoia Agent

• Release date: February 2, 2004
• Director: Satoshi Kon
• Studio: Madhouse
• Episodes: 13
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

91 Days

• Release date: July 9, 2016
• Director: Hiro Kaburagi
• Studio: Shuka
• Episodes: 12
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Terror in Resonance

• Release date: July 10, 2014
• Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
• Studio: MAPPA
• Episodes: 11
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Death Parade

• Release date: January 9, 2015
• Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa
• Studio: Madhouse
• Episodes: 12
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Anohana

• Release date: April 15, 2011
• Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Episodes: 11
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Erased

• Release date: January 8, 2016
• Director: Tomohiko Ito
• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Episodes: 12
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners

• Release date: September 13, 2022
• Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
• Studio: Studio Trigger
• Episodes: 10
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Violet Evergarden

• Release date: January 11, 2018
• Director: Taichi Ishidate
• Studio: Kyoto Animation
• Episodes: 13
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Cowboy Bebop

• Release date: April 3, 1998
• Director: Shinichiro Watanabe
• Studio: Sunrise
• Episodes: 26
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 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.

Steins;Gate

• Release date: April 6, 2011
• Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki, Takuya Sato
• Studio: White Fox
• Episodes: 24
• Seasons: 1
• 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.

Devilman Crybaby

• Release Date: January 5, 2018
• Director: Masaaki Yuasa
• Studio: Science SARU
• Episodes: 10
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 7.74

Devilman Cryman follows a boy named Akira, who, after learning about the existence of demons in the human world, merges with a demon. He does that to protect humanity from the demons. However, when humankind becomes chaotic and starts fighting its own kind, Akira realizes that he has to protect the world not only from demons, but from humans, who can get just as cruel as demons.

It is a deep and tragic anime that gives you several thought-provoking elements, especially in the end, which makes the entire anime hit harder. Besides that, it allows you to explore humanity, fear, and violence in a raw way.

Banana Fish

• Release date: July 6, 2018
• Director: Hiroko Utsumi
• Studio: MAPPA
• Episodes: 24
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 8.45

Ash Lynx is a gang leader in New York, who starts chasing a phrase Banana Fish, that he believes has some connection with his brother’s mental state. As he digs deeper, he crosses paths with Eiji, a kind-hearted and talented photographer. Things get brutal and action-packed when he starts going deeper into a dark conspiracy involving drugs and powerful people.

Banana Fish is one of the most underrated anime series, deserving every bit of appreciation for its gripping narrative and complex characters. The anime also features one of the best emotional arcs, which makes it even more worth your time.

Sonny Boy

• Release date: July 16, 2021
• Director: Shingo Natsume
• Studio: Madhouse
• Episodes: 12
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 7.85

Sonny Boy revolves around some students whose school is suddenly teleported to an alternate dimension. This world has its own physics and rules. As they try harder to get back home, all of them realize that they have developed individual powers. However, due to conflicts, the students get divided into two groups, making the struggle to return to their world even more challenging.

This hort anime series features some of the deepest themes, like the true meaning of life, freedom, and existence. It doesn’t give you a straightforward story, but it blesses you with something that pushes you to think.

Serial Experiments Lain

• Release date: July 6, 1998
• Director: Ryutaro Nakamura
• Studio: Triangle Staff
• Episodes: 13
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 8.10

This anime follows Lain Iwakura, a socially awkward middle schooler, whose life turns upside down when she receives a message from a dead classmate. Strange things start happening, pushing her to think about who she really is. As she goes deeper into this matter, the line between the digital space called’The Wired’ and reality starts to blur.

Serial Experiment Lain is one of the anime that is ahead of its time, which explores existence, human connection, and consciousness. It’s a slow-burning story that stays in your head forever.

Yuri on Ice

• Release date: October 6, 2016
• Director: Sayo Yamamoto
• Studio: MAPPA
• Episodes: 12
• Seasons: 1
• MAL: 7.90

The anime follows Yuri Katsuki, a 23-year-old skater, who puts his career on hold after a crushing defeat. He loses all the confidence that took years to build. However, when one of his skating videos goes viral, the one he admired throughout his life, the world champion Victor Nikiforov steps forward to be his coach. Victor trains Yuri, eventually helping him regain the lost confidence.

Yuri on Ice features one of the most satisfying character growths. The bond between Victor and Yuri plays out as a major highlight, and it also gives you several feel-good moments to cherish for a lifetime.