whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best action anime you can start from the beginning

25 action anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Steel Ball Run: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken, Hunter x Hunter (2011).

Recommend me one action anime

Narrow it down: Fantasy 666 · Adventure 571 · Sci-Fi 331 · Comedy 308 · Martial Arts 263 · Historical 256 · Drama 219 · Romance 157 · Supernatural 150 · School 124 · Super Power 123 · Mystery 114 · Military 95 · Gore 85 · Adult Cast 83 · Isekai 79 · Mythology 72 · Suspense 64 · Horror 63 · Samurai 55 · Harem 54 · Urban Fantasy 52 · Space 41 · Mahou Shoujo 41 · Vampire 37 · Reincarnation 36 · Psychological 35 · Organized Crime 33 · Parody 32 · Detective 26

The list

1. 1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood TV · 2009 · 64 episodes · Bones · #2 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Steel Ball Run: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure ONA · 2026 · David Production · #5 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
3. 3 Hunter x Hunter (2011) Hunter x Hunter TV · 2011 · 148 episodes · Madhouse · #11 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
4. 4 Gintama TV · 2006 · 201 episodes · Sunrise · #21 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
5. 5 Vinland Saga TV · 2019 · 24 episodes · Wit Studio · #45 on MyAnimeList 97% would recommend
6. 6 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
7. 7 One Piece TV · 1999 · Toei Animation · #54 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA · 1999 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #72 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
9. 9 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
10. 10 Tu Bian Yingxiong X To Be Hero X ONA · 2025 · 24 episodes · Pb Animation · #82 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
11. 11 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners ONA · 2022 · 10 episodes · Trigger · #99 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
12. 12 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
13. 13 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
14. 14 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
15. 15 Samurai Champloo TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Manglobe · #152 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
16. 16 Jujutsu Kaisen TV · 2020 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #170 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
17. 17 Mob Psycho 100 TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Bones · #171 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
18. 18 Xian Ni Renegade Immortal ONA · 2023 · 180 episodes · BUILD DREAM · #172 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
19. 19 One Punch Man One-Punch Man TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #181 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
20. 20 Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files TV · 1992 · 112 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #191 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
21. 21 Banana Fish TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #192 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
22. 22 Chou Kaguya-hime! Cosmic Princess Kaguya! ONA · 2026 · 1 episode · Studio Colorido · #193 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
23. 23 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
24. 24 Hunter x Hunter TV · 1999 · 62 episodes · Nippon Animation · #203 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
25. 25 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's action ranking. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.