whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Action

The best adult cast action anime you can start from the beginning

83 anime that are both action and adult cast, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen, Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian.

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The list

1. 1 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA · 1999 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #72 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
4. 4 One Punch Man One-Punch Man TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #181 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Baccano! TV · 2007 · 13 episodes · Brain's Base · #290 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
6. 6 Hellsing Ultimate OVA · 2006 · 10 episodes · Madhouse · #291 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
9. 9 Redline Film · 2009 · Madhouse · #341 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
10. 10 Sennen Joyuu Millennium Actress Film · 2002 · Madhouse · #394 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
11. 11 Trigun TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #428 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
12. 12 Kaijuu 8-gou Kaiju No. 8 TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · Production I.G · #448 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
13. 13 Great Pretender TV · 2020 · 23 episodes · Wit Studio · #464 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
14. 14 Ore dake Level Up na Ken Solo Leveling TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #542 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
15. 15 Black Lagoon TV · 2006 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #680 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
16. 16 Koukaku Kidoutai (TV) The Ghost in the Shell TV · 2026 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #854 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
17. 17 City Hunter TV · 1987 · 51 episodes · Sunrise · #901 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
18. 18 Golden Kamuy TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Geno Studio · #951 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
19. 19 Log Horizon TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Satelight · #954 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
20. 20 Drifters TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Hoods Entertainment · #972 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
21. 21 Tiger & Bunny TV · 2011 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #1103 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
22. 22 91 Days TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Shuka · #1109 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
23. 23 Gungrave TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #1122 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
24. 24 Bungou Stray Dogs Bungo Stray Dogs TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Bones · #1165 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
25. 25 Trigun Stampede TV · 2023 · 12 episodes · Orange · #1185 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. 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. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.