whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best adventure anime you can start from the beginning

25 adventure anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Sousou no Frieren, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Steel Ball Run: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken.

Recommend me one adventure anime

Narrow it down: Fantasy 653 · Action 571 · Sci-Fi 305 · Comedy 275 · Historical 234 · Drama 204 · Martial Arts 155 · Mecha 139 · Romance 119 · Isekai 108 · Supernatural 60 · Mystery 59 · Space 59 · Military 56 · Award Winning 35 · Adult Cast 34 · Reincarnation 34 · Mythology 33 · Super Power 32 · Anthropomorphic 28 · Horror 26 · Slice of Life 25

The list

1. 1 Sousou no Frieren Frieren: Beyond Journey's End TV · 2023 · 28 episodes · Madhouse · #1 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood TV · 2009 · 64 episodes · Bones · #2 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 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
4. 4 Hunter x Hunter (2011) Hunter x Hunter TV · 2011 · 148 episodes · Madhouse · #11 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
5. 5 Vinland Saga TV · 2019 · 24 episodes · Wit Studio · #45 on MyAnimeList 97% would recommend
6. 6 Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi Spirited Away Film · 2001 · Studio Ghibli · #47 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
7. 7 One Piece TV · 1999 · Toei Animation · #54 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
9. 9 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
10. 10 Mushishi Mushi-Shi TV · 2005 · 26 episodes · Artland · #87 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
11. 11 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann TV · 2007 · 27 episodes · Gainax · #89 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
12. 12 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
13. 13 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
14. 14 Dungeon Meshi Delicious in Dungeon TV · 2024 · 24 episodes · Trigger · #121 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
15. 15 Samurai Champloo TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Manglobe · #152 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
16. 16 Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Place Further Than The Universe TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #168 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
17. 17 Xian Ni Renegade Immortal ONA · 2023 · 180 episodes · BUILD DREAM · #172 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
18. 18 Ousama Ranking Ranking of Kings TV · 2021 · 23 episodes · Wit Studio · #175 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
19. 19 Banana Fish TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #192 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
20. 20 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
21. 21 Hunter x Hunter TV · 1999 · 62 episodes · Nippon Animation · #203 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
22. 22 Tian Guan Cifu Heaven Official's Blessing ONA · 2020 · 11 episodes · Haoliners Animation · #229 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
23. 23 Guangyin Zhi Wai Beyond Time's Gaze ONA · 2025 · 26 episodes · Yien Animation Studio · #232 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
24. 24 Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Film · 1993 · Nippon Ramayana Film · #256 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
25. 25 Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Film · 1984 · Topcraft · #276 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's adventure 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.