whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Adventure · Award Winning

The best award-winning adventure anime you can start from the beginning

35 anime that are both adventure and award-winning, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Sousou no Frieren, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Howl no Ugoku Shiro.

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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 Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi Spirited Away Film · 2001 · Studio Ghibli · #47 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
3. 3 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Mononoke Hime Princess Mononoke Film · 1997 · Studio Ghibli · #81 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
5. 5 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann TV · 2007 · 27 episodes · Gainax · #89 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Film · 1984 · Topcraft · #276 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa Castle in the Sky Film · 1986 · Studio Ghibli · #383 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Sennen Joyuu Millennium Actress Film · 2002 · Madhouse · #394 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
9. 9 Tonari no Totoro My Neighbor Totoro Film · 1988 · Studio Ghibli · #398 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
10. 10 Majo no Takkyuubin Kiki's Delivery Service Film · 1989 · Studio Ghibli · #407 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
11. 11 Kaiba TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #532 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
12. 12 Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na! Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! TV · 2020 · 12 episodes · Science SARU · #547 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
13. 13 Fullmetal Alchemist TV · 2003 · 51 episodes · Bones · #565 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
14. 14 Kanata no Astra Astra Lost in Space TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #647 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
15. 15 Dennou Coil Den-noh Coil TV · 2007 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #725 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
16. 16 Gake no Ue no Ponyo Ponyo Film · 2008 · Studio Ghibli · #800 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
17. 17 Kurenai no Buta Porco Rosso Film · 1992 · Studio Ghibli · #807 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
18. 18 Tekkon Kinkreet Tekkonkinkreet Film · 2006 · Studio 4°C · #859 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
19. 19 Sakasama no Patema Patema Inverted Film · 2013 · Studio Rikka · #870 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
20. 20 Mind Game Film · 2004 · Studio 4°C · #1150 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
21. 21 Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine TV · 2012 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #1256 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
22. 22 Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka The Boy and the Heron Film · 2023 · Studio Ghibli · #1786 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
23. 23 Uchuu Senkan Yamato Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar TV · 1974 · 26 episodes · Office Academy · #1834 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
24. 24 Kemono Friends TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Yaoyorozu · #2109 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
25. 25 Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi Summer Days with Coo Film · 2007 · Shin-Ei Animation · #2148 on MyAnimeList 80% 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.