whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best drama anime you can start from the beginning

25 drama 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, Steins;Gate.

Recommend me one drama anime

Narrow it down: Romance 309 · Sci-Fi 221 · Action 219 · Adventure 204 · Historical 189 · Fantasy 187 · School 165 · Comedy 142 · Supernatural 118 · Mystery 107 · Psychological 91 · Adult Cast 91 · Military 86 · Award Winning 84 · Suspense 74 · Music 72 · Mecha 68 · Love Polygon 45 · Space 41 · Super Power 39 · Horror 37 · Performing Arts 31 · Sports 31 · Gore 30 · Martial Arts 26

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 Steins;Gate TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · White Fox · #6 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA · 1988 · 110 episodes · K-Factory · #12 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
5. 5 Koe no Katachi A Silent Voice Film · 2016 · Kyoto Animation · #22 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
6. 6 Monster TV · 2004 · 74 episodes · Madhouse · #26 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
7. 7 Kusuriya no Hitorigoto The Apothecary Diaries TV · 2023 · 24 episodes · OLM · #33 on MyAnimeList 98% would recommend
8. 8 Kimi no Na wa. Your Name. Film · 2016 · CoMix Wave Films · #37 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
9. 9 Vinland Saga TV · 2019 · 24 episodes · Wit Studio · #45 on MyAnimeList 97% would recommend
10. 10 Takopii no Genzai Takopi's Original Sin ONA · 2025 · 6 episodes · Enishiya · #50 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
11. 11 Chi. Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite Orb: On the Movements of the Earth TV · 2024 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #56 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
12. 12 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
13. 13 Ikoku Nikki Journal with Witch TV · 2026 · 13 episodes · Shuka · #62 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
14. 14 Shiguang Dailiren Link Click ONA · 2021 · 11 episodes · LAN Studio · #67 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
15. 15 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA · 1999 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #72 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
16. 16 Violet Evergarden TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · Kyoto Animation · #74 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
17. 17 Howl no Ugoku Shiro Howl's Moving Castle Film · 2004 · Studio Ghibli · #80 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
18. 18 Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso Your Lie in April TV · 2014 · 22 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #92 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
19. 19 Ping Pong the Animation TV · 2014 · 11 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #97 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
20. 20 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
21. 21 Odd Taxi TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · OLM · #103 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
22. 22 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
23. 23 Look Back Film · 2024 · Studio DURIAN · #111 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
24. 24 Nana TV · 2006 · 47 episodes · Madhouse · #124 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
25. 25 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's drama 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.