whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Drama

The best military drama anime you can start from the beginning

86 anime that are both drama and military, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch.

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The list

1. 1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood TV · 2009 · 64 episodes · Bones · #2 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA · 1988 · 110 episodes · K-Factory · #12 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
3. 3 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
6. 6 Nippon Sangoku Nippon Sangoku: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Studio Kafka · #148 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
7. 7 Versailles no Bara The Rose of Versailles TV · 1979 · 40 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #279 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
8. 8 86 86 Eighty-Six TV · 2021 · 11 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #281 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
9. 9 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
10. 10 Fullmetal Alchemist TV · 2003 · 51 episodes · Bones · #565 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
11. 11 Kurenai no Buta Porco Rosso Film · 1992 · Studio Ghibli · #807 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
12. 12 Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen - Memorial Edition Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition TV · 2022 · 13 episodes · Studio 4°C · #876 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
13. 13 Terra e... (TV) Toward the Terra (TV) TV · 2007 · 24 episodes · Tokyo Kids · #1018 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
14. 14 Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster Gunbuster OVA · 1988 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #1055 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
15. 15 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Production I.G · #1141 on MyAnimeList
16. 16 Jin-Rou Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Film · 2000 · Production I.G · #1218 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
17. 17 Kidou Senshi Gundam Mobile Suit Gundam TV · 1979 · 43 episodes · Sunrise · #1220 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
18. 18 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
19. 19 Soukou Kihei Votoms Armored Trooper Votoms TV · 1983 · 52 episodes · Sunrise · #1374 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
20. 20 Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen I - Haou no Tamago Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King Film · 2012 · Studio 4°C · #1413 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
21. 21 Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 TV · 2016 · 22 episodes · Sunrise · #1489 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
22. 22 Arslan Senki (TV) The Heroic Legend of Arslan TV · 2015 · 25 episodes · SANZIGEN · #1594 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
23. 23 Blood+ TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · Production I.G · #1769 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
24. 24 Uchuu Senkan Yamato Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar TV · 1974 · 26 episodes · Office Academy · #1834 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
25. 25 Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku Now and Then, Here and There TV · 1999 · 13 episodes · AIC · #1855 on MyAnimeList 79% 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.