Top 100 Action Anime of all time according to IMDB and MyAnimeList (2023)

Whenever an anime fan starts his anime journey, he either looks up MyAnimeList or the good old IMDB. But which list is better?

Today, we will be looking at the top 100 action-anime of all time according to IMDB and MyAnimeList. I will keep my recommendations to myself and what you’re going to read below according to IMDB and MyAnimeList. But those who have visiting the anime world for the first time, you might want to know more about anime and how it’s different from other forms of entertainment. 

What is anime?

Anime is simply animation that’s coming out of Japan. Like what we see in Disney and Pixar animation, we call it a cartoon and the cartoons produced through Japanese studies or in the Japanese sense is called anime. Yes, you’ve heard that right. Anime is a cartoon/animated series that’s being made in Japan. 

There are various methods or observation metrics you can use to differentiate between anime and western cartoons. The first is obviously language. Most anime series are dubbed in Japanese. If the show gets the hype and generates enough traction, the studios then dub the anime episodes into English. The second is the animation method. Most classic anime series are hand drawn and the Japanese studies prefer hand-drawn animation over CGI to maintain the flow of the animation and make it more Japan-centric. 

Also Read: The perfect guide to start your anime figurine collection

Now you know what anime is and how you can differentiate between cartoons and anime, let’s move to our list. First, we will start with IMGD and then MyAnimelist. 

Top 100 Action Anime of all time according to IMDB (2023)

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2012)
2. Vinland Saga
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc (2019– )
4. Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014) 9
5. Silver Fang (1986– )
6. Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
7. One Punch Man (2015– )
8. Attack on Titan (2013–2022)
9. Fighting Spirit (2000–2002)
10. Gintama (2005–2018)
11. Hunter x Hunter (1999–2001)
12. One Piece (1999– )
13. Dragon Ball Z (1996–2003)
14. InuYasha: The Final Act (2009–2010)
15. Code Geass (2006–2012)
16. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003–2004)
17. Berserk (1997–1998)
18. Rurouni Kenshin (1996–1999)
19. Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982–1983)
20. Mob Psycho 100 (2016–2019)
21. My Hero Academia (2016– )
22. Naruto: Shippûden (2007–2017)
23. Knights of the Zodiac (1986–1989)
24. Samurai Champloo (2004–2005)
25. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002–2005)
26. Dragon Ball (1995–2003)
27. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)
28. Dororo (2019)
29. Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
30. Parasyte: The Maxim (2014–2015)
31. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012– )
32. Initial D (1998)
33. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (1992–1995)
34. Dr. Stone (2019– )
35. Fate/Zero (2011–2012)
36. Baccano! (2007–2008)
37. Gyakkyô burai Kaiji (2007–2011)
38. Guardian of the Sacred Spirit (2007– )
39. Gurren Lagann (2007–2008)
40. Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012)
41. Trigun (1998)
42. Grandizer (1975–1977)
43. Fist of the North Star (1984–1988)
44. The Seven Deadly Sins (2014–2021)
45. Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (2012–2013)
46. Psycho-Pass (2012– )
47. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006–2014)
48. FLCL (2000–2018)
49. Ranma ½: Nettô-hen (1989–1992)
50. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019– )
51. Yona of the Dawn (2014– )
52. Mobile Suit Gundam (1979–1980)
53. Full Metal Panic! (2002– )
54. Bleach (2004–2012)
55. Shaman King (2001–2005)
56. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018– )
57. Black Clover (2017–2021)
58. Assassination Classroom (2013–2016)
59. Fairy Tail (2009–2019)
60. Bakemonogatari (2009–2010)
61. Claymore (2007)
62. Black Lagoon (2006)
63. Ergo Proxy (2006)
64. Elfen Lied (2004)
65. Wolf’s Rain (2003–2004)
66. Now and Then, Here and There (1999–2000)
67. Cardcaptor Sakura (1998–2000)
68. Lupin the 3rd (1977–1980)
69. Megalo Box (2018– )
70. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
71. Durarara!! (2010)
72. Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
73. Sailor Moon Crystal (2014– )
74. Kill la Kill (2013–2014)
75. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (2012–2014)
76. Katanagatari (2010)
77. Reborn! (2006– )
78. Soul Eater (2008–2009)
79. Last Exile (2003)
80. Hellsing (2001–2002)
81. Outlaw Star (1998– )
82. Digimon Adventure (1999–2000)
83. Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978–1979)
84. City Hunter (1987–1991)
85. Gungrave (2003–2004)
86. Inuyashiki (2017)
87. Drifters (2016– )
88. Overlord (2015– )
89. Knights of Sidonia (2014–2015)
90. Sekirei (2008–2010)
91. Angel Beats! (2010)
92. Black Butler (2008–2010)
93. Shigurui: Death Frenzy (2007– )
94. Darker Than Black (2007–2010)

95. Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor (2005–2006)
96. Escaflowne (1996)
97. Ajin (2016– )
98. The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013– )
99. High School DxD (2012–2018)
100. Future Diary (2011–2013)

Now that we’ve covered the IMDB list, let’s see how good the MyAnimeList is. Also, at the end, we will compare the top 10 action anime list from IMDB and MyAnimeList.

Top 100 action anime of all time according to MyAnimeList

1. Shingeki no Kyojin
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
3. Sword Art Online
4. One Punch Man
5. Boku no Hero Academia
6. Tokyo Ghoul
7. Naruto
8. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
9. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2
10. Kimetsu no Yaiba
11. Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season
12. Naruto: Shippuuden
13. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
14. Angel Beats!
15. Noragami
16. Mirai Nikki (TV)
17. Boku no Hero Academia 3rd Season
18. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3
19. Nanatsu no Taizai
20. Akame ga Kill!
21. One Piece
22. Sword Art Online II
23. Ao no Exorcist
24. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
25. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2
26. Mob Psycho 100
27. Fairy Tail
28. Bleach
29. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu
30. Jujutsu Kaisen (TV)
31. Tokyo Ghoul √A
32. Cowboy Bebop
33. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2
34. Kill la Kill
35. Neon Genesis Evangelion
36. Soul Eater
37. Psycho-Pass
38. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
39. Elfen Lied
40. Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season
41. Fullmetal Alchemist
42. Boku no Hero Academia 4th Season
43. Darling in the FranXX
44. Highschool of the Dead
45. Fate/Zero
46. One Punch Man 2nd Season
47. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka
48. Durarara!!
49. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV)
50. Overlord
51. Noragami Aragoto
52. Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
53. Black Clover
54. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2nd Season
55. Mob Psycho 100 II
56. Owari no Seraph
57. Deadman Wonderland
58. Guilty Crown
59. Samurai Champloo
60. Dragon Ball Z
61. Mononoke Hime
62. Bungou Stray Dogs
63. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken
64. Kuroshitsuji
65. Log Horizon
66. Enen no Shouboutai
67. Fate/Zero 2nd Season
68. Vinland Saga
69. Nanatsu no Taizai: Imashime no Fukkatsu
70. Tokyo Ghoul:re
71. Dororo
72. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders
73. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
74. Gintama
75. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
76. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
77. Goblin Slayer
78. Devilman: Crybaby
79. Kimetsu no Yaiba Movie: Mugen Ressha-hen
80. Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
81. Fate/stay night
82. Fairy Tail (2014)
83. Black Lagoon
84. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders 2nd Season
85. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai
86. Sword Art Online: Alicization
87. Black Bullet
88. Baccano!
89. High School DxD New
90. Overlord II
91. Hellsing Ultimate
92. Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry
93. Btooom!
94. Boku no Hero Academia 5th Season
95. Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
96. Kekkai Sensen
97. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 5: Ougon no Kaze
98. Zero no Tsukaima
99. Youjo Senki
100. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season

Top 10 action anime according to IMDB

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2012)
2. Vinland Saga
3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc (2019– )
4. Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014) 9
5. Silver Fang (1986– )
6. Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
7. One Punch Man (2015– )
8. Attack on Titan (2013–2022)
9. Fighting Spirit (2000–2002)
10. Gintama (2005–2018)

Top 10 action anime according to MyAnimeList

1. Shingeki no Kyojin
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
3. Sword Art Online
4. One Punch Man
5. Boku no Hero Academia
6. Tokyo Ghoul
7. Naruto
8. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
9. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2
10. Kimetsu no Yaiba

Top 10 action anime according to IMDB and MyAnimeList