Anime is a popular form of animation that originated in Japan, but it has also influenced many creators from other countries.
In fact, there are some amazing American anime shows that you should watch today, whether you are a fan of anime or not.
These shows combine the best of both worlds: the distinctive style and aesthetics of anime, and the originality and diversity of American storytelling.
In this article, we will introduce you to the top 17 American anime shows that you can binge-watch right now, and explain why they are worth your time.
Top 17 American Anime Shows to Watch
Here are our picks for the best American anime shows that you can enjoy today. We have selected them based on their popularity, quality, genre, and appeal.
We have also included some information about each show, such as the number of seasons, episodes, and where to watch them.
1. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Number of seasons: 3
Number of episodes: 61
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Martial Arts
Rating: 98/100
This is one of the most beloved and acclaimed American anime shows of all time. It follows the adventures of Aang, a young boy who is the reincarnated Avatar, the master of all four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. Along with his friends Katara, Sokka, and Toph, he travels across the world to learn the four elements and stop the Fire Nation from conquering the other nations. The show has three seasons and 61 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
2. Arcane
Number of seasons: 1 (S2 announced)
Number of episodes: 9
Genre: Action, Adventure, Steampunk
Rating: 96/100
This is a recent addition to the American anime scene, but it has already become a huge hit among fans and critics alike. It is based on the popular video game League of Legends, and it explores the origins and conflicts of some of its iconic characters. The show is set in the city of Piltover and its underbelly Zaun, where magic and technology clash. The show has one season and nine episodes so far, and you can watch it on Netflix.
3. Steven Universe
Number of seasons: 5
Number of episodes: 160
Genre: Adventure, Coming of Age, Fantasy
Rating: 91/100
This is a charming and heartwarming show that features Steven, a half-human half-gem boy who lives with his three gem guardians: Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. Together, they protect the Earth from evil gems who want to destroy it. The show has five seasons and 160 episodes, plus a movie and an epilogue series called Steven Universe Future. You can watch it on HBO Max.
4. Castlevania
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 32
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Vampire
Rating: 77/100
This is a dark and gritty show that is based on the classic video game series of the same name. It follows Trevor Belmont, a monster hunter who teams up with Sypha Belnades, a magician, and Alucard, a half-vampire son of Dracula, to stop Dracula’s army of demons from wiping out humanity. The show has four seasons and 32 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
5. RWBY
Number of seasons: 8 (S9 announced)
Number of episodes: 106
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 52/100
This is a stylish and action-packed show that was created by Rooster Teeth, an American production company known for its online content. It follows Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, four girls who attend Beacon Academy to train as Huntresses, warriors who fight against the creatures of Grimm that threaten their world. The show has nine seasons and 112 episodes so far, and you can watch it on Rooster Teeth’s website or YouTube.
6. Demon Slayer
Number of seasons: 3
Number of episodes: 55
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Rating: 85/100
This is a Japanese anime show that has become very popular in America as well. It follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is killed by demons. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps to find a way to turn his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon herself, back into a human. The show has one season and 26 episodes so far, plus a movie called Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. You can watch it on Netflix or Hulu.
7. The Boondocks
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 55
Genre: Sitcom, Action, Satire
Rating: 88/100
This is a hilarious and satirical show that is based on the comic strip of the same name by Aaron McGruder. It follows Huey and Riley Freeman, two young brothers who move from Chicago to live with their grandfather Robert in a predominantly white suburb. The show tackles various social and political issues with humor and wit. The show has four seasons and 55 episodes, and you can watch it on HBO Max.
8. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Number of seasons: 1
Number of episodes: 26
Genre: Thriller, Action fiction, Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Psychological drama
Rating: 85/100
This Japanese animation program is another American cult favorite. It follows Shinji Ikari, a young kid recruited by NERV, a covert organization that battles Angels using massive robots called Evangelions. The program covers psychology, religion, philosophy, and existentialism. Season 1 comprises 26 episodes and a movie, The End of Evangelion. Watch it on Netflix.
9. The Legend of Korra
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 52
Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts
Rating: 59/100
This is the sequel series to Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it takes place 70 years after the events of the original show. It follows Korra, the new Avatar, who must master the four elements and deal with various threats to the world, such as a rebel group called the Equalists, a dark spirit named Vaatu, a militaristic Earth Empire, and a group of anarchists called the Red Lotus. The show has four seasons and 52 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
10. Samurai Jack
Number of seasons: 5
Number of episodes: 62
Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts
Rating: 85/100
This is a stunning and epic show that follows Jack, a samurai who is sent to the future by the evil shapeshifting demon Aku. He must find a way to return to his own time and defeat Aku once and for all. The show has five seasons and 62 episodes, and you can watch it on HBO Max.
11. Voltron: Legendary Defender
Number of seasons: 8
Number of episodes: 76
Genre: Action, Mecha, Science Fiction
Rating: 71/100
This is a reboot of the classic 1980s anime show Voltron: Defender of the Universe. It follows five teenagers who are chosen to pilot five robotic lions that can combine into a giant robot called Voltron. They must fight against the evil Galra Empire that is trying to conquer the universe. The show has eight seasons and 78 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
12. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Number of seasons: 3
Number of episodes: 30
Genre: Adventure, Post-apocalypse, Science Fiction
Rating: 61/100
This is a colorful and adventurous show that follows Kipo, a 13-year-old girl who lives in an underground city after a cataclysmic event. She gets separated from her father and ends up on the surface, where she meets various mutated animals and humans. She must find her way back home while learning more about the mysterious world above. The show has three seasons and 30 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
13. Haikyu!!
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 85
Genre: Shonen manga, Fantasy
Rating: 87/100
This is another Japanese anime show that has become very popular in America. It follows Shoyo Hinata, a short but passionate volleyball player who joins Karasuno High School’s volleyball team. He forms a rivalry and a friendship with Tobio Kageyama, a talented but arrogant setter. Together, they aim to become the best volleyball duo in Japan. The show has four seasons and 85 episodes so far, plus two movies called Haikyu!! The Movie: Talent and Sense and Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts. You can watch it on Netflix or Crunchyroll.
14. Batman: The Animated Series
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 85
Genre: Action-adventure; Crime; Pulp noir; Superhero
Rating: 90/100
This is a classic and influential show that features Batman, the iconic superhero who fights crime in Gotham City using his skills, gadgets, and intelligence. The show is praised for its mature storytelling, noir aesthetics, voice acting, and music. It also introduced many memorable characters, such as Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, and Clayface. The show has four seasons and 85 episodes, plus two movies called Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero. You can watch it on HBO Max.
15. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Number of seasons: 5
Number of episodes: 52
Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: 63/100
This is a reboot of the 1980s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power, which was a spin-off of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It follows Adora, a former soldier of the evil Horde who discovers that she is the legendary warrior She-Ra. She joins forces with other princesses who have magical powers to fight against the Horde and its leader Hordak. The show has five seasons and 52 episodes, and you can watch it on Netflix.
16. Invincible
Number of seasons: 1
Number of episodes: 8
Genre: Action; Adventure; Drama; Science fantasy; Superhero
Rating: 87/100
This is a recent and acclaimed show that is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, who also created The Walking Dead. It follows Mark Grayson, a teenager who inherits superpowers from his father Nolan, who is actually Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. However, Mark soon learns that his father’s true motives are not as heroic as they seem. The show has one season and eight episodes so far, and you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
17. The Owl House
Number of seasons: 2 (S3 announced)
Number of episodes: 40
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Magical Girl
Rating: 82/100
The Owl House is an anime about Luz Noceda, a young human girl who accidently finds a Demon Realm doorway. She meets rebellious witch Eda Clawthorne, known as “The Owl Lady”, and her charming demon companion King on the Boiling Isles, an archipelago built from a dead giant. Luz apprentices with Eda at the Owl House to become a witch and finds a new family in an unusual place.
Diverse characters, LGBTQ+ representation, and a unique combination of comedy and compassion make The Owl House stand out. Acceptance, self-discovery, and friendship are the themes.
Why You Should Watch These American Anime Shows
There are many reasons why you should watch these American anime shows today. Here are some of them:
- Unique storytelling: These shows offer diverse and creative stories that are not bound by conventional genres or tropes. They explore various themes such as identity, morality, family, friendship, love, war, justice, freedom, destiny, and more. They also have complex plots that keep you hooked with twists and turns.
- Diverse representation: These shows feature characters from different backgrounds, cultures, races, genders, sexualities, abilities, and personalities. They celebrate diversity and inclusion and challenge stereotypes and prejudices. They also show the struggles and joys of various communities and groups, such as LGBTQ+, people of color, immigrants, refugees, disabled people, and more.
- High-quality animation: These shows have stunning and expressive animation that enhances the storytelling and the emotions. They use different styles and techniques, such as 2D, 3D, CGI, hand-drawn, cel-shaded, anime-inspired, and more. They also have amazing soundtracks and voice acting that complement the visuals.
- Engaging characters: These shows have memorable and relatable characters that you will love or hate, root for or against, laugh with or cry for. They have realistic and complex personalities, motivations, flaws, strengths, relationships, and arcs. They also have character development and growth throughout the show.
Honorable Mentions
Besides the top 17 American anime shows that we have listed above, there are also some other shows that deserve an honorable mention. These shows are also worth checking out if you are looking for more American anime to watch. Here are some of them:
- Star Wars: Visions: This is a unique and innovative show that is part of the Star Wars franchise. It consists of nine short films that are created by different Japanese anime studios, each with their own style and vision. The show explores various aspects of the Star Wars universe, such as the Force, the Jedi, the Sith, the Droids, and more. The show has one season and nine episodes, and you can watch it on Disney+.
- Love, Death + Robots: This is a thrilling and edgy show that is created by Tim Miller, who also directed Deadpool. It is an anthology series that features various stories that are related to love, death, and robots. The show has genres such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comedy, and more. The show has two seasons and 26 episodes so far, and you can watch it on Netflix.
- Dota: Dragon’s Blood: This is a fantasy and action show that is based on the popular video game Dota 2. It follows Davion, a dragon knight who gets involved in a war between dragons and humans. He also meets Mirana, a princess who is on a quest to recover a sacred lotus. The show has one season and eight episodes so far, and you can watch it on Netflix.
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil: This is a fun and quirky show that follows Star Butterfly, a princess from another dimension who is sent to Earth to live with the Diaz family. She also brings along her magic wand, which causes chaos and trouble wherever she goes. She befriends Marco Diaz, a karate enthusiast who helps her fight against evil forces. The show has four seasons and 77 episodes, and you can watch it on Disney+.
