Good action anime is probably the most sought after type of anime considering the majority of its audience: teenagers. At least in western cultures, action and adventure has more of an influence rather than moe or romance (although there is a large market for almost every thing out there). It does not surprise me the popularity of superpower fighting and big explosions as a form of entertainment, it’s escapism from our boring routines while helping feeding our own sense of adventure and lust for adrenaline! This top 50 listing is all about the craziest, fastest, most chaotic and best action anime out there, for those always on the look for more doses of entertainment far from the realms of reality!
When it comes to ranking action, I tend to overlook some aspects of the titles in question. Instead of looking at the overall quality of the anime, I try to take into account its “action” elements a little more than the others. After all, many action enthusiasts don’t mind a little less less plot and character development in exchange for some extra fighting and better animation! Take “Afro Samurai” for instance: the story is pretty generic, the script poor and the dialogue cheesy… However, it does contain some of the best fighting scenes and most impressive action you can find on the industry. With that in mind, don’t take the order of this list only as a reflection of the best action anime, but also as a listing of great anime that focus on the action to drive its plot forward.
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
- Rurouni Kenshin [Samurai X]: Trust and Betrayal (1999)
- Evangelion Rebuild Movies (2007)
- Cowboy Bebop (1998)
- Fate/Zero (2011)
- Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
- Sword of the Stranger (2007)
- Berserk (1997)
- Akira (1988)
- Steamboy (2004)
- Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
- Samurai Champloo (2004)
- One Piece (1999)
- Baccano! (2007)
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
- Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)
- Giant Robo (1992)
- Afro Samurai (2007)
- Black Lagoon (2006)
- Darker than Black (2007)
- Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom (2009)
- Naruto (2002)
- Outlaw Star (1998)
- Trigun (1998)
- Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)
- Hunter x Hunter (1999)
- The Twelve Kingdoms (2002)
- Angel Beats! (2010)
- Sengoku Basara (2009)
- Ninja Scroll (1993)
- Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children Complete (2009)
- Highschool of the Dead (2010)
- Sword Art Online (2012)
- D.Gray-man (2006)
- Claymore (2007)
- Bleach (2004)
- R.O.D (2001)
- Soul Eater (2008)
- Dragon Ball Z (1989)
- Saint Seiya (1986)
- Fist of the North Star (1984)
- Ao no Exorcist (2011)
- Code Geass (2006)
- Tiger & Bunny (2011)
- Blood+ (2005)
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)
- Fairy Tail (2009)
- Shaman King (2001)
- Getter Robo: Armageddon (1998)
