Anime has existed for many decades, and its popularity has only grown recently. There are many different genres of anime, so there is something to appeal to everyone. Some popular genres include action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, and romance. If you’re curious about this fascinating genre, there’s no better time to explore it! Many streaming services are also available to watch your favorite anime for free.
The action genre in anime is always popular, and there are always new and exciting shows for action lovers. If you are starting with watching anime and looking for some good action anime, I’ll tell you about 10 of the best action anime of 2023 that you will want to take advantage of. These anime are often packed with non-stop action, leaving you curious by the end of each episode. So if you’re looking for an anime that will get your heart pumping, then be sure to read till the end to check out our list of the ten best action anime.
1. Naruto: The First Popular Action Anime
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When we hear the phrase “action anime,” we immediately think of Naruto. Now you must think, “Why is Naruto so special that almost everyone knows its name?” Naruto became the first most popular anime, and since then, people have become addicted to the action genre. So the anime plot goes by as a young kid named Naruto is rejected by his community because he has the spirit of a powerful demon fox. Despite the prejudice and isolation he encounters, Naruto is adamant about establishing his reputation and becoming a respected community member.
Naruto travels, encounters new allies and foes, and undergoes arduous training to master the ninja arts. He learns the reality of his background and his relationship with the demon fox imprisoned inside him as a child. As the anime continues, Naruto and his allies encounter several confrontations, including fights with neighboring ninja villages and a dangerous organization called Akatsuki. Additionally, they also face struggles while they continue to fight their vulnerabilities and demons. Ultimately, Naruto’s challenging journey enables him to become the leader and protect his village from internal and foreign dangers.
2. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is another renowned action anime worldwide featuring the Titans. These massive humanoid beings consume people seemingly for no cause and force humanity to dwell in cities encircled by high walls on the planet.
The main character, Eren Yeager, shares a home in Shiganshina with Mikasa Ackerman, his foster sister, and Armin Arlert, a friend. Because of the walls, Eren has never seen the outside world, which has always captivated him. A massive Titan suddenly materializes one day and destroys the city’s outer wall, wreaking havoc. And amid the chaos, Eren’s mother gets killed, so Eren vows revenge on the Titans.
Following the assault, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin enlist in the military to defend humankind and battle the Titans. They quickly learn that Eren has a secret power to turn into a Titan himself, which makes him a valuable ally in the battle against the Titans. Later, Eren and his buddies learn mysteries about the Titans and the fundamental nature of their planet. They also encounter various difficulties, such as betrayal, internal issues, and political conflicts.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most-watched action anime. It tells the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who relate their family’s tale to a world where alchemy is a potent and popular science. The Elric brothers do a prohibited act of alchemy to bring back their mother’s life, which costs them dearly. And Alphonse loses his entire body, while Edward loses his left leg and right arm due to their deed. Edward sacrifices his right arm to tie Alphonse’s soul to an armor set to save his brother.
The brothers then embarked on a quest to locate the Philosopher’s Stone, a fabled object rumored to have the power to heal their bodies. Along the journey, they run across a diverse range of people—friends and enemies—and learn of a terrible conspiracy that might endanger their entire planet.
4. One Piece
One Piece features Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, who is put to death at the story’s beginning. The One Piece, Roger’s treasure, is said to be concealed somewhere in the Grand Line, a hazardous sea, just before he dies. Numerous pirates head out to obtain One Piece and ascend to the position of Pirate King, marking the Great Pirate Era. The main character, Luffy, is moved by Roger’s comments and embarks on a quest to discover One Piece. He assembles a broad group of competent people along the way, each with objectives and aspirations.
These include the expert swordsman Zoro, the experienced navigator Nami, the expert marksman Usopp, and the expert cook Sanji. There is also an expert medic, Chopper, and a reindeer with the ability to transform into a human, Robin, an expert archaeologist, Franky, a skilled shipwright, and Brook, a professional musician and swordsman. The Straw Hat Pirates encounter many formidable foes. Along the Grand Line, including other pirate crews, governmental organizations, and dangerous beasts. They also discover mysterious islands and places and make many friends and allies.
5. Hunter x Hunter
The story centers around the journey of a young boy named Gon Freecss, who learns that his father, Ging, is a renowned Hunter and a member of an elite organization that embarks on risky undertakings and hunts down uncommon species.
Gon sets out to become a Hunter despite the difficulties and hardships he encounters along the road because he is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps. He meets and becomes friends with several other Hunters, including Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua, who all have specific skills and reasons for being Hunters.
Throughout the series, Gon and his allies face various difficulties and foes, including formidable Nen users, frightening creatures, and crooks. Throughout the series, Gon and his partners face multiple challenges and rivals, including problematic Nen users, terrifying creatures, and thieves. They also participate in the Hunter Exam, a test of their abilities and stamina. And after that, they get involved in many disputes that threatened to split the Hunter Association and the world.
6. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure showcases the life of Jonathan Joestar, the series’ first protagonist, in late 19th-century England. After Dio’s father passes away, he moves into the Joestar estate, where Jonathan, the wealthy family’s son, starts a savage feud with his adopted brother, Dio Brando. Jonathan’s place in the family and reputation get attacked by the crafty and vicious Dio.
Over time, Jonathan and Dio’s disagreement intensifies, and they ultimately engage in a supernatural fight. After Jonathan’s narrative closes, the series continues with a new Joestar protagonist in each arc. The Joestar family battles various formidable foes throughout each story arc, each with unique skills and objectives. They form strong ties with one another and gain new allies along the journey. Ultimately, they discover the value of friendship, family, and tenacity in the face of difficulty.
7. Fate/Zero: An Underrated Action Anime
A book series by Gen Urobuchi served as the inspiration for the Japanese anime series Fate/Zero. The story begins with a Fourth Holy Grail War. In this covert magical battle, seven wizards known as Masters summon strong heroic spirits known as Servants to battle to the death for the Holy Grail, a potent entity that can grant its possessor any wish. Kiritsugu Emiya, a mercenary formerly participating in the Holy Grail War, is the series’ primary protagonist. As a Master in the Fourth Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu is adamant about winning the conflict at any cost to realize his ultimate objective of establishing global peace.
When the conflict intensifies, the Masters and Servants establish alliances and engage in combat, with Kiritsugu employing brutal strategies to destroy his adversaries. As the series continues, they learn the sinister truths of the Holy Grail War and the actual nature of the Grail.
8. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is an anime series set in a world where most people have abilities known as “Quirks.” The narrative centers on Izuku Midoriya, a young kid with heroic aspirations born without a quirk. Despite being bullied and humiliated by his classmates for his lack of power, Izuku never gives up on his desire. But his life is forever altered when he encounters All Might, the world’s greatest hero. Izuku’s personality demonstrates courage and tenacity, and All Might gives Izuku his quirk, “One For All.”
As the story goes on, the students of U.A. High School have to contend with ever more dangerous dangers, such as the League of Villains, a formidable group out to end the hero society. That’s when Izuku and his classmates, as a result of their struggles, discover the true meaning of heroism and what it takes to be a real hero.
9. Cowboy Bebop
In the year 2071, a group of bounty hunters travels through space. Spike Spiegel, the main character, is a former criminal who works as a bounty hunter aboard their starship, the Bebop, alongside his companion, Jet Black. They confront numerous bounties and battle their inner demons during the series. Other crew members, such as the villainous Faye Valentine and hacker Ed, join them along the route.
As they search for bounties, the group faces difficulties on their own. Spike must confront Vicious, his old companion in crime, who wants him dead. After being cryogenically frozen for a long time, Faye finds it difficult to remember her past, while the death of his ex-partner plagues Jet. Later, Spike is forced to face his death and the repercussions of his earlier deeds during the series’ climactic confrontation with Vicious and the Red Dragon crime family.
10. Sword Art Online
The scenario revolves around the talented gamer Kirito, who becomes stranded in the virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game Sword Art Online. Akihiko Kayaba, the game’s designer, informs the players that they cannot log out of the game and would die in the real world if they died in the virtual one. The only way to get out of the game is to finish all 100 floors of the game’s tower.
Kirito joins forces with other players and fights their way through the levels because he is determined to live and leave the game. They encounter various obstacles along the course, both in the game and in their personal lives. They also discover a plot involving Kayaba and his gaming ideas as they advance through the game. Ultimately, Kirito and his pals complete the game’s last floor and escape virtual reality. As Kirito and his companions go through different virtual reality games, they encounter difficulties investigating the boundaries of technology and human nature.
Conclusion
Action anime is the most-watched genre and includes popular anime series, from classics like Naruto to some underrated ones like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. I have discussed ten must-watch action anime everyone should watch when entering the anime genre. These series will surely get you addicted to other sub-genres of anime, so be sure to check them out and let us know what you think about them.