Anime has always been about action. Even if it's not always the primary focus like it used to be, in the 70s and 80s, most anime featured scenes or set pieces with dynamic combat sequences.
I think the anime world has always kept those cinematic scenes in mind and still tries to incorporate them as much as possible.
Let's go through a bunch of fantastic action anime, ranking the best-of-the-best of all time. These will vary in genre and merit, but rest assured we'll have something for everyone here.
Whether it's gore, zombies, sakuga, boxing, tournaments, superheroes, warfare, or just good ol' revenge.
So get your popcorn, rocket launcher, battle suit, and the key to your mecha robot.
We're going in.
1. Attack On Titan
Ratings - 8.13/10 | Category - Action, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Drama
Set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls due to the Titans, gigantic humanoids that devour humans seemingly without reason, the story centers around Eren Yeager, his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their friend Armin Arlert, whose lives are changed forever after the appearance of a Colossus Titan brings about the destruction of their home town and the death of Eren's mother.
2. Naruto
Ratings - 8.21/10 | Category - Action, Fantasy, Drama, Coming-of-age, Romance
Naruto Uzumaki is a young ninja whose dream is to become the strongest ninja in his village and be recognized by everyone. With the help of his friends and mentors, he trains hard and fights to achieve his goal and protect his friends and village from powerful enemies.
3. One Punch Man
Ratings - 8.63/10 | Category - Action, Superhero, Comedy, Satire, Shonen
Naruto Uzumaki is a young ninja whose dream is to become the strongest ninja in his village and be recognized by everyone. With the help of his friends and mentors, he trains hard and fights to achieve his goal and protect his friends and village from powerful enemies.
4. My Hero Academia
Ratings - 7.98/10 | Category - Action, Superhero, Drama, Shonen, Coming-of-age
In a world where virtually everyone has powers, Izuku Midoriya is one of the few who was born without any. Despite this, he dreams of becoming a hero and enrolls in a prestigious hero academy. Along the way, he meets many other aspiring heroes and faces challenges as he strives to become the world's greatest hero.
5. Dragon Ball Z
Ratings - 8.38/10 | Category - Action, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Coming-of-age, Shonen
Naruto Uzumaki Goku, a powerful warrior from Earth, and his allies must defend their planet from powerful enemies and protect the Dragon Balls, which grant wishes to those who collect all seven.
6. Fate/Stay Night
Ratings - 8.2/10 | Category - Action, Fantasy, Drama, Visual Novel, Romance,
In a city filled with magic and supernatural beings, seven mages summon powerful spirits called "Servants" to compete in a battle royale known as the Holy Grail War. Each servant is bound to their respective mage and will fight to the death in order to win the Grail and have their wishes granted.
7. Bleach
Ratings - 7.06/10 | Category - Action, Supernatural, Fantasy, Drama, Shonen
Ichigo Kurosaki is a teenager with the ability to see ghosts. When he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper tasked with purifying evil spirits, he is drawn into the world of the Soul Reapers and becomes one himself, fighting to protect the living world from malevolent spirits.
8. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Ratings - 8.50/10 | Category - Action, Supernatural, Fantasy, Drama, Shonen
The Joestar family is plagued by a powerful curse that manifests itself in the form of supernatural enemies. Each member of the family possesses unique powers that they use to fight against these enemies and uncover the truth behind the curse.
9. Hunter x Hunter
Ratings - 8.63/10 | Category - Action, Fantasy
Gon Freecss is a young boy on a quest to find his father, a famous hunter who left Gon when he was a baby. Along the way, he meets other hunters and trains to become stronger and achieve his goal.
10. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Ratings - 8.86/10 | Category - Action, Drama, Fantasy, Shonen
Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers who use alchemy in an attempt to bring their mother back to life. However, the attempt goes wrong, and the brothers are forced to embark on a journey to find the Philosopher's Stone, a powerful artifact that may be able to restore their bodies.