10 Best Short Anime Series For You To Binge-Watch Overnight

So you wanna start watching anime! Your friends keep telling you to start with Naruto or One Piece. You google their recommendation and uh-oh! There it is – 720 episodes; 972 episodes and counting!

You’re not ready for that kind of commitment yet. But you still want to start anime. You’ve heard all the hype and you want in! Well, we have got your back. Here’s a list of 10 amazingly short and wonderful anime series that you can finish in a night, or two.

1. Steins;Gate

We’re off to a great start right off the bat! Steins;Gate is a time-travel, sci-fi, thriller. Okarin, the protagonist is a self-proclaimed mad scientist, with an amazing journey. You will laugh with him, cry with him, feel his every emotion as he travels through time.

Time travel stories have been done and dusted to hell and back. However, Steins;Gate is unique in every sense of the word. The story is fresh and gripping, the characters are very likable, the science of time travel is actually very well dealt with.

If you’re looking for a strong start to your anime journey or just looking for something other than your typical action shonen, this 24 episode anime is what you need.

2. Gurren Lagann

Everything about Gurren Lagann is over the top. The color palette, the animation, the emotions the characters go through, and how they express it. However, I do not mean that in a negative way. Gurren Lagann is over the top in the most exquisite and captivating way possible.

It’s a fun, dynamic action anime but at the same time, it is a heartwarming coming of age story. The story revolves around two teenagers who are forced to live underground with the rest of mankind.

Their desire and struggle of going to the surface are as inspiring as it is relatable. To conclude, Gurren Lagann is a beautiful anime and it will touch your heart in the span of 27 short episodes.

3. The Promised Neverland

Okay, this one is a bit dark. The story follows three gifted kids at an isolated peaceful orphanage. However, one day they discover a sinister secret that turns their world upside down.

The music on this show is hauntingly beautiful. The story itself is well-paced with an animation that does it justice. This 12 episode anime series will play with your heartstrings and rile up your adrenaline like nothing you’ve felt before. A piece of advice – you’ll wanna sit with a box of tissues.

Note: There’s a generally ill-received 2nd season to The Promised Neverland but you like most of us can pretend it doesn’t exist.

4. Hinamatsuri

If you don’t wanna get into heavy stuff and are looking for something light and fun, Hinamatsuri might be it. This 12 episodes long supernatural comedy series is packed full of hilarious, wholesome moments.

The show follows a beautiful budding father-daughter relationship between a young psychic and a yakuza member. The plot is basically selling itself here. If you are looking for a good, wholesome time, look no further.

5. Zombieland Saga

I know what you’re thinking, zombies are so overdone, it might as well be dead as a genre. However, we assure you, this is nothing like your regular zombie thriller or comedy.

Zombieland Saga is both an idol anime and a zombie comedy. A mysterious music producer resurrects young women as zombies to form a J-pop girl band and hijinks ensue. This supernatural whacky comedy will leave you laughing your ankles off in its 12 episode run.

6. Another

The horror genre is generally steeped with similar storylines and predictable plot twists. However, if you are looking for a truly unique and bone-chilling experience, Another is your destined anime.

The story is exceptional and full of surprising twists and turns right until the last episode. The muted color palette and eerie sound design create an immersive atmosphere. Additionally, this show’s character development is phenomenal considering its 12 episode run. Another is a must-watch for anyone looking for a spooky thrilling experience.

7. Violet Evergarden

Before we give you our pitch for why you should watch Violet Evergarden, we need to get one thing straight. This anime is one of the most aesthetically pleasing things you’ll see in a while. The color palette, the animation, the sound design it’s all very emotionally stimulating.

Violet Evergarden tells the story of an emotionally detached soldier by the same name. Post-war she begins to work as a ghostwriter as she reconnects with her emotions.

It is a beautiful journey to oneself and it is told in a mesmerizing way. This is one of those anime that will stay with you for a long time. The 13 episode runtime is the perfect way to spend your weekend.

8. Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom has one of the wackiest outlandish premises that’s really out there. The story follows the daily life of an extremely powerful octopus-like being, Koro Sensei working as a junior high homeroom teacher.

His students are dedicated to learning the art of assassination aside from regular studies. All of this so they can one day assassinate their homeroom teacher to prevent the Earth from being destroyed.

The show is a slice-of-life comedy and a wholesome coming-of-age story, believe it or not. It has two seasons spanning over 47 episodes. However, Assassination Classroom manages to create a gripping, engaging story in a truly wholesome way. So, this show is definitely worth your time.

9. Mob Psycho 100

One of the first things that stand out for Mob Psycho 100 is its strikingly distinct art style. From the first frame, you know you’re in for a truly unique ride.

The show itself tells the story of a young psychic Kageyama Shigeo who struggles with managing his supernatural powers. He is helped out by a self-proclaimed psychic and con man Reigen Arataka who looks after him all the while taking advantage of his powers.

On the surface Mob Psycho 100 is an aesthetically pleasing, fun anime. However, there are deeper themes and questions explored through this 29 episodes long journey. This anime is a truly heartwarming experience that you shouldn’t miss out on.

10. Horimiya

An extraordinary love story between ordinary people- this would be the best way to describe Horimiya as a show. While the story majorly centers around the love story of the two main protagonists, Horimiya spends enough time with its secondary characters.

This is something that is usually absent in most rom-coms. Indeed, the characters and storyline of Horimiya are pretty normal and realistic. However, the show itself is very distinct and enjoyable. It is full of cute, funny, sweet, and painful moments that all of us can relate to.

Horimiya will especially speak to you if you are a high school or college student. The emotional journeys of its characters are something we all go through. Even if romantic comedies are not your “thing”, you should definitely give this 13 episodes long anime a chance.