25 Anime Series With One Season You Can Binge in a Day (2025)

Anime comes in all shapes and sizes. A lot of experimental anime only lasts a few episodes, with a single season to its name. That said, plenty of these anime still proved to be cult classics, with some even being some of the most famous anime of all time. No matter what genre, whether it's horror works, magical girl series, science-fiction thrillers, or slice-of-life stories, there's going to be a binge-able show out there.

In a way, their short length can prove to be a good thing, as it means fans and interested viewers can enjoy the series in one day if not a single sitting. For some anime, especially ones with ongoing stories, it can even be more enjoyable watching it all at once, instead of bit by bit, since it helps viewers follow the story better. When some one-season anime proves popular, they might still inspire other media, including films, OVAs, and even a few spin-offs.

Update October 18, 2024: This article has been updated by Soniya Hinduja with more binge-worthy anime series that are only one season long.

25 Afro Samurai (2007) - 5 Episodes

Afro Samurai

Action

Adventure

Drama

Fantasy

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

January 4, 2007

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson , Phil LaMarr , Yuri Lowenthal , Ron Perlman , James Arnold Taylor , Jason Marsden , Tara Strong , Kelly Hu

Seasons

1

Afro Samurai takes place in a futuristic post-apocalyptic Japan, where warriors are divided on the basis of their power, with their headband representing their place in the hierarchy. The “Number 1” headband is sought by all swordsmen. The main character, Afro, was just a boy when his father was defeated in a duel with Justice, who then took his headband. Now the day has arrived when Afro can fight through the sea of enemies and claim the Number 1 headband.

Style, Soul, and Spectacle

Spread across five ultra-violent episodes, this MAPPA studio anime features a grim world with the help of stylish animation and vibrant colors. It is led by a star-studded English-language voice cast, with Samuel L. Jackson providing the main voice. The series is also saturated with pop culture references, subtle nods to hip-hop elements, and visceral action sequences. It isn’t very detailed in terms of character development or backstories considering the short run, but Afro Samurai is definitely worth the watch.

24 Bunny Drop (2011) - 11 Episodes

Daikichi Kawachi, the main character of Bunny Drop, is a 30-year-old introverted bachelor who hears that his grandfather has suddenly passed away. Shortly after arriving at his grandfather’s house, Daikichi learns that he had an illegitimate daughter. None of his family members are willing to raise her, so Daikichi becomes Rin's guardian. As they adjust to their new lives, they eventually form an unlikely bond.

A Rarity in the Anime World

An understated gem for when you’re in the mood for a feel-good anime, Bunny Drop balances the poignancy of life and drama through its thoughtful exploration of familial bonds. Its characters are authentic and relatable. Despite the simple animation and zero conflict, the series is binge-worthy because of the everyday scenes and quiet moments shared by Daikichi and Rin, as well as the pure and unfiltered tribulations faced while raising children. Stream on Crunchyroll or Tubi.

23 Terror In Resonance (2014) - 11 Episodes

In Terror in Resonance, a mysterious pair of thieves who name themselves “Sphinx” attack a nuclear facility in Japan. The casualties are small, but in the aftermath of the attack, there is social unrest in the country, which leaves the citizens desperate and anxious. The series follows Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the attacks, as they orchestrate a meticulous fight against the system for their own twisted gains.

A Crisp Psychological Thriller

Created by Shinichirō Watanabe, the genius behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Terror In Resonance is a one-of-a-kind anime that manages to convey a mystery so ripe in the span of just 11 episodes. The visually striking cityscapes and the complex characters, the non-linear plot, and the mature themes of trauma and social upheaval come together to tell a nuanced tale. The series won immense critical acclaim and a fanbase that ensures its legacy lives on for decades to come. Stream on Crunchyroll.

22 No Game, No Life (2014) - 12 Episodes

Adapted from Yuu Kamiya’s light novel series of the same name, No Game, No Life follows gamer stepsiblings Sora and Shiro, two inseparable shut-ins who find themselves transported to an alternate world where all sorts of conflicts are decided by games. Their mission is to defeat the God of the Games, and for that, they must win countless battles and rise through the ranks of Disboard in their new game-packed reality.

Deconstructs the Isekai Genre

There is something quite distinct and irresistible about gaming anime. The bright animation and vivid presentation of games, the charming and eccentric characters, and the highly intelligent strategies and maneuvers they use to win a match are all memorable elements in No Game, No Life. The episodes are also slightly humorous and meaningful, which balances out the fast-paced and creative action. Overall entertaining and surprisingly short, it should have lasted longer. Stream on Hulu.

21 Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (2018) - 11 Episodes

The ultimate rom-com, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku, centers around Narumi Momose, who has just started a new job. Desperate to maintain a mature personality, she vows to never let her co-workers know about her secret – that she is an otaku. Fortunately for Narumi, she bumps into Hirotaka Nifuji, an old friend, at work, and discovers that he’s also a gaming otaku. An awkward but toe-curling romance develops between them.

Sets The Bar For Office Romances Real High

What makes Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku stand out among anime’s wide variety of romantic comedies is that it focuses on adulthood not as a burden, but as a transitory phase. The main characters are not teenagers but they also haven’t given up on their hobbies and interests, their love for anime, manga, and gaming, just yet. They highlight self-acceptance and life’s quiet wins against the backdrop of a very playful atmosphere. Stream on Prime Video.

20 A Place Further Than the Universe (2018) - 13 Episodes

A Place Further Than the Universe sees Mari Tamkai, a high school student who feels she is wasting her youth but is too scared about living life to the fullest. Things change when she meets up with Shirase Kobuchizawa, a girl who is planning a trip to Antarctica in hopes of finding information about her missing mother. The two are soon joined by two other girls as they venture out to see the mysterious continent.

A Coming-of-Age Story About Making Memories

The 13-episode anime is known for its beautiful scenery, notably depicting different areas in Japan, Singapore, and Antarctica. In particular, a running sequence in the second episode, which shows the girls evading members of the expedition team through Kabukichō in Tokyo, captures the overall atmosphere of the series and the feeling of making a memory that a person will remember all their life. Overall, despite the series' feeling of adventure and globetrotting, it's a coming-of-age story at its heart. Stream on Crunchyroll.

19 Prétear (2001) - 13 Episodes

Prétear is a 13-episode magical girl anime that draws on various classic fairy tales. Himeno is currently dealing with her father's remarriage after her mother's death. On her way to school one day, she encounters a mysterious boy named Hayate, who is one of seven magical knights that control the elements. The knights need Himeno's help, as she is the legendary Prétear, who can help them stop the evil Princess of Disaster.

Fairy Tales Come to Life on the Battlefield

As the Prétear, Himeno can effectively fuse with each of the knights, granting her power over their respective elements, complete with a new costume and weapon. Little does Himeno know; however, one of the knights is secretly working against her and is manipulating one of her stepsisters. The world's only hope is for Himeno to unlock her ultimate form, the White Prétear, and cover the world in the Snow of Happiness. Stream on Crunchyroll.

18 Inuyashiki: Last Hero (2017) - 11 Episodes

In Inuyashiki, or Inuyashiki Last Hero, Ichiro Inuyashiki starts out as a lonely, elderly salaryman whose life changes when he gets caught up in an explosion. He wakes up to see he's been rebuilt as a cyborg. He takes it upon himself to use his new powers to do some good in the world. Unfortunately, he's not the only person to have been changed by the explosion. Another, a young man known as Hiro Shishigami, is using his powers for death and destruction until he makes it his goal to utterly obliterate Japan.

An Unexpected Hero & Villain

The anime lasts only 11 episodes, though it adapts all ten volumes of the original manga. A live-action film also came out in 2018, with it intended as the first in a trilogy. The story is unique with its elderly protagonist, with the anime has a strong theme of showing respect to older generations. Stream on Crunchyroll.

17 Erased (2016) - 12 Episodes

Erased, also known as Boku dake ga Inai Machi, revolves around a struggling manga artist, Satoru Fujinuma, who has the power to mentally travel back in time. After his mother is murdered, and suspicion falls on him, Satoru goes back in time 18 years and is tasked with saving his mother, as well as three friends.

Can Someone Really Change the Past?

Whether or not it's even possible for Satoru to change the past is a driving question of the series. At times, it seems his only hope is getting people to believe his story, which is already troublesome when he is stuck in the body of a young child. The anime adaptation only lasts 12 episodes, causing a few storylines to be cut from the original story. The story also inspired a 12-episode drama and a live-action film. Stream on Hulu or Crunchyroll.

16 Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (2010) - 13 Episodes

Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt

TV-MA

Comedy

Release Date

October 1, 2010

Cast

Jamie Marchi , Monica Rial , Christopher R. Sabat , Ian Sinclair , Joel McDonald

Seasons

1

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is a comedy series revolving around two angel sisters, Panty and Stocking, who are sent from Heaven to Earth to protect humans from evil ghosts. However, the sisters themselves aren't average angels, with some of their enemies looking like goody-goodies by comparison. In fact, the reason they're stuck on Earth in the first place is that they're trying to earn their way back into Heaven.

Not Your Average Angels

The series is a love letter to Western animation, with the series filled with shout-outs to South Park, Ren and Stimpy, and The Powerpuff Girls. In fact, most of the series' music is done in English. The series is also well-known for its infamous twist ending, in which it turns out one of the heroes was a devil all along. Although more content has been teased over the years, the series clocks in at about 13 episodes, each made up of two segments, as well as a one-off special. Stream on Crunchyroll.

15 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022) - 10 Episodes

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

TV-MA

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

2022-09-00

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a cyberpunk anime that takes place in the world of the Cyberpunk 2077 game. A young kid, David Martinez, is trying to survive the futuristic Night City while attending the elite Arasaka Academy. After his mother gets caught up in a drive-by shooting, David becomes an "Edgerunner," a cybernetically enhanced mercenary to survive, soon joining up with other mercenaries.

A Series That Leaves You Wanting More

The 10-episode series is a standalone story, set around a year before the events of the game. Despite this, the anime has been credited with inspiring interest in the game among viewers. For its part, the anime series has been praised for its animation and its world-building. The music has also been praised, notably using "This Fffire" by Franz Ferdinand for its opening theme. That said, some viewers feel that the story goes too fast over such a short number of episodes.

14 Death Parade (2015) - 12 Episodes

Death Parade is an anime series based on the short film, Death Billiards. In this series' universe, when a person dies, they are sent to a mysterious bar in the afterlife. While there, they must fight for the fate of their souls in Death Games. Some souls can gain a new life, while others are sent to a mysterious void. Decim is a bartender at such a bar and serves as a judge of the Death Games. As the story goes on, he begins to experience human emotions thanks to his boss, Nona.

Life's a Joke and Death's Stranger Still

The series, which serves as a study of absurdism, discusses various themes, like the limitations of justice and judging people, even when knowing their life experiences, or what constitutes an identity. The 12-episode series is also notable for its animation, often using 3D effects for its backgrounds despite having two-dimensional visuals. Stream on Crunchyroll.

13 Angel Beats! (2010) - 13 Episodes

Angel Beats! is a 13-episode anime that takes place in an afterlife that looks like high school. Before moving on, the souls there must overcome the hardships of their past lives. Yuzuru Otonashi, a boy with no memories of his life, ends up in this afterlife and is asked to join the Afterlife Battlefront organization. They must fight against Angel, the student council president. As the story goes on, Otonashi begins to regain his lost memories, get to know Angel better, and realize the true goals of the afterlife.

Everything Unfolds With a Quick Watch

Not only is the series short enough to be binged in a day, but fans have even been known to recommend watching it in one go, as it allows viewers to pick up on details and clues they might miss when watching the anime piece by piece. In addition to the anime series, the story has inspired a few OVAs as well as at least two internet radio series. Stream on Crunchyroll.

12 Devilman Crybaby (2018) - 10 Episodes

Devilman: Crybaby

TV-MA

Animation

Action

Horror

Release Date

January 5, 2018

Cast

Koki Uchiyama , Ayumu Murase

Seasons

1

Devilman Crybaby is an adaptation of the classic Go Nagai manga. Akira Fudo is a high school student living with his friend Miki Makimura and her family. Things change when, during a confrontation with a gang, he is rescued by his old friend Ryo Asuka. However, through Ryo, Akira soon enters the world of demons, causing him to fuse with the devil Amon.

New Life in a Classic Manga

Devilman Crybaby is credited with popularizing the original Devilman series in the West, bringing it into the mainstream. The series, which lasts 10 episodes, is a surprisingly faithful retelling of the manga, albeit updated to a contemporary setting. Notably, the earlier 1970s anime, which lasted 39 episodes in total, surprisingly killed off Akira in the first episode, having Amon, or "Devilman," take over his body throughout the series. Stream on Netflix.

11 Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun (2014) - 12 Episodes

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun

TV-PG

Anime

Comedy

Romance

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

June 1, 2014

Cast

Yuichi Nakamura , Ari Ozawa , Masumi Tazawa , Sawako Hata , Christina Marie Kelly , Juliet Simmons , Ty Mahany , Tiffany Terrell

Seasons

2

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun starts off with Chiyo Sakura confessing her feelings to her crush, Umetarou Nozaki. However, he thinks she's just a fan, causing her to learn he's actually a popular shojo manga artist. Soon, she is drawn into his world as a manga assistant, all the while hoping to get close to him.

The Secret Life of Manga Artists

For manga and anime fans, the series gives them a chance to see what happens behind the scenes, looking at all the different roles it takes to produce a series. Of course, in a story where a successful mangaka is only in the 11th grade, and has been working even before high school, it leans more towards an escapist fantasy than a real-life account. In addition to the 12-episode anime, the story has also been adapted into an audio drama and an OVA. Both are also quick watches for fans, being one and six episodes, respectively.

10 Yuri on Ice (2016) - 12 Episodes

Yuri on Ice, also stylized as Yuri!!! on ICE, is a 12-episode sports anime revolving around the world of figure skating. Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki suffers a defeat at the Grand Prix Final, causing him to put his skating career on hold. Years later, footage of Yuri imitating Victor Nikiforov, a Russian skating champion, gets leaked online. The real Victor Nikiforov then makes Yuri an offer to revive his career with him serving as his coach.

Even the Skating Sounds Are Real

A lot of dedication was put into the series' skating. Kenji Miyamoto served as the anime's figure skating choreographer. In fact, audio from the real-life skating routines was used as sound effects for the series. Each character was also given a different animator, meaning the skaters each had a unique style. The series was also credited with popularizing things from Chanel lip balm to tourism to Karatsu, the inspiration for Yuri's hometown of Hasetsu. Stream on Crunchyroll.

9 Your Lie in April (2014) - 22 Episodes

Your Lie in April

TV-PG

Drama

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

October 9, 2014

Cast

Max Mittelman , Erica Lindbeck , Erica Mendez , Kyle McCarley , Erik Scott Kimerer , Erika Harlacher , Stephanie Sheh , Wendee Lee , Carrie Keranen , Christina Vee

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Naoshi Arakawa

Your Lie in April sees piano prodigy Kōsei Arima lose the ability to hear the sound of his piano after the death of his mother. After a few years, he even starts to view the world in monochrome. One day, he encounters the free-spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono, who helps him return to playing music. All the while, Kōsei realizes he has seemingly unrequited feelings for Kaori. Things take a turn, however, when it comes to light that Kaori's health is on the line.

The Colors Start to Return

While Your Lie in April only lasts a season, it's still quite long, clocking in at 22 episodes, as well as an OVA. The series is naturally famous for its music, ranging from the classical pieces performed to the catchy theme songs. While comedic at times, the series touches on a variety of subjects, from parental abuse to terminal illness, and the death of family and friends.

8 Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) - 12 Episodes

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

TV-14

Action

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

January 7, 2011

Cast

Christine Marie Cabanos , Cristina Vee , Carrie Keranen , Sarah Anne Williams , Cassandra Lee Morris

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Akiyuki Shinbo , Gen Urobuchi , Ume Aoki , Shaft

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is an anime series that famously adds a twist to the magical girl genre. Madoka Kaname and her friend Sayaka Miki encounter the catlike Kyubey, who offers the girls a chance to become magical girls and battle witches. In exchange, they might just get a wish granted. However, Homura Akemi, another magical girl, tries to keep Madoka from going through with the contract. As the story goes on, Madoka begins to learn the lot of a magical girl isn't an easy one, especially when the true origin of the witches comes to light.

The Spin-Off Got Three Seasons

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is famous as a deconstruction of the magical girl genre. The anime lasts 12 episodes. However, it has inspired a variety of supplementary material, including a series of films, various manga spin-offs, and games, one of which inspired the Magia Record anime, which lasted three seasons.

7 Baccano! (2007) - 13 Episodes

Baccano!

TV-MA

Release Date

July 26, 2007

Main Genre

Anime

Cast

Michael C. Pizzuto , J. Michael Tatum , Caitlin Glass , Akemi Kanda , Maxey Whitehead , Masaya Onosaka

Seasons

1

Creator

Ryôgo Narita

Baccano! is an anime set in a fictional version of the United States, where various figures, from alchemists to thieves, share one connection: an immortality elixir, first made in the 1700s and later recreated in 1930s Manhattan. For those who consume it, the only way they can die is to be consumed by another immortal. However, things get even more complicated when the elixir is mistaken for alcohol at a party.

The Times Keep on Changing

Initially based on a series of light novels, the anime originally lasted 13 episodes, though bonus episodes brought the number to 16. As the series randomly cuts between different times, it's recommended to watch the series in one sitting. The series was known for its attention to detail in accurately portraying New York, with crew members scouting various places in the state.

6 Elfen Lied (2004) - 13 Episodes

Elfen Lied

TV-MA

Sci-Fi

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

July 25, 2004

Cast

Kira Vincent-Davis , Adam Conlon , Christine Auten , Nancy Novotny , Cynthia Martinez , Sasha Paysinger , Jay Hickman , Jason Douglas , Luci Christian

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Takao Yoshioka , Lynn Okamoto

Elfen Lied revolves around a mutated species, "Diclonius," who resemble horned humanoids and have telekinetic, phantom arms One Diclonius, Lucy, is able to escape an experimental facility, but is injured and develops a new personality, "Nyu." Two cousins, Kouta and Yuka, take Lucy in and find themselves caught up in various attempts to recapture her. However, Lucy and Nyu have a few more personalities that are about to come to light.

The Song of the Elves

The Elfen Lied anime, which lasted 13 episodes with a bonus OVA, was made before the manga was finished, meaning the plots go in different directions, especially concerning the ending. While still having something of a cult following in Japan, the series was noted to be popular in the West, where it is often regarded as an anime classic.

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