If you’re searching for what truly deserves your time on Crunchyroll in 2026, you’re in the right place. I’ve watched hundreds of series over the years, and every season I revisit what really stands out as the best animes on Crunchyroll. Not just hype, but storytelling, characters, animation quality, and cultural impact.
This list was built to be evergreen. These aren’t just trending titles — they are shows that defined eras, introduced unforgettable protagonists, and continue to attract new fans worldwide. If you’re wondering which series represent the best anime to watch on Crunchyroll today, save this guide. I update my rankings based on long-term quality, not temporary buzz.
Let’s go straight to the list.
Solo Leveling – Lots of action in an MMORPG Style and Voted The Best Anime of 2025!
Released in anime form in 2024 and based on the massively popular Korean web novel and manhwa, Solo Leveling quickly earned its place among the best animes choices on Crunchyroll. The story follows Sung Jin-Woo, a weak hunter in a world where gates connect Earth to monster-filled dimensions. Everything changes when he survives a mysterious dungeon and gains the ability to level up alone.
What makes this series stand out is how cleanly it blends RPG mechanics with intense action. The power progression feels earned, not rushed. The animation, especially during boss fights, set a new standard for adaptations of non-Japanese source material.
By 2026, Solo Leveling is often recommended as one of the best animes titles currently streaming on Crunchyroll, especially for fans who love dark fantasy and power-growth narratives.
What I like most about this anime, besides having arms and legs flying everywhere all the time, is the action, with many intense fights.
Jujutsu Kaisen – Lots of Fighting and Action, Cities and Settings are Destroyed in Every Battle!
Debuting in 2020 and adapted from Gege Akutami’s manga, Jujutsu Kaisen remains a pillar when discussing the best anime available on Crunchyroll. The story centers on Yuji Itadori, a high school student who becomes host to the cursed spirit Sukuna after swallowing a cursed object.
What elevates this anime is its balance. Brutal fights, horror elements, emotional character arcs, and philosophical themes about death all coexist naturally. MAPPA’s animation brought unprecedented fluidity to hand-to-hand combat, making every episode visually memorable.
Even years after release, Jujutsu Kaisen is still considered one of the best animes series to stream on Crunchyroll, especially for viewers who want intensity without sacrificing storytelling depth.
Demon Slayer – A Visual Icon Among Crunchyroll’s Best Anime
First released in 2019, Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is adapted from Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga and follows Tanjiro Kamado, a kind-hearted boy turned demon slayer after his family is massacred.
This anime redefined what audiences expect from animation quality. Ufotable’s work during sword techniques and elemental effects became instantly recognizable. But beyond visuals, the emotional core — family, loss, and perseverance — is what keeps fans engaged.
Even in 2026, many newcomers start their journey into the best animes catalog on Crunchyroll with Demon Slayer, making it one of the platform’s most accessible yet powerful titles.
Attack on Titan – A Defining Masterpiece of Anime Storytelling
Premiering in 2013 and based on Hajime Isayama’s manga, Attack on Titan reshaped global anime popularity. The story follows Eren Yeager in a world where humanity hides behind walls to survive against giant humanoid Titans.
What starts as a survival story evolves into a complex political and philosophical epic. Themes of freedom, war, morality, and identity are explored with rare boldness. Few series have delivered plot twists with such long-term impact.
Even after its conclusion, Attack on Titan is consistently listed among the best anime to watch on Crunchyroll, especially for viewers who appreciate mature narratives and layered storytelling.
Chainsaw Man – Chaos, Emotion, and One of Crunchyroll’s Best Anime Experiences
Released in 2022, Chainsaw Man adapts Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga and follows Denji, a poor teenager fused with a chainsaw demon. What begins as absurd quickly becomes emotionally devastating.
This anime thrives on unpredictability. Characters feel raw, flawed, and painfully human. MAPPA’s cinematic direction gave the series a grounded, almost film-like atmosphere rarely seen in anime.
For viewers looking beyond traditional shonen formulas, Chainsaw Man stands out as one of the best anime selections on Crunchyroll, especially for those who value bold storytelling.
My Hero Academia – Superheroes and Heart in Crunchyroll’s Best Anime Lineup
Starting in 2016, My Hero Academia is based on Kohei Horikoshi’s manga and follows Izuku Midoriya, a powerless boy in a world full of superheroes.
The series excels at character development. Heroes and villains alike receive meaningful arcs, making the world feel alive. Its themes of legacy, responsibility, and personal growth resonate with a wide audience.
Even after multiple seasons, it remains one of the best anime series to binge on Crunchyroll, especially for fans of superhero narratives blended with classic shonen energy.
Kaiju No. 8 – A Fresh Contender Among the Best Anime on Crunchyroll
Premiering in 2024, Kaiju No. 8 adapts Naoya Matsumoto’s manga and follows Kafka Hibino, a man who gains the ability to transform into a kaiju in a monster-ravaged world.
What makes this anime unique is its older protagonist and grounded tone. Kafka isn’t chasing dreams — he’s reclaiming them. The series balances humor, action, and emotional weight surprisingly well.
By 2026, it’s widely discussed as one of the best anime currently streaming on Crunchyroll, especially for viewers tired of teenage-only leads.
Dandadan – Supernatural Chaos Done Right on Crunchyroll
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga and released as an anime in 2024, Dandadan blends aliens, ghosts, and teenage drama in a way that feels completely original.
The main characters, Momo Ayase and Okarun, navigate paranormal threats while dealing with awkward adolescence. The tone shifts effortlessly between comedy, horror, and action.
Its originality quickly secured its reputation as one of the best anime options on Crunchyroll, especially for viewers craving something unpredictable.
Spy x Family – Comfort, Comedy, and One of Crunchyroll’s Best Anime Picks
Debuting in 2022, Spy x Family adapts Tatsuya Endo’s manga and tells the story of a fake family formed for espionage purposes.
Each family member hides secrets, yet genuine bonds form. The balance between slice-of-life humor and spy tension makes it endlessly rewatchable.
For those seeking lighter but still high-quality storytelling, it remains one of the best anime to watch in 2026.
Gachiakuta – A Rising Dark Fantasy Worth Watching on Crunchyroll
Released in 2025 and based on Kei Urana’s manga, Gachiakuta introduces a brutal world divided by social class. The protagonist Rudo is cast into a wasteland and forced to survive among discarded monsters.
Its graffiti-inspired art style and raw themes of injustice and survival set it apart. The anime doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable realities.
By 2026, many fans consider it one of the best anime discoveries available on Crunchyroll, especially for those who enjoy darker, socially driven stories.
One Piece – The Greatest Anime in Japan with Endless Episodes
I’ve been following One Piece for years, and even in 2026, it still feels impossible to ignore its impact. Created by Eiichiro Oda and first released in 1999, the series is based on the manga of the same name and follows Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate with a rubber body and an unbreakable dream: becoming the Pirate King.
What makes One Piece stand out among the best anime options available on Crunchyroll is its world-building depth. Each arc introduces new islands, political systems, moral conflicts, and characters that evolve over time. The story isn’t just about adventure — it tackles freedom, oppression, loyalty, and legacy in a way few long-running series manage to sustain.
With over a thousand episodes, newcomers might feel overwhelmed. That’s why I strongly recommend using a One Piece Filler List to skip non-canon episodes and focus on the core story. Watching it this way completely changes the pacing and keeps the experience engaging, even for new fans.
If you want an anime that rewards long-term commitment and emotional investment, One Piece remains unmatched on Crunchyroll.
This list reflects what I truly believe to be the best anime you can watch on Crunchyroll in 2026 — not just popularity, but enduring quality. There are many other anime that will be added to the catalog over time that could likely appear on this list, in addition to classic anime known worldwide.
