This is a handpicked list of the best 12 episode short anime series made for those who don’t have the luxury of time to watch longer series.
Contents
1. Kaguya -sama: Love Is War Season 1 & 2
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is about two competitive, highly intelligent high school students hopelessly in love with one another. Here’s the catch, both of them are so stubborn to the point that neither wants to be the first one to confess. In their mind, whoever confesses first is clearly inferior.
The consequence of their obstinance is an all out mental war resulting in some of the most ridiculously thought out schemes to make the other confess first.
What will make you burst out laughing are the odd predicaments the two put themselves in and the realisation that neither have a sliver of an idea about what the other is thinking. This is a great 12 episode anime series that should you finish it, you’ll certaining be looking for more.
This anime has also been featured in another list: 5 Best Seinen Romance Anime.
2. Black Lagoon
Hot anime girls with guns. That can be the summary of this anime. It can also be called One Piece in real life. All jokes aside, this anime will provide you with some of the greatest fight sequences the action genre has to offer.
Revy is a gun-nut criminal who can be downright maniacal and a lunatic at times, and the anime glorifies it. At times it can be difficult to determine who exactly you should be rooting for.
The artistic tone of the series leans towards the more realistic side to offer the viewer a more mature experience and the animation is very crisp and fluid. Just take my word for it that this is an anime worth watching.
3. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Humor is subjective so this anime inevitably gets some hate but.. to put it simply, Daily Lives of Highschool Boys gets me. By that I mean it offers is my kind of humour.
If you are a long time fan of anime in general, you will definitely get the bountiful parodies and gags this anime offers. It pokes fun at every kind of genre and takes a what if scenario of a scene and makes it a reality.
4. One Punch Man
One Punch Man is another parody esque anime tackling the genre of superheroes. The cycle of superheroes fighting super villains in an endless war has been done 10 times over. Well what if there is a superhero without a super villain? A superhero so strong that he’s simply bored from the lack of excitement and fear that comes from overcoming strong foes.
I bet that piqued your interest didn’t it? It should have, because the premise is just so unique and risky that you must go and witness it for yourself. The story is already so unique and masterfully executed that the quality of the animation is simply icing on the cake.
This anime has also been featured in another list: 5 Most Overpowered Main Characters in Anime.
5. Mob Psycho 100
Kageyama is a middle school student that is too naive and far too strong for his own good. Make sure to not get on his bad side because his psychic powers and emotions are positively correlated.
The dynamic between Kageyama, his naive personality and the con-artist Teruki Hanazawa making money from his powers is what makes the anime such a great watch.
As a note, DON’T LET THE ART STYLE FOOL YOU! The series offers high quality animation and some astonishing action sequences. Because of the short amount of episodes, the serial is content heavy and compact make it a thrilling experience throughout.
This anime has also been featured in another list: 5 Most Overpowered Main Characters in Anime.
6. Sakamoto Desu ga?
Sakamoto is a prodigy at literally everything. There has never been such a perfect character in anime before. He’s handsome, intelligent, athletic, womaniser, philosophical, literally everything. But, why is this anime worth watching you might ask, and to that I say the characters.
There is everything to love about the characters in this short anime, the flawed individuals like you and I overcoming their barriers and obstacles, delinquints with third-dimensional personalities, jealous people realising their own pettiness etc. Everytime I turn this anime on, I can’t help but be inspired by Sakamoto and his humble attitude in life.
Check out the review for this anime: Sakamoto Desu Ga? Review – Making the most of what you have.
7. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul is your typical boy turns vampire trope, but it masterfully manages to execute the themes it tries to portray – that the concept of good and evil can be tangible and circumstantial based on the society we live in. The story will take you through an emotional rollercoaster with some very tragic and unfortunate events the primary casts face along the way.
The aestheticism of this anime is also in a league of its own with unique character designs and high production value, every scene is wallpaper worthy.
8. Deadman Wonderland
This anime is extremely gruesome with one of the most shocking first episodes in anime. Ganta Igarashi is having a casual day at school when a mysterious person comes and massacres his entire classmates in front of his innocent eyes.
Framed for the death of his classmates, Igarashi has to atone for his actions and is put into a prison amusement park called Deadman Wonderland.
At complete disbelief of what he witnessed and as if things couldn’t get any worse, the amusement park actually hosts numerous games for the prisoners where a wrong move will result in death.
As a note, the girl in the picture is not naked, it’s actually an outfit.
9. Grand Blue
Grandblue is an anime about diving. Or is it? Well.. it’s a little complicated since most of time is spent at university with characters getting piss drunk and buck naked. Iori Kitahara is a freshman at university coming to live with his uncle after coming out of an all boys high school.
He cannot wait to see and meet all the girls to live the ideal college experience. But when he opens the door to his uncle’s diving shop residence hoping to see all the cute girls, his dream gets completely shattered when he’s greeted with a bunch of jacked and nude frats.
I had read this a while back, long before the anime came out and I have to say, it is a pretty solid adaptation. The voice actors are perfectly casted and the gags are properly executed. The animation is also very solid and vibrant.
I will admit that some of you may find it comedy quite repetitive so if you don’t like the first episode, you are definitely not going to like the rest. However, if you enjoy the first episode then it’s a great experience.
10. Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3
I think it’s no surprise for anyone to find this anime on the list. I will admit that I have not seen the anime, but I have read the entire manga series. From the clips I have seen on YouTube and the scores on MAL, I would assume that this is quite a solid adaptation.
If you have not seen or heard of Attack On Titan, it’s about humanity on the brink of extinction due to the world being overrun by man-eating titans. The last of humanity are sheltered inside three gigantic walls keeping the Titans at bay. Attack on Titan is one of those series that just keeps getting better and better every season.
Plot points the author manages to implant early in the series and come back full circle near the end is nothing short of brilliant and amazing. There is no bullshit, just plain and simple art.
11. Boku dake ga Inai Machi [ERASED]
This anime is quite hazy in my brain because I watched it so long ago, but from what I remember, it was pretty unique. Erased is about a 29 year-old mangaka who gets sent back in time roughly 18 years in the past when tragedy strikes. Satoru takes advantage of this phenomenon known as Revival and uses it to his advantage in order to save lives in the future.
The suspenseful and thrilling atmosphere is a truly stand-out feature of the anime. The art style is also quite beautiful and heart-warming. Definitely worth the watch if you’re short on time and looking for an anime with a very unique premise.
12. Prison School
This anime to me, is truly a masterpiece. Everything from my first experience watching it and my initial expectations are still clear in my head. The comedy is really on point with this anime, especially with scenes that are played out so dramatically as though these high school students are facing life or death situations.
This anime has also been featured in another list: 5 Best Seinen Romance Anime.
