Not everyone has time to commit to 200+ episode epics. Sometimes you want a complete, satisfying anime experience in a single weekend. These short anime—all under 24 episodes—deliver incredible stories without demanding months of your life. They’re perfect for binge-watching, testing new genres, or filling the gap between longer series.
Don’t mistake “short” for “lesser.” Some of the greatest anime ever made clock in at 12 episodes or less. Tight storytelling, no filler, and complete narratives that know exactly how long they need to be.
Our Top Picks
1. Death Parade
- Episodes: 12 (Complete)
- Genre: Psychological, Drama, Supernatural
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu
- Why Watch: When people die, they’re sent to a mysterious bar where games determine their souls’ fates. Each episode explores human nature through gripping psychological drama. Beautifully crafted, emotionally devastating, and thought-provoking—all in 12 perfect episodes.
2. Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)
- Episodes: 12 (Complete)
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix / Hulu
- Why Watch: A man travels back to his childhood to prevent a series of kidnappings. Erased is a gripping thriller with emotional weight, exploring trauma, regret, and the desire to save those we couldn’t protect. You’ll finish it in one sitting—guaranteed.
3. Odd Taxi
- Episodes: 13 (Complete)
- Genre: Mystery, Drama, Thriller
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: A grumpy walrus taxi driver gets pulled into a web of interconnected mysteries. Don’t let the animal characters fool you—this is a sophisticated noir thriller for adults. Every conversation matters, every thread connects, and the finale is chef’s kiss perfection.
4. A Place Further Than the Universe (Sora yori mo Tooi Basho)
- Episodes: 13 (Complete)
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Coming of Age
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: Four high school girls journey to Antarctica. Sounds simple, but it’s one of the most emotionally powerful anime ever made. Themes of friendship, following dreams, and finding closure will leave you inspired and probably crying. Genuinely life-affirming.
5. Chainsaw Man (Season 1)
- Episodes: 12 (Season 2 coming)
- Genre: Action, Horror, Dark Comedy
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: A broke teenager merges with a chainsaw devil and becomes a devil hunter. It’s bloody, weird, hilarious, and beautifully animated by MAPPA. Season 1 works as a complete arc while leaving you desperate for more.
6. FLCL (Fooly Cooly)
- Episodes: 6 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu
- Why Watch: Six episodes of pure anime madness. FLCL is a coming-of-age story wrapped in surrealist mecha action with one of the best soundtracks ever (by The Pillows). It’s fast, weird, and secretly profound. A true classic that demands rewatching.
7. The Tatami Galaxy
- Episodes: 11 (Complete)
- Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: A college student keeps reliving his university years, trying different paths. The rapid-fire dialogue and unique visual style are unforgettable, and the message about seizing opportunities and accepting imperfection resonates deeply. Art-house anime at its finest.
8. Devilman Crybaby
- Episodes: 10 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Horror, Psychological
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Why Watch: A classic manga gets a wild, explicit modern adaptation. Devilman Crybaby is violent, sexual, and emotionally devastating—not for everyone, but absolutely unforgettable for those who connect with it. The ending will haunt you.
9. Terror in Resonance (Zankyou no Terror)
- Episodes: 11 (Complete)
- Genre: Thriller, Psychological, Drama
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu
- Why Watch: Two teenage terrorists target Tokyo with non-lethal bombs, challenging the public with riddles. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe with a stunning Yoko Kanno soundtrack, it’s a tense thriller exploring trauma, justice, and society’s failures.
10. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
- Episodes: 13 (Complete)
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: An AI idol must prevent humanity’s extinction by singing. Each arc covers different time periods as Vivy works to change history. Gorgeous animation by Wit Studio, emotional storytelling, and spectacular action. An underrated gem that deserves more attention.
11. Angel Beats!
- Episodes: 13 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix / Hulu
- Why Watch: Dead teens fight in a purgatory-like high school, trying to rebel against their fate. It’s funny, action-packed, and then suddenly destroys you emotionally. The ending is famous for making everyone cry. Classic short anime experience.
12. Bocchi the Rock!
- Episodes: 12 (Complete, Season 2 coming)
- Genre: Comedy, Music, Slice of Life
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: A socially anxious guitarist joins a band. Sounds simple, but the animation creativity and comedy are next-level. CloverWorks went absolutely wild with visual gags and experimental sequences. Hilarious, relatable, and genuinely heartwarming.
13. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Episodes: 10 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Why Watch: Studio Trigger brings the Cyberpunk 2077 world to life with a devastating original story. The action is incredible, the aesthetics are perfect, and the emotional gut-punch is real. You don’t need to play the game—this stands completely alone.
14. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
- Episodes: 11 (Complete)
- Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix
- Why Watch: A ghost of a childhood friend appears to reunite her old friend group. It’s a beautiful, melancholic exploration of grief, guilt, and moving forward. Prepare tissues—Anohana is legendary for making grown adults sob uncontrollably.
Quick Comparison Table
| Anime | Episodes | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death Parade | 12 | Psychological Drama | Thought-provoking themes |
| Erased | 12 | Mystery Thriller | Gripping binge-watch |
| Odd Taxi | 13 | Mystery Noir | Clever writing fans |
| Sora Yori | 13 | Adventure Drama | Emotional inspiration |
| Chainsaw Man | 12 | Action Horror | Wild action ride |
| FLCL | 6 | Surrealist Action | Quick unique experience |
| Tatami Galaxy | 11 | Comedy Drama | Art-house anime |
| Devilman Crybaby | 10 | Horror Drama | Intense mature content |
| Terror in Resonance | 11 | Thriller | Tense atmosphere |
| Vivy | 13 | Sci-Fi Action | Underrated gem |
| Angel Beats! | 13 | Action Drama | Tearjerker |
| Bocchi the Rock! | 12 | Comedy Music | Hilarious relatability |
| Edgerunners | 10 | Sci-Fi Action | Cyberpunk aesthetics |
| Anohana | 11 | Drama | Maximum tears |
How We Chose
Our selection criteria for the best short anime:
Complete or Self-Contained: Either fully concluded or offering a satisfying story within the episode count. No cliffhangers that require reading manga to understand.
Quality Over Length: These anime use every episode efficiently. No filler, no padding—pure concentrated storytelling.
Genre Diversity: Action, drama, comedy, thriller, horror—we wanted variety so everyone can find something.
Emotional Impact: Short anime often hit harder because every moment counts. These all leave lasting impressions.
Accessibility: Available on major streaming platforms in 2026.
Start Your Journey
Want to cry? Anohana, A Place Further Than the Universe, and Angel Beats! will destroy you emotionally.
Want action? Chainsaw Man, Vivy, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners deliver spectacular fights.
Want mystery? Erased and Odd Taxi are perfect thriller binge-watches.
Want something weird? FLCL, The Tatami Galaxy, and Devilman Crybaby offer unique experiences.
Want to laugh? Bocchi the Rock! is pure comedy gold with surprising heart.
The beauty of short anime is you can try multiple genres quickly. Watch one this weekend and another next weekend—you’ll discover what you love without major time investment.