11 anime you can't help but rewatch time and again

Many anime series and movies are produced yearly; however, there are some fan favorites that one can’t help but rewatch. These are some cult classics that changed the demography of anime worldwide.

Shows like Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood made a huge impact on anime’s popularity across the world. While being commercially successful, they are also critically acclaimed. Many fans grew up watching these shows, and rewatching them can give viewers a sense of nostalgia.

From engaging storylines to proficient use of metaphors, these series have many qualities that make fans want to rewatch them. This listicle compiles 11 such examples that fans can’t help but rewatch.

From Naruto Shippuden to Jujutsu Kaisen, 11 anime that you can’t help but rewatch time and again

1) Naruto Shippuden

The Main Characters of Naruto Shippuden (Image via Pierrot)

Naruto’s sequel, Naruto Shippuden, was a huge success and is one of the Big 3s in anime history. It covers Naruto’s journey throughout his teen years while touching on the main themes of the series.

Naruto has many well-written characters, like Naruto, Itachi, Kakashi, Jiraiya, etc. It also has an interesting narrative, combining action, drama, and philosophical elements to make it rewatch-worthy.

While Naruto has a lot of fillers, fans can ignore them and enjoy their favorite anime anytime.

2) Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (Image via Studio Bones)

The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist and the 2009 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood are both critically acclaimed and fan favorites. While based on the same manga of a similar title, the 2009 adaptation is more reliable.

It’s a story of two brothers embarking on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone to get their bodies back. It’s an interesting story of adventure, political conspiracy, and the limitation of knowledge.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a cult classic that fans can’t help but rewatch.

3) Attack on Titan

The Main Characters of Attack on Titan (Image via MAPPA)

Attack on Titan is arguably the best anime produced in this decade. Both the series and manga became popular worldwide. Attack on Titan is an alternate take on evolution theory. However, instead of being too theoretical, it’s an action-packed, thrilling show.

The series has great animation, an intriguing plot, and interesting character design. The protagonist and his complex resolve to end a century-long rift between humans are panned out skillfully.

Attack on Titan has no filler episodes, and the intriguing plotline hooks the audience so much that they will have to rewatch it again.

4) Death Note

Light Yagami in Death Note (Image via Madhouse)

Death Note is one of the shows that hugely impacted anime’s current popularity among netizens. It’s a thriller series revolving around the cat-and-mouse chase between L and Kira.

Light Yagami is a high school student who accidentally picks up a notebook called “Death Note” and begins his journey as a serial killer, Kira. Light’s god complex and twisted sense of justice make him one of the finest written protagonists.

Death Note is a rollercoaster ride that grips the audience with its plotline. It’s a short series with 37 episodes that anyone can binge-watch anytime.

5) Steins; Gate

Rintaro Okabe in Steins; Gate (Image via WhiteFox)

Steins; Gate is one of the cult sci-fi anime. The story runs with a vortex of Mayuri and Kurisu’s death and Rintaro Okabe’s die-hard attempt to save both.

The protagonist and his acquaintances found a method to text in the past to change the future. However, they become targets of SERN, further complicating the plot.

Although there are many good sci-fi genre shows, like Psycho Pass, Cyberpunk, etc. Steins; Gate has a distinct place and is a fan favorite. It’s a short series that fans enjoy rewatching time and again.

6) Jujutsu Kaisen

Gojo and Sukuna Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen is a sensational series that has swept the anime community like a storm. As a testament to its popularity, there were protests when one of the main characters, Gojo Satoru, died in the manga.

Jujutsu Kaisen follows the life of Yuji Itadori, who becomes a Heian Era curse, Sukuna’s vessel, after accidentally consuming Sukuna’s finger.

However, Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t only about Yuji; the series also focuses on each character, their backstory, development, and significance to the plot. It’s an action-packed anime fans can rewatch anytime.

7) Code Geass

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a series one can rewatch anytime. It’s a retelling of the history of WWII. The world-building of the plot explores the socio-cultural scenarios of a colonized country.

The protagonist, Lelouch vi Britannia, is a Britannian prince trying to take back his rightful place in the Empire of Britannia but gets involved in the liberation struggle of the Japanese.

The plot combines elements of Mecha and the mystery genre to make it a more thrilling experience for the audience.

8) Demon Slayer

Uzui and Tanjiro in Demon Slayer (Image via Ufotable)

The 2019 show Demon Slayer was an immediate success because of its unique art style, visual graphics, and animation. The series revolves around a century-long battle between humans and demons.

Kamado Tanjiro, the protagonist, loses everyone in his family except his younger sister, Nezuku, at the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji. Muzan turns Nezuko into a demon as well.

Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to kill Muzan and cure his sister. Although extremely gory, the plot is interesting. It’s one of the anime fans can rewatch anytime.

9) Monster

Kenzo Tenma in Monster (Image via Madhouse)

Monster is a classic that has been a fan favorite since its release. It’s been 19 years since its release, but it’s still one of the most-watched thriller anime.

The series follows a brilliant doctor, Kenzo Tenma, who faces psychological and professional backlash as one of his previous patients terrorizes Dusseldorf.

As Doctor Tenma tries to unfold the mystery behind countless murders, the plot attempts to analyze who or what a monster is. The plot is intriguing and is worth a rewatch, no matter how many times one has watched it.

10) Nana

Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu in Nana (Image via Madhouse)

As a sorrowful tale of adulthood, Nana is a timeless classic that the 20’s age group enjoys rewatching anytime. The protagonists, Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki meet on their way to Tokyo and eventually become flatmates. Although they bear the same name, the two girls are strikingly different.

The series revolves around the intertwined lives of both protagonists as their dreams, ambitions, and personal lives clash. While the main focus is on the protagonists, it also focuses on other characters and their struggles.

The realism in Nana captures the issues of adulthood, relationships, and ambitions. All these make it an anime fans can rewatch time and again.

11) Cowboy Bebop

Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop (Image via Sunrise)

Cowboy Bebop (1998) was a breakthrough for neo-noir anime. This series was a huge commercial and critical success and has been a fan favorite since then.

Cowboy Bebop is set in a futuristic society where interstellar traveling has become normal. The series follows Spike Spiegel, an eccentric character, and his crew members in their spaceship, Bebop.

The show has a nonchalant plotline but gets gore by the end. Spike’s existential boredom and trauma from his past make the plot so interesting that one can rewatch the series anytime.

Final thoughts

While there are many anime, some stay with a viewer for a long time. Series like Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen heavily impact the audience with their unique storylines, themes, and characters.

Although there are individual favorites like Tokyo Ghoul and One Piece, the 11 series in this listicle are a walkthrough of the most popular and rewatchable anime according to a general consensus.