10 best anime for teenagers to binge

Anime for teenagers is becoming increasingly popular among younger audiences around the world. The unique animation style, engaging stories, and relatable characters make these shows a big hit with the 13-19 age group.

By blending outrageous imagination with emotional resonance, the following 10 anime make for ideal entry points for teenagers seeking action, laughs, life lessons, or captivating fantasy escapism from their animation viewing.

Whether grappling with tragedy, loss of innocence, bonds of friendship, or determination in the face of peril, these anime for teenagers showcase protagonists that feel familiar to teens’ personal growth into adulthood.

Naruto, Blue Lock, and 8 must-see best anime for teenagers

1. Naruto

This long-running ninja action series follows Naruto Uzumaki, a loud, hyperactive adolescent who dreams of becoming the village leader. As an orphaned boy shunned by his village for being the host of a menacing fox spirit, Naruto starts off as an underdog.

As he masters ninja techniques and forms meaningful bonds, he becomes a heroic figure. Teen viewers can relate to Naruto's struggles to prove himself, gain respect, and realize his full potential. This makes Naruto an engaging anime for teenagers.

The anime allows them to go on an aspirational journey, as the scrappy Naruto earns acknowledgment through perseverance. With its captivating mix of martial arts, supernatural elements, and coming-of-age themes, Naruto makes for an exciting watch.

2. Blue Lock

For sports-loving teenagers, the soccer-themed Blue Lock delivers exhilarating animation and high-stakes drama. It focuses on Yoichi Isagi, a young player selected for the titular program designed to mold Japan’s next world-class striker among 300 forwards.

As a top anime for teenagers, it provides great insight into ambition and determination. Viewers are quickly swept up in the competitive clashes between players vying to become the best striker, as egos flare and soccer strategies collide.

Beyond dynamic soccer matches, Blue Lock also immerses the viewer in the mental pressures of competition, through Yoichi’s emotional journey. With themes about ambition, teamwork, rivalry, and self-improvement driving its narrative forward, Blue Lock gives a rewarding anime experience for teenage sports fans.

3. Demon Slayer

This immensely popular dark fantasy epic instantly grabs teenagers with its enthralling world of demon slayers and its protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, desperately striving to cure his sister who has become a demon. As an anime for teenagers, it offers both intense action and emotional depth.

Its storytelling balances bone-chilling demon battles with emotionally charged drama, as Tanjiro joins an organization of demon slayers to keep his sister safe and find a way to reverse her transformation.

With its breathtaking action visuals, a lovable cast with great chemistry, and deeper themes of salvation and the importance of empathy, Demon Slayer has become a contemporary anime touchstone for action-loving teenagers. Its blend of intense action and heartfelt moments creates a well-rounded experience for teens.

4. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Image via Wit Studio/ MAPPA)

Few anime premises can match the intense, apocalyptic stakes of Attack on Titan. Set in a world where gargantuan giants called Titans have nearly wiped out humanity, its terrifying setting pairs grippingly with its crafted action and political intrigue, making it a compelling anime for teenagers.

Centered on the journeys of Eren Yeager and the Survey Corps regiment battling for humanity’s future, there is no shortage of tension-filled battles with skin-crawling foes.

Off the battlefield, its complex ideological divisions grow deeper as the series progresses, keeping teenage viewers constantly evaluating who to side with. With its relentlessly fast pace and perpetual sense of looming threat, Attack on Titan is the perfect blend of horror and riveting storytelling to transfix mature teenagers.

5. Death Note

The psychological cat-and-mouse crime thriller Death Note has continually gained traction among teenagers for the fierce rivalry between its iconic characters, Light and L. This anime for teenagers dives deep into ethical dilemmas and thought-provoking themes.

When Light discovers a supernatural notebook allowing him to kill anyone by writing their name, he aims to purge the world of evil and create a crime-free utopia. His idealistic extremism clashes with the brilliant detective L’s commitment to solving the case, making for profound explorations of morality and justice.

Backed by stylish visuals and pulse-pounding mind games, Death Note keeps teenage viewers constantly debating the complex dilemmas faced by Light and L. With mature themes and challenging ethical questions, Death Note is a provocative anime perfect for thoughtful teenagers.

6. Jujutsu Kaisen

Blending creepy supernatural thrills with electric action and offbeat humor, Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly become a popular anime for teenagers. Protagonist Yuji Itadori is a likable underdog who ingests a powerful Curse and joins a secret Exorcist organization to harness the Curse’s strength while retaining his humanity.

As Yuji contends with increasingly terrifying Curses, the world of Jujutsu Kaisen only grows more fascinating through its eccentric exorcists, diverse takes on the occult, and dynamic Curse battles.

Complemented by its vibrant, kinetic animation style and Yuji’s endearing chemistry with the impulsive Satoru Gojo, Jujutsu Kaisen is a well-rounded thrill ride that shouldn't fail to electrify teenagers new to anime.

7. One Piece

As one of the "Big Three" battle shounen anime franchises, One Piece has captivated viewers for over 25 years with its grand pirate adventure following the Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy.

This enduring anime for teenagers follows Luffy's aspiration to find the ultimate treasure called "One Piece" and become King of the Pirates, as he assembles a ragtag but lovable crew for swashbuckling escapades across the seas.

Teenagers become easily invested in Luffy's gang of underdogs and outcasts striving for their dreams, leading to no shortage of tear-inducing moments alongside frenetically fun fights against rival pirates and navy officers.

From its eccentric characters to emotional coming-of-age themes, One Piece is a quintessential anime full of heart that builds strong connections with teenage viewers over its long-spanning, still-continuing story.

8. Monster

While often intense and chilling, Monster crafts a thoughtfully layered mystery thriller exploring conscience and human nature. As a gripping anime for teenagers, it tackles mature themes that appeal to older, reflective teenagers.

It centers on Japanese neurosurgeon Kenzo Tenma, whose decision to save a young boy named Johan Liebert instead of the town mayor returns to haunt him as Johan becomes a cunning serial killer with a sinister agenda.

With its realistic 1980s German setting and emphasis on moral ambiguity, Monster enthralls mature teenagers with its provocative themes on sociopathy, regret over past choices, and the fine line between good and evil.

9. Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter strikes an engaging balance between vibrant shounen adventure and creative worldbuilding that pulls in many teenage viewers. It chronicles the journey of young Gon Freecss to become a professional Hunter— an elite adventurer with diverse abilities— in order to track down his absent father.

Alongside his friends Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua, Gon faces fantastical creatures and villainous outlaws while the audience discovers the engrossing lore behind Hunters. While grounded in fun action staples, Hunter x Hunter also crafts thoughtful story arcs exploring morality and loss.

With an expansive power system open for creativity and character relationships that grow meaningfully over time, Hunter x Hunter has become a popular anime for teenagers.

10. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Image via Bones)

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a well-conceived adaptation merging sophisticated storytelling with knockout action. It centers on gifted teenage alchemists Edward and Alphonse Elric, on a quest to restore their damaged bodies, soon uncovering deeper conspiracies that force them to question their path.

Fantastical super-powered battles coexist nicely with nuanced themes of family, guilt, and the ethical line between science and magic, captured through thoughtful writing. It's an anime for teenagers that delves into deep philosophical questions and moral choices.

With fully realized characters confronting harsh moral choices, Brotherhood gives an aesthetically stylish, emotionally hard-hitting viewing experience perfect for mature teenagers.

Conclusion

Thanks to their blend of pulpy entertainment and resonant coming-of-age themes, these acclaimed anime for teenagers have proven to be gateways for teenagers into the medium.

Catering to adolescent sensibilities, they feature underdog heroes facing conflicts that resonate with viewers transitioning into adulthood. Their creative settings, adrenaline-fueled animation, and touching emotional storytelling nicely balance each other out for appealing viewing experiences.

Moving forward, these anime for teenagers look set to inspire a whole new generation of passionate teenage anime fans as admirable entry-level series.