After your typical binge of Naruto, One Piece, Gintama, or the tenth viewing of Hunter x Hunter, you’re probably ready for a break. You’d want a nice short series with no strings attached and as few feelings hurt as possible. Although I cannot vouch for the last part, we will look at the best anime series that you can watch in a single day. These have 11-12 episodes that can be binge-watched in a day and only 1 season. Here’s our Top 10 Best Short Anime to Binge in a Day!
Best Short Anime to Watch
10. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto
Sophisticated, suave, and sublime are all words that describe Sakamoto, who is exceedingly handsome and patently perfect. Despite the fact that it is only his first day of high school, his attractiveness, intelligence, and charm have the girls swooning and the guys fuming with envy. No one seems to be able to stop him, as all attempts to trip him up are quickly foiled.
You want to bully Sakamoto? Well, now you’re in love with him. You’re friends with Sakamoto? Now your mom is in love with him.
His sangfroid is indomitable, and his wits are unrivaled. Will any of Sakamoto’s classmates, or even teachers, be able to reach his level of excellence? Probably not, but they might learn something along the way…
9. Baccano
In a reimagined 1700s, a group of alchemists summons a demon in their quest for eternal life. Although their wish is granted, they soon discover that they are their worst enemies because they are capable of killing one another.
Baccano! is based on the award-winning light novels of the same name and follows several events that appear unrelated at first glance, both in time and place, but are part of a much larger story—one of alchemy, survival, and immortality. The kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connect various people, each with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and create lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.
P.S. This one has 16 episodes.
8. Death Parade
After death, either Heaven or Hell awaits most humans. But for a select few, death brings them to Quindecim—a bar where only pairs of people who die at the same time can enter. Attending the bar is an enigmatic figure known as Decim, who also acts as the arbiter. He judges those who end up at Quindecim by challenging them to a life-or-death game. These games determine whether or not the patron’s soul will be reincarnated into a new life or be sent into the void, never to be seen again.
From darts and bowling to fighting games, each patron’s true nature slowly emerges as they wager their souls. Though his methods remain unchanged, the unexpected appearance of a black-haired amnesiac forces Decim to reconsider his own decisions.
7. Charlotte
If not for his ability to take over people’s minds and bodies, Yuu Otosaka would be an ordinary high school student. Though it only lasts for five seconds at a time, Yuu’s mysterious power allowed him to cheat his way to the top of his class and enter a prestigious high school, where he continues his dishonest acts.
His shenanigans are eventually stopped by Nao Tomori—the headstrong student council president from Hoshinoumi Academy—who sees through his deceit. Through coercion, Nao convinces Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi and join the student council. Hoshinoumi Academy is secretly an institution created for adolescents who possess supernatural abilities—with the student council serving as a means of locating those who abuse their powers.
With Yuu begrudgingly assisting in council affairs, the group sets out to find and protect new ability users from harm. However, as they further investigate the abilities, their findings entangle them in far more complicated matters than they could ever imagine.
6. Angel Beats!
If you want to give your heart to an anime and have it be ruthlessly stepped on, smashed into pieces, and set on fire, you should definitely consider watching Angel Beats! The afterlife school setting is so unique, yet it immediately feels very familiar, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with the characters, each of whom has their own afterlife goals and ambitions. For example, Nakamura Yuri is the leader of a group of rebels on a quest to avenge their own deaths by destroying unseen Gods, whereas Otonashi Yuzuru is a newcomer to the afterlife who wakes up with no memory of his life.
5. The Devil is a Part-Timer
Powerless in a world without magic, Satan assumes the guise of a human named Sadao Maou and begins working at MgRonald’s—a local fast-food restaurant—to make ends meet. He soon realizes that his goal of conquering Ente Isla is just not enough as he grows determined to climb the corporate ladder and become the ruler of Earth, one satisfied customer at a time!
Whether it’s part-time work, household chores, or simply trying to pay the rent on time, Hataraku Maou-sama! presents a hilarious view of the most mundane aspects of everyday life, all through the eyes of a hapless demon lord.
The Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2 is scheduled to be released on June 10 this year.
4. Erased
Erased follows Satoru in his mission to uncover what truly transpired 18 years ago and prevent the death of his classmate while protecting those he cares about in the present.
Satoru Fujinuma is sent back several minutes before an accident occurs when tragedy is about to strike. The detached 29-year-old manga artist has used this powerful yet mysterious phenomenon, dubbed “Revival,” to save many lives.
However, when he is wrongfully accused of murdering someone close to him, Satoru is sent back in time, this time to 1988, 18 years ago. Soon after, he realizes that the murder may be linked to the kidnapping and murder of one of his classmates, the solitary and mysterious Kayo Hinazuki when he was a child. This is his opportunity to make things right.
3. Grand Blue
Based on Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka’s popular comedy manga, Grand Blue follows Iori’s misadventures with his eccentric new friends as he strives to realize his ideal college dream, while also learning how to scuba dive.
Iori Kitahara relocates to the coastal town of Izu for his first year of university, living above Grand Blue, his uncle’s scuba diving shop. Iori has high hopes and dreams of having the perfect college experience, but when he enters the shop, he is sucked into the alcoholic activities of the carefree Diving Club members who frequent the place. Iori reluctantly joins their bizarre party after being persuaded by upperclassmen Shinji Tokita and Ryuujirou Kotobuki. Chisa Kotegawa, his cousin, later walks in and catches him in the act, earning Iori’s scorn.
2. The Promised Neverland
Just forget that a second season for this anime exists and it’ll probably be one of the best anime that you’ve ever watched.
The Grace Field House, surrounded by a forest and with a gated entrance, is inhabited by orphans who happily live together as one big family, cared for by their “Mama,” Isabella. Although they must take tests every day, the children are free to spend their time as they see fit, usually playing outside, as long as they do not venture too far from the orphanage—a rule they are expected to follow at all times. However, all good things must come to an end, as a child is adopted and sent to live with their new family every few months, never to be heard from again.
The three oldest siblings, on the other hand, have their doubts about what is going on at the orphanage, and they are about to discover the cruel fate that awaits the children at Grace Field, including the twisted nature of their beloved Mama.
1. Violet Evergarden
The Great War finally came to an end after four long years of conflict; fractured in two, the continent of Telesis slowly began to flourish once again. Caught up in the bloodshed was Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised for the sole purpose of decimating enemy lines. Hospitalized and maimed in a bloody skirmish during the War’s final leg, she was left with only words from the person she held dearest, but with no understanding of their meaning.
Violet Evergarden is one of the few anime series where it’ll all end up in tears. It is a visual masterpiece with the most beautiful animation. People often mention that even holding up their tears won’t be enough.
Also, if you’re a fan of Spy x Family like me, be sure to check out the Top 10 Anime Like Spy x Family
Now listen, I know there are a lot of other short anime that more than deserved to be on this list but, that’s for another time. You can drop your favorite short anime in the comments to help others out.
