10 Best Classic Anime Streaming on Netflix Right Now (Must-Watch Picks)

In recent years, Netflix has become one of the premier global anime streaming services, and that trend is set to continue with the streaming titan's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and recent partnership with studio MAPPA. Whether fans are looking for deep-cuts or the industry's biggest hits, Netflix has an abundance of both just clicks away.

While anime fans might typically be focused on the next big thing, there's never a wrong time to revisit the classics. Netflix has added a number of original and exclusive titles in recent years, though the service has also bolstered its lineup with a few can't-miss hits from years past, and these 10 shows are required watching for any and all anime fans.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Animated by Gainax, Original Anime Series

There's little left to be said about Neon Genesis Evangelion that hasn't already been said. Its mecha designs are iconic, and its characters rank among the most recognizable in anime history. Though the series aired 30 years ago in Japan, Evangelion remains just as breathtaking and mind-bending as it was in 1995.

From standard, colorful monster-of-the-week action, to psychological studies of its characters and breakdowns of 19th century philosophy, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a roller coaster that will keep viewers in suspense, in awe, and in tears, before feeling prompted to give themselves a round of applause and a well-deserved 'congratulations!'

Detective Conan

Animated by TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by Gosho Aoyama

There aren't many anime and manga franchises that can consistently hang with the likes of Dragon Ball, Mobile Suit Gundam, and One Piece in revenue, but Detective Conan has done just that throughout its 30-year history. Also known as Case Closed in the West, the series has been a staple in Japan for decades, though it's failed to catch on somewhat in the United States.

As the title suggests, Detective Conan follows a detective who goes by the pseudonym Conan Edogawa. After being force-fed an experimental drug that shrinks his body to that of a child's, Conan enrolls in an elementary school as he researches the mysterious Black Organization. The series spans over a thousand episodes, so fans can feel free to binge as they please.

Slam Dunk

Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Takehiko Inoue

Of all the genres that have dominated the anime sphere over the years, including battle shōnen, fantasy, and more recently, isekai, sports anime might just be the most underappreciated of the bunch. And there is arguably no sports anime and manga franchise as popular or lasting as Slam Dunk.

The story of Hanamichi Sakuragi, from delinquent to blossoming basketball star, has captivated audiences since Slam Dunk first began competing with Dragon Ball in the iconic Weekly Shōnen Jump. The 1993 anime series certainly shows its age, but it remains an incredibly entertaining and worthwhile watch today.

Great Teacher Onizuka

Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Tooru Fujisawa

Comedy is something that often fails to translate between languages and cultures, but Great Teacher Onizuka has been able to get laughs out of viewers around the world for nearly three decades. Also known as GTO, the series follows ex-biker gang member Eikichi Onizuka, who becomes a school teacher in an effort to find a girlfriend.

Some of its humor hasn't aged all that gracefully, but Onizuka always manages to do the right thing when his students need him, eventually becoming the great teacher he was meant to be. Simultaneously absurd and heartfelt, GTO remains a cult-classic among '90s anime fans.

Magic Knight Rayearth

Animated by TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by CLAMP

Based on the manga by the legendary all-female artist collective CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth might be a bit niche to the modern anime fan, but it's a must-watch for anyone wanting to experience that classic '90s anime aesthetic.

An early pioneer in the isekai genre, while capturing the classic CLAMP look, Magic Knight Rayearth is a hidden gem on Netflix. The series incorporates elements of both the magical girl and mecha genres, and follows a trio of girls transported to a fantasy world and tasked with rescuing a princess. A new entry in the series is scheduled for 2026.

Monster

Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Naoki Urusawa

It's incredibly rare that a manga artist creates more than one legendary series, let alone that an artist works on those two titles at the same time. Naoki Urusawa is one of those rare artists, with both 20th Century Boys and Monster becoming smash-hits. In 2004, the latter was adapted by the illustrious studio Madhouse.

Monster is a heavy, often harrowing crime thriller that has kept audiences on the edge of their seats since its TV premiere over two decades ago. The series follows Kenzo Tenma, an esteemed neurosurgeon whose life falls apart after he prioritizes saving a pair of twin children over operating on the city's mayor.

Death Note

Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

To long-time anime fans, the fact that Death Note can be considered a classic may be a bit jarring, but as the series nears its 20th anniversary, it has absolutely earned that status, and it's time to come to terms with the fact that many of us are getting older.

For nearly two decades, Death Note has helped introduce countless fans to the world of anime, and it will likely continue to do so for years to come. The cat and mouse chase between the super detective L and Light Yagami is as entertaining today as it was when first airing, even if the show's edgier side reveals itself more often than fans might like to admit.

Gurren Lagann

Animated by Gainax, Original Anime Series

The iconic studio Gainax officially closed its doors last year, and though its legacy has been tainted by legal troubles and a number of controversies, fans will remember the studio for the wonderful anime it produced. Among them is Gurren Lagann, the 2007 coming-of-age mecha series that ultimately became Gainax's final undeniable classic.

Gurren Lagann follows Simon and his best friend Kamina in a world where humanity has been forced underground, who must band together to fight against the tyrannical rule of the Spiral King, Lordgenome. The series is packed full of style, while focusing on themes of personal growth and individuality.

Animated by Bones, Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa

When 2003's Fullmetal Alchemist came to its controversial end, Hiromu Arakawa's original manga of the same name had not yet finished. In 2009, studio Bones revisited the series, this time with the intent of properly telling the story to its completion in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Since the series' initial airing, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has been the starting point in countless fans' journeys into the world of anime. The story of perseverance and redemption that defines the Elric brothers continues to capture the hearts of fans over 15 years later, and the series' finale still ranks among the greatest anime endings in history.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Animated by Shaft, Original Anime Series

Since its premiere, Puella Magi Madoka Magica has led countless viewers into a false sense of security, convincing them they were getting into a standard magical girl series, before flipping the magical girl genre on its head. Psychedelic, haunting, and grim, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a masterclass in pulling one over on the audience.

The series follows middle schooler Madoka Kaname, who, along with her friend, receives an offer to become a magical girl from a cat-like creature named Kyubey. However, it doesn't take long for Madoka to learn that magical girls don't have it easy, and she must grapple with her decision as the world begins collapsing around her.