Top Achronological Order Anime Recommendations

DEATH NOTE

Also known as Death Note.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

Light Yagami is a genius high school student who is about to learn about life through a book of death. When a bored shinigami, a God of Death, named Ryuk drops a black notepad called a Death Note, Light receives power over life and death with the stroke of a pen. Determined to use this dark gift for the best, Light sets out to rid the world of evil… namely, the people he believes to be evil. Should anyone hold such power?

The consequences of Light’s actions will set the world ablaze.



Tags: Crime , Detective , Anti-Hero , Male Protagonist , Police , Philosophy , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Unrequited Love , Kuudere , Gods , Urban Fantasy , Memory Manipulation , Primarily Male Cast , Urban , Yandere , Amnesia , Espionage , Shounen , Tennis , Suicide , Time Skip , Acting , Feet , Assassins , Achronological Order , Asexual

Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai

Also known as I Want to Eat Your Pancreas.

Studio: Studio VOLN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

Spring time in April and the last of the cherry blossoms are still in bloom. The usually aloof bookworm with no interest in others comes across a book in a hospital waiting room. Handwritten on the cover are the words: "Living with Dying." He soon discovers that it is a diary kept by his very popular and genuinely cheerful classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, who reveals to him that she is secretly suffering from a pancreatic illness and only has a limited time left. It is at this moment that she gains just one more person to share her secret.

Trying to maintain a normal life as much as possible, Sakura is determined to live her life to the fullest until the very last day. As her free spirit and unpredictable actions throw him for a loop, his heart begins to gradually change.



Tags: Tragedy , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Philosophy , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Rehabilitation , Classic Literature , Achronological Order , Unrequited Love , School

Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica

Also known as Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Psychological , Thriller

One night, 14-year-old Madoka Kaname has a terrible nightmare - against the backdrop of a devastated city, she witnesses a girl fight a losing battle against a dreadful being lingering above, while a cat-like magical creature tells Madoka the only way to change such tragic outcome is for her to make a contract with him and become a magical girl.

The next day, the teen's dream seemingly becomes reality as the girl she saw in her dream - Homura - arrives at Mitakihara Middle School as a transfer student, mysteriously warning Madoka to stay just the way she is; but when later on she and her best friend Sayaka encounter the same cat-like magical creature from her dream - who introduces himself as Kyubey - the pair discovers that magical girls are real, and what's more, they can choose to become one. All they must do is sign a contract with Kyubey and agree to take on the duty to fight abstract beings called 'witches' that spread despair to the human world, and in return, each one of them will be granted any single wish they desire. However, as Homura's omen suggests, there might be far more to becoming a magical girl than Madoka and Sayaka realize...

Notes:
- Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the broadcasts of episodes 11 and 12 were delayed and were later aired as a double feature on April 21, 2011.

Tags: Tragedy , Magic , Female Protagonist , Witch , Primarily Female Cast , Time Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Philosophy , Alternate Universe , Primarily Teen Cast , Yuri , Time Loop , Coming of Age , Henshin , Kuudere , Survival , Aliens , Urban , Primarily Child Cast , Ensemble Cast , Gods , Anti-Hero , Suicide , Love Triangle , Guns , Spearplay , School , Tomboy , Anthropomorphism , Achronological Order

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable.

Studio: David Production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai adapts the fourth part of the JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken manga series.

It's the year 1999, 11 years after Jotaro Kujo's desperate fight against DIO in Egypt. Jotaro meets with Josuke Higashikata, the illegitimate son of his grandfather Joseph Joestar. He discovers that Josuke also has the same "Stand" power and that a new threat is surfacing in Morioh City.



Tags: Super Power , Urban Fantasy , Urban , Time Loop , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Ensemble Cast , Feet , Delinquents , Time Manipulation , Body Horror , Gore , Surreal Comedy , Tragedy , Ghost , Afterlife , Memory Manipulation , School , Achronological Order , Yandere , Revenge , Aliens

Durarara!!

Also known as Durarara!!.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Mystery , Supernatural

In Tokyo's downtown district of Ikebukuro, amidst many strange rumors and warnings of anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants, one urban legend stands out above the rest—the existence of a headless "Black Rider" who is said to be seen driving a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets.

Ryuugamine Mikado has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro's most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city.



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Gangs , Urban , Dullahan , Ensemble Cast , Achronological Order , Delinquents , Crime , Female Protagonist , Mythology , Yandere , Male Protagonist , Motorcycles , School , Orphan , Otaku Culture , Amnesia , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Bullying , Incest

86: Eighty Six

Also known as 86 EIGHTY-SIX.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

Called “Juggernaut,” these are the unmanned combat drones developed by the Republic of San Magnolia in answer to the attacks by the autonomous unmanned drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad, the “Legion”. But they’re only unmanned in name. In reality, they are piloted by the Eighty-sixers—those considered to be less than human and treated as mere tools.

Determined to achieve his own mysterious ends, Shin, the captain of Spearhead Squadron, which is comprised of Eighty-sixers, continues to fight a hopeless war on a battlefield where only death awaits him.



Tags: War , Military , Class Struggle , Tragedy , Dystopian , Survival , Politics , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Memory Manipulation , Robots , Male Protagonist , Conspiracy , Real Robot , Guns , Primarily Teen Cast , Ghost , Necromancy , Achronological Order , Ensemble Cast , CGI , Artificial Intelligence , Lost Civilization , Kuudere , Travel , Unrequited Love , POV , Nudity , Gore , Seinen

Nichijou

Also known as Nichijou - My Ordinary Life.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Nichijou primarily focuses on the daily antics of a trio of childhood friends—high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi and Mai Minakami—whose stories soon intertwine with the young genius Hakase Shinonome, her robot caretaker Nano, and their talking cat Sakamoto. With every passing day, the lives of these six, as well as of the many people around them, experience both the calms of normal life and the insanity of the absurd. Walking to school, being bitten by a talking crow, spending time with friends, and watching the principal suplex a deer: they are all in a day's work in the extraordinary everyday lives of those in Nichijou.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tags: Surreal Comedy , Episodic , Slapstick , School , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Achronological Order , Parody , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Robots , Philosophy , Shounen , Drawing , Tsundere , Guns , Football , Love Triangle

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

Also known as Toilet-bound Hanako-kun.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

"Hanako-san, Hanako-san... are you there?"

At Kamome Academy, rumors abound about the school's Seven Mysteries, one of which is Hanako-san. Said to occupy the third stall of the third floor girls' bathroom in the old school building, Hanako-san grants any wish when summoned. Nene Yashiro, an occult-loving high school girl who dreams of romance, ventures into this haunted bathroom... but the Hanako-san she meets there is nothing like she imagined! Kamome Academy's Hanako-san... is a boy!



Tags: Ghost , Youkai , School , Mythology , Female Protagonist , Afterlife , Primarily Teen Cast , Male Protagonist , Twins , Tragedy , Urban Fantasy , Episodic , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Achronological Order , Slapstick , Heterosexual , Conspiracy , School Club , LGBTQ+ Themes , Femboy , Love Triangle , Mermaid , Boys' Love

Ousama Ranking

Also known as Ranking of Kings.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

Unable to hear, speak, or wield a sword, Prince Bojji doesn’t seem like a typical heir to the throne—and his kingdom agrees. But his fateful encounter with Kage, a shadow on the ground, gives him his first true friend. The two set off on a grand adventure and, together, form a bond that can overcome any obstacle...even being king.



Tags: Disability , Coming of Age , Fairy Tale , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Language Barrier , Ensemble Cast , Swordplay , Bullying , Tragedy , Primarily Male Cast , Seinen , Magic , War , Gods , Demons , Politics , Assassins , Heterosexual , Travel , Gore , Achronological Order , Tsundere , Amputation , Kaiju

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu

Also known as The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mystery , Sci-Fi , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Kyon, your typical high school student, has long given up his belief in the supernatural. However, upon meeting Haruhi Suzumiya, he quickly finds out that it is the supernatural that she is interested in; aliens, time travelers and espers among other things. When Haruhi laments about the lack of intriguing clubs around school, Kyon inspires Haruhi to form her own club. As a result, the SOS Brigade is formed, a club which specializes in all that is the supernatural.

Much to his chagrin, Kyon, along with the silent bookworm, Yuki Nagato, the shy and timid Mikuru Asahina, and the perpetually smiling Itsuki Koizumi, are recruited as members. The story follows the crazy adventures that these four endure under their whimsical leader, Haruhi. The story is based on the light novels by Nagaru Tanigawa.

Note: This entry is for the original 14-episode 2006 airing. The series was further expanded and reordered into a 28-episode series in 2009.

Tags: School Club , Achronological Order , Urban Fantasy , Gods , School , Time Manipulation , Primarily Teen Cast , Meta , Aliens , Alternate Universe , Philosophy , Parody , Male Protagonist , Magic , Otaku Culture , Kaiju , Female Protagonist , Tsundere , Kuudere , Filmmaking , Ensemble Cast , Episodic , Unrequited Love , Baseball , Maids

Tsurezure Children

Also known as Tsuredure Children.

Studio: Studio Gokumi
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

To those of you out there who never could say "I love you"— This story is about ordinary highschoolers and how love makes them fired up, shaken, laugh, cry, and hurt. Whether things go well or not, this story of adolescence and romance will show you how they spend their precious youth. Every character is the main character here, and you're sure to find one you can sympathize with.



Tags: Ensemble Cast , Heterosexual , School , Episodic , Primarily Teen Cast , Coming of Age , Shounen , Tsundere , Kuudere , School Club , Love Triangle , Achronological Order

Baccano!

Also known as Baccano!.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Mystery , Supernatural

During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis, are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.

Based on the award winning light novels of the same name, this anime adaptation follows several events that initially seem unrelated, both in time and place, but are part of a much bigger story—one of alchemy, survival and immortality. Merging these events together are the kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connecting various people, all of them with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and creating lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.



Tags: Mafia , Ensemble Cast , Crime , Achronological Order , Historical , Trains , Urban Fantasy , Foreign , Noir , Primarily Adult Cast , Alchemy , Guns , Gore , Travel , Urban , Demons , Meta , Disability , Surreal Comedy , Vore

Nisemonogatari

Also known as Nisemonogatari.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Ecchi , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

First season of the Monogatari Series, part 5/6. Contains the arcs Karen Bee and Tsukihi Phoenix from the Nisemonogatari light novels.

In Bakemonogatari, the story centered on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who has recently survived a vampire attack and finds himself mixed up with all kinds of apparitions: gods, ghosts, myths, and spirits. However, in Nisemonogatari, we pick up right where we left off and follow Koyomi as the psychological twists delve deeper and deeper...



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Ensemble Cast , Surreal Comedy , Primarily Female Cast , Male Protagonist , Incest , Philosophy , Primarily Teen Cast , Female Harem , Youkai , Urban , Nudity , Vampire , Achronological Order , Family Life , Feet , Meta , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Satire , Tomboy , Kuudere , Super Power , Gore , School

Dandadan

Also known as DAN DA DAN.

Studio: Science SARU
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Romance , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

This is a story about Momo, a high school girl who comes from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult fanatic. After Momo rescues Okarun from being bullied, they begin talking. However, an argument ensues between them since Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens exist, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts exist.

To prove to each other what they believe in is real, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital where a UFO has been spotted and Okarun goes to a tunnel rumored to be haunted. To their surprise, they each encounter overwhelming paranormal activities that transcend comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to overcome these new dangers! Their fateful love begins as well!?

The story of the occult battle and adolescence starts!



Notes:
- Worldwide premiere of Episode 1 before the Japanese television premiere occurred at Anime Expo July 6, 2024.
- Episodes 1-3 titled as DAN DA DAN: FIRST ENCOUNTER was pre-screened in advance in theaters on August 31, 2024 in Asia, September 7, 2024 in Europe and September 13, 2024 in North America. The regular TV broadcast began October 4, 2024.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Youkai , Ghost , Aliens , Primarily Teen Cast , Surreal Comedy , Super Power , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Henshin , School , Gyaru , Cult , Love Triangle , Zombie , Nudity , CGI , Achronological Order

Violet Evergarden Movie

Also known as Violet Evergarden: the Movie.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Slice of Life

While writing other people’s emotions, she may have neglected her own. Violet Evergarden, the child soldier turned Auto Memory Doll, writes letters that evoke the words her clients can’t. But when a terminally ill boy requests her services for his family, her own feelings about love and loss resurface. Now she must confront her past and the death of the Major.



Tags: Writing , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Work , Foreign , Historical , Age Gap , Rehabilitation , Heterosexual , Military , Time Skip , Steampunk , Disability , Family Life , Achronological Order , Ships , War , Travel , Primarily Adult Cast , Agriculture

Tengoku Daimakyou

Also known as Tengoku Daimakyo.

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Mystery , Sci-Fi , Thriller

In the year 2024, the world has collapsed. Grotesque monsters lurk amongst the ruins of Japan, while remaining people scrape together what they can to survive. Kiruko, an odd-job girl in Nakano, accepts a mysterious woman's dying wish to take a boy named Maru to a place called Heaven.



Tags: Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Survival , Achronological Order , Travel , Tragedy , Seinen , Body Swapping , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Gender Bending , Orphan , Super Power , Gore , Denpa , Demons , Body Horror , Artificial Intelligence , Female Protagonist , Guns , Unrequited Love , Coming of Age , Heterosexual , Nudity , Suicide , LGBTQ+ Themes , Kuudere , Cyberpunk

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Also known as When They Cry.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

After moving into the quiet town of Hinamizawa, Maebara Keiichi spends his days blissfully in school often playing games with his local friends. However, appearances can be deceiving. One fateful day, Keiichi stumbles upon news of a murder that had occurred in Hinamizawa. From this point on, horrific events unfold in front of Keiichi, as he soon learns his close friends may not be all that they seem. Based on the amateur mystery game by 07th Expansion, the story is told in a series of different scenarios.

Tags: Denpa , Alternate Universe , Time Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Rural , Conspiracy , Achronological Order , Gore , Time Loop , Chibi , Body Horror , Bullying , Torture , Male Protagonist , Yandere , Twins , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Pandemic , Primarily Female Cast , Cosmic Horror , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Shrine Maiden , Police , Female Protagonist , Historical , Board Game , Crossdressing

Monogatari Series: Second Season

Also known as Monogatari Series Second Season.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

Second season of the Monogatari Series, part 1/2. Contains the arcs Tsubasa Tiger, Mayoi Jiangshi, Nadeko Medusa, Shinobu Time, and Hitagi End, from the Nekomonogatari White, Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari and Koimonogatari light novels, respectively.

These stories take place after the end of the summer vacation when the apparition of the bee had left and the apparition of the phoenix avoided any consequences… Now that Koyomi Araragi and the girls were entering their new school terms, they were once again about to encounter supernatural beings…but this time, they may not be so easy to deal with.

Tsubasa Hanekawa, Mayoi Hachikuji, Nadeko Sengoku, Shinobu Oshino, and finally Hitagi Senjougahara. The girls’ loneliness, their confessions, and their departures… 5 new “stories” begin now.



Notes:
Includes 3 recap episodes from the TV version (Ep. 6, 11, 16).
The recap episodes were not included in the Blu-Ray version of the anime.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Youkai , Philosophy , Yandere , Primarily Female Cast , Achronological Order , Anti-Hero , Denpa , Gods , Love Triangle , Male Protagonist , Vampire , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Time Manipulation , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Dissociative Identities , Meta , Alternate Universe , Nekomimi , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Harem , Nudity , Zombie , Tomboy

BTOOOM!

Also known as BTOOOM!.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the blink of the mind's eye, Ryouta Sakamoto suddenly finds himself transported from playing the hit Btoom! video game to being stranded on a mysterious island, equipped with a day's worth of provisions, a bag of bombs, a strange crystal embedded in his left hand and a huge gaping hole in his memory. But it doesn't take long to figure out what's going on, especially after the first person Ryouta meets tries to kill him. Someone is attempting to recreate the ultra-violent Btoom! game in real life, and the island has been filled with an army of other unwilling players, each armed with one of the multiple variants of explosive weapons called BIM. Fortunately, Ryouta's an ace Btoom! player, but this insane version of the game has no reset switch or second lives, and there's only one way off the island: kill seven other people before they can kill you! Can Ryouta repurpose his game based skills fast enough to survive?



Tags: Battle Royale , Survival , Death Game , Video Games , Hikikomori , Gore , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Suicide , Achronological Order , Age Gap , Nudity

Nekomonogatari (Kuro)

Also known as Nekomonogatari Black.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

First season of the Monogatari Series, part 6/6. Contains the arc Tsubasa Family from the Nekomonogatari Black light novel.

On his way to the bookstore, Koyomi Araragi encounters Tsubasa Hanekawa whose face is covered with a bandage. The incident allows Koyomi to learn what has been happening in the Hanekawa household, but Tsubasa begs him not to tell anyone about it, saying she’ll do anything to keep him quiet. Without revealing her family’s circumstances, Koyomi tells of the day’s incident - he and Tsubasa buried a “cat” that had been hit by a car- to Meme Oshino. Meme tells Koyomi that he must immediately go to confirm Hanekawa’s safety. He heads to her house, only to find...

So begins the nightmarish nine days of Golden Week.



Tags: Nekomimi , Urban Fantasy , Youkai , Philosophy , Dissociative Identities , Male Protagonist , Vampire , Achronological Order , Gore , Primarily Teen Cast , Nudity , Heterosexual , Kemonomimi , Psychosexual