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The 25 Greatest Anime Episodes of All Time, Ranked

Anime's most unforgettable moments often come down to single, perfectly crafted episodes that transcend their series. When we set out to definitively rank the best anime episodes ever, the Ranker anime team had quite the challenge. The best anime episodes of all time is, after all, an extremely bold claim. Unlike typical episode rankings that might favor a single popular series, this comprehensive collection spans decades of anime history, including legendary moments from shonen battles, heart-wrenching drama, psychological thrillers, and genre-defining classics. We started by thinking of our own favorites, before recalling the episodes and moments that are often brought up on forums like Reddit. An important criteria we also took into consideration was a top-rating on score sites like Crunchyroll, IMDb, and MyAnimeList, but keep in mind the weight of those scores stops at curation. Ranker lists reflect what real anime fans think, so the order of this ranking is directly shaped by the over 20,000K fans who have voted on the list so far. An additional criteria was consideration of diversity - unlike IMDb's list, where you might see a lot of love for just one show like Hunter X Hunter, our list of the best anime episodes of all time includes a diverse cream of the crop from all sorts of genres and demographics. What makes an anime episode truly exceptional isn't just spectacular animation or a major plot twist—it's the culmination of character development, thematic resonance, and technical excellence that creates an unforgettable viewing experience. While many of the GOAT anime episodes are conclusions to their series, it's not the case for all of them here. An episode that's gotten tons of love is Episode 6 of Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War, called "The Fire." The insane intensity of Yamamoto's fight with who he thinks is Yhwach became an instant classic for not only Bleach fans, but shonen fans generally. Episodes like Attack on Titan's breathtaking "Hero" or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's intense "Death of the Undying" demonstrate how a single 20-minute installment can deliver more emotional weight and narrative satisfaction than entire seasons of other shows. Whether showcasing pivotal character transformations, climactic battles, devastating revelations, or bittersweet conclusions, these legendary episodes represent anime at its absolute best. FAQ • What was the first anime episode to achieve widespread critical acclaim? The 1995 episode "Do You Remember Love?" from Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely considered one of the first anime episodes to receive international critical recognition. Its experimental animation style, psychological depth, and controversial content helped establish anime as a serious artistic medium. Other early standouts include Cowboy Bebop's "Ballad of Fallen Angels" (1998) and Serial Experiments Lain's "Layer 09" (1998), which demonstrated anime's capacity for mature, complex storytelling. • How do anime episodes compare to live-action TV episodes in ratings? Anime episodes frequently outrank live-action TV in audience ratings. On IMDb, Attack on Titan's "Hero" (9.9/10) ranks higher than legendary episodes like Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias" (10/10) and Game of Thrones' "Battle of the Bastards" (9.9/10). This demonstrates anime's ability to deliver exceptional storytelling and emotional impact that resonates with audiences globally, despite animation's different production constraints and creative possibilities compared to live-action. • How have animation techniques evolved in top-rated anime episodes? Animation quality in top anime episodes has evolved dramatically over decades. Early standouts like Dragon Ball Z's "Transformed at Last" (1990s) featured limited animation with impact frames. The 2000s saw studios like Bones elevating quality in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Modern masterpieces like Demon Slayer's "Hinokami" combine traditional 2D animation with CGI enhancements. Today's best episodes feature fluid movement, detailed backgrounds, dynamic camera work, and dramatic lighting effects that were technically impossible in earlier eras.

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9 days ago

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  1. 1

    'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood' - Death of the Undying

    Episode 19 This is one of the most incredible episodes in the entire series, and given what FMA: Brotherhood is like in general, that's saying something. Whether it's Roy Mustang cauterizing his own wounds and continuing to fight anyway, Alphone Elric refusing to back down on his principles, or new truths about the homunculi being revealed, this episode is an encapsulation of everything that makes FMA: Brotherhood great. Ratings: IMDB - 9.5/10, Crunchyroll - 4.9/5 Mustang, Alphonse, Havoc, and Hawkeye split up to search a military laboratory. If Lust has her way, none of them will ever see each other again.

    85% upvoted
  2. 2

    'Attack on Titan' - Hero

    Episode 54 The entire third season of Attack on Titan is filled with heavy hitters, but Hero is a truly exceptional episode. Here, Armin Arlelt, Eren's mild-mannered but blisteringly intelligent best friend, has the chance to formulate and execute a strategy to plug up the wall - and it actually works. Levi's fight with the Beast Titan is also memorable for many fans. Combine a fascinating plot with the best animation Wit Studio has to offer and you have one stellar episode. Ratings: IMDB - 9.7/10 Zeke finishes off the remainder of the Scout Regiment recruits and pities them for wasting their lives. However, he is startled by Levi Ackermann, whose arrival was hidden by the Scouts' diversionary charge. Levi soundly defeats Zeke's Beast Titan, but before he can use a Titan injection to feed Zeke to a surviving Scout, the Cart Titan attacks Levi and then runs away with Zeke. Zeke sends his remaining Titans to finish off Levi.

    86% upvoted
  3. 3

    'Hunter X Hunter' - Anger × And × Light

    Episode 131 Hunter X Hunter isn't your average shonen anime, and nothing proves it like Anger × And × Light. In this episode, Gon learns that his friend Kite has passed away. Enraged, he powers up to an adult form of himself, and beats the living tar out of Neferpitou. In most anime, this would be a moment of triumph, but in Hunter X Hunter it's a dark moment where Gon loses his control and his innocence. Ratings: IMDB - 9.8/10, MyAnimeList - 9.04/10 Neferpitou declares it must kill Gon Freecss for the King's sake. Enraged after Kite's death, a dark aura envelops Gon, outclassing the Ant’s strength completely. When Killua arrives at the scene, he discovers his transformed friend standing next to Neferpitou's corpse, which begins to move out of their devotion to the King.

    85% upvoted
  4. 4

    'Death Note' - Silence

    Season 1, Episode 25 In this episode, which caps off the first season, L meets his end. Not only are Light's methods for dispatching of his longtime rival cruelly brilliant, but the anime drives home the emotional resonance of this pivotal moment through brief flashbacks to L's childhood at Wammy's House, biblical imagery, and more. It's one of the few times where Madhouse took a risk and fleshed out an important scene from the manga, and the risk paid off. Ratings: IMDB - 9.5/10 L asks Rem about Death Notes; she reveals as little information as possible to avoid implicating Light or Misa. Meanwhile, Misa begins to use her Death Note to kill criminals. Although Light denies Misa's involvement, L becomes very suspicious of her and Rem realizes that it was Light's plan all along to endanger Misa so that Rem would sacrifice herself to kill L. Later, Light finds L on the roof of the investigation team headquarters. The latter laments how distant he is from other people and how often they, like most people, lie. When the two rejoin the rest of the team, L reveals that he is planning on testing the thirteen-day rule, the only thing currently absolving Misa. Before he can do so, however, Rem kills Watari and L at the cost of her own life. After secretly snatching away Rem's Death Note, Light celebrates his victory in silence.

    84% upvoted
  5. 5

    'Naruto Shippuden' - Truth

    Season 6, Episode 29 Because it's such a long series, there are enough amazing episodes of Naruto that they could fill a whole article. But among the very best is Truth, the episode where Sasuke finally learns the painful truth behind the massacre of his clan. But the episode isn't all emotional flashback - it also moves the plot forward when Sasuke awakens his mangekyo sharingan. Ratings: IMDB - 9.0/10 After years of carrying the burden of shame that Itachi brought upon their clan, Sasuke comes face to face with Itachi and learns the truth of his deeds; with Itachi's story told, the ninjas on the battlefield turn their attention to Madara.

    84% upvoted
  6. 6

    'Dragon Ball Z' - Transformed at Last

    Season 3, Episode 21 Dragon Ball Z is one of the most beloved anime in history and the Super Saiyan transformation is one of the cornerstones of the series. In this episode, Goku is so enraged by Frieza's cruel destruction of his friend Krillin that it pushes him into his first Super Saiyan transformation - the first one to occur in 1,000 years. Ratings: IMDB - 9.2/10, Crunchyroll - 4.7/5 Frieza astonishes Goku and the others when he reappears on the battlefield after withstanding Goku's Spirit Bomb; his deadly acts of retaliation finally push Goku over the edge, triggering a transformation not seen in 1,000 years.

    83% upvoted
  7. 7

    'Cowboy Bebop' - Ballad of Fallen Angels

    Episode 5 Every episode of Cowboy Bebop is stellar, but this one is particularly good. While Spike Spiegel is searching for Mao Yenrai, he ends up confronting his long-time enemy, Vicious. This triggers memories of his past life with the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. The episode serves to both compare his past life with his current one, and set him up to truly confront his past in later episodes. Ratings: IMDB - 9.2/10

    84% upvoted
  8. 8

    'Demon Slayer' - Hinokami

    Episode 19 In this episode, Tanjiro and Nezuko must contend with a spider demon. Not only is the fight itself exquisitely animated, the episode also offers insight into the Kamado family's daily life before the tragedy. What's more, Nezuko protects Tanjiro, a cool inversion of what happens throughout the beginning of the series. Ratings: IMDB - 9.7/10, Crunchyroll - 4.9/5 Inosuke confronts his savior. Zenitsu lies still near his death. Tanjiro faces what seems to be an unstoppable enemy, and in a moment of desperation, recalls his past.

    83% upvoted
  9. 9

    'My Hero Academia' - One For All

    Season 3, Episode 11 My Hero Academia isn't finished yet, so it's possible that a future episode will blow this one out of the water - there are already some major contenders. But no matter what comes next, fans will never forget All Might's last fight as the Symbol of Peace and All For One's demise. Ratings: IMDB - 9.7/10, Crunchyroll - 4.7/5

    82% upvoted
  10. 10

    'Code Geass' - Re

    Season 2, Episode 25 This is the final episode of Code Geass, the one where all of the complicated narratives come to a head. Whether it's Lelouch making the ultimate personal sacrifice for the sake of the world or C.C. finally feeling at peace with her lonely life, this episode is an explosion of both feeling and story, and a fitting end to an epic show. Ratings: IMDB - 9.8/10

    83% upvoted