The Top 10 Best Anime Mini-Series of All Time: A Letterboxd Ranking

Letterboxd has long been an excellent site for movie fans to share their opinions, but the platform has recently expanded to include television and miniseries as well. While some anime fans might not think of them this way, many of the most popular and critically acclaimed anime technically fall into the category of miniseries — making them perfect candidates for any list of the Top 10 best anime mini series of all time.

Defining a miniseries can be tricky, as definitions vary. Some people believe a series can only be a certain number of episodes or hours long, while others simply define them as a single, self-contained season. For this list, we’ll consider any anime that concludes its primary story within one season. This is why you’ll see shows like Berserk, Nana, and Steins;Gate listed as miniseries on Letterboxd, even if their respective manga or subsequent seasons were not adapted.

10. Death Note (2006-2007)

Letterboxd Score: 4.4/5

Death Note was the talk of the town in the mid-2000s, and its popularity has only grown over time, amassing a dedicated fandom with one of the best crime stories in anime. When a brilliant high school student named Light Yagami finds a mysterious notebook, he uses its power to rid the world of crime and become a god of a new world. To do so, however, he must outsmart the most intelligent detective in the world, known only as L.

While the story’s creator, Sui Ishida, is currently writing one of the most underrated manga of all time, Death Note is anything but. This incredibly popular crime thriller may not seem like a miniseries, but its story fits perfectly into a single season, telling Light’s tragically dark tale with intricate detail and a captivating mystery. This makes it an ideal mini anime series to binge-watch.

9. Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997)

Letterboxd Score: 4.4/5

The magical girl genre is often dominated by shows like Sailor Moon, but Revolutionary Girl Utena stands out as one of the most distinct and well-written. The titular heroine, Utena, poses as a prince to attend a prestigious school. When she discovers students are dueling for the hand of a magical girl known as the “Rose Bride,” she fights to prove her worth and ensure no one abuses the princess’s power.

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a daring show that explores many sensitive and taboo topics, especially for its time. It is highly inclusive of LGBTQ+ themes and characters, creating a brilliant and respectful narrative with endearing characters and entertaining action. It’s a perfect miniseries that many fans wish had gone on longer.

8. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

Letterboxd Score: 4.4/5

With just 13 episodes, Serial Experiments Lain is the first series on this list that truly feels like a miniseries. It accomplishes a great deal in a short time, tackling wild themes and unconventional storytelling methods to create a mind-bending anime experience. After receiving an email from a dead classmate, a girl named Lain enters the world of the dark web and appears to be the only person who can fully harness its powers.

Serial Experiments Lain can be challenging to understand, but those who delve deep enough will uncover a wealth of information, themes, and motifs. It tackles serious subjects with poignant storytelling and a take on the internet that was far ahead of its time. As one of the darkest anime, this series is grim not for gore, but for its eerie atmosphere and unsettling predictions. This is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys an anime mini series with best plot twists.

7. The Tatami Galaxy (2010)

Letterboxd Score: 4.5/5

The avant-garde genre isn’t for everyone, but classic and underrated anime like The Tatami Galaxy are some of the best shows ever made. The protagonist searches for a fulfilling college life and his dream girl, but each episode follows an alternate reality where he joins a new club in search of his perfect existence.

Through unconventional animation, distinct storytelling, and dazzling visuals, The Tatami Galaxy delivers one of the most beautiful and unique romance stories in the medium. The central message is profound and well-executed, and the characters, story, and art are just as stunning. This is a must-watch anime mini series that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.

6. Samurai Champloo (2004-2005)

Letterboxd Score: 4.5/5

Shinichirō Watanabe is one of the most well-known and influential anime directors. While his later series, Lazarus, didn’t receive the best reviews, Samurai Champloo remains a masterpiece. The story follows a girl named Fuu who hires two bodyguards, Jin and Mugen, to help her find a mysterious man who “smells of sunflowers.” However, their rocky relationship is the main problem on their long journey.

Samurai Champloo showcases Watanabe’s signature style of thematically infused music, creating a distinct atmosphere within the samurai tale. The leading trio is endearing and shares an excellent dynamic, but the action, animation, and philosophical undertones are the show’s true highlights.

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5. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)

Letterboxd Score: 4.5/5

It’s tough to decide how to categorize Neon Genesis Evangelion, especially since it has a movie finale. However, the anime’s original ending was initially intended to be the conclusion, with the movie only created due to fan outrage. The story follows a young pilot named Shinji, who is the only one capable of saving the world from alien-like creatures known as Angels; unfortunately, his mental state is holding him back.

As one of the most critically acclaimed anime series, it’s no surprise that Neon Genesis Evangelion made this list. This show redefined what anime could be, both narratively and thematically, ushering in a new age of psychological shows that spoke to the mental health and personal expression of their creators. This is without a doubt one of the best anime mini series ever made.

4. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)

Letterboxd Score: 4.6/5

Table tennis isn’t exactly the most exhilarating sport, but Ping Pong the Animation will change your mind. When two friends enter a table tennis competition, one realizes he’s not as good as he thought, while the other loses interest because he’s so good. Thus begins an avant-garde sports drama about winning, losing, and the love of the game.

Letterboxd seems to have a penchant for avant-garde and experimental shows, and Ping Pong the Animation is another unorthodox series with a unique animation and art style. The story conveys a message not commonly found in anime, but the glory of winning and the pain of losing are experiences everyone faces, and this anime expresses that perfectly through its animation and diverse characters.

3. Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)

Letterboxd Score: 4.6/5

If Samurai Champloo was going to be on this list, then Cowboy Bebop, Shinichirō Watanabe’s magnum opus, was obviously going to be here, too. The story follows bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his crew as they make a living by cleaning up crime across the galaxy. But when his dark past catches up to him, he must confront it or risk putting himself and his friends in danger.

It’s hard to argue with Letterboxd’s placement of this one, as Cowboy Bebop is a generational anime that has influenced the genre and its popularity in the West for decades. It transcends anime and stands as one of the best animated miniseries, dazzling viewers with its jazz-infused sci-fi noir aesthetic. Cowboy Bebop is a profound philosophical experience and one of the top 10 best anime mini series of all time that is deservedly on Letterboxd’s list.

2. Monster (2004-2005)

Letterboxd Score: 4.7/5

With 74 episodes, Monster is the longest series on this list, with so many episodes that it hardly feels like a miniseries. Regardless, the entire story takes place in one season and tells a contained, complete narrative, which technically makes it a miniseries. Years after a surgeon saves a child’s life, that same child grows up to become a serial killer. The surgeon, Dr. Tenma, takes it upon himself to stop the killings by taking the life that he saved.

Monster is a masterpiece, plain and simple, taking viewers on a roller coaster of a journey with dark plots, emotional backstories, and impactful twists. The dynamic between Tenma and the serial killer Johan is one of the best in anime, and the Letterboxd crowd appreciates such masterful character writing. The big question for anime fans is, what is the best anime mini series? Many would point to this mature anime with one of the best stories in the medium.

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009-2010)

Letterboxd Score: 4.7/5

Like Monster, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood doesn’t feel like a miniseries because of its length, but it makes this list on a technicality. When brothers Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a forbidden alchemical experiment, they set out to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. However, their quest is complicated by a vast government conspiracy.

Many fans agree that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the best anime ever made and one of the best manga series of all time, which speaks volumes to its well-crafted story. While it is a phenomenal story in any medium, the anime is exceptionally profound, accentuating its enjoyability through incredible animation, voice acting, music, and perfect pacing. It has everything an anime fan could want, making it the top 10 best anime mini series of all time, according to Letterboxd.