Anime Codex
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Best Seinen anime, ranked

Every Seinen anime in the Codex, scored on six things that actually matter and ranked by weighted score (1971–2026). 36 titles, led by Monster (9.24). Re-ranked automatically as scores change — no stale lists.

Monster
9.24
Monster
2004Top: Character 9.7
Ping Pong the Animation
9.14
Ping Pong the Animation
2014Top: Animation 9.8
Pluto
8.96
Pluto
2023Top: Themes 9.3
Vinland Saga
8.88
Vinland Saga
2019Top: Character 9.2
Mushishi
8.68
Mushishi
2005Top: Themes 9.5
Made in Abyss
8.60
Made in Abyss
2017Top: World 9.5
Berserk
8.53
Berserk
1997Top: Cultural 9.5
Re:Zero
8.50
Re:Zero
2016Top: Character 9.0
Tongari Boushi no Atelier
8.50
Tongari Boushi no Atelier
2026Top: World 9.2
March Comes In Like a Lion
8.45
March Comes In Like a Lion
2016Top: Character 9.0
Maison Ikkoku
8.37
Maison Ikkoku
1986Top: Character 9.0
Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyou)
8.26
Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyou)
2023Top: World 8.7
Gungrave
8.23
Gungrave
2003Top: Character 9.0
Welcome to the NHK (NHK ni Youkoso!)
8.22
Welcome to the NHK (NHK ni Youkoso!)
2006Top: Character 9.0
Akira
7.98
Akira
1988Top: Cultural 10.0
Parasyte: The Maxim
7.93
Parasyte: The Maxim
2014Top: Character 8.3
Master Keaton
7.77
Master Keaton
1998Top: World 8.2
Black Lagoon
7.75
Black Lagoon
2006Top: World 8.5
Nippon Sangoku
7.68
Nippon Sangoku
2026Top: World 8.2
Sentenced to Be a Hero
7.59
Sentenced to Be a Hero
2026Top: World 8.0
Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
7.55
Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl
1989Top: Character 8.2
Genshiken
7.53
Genshiken
2004Top: World 8.5
Trigun
7.53
Trigun
1998Top: Cultural 8.5
Dorohedoro
7.38
Dorohedoro
2020Top: World 9.0
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class
7.38
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class
2026Top: Character 7.8
Lupin III Part 1
7.26
Lupin III Part 1
1971Top: Cultural 9.0
Detroit Metal City
7.18
Detroit Metal City
2008Top: Character 7.5
Kingdom
6.98
Kingdom
2012Top: World 8.0
Tokyo Ghoul
6.93
Tokyo Ghoul
2014Top: Cultural 8.5
Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!?
6.92
Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!?
2026Top: Character 7.4
Hellsing Ultimate
6.85
Hellsing Ultimate
2006Top: Animation 8.0
Initial D
6.83
Initial D
1998Top: Cultural 9.0
Saint Young Men (Saint Oniisan)
6.80
Saint Young Men (Saint Oniisan)
2012Top: World 8.0
Drifters
6.63
Drifters
2016Top: World 7.5
Inuyashiki
6.35
Inuyashiki
2017Top: Themes 7.0
Gunsmith Cats
6.12
Gunsmith Cats
1995Top: Animation 7.5

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FAQ

What is the best Seinen anime?
Monster (9.24) ranks #1 among Seinen anime on the Anime Codex rubric, which scores each show on story, characters, themes, world, animation and cultural impact.
How are these 36 Seinen anime ranked?
Each show is scored 1–10 on six criteria, weighted by demographic, into a single Codex score. This page lists every qualifying Seinen anime by that score and updates as the catalogue grows.