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HBO Max now represents a tremendous library of TV anime for viewers after being accessible for around two years. Anime has grown more popular than ever before. As a result, many of the biggest rival streaming services are building up their anime catalogs via third-party partnerships or original content. HBO Max has a wide selection of anime to pick from, making it a perfect option for enthusiasts of the genre. On the platform, these are the best anime that you can watch.
HBO Max’s library has a diverse selection, from time-honored classics to contemporary songs. All these series are in the top tiers of anime rating sources, so fans should have no trouble finding something to their liking.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica:
Year: 2011
Creator: Gen Urobuchi
Cast: Aoi Yûki, Chiwa Saitô, Emiri Kato, Cristina Valenzuela, Cassandra Lee Morris, Christine Marie Cabanos, Eri Kitamura, Sarah Anne Williams, Shelby Lindley, Ai Nonaka, Lauren Landa
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.2/10
Puella Magi Madoka Magica seems to be a typical “magical girl” anime on the face. This anime’s abrupt and subversive dark turn is still lauded and renowned, despite how much of an open secret it has been all these years. The primary characters in the novel are middle school girls who are given the option to become magical girls of their own in the story’s main plot.
As a result of their refusal, however, the story’s protagonists and the anime’s namesake genre are torn apart. It’s hard to argue with Madoka Magica’s status as one of the most lasting contemporary series in terms of quality and appeal.
Aldnoah.Zero:
Year: 2014
Creators: Ei Aoki, Lex Lang
Cast: Matthew Mercer, Erica Lindbeck, Bryce Papenbrook, Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar, Erika Harlacher, Erica Mendez, Kenshô Ono, Kazuya Nakai, Sora Amamiya
Runtime: 25 m
IMDB: 7.2/10
Beyond the fact that the tale is spread out across two seasons, “Aldnoah Zero” is a series divided into two. According to the anime, humanity will one day discover a means to go to Mars, forming an independent civilization known as the Vers, which will secede from Earth. The Vers colonies begin an assault on Earth when their princess is harmed. In “Aldnoah Zero,” young men from opposing sides of the fight create an emotional bond with the titular royal figure.
A lot of the good work in the first season of “Aldnoah Zero” is thrown out the window when the show switches gears in its second season. However, the show’s great moments would be overlooked if the anime were just recommended as a curiosity. Because there aren’t many mecha anime on HBO Max, other than for the far better Promare, “Aldenoah. Zero” gets a mention.
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood:
Year: 2009
Creator: Hiromu Arakawa
Cast: Kent Williams, Iemasa Kayumi, Vic Mignogna, Romi Park, Muriel Hofmann, Lili Troncale, Rie Kugimiya, Maxey Whitehead, Travis Willingham
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 9.1/10
While the original Fullmetal Alchemist manga translation was decent, Brotherhood stands out as one of the finest anime series to date. ‘Brotherhood’ When Alphonse Elric’s soul was linked to a suit of armor when he tried the deadly technique of resurrection alchemy, he and his brother Edward Elric were orphaned and forced to serve as state-sanctioned alchemists for the government.
The outcome is a steampunk fantasy novel full of thrills and heartbreaks, and it’s a shonen that even today’s best can’t touch. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a great place to start for those who are just getting into anime.
Noblesse:
Year: 2020
Creator: Nikki Fish
Cast: Chris Hackney, Cristina Valenzuela, John Omohundro, Landon McDonald, Ray Chase, Sean Chiplock, Lucien Dodge
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 7.1/10
Webtoon anime is a favorite of HBO Max, but Noblesse is the least well-liked in the series, receiving criticism for its hurried pace and mediocre animation. The narrative follows the young vampire as he begins high school when Cadis Etrama Di Raizel wakes up after an 800-year slumber. An organization seeking the vampire Noblesse has its own challenges, but the anime manages to put together an entertaining cast of people in Rai. While the main character is overshadowed by other characters who are more than capable of holding their own, Rai’s portrayal of a fish out of water is endearing and sometimes humorous.
Berserk:
Year: 1997
Creator: Kentaro Miura
Cast: Marc Diraison, Nobutoshi Canna, Carrie Keranen, Kevin T. Collins, Unshô Ishizuka, Carla Tassara, Jon Avner, Yûko Miyamura, Akira Ishida
Runtime: 23 m
IMDB: 8.7/10
Berserk is a narrative about Guts, a skilled fighter raised by mercenaries. The story is based on the same name manga written by Kentaro Miura. But an unforeseen incident forces him to run, and years later, he joins a gang of warriors who reach the top after winning a struggle that has been going on for one hundred years.
To Your Eternity:
Year: 2021
Creator: Masahiko Murata
Cast: Jacob Hopkins, Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Reiji Kawashima, Kenjirô Tsuda, Rikako Aikawa, Rie Hikisaka, Valeria Rodriguez, Manaka Iwami
Runtime: 25 m
IMDB: 8.5/10
To Your Eternity is a good series with a realistic and thoughtful concept and protagonist, even if it isn’t one of the most talked-about recent shonen series. The protagonist is an orb, first referred to as “It,” who can take on a variety of different shapes and sizes.
The sphere begins as a void but gradually takes on the shape of a little boy and his white wolf friend. To Your Eternity is a heartfelt and, at times, depressing anime that will appeal to anyone seeking a narrative that explores the depths of the individual.
Mob Psycho 100:
Year: 2016
Creator: Yuzuru Tachikawa
Cast: Setsuo Ito, Takahiro Sakurai, Akio Ôtsuka, Kyle McCarley, Chris Niosi, Michael Sorich, Miyu Irino, Max Mittelman, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.6/10
Even though One-Punch Man is his best-known work, Mob Psycho 100 is a fantastic novel with an equally fantastic anime adaptation. In contrast to OPM, Mob Psycho 100 has a more realistic background, yet there are still lots of breathtaking supernatural action scenes centering on psychics.
However, the film’s greatest strength is undoubtedly its heartfelt coming-of-age story and the infusion of subtle comedy. In the first season, we learn about the social and emotional problems of young people during the most difficult times of their life while also examining topics of suppressed emotions and controlling one’s expectations of oneself.
The Promised Neverland:
Year: 2016
Creator: Mamoru Kanbe
Cast: Sumire Morohoshi, Mariya Ise, Shinei Ueki, Lynn, Yuuko Mori, Yoshino Aoyama, Hiyori Kono, Mari Hino, Koko Hayashi, Maaya Uchida
Runtime: 23 m
IMDB: 8.3/10
The Promised Neverland’s second season, which just concluded, was a disappointment. The first, on the other hand, is a welcome deviation from the shonen formula.
Orphanages are introduced in The Promised Neverland as a backdrop to a frightening secret that the main protagonists begin to uncover as they grow older… Although the quality of the second season plummeted, the manga is now complete for those eager to follow the plot that began in the first two seasons.
Spirited Away:
Year: 2001
Creator: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naitô, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Tatsuya Gashûin, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Yumi Tamai, Yô Ôizumi
Runtime: 2h 5 m
IMDB: 8.6/10
HBO’s most watched anime series Spirited Away’s Max has become a fan favorite. After Chihiro and her parents are taken captive in a resort of the supernatural, she is obligated to put in a lot of effort by working in that resort of the supernatural in order to free her parents, who have been transformed into fat pigs and are about to be butchered at any moment. Chihiro’s parents will be killed at any moment.
Death Note:
Year: 2006
Creator: Tetsurô Araki
Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong, Ryô Naitô, Trevor Devall, Brian Drummond, Naoya Uchida, Chris Britton, Keiji Fujiwara
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 9.0/10
Death Note is currently considered a contemporary anime classic, and the series is one of the most well-known among the general public. Light Yagami, the protagonist of the series, is one of Shonen Jump Magazine’s most recognizable and well-developed characters.
As the title Death Note and his shinigami sidekick Ryuk bestow him with godlike abilities, the violent vigilante in this dark series spirals out of control in pursuit of his vision of a crime-free world. Besides posing provocative social problems, Death Note is a gripping tale of detective work and wits.
The God Of High School:
Year: 2020
Creator: Seong-Hu Park
Cast: Robbie Daymond, Tara Sands, Landon McDonald, Tatsumaru Tachibana, Kentarô Kumagai, Ayaka Ohashi, Veronica Taylor, Sean Chiplock
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 7.3/10
It’s all about the fighting in The God of High School, another Webtoon adaptation. To be sure, story elements like the tournament and a god-based power structure are introduced, but they serve only to set up the next epic conflict. The tale changes dramatically in the second half, essentially becoming an altogether different beast from the first few episodes of the series.
Due to the uneven nature of this framework, the story’s characters may be difficult for the audience to empathize with. However, the battle moments are spectacular… Even if the animation quality is excellent, the battles have a distinct visual flair that sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy:
Year: 2021
Creator: Shinji Ishihira
Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitô, Ayane Sakura, Shinpachi Tsuji, Saori Hayami, Yuuki Shin, Taku Yashiro, Yuna Kamakura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Saika Kitamori
Runtime: 23 m
IMDB: 7.6/10
HBO Max’s collection of isekai anime may seem unavoidable, but that isn’t the case. While the majority of the content isn’t very noteworthy, Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy is a pleasant surprise since it involves regular people teleporting to remarkable settings. Even if Makoto’s path to pay off debt isn’t straightforward, the naive protagonist is given a huge power boost to help him along.
Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy follows a powerful protagonist who creates a group dominated by ladies, a concept that could describe numerous other terrible isekai anime… Tsukimichi rises beyond its lackluster beginnings because of its superb writing, attractive characters, and witty comedy. In spite of his immense strength, Makoto continues to be a flawed individual who must continually adjust to his environment. Companions who continuously explain their existence also back him up.
Jujutsu Kaisen:
Year: 2020
Creator: Seong-Hu Park
Cast: Junya Enoki, Adam McArthur, Yûichi Nakamura, Yuma Uchida, Asami Seto, Robbie Daymond, Mitsuo Iwata, Chris Tergliafera, Nobunaga Shimazaki
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.6/10
Jujutsu Kaisen may not seem like a very appealing shonen on paper, but the execution confirmed its high scores to many admirers. Some of the trappings of shonen may be seen here, but they are shown in an efficient and imaginative manner that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are charming, the location is reminiscent of Tokyo Ghoul, and the show draws influence from Naruto and Bleach while letting go of the baggage that weighed them down later on. This prequel movie to the acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen series premieres on HBO Max at a perfect moment for new fans to explore this bizarrely gorgeous universe.
Blue Exorcist:
Year: 2011
Creator: Tensai Okamura
Cast: Nobuhiko Okamoto, Bryce Papenbrook, Jun Fukuyama, Johnny Yong Bosch, Brian Beacock, Kôji Yusa, Sam Riegel, Kana Hanazawa,Kazuya Naka
Runtime: 30 m
IMDB: 7.5/10
The setting for Blue Exorcist is an alternate reality in which humans and demons live in harmony. So Satan sends his son as a suitable host in order to conquer the world of the other. As he was born to be Satan’s physical form, Rin Okumura has no idea that he was chosen for this role.
Rin and his brother Yukio are the focus of this high-octane anime series, which follows them as they study to become exorcists. Blue Exorcist is at its finest when the tale slows down and lets the characters dwell inside this environment, almost attaining a slice-of-life tone, with a superb cast and a willingness to blur the boundaries between good and evil.
Hunter X Hunter:
Year: 2011
Creator: Yoshihiro Togashi
Cast: Issei Futamata, Megumi Han, Cristina Valenzuela, Mariya Ise, Michael McConnohie, Erica Mendez, Erika Harlacher, Miyuki Sawashiro
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 9.0/10
Hunter x Hunter is generally cited as one of the finest long-running shonen series. Unfortunately, the fact that the manga seems to be on indefinite vacation serves to exacerbate the sorrow. In spite of this, the 2011 remake anime series has a good start and a good finale. An epic, globe-trotting fantasy adventure like One Piece may be created with this combination.
In Hunter x Hunter, Gon and Killua take against a broad array of adversaries, from the Phantom Troupe to the Chimera Ants. Hunter x Hunter has a lot to offer those willing to stick with it for the long haul in terms of story and worldbuilding.
Tokyo Revengers:
Year: 2021
Creator: Masato Tamagawa
Cast: Griffin Puatu, Darren O’Hare, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Yu Hayashi, Yuuki Shin, Azumi Waki, A.J. Beckles, Will Choi, Adam McArthur, Lizzie Freeman
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.1/10
Japanese shonen anime Tokyo Revengers has had a good first season and is expected to return in the future. The plot follows Takemichi Hanagaki as he travels back and forth between the past and present to influence his classmates’ destinies. This show has a lot to do with gang wars.
The plot of Tokyo Revengers is original, the characters are well-developed, and the mystery is fascinating. The anime’s first season covers around 73 of the manga’s 200+ chapters, so there is still plenty of material for future releases.
Inuyasha:
Year: 2000
Creator: Rumiko Takahashi
Cast: Kappei Yamaguchi, Richard Ian Cox, Darren Pleavin, Satsuki Yukino, Moneca Stori, Kumiko Watanabe, Jillian Michaels, Kirby Morrow, Koji Tsujitani
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.1/10
Inuyasha, a Shonen classic, aired 193 episodes during the 2000s. They proceed on an epic adventure to rescue parts of Shiko Jewel that has been broken into pieces by the monster, Kagome Higurashi.
Aside from the excellent action and memorable characters, Inuyasha also features amusing moments and even a few sparks of chemistry between the two leads. However, HBO Max only includes the first 54 episodes of the show, which is virtually a full season experience. Despite its shortcomings, this classic still has plenty to offer fans of isekai anime.
Dr. Stone:
Year: 2019
Creator: Shinya Iino
Cast: Yûsuke Kobayashi, Manami Numakura, Gen Satô, Ayumu Murase, Tomoaki Maeno, Karin Takahashi, Kengo Kawanishi, Mugihito, Reina Ueda
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.2/10
HBO Max’s streaming site has both seasons of Dr. Stone, making it one of the most popular current shonen anime. Senku Ishigami, a young prodigy who can solve any problem with science, is one of the many people who are turned to stone by an unexpected phenomenon. Senku manages to break out of his stone prison after a few thousand years and sets out to recreate humanity from the bottom up.
This is a conventional shonen anime that emphasizes brains rather than physical might. It’s hard not to like Senku and his ragged band of companions, and the anime also understands how to craft a memorable antagonist.
Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World:
Year: 2020
Creator: Rie Takahashi-
Cast: Rie Takahashi-
Runtime: 24 m
IMDB: 8.4/10
Few isekai anime can compete with Re: ZERO Starting Life in Another World, and it doesn’t take long until it does. With no warning whatsoever, Subaru is whisked into another reality and quickly falls in love with another woman. Although he does recover, he dies shortly after.
Instead of an action or adventure series, Re: Zero is more about Subaru’s development as a character and how he adapts to a harsh environment. A recurring topic in the show is the effects of psychological trauma. Re: second Zero’s season is the only one available on HBO Max.
Princess Mononoke:
Year: 1997
Creator: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Billy Crudup, Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver, John DiMaggio, Claire Danes, John DeMita, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gillian Anderson, Keith David
Runtime: 2 h 14 m
IMDB: 8.4/10
The peace previously existed among gods, humans, and other creatures started to disintegrate in the 14th century. The main character, a young man named Ashitaka, who was afflicted by an animal assault, goes in search of a cure from the deity Shishigami, who resembles a deer. During his travels, he witnesses people wreaking havoc on the planet, bringing the wrath of the wolf deity Moro and his human partner Princess Mononoke down upon themselves. His efforts to mediate a peace agreement between her and the humans only result in further violence.
Conclusion:
However, HBO Max is not a streaming service to be taken lightly or treated as an average alternative. Although it is now only accessible in the United States, its ultimate goal is to give Netflix, the all-time favorite, a run for its money. Therefore, in order to boost their catalog, HBO Max has purchased a set of anime from Crunchyroll. This will allow them to develop and diversify their library by adding a new set of genres for their audience to enjoy.
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