Netflix is a popular choice of a streaming service over the last few years, especially with the release of Netflix Originals, which include movies and TV shows There are several anime series nestled under that “Netflix Original” label, meaning they are exclusively licensed by Netflix. Other streaming services, such as Crunchyroll offer a similar options. There’s a handful of Netflix anime titles to choose from, so let’s narrow down the selection to some you shouldn’t miss.
Image via Netflix
The Seven Deadly Sins
Patterned after Roman Catholic theology, The Seven Deadly Sins focuses on the personification of the vices that spur further immoral behavior. As we know them in philosophy, these sins are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth, each contrary to certain virtues.
In the Netflix anime, the sins are the embodiment of Ban (greed), Diane (envy), Escanor (pride), Gowther (lust), King (sloth), Merlin (gluttony), and Meliodas (wrath). Based on the fantasy manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Nakaba Suzuki, The Seven Deadly Sins sees the aftermath of the Holy War, wherein Princess Elizabeth begins the search for the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to retake her kingdom, which is ruled by the corrupt Holy Knights.
Image via Netflix
Kuromukuro
In a more niche sub-genre, we find Kuromukuro, a mecha anime that is likened to that of Darling in the Franxx. The studio behind Kuromukuro, P.A. Works, celebrated its 15th anniversary with the release of the show, which is not rooted in any manga or graphic novels.
The entirely original concept follows a high school student named Yukina Shirahane and a young samurai named Kennosuke, the latter of whom was born in the Sengoku period and reawakened in the present day to steal a mecha called the Black Relic. Yukina and Kennosuke co-pilot the mecha (with Yukina biometrically fused with the Black Relic to act as the navigator) to prevent an extraterrestrial force known as Efi Dorg from achieving planetary domination.
Image via Netflix
Little Witch Academia
The Little Witch Academia franchise, which consists of two original short films, an anime series, and two one-shot manga series, was created by Yoh Yoshinari, who also worked as a key animator on Neon Genesis Evangelion. The anime consists of 13 episodes originally and an additional 12 labeled as the show’s second season.
Little Witch Academia follows a girl named Atsuko “Akko” Kagari, a trainee witch at Luna Nova Magical Academy who struggles with lessons due to her non-magical background. Akko discovers a magical relic called the Shiny Rod, left behind by her fellow witch idol named Shiny Chariot. Since Akko’s discovery was considered a twist of fate, she takes it upon herself to follow in Chariot’s footsteps and prove to the world that magic is a wonderful thing.
Image via Netflix
Beastars
Paru Itagaki’s Beastars manga came about in 2016 and finished in 2020. An anime adaptation from Netflix released in 2019, with three seasons planned. As of October 2021, the manga had over 7.5 million copies in circulation.
Set in a civilized society of anthropomorphic animals, Beastars takes place at Cherryton Academy, where the students are divided into predators and prey and eating meat is strictly forbidden. After the violent death of their classmate, an alpaca named Tem, the distrust between herbivores and carnivores reaches its peak. At the center of the commotion, a gray wolf named Legoshi falls in love with a white dwarf rabbit named Haru.
Image via Netflix
Baki
Baki is a Netflix anime based on the manga series written and illustrated by Keisuke Itagaki. The manga began its run in 1991, but an anime series wasn’t produced until 10 years later. Also known as Baki the Grappler, this title refers to the first and second seasons, which aired in 2001. Simply Baki, exclusive to Netflix, refers to season three and so on.
In the series, Baki Hanma strives to defeat his father, Yuujirou, in hand-to-hand combat. Adapting the first saga of the second manga series, “Baki the Grappler,” the Netflix Original sees Baki hunted down by five dangerous death row inmates, all trained in martial arts. As a result, he finds himself in the middle of an all-out war between the most esteemed martial artists of Japan and those of the dark underground tournaments.
