Seinen is a demographic that’s often overlooked in the anime world. Most people tend to think of shounen when they think of anime, and as a result, seinen often gets left by the wayside.
However, there are plenty of great seinen anime out there that are definitely worth checking out. Here are thirteen of the best seinen anime that you need to watch.
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Best Seinen Anime
13. VINLAND SAGA
Vinland Saga is an epic historical manga that follows the adventures of Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior who wishes to seek revenge on Askeladd, the man who murdered his father. The story is set in 11th-century England and is full of horrific wars and fascinating characters. Fans of Game of Thrones will undoubtedly appreciate Vinland Saga.
12. Parasyte -the maxim
The maxim, Parasyte, is a sci-fi horror manga that has been adapted into an anime. It tells the story of a group of aliens who arrive on Earth and begin controlling humans in order to survive. However, not all aliens are successful in taking human bodies, and as a result, they begin to feed on human flesh. Shinichi, a high school student, is possessed by one of the aliens but manages to keep his own consciousness. He must work with his new alien friend to prevent the others from consuming humanity.
11. Blue Period
Blue Period is an anime about Yatora Yaguchi, a high school student who discovers his passion for painting and decides to attend the Tokyo University of the Arts. Despite his lack of experience and several difficulties, Yatora is committed to pursuing his dream of being a successful artist. This anime is recommended because it is inspiring and heartwarming, and it demonstrates that everyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to work hard enough.
10. ERASED
Erased is a mystery/thriller anime that will keep you thinking till the end. Satoru Fujinuma, a man with the ability to travel back in time moments before tragedy strikes, is the protagonist of the story.
He uses this power to save lives, but when he is accused of murdering his own mother, he is sent back in time 18 years to investigate the crime and prevent it from happening again. Erased is a thrilling and suspenseful anime that will keep you fascinated from beginning to end.
9. March comes in like a lion.
March comes in like a lion is slice-of-life drama that follows Rei Kiriyama, a professional shogi player struggling with depression following the death of his family members several years ago. The story focuses on Rei’s day-to-day life as he interacts with those around him and tries to find meaning in his existence once again through the game of shogi.
8. Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is an action-packed manga that follows the adventures of the “Black Lagoon Company,” a group of mercenaries. They are based in the Thai city of Roanapur and take on a variety of dangerous tasks, including smuggling, kidnapping, and more. If you’re searching for a thrilling and action-packed seinen series, Black Lagoon is a must-watch.
7. MUSHI-SHI
MUSHI-SHI is a one-of-a-kind manga set in an universe populated by “mushi” creatures. Most people are blind to these mushi, but others are able to see them. Ginko, a Mushishi (a person who studies mushi), travels around aiding persons impacted by mushi in the story. It’s a slow and soothing series that’s ideal for those searching for a break from the regular shounen stuff.
6. Arakawa Under the Bridge
Arakawa Under the Bridge is a quirky comedy about Kou Ichinomiya, a young guy from a wealthy family who has been educated to never owe anyone anything. However, his life is turned upside down when he falls into a river and is rescued by Nino, a weird girl who lives beneath the bridge… Kou, who is now indebted to Nino, must find a way to repay her.
5. Kaiji – Ultimate Survivor
Kaiji – Ultimate Survivor is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Kaiji Itou, a debt-ridden gambler who becomes involved in illegal gambling games run by loan sharks. Kaiji must join in these dangerous games and use his wits to survive against merciless opponents in order to pay off his debts. You’ll be on the edge of your seat till the very conclusion of this series!
4. Monster
Monster is a psychological thriller about Kenzou Tenma, a talented neurosurgeon who saves the life of a small kid rather than the mayor, as he was told to do. As a result, he loses his job and must leave the hospital. Years later, though, the youngster he saved reappears as “Monster,” a serial killer. It’s now up to Kenzou to find Monster and stop him before more lives are lost.
3. Rainbow
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin is a seinen anime that follows the lives of seven young men in Shinko Prison. The story revolves around their daily struggles and attempts to survive in a world where violence and death are commonplace.
Rainbow’s characters are extremely well-developed, and the anime does an outstanding job of addressing the psychological effects of prison. It’s a nasty and dark series, but it’s also one of the most realistic and thought-provoking seinen anime out there.
If you’re looking for an intelligent and mature seinen anime with complex characters and an engaging story, Rainbow is definitely worth checking out.
2. One Outs
One Outs is a sports drama that follows Toua Tokuchi, a great pitcher who plays baseball in a unique way. He used his gambling knowledge to put bets on himself during games and manipulates the outcome to win money.
When he is hired by a struggling team in need of a great player, Toua must use all of his skills to lead them to success… but can he do so without sacrificing everything?
1. Inuyashiki, the last hero
Inuyashiki is a seinen anime that recounts the story of its main character, an elderly man diagnosed with cancer and given only three months to live. Despite his efforts to remain strong for his family, their lack of interest in him leads to an emotional breakdown. However, when he is reborn as a robotic weapon, his life takes a turn for the better.
The first thing that differentiates Inuyashiki is its original premise. The concept of an elderly man being reborn as a robot is unusual, and it is this uniqueness that makes Inuyashiki so appealing.
It’s also worth mentioning that Inuyashiki isn’t your traditional shounen anime; while there are action scenes, they’re not the show’s main focus. Instead, the series focuses on its characters’ emotional journeys, making for a much more mature and thought-provoking experience.
