Some ofthe best anime series ever madehave hundreds of episodes, but not everyone has time to dedicate the next few months (or years) to a single anime series. Sure, there’s a ton of solid anime out there with a lot of episodes, but a series' episode count doesn’t need to be three figures long to be good. As a matter of fact,some of the best anime series around can be started and finished in fewer than 15 episodes.
These series are perfect for someone who doesn’t want to dedicate a ton of time to anime, or someone who wants to watch multiple series at once without feeling like they aren’t making any progress. These anime series tell wonderful stories in just a few hours across less than 15 episodes, and they come in a variety of genres, so fans can find a series tailored to their taste.
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Againis an adorable anime series that doesn’t get the credit that it deserves.It’s one ofthe best romance series ever made, and it’s only 11 episodes long.Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Againfollow the titular pair as they find a golden apple in their orchard. They eat the apple and become young again, giving the couple a chance to enjoy their youth one last time.
It’s an amazingly simple premise that only gets better the longer the series runs.Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Againtells a complete story in 11 episodes, leaving no loose ends hanging and showing a bunch of fun moments between the two. The series is wholesome, heartwarming, and strangely cathartic, showing that romance anime series don’t have to be filled with boring tropes to be successful.
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otakuis another one of thehit series produced by A-1 Pictures.It’s a great, wholesome romance series that can be finished in 11 episodes.The main series is solid, and there are three more episodes that came out as OVAs for anyone wanting a bit more from the anime, bringing the grand total to a succinct 14.Wotakoiwas a massive success when it first came out, and after watching the series, it’s easy to see why.
The series stars two office workers as they fall in love with one another and attempt to hide their relationship from their coworkers. Narumi, one of the main characters, is also a massive otaku, something she’s desperately trying to hide from the world. Their relationship is funny, cute, and a joy to watch. Some romance series take dozens of episodes to get their main couple together:Wotakoidoes it in less than 5.
Devilman Crybabyis a fever dream of an anime series in the best way possible. The series is based on Go Nagai’sDevilmanseries that came out back in the 1970s.Devilman Crybabycame out in 2018 and is only 10 episodes long.The series has no skippable moments, making it a roller coaster of an anime that can be started and finished in a week (or a single day).
Devilman Crybabystars Akira and Ryo as they discover that their world is infested with demons. They do their best to understand the new threat, but things keep taking turns for the worse. The series is intense, dark, and filled with some of the most brutal action in anime. There are few series like it, makingDevilman Crybabystand out due to its unique premise, intriguing characters, and incredibly bleak ending.
A Sign of Affectionhas no business being as good as it is. It set the standard for allromance anime of the new generation, showing just how good the genre can really be.A Sign of Affectionis an endearing and captivating romance anime that is only 12 episodes long, andthe worst part of the series might be the fact that there are so few episodes to watch.
The series focuses on Yuki Itose as a 19-year-old college student with congenital hearing loss. Her world is turned upside down when she meets Itsuomi Nagi, a 22-year-old college student who falls in love with Yuki the second he meets her.A Sign of Affectionfollows Yuki as she learns more about Itsuomi, their new relationship, and so much more. The main characters are lovable, the side characters add a ton to the series, and the premise only gets more and more interesting.
Angel Beats!is one of the fewanime series to be succesful without a manga. It has also become a cult-classic in the anime community, as it tellsone of the most interesting stories in the art form in only 13 episodes.There really aren’t any other anime series that can be compared toAngel Beats!,and that’s a good thing.
There are two OVAs forAngel Beats!:Stairway to HeavenandHell’s Kitchen.
Angel Beats!highlights a young man named Otonashi after he is seemingly transported into the afterlife. Instead of landing in Heaven or Hell, he lands somewhere in the middle, finding himself in an environment that resembles a school. Otonashi learns a lot about the new world he finds himself in, why he’s there in the first place, and the other people “trapped” in Limbo.
The God of High Schoolwas a unique series when it first came out, and years later, it still holds up. While the main story doesn’t finish when the anime does,the anime series ends in a good spot after 13 episodes.Fans looking for more can read either the light novels that the franchise is based on or the popular Webtoon version that can be read almost too quickly.
The God of High Schoolhas crazy fights, amazing characters, and one of the simplest plots around. The series follows Mori Jin as he participates in the God of High School Martial Arts Tournament. He flies through most of the competition, and those he can’t beat easily turn into some of his closest friends. It’s an exciting, action-oriented anime that finishes as quickly as it starts.
Tsuki ga Kireimight be the most adorably innocent romance anime around. The series stars two junior high school students who find themselves in their first relationship ever. They learn to navigate their new feelings, the obstacles that come between them, and how much they truly care about one another.Tsuki ga Kireitells Azumi and Mizuno’s story in just 12 episodes, finishing with a succinct ending that wraps the story up wonderfully.
Tsuki ga Kireiis ridiculously relatable for anyone who has gone through the awkwardness that is the first few years of being a teenager. It’s also the best representation of messaging someone you have a crush on, as Azumi and Mizuno try their best to relay their feelings over LINE.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunnerscame out of nowhere and took the world of anime by storm. It’s a stellar anime because it excels in so many different areas.It’s hilarious, dark, romantic, action-packed, and so much more, and somehow, it accomplishes all of this in just 10 episodes.There really isn’t another series likeCyberpunk: Edgerunners,and there probably won’t ever be.
Edgerunnerstakes place in the fictional Night City, a metropolis rampant with corruption, violence, wealth, fame, and everything in between. The series stars David Martinez as a young man who is quite literally shooting for the stars, abandoning his education to pursue a dangerous life as a titular edgerunner. His story is exciting, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at once.
It’s impressive that the series was able to condense its story into just 10 episodes without feeling rushed, and after watching it, there are few who won’t want to head back to Night City just one more time.
