Whether they’re intended for mature audiences or young children, Netflix has a vast collection of animated shows to choose from. Some shows, like The Magic School Bus, will take you straight down memory lane, while others will shock you with their vulgarity (Big Mouth, anyone?) Whether you’re looking for some Japanese manga-inspired anime or a satirical adult-oriented comedy, Netflix has it all. Unfortunately, the sheer amount of choices can often be overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 of the best animated shows on Netflix (as of February 2019).
10. Death Note
Not to be confused with the non-animated version, Death Note has been described by some fans as “the best anime show ever.” In this dark and entertaining series, a Japanese high school student named Light Yagami stumbles upon a mystical notebook called the “Death Note,” which gives him the power to kill anyone whose name he adds to it. After discovering this power, Light attempts to bring vigilante justice to the world, creating a cult-like following and a reign of terror that can only be stopped by an elite task-force of law enforcement. It’s unique, it’s dark, and it’s binge-worthy.
9. One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man is an ongoing Japanese cartoon about Saitama, the most powerful superhero in the world who has become bored of his lackluster opponents in his fight against evil. As the title suggests, defeating evil with just “one punch” can get pretty dull, so he and his friends go on a hunt for a worthy adversary. The show is actually based on a superhero webcomic released in 2009 that became wildly popular before being adapted into a TV series written by Tomohiro Suzuki.
8. Paradise PD
Paradise PD is a Netflix original series that’s like an animated version of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Reno 911, and what could be better than that? When a rookie cop joins the totally inept small-town police department led by his dad, the rag-tag police force find themselves struggling with a big drug case that’s way over their heads. According to one online magazine, “They’re bad cops. Not bad like no-nonsense. Not bad like cool. Bad like crappy.”
7. F Is For Family
F is for Family is a foul-mouthed, adult animated sitcom created by comedian Bill Burr and Emmy-award-winning writer Michael Price. Set in the 1970s, the series follows the family of Frank Murphy, a quick-tempered Korean War veteran and father of three. One of the best characters is Frank’s teenage son, Kevin, a juvenile delinquent pothead and struggling rock musician who goes directly against Frank’s straight-laced values. Seriously, who wouldn’t enjoy an animated comedy about a dysfunctional family in the ’70s? It’s like the love child of That 70s Show and King of the Hill.
6. Disenchantment
As I’m sure you can probably tell from the animation, Disenchantment is an adult fantasy sitcom created by Matt Groening, the man behind The Simpsons and Futurama. Similar to an animated version of Shrek, the series is set in the kingdom of Dreamland, a Medieval fantasy land complete with elves, demons, and an alcoholic princess named Bean with a rebellious streak a mile long. Trust us, this isn’t anything like the fairytales you grew up hearing about.
5. She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power
Eighties babies can rejoice now that the Princess of Power from their youth has returned in the form of a Netflix reboot entitled She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Like the 1985 original series, the show follows She-Ra’s rebellion against the evil Hordak and his Horde, and has been widely praised despite a tremendous amount of skepticism in the beginning. The show was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids & Family Programming, and the second season will be released by Netflix on April 26, 2019.
4. InuYasha
InuYasha was originally a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi before being adapted into a television series in 2000. The series follows high school student Kagome Higurashi and her half-dog demon friend InuYasha as they embark on a dangerous journey to keep the Jewel of Four Souls from being used for evil. Their friends include a fox demon, a monk, a demon slayer, and a demon cat (you know, typical Japanese anime stuff). A second series was released in 2009, called Inuyasha: The Final Act.
3. Castlevania
Castlevania, based on the Japanese video games of the same name, is an adult animated TV series that follows Trevor Belmont as he attempts to save Wallachia from Dracula, whose wife was burned at the stake after being falsely accused of witchcraft. According to Wikipedia, the series was originally intended to be a film but was picked up by Netflix instead. Castlevania has been hugely successful, with a 10-episode third season on its way.
2. Big Mouth
PSA: Big Mouth might be animated, but it’s definitely not something you should watch with kids in the room. For those of you who haven’t seen it, this puberty-themed adult animation is based on the tweenage years of Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, who also happen to be the creators of the show. The series has an all-star voice cast, including Nick Kroll who voices his fictional self, and navigates the ins and outs of going through puberty in a vulgar, relatable, hilarious, and downright cringe-worthy way.
1. BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is an adult animated series that stars Will Arnett as BoJack Horseman, a washed-up Hollywood star who also happens to be…a horse. In his attempt be relevant again, BoJack plans to release a tell-all autobiography with the help of his ghostwriter, Diane Nguyen. Yes, it’s a ridiculous concept, but it’s also a hilarious satirical take on current events, politics, and show business. In 2018, Thrillist ranked the show as the best Netflix original series of all time, and it totally lives up to the hype.
