Best short anime series: 10 complete shows under 26 episodes

TL;DR: Don't equate "important anime" with "long anime." Some of the medium's best is under 13 episodes, finishable in a single sitting if you commit.

Quick picks: best short anime series

1. Erased — 12 eps. Time-travel mystery; clean ending.
2. Madoka Magica — 12 eps. Looks cute, isn't.
3. Devilman Crybaby — 10 eps. Stylish and brutal.
4. FLCL — 6 eps. Pure expressive lunacy.
5. Anohana — 11 eps. Quiet, weepy.
6. Mob Psycho 100 (S1) — 12 eps. Funny, sincere.
7. Demon Slayer (S1) — 26 eps. Beautifully animated.
8. Vinland Saga (S1) — 24 eps. Historical epic.

Why short anime is often better

No filler

Long shounen series have filler arcs because they ran out of manga to adapt. Twelve-episode shows don't have that problem — every episode is supposed to be there.

One arc, told well

A single 12-episode season usually adapts one complete story arc. The ending is built in. The pacing is taut. You remember more of it a year later.

Easier to recommend

"You should watch this; it's 12 episodes" is a much easier ask than "you should watch this; it's 700 episodes and the first 50 are slow."

Common mistakes

• Skipping short anime because it sounds slight. 12 episodes can carry more weight than 200.
• Watching one episode every two weeks. Short anime works best back-to-back, while the tone is still in your head.

FAQ — short anime series

What's the shortest great anime? FLCL at 6 episodes is a real candidate, as is Devilman Crybaby at 10.

Are short anime usually one season only? Many are. Some get follow-ups years later (Madoka, Mob Psycho), but the first season usually stands alone.

Try the quiz

Ready for a pick made for tonight rather than a generic list? Take the anime quiz — eight quick questions, six to ten real titles back, free and anonymous.