8 Best Anthology Anime Series, Ranked

Summary

• Animated anthology series offer diverse stories and gorgeous visuals, spanning different genres and spanning Japanese and Western studios.
• Flavours of Youth and Star Wars: Visions are standout animated anthology series with emotional narratives and unique art styles.
• Junji Ito Collection and Genius Party are must-watch anthology series with diverse themes and engaging visuals.

Although being in the front seat of a show with a linear, cohesive storyline is the norm, anthology shows stand apart due to their commitment to giving you something new each episode. Animated anthology series, however, instantly grab your attention due to their gorgeous visual designs and philosophical - though at times, bizarre - storylines.

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From genres such as dystopian sci-fi, fantasy and horror, these animated anthology series not only stem from noted Japanese animation studios responsible for our favourite anime, but also Western studios as well. Without further ado, here are eight of the best anime anthology series that we believe are worth investing your time in.

8 Flavours Of Youth

2018

Flavours of Youth is a film that showcases three sweet, heartfelt, and incredibly poignant stories. These stories will have you contemplating the meaning of life, the personal relationships and actions that make us human, and finding contentment in the little things in life.

The film is divided into three chapters, each focusing on different characters and the varying stumbling blocks they are experiencing. The first is about a boy who cherishes the San Xian noodles he eats with his grandmother, while the second and third stories are about career pressure and letting your grudges get the best of you. Overall, this film will leave you feeling both relaxed and touched, with stories everyone could relate to.

7 Star Wars: Visions

2021-Present

For any long-time fan of the Star Wars franchise, 2021's Star Wars: Visions is certainly a welcome addition. Although there are now two seasons of nine episodes each, the first season stands out in the franchise's long history due to its clear influences and inspiration from Kurosawa's samurai films. The entire first season was animated by well-known Japanese animation studios such as Science Saru, Studio Trigger and Kinema Citrus, while the second season spread its wings to include animation studios from other countries, like South Korea's Studio Mir and the United Kingdom's Aardman.

Star Wars: Vision is a masterpiece in visual storytelling, utilising a wide array of unique art styles and presenting the possibility of alternate realities (though it isn't considered canon). The action sequences are also gripping, with amazing, noteworthy storylines as seen in episodes like 'The Duel' and 'The Village Bride'.

6 Junji Ito Collection

2018

A master of the horrific and the macabre, several of Junji Ito's short stories were brought to life on screen in 2018's Junji Ito Collection. The show ran for 12 episodes with two OVA episodes covering his most well-known work, Tomie, with each episode ranging from eerie to the downright bizarre, though all of them are varying degrees of disturbing.

Two stories are covered per episode, with each story bearing an element of the unexpected. From the adaptations of works featuring notable characters like the creepy eccentric Souichi Tsujii to the terrifying cannibalistic giant Miss Fuchi, Junji Ito Collection is well worth the watch and is noted for its preservation of Junji Ito's prevalent theme of the spine-tinglingly grotesque and the unsettling.

5 Aoi Bungaku

2009

Aoi Bungaku (translated as Blue Literature) is a 12-episode show that adapts six classic Japanese tales, all written by Japan's most famous literary masters like Dazai Osamu and Akutagawa Ryuunosuke. These stories are known for their highly impactful, deep messaging about human nature, covering sensitive themes such as depression, suicide and the consequences of evil.

From iconic stories like No Longer Human and The Spider's Thread, Aoi Bungaku hits you straight in the gut with its emotionally evocative narratives and characters. With a dark, heavy atmosphere and complex characters, these stories will leave you gobsmacked, all while silently reflecting on life and the human experience.

4 Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

2013-Present

Yamishibai (or Theatre of Darkness) is an exceptional horror anthology series that has been running for 14 seasons. Although some of the episodes were decently spooky, there are certain tales (inspired by Japanese folklore) that are capable of sending shivers down your spine.

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Each episode is, on average, between four and five minutes long, and can cover topics such as haunted houses, curses, ghouls and other aspects of the supernatural, including popular Japanese urban legends and myths. The iconic introduction sequence sees an old man appearing before a group of children, narrating the stories through traditional kamishibai storytelling. All in all, Yamishibai is a delight to watch with its distinctive art style and is the perfect series for any horror fan to indulge in.

3 Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales

2006

Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales is a horror anthology series where its three stories take place in an undetermined period of medieval Japan, taking three to four episodes to cover. These stories are adapted from original works, two of them from kabuki plays and the last story by episode director Nakamura Kenji.

Although the stories integrate the supernatural, such as beings from Japanese folklore, the show's horror largely comes from its characters' actions. Not only is its visual appeal strengthened by its use of traditional Japanese art styles, but there's also a strong moral message in each story, from exploring the consequences of greed to how the truth, no matter how dark, will always resurface.

2 Mononoke

2007

A spin-off of the previous entry, Mononoke centres on the adventures of the Medicine Man, who goes about tracking and killing 'mononoke' (or supernatural beings). Although it's a supernatural horror anthology series like its prequel, the anime doubles as a mystery thriller, since the Medicine Man has to uncover the form, truth and reason behind a mononoke before he can even slay it.

As a result, we get to discover the harrowing, twisted backstories behind how particular spirits are formed in this anime, highlighting the flawed natures of the characters involved. Mononoke scores high points for its vibrant visuals, drawn in the Ukiyo-e style of traditional Japanese art, which makes it an overall treat to watch. Its five stories not only double as investigations but also a commentary on how morally reprehensible humans can truly be.

1 Genius Party

2007-2008

Genius Party is the first of a collection of two anthology films covering an array of concepts that is composed of seven short stories, each made by different directors. Genius Party is a visual delight, gifting you with a distinct animation style that showcases each director's creativity and leaves their personal mark on the entire film.

Although some of the stories appear not to have a cohesive plot, certain stories like 'Happy Machine' and 'Baby Blue' leave you feeling introspective, exploring themes such as childhood and friendship. All in all, Genius Party is a gem of an anthology series, one that isn't afraid to dabble and go beyond what's conventional.

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