Are you from the Anime fan club, you love this amazing anime universe fill with various types of incredible storylines and amazing animations? Anime exists in a wide variety of genres, including action, detective, drama, thriller, and even horror. You can’t possibly be familiar with all of them, can you?
Drama, Action, and Paranormal are just some of the genres that may be found in anime. They are designed for both children and adults. Some of the most well-known types of anime have been around for quite some time and have become firmly established in the market like Pokemon, Naruto, Doremon, and more.
It’s one of the best ways to learn Japanese and the dream of every nerd or geek who wants to learn Japanese.
Ultimate List of Most Popular Anime Genres
How many distinct categories of anime can you name or think of? To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of anime genres & subgenres, along with examples.
| Type | Estimate Number Of Titles |
|---|---|
| Action | 4600+ |
| Adventure | 3800+ |
| Comedy | 7000+ |
| Drama | 2800+ |
| Fantasy | 5100+ |
| History | 1200+ |
| Horror | 600+ |
| Kids | 6000+ |
| Military | 700+ |
| Mystery | 820+ |
| Psychological | 500+ |
| Romance | 2100+ |
| Sci-Fi | 3100+ |
| Space | 600+ |
| Sports | 800+ |
| Supernatural | 1600+ |
| Thriller | 300+ |
Listed here are the many categories of anime, along with brief descriptions and some representative works from each subgenre. It makes no difference if you’re a die-hard anime lover or a casual observer.
- Action
- Adventure
- Comedy
- Drama
- Fantasy
- History
- Horror
- Kids
- Military
- Mystery
- Psychological
- Romance
- Sci-Fi
- Space
- Sports
- Supernatural
- Thriller
Action
Action anime is defined by its intense levels of physical violence. A large portion of the anime audience like action shows. Fight sequences and spectacular battles are staples of action anime. In general, action films and television shows are known for their intense action sequences, slick animation, and riveting plot points.
Adventure
Adventure stories typically include protagonists who set out on grand adventures and visit exotic locations. A few of the more extreme adventure anime protagonists even wander to other dimensions.
Sometimes with a specific objective in mind, they explore a wide variety of environments. Due to the expansive nature of the adventure anime genre, shows of this type can sometimes run for a very long time and cross over into other types of anime genres as well, most commonly action, and fantasy, in their storytelling.
Comedy
The goal of the most comedic genres is, of course, to make the audience/fans laugh. What makes one person laugh might not make another person laugh at all.
The comedy subgenre of anime is responsible for the hilarity and hilarity-inducing moments, scenes, dialogue, and events.
Drama
In general, the drama genre excels at making us cry and feel a range of emotions. In general, the audience of a drama anime will have a deeper connection to the plights of the characters. When this happens, audience members can empathize and get emotional with the story.
If you’re easily moved to tears, you might want to avoid some drama anime. You can judge a drama anime to have accomplished its goal if it succeeds in making you feel something.
Fantasy
The majority of fantasy anime focuses on fantastical settings and mystical happenings.
The protagonists of these stories typically embark on an adventure in some sort of fantastical environment.
The genre frequently includes magical elements, and these mystical components typically serve as the story’s foundation. A fantasy show’s foundation rests on a number of magical components.
History / Historical
The majority of works in the history anime genre take place in the past. These shows are great for bringing history to life for viewers. In addition to entertaining themselves, viewers can utilise anime to learn something new, such as a language.
The Edo Period and the Warring States Period are only two examples of the eras in Japanese history that have inspired popular history anime. Some focus on the past of other countries, as the Chinese historical text Journey to the West.
The majority of historical anime genres focus on either superpowers or action.
The live-action drama is a good example of the history anime genre that focuses on actions and abilities. The dramatic portrayal of the past is becoming more common.
Horror
The presence of ghosts, monsters, blood, thrills and shivers are all signs that you’re watching a horror show. chilling, bloody, and typically violent. A show’s fear and creep weigh heavily on whether or not you consider it scary.
The capacity to give you the chills is what sets horror anime apart from other types. In particular, first-time viewers may find that watching horror anime on their own is somewhat unsettling.
Kids
Some people think anime is only for kids, but that’s not the case. There are a number of animated shows out there specifically for kids to enjoy. All of these shows are considered to be kid-friendly anime.
The major difficulty that Japanese culture presents for kid’s animation is that it is so different from the culture of the West.
Military
For the most part, protagonists in military fiction wear military uniforms. Mecha animes are often shown with military animes. Mecha anime, on the other hand, is distinguished by its focus on futuristic robots.
Shows like Macross and Gundam, which combine mecha and military themes, are examples. War is a possible theme in military anime, as the genre’s name suggests.
Best Examples Of Anime
Mystery
Most mystery anime centers on some sort of unexplained mystery, be it a location, an object, or an occurrence. Popular detective and gumshoe anime series have a long and illustrious history in the medium.
Psychological
The inner workings of the mind and spirit are the primary focus. Scenes of this type typically involve psychological concerns rather than philosophical ones.
Here, characters regularly engage in mental duels in which they must weigh against their enemies. Watching psychological anime can help you develop your analytical thinking skills.
Romance
Love and tender moments are at the heart of a romantic story. It’s not uncommon for shows in this subgenre to successfully make viewers tear up with their touching romances and touching moments. Shows like these centre on the characters’ developing feelings for one another in romantic relationships.
A love story’s sensitive moments and passionate sequences can make the reader’s heart ache with happiness. Drama, comedy, harem, and shoujo subgenres are frequently featured in romantic anime.
Relationships between characters, or between groups of characters, and sometimes intricate romantic incidents, are the primary emphasis of these anime.
Sci-Fi
The term “science fiction” is often shortened to “sci-fi.” Science and technology are usually the main topics of discussion. This is why mecha and space are frequently intertwined with science fiction.
Space
Space as a backdrop has always been extremely appealing. The setting has become so common in anime that it’s practically its own genre. This broad category includes all space-based anime. The more general categories of mecha and science fiction often include space anime.
Sports
The main focus of the Sports anime genre is on the protagonists’ various sports endeavors. Tennis, basketball, baseball, and soccer are all common options for sports anime. The game does away with the expectation that the main character would automatically excel at it.
Supernatural
Strange and unexpected occurrences that defy rational explanation are what people have in mind when they use the term “supernatural.”
In this context, “supernatural” might mean fantastical, esoteric, out-there, or otherwise not in keeping with conventional understandings of the world. Shows in this genre frequently feature of mystery and drama. This genre has hints of myths and mystery.
Thriller
Thrillers are a subgenre of mysteries, but there are some distinguishing features that make each reader’s experience of a thriller unique. A comparable genre is action-adventure which is likewise often fast-paced, although the scenes more often feature direct conflicts
Most Searched Anime Subgenres
Some of these categories are particularly interesting because they depict forms of storytelling that are either peculiar to or more common in the anime medium.
| Type | Number Of Estimate Titles |
|---|---|
| Cyberpunk | 200+ |
| Demons | 400+ |
| Ecchi | 800+ |
| Game | 300+ |
| Harem | 500+ |
| Reverse Harem | 80+ |
| Hentai / Adult Anime | 1500+ |
| Isekai | 300+ |
| Magic | 150+ |
| Martial Arts | 600+ |
| Mecha | 1300+ |
| Music | 3200+ |
| Parody | 800+ |
| Police | 400+ |
| Post Apocalyptic | 300+ |
| Seinen | 900+ |
| School | 1900+ |
| Shoujo | 700+ |
| Shoujo Ai | 300+ |
| Shounen | 1900+ |
| Slice Of Life | 1800+ |
| Super Power | 700+ |
| Tragedy | 200+ |
| Vampire | 100+ |
| Yaoi | 200 |
| Yuri | 100+ |
These subgenres encompass a vast array of subject matter and settings that can be adapted to a wide range of main genres.
- Cyberpunk
- Demons
- Ecchi
- Game
- Harem
- Reverse Harem
- Hentai / Adult Anime
- Historical
- Isekai
- Josei
- Magic
- Martial Arts
- Mecha
- Music
- Parody
- Police
- Post Apocalyptic
- Seinen Genre
- School
- Seinen
- Shoujo
- Shoujo Ai
- Shounen
- Shounen Ai
- Slice Of Life
- Super Power
- Tragedy
- Vampire
- Yaoi
- Yuri
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction anime. In most cases, the future depicted is one in which the prevalence of technology has eroded societal norms. The future depicted is often a dystopian one in which people fear that technology is causing more harm than good.
Demons
Demon can refer to more than just supernatural beings with demonic traits. It includes not just human beings but also monsters, creatures, spirits, and other demon-like figures. Demons may have either a Biblical or a Japanese cultural origin.
This subgenre works well with not only the horror genre but also a wide variety of others.
Ecchi
The Japanese word for “pervert,” hentai, derives its name, ecchi, from the letter H. Sexy innuendo and comedic circumstances are the bread and butter of this subgenre, thus it comes as no surprise that they frequently appear.
More and more ecchi shows are being produced each season, thus it’s safe to say that the genre is on the rise. The combination of ecchi and comedy works particularly well since the two styles complement one another.
Game
Gaming and play are important to the video game genre. A card game, board game, puzzle game, or even an electronic game played in a virtual environment might all be featured in the anime. Basically anything that has to do with a game that can be played falls under this heading. In some cases, this can even include shows based on video games.
Harem
To identify an anime belonging to the harem subgenre, simply look for a main male character to be surrounded by a large group of female characters who are all in love with him.
In this genre, there is usually more than one girl who is completely smitten with one guy. The majority of the anime in this genre are comedies or romantic comedies. Even without romantic subplots, a harem anime may be filled with nonstop gags.
Reverse Harem
The gender roles in a harem series are often reversed in a reverse harem anime. All the male characters in the story are competing for the attention of one female character. Comedy and romance are common themes in harem anime, just as they are in classic harem stories.
Hentai / Adult Anime
The Japanese word hentai means “pervert” in English. For those over the age of 18, this section of the anime universe is reserved for your viewing pleasure. This subgenre features sexualized or voyeuristic material. Here, unlike in ecchi, the emphasis is on sexually explicit material rather than on plot and character development.
Isekai
The Japanese word (isekai) means “another universe.” Typical stories in this genre involve the main character being whisked away to an alternate universe. The new world is typically based on a fantastical realm, with some elements reminiscent to those seen in Japanese role-playing games.
Josei
Josei demographic is real, the term is often used more generally to refer to a specific type of anime. Its intended audience consists almost entirely of women aged 18 to 40. Life and love are portrayed in these shows with more maturity, realism, and often less idealised fantasy.
The scope of this subgenre is broad, and it need not be romantic in nature to be considered part of it. It needs only a storyline that is geared toward the sophisticated female reader.
The concept of Josei first appeared in the manga in the 1980s. Girls who were raised on shoujo manga and novels of earlier decades want more mature fare.
Magic
Anime with a magical theme typically feature or focus on magic techniques like spellcasting and incantations. Girls with magical abilities are a staple of these magical anime.
These ladies with magical abilities have the potential to launch a brand new subgenre in the series later episodes.
Some stories also feature locations or persons with the ability or access to magical abilities. It’s getting so much attention that it could one day break away and become its own genre.
Martial Arts
The use of martial arts is essential in any anime including combat. Swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, armed combat, and gunfighting are all legitimate forms of martial art. It’s also worth noting that there are styles of martial arts whose primary emphasis is not on self-defense but on the art form itself.
Mecha
A mecha anime’s definition of a character is one who is fully or partially robotic. This is, without a doubt, the show-stopping aspect of the Mecha series.
Action, sci-fi, and the military all have strong representations in mecha anime. One of Japan’s most well-known cultural contributions is the genre of mecha anime.
Music
While music-themed anime series may not be as common as they once were, those that do exist are nonetheless relevant. Usually there is a lot of singing, dancing, and instrument playing in these shows. These fall under the broader headings of comedy and drama.
Parody
In a parody anime, several references to other works of anime are interwoven into the narrative. Something from another show is being incorporated into this one, whether it’s a running gag, a symbol, a character, or anything else.
It’s important to remember the potential pitfalls that come with making an anime that parodies another work. The Japanese copyright system does not provide for a parody defence. So, if they didn’t seek permission from the rightful owners, an anime studio may be in legal hot water for employing a parody of protected property.
Police
The everyday difficulties that law enforcement face are highlighted in these animated shows. Several shows have recently emerged as police procedurals, while many more involve police-related characters. Officers, investigators, detectives, and other members of law enforcement have central roles in police anime.
Post Apocalyptic
The majority of post-apocalyptic anime features stock depictions of a post-collapse world. Themes from the past are often recycled in post-apocalyptic fiction. Still, the influence of worldwide pandemics has led to a rise in the popularity of these anime in recent years.
Seinen
There are numerous anime series that feature robots, action, magic, and warfare. What if, though, you’re not like starry-eyed antics, school tales, or raging adolescent feelings? At such a time, seinen is the method of choice.
School
If a school is the major setting and student life is the primary focus of an anime, we can classify it as belonging to the school subgenre. The vast majority of these anime are comedies, however, there are a few dramatic examples.
Seinen
The term “seinen” can be used to describe either a certain type of anime or a specific demographic. It’s a branch of entertainment that skews heavily toward male audiences.
Extreme content such as blood, sex, and violence is shown in a more realistic way in these shows. There are other narratives that are more intellectual in nature.
Shoujo
The term “shoujo” designates a target audience of young women. The genre’s primary demographic is female. Typically, shoujo anime pairs well with romantic comedies, though it can also be used with other types of comedic stories.
The protagonist is a woman and the story centers on love and self-discovery. Oftentimes, the worlds shown in these shows are very idealized.
Shoujo Ai
Love between female protagonists, is the literal translation from Japanese for Shoujo Ai. Typical this anime features young women in romantic relationships. When compared to the more overtly romantic yuri genre, the romance here tends to be more subdued. The shows here focus more on the blossoming of love and passion than on the development of close personal bonds.
Shounen
This kind of anime is known as “shounen” because it primarily appeals to males. These programmes are frequently based from serial manga series and feature a mixture of action and adventure. Therefore, these anime usually air for multiple seasons.
Shounen Ai
When translated literally, shounen-ai means “boys adore.” In these programs, the male protagonists demonstrate warm affection for one another. When compared to the more overtly romantic yaoi genre, shounen-ai romance tends to be more subdued. The emphasis is more on establishing a romantic connection than on building meaningful bonds between people.
Slice Of Life
The “ordinary good life” is what people always refer to when they discuss “slices of life.” Nothing out of the usual occurs to derail the plausibility of this everyday setting.
The show focuses on realistic depictions of everyday life and features no supernatural elements.
Super Power
An easy way to tell whether your anime is about superheroes is if there are lots of explosions with their powers. The superhero subgenre of anime is most at home in the action or fantasy genres.
Tragedy
Tragic situations or phenomena in which the protagonists are heavily invested are at the heart of works classified as tragedies. Various forms of tragedy exist, including natural catastrophes, tragic accidents, unfortunate events, and tragic deaths. The emotional nature of these shows frequently causes viewers to be deeply moved.
Vampire
With the worldwide craze for vampires, it’s no surprise that the undead have begun to take over the world of anime as well. In recent years, vampires have been a popular subject for authors to explore, and not just in the horror genre. They’ve also shown up in various genres like comedy, romance, and drama.
Yaoi
When compared to its counterpart, shounen-ai, yaoi is significantly more explicit in the sexual department. To put it another way, this subgenre explores male friendships and relationships from a more nuanced perspective. Serious attachments and closeness are emphasized more than before.
Yuri
If you’re familiar with shojou-ai, think of yuri as a more mature and explicit version of that genre. The women in this show tend to be on the older side, and the connections between them are explored.
Other Most Searched Anime SubGenres
Genres like shonen, seinen, rom-com, and isekai are most searched, but it’s difficult to determine which is the most popular overall because each has its own set of viewers who love it for its own reasons.
Broadband Choices recently collected data from Google Search to find out which anime series are the most well-liked around the world, and the results were interesting.
- Iyashikei
- Kodomomuke
- Samurai
- Dementia
- Cars
- Aircraft
- Alternative Reality
- Amnesia
- Boys Love
- Girls Love
- Dating Sim
- Gourmet
- Erotica
- Anthropomorphic
- CrossDressing
- Detective
- Educational
- Gag Humor
- High Stakes Game
- Love Polygon
- Mafia
- Medical
- Music
- Mythology
- Ninja
- Organized Crime
- Parody
- Racing
- Reincarnation
- Samurai
- School
- Strategy Game
- Survival
- Time Travel
- Video Game
- Workplace
- Zombies
