Popular anime is notorious for having multiple seasons with dozens or even hundreds of episodes to get through. But what if you want something short, sweet, and complete to watch over the weekend? Well, you’re in luck.
9
Death Parade (12 Episodes)
Watch Death Parade on Crunchyroll
In Death Parade, two souls will arrive in a mysterious bar called Quindecim after they die simultaneously in the real world. They meet a being called an Arbiter, who challenges them to play a high-stakes game against each other, allowing the Arbiter to judge their actions and determine their fate: reincarnation for the winner and darkness for the loser. What follows is a well-written fantasy drama that explores human emotions, such as love, regret, guilt, and fear, and what people would do when their afterlife is on the line.
8
Samurai Champloo (26 Episodes)
Watch Samurai Champloo on Hulu
Samurai Champloo tells the story of Fuu and the two rival swordsmen: a wild and unpredictable swordsman named Mugen and a calm and disciplined ronin named Jin. She “hires” both to help her find a samurai that smells of sunflowers. On their journey, they encounter vibrant characters and get into a variety of stylish fights. It’s an anime set in Edo-era Japan and filled with action, humor, heart, and a killer hip-hop soundtrack.
7
A Place Further Than the Universe (13 Episodes)
Watch A Place Further Than the Universe on Crunchyroll
Without life-or-death scenarios or world-ending stakes, A Place Further Than the Universe is a slice-of-life adventure about four high school girls on a journey to Antarctica to make memories. It’s an emotional watch, with each girl having their own personal motivation for the trip. The coming-of-age tale touches on themes of friendship and personal growth with well-written drama, humor, and heartfelt moments—perfect for a laid-back weekend binge.
6
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a (24 Episodes)
Watch Nier: Automata Ver1.1a on Crunchyroll
Nier: Automata Ver1.1a is based on a video game and set in a post-apocalyptic Earth devastated by a war with the alien Machine Lifeforms. Humanity has abandoned the planet, retreating to the safety of the moon, and left the YoRHa unit, an elite squad of androids, to reclaim the Earth. The anime follows androids 2B and 9S as they fight hostile invaders while uncovering truths about humanity and tackling existential themes in a deeply philosophical manner.
5
Afro Samurai (5 Episodes)
Watch Afro Samurai on Crunchyroll
Tales of revenge never get old, and Afro Samurai tells it well, with Afro (Samuel L. Jackson) on a mission to avenge his father’s death. The animation is stylish, the sword action is intense, and the hip-hop soundtrack will have your head nodding. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic feudal Japan that blends a traditional setting with advanced technology to create a visually unique style.
4
Ergo Proxy (23 Episodes)
Watch Ergo Proxy on Crunchyroll
The setting of Ergo Proxy is a post-apocalyptic Earth, where humans survive by living in domes after the atmosphere was destroyed. It follows an investigator named Re-l Mayer as she uncovers strange occurrences involving sentient androids called AutoReivs, a mysterious virus that induces said sentience, and powerful beings known as Proxies. It’s a cyberpunk anime with a thought-provoking story, as well as deep psychological and philosophical themes.
3
Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners (10 Episodes)
Watch Cyberpunk 2077 on Netflix
Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners is a prequel to the 2020 video game, Cyberpunk 2077, which is based on the tabletop RPG universe created by Mike Pondsmith. Edgerunners is about David Martinez, a teenager from the slums of Night City, as he descends into the world of cybernetics and mercenary life.
Edgerunners was a hit on Netflix, thanks to its explosive action, devastating story, and depiction of a hyper-capitalized dystopian world. There was also the soundtrack, which featured the popular song, “I Really Want to Stay at Your House” by Rosa Walton.
2
Death Note (37 Episodes)
Watch Death Note on Netflix
Death Note is about Light Yagami, a genius Japanese high schooler who stumbles upon a book called a Death Note that kills anyone whose name is written in it. Going by the alias Kira, Light uses it to kill criminals so that he can create a world without crime. The Death Note he finds was dropped into the human world by a death god (Shinigami) called Ryuk simply because he was bored.
The series showcases the rising global popularity of Kira and how far Light will go to achieve his vision and protect his identity from those trying to catch him. It’s an intense psychological drama with high stakes and a gripping narrative about morality, justice, and unchecked power.
1
Cowboy Bebop (26 Episodes)
Watch Cowboy Bebop on Crunchyroll
Cowboy Bebop is a neo-noir space western about Spike and his crew chasing bounties across the solar system in their ship, the Bebop. Woven into the episodic bounty hunting are relatable and emotional stories of the characters’ pasts. Cowboy Bebop is renowned for its unforgettable characters, compelling storytelling, and iconic jazz soundtrack, all set in a cyberpunk world.
All the anime in the list concluded their respective runs, which is what makes them perfect for a weekend binge. They tell their stories without overwhelming you with hundreds of episodes and multiple filler arcs. I reckon you can find two or even three from this list to watch as you mentally prepare for the coming week.
