Anime is one of Japan’s best exports to the rest of the world. In recent years, anime has grown in popularity, for its ability to engage its audience through unique storytelling. However, after a binge of classics like Hunter X Hunter, Naruto, or One piece, one might want to relax and settle with a short series not spanning over a dozen Episodes. Here are ten short anime series you can finish in one night! (In no particular order.)
1. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (13 Episodes)
At a time when highly evolved AI set out to eradicate humanity, a scientist takes his chance and travels a hundred years into the past where AIs are already an integral part of society. Vivy, the first ever autonomous AI, is tasked with spreading happiness through song. She keeps performing in a theme park day in and day out until a robot from the future enlists her help in stopping a war of AIs against humanity set to happen a century into the future.
2. Grand Blue (12 Episodes)
This comedy follows Iori Kitahara, a freshman at Izu University, as he moves into his uncle’s scuba diving store, ‘Grand Blue.’ He looks forward to his college life as he anticipates, beautiful women, good friends, and plenty of alcohol. The anime follows the main character’s endeavors after he joins the college scuba diving team and encounters a variety of mishaps ranging from entering a male beauty pageant to getting naked with the boys and finally having a grand blue time.
3. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (4 Episodes)
After a ritual performed to safeguard their friendship goes wrong, a group of high schoolers gets transported to the Heavenly Host Elementary School where they experience never-ending horror. At the school, the evil spirits of dead children roam around torturing the characters. It is revealed later that there is a tragic backstory to the hauntings at the school.
4. Devilman Crybaby (10 Episodes)
The series follows Akira Fudou, a young man who gains the strength of a devil and has become what is called, a ‘Devilman.’ Deep down, however, he is still sensitive and kind. He seeks nothing but to help others. It is hard to believe that the entire show is only ten Episodes long because of how fast-paced the action is. The show goes from seeming like a slice-of-life anime to being packed with death and gore.
5. Mononoke (12 Episodes)
The show is set in feudal Japan, where evil spirits called ‘Mononoke’ terrorize the countryside. However, a mysterious figure known as the Medicine Seller sets to slay the Mononoke with a set of tools and vast knowledge of the supernatural on his side. Mononoke is one of the best-hidden gems in the anime world.
6. Odd Taxi (13 Episodes)
The series is set in a world where animals act as a metaphor for humans in which the protagonist is a walrus named Hiroshi Odokawa who is a simple taxi driver. After a little girl goes missing, he is taken for a ride as the cops and yakuza go after him. The show is a brilliant presentation of intelligent writing and is one of the most critically acclaimed anime of recent times.
7. Ping Pong The Animation (11 Episodes)
Ping Pong the animation is an anime depiction of the game table tennis. The series makes something like ping pong feel like a duel to death. Each frame of the animation is visually pleasing because of its unique animation style. The story follows five prodigies as they pursue a path towards glory.
8. Gakuen Babysitters (12 Episodes)
Undoubtedly the cutest and wholesome series on this list, the series follows middle schooler Ryuuichi Kashima, who is asked by the chairwoman of an elite academy to participate in the school’s babysitters club. Unfortunately, the club is so severely understaffed, making Ryuuichi responsible for taking care of his younger brother but also a handful of other toddlers with explosive personalities.
9. Serial Experiments Lain (13 Episodes)
This series depicts technology, connecting with other people, and the alienation that is brought by the increase in the interconnectivity of the human race through technology. The 1998 anime is said to be way ahead of its time in predicting the impact of the internet on humans. Serial Experiments Lain follows the story of an adolescent girl who develops a connection to a virtual reality network called ‘The Wired.’
10. Paradise Kiss (12 Episodes)
High schooler, Hayasaki Yukari, is a model student who attends school and listens to her parents. She encounters a group of fashion design students who own a clothing label called ‘Paradise Kiss.’ The group is searching for models for their upcoming show and decides to convince Yukari. Hesitant at first, she realizes that the seemingly eccentric group are friendly people. The story follows Yukari as she gets involved with the group and eventually falls in love with the head designer George. The anime comes to a bittersweet ending that many fans praise for how realistic and relatable it is.
