ONAs, also known as Original Net Animations, are anime that are originally released directly onto the internet without being aired on TV or screened in theatres. Compared to regular TV anime, which areusually released seasonallyin a weekly format, ONAs do not follow a strict schedule. They allow for more artistic liberty and usually feature little or no censorship, as they have different standards compared to series aired on live TV.
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In recent years, ONAs have become more popular partlythanks to streaming serviceslike Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Though they generally have smaller budgets than most other anime, some ONA series are famous for their unique animation, quality storytelling, and memorable characters. These features oftentimes elevate their series to a level higher than that of even TV anime, giving them a special appeal and making them well worth the watch.
10Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family
Today’s Menu for the Emiya Familyis a spin-off of the popularFate/stay nightseries that features the summoned combatants and their masters in a slice-of-life setting. They spend their time in a leisurely fashion, attending festivals and eating delicious cooked meals made mainly by the series’ protagonist Emiya Shirou.
Like its more serious counterparts, it is animated by studio Ufotable, appropriately matching the tone of the series and delivering an overall splendid product. The anime displaysSaber’s cute but gluttonous nature, Rider’s irresistible Gap moe, and many more interesting sides of the characters you might never have expected to see.
9Romantic Killer
A heart-warming comedy about a girl who has no interest in dating,Romantic Killeris an ONA that parodies Otome games but gets more profound as the story progresses. It follows the protagonist, Anzu Hoshino, on her quest to avoid romance despite being surrounded by stereotypical yet charming love interests.
She is placed in this situation by Riri, a mischievous tiny wizard who appeared after she played and opened a bugged game that shares the series’ name. Despite the parodical nature of the anime, its plot hasmore than meets the eye, as it features great character development, dark twists, and underlying motives.
8Record of Ragnarok
Record of Ragnarokis an action fantasy with a very exciting premise. It is set in a world wheredifferent gods from different mythologiesmeet every one thousand years to determine the fate of humanity. At the start of the series, the gods agreed to wipe out humanity; however, Brunhilde, a Valkyrie of Valhalla, spoke up and gave mankind a fighting chance.
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The fighting chance came in the form of a deadly battle involving thirteen humans and thirteen gods. Each human is granted a Valkyrie as a partner and must win at least seven matches overall to avoid extinction. The series features action-packed scenes with fascinating fights between famous gods and historical figures, true to the manga’s unique art style.
7Super Crooks
Super Crooksis an action-drama based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and Leinil Francis Yu, the former who also createdKick-AssandKingsman. It features a group of super-powered criminals who plan to pull off one last heist, granting them enough wealth to likely set them for life.
It is a suspenseful series that actively immerses its viewers with engaging action.Animated by studio Bones, responsible for titles like My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it has high production quality with equally great animation. Furthermore, it explores themes of morality and friendship while also portraying heroes and villains in a nuanced light.
6B: The Beginning
B: The Beginningis an ambitious anime series combining mystery, action, and sci-fi elements. It is a Netflix originalanimated by Production I.Gand directed by Nakazawa Kazuto, known for his work on Samurai Champloo. It follows the stories of different interesting characters and groups, ranging from supernatural beings to criminal organizations.
The series centers around two main characters, Koku and Keith Flick. Koku is a vigilante, and a demi-human wanted for the murder of alleged criminals. At the same time, Keith is a legendary investigator trying to solve the murder of his sister and track down Koku. These characters find themselves thrown into an even bigger mystery filled with twists, turns, hidden agendas, and mysterious events.
5Kotaro Lives Alone
Released in March 2022,Kotaro Lives Aloneis an anime about a four-year-old boy who moves into an apartment on his own. Not long after, however, he meets with each of its residents and develops meaningful relationships with them, especially the manga artist Shin Karino.
As the show progresses, viewers are exposed to young Kotarou’s past, revealing secrets as well as hardships he has had to endure. This makes the joy and warmth he finds in the company of others more meaningful, leaving a solid impression on the show’s audience. It is a touching series that is sure to pull at your heartstrings should you give it a chance to
4Time of Eve
Time of Eveis a philosophical and thought-provoking anime that presents a captivating story. It features afuturistic world where androidsand humans coexist on unequal footing, giving room to discrimination and maltreatment. The main focus of the story arises as a result of this, which is the Time of Eve, a cafe where androids are to be treated the same.
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The series centers around the protagonist Rikuo and his android Sammy. It takes off when Rikuo finds out Sammy has been visiting a cafe called Time of Eve and decides to check it out for himself. This visit and his consequent visits reveal a new normal that challenges both Rikuo’s and the viewers' ethics concerning the treatment of these beings that aren’t so far from human.
3Great Pretender
Just likeSuper Crooks, which has already been covered on this list,Great Pretenderis an anime about big heists carried out on big stages. It features four main heistscarried out in different locationsby a team of experienced con artists. The main protagonist, Makoto Edamura, a relatively unknown swindler, was added to this group after an unfortunate run-in with the group’s leader Laurent Thierry.
The series is filled with beautiful visuals, charismatic and engaging individuals, as well as outstanding music. Each character has a backstory bound to get you invested, and the elaborate crimes they gather to commit will have you on the edge of your seat every time.
2Devilman: Crybaby
Devilman Crybabyis a 2018 series based on Go Nagai’s manga,Devilman, first published in 1972.It is a graphic animethat depicts scenes not for the faint of heart. From mass orgies to brutal killings, Devilman Crybaby is an ONA that utilizes its freedom and employs as little censorship as possible. It does this for a reason, however, as the show deeply addresses themes of love, morality, and growth.
The story follows the main protagonist Akira Fudo, who merges with a demon and becomes a devilman in his crusade against demons. He is accompanied on this path by Ryo Asuka, a childhood friend and a man with a hidden agenda. Together, the two friends are caught up in a war between humans and demons, which sends them down a path of tragedy and betrayal.
1Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Winner of the Crunchyroll Anime of the Year award at its7th annual awards ceremony,Cyberpunk Edgerunnersis a sci-fi anime passionately animated by studio Trigger. It is based on the gameCyberpunk 2077and takes place prior to the game’s events. The show, however, doesn’t solely try to ride on the popularity of its video game counterpart. It has made a name for itself as a series with a thrilling story and stylish animation, all of which are expertly directed.
It consists of a diverse cast of characters who come from different backgrounds, fitting for its vibrant atmosphere. From the rebellious David Martinez to the small but volatile Rebecca, each individual brings something new to the table, making for quality entertainment.
