As one of the biggest names in anime streaming, Crunchyroll has evolved from a licensing platform into a full-blown production powerhouse. With Crunchyroll Originals, the company has taken creative control, offering viewers exclusive series ranging from action-packed fantasies to heartfelt romances. While not all of their originals have been smash hits, some have managed to carve out lasting fanbases and critical respect.
These ten Crunchyroll Original anime stand out as the best of the bunch. Whether adapting beloved webtoons, delivering all-new stories, or offering genre-bending experiments, these titles showcase the diverse creative risks Crunchyroll has taken. From supernatural mysteries to over-the-top martial arts tournaments, here is how the top entries stack up, and why they are worth the time.
10
Shenmue: The Animation
Anime Series by Telecom Animation Film; Based on the Video Game by Yu Suzuki (Sega AM2)
- Created by
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Yu Suzuki
- First TV Show
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Shenmue the Animation
- Latest TV Show
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Shenmue the Animation
- Cast
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Masaya Matsukaze, Corey Marshall, Haruka Terui, Natalie Rial, Takahiro Sakurai, Scott Gibbs, Akio Otsuka, Eric Vale
Based on the cult classic Sega game series, Shenmue: The Animation follows teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki as he investigates his father’s murder and uncovers a world of crime and mysticism. Despite its condensed runtime, the series remains faithful to the game’s tone and world-building, offering longtime fans a sense of narrative closure they never got from the games.
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While the animation and pacing have received mixed reviews, Shenmue succeeds in capturing the meditative spirit of the source material. Ryo’s quiet determination and methodical approach to problem-solving feel refreshing in a genre typically driven by hyperactive action. It is a unique journey that respects its roots while finally pushing the story forward.
9
The God of High School
Anime Series by MAPPA; Based on the Webtoon by Yongje Park
Adapted from the popular Korean webtoon, The God of High School wastes no time jumping into intense martial arts battles. It centers on Jin Mori, a carefree teenager who enters a tournament where contestants fight for the title of the strongest high schooler. But as the rounds unfold, the tournament’s supernatural underbelly is revealed, raising the stakes in epic fashion.
The anime is best known for its jaw-dropping choreography and breakneck pacing. Every punch, kick, and energy blast is rendered with thrilling dynamism. While the plot can feel rushed, especially compared to its webtoon source, the sheer spectacle of the fights and the high-energy animation make it an unforgettable ride for action lovers.
8
In/Spectre
Anime Series by Brain’s Base; Based on the Manga by Kyo Shirodaira and Chasiba Katase
In/Spectre blends urban legends, spirits, and philosophical battles into a supernatural detective story. Kotoko Iwanaga, a girl who serves as the “Goddess of Wisdom” for yokai, teams up with the mysterious Kurou Sakuragawa to solve conflicts between spirits and humans. Their cases often hinge on logic, deduction, and manipulation rather than brute force.
What sets In/Spectre apart is its heavy reliance on dialogue and mental strategy. It is less about action and more about how stories shape reality. The show’s slow burn and witty banter between Kotoko and Kurou create a quirky but compelling dynamic that rewards viewers who prefer thoughtful and slow storytelling over spectacle.
7
Noblesse
Anime Series by Production I.G; Based on the Webtoon by Son Jeho and Lee Kwangsu
Noblesse introduces Cadis Etrama Di Raizel, a powerful noble vampire who awakens from an 820-year slumber into a futuristic society. As Raizel tries to navigate the modern world, he must also confront a secret organization threatening the balance of power between humans and supernatural beings.
Noblesse delivers enough charm through its stoic protagonist, flashy battles, and fish-out-of-water humor to satisfy fans of supernatural action.
The anime offers slick animation and striking character designs, particularly in its stylish fight scenes. Though its world-building can be hard to follow without reading the webtoon prequel, Noblesse delivers enough charm through its stoic protagonist, flashy battles, and fish-out-of-water humor to satisfy fans of supernatural action.
6
Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist
Anime Series by Platinum Vision; Based on the Manga by Aho Toro
In a world where strange emotions manifest as physical illnesses, Dr. Ramune follows a sarcastic doctor who specializes in curing these supernatural ailments. With the help of his straight-laced assistant Kuro, Ramune treats everything from tears turning into condiments to literal mouths appearing on hands.
The series combines oddball medical mysteries with emotional storytelling. Each case sheds light on how repressed feelings and trauma can twist into something monstrous. Ramune’s offbeat personality and the show’s episodic structure make it a quirky yet touching exploration of the human psyche, blending comedy, surrealism, and heart.
5
Meiji Gekken: 1874
Anime Series by Tsumugi Akita Anime Lab; Original Story by Tsukasa Sakurai
Set seven years after the fall of the shogunate, Meiji Gekken: 1874 follows Shizuma Orikasa, a former samurai now scraping by as a rickshaw driver in Tokyo. Haunted by the disappearance of his fiancée during the Boshin War, Shizuma becomes entangled in a violent political conspiracy after stopping a high-profile assassination.
Drawn into the new government’s elite police force, he confronts enemies both personal and ideological, as remnants of the old guard seek revenge. Blending historical intrigue with stylized swordplay, this samuirai anime series explores a turbulent period of change in Japan, where modernization, loyalty, and loss clash on the edge of a blade.
4
Tower of God
Anime Series by Telecom Animation Film; Based on the Webtoon by SIU
Based on the groundbreaking Korean webtoon, Tower of God follows Bam, a boy who enters a mysterious tower in pursuit of his childhood friend Rachel. Inside, challengers ascend through brutal trials, each one testing their strength, intelligence, and loyalty in a system where the rules are always changing.
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Tower of God impressed fans with its layered world-building and morally complex characters. Its art style, while unconventional, adds to the dreamlike and dangerous atmosphere. The show’s first season ends with a shocking twist, proving that not all relationships are what they seem. It is a gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and betrayal.
3
Onyx Equinox
Anime Series by Crunchyroll Studios; Original Story by Sofia Alexander
Onyx Equinox
- Release Date
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November 21, 2020
- Network
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Crunchyroll
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Carolina Ravassa
Zyanya (voice)
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Juan Arturo Maldonado
K’in (voice)
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Alejandro Vargas-Lugo
Yaotl (voice)
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Olivia Brown
Izel (voice)
Onyx Equinox is a rare anime-inspired series set in Mesoamerica, drawing from Aztec, Maya, and Zapotec mythology. It follows Izel, a reluctant young hero chosen by the gods to close deadly portals threatening humanity. What begins as a journey of survival turns into a story of grief, trauma, and inner strength.
The series does not shy away from violence or emotional depth, tackling topics like loss and systemic injustice. Visually striking and unapologetically dark, Onyx Equinox offers representation not often seen in anime and delivers a unique mythological experience. It is a raw and powerful journey into a brutal but beautifully imagined world.
2
Fena: Pirate Princess
Anime Series by Production I.G; Original Story by Kazuto Nakazawa and Production I.G
Fena: Pirate Princess feels like a classic adventure tale infused with anime charm. Fena Houtman, a mysterious orphan with ties to a hidden treasure, embarks on a high-seas quest with a crew of samurai-pirates. As secrets about her identity unfold, the line between myth and reality begins to blur.
Though its ending divided fans, the journey itself is enchanting, making Fena: Pirate Princess one of Crunchyroll’s most visually captivating originals.
With lush animation and a cinematic score, Fena delivers spectacle and heart in equal measure. The chemistry between Fena and her crew is delightful, while the story carries surprising emotional weight. Though its ending divided fans, the journey itself is enchanting, making Fena: Pirate Princess one of Crunchyroll’s most visually captivating originals.
1
Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You
Anime Series by Seven Arcs; Based on the Manga by Kenjirou Hata
At first glance, Tonikawa looks like a typical rom-com, but it breaks the mold by having its couple, Nasa and Tsukasa, get married in the very first episode. What follows is a charming slice-of-life journey through newlywed bliss, awkward adjustments, and unexpected emotional depth as the couple slowly learn more about each other.
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The Crunchyroll anime’s gentle humor and heartwarming moments make it incredibly binge-worthy. Nasa and Tsukasa’s dynamic feels sincere and refreshingly devoid of overdone anime tropes. With occasional hints at Tsukasa’s mysterious background, Tonikawa keeps fans emotionally invested without relying on melodrama. It is proof that love stories can be sweet, smart, and seriously satisfying.