The 7 best anime to stream on Amazon right now

Because of its cute animation style, it’s easy to let your guard down when watching Elfen Lied. However, this anime is dark, with jarring scenes of shocking, brutal violence. The story centers on Lucy, a seemingly normal girl who is actually a Diclonius — a human with short horns and invisible telekinetic hands, the result of secret government experiments. At the start of the story, Lucy escapes captivity from the government lab but suffers a terrible head injury in the process, turning her into a harmless girl with no memory of her past. She is rescued by two college students who are unaware of her true nature. The show takes a lot of twists and turns, each filled with adrenaline-pumping action.

This beautiful and cerebral 1995 anime film gives off classic Blade Runner and cyberpunk vibes. Based on three manga stories from legendary artist and director Katsuhiro Otomo (creator of Akira), this movie is a collection of three short films. Intricately animated, each short film is unique in both presentation and story, swaying, at times, from the haunting to the darkly comical. You’ll find yourself creeped out and laughing throughout this film, a great sign of how diverse this movie is. This film is a must-watch for anyone craving a slice of classic, hand-drawn, 1990s anime.

For those fans of History Channel’s Vikings, Vinland Saga is its anime twin. Based on the best-selling manga, Vinland Saga is filled with medieval action, intrigue, and drama. From dazzling battles to intense duels, Vinland Saga has enough combat to satisfy any action junkie. But this epic anime is also a story of growing up, with a memorable cast of characters that don’t fit neatly into standard anime tropes. The main character of Vinland Saga is Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior who goes on a journey to see the mystical land of Vinland — North America.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone is an anime film and the first entry in the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy. It’s a retelling of the classic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, but with some twists and updated animation. The story takes place in the futuristic Tokyo-3, 15 years after a global catastrophe called the Second Impact. Humanity is under attack by monstrous beings known as Angels. NERV, a special agency, relies on giant robots called Evangelion (EVA) units piloted by teenagers to combat the Angels. Shinji Ikari, a withdrawn young man, is recruited by NERV to pilot EVA-01, one of these giant machines, and fight the Angels. The title “You Are Not Alone” reflects the themes of isolation and connection that are central to the story. Shinji struggles with loneliness, but he also finds a sense of belonging through piloting the EVA and interacting with others.

This anime series takes place in a desolate post-apocalyptic world where civilization has seemingly crumbled. The exact cause of this apocalypse remains a mystery throughout the story. The narrative of Girls’ Last Tour centers on two young girls, Chito and Yuuri, who travel the ruins on a half-tracked motorcycle called a Kettenkrad. Their main goals are simple: survival and finding their next meal, fuel, and shelter. While the world is bleak, the story focuses on Chito and Yuuri’s day-to-day experiences. They explore abandoned structures, encounter the remnants of the past civilization, and contemplate its demise. Despite the desolate setting, the series often has lighthearted and humorous moments. The girls find joy in simple things like reading scavenged books, brewing coffee, or sharing a meal together.