Superhero movies continue to maintain popularity and sweep through cinemas with no end in sight. One corner of this enduring trend is the DCEU franchise, which sports movies featuring some of the most iconic superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
While DC’s cinematic foray doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, the quality of certain movies in this catalog has hit both soaring heights and devastating lows, making them pretty divisive amongst viewers. Fans who are feeling disappointed by certain DCEU films can always turn to anime to give them something they might not have gotten from those movies.
10 Samurai Flamenco Is About The Meaning Of The Word “Hero”
Some heroes wear flashy costumes while others have unimaginable power, but at the end of the day, what makes a hero is someone who does the right thing simply because it’s the right thing. Samurai Flamenco is the story of Masayoshi Hazama, a young man who believes in the ideals of superheroes and by night becomes the masked crime fighter, Samurai Flamenco.
Masayoshi starts his journey from humble beginnings and over time things begin to escalate in bizarre ways. Full of action, heart, and some pretty wild plot twists along the way, this anime is all about the true meaning of the word “hero.”
9 Tiger & Bunny, A Superhero/Buddy-Cop Anime
Tiger & Bunny is set in a world where superhero work is more of a spectacle sport about showing off sponsors and becoming famous than it is about stopping crooks or saving people. Kotetsu Kaburagi, also known by his superhero name Wild Tiger, ends up having to team up with the newest hero Barnaby Brooks Jr. after a disappointing season.
The two don’t exactly get along at first, but as time goes on, the two become true partners who build each other up as friends and heroes. This superhero action series is perfect for anyone who likes the buddy-cop dynamic.
8 SSSS. Gridman Is Full Of Gigantic Battles
Yuuta Hibiki wakes up one day with no memory of his life and a mysterious presence seems to be calling him. He doesn’t have too long to sort through his amnesia, as he’s quickly thrust into conflict to stop kaiju from tearing up the city and making people disappear. Becoming the Hyper Agent Gridman, Yuuta battles fierce enemies and unravel mind-bending secrets about the world.
SSSS. Gridman brings the tokusatsu series into the anime medium, keeping the fun of its monster-of-the-week action along with some crazy plot twists. It even ended up getting a sequel: SSSS.Dynazenon.
7 Cyborg 009 Is A Classic With A Charming Retro Look
Cyborg 009 sees nine people from across the globe who get kidnapped by the shadowy Black Ghost organization who turns them into cyborgs, each with their own special abilities. However, one of their own, Dr. Gilmore, ends up freeing the cyborgs and helping them escape. Together, they will try and stop Black Ghost and any other threat that tries to tear the world apart.
This classic anime series sports a nice retro look with memorable characters and a ton of great, timeless, standalone stories that feature 009 and company going up against villains, other cyborgs, and even supernatural threats.
6 Inuyashiki, A Story About Power & Responsibility
Ichirou Inuyashiki is a kind old man who’s treated rather poorly by the world around him, including his own family. One day, he learns he only has three months to live. Without warning, Ichirou is suddenly enveloped in a mysterious light that turned his body cybernetic. Ichirou decides to use his abilities for good while also finding out that he’s not the only one who transformed that night.
At times, Inuyashiki: Last Hero can be hard to watch. Those who stick with it will find a story about how different people choose to handle great power, whether they wield it for themselves or others.
5 Devilman: Crybaby, From Zero To Demonic Hero
Akira Fudo was a kind yet weak young man, but that all changes after coming face to face with demons and merging with a devil named Amon. Becoming a Devilman, Akira will fight all manner of monstrous enemies that threaten the world, whether they be demons or angels.
Featuring a demonic and compassionate hero, Devilman: Crybaby is a dark and intense retelling of this classic series. Boasting a cataclysmic storyline and stunning animation that’s dripping with a foreboding style, this anime is just right for those looking for something on the grim and gritty side.
4 Despite A Child-Friendly Appearance, Astro Boy Tackles Some Heavy Subjects
One of Osamu Tezuka’s many outstanding works, Astro Boy is a sci-fi series that takes place in the distant future where robotics have become more advanced than ever. One such robot, Astro, was born to replace his creator’s deceased son but was thrown out when it became clear that he was only a pale imitation. After being adopted by the kind Dr. Ochanomizu, Astro begins fighting crime and injustice, whatever form it may take.
Despite its soft and kid-friendly action/adventure appearance, Astro Boy is something of a Pinocchio retelling that also covers mature subjects such as grief, hatred and bigotry, and what makes a human. With this series’ many adaptations, there’s a lot to appreciate about it.
3 One-Punch Man Is A Hilarious Superhero Action/Comedy
In a world that’s constantly threatened by powerful monsters and villains, the strongest hero out there is an unknown “hero for fun.” Although Saitama is powerful enough to end any fight with only a single punch, unfortunately, the lack of challenge has left him bored and indifferent to most things. But whether he likes it or not, he may be the hero his world needs most.
One-Punch Man is both action-packed and thoroughly hilarious from its premise to its over-the-top characters that make up this superhero world. For those who often claim that Superman’s powers make him an uninteresting character, Saitama’s existential crisis could be seen as a satire examining how ultimate strength isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
2 Sailor Moon, The Most Iconic Magical Girl Anime
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At first glance, Usagi Tsukino seems like your average junior high school student. In truth, she and her friends are the Sailor Guardians, a group of heroines that protect the Earth from evil. While juggling her normal life, Usagi will discover the origins of the Moon Kingdom and fight the forces of darkness as Sailor Moon.
While there have been many entries into the magical girl genre, none may be more iconic than Sailor Moon. Sporting multiple anime adaptations and movies, this series is an enduring classic for a reason.
1 My Hero Academia Is A Big Wide World Of Heroes & Villains
In a world where superheroes are the norm, Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero himself. The only problem is that he’s one of the few people born without a Quirk, which are MHA‘s version of superpowers. Izuku’s luck turns around when he meets the number one hero All Might, who sees his selfless nature and decides to make him his successor. Now enrolled in the top hero school, Izuku will study and train alongside his classmates to become the heroes they always dreamed of being.
My Hero Academia gives the colorful world of superheroes and villains an anime coat of paint. Featuring a unique cast of characters, an interesting multi-faceted world that revolves around Quirks and heroes, and tons of memorable fights, there’s a lot in MHA for superhero fans to love.
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