In a world of seasonal anime that come and go in a 12-episode flash, committing to a long-running series can feel like a monumental task. It’s a relationship. You’ll spend dozens, if not hundreds, of hours with these characters, in these worlds. It’s an investment of time and emotion. That’s precisely why choosing the right one is so critical. A bad choice can lead to hundreds of episodes of regret, filler-fatigue, or a disappointing ending that sours the entire journey.
This is not that list.
This is the “No Regrets List” for 2025. We’ve curated a collection of 10 of the best long-form anime that deliver on their promise. For our purposes, “long” generally means over 100 episodes, though we’ve included a couple of slightly shorter, exceptionally dense series that feel just as epic and demand a similar commitment. Each entry here is a masterpiece of world-building, character development, and narrative payoff. They are the giants of the medium, the stories that have defined generations, and the journeys that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.
Whether you’re looking for a sprawling adventure, a complex political drama, a gut-busting comedy with a heart of gold, or the pinnacle of battle shonen, your next great binge is right here. Prepare your schedule, stock up on snacks, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure.
10. Bleach: The Resurrected Titan
Episode Count: 366 (Original Series) + 26 and counting (Thousand-Year Blood War)
The Pitch: Ichigo Kurosaki is a tough-as-nails high schooler with the uncanny ability to see ghosts. His life is forever changed when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper (a death god) who transfers her powers to him in a moment of desperation. Suddenly thrust into the world of soul-devouring monsters called Hollows and the intricate politics of the Soul Society, Ichigo must become a substitute Soul Reaper to protect the living and the dead.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge in 2025: For years, Bleach was the king of cool, but its original anime run ended abruptly, leaving the final, epic arc of the manga un-animated. This left a void for fans. But now, in 2025, that problem is gone. The stunningly animated Thousand-Year Blood War arc is in full swing, delivering the jaw-dropping conclusion the series always deserved. Binging the original series now perfectly sets the stage for what is arguably the most visually spectacular and action-packed arc in modern anime. Yes, the original has some notorious filler arcs, but with a handy online guide, you can skip them and experience a streamlined, stylish action series with an iconic cast and one of the best soundtracks in the business.
Perfect For Fans Of: Urban fantasy, stylish sword fights, supernatural action, and comeback stories.
9. Hajime no Ippo: The Champion of Sports Anime
Episode Count: 76 (The Fighting!) + 26 (New Challenger) + 25 (Rising) + OVAs = ~127 Episodes
The Pitch: Ippo Makunouchi is a shy, heavily bullied high school student who spends his days helping his mother with their family fishing business. He has no friends and no confidence. One day, after a particularly bad beating, he is saved by a professional boxer named Mamoru Takamura. Intrigued by the boxer’s strength, Ippo asks to be trained. What follows is one of the most inspiring and meticulously detailed underdog stories ever told, as Ippo steps into the ring and begins his arduous journey to discover the meaning of strength.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Hajime no Ippo is more than a sports anime; it’s a character study in perseverance, humility, and the fire of the human spirit. The boxing matches are technical, brutal, and brilliantly animated, making you feel every single punch. But the real magic is in the characters. The bond between Ippo and his gym mates at Kamogawa Gym is the heart and soul of the show. You will laugh at their idiotic antics and cry at their triumphs and failures. With over 120 episodes of pure, unadulterated hype and character growth, this is a binge that will leave you feeling motivated to tackle your own challenges.
Perfect For Fans Of: Underdog stories, intense sports action, character-driven drama, and pure motivation.
8. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Original OVA): The Grand Space Opera
Episode Count: 110
The Pitch: In the distant future, humanity has split into two warring interstellar superpowers: the autocratic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance. The two have been locked in a seemingly endless war for 150 years. This stalemate is shattered by the emergence of two brilliant military geniuses on opposite sides: the ambitious and revolutionary Reinhard von Lohengramm for the Empire, and the reluctant, history-loving strategist Yang Wen-li for the Alliance.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: If you want a story that treats you like an adult, this is it. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (LOGH) is less about flashy space battles (though it has them) and more about political philosophy, ideology, history, and the human cost of war. It’s a dense, dialogue-heavy masterpiece that explores whether a benevolent dictatorship is superior to a corrupt democracy. The cast is enormous, the scope is galactic, and the narrative is as complex and rewarding as a great historical novel. Watching LOGH is an intellectual and emotional commitment that pays off with one of the most profound and complete narratives in all of anime. While the 80s animation is dated, its classical direction is timeless.
Perfect For Fans Of: Dune, Game of Thrones, complex political thrillers, and stories that make you think.
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Stylistic Saga
Episode Count: 190 (and counting)
The Pitch: The story of the Joestar family, a lineage whose members are destined to fight supernatural evil. Each part of the saga follows a different protagonist, each with the nickname “JoJo,” in a different era. From Victorian England fighting vampires with mystical sun-energy, to a globetrotting journey to Egypt to fight a resurrected nemesis with psychic manifestations called “Stands,” to a mafia turf war in Italy, JoJo constantly reinvents itself.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: The sheer creativity of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is unmatched. Its “bizarre” title is an understatement. The series is famous for its flamboyant art style, iconic poses, brilliant strategic battles, and an endlessly quotable script. The structure, broken into distinct “Parts,” makes it incredibly easy to binge. You can finish one JoJo’s story and take a break before starting the next, each feeling like a fresh, new adventure. It’s a series that is unabashedly itself—loud, strange, and utterly brilliant. It has influenced countless other series and is a cultural phenomenon for a reason.
Perfect For Fans Of: Creative action, genre-bending stories, high fashion, and pure, unadulterated style.
6. Naruto & Naruto Shippuden: The Enduring Shinobi
Episode Count: 220 (Naruto) + 500 (Shippuden) = 720
The Pitch: Naruto Uzumaki is a young, hyperactive ninja who dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader and strongest ninja in his village. Ostracized by the community for the nine-tailed demon fox sealed within him, Naruto’s journey is one of overcoming prejudice, forging unbreakable bonds, and protecting his home from countless threats.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Yes, the 720-episode count is intimidating, and yes, the filler percentage is legendary (around 40%). So why is it a “no regrets” binge? Because with a filler-skipping guide (a must!), you uncover one of the most emotionally resonant and influential stories of its generation. The core narrative of Naruto is a powerhouse of emotional highs and lows. The rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke is iconic, the side characters are beloved, and the fight choreography and world-building are top-tier. Watching Naruto grow from a lonely outcast to a celebrated hero is a journey that has inspired millions, and its themes of friendship, loss, and the cycle of hatred are timeless. It’s a cultural touchstone that is worth the time, provided you trim the fat.
Perfect For Fans Of: Epic fantasy, stories of friendship and rivalry, ninja action, and emotionally charged character arcs.
5. Attack on Titan: The Modern Masterpiece
Episode Count: 94
The Pitch: In a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, the last remnants of civilization live within three enormous concentric walls. Their enemy: Titans, giant, man-eating humanoids of mysterious origin. The story follows Eren Yeager, a young boy who vows to exterminate every last Titan after one devours his mother. But as Eren and his comrades join the military, they begin to uncover the horrifying truths about the Titans, their world, and humanity itself.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: While it’s just shy of our 100-episode guideline, Attack on Titan packs more plot, mystery, and thematic weight into its 94 episodes than series three times its length. This is not a simple action show; it is a brutal, unrelenting mystery box that evolves into a complex examination of war, freedom, nationalism, and morality. The story is now complete, meaning you can experience the entire shocking, horrifying, and brilliant narrative from start to finish without waiting. The final season cemented its place as a modern classic, delivering a conclusion that is both epic and devastating. It’s a binge that will leave you breathless and thinking about its questions long after it’s over.
Perfect For Fans Of: Dark fantasy, mystery thrillers, moral ambiguity, and stories with shocking plot twists.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: The Perfect Story
Episode Count: 64
The Pitch: In a world where alchemy (the science of transmuting matter) is real, two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, attempt the ultimate taboo: human transmutation, to bring their deceased mother back to life. The attempt fails catastrophically. Ed loses a leg and Al loses his entire body, his soul barely tethered to a suit of armor at the cost of Ed’s arm. To regain what they’ve lost, they embark on a journey to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Like Attack on Titan, we bend the rules for FMA:B because it is the definition of a “no regrets” anime. There is not a single wasted frame or plot point in its 64 episodes. It is a masterclass in tight, efficient storytelling that faithfully adapts its complete manga source material. The series perfectly balances thrilling action, laugh-out-loud comedy, political intrigue, philosophical questions, and heartbreaking drama. The world is fascinating, the power system is brilliant, and the cast of characters is one of the most beloved in all of anime. It tells a complete, profound, and deeply satisfying story with a perfect beginning, middle, and end. It’s not just a great long anime; it’s one of the greatest stories ever told in the medium.
Perfect For Fans Of: Flawless storytelling, fantastic worlds, sibling bonds, and narratives that perfectly balance action, comedy, and drama.
3. Gintama: The King of Comedy and a Trojan Horse of Emotion
Episode Count: 367 + Movies
The Pitch: In an alternate-history Edo, Japan has been conquered by aliens. The samurai have been disbanded and swords are outlawed. The story follows Gintoki Sakata, a lazy, sugar-loving, former samurai of great renown who now runs an “Odd Jobs” business with his friends Shinpachi (the straight man) and Kagura (a super-strong alien girl). They’ll do anything for money, leading to a series of a stand-alone, gut-bustingly hilarious misadventures.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Gintama starts as one of the funniest parody/gag shows ever created. But to call it just a comedy is a massive disservice. Beneath the layers of fourth-wall breaks and pop culture references lies a Trojan horse. Just when you’re comfortable, the show will pivot into some of the most well-animated, emotionally devastating, and hype-inducing serious story arcs in shonen history. It seamlessly transitions from parody to tragedy to epic action. The characters you laughed with for 50 episodes are suddenly fighting for their lives, and you care immensely. It’s a series with a completed story that has one of the most satisfying conclusions imaginable. It will make you laugh until you cry, and then just make you cry.
Perfect For Fans Of: Parody comedy, samurai action, found family, and stories that can flawlessly switch from hilarious to heartbreaking.
2. Hunter x Hunter (2011): The Genius Shonen Deconstruction
Episode Count: 148
The Pitch: On a world filled with treasure, magical beasts, and undiscovered lands, “Hunters” are licensed professionals who embark on dangerous quests. A young boy named Gon Freecss learns that the father he thought was dead is actually a world-renowned Hunter. To find him, Gon decides to become a Hunter himself, embarking on the notoriously difficult Hunter Exam where he befriends the calculating Killua, the vengeful Kurapika, and the goofy Leorio.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Hunter x Hunter is what happens when you take standard shonen tropes and elevate them to genius-level. The power system, “Nen,” is the most complex and well-thought-out in all of anime, allowing for battles that are won with strategy and intellect, not just brute force. The series is famous for deconstructing its own genre, with story arcs that vary wildly in tone—from a cheerful tournament to a dark, brutal mafia war to a harrowing existential battle against god-like creatures. The 2011 anime adaptation is a masterpiece of pacing and animation that covers the best arcs of the manga and, crucially, ends at a very satisfying and emotionally resonant stopping point. While the manga is on a famous hiatus, the anime tells a complete and fulfilling character journey for its protagonist.
Perfect For Fans Of: Strategic action, complex power systems, adventure, and darker, more intelligent takes on the shonen formula.
1. One Piece: The Grandest Adventure
Episode Count: 1100+ (and counting)
The Pitch: The “King of the Pirates,” Gol D. Roger, was executed 20 years ago, but his final words sparked a Great Pirate Era. He revealed that he had left all his treasure, the “One Piece,” in one location. Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who gained rubber powers after eating a Devil Fruit, sets out to sea in a small barrel, determined to find the One Piece and become the next Pirate King. Along the way, he assembles a loyal crew of misfits, each with their own tragic past and grand dream.
Why It’s a “No Regrets” Binge: Let’s be clear: One Piece is the single greatest investment in modern fiction. Its episode count is a feature, not a bug. Author Eiichiro Oda is a master of long-form storytelling and foreshadowing, planting seeds that bloom hundreds of episodes later in the most breathtaking ways. The world of One Piece is unparalleled in its scope, creativity, and detail. Each island is a new adventure, a new culture, and a new mystery.
More than anything, One Piece has heart. It is a story about found family, freedom, and fighting against oppression in all its forms. You will laugh harder and cry harder watching One Piece than any other show on this list. In 2025, the anime is in the midst of adapting its incredible final saga, with animation quality at an all-time high. It is a cultural juggernaut for a reason. Taking the plunge is daunting, but the journey is the reward. There are no regrets on the Grand Line, only adventure.
Perfect For Fans Of: Grand adventure, epic world-building, stories about found family, and pure, unfiltered joy.