Here are 10 anime you can finish over the weekend

The fairly recent rise of mainstream anime such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen has drawn countless newcomers to the medium. While there’s nothing wrong with getting lost in one of the top shonen anime, they typically span hundreds of episodes. Those who don’t have that time and want to binge something over a weekend have more than enough excellent options to choose from.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD

Erased

Re:Zero and Tokyo Revengers may be the most mainstream time travel-related anime, but Erased’s version is likely the most unique. It revolves around a man named Satoru who can travel back in time to his childhood, when a series of kidnappings was taking place.

Despite only having 12 episodes, this anime takes advantage of all the time it has. Whether it’s ensuring viewers know enough about the children to really connect with them or having a good balance of mystery, suspense, drama, and comedy, Erased is one of those anime that sticks with you for life.

Terror in Resonance

While Terror in Resonance starts slowly, this anime’s story ramps up when you least expect it. It revolves around two teenage terrorists known as Nine and Twelve. With differing personalities, these two characters practically carry the first half of the anime, all the while carrying out attacks across Tokyo.

Things come to a head when it’s revealed that both characters were part of a hidden government experiment. While the story itself is already extremely gripping, the atmospheric music by Yoko Kanno takes things to a different level.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Anohana is one of those legendary anime that fans talk about even more than a decade after its release. Despite only having 11 episodes, it’s still considered one of the most emotional dramas, and for good reason.

It follows a group of childhood friends who drift apart after the death of their friend Menma. Years later, every member of the group is living their own lives, while still carrying the grief and guilt of the past. Things change when the spirit of Menma appears in front of the group’s former leader, asking him to fulfill her final wish.

ID: Invaded

ID: Invaded is one of the most underrated sci-fi thrillers around. It follows the story of a former detective named Akihito Narihisago, who solves cases in a rather peculiar way. He enters fragmented mental worlds that are created from the thoughts of killers, letting him peer into their minds.

While the concept is already interesting enough, ID: Invaded’s strongest point is its story. Akihito himself has a lot of past trauma that viewers gradually uncover, leading to a tear-jerking conclusion.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

While the Cyberpunk 2077 disappointed many around the time it came out, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was what largely changed public opinion on the franchise. Set in the same world as the aforementioned game, this anime follows an original character named David Martinez. After a tragedy changes the course of his life, David finds himself part of a crew of cyber-enhanced criminals.

Edgerunners perfectly captures the need to survive in a world that feels like it’s out to get you. The anime may just have 10 episodes, but that’s enough to tell a beautiful but tragic story that will definitely leave you emotionally devastated. Whether you’re a fan of Cyberpunk 2077 or not, this anime is a must-watch.

Death Parade

Most anime fans likely know Death Parade because of its happy-go-lucky opening. But behind that facade is a psychological drama set in a bar where people who have just died find themselves in. While they don’t initially remember that they’re dead, the moving corpses are forced to play games that reveal their true nature to the other person.

The storytelling is emotional enough, but what really sets this anime apart is how it tackles the philosophical questions about morality and regret. What determines whether a soul deserves to avoid eternal punishment, and are things really as black and white as they seem?

Violet Evergarden

If you’re a sucker for slow but powerful dramas that leave you emotionally destroyed, then Violet Evergarden deserves a spot at the top of your list. This anime features a former child soldier named Violet who attempts to rebuild her life after the war ends. She takes the job of a doll, which refers to someone who writes letters for others.

Through these letters, Violet learns what it means to truly love someone else. Filling the shoes of Violet, viewers get a chance to learn about and connect with multiple characters, each with differing stories that make the world feel real. Of course, it helps that Violet Evergarden has the trademark Kyoto Animation visuals that’ll leave you wanting more.

After the Rain

More commonly known as Koi wa Ameagari no You ni, this anime follows Akira, a quiet schoolgirl who seemingly develops feelings for an older manager after an injury ends her track career. Akira, who has never had these feelings before, tries everything she can to get closer to her manager, including working for his family restaurant.

Despite the premise, After the Rain tackles loneliness, healing, and the rediscovery of personal purpose, rather than romance. The calm atmosphere and mature writing gel perfectly with Akira’s desire to learn whether what she feels for the manager is really romantic.

Angel Beats!

Like Anohana, Angel Beats! is another legendary anime known for its emotional elements. This one has a group of teenagers wake up in a strange school-like afterlife, where they don’t have any memories of how they got there. The main character gradually uncovers the truth behind this world and its residents. He learns that he must help everyone move on by letting go of their regrets.

While Angel Beats! has a good balance of comedy and drama, the second half of this already short anime is filled with tear-jerking episodes. As every character’s past is revealed, fans learn more about the tragedies everyone went through, making for a memorable show.

Barakamon

If you want your weekend to be filled with good vibes, then look no further than Barakamon. This wholesome slice-of-life is about a young calligrapher named Seishuu Handa, who moves to a rural island to escape a public scandal. Here, he interacts with the energetic local children and villagers, developing deep bonds with all of them.

As Handa gradually changes for the better, viewers can’t help but feel all fuzzy inside because of how much happiness this anime radiates. It’s an excellent show that focuses heavily on the importance of finding happiness in simpler things.