Entertainment
Only 8 Anime Series Are Better Than ‘One Piece’
The anime community as a whole cannot decide on the best anime, which is only natural since everyone has different tastes and preferences. However, one of the most popular anime series ever is One Piece, which still hasn’t hit its peak at over a thousand episodes. The anime still has a bunch of time left with plenty of storytelling potential, but its expansive world, engaging characters, intriguing themes, creativity, and entertainment value have established it as an anime juggernaut.
One Piece may be a lot of fans’ favorite anime, but it isn’t the best, and while others think there are many better series than it, there may only be 8 anime shows better than One Piece. This list will highlight anime series that most fans can agree are better than the biggest thing on TV based on writing, animation, originality, lack of flaws, popularity, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.
Let’s get the obvious entry out of the way, because many consider Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood the best anime of all time, and therefore, it is most likely better than One Piece. After Ed and Al lose parts or all of their bodies in a taboo experiment, they go on a quest to restore these lost parts with the philosopher’s stone. However, when they uncover a government conspiracy, they must now stop it before it consumes the entire world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is hailed as the best anime ever because of its wide appeal, from the engaging characters, riveting story, mystery, lore, worldbuilding, comedy, drama, romance, and action. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood didn’t need thousands of episodes to create a magnificent world that is ripe with well-written characters and profound themes. Only a series such as this can compete with One Piece, and in this case, excel above it.
7
‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)
This list tries to feature anime that are similar to One Piece so that they can easily be compared, but certain series are so good that they had to be featured here, including Steins;Gate. When a self-proclaimed mad scientist accidentally creates a machine that can send texts into the past, he and his friends must now correct the timeline before it collapses on itself, while also battling a secret organization.
Steins;Gate and One Piece don’t have much in common, with each having its own strengths. However, the former is tightly written with no plot holes, and that is rare when dealing with time travel. Steins;Gate is a psychological masterpiece and a profound thriller that delves into the philosophical side of time travel. Its narrative structure is phenomenal, and the direction is incredible, creating an all-time great that is better than most shows, proving to be a genre-defining anime series.
6
‘Gintama’ (2006–2021)
There are a decent number of long-running shōnen anime on this list, and one of the most underrated is Gintama. Set in an alternate universe in feudal Japan where aliens have taken over the world, Gintoki is a former samurai who now works odd jobs to keep the lights on. Alongside Kagura and Shinpachi, the trio take on whatever job comes their way, whether it involves aliens, terrorists, police, or space pirates.
Gintama takes a very different approach to other anime, focusing mostly on episodic comedy episodes. However, the handful of times it had a serious arc, Gintama wowed with its marvellous storytelling, fantastic fights, and renowned cast of characters. Gintama excels at keeping its characters relevant, with plenty of side adventures and serious plot lines, handling those aspects much better than One Piece.
5
‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)
ONE is an iconic author who has made a couple of the best manga and anime series in the world, including Mob Psycho 100. Shigeo is the world’s strongest psychic, but he only wants an average life and to impress his crush. Unfortunately, because he suppresses his emotions, they come out through an explosion of uncontrollable psychic powers, which makes life difficult for him, his friends, and his enemies.
Mob Psycho 100 is one of the best anime of all time, and it does this by creating a gorgeous character study where each episode is a different descent into the ego and self-improvement. From some of the best characters in anime to top-tier humor, incredible rewatchability, remarkable animation, and riveting fight scenes, Mob Psycho 100 is better than almost every single anime out there, not just One Piece.
4
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)
As mentioned, not every anime on this list is like One Piece, and Cowboy Bebop is another distinct masterpiece that has cemented itself in history. Spike Spiegel and his crew of bounty hunters make a living by cleaning up the scum of the galaxy, taking jobs every day that lead them into danger. However, when his dark past catches up with him, Spike must face it or risk losing everything.
Cowboy Bebop uses its unique blend of noir, jazz, and lived-in sci-fi to create a philosophical space adventure. Each episode is a masterpiece in this series, creating a distinct aesthetic and narrative architecture that is much better than what One Piece has built. It is hard to compare the two, but Cowboy Bebop has a lasting legacy and made Westerners realize that anime has rich storytelling potential.
3
‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)
One Piece is a legendary series, and therefore, there are a lot of series that will feel similar to it. One of the most similar anime series to One Piece is Hunter x Hunter, which follows Gon, an optimistic child who wants to find his father. To do so, he follows his father’s path, going on an adventure to become a hunter. Little does he know that this journey will put him through hell and back.
Like Eiichiro Oda, Yoshihiro Togashi is a legendary manga author, and these two series go hand in hand as some of the best series ever. Hunter x Hunter is also a master of worldbuilding, and while it may not reach the heights of One Piece, it has plenty of other aspects that rise above it, including pacing, character development, tight storytelling, and memorable moments. Hunter x Hunter has a grand sense of adventure that explores the world and the characters inside of it.
2
‘Monster’ (2004–2005)
Naoki Urasawa is a prolific author with some of the best manga mysteries of all time, and his magnum opus is Monster. Tenma is a surgeon who chooses to save the life of a child instead of the mayor. However, when that same child becomes a serial killer, Tenma takes matters into his own hands. But will he be able to kill Johan when he learns of his dark past?
No anime creates as big a mystery and rising tension as Monster, which uses its slow-burning, suspenseful story to ignite an inferno of a writing masterclass. This philosophical battle between humanism and nihilism creates an unwavering triumph of narrative prowess that no shōnen anime can compare to. Monster is better at most things than most anime, and One Piece is no different.
1
‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012–Present)
For some fans, there are a lot of anime better than One Piece, and for others, there are none, but either way, viewers can acknowledge a series such as JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure for its creativity. Each part follows a new character in the Joestar lineage, fighting a variety of villains with varying goals, from becoming a vampire to taking over the world.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s best attribute is its variety, using new protagonists, side casts, and villains to create a new spice every season. Whether it focuses on a globe-trotting adventure with engaging fight scenes or finding a serial killer in a small town, each journey is magnificent. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a tense and wildly imaginative series that mixes storytelling with absolute surrealism, making the new season one of the best anime of 2026.
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