In anime, the term “seinen” refers to television series that specifically target mature audiences. Specifically, works within this genre are marketed and aimed at young adult men, though the range of who it appeals to can be much broader, spanning across generations, genders, and any other defining characteristics.
Generally, anime that fall under the seinen category can vary wildly in subject matter, ranging from topics like adventure and science-fiction to more grounded areas like politics and sports. However, regardless of their subgenre, there are countless seinen series that stand out as exceptional, generative pieces of art. Accordingly, they deserve to be recognized for their efforts.
Updated on May 20, 2023, by Kennedy King: As the anime community continues to expand, so too does the selection of adult-oriented shows available to fans. There are more seinen series than ever before, and their significance to the medium has only increased as generations of anime watchers have grown into mature viewers. Because of the genre’s proliferation, a pecking order has begun to emerge among its best titles.
Grand Blue Dreaming (2018)
Although there is an abundance of high school-themed anime, it’s much less common to see the college experience depicted in the medium. Grand Blue Dreaming tells the story of Iori Kitahara, a young man who moves into the residence above his uncle’s surf shop as he prepares to enter his first year of university. There, Iori makes a variety of unlikely friendships that help him realize adulthood isn’t as strange as it appears.
Given the overwhelming success of the Grand Blue Dreaming manga, a quality television adaptation of the series seemed like an inevitability. In 2018, Zero-G, Inc. took advantage of the opportunity and licensed Grand Blue Dreaming for a 12-episode anime adapting the series’ first 20 chapters.
Initial D First Stage (1998)
The anime medium has heavily featured the racing genre since the 1960s, so the long-standing success of Initial D First Stage should come as no surprise. Released in 1998, this action-packed series tells the story of Takumi Fujiwara, a naturally talented driver who, despite his disinterest, catches the eye of an infamous group of street racers.
Initial D First Stage isn’t much of a visual spectacle, but its rewarding character development and enjoyable narrative are still well-constructed. In recent years, the racing genre has run a bit dry, making Initial D First Stage stand out even more in hindsight.
You’re Under Arrest (1996)
Although You’re Under Arrest wasn’t particularly well-received when it debuted in 1996, it’s aged like fine wine compared to many of its 1990s contemporaries. The light-hearted seinen follows two female police officers, Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, as they develop a friendship in a fictionalized, modern-day version of Japan.
In a breath of fresh air, You’re Under Arrest opts for two female protagonists, subverting the typical expectations of the police genre. This, as well as the show’s nostalgic animation and jazz-inspired soundtrack, makes it a treat for fans of any genre.
Planetes (2003)
For viewers in search of serious food for thought, look no further than Makoto Yukimura’s 2003 series, Planetes. A unique piece of science-fiction anime, it primarily focuses on the crew of DS-12, a spacecraft that collects debris floating in the orbit of Earth or the Moon.
Planetes is known for its scientific realism and themes of angst, existentialism, and space’s relationship to man. These mature, nuanced concepts are a perfect fit in the modern anime landscape, and they help create some of the best scenes that the seinen genre has to offer.
Blue Gender (1999)
While Blue Gender’s popularity has slowly increased over the past decade, it remains one of the 1990s most underappreciated gems. The show’s futuristic setting and regular use of horror tropes played an important role in the development of modern horror anime, making it a fun watch for fans of the genre.
The gritty art style of 1990s anime is perfect for Blue Gender’s mature subject matter. With humanity struggling to survive against an alien race of bug-like creatures, Blue Gender’s protagonists must overcome a series of terrifying challenges if they want to save their friends.
Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
In terms of sheer popularity, few seinen series have ever reached the same heights as the iconic 2014 series, Tokyo Ghoul. The brooding, violent series follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a soft-spoken young man who is forcefully ushered into Tokyo’s ghoulish underworld.
Although the Tokyo Ghoul anime received some backlash after making changes to the plot of the original manga, it’s still fantastic as a standalone product. Kaneki Ken makes for the perfect troubled protagonist, and his deterioration over the show’s two seasons is easily one of the most enthralling character arcs in recent memory.
Bungou Stray Dogs (2016)
Bungou Stray Dogs’ protagonist, Atsushi Nakajima, begins the series as a disenfranchised, 18-year-old orphan who was recently kicked out of his orphanage. Before his departure, the orphanage became plagued by the activities of an odd, mystical tiger — one that only Atsushi seems to be unaware of.
With Bungou Stray Dogs’ protagonist now wandering the streets, he quickly meets an individual who sheds light on the being plaguing the orphanage. Osamu Dazai is a member of a group of supernatural investigators that take on unusual cases. After assisting the orphanage, he introduces Atsushi into a world of crime, mystery, and seemingly unexplainable occurrences.
Gangsta. (2015)
Produced by Manglobe Studios, Gangsta. is a gritty action-drama set in the fictional, crime-ridden town of Ergastalum. It primarily follows two mercenaries, Nicolas and Worick, as they complete contracts and jobs that were deemed too dangerous by the mob or state police.
Due to the profession of Gangsta.’s dual protagonists, the series explores a variety of themes and situations related to criminal activity. Along the way, they encounter an array of different characters who give life to the dark underbelly of urban environments.
Dorohedoro (2020)
Although many seinen anime take place in hellish settings, Dorohedoro takes things a step further, literally casting its characters into a depraved, lawless area known as Hole. There, magic users are free to do as they please, forcing many of the location’s non-magic inhabitants into lives of pain and sorrow.
Kaiman, the lizard-headed protagonist of Dorohedoro, calls Hole home. However, unlike many of the district’s denizens, he benefits from a natural immunity to magic. Using this ability, he begins a bloody search for answers to his reptilian condition that takes him through every corner of the magic-using world.
xxxHOLiC (2006)
Released in 2006, xxxHOLiC is part of a long list of top-tier anime produced by Production I.G. The comedic seinen follows the story of Kimihiro Watanuki, a young man with an unfortunate gift that allows him to see spirits and other supernatural creatures. To rid himself of this burden, Kimihiro aligns himself with a strange woman who promises to remove the ability.
However, there is one catch — he must help his new acquaintance by granting the wishes of people who wander into her shop. The only things that hold xxxHOLiC back are its spindly character designs and questionable art style. Thankfully, its refreshing tone, innovative storytelling, and attachment to Japanese spiritualism more than make up for its few shortcomings.
Run With The Wind (2018)
Run with the Wind is a sports anime, but instead of focusing on baseball, soccer, or tennis, the series revolves around running. Its protagonist, Kakeru Kurahara, ends up joining a team of runners at his university after their de facto leader sees Kakeru demonstrate his speed while shoplifting.
Thanks to its college setting, Run with the Wind naturally lends itself to adult audiences. The show’s cast undergoes significant development throughout its run, blending the best elements of the sports and slice-of-life genres.
Rainbow (2010)
Rainbow follows its main character, Mario Minakami, who has just arrived at a special reform school along with five other teenagers who have been charged with serious criminal activities. They share the same cell, and befriend an older inmate and former boxer known as Rokurouta Sakuragi.
Their situation is dire, and the plot follows the characters as they struggle against the various injustices doled out to them by cruel guards and doctors. Rainbow makes for an emotional show that tells a story of true camaraderie and friendship.
Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
In Parasyte: The Maxim, 16-year-old Shinichi Izumi’s life changes forever when a parasite-like alien descends on Earth. The creature is attempting to crawl up a human’s nose to take over their mind, but after invading Shinichi’s body, it can only take over his right hand.
Parasyte: The Maxim’s protagonist befriends his alien acquaintance, eventually gaining a degree of control over its massively destructive powers. Unfortunately, several other aliens have taken over their own hosts, launching Shinichi and his parasite into a series of increasingly dangerous battles with the body snatchers.
Elfen Lied (2004)
Rarely does an anime series generate the same level of cult following as Elfen Lied. The 13-episode seinen is one of the most violent series in recent memory, but thanks to its mature themes and contemplative storytelling, even squeamish watchers can appreciate its value.
Elfen Lied revolves around the story of Lucy, who’s part of a special group of humans called “Diclonius.” These humans are capable of ultra-violent, mega-powerful acts. As seen throughout the series, they aren’t afraid to use their powers on a regular basis.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War (2019)
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War has some shojo elements to it, but at its core, its nuance and storytelling devices are perfect for more mature audiences. The light-hearted series follows what happens when two brilliant — yet stubborn — adolescents in love try to outwit the other to “win” the game of love.
School president and ace student Miyuki Shirogane must watch his back because the wealthy heiress Kaguya Shinomiya wants to trick him into confessing his love first, thus making her the dominant one in their relationship. However, Miyuki is ready to return the favor, and because of their actions, the pair’s lives will never be the same.
Space Brothers (2012)
Space Brothers is a grounded seinen anime, even if its characters find themselves careening through space. It follows two brothers, Mutta and Hibito Nunba, as they attempt to live up to their childhood promise to become astronauts. Unfortunately, things have not turned out as expected for Mutta, who finds himself working at an automotive company while Hibito is on his way to the Moon.
The plot of Space Brothers really kicks off when Mutta loses his job and is presented with a chance to become an astronaut once again. It makes for a great watch with exceptionally well-researched details and themes of sibling rivalry that should appeal to fans of all ages.
Ping Pong The Animation (2014)
Ping Pong the Animation stands out from many other anime because of an incredibly unique art style that fits perfectly with the show’s fast-paced ping-pong action. Makoto Tuskimoto is a ping-pong player with little motivation other than his love for the sport, while his friend, Yukata Hoshino, is an outgoing person who wants to be the best table tennis player in the entire world.
This avant-garde work follows the pair as they compete in a variety of matches while coming to terms with themselves and who they are. Ping Pong the Animation makes for an exceptional and unconventional story that feels nothing like other shows, anime or otherwise.
Black Lagoon (2006)
Set in the fictional town of Roanapur, Thailand, Black Lagoon follows a group of mercenaries as they forge their own destinies in the waters surrounding Southeast Asia. These four individuals — Revy, Benny, Dutch, and Rock — all hail from different countries and walks of life, but their brash attitudes and in-your-face tones prove to be more than enough to bring them together.
Produced by Madhouse, Inc. (the studio behind One-Punch Man, Death Note, and Hunter x Hunter), Black Lagoon is an absolute blast for fans of Tarantino-esque action sequences and banter. The series only contains 24 episodes and five OVAs, making it the perfect low-investment choice for fans in search of something new.
March Comes In Like A Lion (2016)
March Comes in Like a Lion might not be the most popular seinen anime, but it’s almost certainly one of the best of the modern generation. It follows the melancholic Rei Kiriyama, who drifts through life, isolated and apart from others around him.
Rei is also a professional shogi player who lives on his own, meaning there is little in the way of family to pull him out of his shell. The show follows his life as his solitary daze starts to fall away with the introduction of the Kawamoto sisters and the vibrant personalities that are all around him. March Comes in Like a Lion makes for a tale of growth and humanity, even in the face of depression.
Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
Vampire stories have been a mainstay in international media for generations, so it shouldn’t come as any shock that Hellsing Ultimate capitalized upon their success. In this grim seinen series, only the Hellsing organization can fight back against the forces of darkness, and the vampire Alucard is Hellsing’s secret weapon.
Alucard’s the ultimate vampiric warrior, and he even has his own apprentice, Seras Victoria.Hellsing is famed for its dark and gothic tone, guns and blood, vampires, and more. When the heroes are almost as scary as the villains themselves, that’s when viewers know that they’ve wandered right into seinen territory.
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