50 anime · 28 free to stream

Best Short Anime (12 Episodes or Less)

Not every great anime needs hundreds of episodes.

Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2
9.1
1

Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2

進撃の巨人 Season3 Part.2

9.05|10 eps|Action, Drama, Suspense

As the Survey Corps ventures into the abandoned Shiganshina District, they're met with an unsettling silence. The once-bustling town is eerily devoid of Titans, and the Corps' initial success in plugging the outer gate only raises more questions. Amidst the eerie calm, Armin's keen instincts detect a sinister undercurrent, and he uncovers disturbing clues hinting at a larger conspiracy. Eren, driven by his unyielding determination to reclaim his homeland, leads the charge alongside the Survey Corps. As they navigate the treacherous landscape, they're forced to confront the harsh realities of war and make devastating sacrifices to push forward. Meanwhile, the mysteries surrounding the Yeager family's cryptic basement continue to unravel, holding the key to unlocking the secrets of the Titans and humanity's survival. With the stakes higher than ever, Eren and the Survey Corps must confront their darkest fears and push the boundaries of human endurance to reclaim their world from the merciless Titans and uncover the truth about their own destiny.

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Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
9.0
2

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

BLEACH 千年血戦篇

8.98|13 eps|Action, Adventure, Supernatural

In a world where the veil between reality and the afterlife is thin, Ichigo Kurosaki, a Substitute Soul Reaper, has dedicated his life to protecting Karakura Town from the malevolent forces of Hollows. Alongside his trusted companions - Orihime Inoue, a gifted healer; Yasutora Sado, a high school classmate with extraordinary strength; and Uryuu Ishida, his Quincy rival - Ichigo has been a constant thorn in the side of the dark spirits that lurk in the shadows. However, the arrival of Asguiaro Ebern, a formidable Arrancar, signals the return of Yhwach, an ancient Quincy king with a thirst for revenge. Yhwach seeks to rekindle the ancient feud between Soul Reapers and Quincy, and his ultimate goal is to erase both the human world and the Soul Society from existence. The stage is set for a catastrophic conflict as Yhwach launches a devastating two-pronged assault on both the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, the realm of Hollows and Arrancar. As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, Ichigo and his companions must form unlikely alliances with old friends and foes to take down Yhwach and his minions. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, Ichigo must confront his own demons and harness the power within him to save the world from the brink of annihilation.

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Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-
9.0
3

Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-

かぐや様は告らせたい-ウルトラロマンティック-

8.96|13 eps|Comedy, Romance

In the hallowed halls of Shuchiin Academy, the student council's elite members engage in a never-ending game of cat and mouse. Council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice-president Kaguya Shinomiya are locked in a daily battle of wits, each trying to outmaneuver the other into making the first move. But as Kaguya begins to break free from her sheltered upbringing, she finds herself drawn to the council's camaraderie and, in particular, the charming Shirogane. Meanwhile, council treasurer Yuu Ishigami is struggling to come to terms with his unrequited love for Tsubame Koyasu, a popular upperclassman who sees something in him that no one else does. As Ishigami finds himself growing closer to Miko Iino, the council's newest member, he must confront the strict moral code that has held him back for so long. Iino, too, is grappling with her own sense of morality as she navigates the complexities of friendship and romance. As love and relationships blossom at Shuchiin Academy, the student council's antics become increasingly absurd and hilarious, dragging their outsider friends into the fray. Will anyone manage to confess their feelings, or will the game of love and deception continue to escalate?

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Fruits Basket: The Final Season
8.9
4

Fruits Basket: The Final Season

フルーツバスケット The Final

8.94|13 eps|Drama, Romance, Supernatural

In a world where ancient promises bind the members of the Souma family, a centuries-old curse has taken hold. Akito, the clan's leader, believes he shares a special connection with his relatives, but in reality, his grasp on reality is tenuous at best. As a result, the family remains trapped in a cycle of fear and isolation, unable to break free from the shackles of their supposed "eternal" bond. Enter Tooru Honda, a kind-hearted and determined young woman who has grown close to the Soumas. She's convinced that there's more to life than the curse that's suffocating the family, and she's determined to help them find freedom. But as she delves deeper into the mysteries of the Souma's past, she begins to realize that the truth is far more complicated than she ever could have imagined. As the clock ticks away, Tooru finds herself torn between her desire to lift the curse and the uncertainty of the future that lies ahead. Will she be able to find a way to break the cycle of suffering that has plagued the Souma family for so long, or will she become another casualty of their eternal bond?

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Mob Psycho 100 II
8.8
5

Mob Psycho 100 II

モブサイコ100 II

8.78|13 eps|Action, Comedy, Supernatural

As Mob Kageyama continues to evolve, he's grappling with the profound responsibility that comes with his extraordinary abilities, capable of altering the lives of those around him. Alongside his enigmatic mentor Reigen Arataka, they tackle an array of paranormal cases, from banishing malevolent entities to investigating eerie urban legends that plague the community. However, with each new challenge, Mob's perspective on his role has shifted, and his experiences have imbued his adventures with a sense of gravity and menace. The stakes have never been higher, and the duo must confront the darker aspects of their world with increased urgency and gravitas.

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Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 2
8.8
6

Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 2

進撃の巨人 The Final Season Part 2

8.77|12 eps|Action, Drama, Suspense

As the ancient war between Marley and Eldia reaches a boiling point, Eren Yeager's desperation for a solution propels him down a catastrophic path. Under the guidance of the enigmatic Zeke, the Beast Titan, Eren's actions become increasingly erratic and ruthless, leaving his former allies and enemies alike wondering about his true motivations. Meanwhile, Eren's past becomes a focal point, as he grapples with the weight of his family's history and the burden of his own destiny. As the conflict escalates, both Marley and Eldia unleash their full fury upon each other, with soldiers and Titans clashing in a brutal struggle for survival. Reiner Braun, determined to hold the line against Eren's forces, draws upon his own abilities, while his fellow Eldians, Falco Grice and Gabi Braun, fight to stay alive amidst the chaos. In the midst of this turmoil, Eren's childhood friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert find themselves trapped alongside their former comrades, struggling to comprehend the monster that Eren has become. Despite Eren's monstrous transformation, Mikasa and the others remain steadfast in their belief that their friend still holds a glimmer of good within him. With the hope of saving Eren's soul, they join the fray, determined to restore their friend to his former self and bring an end to the devastating conflict that threatens to consume them all.

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Haikyu!! 3rd Season
8.8
7

Haikyu!! 3rd Season

ハイキュー!! 烏野高校 VS 白鳥沢学園高校

8.77|10 eps|Sports

As the Spring tournament reaches its climax, Karasuno High School is poised to take on the formidable Shiratorizawa Academy, a powerhouse that has dominated the volleyball scene. The stakes are higher than ever, as the Karasuno team must overcome their greatest challenge yet to secure a spot in the national tournament. Led by their ace, Wakatoshi Ushijima, one of the top three players in the country, Shiratorizawa Academy presents a daunting obstacle for Karasuno's third-year players, who are determined to make the most of their last chance to qualify for nationals. With their training camp and prior matches serving as a foundation, Karasuno must dig deep and draw upon every ounce of skill and strategy to emerge victorious. As the two teams face off, the tension is palpable, with both sides driven by a burning desire to claim the top spot. With the national tournament on the line, the stage is set for an epic showdown that will test the mettle of Karasuno's players and push them to their limits.

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Bocchi the Rock!
8.7
8

Bocchi the Rock!

ぼっち・ざ・ろっく!

8.73|12 eps|Comedy

In a world where music is the ultimate social lubricant, Hitori "Bocchi" Gotou finds herself stuck in a rut of loneliness and social anxiety. Her only solace is her trusty guitar, which she devotes herself to mastering. That is, until the day she meets Nijika Ijichi, a charismatic drummer who whisks her away to join the band Kessoku. As they embark on their musical journey, they're joined by the enigmatic Ryou Yamada on bass, and later, the reformed Ikuyo Kita on guitar. Despite a rocky start, the quartet finds a sense of belonging in their shared passion for music. As they continue to perform and hone their craft, they discover that their bond goes far beyond mere camaraderie – it's a source of strength and inspiration. With their unique personalities and quirks, they learn to find joy in the fleeting moments of high school life, all while chasing their dreams of becoming a legendary band.

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86 Eighty-Six Part 2
8.7
9

86 Eighty-Six Part 2

86―エイティシックス―

8.72|12 eps|Drama, Sci-Fi

As the war between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Legion rages on, Vladilena Milizé continues to command a new squadron of 86th faction soldiers, her existence shrouded in the Republic's relentless propaganda machine. Meanwhile, on the Western Front, Shinei Nouzen and his team find themselves in a rare moment of respite, granted full citizenship and freedom by the newly formed Federal Republic of Giad. They're welcomed into the president's own home, where they meet his adopted daughter, Augusta Frederica Adel-Adler, the last Empress of the Giadian Empire. Despite their newfound comfort, Shinei and his squad soon find themselves itching for battle, their sense of purpose tied to the front lines. They're soon reunited with Augusta Frederica as part of the Federacy's Nordlicht Squadron, facing off against the Legion once more. As they fight on, they're forced to confront the harsh reality that death and pain are the only constants in their existence, regardless of which side they're on.

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Link Click
8.7
10

Link Click

时光代理人

8.71|11 eps|Drama, Mystery, Suspense

In a small, enigmatic photo studio, two friends, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, possess a unique gift - the ability to physically enter photographs. As their clients bring in treasured snapshots, the duo uses their extraordinary powers to delve into the captured moments, unraveling the secrets hidden within. By assuming the perspective of the photographer, they relive the events surrounding the image, striving to decipher the mysteries and fulfill the client's desires. However, this extraordinary ability comes with a profound risk. Every misstep can have far-reaching consequences, altering the future of the photographer and potentially reshaping the course of countless lives. As they become increasingly entangled in the stories they're asked to unravel, the lines between their own emotions and the events they're trying to alter begin to blur. It's a delicate balancing act, requiring unwavering focus and self-control to accomplish their mission without succumbing to the weight of their own feelings.

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About This List

Not every great anime needs hundreds of episodes. These short anime series — 12 episodes or fewer — deliver complete, satisfying stories you can binge in a single sitting. From emotional one-season wonders to tightly-crafted thrillers, these compact series prove that quality beats quantity. Perfect for busy schedules or when you want a complete story without a massive time commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top short anime include Erased (12 eps), Anohana (11 eps), Death Parade (12 eps), and FLCL (6 eps). All deliver complete stories in one season.

A standard 12-episode anime with ~24-minute episodes takes about 4-5 hours to watch — perfect for a single day binge session.

Absolutely! Many critically acclaimed anime are 12 episodes or less. Short series often have tighter pacing and more focused storytelling.

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