The Best Adventure Anime of All Time | TheReviewGeek Recommends

There are a lot of TV shows out there and in this golden age of TV streaming, the choices have never been greater. So how do you cut through the noise and find the “Best of” for any chosen topic? Well, we’re here to help celebrate and shine a spotlight on some of the latest, greatest and unforgettable shows through the years.

For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to adventure-themed shows. From ocean travels to mystical endeavors, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite.

Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!

One Piece

One Piece is one of Shōnen Jump’s most popular franchises. This series continues to appeal to its audience with phenomenal world-building and likable characters. The locales the characters visit feel distinct and colorful in scope.

At the same time, One Piece spends a great amount of time fleshing out its cast and developing its relationship as crew members. That said, the situations they encounter on each island get more severe and explorative. Despite its cartoon-like art style, this series tackles mature topics that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

From child experimentation to slavery, there are many things to look forward to in One Piece’s world. If you’re searching for a series that will make you feel all types of emotions, then I suggest giving One Piece a shot.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the preferred way of experiencing the Elric brothers’ journey. This remake features content that was excluded from the original 2003 adaptation and contains stellar visuals and animation.

That said, this adaptation retains the same thrills and excitement as the previous adaptation. Fans can head into this one with high expectations and have those prospects satisfied by the series’ conclusion. This show has phenomenal world-building and character dynamics.

It spends a great deal of time developing Edward and Alphonse into likable brotherly protagonists. The situations they endure can range from downright cruel to epic. While fans will enjoy the numerous fights the brothers participate in, they’ll find their quest to be one of its highlights. .

Made In Abyss

There are many shows that release nowadays that aim to deceive viewers with their art style. Made In Abyss is one of those shows. Despite following child protagonists, this series presents numerous hardships and cruelties for our characters to overcome.

The abyss itself is a walking pit of deceit. While it offers some charming and jaw-dropping scenery, the creatures that inhabit this world are far from friendly. These monsters will stop at nothing to make our characters suffer. It will remind people of how ferocious animal life can be when they’re released from their cages.

At the same time, fans shouldn’t underestimate the show’s protagonists Riko and Reg. The former is a well-trained cave raider whose mother is regarded as one of the most formidable warriors in the series. The latter is a half-human and robot organism with various physical feats. While these two have what it takes to traverse this dangerous path, you can expect them to fall prey to the abyss’s harmful methods.

Dororo

Osamu Tezuka is recognized as the godfather of manga. He paved the way for multiple manga authors and artists with his wonderful tales. Although Astro Boy is one of his most popular narratives, Dororo is another work of his that’s worth a read and watch.

Dororo revolves around an abandoned, limbless boy named Hyakkimaru who receives prosthetics and weapons to survive. In this series, viewers will watch him grow and enact his bloodlust toward demons because their species wronged him in the past.

During his travels, he’ll meet a pacifist boy named Dororo, who will tag along on his travels. Only by killing these demons will Hyakkimaru gain back his humanity. Despite being accompanied by a child, Hyakkimaru doesn’t have issues cutting and tearing apart his demonic enemies in front of him.

Since this is a violent and revenge-seeking tale, fans should expect matters to be resolved brutally and not through passionate dialogue. On the other hand, the story does feature some lighthearted and emotional segments between Hyakkimaru and Dororo that’ll bring a smile to your face.

Dragon Ball

While Tezuka paved the way for many manga artists, Dragon Ball’s Akira Toriyama went on to inspire and excite an entire generation of upcoming anime fanatics. While Dragon Ball Z is more favorable to most audiences, it owes a lot of its charm to the original Dragon Ball.

Like Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball features a compelling mix of martial arts, memorable villains, and likable protagonists. It’s where the show’s poster child, Goku, got his start and where he learned to channel the power inside himself. Unlike its future installments, Dragon Ball emphasizes the adventurous aspect a bit more than Z.

Upon meeting Bulma and others, Goku ends up traversing the world in search of the magic dragon balls. This will lead him to encounter minuscule villains like Emperor Pilaf to bigger threats like the Red Ribbon Army and Demon King Piccolo. While the stakes were a bit smaller compared to the issues Goku and his friends would encounter in Z, Dragon Ball set the foundation necessary to make those situations a reality.

Steamboy

Steamboy is an incredible militaristic sci-fi film with incredible characters and nefarious villains. While the plot of this film isn’t anything original, the action and animation make this a worthwhile adventure. Our tale follows Ray, an inventor who obtains a life-changing experience after he receives a package from the United States.

His grandfather sent him a Steam Ball, advice that can drive any machine that requires steam with limitless effort. His grandfather instructs him to keep the ball safe from evil-doers like the mighty O’Hara Foundation. In a battle to decide his world’s fate, Ray must utilize his brilliance to avoid losing his grandfather’s Steam Ball.

Ray is a likable, heroic, and idealistic protagonist. Unfortunately, he lacks a stellar backstory, making him feel forgettable to some viewers. The same can be said for our side chaarcters and villains. Members of the latter never commit any heinous acts that warrant fans despising them. Nevertheless, this series’s action sequences are mesmerizing.

This is one of those anime that utilizes its CGI effects wonderfully. Visually, the environments look astonishing and give off spectacular vibes of the Victorian Age. The machines in this anime operate as you’d expect, making this world feel authentic. The sky battles are interesting enough to hold your attention. If you’re looking for a fun and atmospheric adventure, check out Steamboy.

The Brave of Gold Goldran

The Brave of Gold Goldran is an excellent entry in the Brave series and features just enough enjoyable traits to keep you invested. This series is jam-packed with fun robot combat and admirable characters. This entry of the series revolves around three boys who must find alien robot fighters (Braves) who reside in crystals.

Along the way, our protagonists will combat wacky enemies who desire to shred their morale. Each adversary is different from the rest, offering fans something exciting to look forward to. While the villains lack any fierce traits, viewers will get a kick out of how our heroes take them down.

Another great aspect of The Brave of Gold Goldran is how wonderfully it develops the boy’s friendship with their robotic companions. If you’re looking for a fun sci-fi and mecha-themed anime with flair, check out The Brave of Gold Goldran and the other entries in the Brave series.

Spirited Away

Spirited Away is one of the more popular Studio Ghibli films because of its colorful world and mystical characters. While our protagonist is anything but magical, she’s fun to follow and serves as the viewer’s eyes throughout the film.

With its captivating visuals, beautiful universe, and cartoon-like character designs, Spirited Away is one of those anime you’d recommend to folks who are unfamiliar with the medium. This story follows Chihiro, who is traveling with her family to their new home.

During their car ride, they stumble upon an abandoned amusement park and get whisked away to the Spirit World. Inside Chihiro’s parents become pigs after eating some food, leading Chihiro to explore this universe alone. That is until she meets Haku, a boy who resides in this domain. Aiming to find her way home, Chihiro must complete numerous tasks if she hopes to escape with her family.

This is an incredible anime full of exploration and unfamiliarity. Everything about Spirited Away feels fantastical, compelling, and imaginative. While Chihiro encounters many adorable-looking critters during her expedition, she’ll meet fierce beasts and cruel individuals wishing to torment her. If you haven’t watched this film, do yourself a favor and watch it.

Hunter X Hunter

Hunter X Hunter is an exciting thrill ride. While it takes a while for the series to kick off, fans will find the payoff satisfying. With its wonderful characters, well-written story arcs, and heart-pumping fights, viewers will realize why this work gets as much praise as Dragon Ball Z.

This anime follows Gon Freecss, a boy who leaves his homeland to become a professional hunter. What fuels Gon’s desires the most is his hope of meeting his father, Ging Freecss. With the help of his friends Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua, Gon plans to make a splash in the Hunter X Hunter universe. Unbeknownst to our child protagonist, he’ll have to tangle with some of the fiercest individuals out there.

This is a stellar adventure anime about maturation and fighting for one’s dreams. Fans will adore Gon’s characteristics and grow fond of his willingness to never give up. While Gon and his friends start their adventures with less experience than others, they’ll develop their craft and knowledge as the series progresses. The series spends a great amount of time building upon our hero’s feats and strength too.

Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn is one of those anime that stays for a while, gets a decent following, and departs without a trace. It’s an underappreciated work of art as its fantasy, romance, and comedic elements are worth exploring further. Our tale takes place in the Kouka kingdom, where its princess Yona resides and lives a joyous life.

Unfortunately, Yona’s cherished livelihood ends abruptly, when a maniacal act of treason threatens to shatter it. With her friend Son, Yona flees and plans to survive in the wild. With a target on her back, Yona trains to become stronger so she can seek vengeance upon the horrible people who robbed her of her pleasant life.

Everyone has incredible personalities and receives adequate amounts of character development. Viewers will adore seeing Yona’s interactions with Son and her training regime. The animation is beautiful from its fight scenes to the flow of its scenery. The anime’s universe feels alive and prosperous. You will be amazed at the many lifeforms Yona and her friends meet.

With its strong female protagonist, beautiful animation, and enjoyable soundtrack and storyline, Yona of the Dawn is a series all adventure enthusiasts need to see.

So, there we have it, our picks for the best adventure anime through the years!

What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!