Anime without fanservice is considered one of the best types of anime that most people can enjoy. These anime tend to be more realistic and offer a thought-provoking experience.
With the increasing popularity of anime over the past decade, there is a lot to love about this genre. However, because there are so many anime with fanservice, it can be challenging to find good anime without it.
In this list, we will discuss the best anime without fanservice that are clean and worth watching for their engaging plots and well-developed characters.
20. Natsume Yuujinchou
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
First on the list is Natsume Yuujinchou, which is one of the best respectful anime with no fanservice, which highlights that “Youkai” is a word that describes paranormal phenomena in Japan.
Since early childhood, Natsume has been able to see them, but keeping this ability a secret was the root cause of all of his problems. This changes when he inherits his grandmother’s “Book Of Friends.”
His discovery of Reiko’s true nature makes sense now that she, too, has the ability to manipulate both good and evil youkai.
After learning what the Book of Friends is all about, he also starts to understand why he’s always been a target for both. Natsume undertakes a journey with the famous spirit Madara to free the spirits of their contracts with Reiko.
19. Zankyou No Terror
- Genres: Psychological, Thriller
Zankyou no Terror is a remarkable anime that stands out for its absence of ecchi or explicit content. It is a true masterpiece, captivating viewers with its deep and complex storyline. Once you watch it, you won’t be able to forget it.
The series takes place in an alternate version of the present, where Tokyo is rocked by a shocking terrorist attack. The perpetrators leave behind a cryptic video online, leaving authorities struggling to identify them and quell the rising anxiety among the population.
Despite their best efforts, the police seem powerless to stop the chaos unfolding before them. While the world searches for a criminal mastermind, two mysterious children–children who shouldn’t even exist–are the ones who masterfully carry out their heinous plans.
These children are named Nine and Twelve, who are cursed to walk the world and they do so together. They are named Sphinx because they are out to wake people up, even if it means pulling the trigger on the world.
18. Shirobako
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
With no fanservice scenes, Shirobako is an appropriate anime for everyone, as it has an interesting story with compelling characters and emotional depth.
The story follows Aoi, who will never forget the feelings of excitement, pride, and joy she felt when her meticulously hand-drawn animation was shown at the cultural festival.
Before entering the area, Aoi used to feel nervous and unsure of what would be waiting for them. This changed once they completed their very first project, which made them feel happy and accomplished.
At first, Aoi was excited about the new opportunities she had been given, but two years later she graduated, and now with more responsibilities on her plate as a production assistant for an animation company, her enthusiasm for the job has dropped a bit.
Despite working long hours and a punishing schedule, Aoi still dreams of ever achieving her dream of reuniting with her club friends and becoming professional animators!
17. Fate/Zero
- Genres: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
After three unsuccessful wars for the Holy Grail, the Fourth War starts. The Einzbern family is determined to have a successful fourth time, no matter what it takes.
Kiritsugu is a skilled assassin, but his methods aren’t always well-received. However, as a result of this recruitment, he’s brought into the Assassin’s Guild to provide them with what they need to win the war.
Kiritsugu once wanted to be this hero, who saves everyone, but he eventually gave up on that dream when he realized that saving one person would come at the cost of another’s life. But now He will destroy anything and anyone who threatens the peace of others in order to preserve humanity.
Everyone should absolutely watch Fate/Zero, which is a great fantasy anime that doesn’t have fanservice, or embarassing moments, while only focuing on an amazing story with intriguing characters, and a lot of epic action scenes.
16. Seirei no Moribito
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Seinen
A single drought could spell the end of a society and doom its inhabitants to pitiful deaths in an era when most civilizations were still under the control of nature.
Prince Chagum has received power from the spirit so that he may end the drought, but this is a suspicious time and he is accused of being evil. His court advisors saw one solution: Chagum must die.
His salvation is in the form of a sharp-teethed mercenary from the kingdom of Kanbal, called Balsa. Her skills are legendary and although reluctant, she has agreed to help save eight souls before she dies.
Seirei no Moribito is a pretty good adventure anime for all ages that has a great story, themes, and characters.
15. Bokurano: Ours
- Genres: Drama, Mecha, Psychological, Sci-Fi
During a summer camp, 15 children found a grotto by the sea. They discovered working computers and some electronic equipment, and later a man called Kokopelli.
The programmer said he is working on a game about advanced alien-fighting robots that has to defend the Earth. Then, He starts convincing the kids to test the game and sign a contract.
One of them didn’t sign, while all of the others suddenly awake on a beach, thinking their initial encounter was just a dream.
14. Area 88
- Genres: Action, Drama, Military, Romance, Shounen
In Asran, the Middle Eastern kingdom of deep sand, A Japanese photojournalist Makoto Shinjou heads to Area 88, one of the military bases contracted by this country to destroy their adversaries, where he plans to document what is going on.
As a result, he lost his career and the chance to marry the woman of his dreams. Shin has three choices of how to leave Area 88 and go back to Japan – join the mercenary group for three years, earn $1.5 million, or walk out of the base and risk fatal consequences.
Area88 is a military anime without fanservice and with a different approach to storytelling. Instead, it focuses on real-world problems and the people that are affected by them.
13. Gundam Series
- Genres: Action, Mecha, Military, Sci-Fi, Shounen, Space
One of the standout mecha anime series I’ve ever watched is undoubtedly Gundam. What sets it apart even more is the fact that it doesn’t rely on fanservice.
As I delved further into the franchise and explored additional installments, I found the series becoming increasingly captivating. Gundam is a long-running Japanese anime series with a history spanning over 30 years.
It has gained immense popularity in Japan and has amassed a dedicated fanbase around the globe. The show is known for its epic battles, which never fail to captivate and are always worth experiencing firsthand.
12. Attack On Titan
- Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen, Super Power, Thriller
Attack on Titan is not just an anime without fan service, but it’s also one of the best anime out there. It has a gripping storyline with nonstop action and some very interesting characters.
This magnificent series is about humanity’s last defense against overwhelming titans. For centuries, humanity was facing extinction at the hands of towering giants–a race of creatures with no intelligence, and whose only purpose is to devour humans.
There’s just an incredibly small percentage of people that survived by building high protective walls around them. The series follows the story of Eren Yeager, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their childhood friend Armin Arlert as they fight to save humanity from the threat of the Titans, gigantic creatures that devour humans.
11. Mushishi
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural
Mushishi is a mature anime that depicts the mysteries behind the “Mushis”, which are the first life form or the most basic forms of life in the world.
They exist without any goals or purposes aside from simply “being.” Mushi exists outside of the concepts of goodness and evil. They are more complex than that and so is their essence. Their existence is the topic of much thought for a Mushi-shi, Ginko.
The Mushi is someone who studies these supernatural beings. The main character is one of them who was pursuing rumors of these creatures in order to find out their place in the world and wanted to know more about the Mushi in order to solve their mysteries.
10. Barakamon
- Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
Another great anime without fanservice, ecchi, or spicy themes is Barakamon. It follows the story of Handa Seishuu, a young but promising calligraphy professional, who reacted in an extreme manner to being mocked over his work.
He found himself whisked away from modern Tokyo to a rural island for a period of reevaluation and reflection. Barakamon is a show about Handa’s time on the island, their people, and the search for a calligraphy style that he can call his own.
It’s so funny! Even the most serious of people would be able to relax and enjoy watching it just for the fun of it. Yet, despite this lighthearted premise, Barakamon delivers a show that is also touching and emotional.
9. Pandora Hearts
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen, Supernatural
Pandora Heart follows Oz Vessalius, the heir to one of the duke’s houses, who is 15 years old. His life is filled with everything he could ever want but is darkened by the death of his father.
On his coming-of-age ceremony, he was thrown in the prison known as the “Abyss”, but he was saved by someone known as Alice, the bloodstained black rabbit.”
It is unknown why he was cast into the Abyss, how Alice factors into it all, and what the organization knew as “Pandora” wants with him.
8. Chihayafuru
- Genres: Drama, Game, Josei, Sports
Chihaya is a character in the anime series “Chihayafuru”. She is a tomboy, but not particularly skilled at anything. Her only wish is for her sister to become the number one beauty of Japan.
Everything will change when One day, she meets someone who tells her that a dream is something that should concern only herself – and something she has to work hard for as well.
Chihayafuru is among the best anime without any inappropriate scenes – it’s one of the few that you can watch with your family due to its beautiful artwork, compelling storyline, lack of fan service, and embarrassing scenes.
7. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is a horror anime that has been praised for its psychological and emotional depth. After moving to a new town, Keiichi spends most of his time hanging out with his new local friends at school by playing games and having fun.
Sometimes appearances can fool you. One day while he was watching the news, he caught wind of a murder happening to another person in Hinamizawa. The events that happen from this point forward make Keiichi suspect his friends, who he thought were really close.
6. Zipang
- Genres: Action, Historical, Military, Sci-Fi, Seinen
Another classic anime that doesn’t have fanservice is Zipang. It follows the story of an improved Kongou-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer, Mirai. One of the newest and most advanced ships in the entire Japanese Self-Defense Force.
The crew consists of new people and is led by Captain Umezu and Executive Officer Kadomatsu. While running a scheduled exercise, Mirai had to encounter a fierce storm that threw their navigation system off.
They eventually got back on track and were surprised to find they’d been transported back to the time of war. They refuse to get involved in this fight and stay out of it. And they vow to keep what happened to them a secret from everyone.
5. Death Parade
- Genres: Game, Mystery, Psychological
Death Parade is an anime that breaks new ground with its unique premise. The series explores the afterlife, presenting two possible outcomes for humans: reincarnation or the void.
At the core of the show are Death Games, where individuals are challenged to risk their lives, laying bare their true nature in the process. Decim, the central character, holds the power to determine the fates of those involved in these intense death matches. It is Decim who decides who will be consigned to the void and who may have a chance at reincarnation.
Death Parade is a great anime without fanservice, but it has a lot of bloody and dark themes that might not be suitable for all audiences.
4. Durarara!!
- Genres: Action, Shounen, Supernatural
There are many rumors and warnings in Tokyo’s downtown area, but one special urban legend is about a headless “Black Rider” driving a jet-black motorcycle.
Mikado grew up in a small town and has always longed for the excitement of city life. A childhood friend who lives in Tokyo convinces him to take a chance, so he leaves his rural hometown to move there.
On his first day in the city, he witnesses da Black Rider and his wishes start coming true. Soon after, supernatural occurrences began and the ordinary boy and the inhabitants were mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city.
3. Baccano
- Genres: Action, Seinen, Supernatural
Baccano! is a series that is often praised for its complex and detailed characters, great plot, and amazing art. It’s a show that many people have fallen in love with.
This classic anime follows the story of alchemy, survival, and immortality–a narrative that appears unrelated on the surface but begins to dovetail and intertwine into a bigger picture as the story progresses. Merging these events into one story is a kindhearted thief couple, Isaac and Miria, who are connected to these individuals and how they affect one another’s lives.
Baccano is a good recommended anime series that has no fanservice, but it does have violence and mature themes.
2. Trigun
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Trigun is one of the best anime series that takes place in the distant future on a deserted planet. And it is an anime without any fan service scenes at all. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but an anime that is better than Trigun hasn’t been released yet.
The series focuses on the powerful main character Vash the Stampede, as Rumors get around quickly and there’s a bounty out for him. However, in reality, Vash is a very kind-hearted person who doesn’t hurt anyone by mistake! Trigun’s lead character is both heroic and idiotic. He has a mysterious past, and his conflicts are both interpersonal and moral in nature.
1. Psycho-Pass
- Genres: Action, Police, Sci-Fi, Seinen
Psycho-Pass is our #1 Anime Without Fanservice. It’s one of the best anime ever made with a gripping story that centers around “enforcement officer” Shin Kougami, who tries to manage crime in a futuristic world.
In this advanced future, with technology, it is easy to measure a person’s desires, emotions, desires, and every natural tendency or urge to act or feel. In this way, it is also possible to find out a person’s criminal tendency factor, which is used to judge criminals.
Overall, This is an epic story of a team of policemen dedicating themselves to maintaining public order. Some of them work in the Enforcement Division, responsible for the apprehension of criminals, while others belong to the Supervisory Division which oversees their colleagues in Enforcement.