9 Highest-Rated Anime on MAL (As of 2026)

Over the years, many fantastic anime series have been created, and MyAnimeList (MAL) is a useful resource for seeing what fans enjoy – and don’t enjoy. MAL scores show what viewers generally think of a particular anime, reflecting the community’s overall opinion.

MAL’s top anime list features consistently popular and critically acclaimed series, though it occasionally sees unexpected new entries and shifts in ranking. Here’s a look at the highest-rated anime on MAL right now.

Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 – 9.05

I’m a huge fan of Attack on Titan, and it’s definitely one of the most popular anime from the 2010s! While the whole series is amazing, Season 3 Part 2 is what really blew people away – it’s consistently ranked as the best part by fans on MyAnimeList.

Season 3 is packed with powerful and moving scenes as the Survey Corps attempts to reclaim Wall Maria. This season marks a major shift in the story, laying the groundwork for the unforgettable events of the final season and many of its most shocking twists.

Gintama Season 4 – 9.05

Gintama masterfully combines hilarious comedy with exciting action. While famous for its over-the-top and funny scenes, the series also boasts strong writing and well-executed action sequences, which explain why it’s such a popular and critically acclaimed shonen anime.

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In Season 4, Gintoki and his friends continue their hilarious and often chaotic adventures, stumbling into strange and risky scenarios. While fans still adore earlier seasons, Season 4 is considered a high point for the series, offering some of its funniest and most unforgettable scenes.

Gintama: The Very Final – 9.05

I’ve noticed a lot of anime get multiple seasons and even movies, but it’s rare to see a single series dominate the top 9 rankings with several entries. Gintama and Frieren are the exceptions. While many fans love Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya, it actually doesn’t score as high on MyAnimeList as Gintama: The Very Final does.

Originally intended as the last Gintama movie before the remake of Yoshiwara in Flames, The Very Final provides a fantastic conclusion to the series. The threat is bigger than ever, as Gintoki, Katsura, and Takasugi team up to defeat Utsuro and save the world. While Gintama is a long series, it’s truly one of the best action-adventure anime of recent years, and this final installment delivers a satisfying payoff.

Steins;Gate – 9.07

Considered a faithful adaptation of the visual novel and one of the best sci-fi anime of the 2010s, Steins;Gate remains popular with anime fans even years after it finished airing. The show centers around a memorable group of characters – Okabe, Kurisu, Mayuri, and Daru – who get caught up in the complexities of time travel and a mysterious organization.

Steins;Gate holds a special place for many anime fans – it was often one of the first series they watched, or it reminds them of a golden age of anime. It’s consistently ranked among the best, thanks to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from over 1.5 million viewers who helped give it a nearly perfect rating.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 – 9.07

The highly anticipated second season of Frieren has delighted fans, living up to the high expectations set by its incredibly popular first season. While it hasn’t quite reached the same critical score as season two yet, it’s proving to be just as enjoyable. With a third season already confirmed, it’s clear this beloved anime isn’t going anywhere soon.

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc – 9.09

While Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was a huge success and potentially changed the game for anime movies, many fans actually preferred Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.

This movie brings the ‘Bomb Girl’ arc of the manga to life, and introduces the character Reze. It’s a stunning visual experience, with truly impressive animation created by the team at MAPPA. The adaptation stays true to the original story, making it both beautiful to watch and a strong continuation of the first season of the anime.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – 9.11

For years, Brotherhood was the highest-rated anime on MAL, and even now it consistently ranks among the top three. This second adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s beloved manga remains a truly outstanding anime.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood truly excels in its portrayal of the bond between brothers Ed and Al. After a failed attempt at human transmutation costs them their bodies, the brothers embark on a journey to restore themselves, grappling with the consequences of their actions and becoming entangled in a vast conspiracy that endangers their nation, Amestris. This anime is a faithful and compelling adaptation of the manga, boasting memorable characters and a richly detailed story that holds up to multiple viewings.

Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – 9.20

David Production’s anime version of Steel Ball Run is the newest entry in these rankings, and its position is likely to change as more episodes are released. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this adaptation for years.

The Steel Ball Run anime, a fan favorite installment of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, has begun strongly and is already being considered a potential frontrunner for best anime of 2026, even with Netflix’s unusual release strategy. After just one episode, it’s meeting—and even exceeding—expectations. The animation is stunning, perfectly capturing the unique look and feel of JoJo’s. David Production appears well-equipped to deliver a fantastic adaptation.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – 9.25

Many anime fans were surprised by the sudden arrival of Frieren, which quickly became incredibly popular after its 2023 release. It surpassed Brotherhood in popularity and is currently a major hit this winter, though Steel Ball Run may challenge its position soon.

Honestly, Frieren has completely captivated me! It’s not your usual action-packed adventure; it’s something much more special. It’s a really thoughtful and moving story that takes its time exploring what it means to live, and what it feels like to lose people you care about. Everything about it, from the stunning animation to the incredibly well-written characters, is just beautiful, and I truly think it’s one of the best shows out there right now.

2026-03-28 19:07