While some of the most popular anime out there today consist of dozens, hundreds, or even, in some rare cases, thousands of episodes, most series have a much more approachable episode count. Plenty of anime fans enjoy following newer, seasonal titles week to week. That's all good fun, but who among us hasn't spent an entire weekend bingeing different anime we've had sitting in our backlogs for the longest time?
Binge-watching anime is part of the experience, with many fans dedicating a week or a weekend to experiencing a series as fast as they can. But what if you want to watch a series in a day? There are tons of quality anime that you can easily get through in a day if you have enough time and not much else to do. These anime are so good, you'll want to finish them the same day you started.
Toradora!
If you're into romantic comedies with slice-of-life elements, then Toradora! Is the series for you. It follows Ryuji Takasu, a kind-hearted boy with a mean stare that gives people around him the wrong impression. The incredibly short-tempered Taiga is just as infamous. When the two learn that they each have a crush on the other's best friend, they set out to help each other confess their feelings, gradually getting closer in the process.
Toradora! Is a fun rom-com with plenty of great moments. But it's the dynamic between Ryuji and Taiga that carries the series, with you wanting to see how things will progress between the two after each episode.
Beyond the Boundary
Kyoto Animation has plenty of amazing series under its belt, with Beyond the Boundary possibly being the most overlooked of them all. Akihito Kanbara is suddenly attacked by his schoolmate Mirai Kuriyama due to his having demonic blood, and Mirai being part of a clan of warriors tasked with finding these demonic creatures, known as youmu, and destroying them. Though he's surprised to learn all this, Akihito eventually manages to convince Mirai to join their school's Literary Club, and the two become friends. But with the youmu around them growing more aggressive, it's up to them to do something about it.
Beyond the Boundary has the beautiful animation and cozy vibe you'd expect from KyoAni. It has some great comedic beats, but the evolution of Akihito and Mirai's relationship, as well as their individual growth, is what really makes the series special. The series comes in at 12 episodes, with a five-episode ONA, an OVA, and a recap and sequel animated movie.
Kizumonogatari
The Monogatari series isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for something to serve as an introduction to the main series, then the Kizumonogatari prequel films are a good place to start.
Though chronologically set before the events of Bakemonogatari, Kizu didn't come out until much later. The trilogy tells the story of how series main character Koyomi Araragi got his vampiric powers, and how he met important supporting characters Meme Oshino and Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade/Shinobu, and Tsubasa Hanekawa. The quick-paced dialogue, off-the-wall narrative, and incredible visuals all serve as a great introduction to the series and offer you a good idea of what to expect from future entries if it ends up being something you enjoy. Though the three films on their own come out to a little over three-and-a-half hours, a compilation film, Koyomi Vamp, condenses the runtime down to a little over two hours.
Takopi’s Original Sin
No one expected Takopi’s Original Sin to be as big as it has been. Most people looked at Solo Leveling and My Hero Academia as the biggest anime of 2025, but when Takopi’s came around during the summer 2025 season, anime fans were hooked.
It's an incredibly emotional story that definitely might not be for everyone, but if you can stomach some of the heavier elements, it's absolutely worth it. With just 6 episodes, Takopi’s Original Sin is the perfect anime to watch in a day.
Bocchi The Rock!
Bocchi The Rock! Is a hilarious anime that you can definitely get through in a day if you have the time. It's mostly a light-hearted series, with plenty of memorable laughs, but there's more to it than the jokes.
The series follows the incredibly socially anxious Bocchi, a loner who struggles with interacting with others. Despite her trouble socializing, Bocchi is an incredible guitarist who wants nothing more than to join and play with a live band. When she finally gets her chance and joins Kessoku Band, Bocchi gradually comes out of her shell while growing closer to her bandmates.
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
Makeine seems like a pretty standard rom-com, but it has a unique hook. While we're all used to series focusing on a main character and their eventual love interest, Makeine shifts the attention to the heroines who lost out.
Kazuhiko Nukumizu is a guy who doesn't stand out much, regarding himself as a "background character". But when he accidentally witnesses his classmate, Anna Yanami, get rejected by her childhood friend, Kazuhiko becomes entangled in Anna, and other "losing heroines'" lives. Makeine is a really fun watch, offering a different take on the common rom-com/harem formula. With season 2 on the way, now's the perfect time to catch up.
The Garden of Sinners Films
Type-Moon might be well known for the incredibly popular Fate franchise today, but before Fate/stay night or Tsukihime, there was Kinoko Nasu's The Garden of Sinners light novels. The series follows demon hunter Shiki Ryougi, who investigates supernatural phenomena alongside her friend Mikiya Kokutou and Touko Aozaki, the owner of the Garan no Dou detective agency.
Fate fans will feel right at home with this series, as it shares many similarities with Nasu's later work. Ufotable adapted the light novels from 2007-2013, and as you'd expect from the iconic studio, the animation is incredibly fluid, with beautiful visuals that hold up all these years later. It's a bit of a longer time commitment, but you can definitely get through these in a day.
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The Garden of Sinners
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- 2013 - 2013
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Niconico
Cast
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Maaya SakamotoShiki Ryougi (voice) -
Takako HondaTouko Aozaki (voice)
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Kenji TakahashiGakuto (voice)
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Rie TanakaKirie Fujou (voice)
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Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!
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- 2024 - 2024
- Network
- Tokyo MX, BS11, Tochigi TV, Chukyo TV, KYT
Cast
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Shuichiro UmedaKazuhiko Nukumizu
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Hikaru TonoAnna Yanami
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Shion WakayamaLemon Yakishio
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Momoka TerasawaChika Komari
In "Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!" The story revolves around the lives of several young women navigating their personal and professional challenges.
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Bocchi the Rock!
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- 2022 - 2022
- Directors
- Keiichirô Saitô
- Writers
- Erika Yoshida, Aki Hamaji
- Franchise(s)
- Bocchi the Rock!
Cast
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Yoshino Aoyama
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Sayumi Suzushiro
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Saku Mizuno
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Ikumi Hasegawa
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Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp-
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- August 28, 2024
- Runtime
- 145 Minutes
- Director
- Tatsuya Oishi
- Writers
- Tatsuya Oishi, Nisio Isin
Cast
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Hiroshi KamiyaKoyomi Araragi
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Maaya SakamotoKiss-shot Acerola-orien Heart-under-blade
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Yui HorieTsubasa Hanekawa
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Takahiro SakuraiMeme Oshino
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Takopi's Original Sin
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widgetDisplay card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- 2025 - 2025
- Network
- Bandai Channel, Netflix, Prime Video, Niconico, ABEMA, Hulu, Disney+, FOD, d Anime Store, Anime Houdai, U-NEXT, TELASA, DMM TV, niconico Channel, Lemino, J:COM STREAM, milplus, WOWOW On Demand, Anime Times, Rakuten TV, VIDEX
Cast
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Kurumi MamiyaTakopi (voice)
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Reina UedaShizuka Kuze (voice)
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Konomi KoharaMarina (voice)
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Anna NagaseAzuma (voice)
