In the anime universe, some action shows need hundreds of episodes to make an impact, while others do it in just a few episodes. For fans who want exciting fights without committing to a massive series, short anime can be the perfect choice.
Keeping all this into account, here is a list of seven such action anime shows for your consideration. These anime provide you with thrilling action and great storylines, and that too within a short span of time.
1. Canaan Turns a Revenge Story Into a Fast-Paced Gunfight
Canaan from a still. | Credit: P.A. Works
Canaan is a great pick for anyone who misses the stylish action anime of the late 2000s. The series has gunfights, assassins, explosions, and just enough mystery to make the next episode hard to put off. More importantly, the action has a personality of its own.
Canaan’s unusual senses make her fights especially fun to watch, but her rivalry with Alphard gives those battles real weight. The finale episodes finally bring the two together, and their confrontation feels like the payoff the series was quietly building toward. It is a compact action show that does not need a second season to feel complete.
2. Hellsing Ultimate Lets Alucard Unleash His Full Power
Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate. | Credits: Madhouse
There are very few short anime that understand the joy of an absurdly powerful character quite like Hellsing Ultimate. The 10-episode OVA series gives Alucard plenty of opportunities to remind everyone why fighting him is such a terrible idea. Somehow, the fights always get bigger and better.
What makes the series truly enjoyable is how Hellsing brings in characters who make Alucard take things seriously. Naturally, the fights between him and Anderson stand out the most, since both of them try their best to push themselves against each other. The sheer scale of the final battle makes this show worth watching for anybody looking to watch something really violent.
3. Devilman Crybaby Brings Its Brutal Story to a Shocking End
Akira from Devilman Crybaby. | Credits: Science SARU
Devilman Crybaby is one of those anime that starts intense and somehow keeps finding darker places to go. Its episodes are packed with action, but the violence never feels empty. There is always a character or relationship underneath it, which makes the bigger moments hit much harder.
The fight with Silene in Episode 5 is a perfect example. It is flashy and brutal, but there is also something genuinely sad about the way it plays out. By the end of the series, the world around Akira has almost completely fallen apart, leading to a finale that is still difficult to shake off. This one is best saved for when a heavier story sounds appealing.
4. 91 Days Turns a Mafia War Into a Cold Revenge Story
A still from 91 Days anime. | Credit: Shuka
Not every action anime needs supernatural powers to keep things exciting. 91 Days gets plenty of moments out of guns, revenge, Mafia politics, and people constantly wondering who will betray whom. Its episodes are much more restrained than the other entries, but that restraint makes the violence stand out.
Avilio’s relationship with Nero is where the anime becomes especially interesting. Their scenes together can feel almost friendly before the story reminds viewers that revenge is sitting between them. The tension builds beautifully through the final episodes, making the conclusion feel much more personal than a simple Mafia shootout.
5. Akudama Drive Throws Its Criminals Into a Wild Action Ride
A still from Akudama Drive. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Akudama Drive does not exactly believe in taking things slowly. The show introduces a group of criminals to a risky job and continues to escalate until everything gets completely out of hand. The show is recommended for people who love seeing colorful, loud, fast-paced, and incredibly chaotic anime.
The Shinkansen fight scenes are when Akudama Drive truly begins to shine. All of the characters get their turn to make everything even worse while the sci-fi setting of the show gives the fights a lot of style. The focus on Swindler later makes everything even more interesting.
6. Terror in Resonance Makes Every Action Scene Feel Personal
A still from Terror in Resonance. | Credit: MAPPA
Terror in Resonance takes a slower road to its action, and that is exactly what makes it work. The series spends plenty of time building suspense around Nine and Twelve, so when something finally goes wrong, the danger feels much more immediate.
The airport sequence in Episode 6 remains one of the show’s strongest moments because the tension comes from the situation. The final episodes then make the story increasingly personal before Episode 11 brings it to its tragic conclusion. For a short anime, it leaves behind a surprisingly lasting impression.
7. Baccano! Turns a Chaotic Crime Story Into Pure Action
Baccano! is probably the most unusual recommendation here. The 13 TV episodes and three OVA episodes tell the story through different characters, time periods, and locations, so the first few episodes can feel like someone dropped several anime into a blender.
That confusion eventually becomes part of the fun. The Flying Pussyfoot events bring together some of the show’s most memorable characters, while Isaac and Miria add a hilarious dose of chaos to the violence. Once the different stories begin connecting, Baccano! becomes the kind of anime that feels even more enjoyable on a second watch.
Now the big question: Which of these short action anime deserves a spot on your next binge? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
