Action anime series are always one of the best shows to watch because it is a genre that seems never to get old. There are so many examples of amazing action anime series like Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, One Punch Man, Naruto, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more!

In this post, we put 13 short action anime series together in a list that you can binge-watch, all under 13 episodes. And to make it even easier for you, the list is completely alphabetically and the total episodes are mentioned!

In case you want to mix up your anime-to-watch list, don’t worry because there are mystery, fantasy, romance, historical, supernatural, and even comedy series.

Let us know which of these anime you will be watching by leaving a comment down below.

13. Blood Lad ( 10 episodes)

Blood Lad follows Staz Charlie Blood, who is a challenging vampire who controls the Eastern district of the Demon World. While he is often depicted as a bloodthirsty and ruthless creature, the truth is that Staz is merely an otaku with a deep passion for Japanese culture, showing little interest in human blood. He assigned the responsibilities of his territory to his subordinates and spent his time indulging in anime, manga, and video games.

The story takes a turn when Fuyumi Yanagi, a Japanese girl, inadvertently stumbles through a portal into the demon realm, bringing Staz immense joy. However, just as he begins to develop a peculiar attraction to her, his territory comes under attack, leading to Fuyumi’s tragic end.

She transforms into a wandering spirit, prompting the heartbroken Staz to pledge to resurrect her, as this would grant him the opportunity to visit the human world—a long-held aspiration of his.

12. B: The Beginning (12 episodes)

B: The Beginning is an amazing mystery action anime series available on Netflix that also explores themes of superpowers, detectives, and physiology.

In the islands of Cremona, a vigilante is causing chaos. While some praise the infamous “Killer B” as a hero, others seek to bring him to justice. Armed with a lethal blade and extraordinary abilities, he takes the law into his own hands. The Royal Investigation Service (RIS), unable to capture this elusive figure, enlists the help of Keith Flick, a veteran detective known for his unconventional methods, who has been assigned to the Archives Department following a personal tragedy.

As criminal activities in Cremona surge, ranging from covert assassinations of wrongdoers to calculated attacks on prominent individuals, it becomes evident that multiple parties are involved.

With the assistance of his impulsive partner, Lily Hoshina, and unexpected support from the enigmatic Killer B, Keith begins to uncover a web of conspiracies linked to secret societies, domestic terrorism, and unethical human experimentation.

As the RIS’s involvement transcends mere law enforcement, the depth of governmental corruption and the reliability of trusted allies come into serious doubt.

11. Buddy Daddies (12 episodes)

Buddy Daddies follows the adventures of four-year-old Miri Unasaka and the two professional assassins Kazkuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa. So on Christmas Eve, four-year-old Miri Unasaka arrives in Tokyo all by herself, searching for her father. The dazzling lights and festive ambiance lead her to a large hotel, where she encounters a man with an enticing cake. Unbeknownst to her, she has stumbled into the heart of a meticulously crafted scheme to eliminate a notorious mafia leader.

Professional assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa share a home, both haunted by the shadows of their troubled pasts and wary of forming emotional bonds. When their assignment takes an unexpected turn and they inadvertently bring Miri into their lives, they conclude that the only sensible course of action is to return her to her mother.

However, Miri’s innocent laughter and untainted perspective quickly captivate Kazuki, who finds joy in the role of a caregiver, while Rei’s once-guarded heart begins to soften in her presence.

Miri’s unpredictable nature proves to be a greater challenge than any mission they have faced, as Kazuki and Rei navigate the complexities of raising an exuberant child. Despite the significant risks to their professional lives, the two men, affectionately adopting the title of “papa,” resolve to give Miri a semblance of a normal childhood, defying the numerous obstacles in their path.

10. Chainsaw Man (12 episodes)

Chainsaw Man is a fantastic Shonen action anime series that aired in 2022 and received high praise from manga and anime fans. Their power system is quite unique, where devil hunters can create unique contracts with powerful devils to become more powerful. Chainsaw Man follows Denji, who isn’t having the best life because he is burdened by the substantial debts left by his careless father. His only ally is his pet, the chainsaw devil Pochita, with whom he engages in devil hunting to earn money, which ultimately ends up in the hands of the yakuza.

Denji’s aspirations are simple: he desires a life filled with delicious meals and a lovely girlfriend.

However, a treacherous act of greed from the yakuza results in Denji’s violent and premature death, shattering any hope he had for a joyful future. In an extraordinary turn of events, an ancient contract enables Pochita to fuse with the lifeless Denji, granting him devil powers and transforming him into a hybrid capable of converting his body parts into chainsaws.

Makima, an elite devil hunter from the Public Safety Bureau, takes Denji under her wing because of the potential threat posed by his newly discovered abilities. She permits him to live as long as he follows her instructions. Denji puts all of his effort and energy into realizing his youthful aspirations, driven by the prospect of a happy life with a desirable companion.

9. Deadman Wonderland (12 episodes)

Deadman Wonderland is a fantastic action anime series made by female mangaka Jinsei Kataoka and a great pick to watch.

So the storyline follows Ganta Igarashi, where It looked like it would be a normal day for him and his classmates as they were preparing to go on a class field trip to a certain prison amusement park called Deadman Wonderland. This is a place where the convicts perform dangerous acts for the onlookers’ amusement.

However, Ganta’s life is quickly turned upside down when his whole class gets massacred by a mysterious man in red. Framed for the incident and sentenced to death, Ganta is sent to the very jail he was supposed to visit.

But Ganta’s nightmare is only just beginning.

The young protagonist is thrown into a world of sadistic inmates and enigmatic blood powers, to live in constant fear of the lethal collar placed around his neck that is slowed only by winning in the prison’s deathly games.

Ganta must bet his life to survive in a ruthless place where it isn’t always easy to tell friends from foe, all while trying to find the mysterious “Red Man” and clear his name, in Deadman Wonderland.

8. 91 Days

91 Days sits among the top short anime series to watch, as each episode dives deeper into the themes of action, drama, and organized crime. This action anime series follows Angelo Lagusa, who As a young boy in the town of Lawless experienced a devastating loss: his parents and younger brother were brutally murdered by the Vanetti mafia family.

With nothing left to cling to, he abandons his name and hometown, assuming the new identity of Avilio Bruno. After seven years, Avilio seizes an opportunity for revenge when he receives a mysterious letter encouraging him to return to Lawless. Complying with the call, he soon meets Nero, the son of the Vanetti don, and works to grow a friendship with him, utilizing the skills he has meticulously developed over the years.

Set against the backdrop of the Prohibition era, 91 Days chronicles Avilio’s grim and bloody quest for vengeance as he methodically eliminates each individual responsible for his family’s murder.

7. Dorohedoro (12 episodes)

Dorehedoro is an anime series that combines fantasy, action, humor, horror, and a lot of CGI.

A caiman with amnesia and his friend Nikaido are striving to kill a sorcerer responsible for his lizard head cure. He goes on a deep search in the Hole, a grim, run-down, and chaotic area where the powerful manipulate the vulnerable, and death awaits them. But then there is Caiman, a being more reptilian than human who stands out as one such exception.

He relentlessly fights against magicians in the Hole in search of answers, armed only with a pair of trusted bayonets and his immunity to magic. Cursed by his appearance and haunted by nightmares, the magic users represent his sole lead in the quest to reclaim his former life. However, His greatest challenge lies in his insatiable appetite, while his female companion Nikaidou, who operates the restaurant Hungry Bug, is his most valuable ally.

6. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens! (12 episodes)

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens is your new short anime series to watch if you are a fan of the detective genre that combines action and mystery!

Among those intriguing series is Zenji Banba, a relaxed and perceptive detective engaged in investigating rival hitman organizations operating in the area. However, Banba is not the only individual with grudges against these groups; Xianming Lin, a cross-dressing male assassin affiliated with one such organization, is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of assignments and inadequate salary.

One fateful day, after Lin’s intended target takes his own life before the hitman’s arrival, his employer refuses to compensate him even partially for the failed mission. In his frustration, Lin seeks another assignment and is tasked with eliminating Banba, whom his organization suspects of meddling in their affairs.

Yet, when Banba unexpectedly enters his residence and discovers Lin, the hitman refrains from attempting his life. Instead, he proposes an alternative: a partnership to collaborate as a team.

5. Inuyashiki: Last Hero (11 episodes)

Inuyashiki is a fantastic series produced by Studio Mappa during the fall of 2017, and it is available to watch on Netflix!

Ichirou Inuyashiki, a 58-year-old man facing severe challenges, struggles with back pain and emotional neglect from his family. He finds solace in Hanako, a Shiba Inu he rescues, but his life takes a dark turn when he is diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer and given three months to live.

In despair, he retreats to a field with his dog, only to be confronted by a mysterious figure. Suddenly engulfed in a blinding light, Ichirou awakens and transforms into a mechanized being, retaining his appearance but gaining extraordinary abilities. Determined to use his new powers for good, he seeks to save lives, but questions linger about the enigmatic figure and their intentions regarding his newfound gift.

4. Love of Kill (12 episodes)

Love of Kill is your bread and butter when it comes to a short anime series that mixes action and romance!

Novice bounty hunter Chateau Dankworth never anticipated encountering an opponent capable of beating her in combat. Even more surprising was the immediate interest shown by the mysterious man, who went so far as to assist her in her missions. Nevertheless, Chateau firmly asserts that she has no intention of engaging in any personal relationship with him. Chateau’s team is soon assigned the task of eliminating Song Ryang-ha, a skilled assassin and former member of a formidable Asian organization.

Coincidentally, Ryang-ha is the very individual who has been pursuing her. Despite her reservations, Chateau reluctantly consents to meet with Ryang-ha under a specific arrangement: in exchange for accompanying him on a date, he will divulge the locations of her current targets, whether they are alive or deceased.

3. Lycories Recoil (13 episodes)

Lycories Recoil is 13 straight episodes of just action scenes after action scenes, and it features a surprising ending, so watch it!

Terrorist activities in Japan have hit an all-time low, thanks to the organization Direct Attack (DA), which trains orphaned girls as assassins through its “Lycoris” program. Takina Inoue, a dedicated Lycoris, faces a crisis that leads to her reassignment from DA to LycoReco, a covert cafe.

Her new partner, Chisato Nishikigi, a celebrated Lycoris prodigy, appears indifferent to her duties and engages in unconventional tasks to help others.

Takina is confused when Chisato subdues armed attackers non-lethally. Longing to return to DA, Takina struggles to understand Chisato’s belief that life is about more than just taking lives.

2. No. 6 (11 episodes)

No. 6 is an amazing short action anime series produced by Studio Bones, and it combines drama, sci-fi, and mystery into its storyline.

So the story of No. 6 takes place years after a devastating world war. Humanity found refuge in six seemingly peaceful city states. Shion, a privileged resident of No. 6, gained new insights into his world through an encounter with Nezumi, a mysterious fugitive from the wasteland outside.

By sheltering Nezumi for a night, Shion faced severe consequences, losing his elite status and revealing the city’s darker truths. Now, reunited, Shion and Nezumi embark on an adventure to uncover the hidden realities of No. 6.

1. Takt Op. Destiny

Takt. Op Destiny is an interesting anime series on Crunchyroll that you can add to your watch list if you like action, fantasy, and sci-fi.

So the story takes place in the United States and the country has been in turmoil since the arrival of D2s, an invasive species from a meteorite. To fight these creatures, a ban on music was enacted, as D2s are violently opposed to melodies. This ban persists into 2047. Humanity’s only defense consists of Musicarts, young women embodying classical music, and Conductors who guide them.

Takt Asahina, an independent piano virtuoso, becomes a Conductor after a D2 attack kills Anna Schneider’s sister, Cosette.

He meets his Musicart, Destiny, and together with Anna, they embark on a dangerous journey to the Symphonica Headquarters in New York City. Takt longs to play the piano again, despite it attracting the D2s he despises, while Destiny’s dedication often puts them in danger. What do you think, will they navigate the challenges and reach New York City?