How to Find Good Anime on Crunchyroll by Genre and Popularity

With the vast library of anime available on Crunchyroll, it can often feel overwhelming for both newcomers and seasoned viewers to find quality content. Whether you're in the mood for a heartfelt romance, an intense action-packed series, or a lighthearted comedy, Crunchyroll offers thousands of titles to choose from. Knowing how to effectively narrow down your choices by genre and popularity can make a huge difference in your viewing experience.

Understanding Crunchyroll’s Interface

Before diving into specific genres, it’s important to get familiar with the layout of Crunchyroll’s platform. The website and app interface feature a number of navigational options:

Browse/Search Bar: Use keywords or genre-specific terms to pull up results quickly.
Genres Section: Located under the Anime or Browse tab, it allows you to filter shows by genres like Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Slice of Life, and more.
Top Picks & Popular Lists: These include trending shows, editor picks, and audience favorites.

Once you’re accustomed to using these features, you can start exploring anime by either popularity or genre, depending on your preferred method of discovery.

Using Popularity to Discover Trending Anime

One of the simplest ways to find good anime is by checking out what's currently popular. Crunchyroll regularly updates its Trending and Most Popular lists based on recent viewer activity and community ratings.

Here are ways to use popularity as a guide:

Trending Section: Shows here are ranked based on recent watch frequency. This is perfect for discovering new series or recently released episodes.
Community Ratings: Pay attention to star ratings and user reviews. Titles with consistently high ratings are usually crowd-pleasers.
Seasonal Charts: Crunchyroll divides titles by seasons—Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall—highlighting the hits of each period.

Popular anime titles often align with great animation quality, engaging story arcs, and solid character development, making them a safe starting point for new viewers.

Exploring by Genre

If you have a specific type of anime in mind, then browsing by genre is the way to go. Crunchyroll categorizes its anime library into several genres, each catering to different moods and story preferences. Below are some of the most beloved genres and recommendations to guide your exploration:

1. Action/Adventure

For viewers who enjoy intense battles, epic quests, and dynamic animation, Action and Adventure anime are a must-watch.

Attack on Titan – Set in a world where giant creatures threaten humanity, this is a gripping, visually stunning series filled with suspense.
One Piece – Follow the adventures of Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore new lands and fight to become Pirate King.

2. Romance

Romantic anime often feature heartfelt moments, emotional conflicts, and beautiful relationship development.

Your Lie in April – A tearjerking coming-of-age story that blends music and emotional storytelling.
Toradora! – A romantic comedy that slowly evolves into something much deeper and more relatable.

3. Comedy

If you want light-hearted content, the comedy genre is full of laugh-out-loud moments and clever storytelling.

Mob Psycho 100 – A mix of supernatural elements and humor with a surprisingly touching narrative.
Gintama – A parody-driven anime full of references, slapstick, and witty banter.

4. Horror/Thriller

These genres are for those who enjoy dark themes, horror elements, and suspense.

Tokyo Ghoul – A grim and gripping tale of a half-ghoul struggling with identity and survival.
Another – A classic horror story full of eerie moments and a chilling mystery.

5. Slice of Life

Slice of Life offers stories grounded in realism, focusing on everyday life, personal growth, and emotional connections.

Barakamon – A heartwarming anime about an artist’s self-discovery on a quiet island.
March Comes in Like a Lion – Beautifully animated with touching depictions of depression, family, and personal healing.

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Combining Genre with Popularity

To find solid recommendations that fit your tastes, you can combine filters. Crunchyroll allows you to sort by genre and then order the results via popularity or release date. This is particularly effective if you're searching for the best series within a specific category.

For instance, you could explore the “Fantasy” genre and then sort by “Most Popular” to uncover widely-loved series like Demon Slayer or That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. The dual-filter approach ensures you’re not only getting content that matches your interests but also content that has been well-received by the anime community.

Staying Updated With New Releases

Crunchyroll frequently updates its library with new simulcasts and recent releases. These can be found in the Newly Added or Simulcast sections. Keeping an eye on these areas lets you be among the first to watch emerging hits or hidden gems.

Tip: Turn on notifications or subscribe to Crunchyroll’s newsletters to receive updates on seasonal anime releases, trailers, and user recommendations.

Utilizing Community Recommendations

While Crunchyroll’s built-in discovery tools are very useful, don’t underestimate the value of the community outside the platform. Forums, Reddit threads, and YouTube anime reviews often highlight underrated series or suggest viewing orders for complex shows.

You can also check Crunchyroll’s blog for curated lists and genre spotlights that feature some hidden gems that may not immediately show up on the trending lists.