From 'Arcane' To 'The Apothecary Diaries' - 10 Netflix Animated Series Worth Binge-Watching

Arcane: League of Legends (2021) is arguably the most captivating and visually stunning animated series on Netflix, until the equally breathtaking Blue Eye Samurai (2023) came along.

And in between the two fore-mentioned multi-Emmy-and-Annie-Award winners, Netflix also has many other new animated series worth binge-watching - from gripping anime hits such as The Apothecary Diaries (2023) and Terminator Zero (2024), to Zack Snyder's brutal Twilight of the Gods (2024).

Returning animated series also caused a stir.

Dark fantasy epic Attack on Titan: The Final Season ended its 10-year run with a controversial ending in 2023, while the phenomenally popular Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba released its light-hearted Season 4 – "Hashira Training Arc" in 2024 before announcing that the anime's final "Infinity Castle/Sunrise Countdown Arcs" will be presented as a trilogy of movies with the first instalment due in 2025.

Arguably though, the one returning animated series animation fans are most eager for is Arcane. After three long years since its premiere, the acclaimed steampunk action-adventure series' second and final season finally hits Netflix in November 2024!

So new or old, highly profiled or under the radar, here are 10 Netflix animated shows that are worth binge-watching.

10 Netflix Animated Series Worth Binge-Watching

1. 'Arcane'

Hailed by fans as one of the best video game adaptations ever made, Arcane shines with amazing visuals, strong storylines and characters you will root for or downright detest. It also boasts one of the most infectious theme songs ever for an animated series in "Enemy" by Imagine Dragons.

Produced by French animation studio Fortiche and based on Riot Games' League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Vi (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell) as they find themselves embroiled in the turbulent conflicts between the rich progressive municipality of Piltover and the seedy oppressed undercity of Zaun.

Arcane's 3-part final season streams on Netflix between November 9 and 23, 2024.

2. 'Blue Eye Samurai'

Created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green and produced by French studio Blue Spirit, Blue Eye Samurai tells the story of a half-Japanese, half-Caucasian warrior named Mizu (Maya Erskine) who embarks on a vengeance quest whilst disguised as a man in 17th century Edo-era Japan.

Besides intricate details of the Edo era, Blue Eye Samurai offers glorious animation, breathtaking action sequences, stirring music score and excellent voice acting from a pre-dominantly Asian-American cast.

Winner of a slew of Emmys and Annies, the adult animated epic's Season 2 is scheduled for 2026.

Read also:

* 'Blue Eye Samurai' - A Visually Stunning, Action-Packed Adult Animated Series From Netflix

3. 'Terminator Zero'

Terminator Zero is a refreshing take on the Terminator lore in that it has no Sarah or John Conner, and no Arnold Schwarzenegger for that matter.

Set in 1997 Tokyo, Malcolm Lee (André Holland) has developed an AI system to take on SkyNet. When the scientist and his three children are pursued by a T-800 cybernetic assassin (Timothy Olyphant), renegade soldier Eiko (Sonoya Mizuno) is sent from 2022 to protect the Lee family.

Developed by Mattson Tomlin and produced by Japan's Production I.G and America's SkyDance Television, the anime's style may not be ground-breaking but it still succeeds in depicting terrifying scenes of a city overrun by machines gone amok and scary humans with guns and baseball bats.

With mainly positive reviews, here's hoping Terminator Zero will be renewed.

4. 'The Apothecary Diaries'

Based on Natsu Hyūga's best-selling Japanese light novels and produced by Toho Animation, The Apothecary Diaries is a romance mystery set in a fictional country based on Imperial China circa the Tang Dynasty.

Story follows apothecary Maomao (Aoi Yuki, Japanese) who, forced to work as a maid in the Imperial Palace, develops an unlikely liaison with influential eunuch Jinshi (Takeo Ōtsuka) in solving strange incidents within the royal compound.

Filled with engaging characters, The Apothecary Diaries entices with its luscious animation style, riveting plotlines and hilarious scenarios between the two main protagonists.

The anime's popularity drove fans to seek out Hyūga's light novels (15 novels to date, 13 in English), manga (14 volumes) and original web novels (2011-2020) for the "outcome" of Maomao and Jinshi's relationship.

Season 2 premieres on January 10, 2025.

5. 'Delicious in Dungeon'

Based on Ryoko Kui's Harvey-Award-winning manga and produced by Japan's Studio Trigger, Delicious in Dungeon is one of the understated anime hits of 2024.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, the story follows a human swordsman, an half-elf magician and a half-foot locksmith venturing through a dangerous dungeon in order to rescue the swordman's sister from a dragon. They survive by cooking and eating monsters they encounter thanks to a warrior dwarf who is a superb cook.

Funny and charming, Delicious in Dungeon sets itself apart from other "battle-monsters-in-dungeon" shows by how it provides detailed recipes of the dishes cooked on the series. If anything, you can actually learn how to season your meats and soups from it!

Season 2, already in production, has no release date yet.

6. Zack Snyder's 'Twilight Of the Gods'

Truth be told, Zack Snyder's Norse-mythology-based Twilight of the Gods, is much more palatable than his dreadful Rebel Moon films.

Co-produced by America's Stone Quarry and France studio Xilam, Twilight's vivid animation style is akin to Apple TV's acclaimed Wolfwalkers (2020).

Story tells of half-giant, half-human warrior Sigrid (Sylvia Hoeks) who swears revenge on Thor (Pilou Asbaek) after the thunder god gatecrashes her wedding to mortal king Leif (Stuart Martin) and slaughters her tribe.

Despite being an obvious suicide mission—I mean, mere beings against evil gods Thor, Odin and Loki?—one does hope for Sigrid and her vengeance crusaders to succeed somehow.

Other than some gratuitous sex scenes, the adult animated series is nonetheless a compelling watch. Still awaiting news of a Season 2 renewal.

7. 'The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos'

Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, and produced by Wonderstorm and Bardel Entertainment, The Dragon Prince (2018-2024) is one of the most visually-pleasing animated series on Netflix.

The first three seasons see human princes Callum (Jack DeSena) and Ezran (Sasha Rojen) joining forces with warrior elf Rayla (Paula Burrows) in trying to bring peace to the continent of Xadia by returning the titular Dragon Prince to its mum.

Renamed The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos from Season 4, the series was disappointingly lackluster for two seasons before Season 6 (2024) delighted fans once again with momentous key events.

The Dragon Prince's seventh and final season premieres on December 19, 2024.

8. 'Love, Death + Robots'

If you love animation of all kinds, this amazing adult animated anthology series is a must-watch.

Created by David Fincher and Tim Miller, each season features standalone shorts showcasing a variety of animation styles, creative storylines and diverse genres covering comedy, fantasy, horror and sci-fi.

Various episodes had won Emmys including "The Witness" (2019), "Ice" (2021) and "Jibaru" (2022).

Season 4 is already on its way.

9. 'Spy x Family'

Spy x Family (2022-present) is such a hit that it made Tatsuya Endo’s manga one of the best-selling series of all time with 35 million copies sold to date. Action figures, show merchandise and light novels were also launched.

Produced by Wit Studio x CloverWorks, the fun adventures of spy Loid (Takuya Eguchi, Japanese), assassin Yor (Saori Hayami) and telepath Anya (Atsumi Tanezaki) also materialized as a box office hit with Spy x Family Code: White (2023).

Season 3 is likely to premiere in 2025 and judging from the teaser poster (pictured above), likely scenarios to appear from the on-going manga include The Bus Hijacking Arc, Lady Tonitrus Chapter, and Yor meeting Melinda Desmond which sets Loid's Operation Strix's Plan C in motion.

Read also:

* 'Spy x Family' Season 3: 10 Manga Scenes We Want To See Next In The Anime Series

* ‘Spy x Family’: 10 Manga Scenes We Want To See In The Hit Anime Series

10. 'Ōoku: The Inner Chambers'

Based on Fumi Yoshinaga's manga and produced by Japan's Studio Deen, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers has an extremely fascinating premise.

Set in Edo-era Japan, a mysterious plague caused a rapid decline in the male population which sees a mighty shift of power in society—from women now in charge of families and businesses, to the Ōoku having 3000 men serving a female Shogun.

Light-hearted it is not but Ōoku makes for an compelling watch even though the politics and high-handedness of people in power can be quite repulsive.

And granted it is an adult animated series, there are a few disturbing sexual abuse scenes depicted, so be warned.

All the above animated series are streaming on Netflix.

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