10 Best HBO Max Anime to Watch 2025

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Grace
February 9, 2025

Anime’s popularity continues to surge as each year goes by, captivating audiences across the globe. If you’re a subscriber of HBO Max and eager to explore its library of Japanese animations, we’ve curated a fantastic selection of the 10 best anime movies and shows on HBO Max for you to dive into.

HBO Max includes almost all of Hayao Miyazaki’s classics in its library. However, this list does not only contain dream-like Ghibli films but also up-to-date thrilling movies and series. It promises a fascinating journey through the dazzling realm of anime that HBO Max has to offer. So, get ready to immerse yourself in this extraordinary world of animation and let the adventure begin!

1. Spirited Away (2001)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 2h 5m
  • Rating: PG (Some Scary Moments)
  • Genre:  Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Studio: Ghibli 
  • Director: Hayao Miyazaki
  • IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

During her family’s move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, a world where humans are changed into beasts, and she must use all her wits in order to free herself and her parents.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away is a beloved anime film that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Like every Miyazaki picture, It mesmerizes audiences with its enchanting and dream-like world, brought to life through fascinating animation and painterly backgrounds and characters. In addition, this children’s movie possesses a magical and mature essence that appeals to audiences of all ages.

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 2h 14m
  • Rating: PG-13 (Images of Violence and Gore)
  • Genre:  Action, Adventure
  • Studio: Ghibli
  • Director: Hayao Miyazaki
  • IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami’s curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest, he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.

This movie stands as a landmark in the world of animation, featuring an epic story accompanied by breathtaking visuals. The animation is beautifully crafted, complemented by a mature and charming score. The tale is so uniquely suited to animation that no other medium could do it justice, making it a beautiful piece of art that offers both wild entertainment and profound storytelling.

3. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 2h
  • Rating: PG
  • Genre:  Kid & Family, Adventure
  • Studio: Ghibli
  • Director: Hayao Miyazaki
  • IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Sophie has an uneventful life at her late father’s hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl, who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.

A delightful animated film that captivates viewers’ imagination on multiple levels. Miyazaki’s wondrous world is vividly presented again by stunning animation and intriguing characters. It’s a treat for children with its fantastical story and has the power to touch the hearts and minds of older viewers too. Beyond the narrative lies genuine emotion, beauty, and a profound meditation on age and love.

4. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 1h 34m
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Genre:  Comedy, Romantic Comedy
  • Studio: Science Saru
  • Director: Masaaki Yuasa
  • IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

A comedy about one epic night in Kyoto. A college sophomore goes on a series of encounters with the local nightlife.

The film’s distinctive animation style sets it apart as a fascinating work of art that deeply connects with fans of unconventional anime. It is a fever dream portrayed with vigor and confidence, weaving a humorous and imaginative romantic narrative while celebrating the inexhaustible energy of youth.

5. Belle (2021)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 2h 2m
  • Rating: PG (Language|Brief Suggestive Material|Thematic Content|Violence)
  • Genre:  Kid & Family, Fantasy & Sci-Fi, Adventure
  • Studio: Chizu
  • Director: Mamoru Hosoda
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.

This film is a beautiful modern take on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. With its excellent technique, splendid presentation, and fascinating soundtracks, it creates a deeply emotional cinematic experience. Among the best animated films of 2021, it’s a must-watch for animation enthusiasts.

6. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 2h 17m
  • Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Violent Action|Partial Nudity)
  • Genre:  Kids & Family, Drama, Fantasy
  • Studio: Ghibli
  • Director: Isao Takahata
  • IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her and orders her suitors to prove their love by completing a series of near-impossible tasks. But ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.

This film is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted in every aspect of its narrative. The slow and leisurely rhythm beautifully accentuates its exceptional artistry, embracing the sketchy, impressionistic, and painterly qualities of animation that are often overshadowed by CGI.

7. Promare (2019)

  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 1h 52m
  • Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence and Language)
  • Genre:  Action, Adventure, Epic Battles
  • Studio: Sanzigen, XFLAG, Trigger
  • Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
  • IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

Thirty years have passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants appears, a battle begins.

Promare is a film that defies expectations, offering a visually dazzling and narratively exhilarating experience. With its vibrant colors and thrilling storyline, it’s a rollercoaster ride that will captivate both adult anime enthusiasts and the targeted teenage audience.

8. Ninja Kamui (2024-)

Ninja Kamui

  • Type: Anime Series
  • Episodes: 13
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Genre:  Action, Crime
  • Studio: E&H Production
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

After his family was murdered by masked assailants, former ninja Joe Logan is approached by FBI agents to help find the people responsible. Though the organization will never stop hunting him, Joe will have revenge for his family at any cost.

Ninja Kamui burst onto the anime scene with a captivating premiere episode, leaving fans eager for more. While the series’ momentum dipped somewhat as it progressed, it remained a solid action-packed title. The show consistently delivers thrilling fights, impressive animation, and a compelling revenge narrative.

9. Tokyo Revengers (2021-) – Left

  • Type: Anime Series
  • Episodes: 24
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Genre:  Action, Adventure
  • Studio: LIDENFILMS
  • IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Hanagaki Takemichi lives an unsatisfying life right up until his death. Waking up 12 years in the past, he reckons with the eventual fate of his friends and tries to prevent an unfortunate future.

Tokyo Revengers, one of HBO Max’s most popular anime series and the anticipated shonen anime adaptation, gained significant attention during its publication. This anime series weaves together the threads of excitement, mystery, and heartwarming connections with a time travel and gang conflict twist.

10. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy (2021-) – Left

  • Type: Anime Series
  • Episodes: 12
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Genre:  Action, Adventure, Isekai
  • Studio: C2C
  • IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

A normal kid Makoto Misumi, after being transported to a fantasy world to serve as its hero, is cut loose when the world’s unnamed goddess decides he doesn’t measure up to her standards of beauty and casts him off to the wilderness.

Embark on a fantastical journey beyond imagination as we follow Makoto’s uncharted path of self-discovery in this mesmerizing Isekai anime. The series unveils a captivating world-building experience, where a kaleidoscope of creatures and non-human tribes come to life, inviting viewers into an extraordinary realm filled with enchantment and excitement.

11. Noblesse (2020-) – Left

  • Type: Anime Series
  • Episodes: 13
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Genre:  Action, Adventure, Magic
  • Studio: Production I.G
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Raizel awakens from his 820-year slumber, holding the title of Noblesse, a pure-blooded Noble and protector of all other Nobles. While starting a new life as a student in a high school founded by his loyal servant, Frankenstein, his peaceful days with other human students are soon interrupted by mysterious attackers known as the “Unions”.

This anime is a successful adaptation of the South Korean webtoon under the same name. It has become one of HBO Max’s best low-investment choices.

How to download and save your favorite HBO Max Anime?

It has been a turbulent year for HBO Max, leading to a slight streamlining of its library. Unfortunately, the anime section of the platform has been affected, with only six anime shows currently available. But they still have a vast library of anime movies for users to enjoy. However, if your beloved anime is about to leave the platform, the best option to save them is to download HBO Max anime titles to MP4 with Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader.

Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader is a professional Max video downloader that supports downloading Max movies and TV shows in HD quality. What’s more, it can download videos from HBO Max via name search and URL recognition. Additionally, Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader can save the subtitles and audio tracks in multilingual languages at the same time, so you don’t need to worry about language barriers at all. It gives you the options of three kinds of subtitles: External subtitles, Internal subtitles, and Hardcore subtitles.

With the assistance of Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader, you can not only save HBO Max videos forever but also watch them on any TV and other supported devices freely. 

Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader

  • Download Max Video movies & TV shows on Windows/Mac.
  • Download Max Video in MP4 Format.
  • Keep Audio & subtitles
  • Remove HBO Max ads
  • Fast downloading speed.

Here are the steps on how to Download HBO Max Movies and TV Shows.

Step 1. Run Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader on your computer

Download, install, and launch Pazu HBO Max Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows. Log in to your HBO Max account.

Click the key icon and enter your registration code to unlock the full version if you have purchased a license. If you haven’t, go ahead with the free trial version.

HBO Max Video Downloader

Step 2. Search HBO Max movies/TV shows to download

Search the shows and movies you want to download. Enter the movie/TV show title in the search field.

You will get the same results as you search from the HBO Max website or app as HBO Max Video Downloader features a powerful HBO Max search engine.

Or copy and paste the link of the movie/TV show from the HBO Max website. Then click the Search icon.

HBO Max Video Downloader

Step 3. Choose video format/quality

After selecting the movie or TV show you want to download, you need to select the video format, codec, audio and subtitle languages, output folder, etc. by clicking on the setting icon.

  • Video format: MP4 or MKV
  • Video codec: H264 or H265
  • Audio language: English, Deutsch, Español, Français, 日本語, 简体中文.
  • Subtitle language: English, Deutsch, Español, Français, 日本語, 简体中文.
  • Subtitle type: Embedded subtitles, Hardcode subtitles, Independent subtitles
  • After converting: Open the output folder or put the computer to sleep.
  • Interface language: English, Deutsch, Español, Français, 日本語, 简体中文.
HBO Max to MP4

Step 4. Start downloading HBO Max movies and TV shows

You can start downloading by clicking on the downloading icon along the side of the TV show or movie.

If your selection is a movie, click the icon next to it and the downloading begins.

After the movie is downloaded, click the History button to quickly locate it. 

If your selection is a TV show, click the icon next to it to select episodes you want to download.

Before downloading, you can also choose subtitles and audio tracks for each episode.

Click “OK” to close the Audio/Subtitle Windows and then click “Download” to start downloading the episodes you choose.

download HBO Max to MP4

You can also change the subtitle and audio track by clicking on the gear-like icon.

change subtitle and audio track

After conversion, you will find the TV show episodes in MP4 format in the output folder without ads. To see all the downloaded items, go to the History tab.

download HBO Max movie to MP4