The action genre is one of the most popular and accessible types of entertainment across every medium, from Hollywood movies to cartoons, and the same is also true of anime. In 2017, studios released a plethora of titles that feature the main character facing an enormous challenge that tests their physical and mental capacity to an extreme and barely reachable point. So, we have found the best action anime of this past year that have showcased such incredible feats.

Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga





Taking place right after the events of the first season, Kyoto Saga follows Rin Okumura as he tries to gain the trust back from his classmates. The journey to recover these friendships leads him on a dangerous path from which he may never return.

Unlike its first season, the Kyoto Saga Arc follows the manga more closely and focuses on the fractured relationships between Rin and his classmates. The series valued the bond between Satan’s son and the Exwires, without neglecting essential action sequences that make the Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga one of the best action anime of 2017.

Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond





The sequel to the highly-anticipated Blood Blockade Battlefront, finally arrived this year, picking up where it left off from the previous season. And although the season hasn’t finished airing yet, so far, it’s nearing the peak of awesomeness with no chance of faltering

Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond is a world of its own with tons of characters and personalities waiting to be explored. Due to the wild bunch of crazy, over-the-top, and eccentric characters, such as Klaus and Zapp, BBBB may never come to an end. Based on this, the series has a lot of stories and angles yet to explore.

Gintama Season 5 and 6





If it ain’t broke, why fix it? And so is the case with Gintama. The action series has lasted this long for many reasons, one of which being that Gintama doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The fantasy world where Gintama takes place allows the characters to roam wild and go on fun adventures without consequences. However, on the occasion when it’s time to take a serious approach, it does an outstanding job of keeping viewers engaged.

The King’s Avatar





Although not technically anime, The King’s Avatar from the Chinese-based production company G.CMay Animation & Film captures the essence of Japanese animation. The 12-episode action anime series follows Ye Xiu a popular online gamer whose pro league team forces him into retirement. However, this enforced seclusion doesn’t last long as he creates a new character to once again battle it out in the online multiplayer game, Glory.

The King’s Avatar is one of the few Chinese anime series that have made a significant impression in the anime community outside of China. And although the series gives off a vibe of isekai (another world), like Sword Art Online and Log Horizon, The King’s Avatar is far from of it. There are no particular devices that immerse the player in the game, but rather, we get to see how they see themselves and the game’s surroundings.

Kizumonogatari III: Reiketsu-hen





Part of the Monogatari series of light novels written by Nisio Isin, Reiketsu-hen is the final part of the Kizumonogatari film series. Once again, we follow Koyomi Araragi as he and Kiss-shot battle it out with other vampires to end this horrible wound story.

While we know that the journey of Araragi comes to an end in Owarimonogatari, it’s enjoyable to watch a dark, intense and ambiguous story arc that the series is known for. In an hour and a half, the film manages to visually capture the complexity of human – and vampire – emotions with its dark color scheme and musical score. For illustrating the intricacies of the character and staying true to its own arc without separating itself too much from the main series, Kizumonogatari is one of the best action anime of 2017.