Sometimes, you just want to sit down and finish a whole anime in one day. No long commitment, no hundreds of episodes—just a short, solid story that’s done in one go. If that’s what you’re looking for, here’s a list of anime with around 10 to 15 episodes. Some of them aren’t super popular, so chances are you might not have seen them already. But they’re all exciting and perfect for a quick binge!

1. Charlotte – 13 episodes

At first, Charlotte feels like a fun school anime about teenagers with special powers. The main guy, Yuu, can take over people’s bodies for a few seconds—and he uses that power to cheat in school. But things change when he gets caught and pulled into a group that helps other kids with powers.

What starts off fun gets more emotional and serious as secrets come out. There’s drama, sad moments, some wild twists, and even time travel. It really grows into something deeper than you’d expect. It’s one of those shows that surprises you halfway through.

2. Gangsta. – 12 episodes

Gangsta is set in a rough city full of criminals, mafia groups, and messed-up politics. The story follows two guys—Worick and Nicolas—who take on odd jobs for both the police and the bad guys. Nicolas is deaf, but he’s insanely strong and skilled in combat.

The anime is full of action and dark themes, but the characters feel real and layered. It’s got a gritty vibe and explores the lives of people who live outside the system. The story doesn’t get a proper ending, but it’s still a great, intense ride while it lasts.

3. Insomniacs After School – 13 episodes

This one’s really chill and kind of sweet. Ganta and Isaki are two high school students who both suffer from insomnia. They meet by chance and start hanging out in an old observatory at school. Slowly, they grow closer and decide to bring back the school’s astronomy club.

It’s a quiet slice-of-life anime about connection, growing up, and finding peace. There’s a little bit of romance, but mostly it’s about how these two find comfort in each other during sleepless nights. It’s wholesome, calm, and feels like a warm hug.

4. Ninja Kamui – 13 episodes

This one is more on the action-heavy side. Joe Higan used to be a ninja, but he left that world behind for a peaceful life. That doesn’t last long, though—he’s forced back into his old ways after tragedy strikes, and now he’s out for revenge.

Ninja Kamui is fast-paced, intense, and has some really cool fight scenes. It’s also emotional, because you feel Joe’s pain and anger as he deals with everything that’s been taken from him. If you like brutal action with a bit of heart, give this a shot.

5. Chainsaw Man – 12 episodes

Chainsaw Man is absolutely wild. Denji is a broke teenager who just wants a normal life—food, a roof over his head, and maybe a girlfriend. But after he dies and merges with his pet devil, Pochita, he turns into Chainsaw Man—a guy who fights monsters with chainsaws coming out of his body.

It’s gory, chaotic, and weirdly emotional. Denji’s simple dreams clash with a dark world full of devils and devil hunters. The animation is top-tier, and the characters are super unique. Even if it’s a bit more popular than the rest, it still feels fresh and underrated.

6. Blue Period – 12 episodes

Yatora is a smart, popular student who seems to have it all figured out—but inside, he feels empty. One day, he sees a painting that totally moves him. That one moment leads him to take a leap and start pursuing art, even though it’s a tough and uncertain path.

Blue Period is about trying something new, messing up, getting discouraged, and pushing forward anyway. It shows the pressure of chasing your passion, especially when you’re starting from zero. A slow, emotional story that hits close if you’ve ever chased a creative dream.

7. Call of the Night – 13 episodes

Ko is a teenager who stops going to school and wanders around at night, not really sure what he wants out of life. Then he meets Nazuna, a vampire girl who shows him how fun and freeing the night can be. The more they hang out, the more Ko gets pulled into the world of vampires.

The anime has a super cool nighttime vibe—neon lights, quiet streets, and that calm, dreamy feeling of walking around late at night. It’s a bit romantic, kind of funny, and has its own chill mood that sets it apart from typical vampire shows.

8. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song – 13 episodes

Vivy is an AI built to sing and make people happy. But her life changes when a robot from the future shows up and tells her that in 100 years, there’s going to be a war between humans and AIs—and only she can stop it. So now she’s trying to change the future, one mission at a time.

Each episode or arc feels like a different little story, but they all connect. There’s music, action, and lots of emotional moments. The animation is beautiful, and the idea of an AI learning what it means to “have a heart” hits harder than you’d expect.

9. Mononoke – 12 episodes

This one’s really unique. It follows a mysterious man known only as the “Medicine Seller,” who travels through ancient Japan and gets rid of evil spirits called mononoke. But before he can exorcise them, he has to find out three things: their shape, their truth, and their reason.

The art style is unlike anything else—super colorful and artistic, like traditional Japanese paintings. The stories are eerie, smart, and full of symbolism. It’s a bit more slow and deep, but if you want something that’s totally different and kind of creepy, this is perfect.

10. Deadman Wonderland – 12 episodes

Ganta is just a regular middle school kid—until one day, his whole class gets slaughtered and he’s blamed for it. He’s thrown into a creepy prison called Deadman Wonderland, where prisoners are forced to play deadly games. Oh, and Ganta discovers he now has a strange power involving his blood.

This anime is dark, violent, and intense right from the start. But it also shows the bond between characters who are stuck in a messed-up place and trying to survive. It’s fast, exciting, and has a unique story. Sadly, it ends before the manga does—but it’s still a solid binge.

And that’s the list! Whether you’re into action, drama, romance, or something a little strange, there’s something here for every mood. These short anime are easy to binge, and honestly, sometimes the ones with fewer episodes leave the biggest impact.

So the next time you’re stuck thinking “what should I watch now?”, maybe try one of these. Let me know which one you liked best—or if you have more underrated short anime recommendations, I’d love to hear them too!

Happy watching