The term edgy has gained a negative reputation in the past few years, but these anime series prove that not only is it not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes, it can be great. Edgy anime series can be described as having a dark undertone, a main character much stronger than they let on, and a host of villains unaware of just how strong the protagonist can be.

To be edgy, an anime needs a bit of bleakness. While series like Demon Slayer feature a strong protagonist and a cruel world, they don't have the same sad undertone that defines the series. To be a truly great edgy anime series, the main characters need to have a bit of aura about them. When they walk into a room, they're met by two types of people: people who know just how powerful they are, and people who are about to.

10 Overlord

Animated By Madhouse, Based On The Light Novel By Kugane Maruyama And So-Bin

Overlord is easily one of the best isekai series of all time. Its a series that features a protagonist who finds himself stuck in his favorite video game, a game he has nearly mastered. He's easily the strongest character in the entire world, and while most other characters would use this power to create some sort of justice in their new world, titular overlord Ainz Ooal Gown has other ideas.

Ainz Ooal Gown rules the world through his unmatchable strength. He's rarely merciful, instead choosing to dominate his enemies swiftly and voraciously. Overlord is one of the best edgy anime series because of how straightforward Ainz is in his domination. He's not a villain, but he's certainly no villain. He helps people who deserve it and destroys people who, in his opinion, deserve it as well.

9 The Most Notorious “Talker” Runs The World’s Greatest Clan

Animated By Felix Film, Based On The Light Novel By Jaki And Fame

The Most Notorious “Talker” Runs The World’s Greatest Clan is one of the most straightforward edgy anime series out there. While a lot of the other edgy anime series are only laced with edge, The Most Notorious "Talker" is doused in it. The series stars Noel Stollen, a character bestowed with the worst class in the world: the "Talker" class. This isn't a roadblock to Noel at all, and instead of being held down by his class, he takes its potential to new heights.

The best edgy anime series are defined by darkness, and The Most Notorious "Talker" starts out strong in this aspect. Within the first two episodes of the series, Noel finds out his former clan stole from him and ran off. He then proceeds to sell them into slavery in one of the edgiest, darkest, and absurdly funny moments around.

8 Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Animated By C2C And J.C. Staff, Based On The Light Novel By Kei Azumi And Mitsuaki Matsumoto

Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy is another one of the best isekai series any fan of the genre should check out. The series stars Misumi Makoto as he finds himself transported to another world. He's supposed to be the Hero of the world he finds himself in, but the Goddess who brought him deems him too ugly to be useful, sending him to the furthest ends of the world. Makoto then devotes himself to revenge; he gains the strength and allies necessary to protect himself from the all-powerful Goddess.

Makoto's devotion to revenge, his unreasonable power, and his allies' almost blind loyalty makes Tsukimichi one of the best edgy anime series around. Makoto becomes so powerful that when he trains, his concentration is so powerful that he becomes part of the world's energy, erasing his presence entirely. His allies are also some of Tsukimichi, making everything about Makoto absurd in the best way possible.

7 The Eminence In Shadow

Animated By Nexus, Based On The Light Novel By Daisuke Aizawa And Tōzai

The Eminence in Shadow is one of the funniest isekai series of all time. It might be hard to imagine that an edgy series can also be downright hilarious, and that's what makes The Eminence in Shadow so special. It occupies a space between genres that not many other series can. The series stars Cid Kagenou as he lives as a student by day and transforms into the titular Eminence in Shadow at night, leading a covert army in a fight against evil.

There are several key aspects of an edgy anime series that The Eminence in Shadow knocks out of the park. First, it stars one of the most overpowered characters in anime: Shadow is so strong that even if all the other characters in the series fought him together, they still wouldn't have a chance. It also features a dark undertone perfectly indicative of edgy anime, and a few more pillars that Shadow in all of his edginess.

6 Chainsaw Man

Animated By MAPPA, Based On The Manga By Tatsuki Fujimoto

Chainsaw Man, like The Eminence in Shadow, is somehow equal parts hilarious, bleak, edgy, and action-packed. It's one of the best anime of all time in only 12 episodes, showing just how entertaining Denji and the rest of the Public Safety Devil Hunters are. Chainsaw Man has quickly become one of the most beloved anime series around.

It is currently ranked as the 59th most popular anime of all time on MyAnimeList.com, beating giants like Spy x Family and Soul Eater. Chainsaw Man is edgy because of how deep it is willing to go in its brutality. From the very first episode, Chainsaw Man shows just how far it is willing to go to tell its story, the mark of a truly edgy series. Denji is constantly fighting for his life, getting brutalized, and coming back to do it all again.

5 Baki

Animated By TMS Entertainment, Based On The Manga By Keisuke Itagaki

Baki is one of the most absurd anime series in existence in the best way possible. On its surface, it's a normal fighting anime starring a character who just wants to be stronger than his dad. After just a single episode, however, it is almost too easy to see just how insane the world of Baki can be. There are characters who install grenades into their own wrists, characters who walk right through solid glass, and characters who fight imaginary enemies just to get stronger.

Through all of its absurdities, Baki reigns as one of the best edgy anime series in existence. The main character, Baki, has been through more than most. He was raised by an unloving mother, and later watched his father kill her before his eyes. He then dedicates himself to defeating his father in battle, creating the perfect plan for revenge and cementing the series in the hall-of-fame of edginess.

4 Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest

Animated By Asread, Based On The Light Novel Series By Ryo Shirakome And Takayaki

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest has one of the biggest characteristics of edgy anime right in its title: going from zero to (anti) hero. There aren't many bigger components to a proper edgy anime series than a character starting as the weakest in the world before becoming the "World's Strongest". In Arifureta, the main character starts as a joke to his companions, but he doesn't stay that way.

Hajime quite literally descends to the depths of the new world he finds himself in, and through a combination of luck and sheer willpower, rises back up. He then gains a harem of women who love him almost without reason, another key characteristic of edgy anime. Arifureta is ridiculous in the best way possible, showing that edgy anime doesn't always need to be serious to be great.

3 The Saga Of Tanya The Evil

Animated By NUT, Based On The Light Novel By Carlo Zen And Shinobu Shinotsuki

The Saga of Tanya the Evil is easily one of the most edgy isekai series of all time, and as the series progresses, it only becomes edgier. The main character is Tanya von Degurechaff, a former salaryman in Japan who turned into a little girl in his new life after he was reincarnated into a new world. He blasphemed a creature claiming to be God as he was dying, causing "Being X" to reincarnate the salaryman as Tanya.

Tanya is the brutal leader of a military regiment in her new life. She's so devoted to both the war she finds herself in and her crusade against "Being X" that she doesn't focus on anything else. The Saga of Tanya the Evil is hilarious because of how absurd Tanya is. She even gives one of the best speeches in anime history, blaspheming "Being X", saying to her troops that if there is a God, she'll kill him herself.

2 Classroom Of The Elite

Animated By Lerche, Based On The Light Novel By Shōgo Kinugasa And Shunsaku Tomose

The Classroom of the Elite is almost entirely edgy, and thankfully, the series masters the art of being angsty. The series stars one of the smartest characters in anime, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, as he looks to find someone as smart as him at Japan's most prestigious high school. It's an edgy concept that only gets edgier as the show progresses, showing that edgy anime series don't have to be cringe, and sometimes, they can be in a league of their own.

Most of the series is pretty straightforward, but Ayanokoji's ability to think several steps ahead of everyone around him cements The Classroom of the Elite as one of the best edgy anime series ever. Ayanokoji isn't only smart; he's also an expert fighter. Ayanokoji's ever-growing list of hidden talents is another reason why Classroom of the Elite is both a top-tier anime and an exceptional edgy example.

1 Solo Leveling

Animated By A-1 Pictures, Based On The Web Novel By Chugong

In just two seasons, Solo Leveling has already become one of the greatest anime series of all time. The first season of the hit show broke an insane number of records, and somehow, the second season went on to break those too. Solo Leveling is so wonderfully edgy, it gives hope to every other series that wants to be edgy as well.

The series stars Sung Jinwoo as the only character who can get stronger, and while he starts the series as the literal weakest character in the world, he quickly becomes one of Solo Leveling. Not only is Jinwoo head and shoulders above everyone else, but he radiates aura like the sun radiates light.

Sung Jinwoo is beyond cool. He's an incredible fighter, an exceptional son, and someone willing to stand up for his friends when they need him most. This combination of character traits makes Solo Leveling an amazing edgy series that redefines the word within anime, showing that even edgy series can be some of the greatest ever.