These are the anime that actually delivered in 1997. Every score here comes from fans rating each episode as it aired, so a strong premiere can't carry a weak finale. The ranking updates weekly. Filter by Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, or see what's airing this week.
All Seasons 1997
WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
Ranked by fans who actually watched every episode.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Princess Mononoke
Case Closed Movie 01: The Time Bombed Skyscraper
Berserk
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Pokémon
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle
Tokyo Pig
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Spooky Kitaro: The Obake Nighter
Kikansha Sensei
Gegege no Kitarou: Youkai Tokkyuu! Maboroshi no Kisha
Super Express Hikarian
Ninpen Manmaru
Kishin Douji Zenki Gaiden: Anki Kitan
Hanitarou desu.
Kyuumei Senshi Nanosaver
Azumi Mamma★Mia
Speed Racer X
Bamboo Bears
Crayon Shin-chan: Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness
Hamos: The Green Chariot
Coji-Coji
Samurai X Recap
TWO-MIX: White Reflection
Rurouni Kenshin: Review Special
Super Demon Hero Wataru
Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! WGP Bousou Mini Yonku Daitsuiseki
Bakumatsu no Spasibo
Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy
Cooking Master Boy
Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go WGP
Hareluya II Boy
King of Classroom, Yamazaki
Pokemon: Aki no Special
Jungle Emperor Leo
Hana Yori Dango The Movie
Cutey Honey F
The Dog of Flanders
Hell Teacher Nube: Summer Holiday of Fear! Legend of the Sea of Suspicion
Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Spiral City
Brave Command Dagwon: The Boy with Crystal Eyes
The File of Young Kindaichi
Dr. Slump
In The Beginning: The Bible Stories
Maze: The Mega-Burst Space
Super Fishing Grander Musashi
Flame of Recca
Hell Teacher Nube: 0 a.m. Nube Dead
The Cases of Young Kindaichi: Shinigami Hospital Murder
The Slayers Try
Sore Ike! Anpanman: Niji no Pyramid
Fortune Quest
City Hunter: The Motion Picture
Psycho Diver: Soul Siren
Eat-Man
Cutie Honey F Movie
Rurouni Kenshin: Special Techniques
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Princess Mononoke
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Case Closed Movie 01: The Time Bombed Skyscraper
Berserk
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Pokémon
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle
Tokyo Pig
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Spooky Kitaro: The Obake Nighter
Kikansha Sensei
Gegege no Kitarou: Youkai Tokkyuu! Maboroshi no Kisha
Super Express Hikarian
Ninpen Manmaru
Kishin Douji Zenki Gaiden: Anki Kitan
Hanitarou desu.
Kyuumei Senshi Nanosaver
Azumi Mamma★Mia
Speed Racer X
Bamboo Bears
Crayon Shin-chan: Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness
Hamos: The Green Chariot
Coji-Coji
Samurai X Recap
TWO-MIX: White Reflection
Rurouni Kenshin: Review Special
Super Demon Hero Wataru
Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! WGP Bousou Mini Yonku Daitsuiseki
Bakumatsu no Spasibo
Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy
Cooking Master Boy
Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go WGP
Hareluya II Boy
King of Classroom, Yamazaki
Pokemon: Aki no Special
Jungle Emperor Leo
Hana Yori Dango The Movie
Cutey Honey F
The Dog of Flanders
Hell Teacher Nube: Summer Holiday of Fear! Legend of the Sea of Suspicion
Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Spiral City
Brave Command Dagwon: The Boy with Crystal Eyes
The File of Young Kindaichi
Dr. Slump
In The Beginning: The Bible Stories
Maze: The Mega-Burst Space
Super Fishing Grander Musashi
Flame of Recca
Hell Teacher Nube: 0 a.m. Nube Dead
The Cases of Young Kindaichi: Shinigami Hospital Murder
The Slayers Try
Sore Ike! Anpanman: Niji no Pyramid
Fortune Quest
City Hunter: The Motion Picture
Psycho Diver: Soul Siren
Eat-Man
Cutie Honey F Movie
Rurouni Kenshin: Special Techniques
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best anime of 1997 so far?
- The current number one sits at the top of this list, ranked by fans who scored every episode as it aired. The order updates weekly while the season airs.
- How are these rankings decided?
- Fans rate individual episodes, not whole shows. No critic scores, no studio hype. If a show falls apart in its second half, the ranking shows it.