An investigation into missing children, the approaching end of the world, and a chance to start a new life.
Sometimes you want to watch anime, but the number of episodes scares you. Not everyone likes long stories where there are many characters and the lore is carefully revealed.
This is where titles with a small number of episodes come to the rescue. They are enough to relax in the evening or to occupy your free time on the weekend.
1. The Tatami Galaxy, 2010
IMDb Score: 8.4
A sophomore at Tokyo University has come to a strange conclusion: his life is irrevocably ruined. He is disappointed by the club he attends, a close friend has shown his true colors, and the guy has no one else. His former friend even stole the girl the student really liked.
But life is fair to everyone, albeit in its own way. The main character gets another chance at happiness when he meets a real god in a back alley.
2. Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song, 2021
IMDb Score: 7.9
NiaLand is a fairytale kingdom of the future, where dreams and science meet. It is here that Diva performs – a unique humanoid, indistinguishable from a human. Her sole purpose in life is to sing and entertain.
But Diva's performances have not resonated with the hearts of the people. She sings on stage every day and delights her one and only fan, who calls her Vivy. Before her next performance, a strange AI named Matsumoto connects with Diva. He claims that the end of humanity is near, and only Vivy can save it.
3. Baccano!, 2007-2008
IMDb Score: 8.2
The 1930s, Chicago. The train leaves the city and becomes a battleground for two different gangs. The confused passengers are caught in the crossfire, and the train itself has turned into a bloody arrow, leaving a red trail almost across the country.
At the same time, in New York, a scientist and his assistant try to find bottles of immortality potion, and local Mafia clans declare war on each other. Events that have nothing in common will turn out to be links in a long chain in the future.
4. Erased, 2016
IMDb Score: 8.4
Artist Satoru has an unusual ability: when disaster strikes before his eyes, he can briefly rewind time and prevent the catastrophe.
But when Satoru's mother is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect, mysterious forces transfer him back to 1988, when several children in his hometown and the surrounding area disappeared.
Realizing that the kidnappings are connected to his mother's death, Satoru decides to save the children at all costs. Not an easy task for an elementary school student, even armed with knowledge of the future.
5. Angel Beats!, 2010
IMDb Score: 7.6
Is death the end? Or does the human journey continue beyond it? Many people ask this question, but not everyone gets the answer.
Yuzuru Otonashi wakes up in an unknown place and tries to remember at least something about himself. A strange schoolgirl, Yuri Nakamura, comes to him with strange news: the man is dead.
The girl holds a rifle in her hands and points it at a silent person standing next to the main character. What is happening? Is Yuzuru really dead or has he become the victim of a cruel joke?