12 Episode Anime - Marathon and Save the Weekend!

Short animes, with only 12 episodes, are an excellent option for those who want to dive into this world, but without the commitment of long seasons that might scare viewers away. Yes, One Piece, we're talking about you.

Unfortunately, not all of these animes manage to tell exciting stories, with well-developed characters and deep plots - after all, 12 20-minute episodes is very little time. However, today, we're going to explore some less popular, but still well-rated options, which are perfect for binge-watching and making the most of a weekend. In other words, they yes can get you involved in the narrative!

To select these animes, we usually use the ratings from MyAnimeList, IMDb and Metacritic (when available), offering a final average to make the choice easier. But this time we're not looking for the best-rated ones, just giving good recommendations and looking for animes that aren't extremely popular. Therefore, we will only leave the MAL rating, which we consider to be the most relevant.

In addition, we have included a variety of genres, from thrillers to comedies, to ensure that everyone will find something that suits them.

Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)

Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Drama, Suspense

MyAnimeList: 8.30

Synopsis: Erased follows the life of Satoru Fujinuma, a man with the ability to "relive" past moments and prevent tragedies. When his mother is brutally murdered, he is suddenly transported 18 years into the past, reliving his childhood.

Determined to save his mother, he realizes that the key to solving the mystery lies in the disappearance of a classmate. The anime perfectly combines mystery and suspense with emotional moments that make the viewer attach themselves to the characters.

The plot is full of twists and turns, and the way the past and present connect is extremely well executed.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life

MyAnimeList: 8.30

Synopsis: Anohana tells the story of a group of friends who drifted apart after the death of a childhood friend, Menma. Years later, Menma's spirit returns to ask for help from Jinta, the former leader of the group, to fulfill one last wish.

The anime delves deeply into themes of grief, guilt, and reconciliation as the friends come together to confront the ghosts of their past. Each character is well-developed, and the narrative is touching and sensitive, exploring the emotional impact that loss can have on human relationships.

Anohana stands out for its simplicity and the touching way it treats friendship and forgiveness.

Barakamon

Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama

MyAnimeList: 8.37

Synopsis: Barakamon is a delightful mix of comedy and drama, telling the story of Seishuu Handa, a young calligrapher who, after losing control and attacking a critic, is sent to a small island to reflect on his mistakes. There, he finds a local community full of eccentric characters who help him rediscover the true essence of art and, in the process, find a new purpose for his life.

The anime is light and fun, but also deep, highlighting the importance of accepting criticism and growing from it. Handa's interactions with the island's children, especially the energetic Naru, bring moments of pure humor and heart.

Terror in Resonance (Zankyou no Terror)

Genre: Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Psychological

MyAnimeList: 8.08

Synopsis: Terror in Resonance introduces us to a Tokyo shaken by a series of terrorist attacks organized by two young men who call themselves "Nine" and "Twelve".

At first glance, their actions seem chaotic, but as the plot unfolds, we realize that they have a greater purpose: to expose a dark secret of the Japanese government.

The series is a psychological thriller that discusses complex moral issues, such as terrorism and justice. Additionally, Shinichiro Watanabe's stylized direction, combined with Yoko Kanno's atmospheric soundtrack, creates a unique and immersive experience.

Madoka Magica (Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica)

Genre: Action, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

MyAnimeList: 8.37

Synopsis: In Madoka Magica, what starts out as a typical magical girl story quickly turns into a dark and psychological tale. Madoka Kaname is an ordinary girl who, along with her friend Sayaka, is offered the chance to become a magical girl and fight evil creatures. However, throughout the series, she discovers that this power comes at a terrible price.

The anime has been praised for subverting the magical girl genre and for bringing a narrative full of unexpected twists and dark moments. The animation quality and unique art design are highlights, complementing the intense and emotional plot.

Death Parade

Genre: Psychological, Drama, Supernatural, Mystery

MyAnimeList: 8.14

Synopsis: Death Parade takes place in a mysterious bar called Quindecim, where recently deceased souls are forced to participate in games to determine the fate of their souls: reincarnation or condemnation to the void. The bartender, Decim, is responsible for judging these souls based on their actions during the games.

Each episode explores human nature and the moral dilemmas that arise in moments of extreme stress. The anime stands out for its originality and the way it addresses profound questions about life, death, and justice. The soundtrack and dark atmosphere add even more depth to the narrative.

Mawaru Penguindrum

Genre: Drama, Supernatural, Psychological, Mystery

MyAnimeList: 7.93

Synopsis: When Himari, the sister of brothers Kanba and Shouma, is diagnosed with a terminal illness, they receive a visit from a mysterious spirit who offers them a chance to save her. To do so, they must find the mysterious Penguindrum.

Mawaru Penguindrum is an anime that stands out for its symbolic and surrealist narrative, exploring themes such as destiny, sacrifice and the complexities of family relationships. The series is full of metaphors and demands careful analysis, making it a rich and unique experience for viewers who enjoy a more dense story.

Plastic Memories

Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi

MyAnimeList: 7.91

Synopsis: Plastic Memories is set in a future where androids called "Giftias" coexist with humans, but with a limited lifespan. As the androids near their end, the Terminal Service corporation steps in to collect them before they become unstable.

The protagonist, Tsukasa, is a new employee at the company and falls in love with Isla, a Giftia who is close to being deactivated. The anime explores themes of loss, love, and the ephemerality of life, with a touching and emotional narrative that will surely leave viewers reflecting on the impermanence of things.

The Devil is a Part-Timer! (Hataraku Maou-sama!)

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Action

MyAnimeList: 7.72

Synopsis: The Devil is a Part-Timer! is a comedy that follows Sadao Maou, the Demon King from another world, who ends up being transported to modern Japan and, without his powers, is forced to work at a fast food chain to survive. With his faithful assistant, he tries to adapt to ordinary life, while old enemies emerge to complicate things.

The anime is known for its sharp humor and its comical situations involving the culture shock of an all-powerful being trying to survive as a simple employee. The series is light, fun and perfect for those who want something light-hearted.

Beastars (Season 1)

Genre: Drama, Psychological, Romance

MyAnimeList: 7.81

Synopsis: Beastars is set in a world where anthropomorphic animals coexist, but with a strong division between predators and prey. The protagonist, Legoshi, is a gentle wolf who struggles with his carnivorous instincts, while also falling in love with a rabbit named Haru.

The anime addresses issues such as prejudice, identity, and acceptance, all while exploring the complexity of its characters' emotions.

With well-executed 3D animation and a mature narrative, Beastars stands out for its originality and the way it discusses social issues through a fantasy universe.

The Promised Neverland (Season 1)

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Drama

MyAnimeList: 8.49

Synopsis: In the first season of The Promised Neverland, we follow the lives of children living in a seemingly perfect orphanage. However, Emma, ​​Norman, and Ray discover a dark secret: the orphanage is actually a farm for monstrous creatures, and the children are the "livestock."

The trio then devises a plan to escape and save themselves and their friends. The anime has been widely praised for its tense narrative and constant suspense that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat.

The surprising twists and turns and the development of the young but courageous characters are some of the strongest points of this work.

Let's start the conclusion by assuming the responsibility that theoretically some of these animes have more than 12 episodes due to the number of seasons, but we want to make it clear that the recommendation in these cases is for the first season, since these have the correct number of episodes and can be watched easily, except for Promised Neverland - do not watch season 2 of this anime.

That said, these 12-episode animes prove that a long duration is not necessary to tell captivating and impactful stories. Each of these works brings a unique experience, whether in suspense, drama or comedy, and are perfect for those looking for something short, but that leaves a lasting impression.

If you haven't seen any of these yet, now is the time to binge-watch! And if you've already seen them all, tell us what else should be on the list! We love receiving recommendations too!