Best Anime on DVD and Blu-ray: 12 Picks for Every Fan

Streaming services add and remove anime all the time, and a show you love can vanish from your favorite app overnight. That is why so many fans are going back to discs. If you own it, you can watch it whenever you want, in the best quality, with the dub or the subtitles you prefer.

This guide picks the best anime on DVD and Blu-ray for every kind of viewer. You will find award-winning films, long-running action series, classic 90s shows and anime box sets worth keeping on your shelf. For each pick, we explain who it is for, what is on the disc and where to start.

Quick answer: The best anime on DVD for most people starts with Spirited Away on Blu-ray + DVD, My Hero Academia Season One on Blu-ray, and One Piece Collection One. For classic fans, Magic Knight Rayearth Complete Collection is a full series in one box. For action, start with Dragon Ball Z Season 7 or Battle of Gods.

How We Chose the Best Anime on DVD and Blu-ray

There are thousands of anime releases, so we kept the list focused. Every pick here had to meet a few simple tests:

• Easy to start. You should be able to begin with the disc on this list without needing earlier seasons.
• Good value. Either a full story in one set, or a strong first season that tells you if you will love the rest.
• North American releases. Discs made for US players, so you will not run into region problems.
• Range. A mix of films and series, new and classic, so there is something for every taste.

All the titles below are available in our store at the time of writing. Stock on anime changes fast, so if something is out of stock, it may still be orderable with a longer delivery time.

The Best Anime on DVD at a Glance

Title	Type	Format	Best for
Spirited Away	Film	Blu-ray + DVD	Everyone, first-time viewers
Tokyo Godfathers	Film	DVD	Adults, holiday viewing
My Hero Academia Season One	Series	Blu-ray	Superhero fans, teens
One Piece Collection One	Series	DVD	Adventure fans, long-haul viewers
Dragon Ball Z Season 7	Series	Blu-ray	Action fans
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods	Film	DVD	Returning DBZ fans
Magic Knight Rayearth	Complete series	DVD	Classic 90s fans
Voltron Collection One	Series	Blu-ray	Retro mecha fans
Love Hina Vol. 1	Series	DVD	Comedy and romance fans

Best Anime Films on DVD and Blu-ray

If you are new to anime, a film is the easiest place to start. You get a complete story in two hours, with the biggest budgets and the best animation the industry produces.

1. Spirited Away (Blu-ray + DVD)

Spirited Away is Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. A ten-year-old girl named Chihiro wanders into a world of spirits and must work in a magical bathhouse to save her parents. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it is still one of the most loved animated films ever made. You can read more about its history on Wikipedia.

The Blu-ray + DVD combo gives you the film in high definition plus a DVD copy for a second room or a car player. If you only buy one item from this list of the best anime on DVD, make it this one. It works for kids, adults and people who say they “do not watch anime.”

2. Tokyo Godfathers (DVD)

Satoshi Kon’s Tokyo Godfathers (2003) follows three homeless people in Tokyo who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and set out to find her parents. It is funny, warm and full of coincidences that build to a great ending. It also proves that anime does not need giant robots or magic to work.

The Tokyo Godfathers DVD is one of the best value titles in our anime section, and it makes a great holiday movie for adults who want something different.

3. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (DVD)

Battle of Gods (2013) was the first new Dragon Ball film in 17 years, and series creator Akira Toriyama was closely involved. Set after the defeat of Majin Buu, it introduces Beerus, the God of Destruction, who wakes up looking for a worthy opponent. It is lighter and funnier than most DBZ films, with a fight that changes the series for good.

Pick up the Battle of Gods uncut edition if you grew up with Dragon Ball Z and want a fun way back in.

4. Dragon Ball Z Movie 7: Super Android 13 (DVD)

For classic DBZ, Super Android 13 is a fan favorite from 1992. At about 46 minutes, it is short, packed with action and easy to watch in one sitting. Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and Trunks face three new androids built by Dr. Gero’s computer.

Best Anime Series to Start on Disc

Series are where anime on disc really pays off. A season set gives you hours of story, and you never have to worry about it leaving a streaming catalog. These are the best starting points.

5. My Hero Academia Season One (Blu-ray)

My Hero Academia, from studio Bones, is one of the biggest anime of the last decade. In a world where most people are born with a superpower called a Quirk, Izuku Midoriya is born with none. Then he meets All Might, the greatest hero alive, and everything changes.

The Season One anime Blu-ray holds the first 13 episodes. It is a short, tight start that hooks most viewers fast. When you finish, continue with Season Two Part One, which covers the Sports Festival arc, and then Season Two Part Two, where the students begin their first hero internships.

6. One Piece Collection One (DVD)

One Piece is the longest-running hit on this list, with more than a thousand episodes. Collection One covers episodes 1 to 26, where Monkey D. Luffy sets out to become King of the Pirates and meets the first members of his crew.

It looks like a big commitment, but the story is told in clear arcs and the early sets are very good value. Start with One Piece Collection One, and use our guide to One Piece collections in order to see which set comes next.

7. Dragon Ball Z Season 7 (Blu-ray)

Season 7 of Dragon Ball Z picks up seven years after the Cell Games. It holds 25 episodes, covering the Other World Tournament, Gohan’s high school life as the Great Saiyaman, and the start of a new World Martial Arts Tournament. This is the beginning of the Buu Saga, one of the most popular stretches of the whole show.

The DBZ Season 7 anime Blu-ray is a great pick for fans who already know the early story and want to jump to the lighter, funnier opening of the final saga.

Classic Anime Box Sets and Volumes

Older anime has a special place on disc. Many 80s and 90s shows never made it to streaming, or only appear for short periods. A disc is often the only reliable way to own them. These are our favorite classic anime box sets and single volumes in stock.

8. Magic Knight Rayearth Complete Collection (DVD)

Created by the manga group CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth follows three schoolgirls, Hikaru, Umi and Fuu, who are pulled from a field trip in Tokyo into the magical world of Cephiro. What starts as a simple fantasy quest turns into a darker, more emotional story than most fans expect.

The Complete Collection is one of the best anime box sets for 90s fans. It holds the whole series across 10 discs, with a total run time of over 18 hours, released by Discotek Media in 2017.

9. Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Collection One (Blu-ray)

Voltron was many American kids’ first taste of anime in the 1980s. The show was adapted from the Japanese series Beast King GoLion, and it follows five pilots whose robot lions combine into one giant robot. Collection One: Blue Lion brings the classic episodes to Blu-ray, which makes it a fun nostalgia gift.

10. Love Hina, Volume 1 (DVD)

Based on Ken Akamatsu’s manga, Love Hina is a romantic comedy about Keitaro Urashima, a young man who promised a childhood friend they would attend Tokyo University together. He ends up managing an all-girls dorm while trying to pass the entrance exam. Volume 1 holds episodes 1 to 4 and is a cheap way to see if the show is for you.

11. Chobits, Volume 2 (DVD)

Another CLAMP story, Chobits is about a student named Hideki who finds a humanoid computer, called a persocom, in the trash and names her Chi. It is sweet, odd and more thoughtful than it first looks. We currently have Volume 2: The Empty City, which is ideal if you are filling a gap in your set.

12. Battle Athletes Victory, Volume 1 (DVD)

This 90s series is a sports anime set in space. Akari Kanzaki trains to compete for the title of “Cosmic Beauty,” the greatest athlete in the solar system. Volume 1: Training is a fun, upbeat pick for fans of underdog sports stories.

Bonus pick for mecha fans: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Blu-ray)

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is a Sunrise series about Celestial Being, a private group that uses Gundam mobile suits to try to end war by force. If you love mecha, it is one of the most approachable Gundam shows. Check the Gundam 00 Blu-ray listing for the exact episodes, region and language options before you order, since some Gundam releases are Japanese imports.

Anime Blu-ray or DVD: Which Should You Buy?

For anime made in the last 15 years, an anime Blu-ray is usually worth the extra cost. Modern shows are produced in HD, and an anime Blu-ray shows clean lines and bright colors with far less blur than DVD. Action scenes in series like My Hero Academia look noticeably sharper.

For older anime made for standard TV, DVD is often fine. Shows like Love Hina and Battle Athletes Victory were made for standard definition, so a DVD shows them close to how they first aired. DVD is also cheaper and plays in almost any player.

Combo packs, like the Spirited Away Blu-ray + DVD, give you both, which is why they rank among the best anime on DVD for families with more than one player. For a full breakdown of picture quality, price and players, see our DVD vs Blu-ray guide.

Sub or Dub? What Is on the Disc

One big reason fans buy anime on disc is choice. Most North American releases include both the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and an English dub. You can switch between them from the menu at any time, and the subtitles are often more accurate than the ones on streaming apps.

Older releases can be different. Some 90s DVDs have subtitles that cannot be turned off, or only one language track. Before you buy classic anime box sets, check the product description or the back cover for the audio and subtitle list.

Will Anime Discs Play on My Player?

Apart from the Gundam bonus pick, which you should check first, the discs on this list are North American releases made for standard US players. Problems only start if you import. Japanese DVDs are Region 2, so they will not play on a US DVD player. Japanese Blu-rays are Region A, the same as the US, so they usually will.

Imported anime from Japan is also expensive and often has no English subtitles, so most fans stick with US editions. For the full explanation, read our guide to DVD region codes.

Tips for Buying Anime Box Sets

Anime releases come in many forms: single volumes, half-season parts, full seasons and complete series. Here is how to buy anime box sets smart and get the best anime on DVD for your money.

• Count the episodes. Two sets with the same price can hold very different amounts. Check the episode range on the listing.
• Watch for “Part One” and “Part Two”. Many anime seasons are split into two sets. You need both for the full season.
• Buy out-of-print titles when you see them. Anime licenses expire, and some sets are never reprinted. Prices for rare anime box sets often go up over time.
• Check uncut vs edited. Some older releases, especially Dragon Ball Z, exist in both edited TV versions and uncut versions. Collectors usually prefer uncut.
• Plan the shelf. Long series like One Piece take up a lot of space. Our DVD storage ideas help you keep big runs organized.

If a disc in your collection starts to skip, our guide on how to fix a scratched DVD covers safe fixes. And if you are shopping for someone else, see our list of gifts for movie lovers.

Why Own Anime on Disc at All?

Streaming is convenient, but anime fans feel its downsides more than most. Shows move between services, older series disappear, and dubs or subtitle tracks can change without notice. Some classic titles are not streaming anywhere.

When you own the best anime on DVD or Blu-ray, none of that matters. You get the full show, the extras, both audio tracks, and a copy that works without the internet. We explain the wider trade-offs in physical media vs streaming, and you can read about how the anime home video market works at Anime News Network.

Best Anime on DVD by Age and Taste

Not every pick suits every viewer. Here is a quick way to match the best anime on DVD and Blu-ray to the person watching.

• Young kids: Spirited Away and Voltron. Both are exciting without being too intense for family viewing.
• Teens: My Hero Academia and One Piece. The anime Blu-ray of My Hero Academia is the strongest first pick for this age.
• Adults new to anime: Tokyo Godfathers and Spirited Away. Both feel like great films first and anime second.
• Action fans: Dragon Ball Z Season 7, Battle of Gods and Super Android 13.
• Classic and nostalgia fans: Magic Knight Rayearth, Love Hina, Chobits and Battle Athletes Victory, the classic anime box sets and volumes on this list.

Building an Anime Collection on a Budget

You do not need to spend a lot to start a great shelf. The best anime on DVD is often cheaper than you expect, because older releases and single volumes sell for less than new anime Blu-ray sets.

Start with one film and one series. A combo like Spirited Away plus My Hero Academia Season One gives you a complete story and a show to continue, and it crosses the $50 free shipping line. From there, add one season or volume at a time. Long shows like One Piece and Dragon Ball Z are easier to collect slowly, and you will always know which set comes next.

Look for complete collections when you can. Anime box sets that hold a whole series, like Magic Knight Rayearth, usually cost less per episode than buying the same show volume by volume. When a rare set appears in stock, it is often worth grabbing before it goes out of print. For more long shows worth owning, see our guide to TV series box sets.

Best Anime on DVD FAQ

What is the best anime on DVD for beginners?

Spirited Away is the easiest first pick. It is a complete story, it has an excellent English dub, and it appeals to people who do not usually watch anime.

Is anime Blu-ray better than DVD?

For modern shows, yes. Anime made in HD looks much sharper on Blu-ray. For older shows made for standard TV, the difference is smaller and DVD is often fine.

Do anime DVDs have English dubs?

Most North American releases include both an English dub and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Some older discs have only one, so check the listing.

Where should I start with One Piece on DVD?

Start with Collection One, which holds episodes 1 to 26, and continue in number order.

Are anime box sets worth it?

Yes, especially complete series like Magic Knight Rayearth. You get the whole story in one purchase, and out-of-print anime box sets often become hard to find.

Final Thoughts

The best anime on DVD and Blu-ray depends on what you love. For a single film, start with Spirited Away. For a series to grow with, My Hero Academia and One Piece are easy starts. For nostalgia, Magic Knight Rayearth, Voltron and Love Hina bring back the classic era.

Browse the full range in our DVD and Blu-ray catalog. Orders over $50 ship free, which makes it easy to pick up a season set and a film together.