Best Action Anime of 2003

Edward Elric is a gifted young alchemist who, at age twelve, suffers devastating losses. When he and his brother Alphonse attempt to bring their deceased mother back using the forbidden technique of human transmutation, Edward loses both his brother and two of his own limbs. Using his exceptional alchemical abilities, Edward manages to anchor Alphonse's soul to a massive suit of armor. One year later, Edward has become a state alchemist with the title of Fullmetal. Together with his younger brother, he sets out in search of the Philosopher's Stone. This legendary artifact is said to greatly amplify an alchemist's power, allowing them to bypass alchemy's core principle: equivalent exchange, where one must sacrifice something of equal value to gain something. Edward intends to use the military's resources to locate the stone and restore his and Alphonse's bodies to their original state. But as the Elric brothers delve deeper, they realize the stone holds secrets far beyond their expectations, drawing them into the heart of a conflict much darker and more vast than they ever anticipated.

In a world on the verge of collapse, an old legend tells that when the end arrives, the path to paradise will open. This perfect world offers the only hope for the few living things left in this desolate land, but the myth says only wolves can discover the way to this fabled place. Although they were believed to have vanished long ago, wolves still exist, hiding among humans by using complex illusions. A lone wolf named Kiba is pulled by an irresistible scent to Freeze City, a poor settlement ruled by the cruel Lord Orkham. There, Kiba finds that wolves Hige, Tsume, and Toboe have also been lured by the same smell. Chasing the fragrance of "Lunar Flowers," which are rumored to unlock the door to their perfect world, the wolves travel across barren lands and decaying cities in search of their legendary paradise. But they are not the only ones hunting for this haven, and others with darker motives will stop at nothing to get there before them.

Sergeant Sousuke Sagara returns to Jindai High School to safeguard the vital war asset Kaname Chidori from any potential danger. Yet, his profound lack of social awareness and civilian experience triggers hilarious and perilous incidents that threaten the tranquil academic environment Kaname desires. As Sousuke deploys an arsenal of weaponry to neutralize both genuine and imagined threats, Kaname fights to balance her responsibilities as vice president of the student council while trying to restrain his extreme behavior. For certain operations, Sousuke must don the costume of a popular amusement park mascot known as Bonta-kun. Leveraging his technical skills, he upgrades the bright outfit into a high-tech exoskeleton, though it suffers from a single flaw: the voice synthesizer is limited to emitting only the sound "mofu." Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu chronicles the misadventures of Kaname and Sousuke as they attempt to maintain a conventional school routine amidst the unintended turmoil they create.

During the 1920s, a period marked by significant transformation and turmoil, monstrous demons began appearing across America. To counter this threat, the holy Order of Magdalene was formed. The New York branch of this organization houses the impulsive young Sister Rosette Christopher and her partner Chrno. Charged with eliminating demonic dangers, this renowned pair excels at their work, even though their missions often result in extensive collateral damage. Behind their actions lie dark personal histories. Rosette seeks to find her missing brother Joshua, who was taken by the demonic sinner Aion—a figure with whom Chrno shares a bloody past. Together, they must confront the escalating demon menace, uncover its origin, and continue their search for the truth behind Joshua's disappearance.

Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel are two friends as close as brothers, until one fateful day they receive a violent, harsh reminder of just how cruel the world around them truly is. Before that, their lives were simple and carefree, filled with local scuffles, chasing women, and small-time theft to get by and pass the time. What they failed to grasp was that in this unforgiving world, happiness is fleeting and change is unavoidable. Then comes Millennion, the largest and most notorious mafia syndicate in the region, which takes Brandon and Harry into its fold, starting them at the very bottom. Harry dreams of climbing the ranks and eventually replacing Big Daddy as the supreme leader of Millennion, while Brandon only wants to support his friend and appease Big Daddy, who has taken custody of the woman Brandon loves. Based on the third-person shooter video game of the same name, Gungrave is an epic tale of friendship, betrayal, and greed that unfolds over several years, ultimately circling back to the gripping and ominous first episode, all while building toward the story's thrilling climax.

In Italy, the Social Welfare Agency takes in young girls from hospital beds and offers them a new life through advanced cybernetic enhancements. Their bodies artificially strengthened, the girls are brainwashed and trained as assassins to perform the Italian Government's covert operations. Despite these modifications, they remain children at heart, yearning for affection from those they care about, even knowing that love is artificially created. This tragic story follows the girls as they struggle with their emotions within an agency that views them merely as ruthless weapons.

Daisuke Niwa is a clumsy, awkward, and timid middle school student with few notable strengths. On his 14th birthday, he works up the courage to confess his feelings to Risa Harada, the girl he has liked for a long time, but she turns him down. However, things take a strange turn when Daisuke discovers that any time he thinks about Risa, he transforms into Dark Mousy—the notorious phantom thief. While Daisuke has no clue about this bizarre family trait, his mother has been fully aware and has long been orchestrating his theft of valuable artworks to keep the legendary thief's reputation alive. Filled with uncertainty and confusion, Daisuke struggles to navigate his relationships with friends and family. Before long, he comes to understand that he is not the only one burdened by a destined family legacy—and his most formidable opponent might be the very classmate he least wants to fight.

On the planet Prester, air travel reigns supreme, powered by Claudia Fluid—a liquefied form of crystals native to the world. A mysterious organization known only as the Guild holds absolute control over the skies, maintaining a monopoly on the engines that utilize this fluid. As ecological disasters destabilize the warring nations of Anatoray and Disith, the Guild also serves as an arbitrator in their conflicts. Caught in the middle are Sky Couriers, who pilot small, two-person vanships freely through the air. Last Exile follows two teenagers striving to surpass their parents: Claus Valca, the son of a famed vanship pilot, and Lavie Head, his best friend and navigator. Their courier work requires them to traverse a dangerous air current called the Grand Stream that separates the hostile nations—a passage even standard airships struggle to survive. But when they accept a high-stakes delivery, transporting an orphan girl named Alvis Hamilton to the battleship Silvana, they are pulled into a far greater conflict that sets them against the might of the Guild.

Shiki Toono awakens in a hospital room possessing the ability to perceive invisible lines. These delicate threads, which compose all matter in Shingetsutan, cause an object to be instantly destroyed when cut. Shiki realizes that tracing the lines of anything leads to its imminent destruction. Keeping his supernatural sight a secret, Shiki attempts to live his second year of high school in tranquility. However, this calm is shattered when Shiki encounters a mysterious woman with striking red eyes on his way home from school. After a sudden mental breakdown, he seemingly kills the woman and then loses consciousness. As if matters couldn't worsen, Shiki is attacked the following day by a pair of demonic hounds—facing certain death, he is rescued by the timely arrival of the same woman from the previous day. She identifies herself as Arcueid Brunestud, a vampire princess. Deciding to join forces, Shiki and Arcueid set out to discover the truth about their heritage and the recent series of murders occurring in the town.

In the Kanto region, seven high schools are locked in a deadly struggle for total dominance. Each combatant is the reincarnation of a famed warrior from the Three Kingdoms era, forcing them into a dangerous quest to overcome their often merciless fates. Among these fighters is the scatterbrained Hakufu Sonsaku, a student at Nanyou Academy who—despite having superb martial arts skills—is fated to die young at the hands of the ruthless Ukitsu. But her classmate and cousin, Koukin Shuuyu, is entrusted by Hakufu's mother with protecting her from this dark destiny. To complicate matters, Hakufu experiences sudden fits of rage during which she loses consciousness and unleashes a devastating power that endangers her own life. Alongside Nanyou's "Big Four," Hakufu and Shuuyu must thwart the schemes of their chief rival schools and discover the real nature of Hakufu's abilities before time runs out.

A depressed apathetic young man named Takamine Kiyomaro is suddenly given a small demon named Gash Bell to look after. Unbeknownst to Kiyomaro, Gash is involved in a fierce contest to decide who will rule the demon world. Each demon must select a human master on Earth and battle other demons until only one remains. Naturally, Kiyomaro becomes Gash's master, and through their many fights, he learns the importance of friendship and courage.

Sonic the Hedgehog's usual carelessness causes the precious chaos emeralds to get caught in the crossfire and become unstable right before they are activated. This chaos control engulfs everything for miles around Dr. Eggman's base, and with the input scrambled, no one can foresee the outcome. Separated from both his friends and enemies, Sonic wakes up in a strange world: an unfamiliar city filled with mysterious people. He realizes he has been transported across the universe to an entirely different planet—Earth. As he hurries to escape the equally confused authorities, Sonic finds himself plunging headfirst into the pool of the wealthy Thorndyke family. Fortunately, Christopher, the Thorndykes' son, rescues Sonic and offers him shelter from a society that wrongly believes he is hostile. Protected by the family, Sonic decides to reunite with his friends, save this new world from the threat he brought to them, and find a way back home.

Anita King, Maggie Mui, and Michelle Cheung—known as the Paper Sisters—operate the Three Sisters Detective Agency in Hong Kong, specializing in cases related to books. They are hired to act as local guides for Nenene Sumiregawa, a Japanese novelist suffering from writer's block ever since her close friend Yomiko Readman vanished. Each sister is a Paper Master, possessing the ability to manipulate paper. Using these powers, they rescue Nenene from dangerous terrorists who attack her during a book signing. To ensure her safety, the sisters remain with her as bodyguards in case of further assaults. For book lovers Maggie and Michelle, guarding their favorite author is a dream come true, but young Anita despises books despite her paper‑based abilities. The trio struggles to adjust to their new life in Japan while protecting Nenene and continuing detective work under the shadowy organization Dokusensha. As they grow closer to Nenene, they uncover connections between her, Yomiko's disappearance, and the mysterious books Dokusensha sends the Paper Masters to investigate. What started as a routine job escalates into the most significant case they have ever faced. Are these girls truly willing to risk their lives for literature?

Traumatized by witnessing his parents' murder at the hands of a Choushuu member, Ichimura Tetsunosuke seeks strength to fuel his desire for revenge. At fifteen, he approaches the Shinsengumi with the aim of joining their ranks. Yet, Tetsunosuke lacks the skill, mindset, and emotional detachment required to kill without hesitation those who threaten peace. Despite the backing of his brother Tatsunosuke and his new Shinsengumi comrades, Tetsunosuke remains unaware of the bloodshed and suffering he must endure as a member of this historical faction.

After safely protecting their BitBeasts, a new world championship tournament is announced, but the defending champions cannot all compete on the same team. Their bond is put to the test as every Bladebreaker sets out on a journey to prove why they are the greatest Beyblader. Tyson, Max, Ray, Kai, and newcomer Daichi must maintain their winning streak—even if it means facing one another. Yet once the tournament concludes, an old enemy, Boris, awaits them: he has taken over the BBA and turned it into BEGA, the Beyblade Entertainment Global Association. To rescue Beybladers everywhere from BEGA's corruption, the Bladebreakers must join forces once more.

It has been fourteen years since Kibagami Jubei defeated the immortal warrior Himuro Genma and thwarted the Shogun of the Dark's evil plans. Jubei still wanders Japan as a masterless swordsman. On his journey, he meets Shigure, a priestess who has never left her village. When a group of demons destroys the village and kills everyone, Jubei becomes a prime target after obtaining the Dragon Jewel—a stone of unknown origin. Meanwhile, Shigure travels to the village of Yagyu alongside the monk Dakuan and a young thief named Tsubute. With two demon clans now hunting Shigure, Dakuan must once again enlist Jubei's services to protect the Priestess of Light.

Once a gymnast, Aikawa Maki now applies her abilities to a new path—street fighting. Violence is the sole thing that gives her a genuine sense of being alive. With remarkable strength and elegance, she battles one adversary after another, continually showcasing the gymnastics prowess that earns her the alias "Airmaster."

Continuing their westward journey, priest Genjo Sanzo and his companions Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku aim to prevent the demon Gyoumao from being resurrected. As the Sanzo Ikkou's reputation precedes them, they battle demon assassins at every turn, yet must also contend with rising tensions within their own group to overcome a powerful enemy.

Set in the 22nd century, where space travel, planetary colonization, and anti-gravity basketball are ordinary parts of daily life. Earth has become impossible to live on, so people reside in colonies on neighboring planets. During a school field trip, a mishap sends the protagonist—a new transfer student named Luna—along with her pet robot and six classmates hurtling through a gravity storm. They crash land on a planet that appears deserted. With Luna taking charge, the group—including the robotic cat Chako, the independent Kaoru, the pampered rich boy Howard, the timid Sharla, the compliant Bell, the proud musician Menori, and the young genius Shingo—must struggle to survive. Yet is this world truly empty, or does something—or someone—lurk in the shadows, waiting?

At the Ministry of Science, passionate Professor Ochanomizu and his colleagues labor to reactivate Atom—the first robot equipped with a human heart. Atom is the creation of the enigmatic Professor Umatarou Tenma, who built the android to replace his deceased son Tobio. However, Tenma inexplicably shut down his invention and vanished, leaving Ochanomizu determined not to waste such a monumental scientific breakthrough. Though Atom has the appearance of a nine-year-old, he possesses not only extraordinary strength and intelligence but also a remarkable conscience and compassion that rival those of humans. Sadly, the mechanical boy soon faces rejection, learning that not everyone is as welcoming as Ochanomizu. Although automatons have been integrated into society, they are accepted only as tools and are even seen as a potential threat to humanity's dominance. Dreaming of a world where people and robots can coexist harmoniously, Atom dedicates his existence to protecting both groups and inspiring them to form genuine bonds.

Teacher Sorata Muon carries on his family's centuries-old tradition of being the master thief Mouse, capable of stealing anything after properly notifying authorities of his intentions so they can be present yet fail to stop him. He is aided by three nubile female assistants who also use the teaching cover and, in typical Satoru Akahori fashion, favor tight, skimpy, or bondage outfits over their ample curves as they constantly pursue Sorata far more than he pursues them, though the girls do receive some attention from their master. Not only is Mouse chased by the girls and local law enforcement, but a secret art protection society also employs a former ally of Sorata's to go after his pretty little hide—all in 15-minute episodes.

Yuuichirou Hikari, Netto's father, achieves a scientific breakthrough with the invention of "synchro chips." When an operator and their NetNavi are in a special environment called a "dimensional area," they can merge in the real world using a process known as "cross fusion"! Yuuichirou's initial test subject, Misaki Gorou, tries the procedure but unfortunately fails. Netto volunteers to try with Rockman, but his father refuses permission. Cross fusion places immense strain on the operator's health, and engaging in real-world battles could be fatal.

Kai possesses abilities that set him apart from others. Along with his ailing sister Hikaru, he is under the protection of the organization ASHURUM. Scouted by Eiji, Kai is assigned to ASHURUM's special force AESES and undergoes rigorous training. In his free time, Kai visits Hikaru at the organization's hospital, but her condition never shows improvement. Thus, one year later, having grown remarkably from the intense training, Kai decides to flee the organization.

In the far-off future, trains are no longer confined to physical rails. They soar through the skies and traverse the cosmos via the Galaxy Railways, carrying humanity between planets. Yet these railways are not without peril: criminals, terrorists, and hostile aliens constantly create chaos. Manabu Yuuki, a reckless and hot-tempered young man, becomes the newest recruit in the Galaxy Railways' elite Space Defence Force (SDF). This courageous team is tasked with safeguarding the railways and confronting any extraordinary threats, putting their lives on the line to shield the innocent from evil. As the story unfolds and the SDF faces an escalating crisis, Manabu must grasp the true essence of being a member of the SDF before it is too late.

The seal that had kept the fallen angels Kirin no Yuda and Houou no Ruka imprisoned is broken, and the two choose to exact vengeance on the God who cast them into Hell by destroying the Heavens that were once their home. Before long, guardian angels on Earth start vanishing, and Heaven has no explanation for these events. Yet a vengeful animal spirit seems to be at work, prompting the four Saint Beasts to be summoned for an investigation. The four Gods of Beasts endeavor to rescue the missing guardian angels while also uncovering the true nature of this evil animal spirit.

In Kirin Town, Ranma and his partner Rella run the R&R Detective Agency. A staged accident causes a strange condition where the two detectives swap bodies exactly at midnight, with Ranma vanishing and the beautiful Rella appearing, and vice versa. They must find out who is behind this mysterious experiment on their bodies and why, all while continuing to operate their agency.

The Galaxy Federation Police (GFP) is desperate to hide its shortage of personnel by using new mechanized power-suits. Suzuo, 19 years old, is desperate for work. Tampopo needs an earthling to test the prototype of her company's suit and declares Suzuo the perfect choice. Strong competitors and eccentric A-class criminals fight against the hero in diapers, but they must not identify each other when out of costume, or the test results will be ruined—yet it's fine if they all share the same apartment building to save money, right?

Jack Hofner and Rowe Rikenbacker serve as the L/R duo for Cloud 7, tasked with safeguarding the Royal family of Ishtar, their precious assets, and their public image. The pair encounters one of the most challenging assignments of their professional lives when they are ordered to guard Noelle, a contender in the 15 Year Princesse competition. What initially appears to be a straightforward duty quickly escalates, drawing in the entirety of Cloud 7 as they become entangled in a complex web of intrigue featuring bombings, corruption, and murder.

An entire city is reduced to rubble by two monstrous, all-powerful entities. Scientist and cult leader Genzou Kuruma seeks to awaken God, but requires a special type of blood to do so. His son, Shinichi Kuruma, and a young girl named Ayaka Sanders both carry that blood, and Genzou will stop at nothing to capture them and extract it for God's Awakening, dooming humanity in the process. Shinichi, together with Ayaka and Tomizoro (Tommy), flees from Genzou's "New Humans"—genetically altered humans capable of transforming into monsters—while Shinichi's only desire is revenge against his father. Like the other New Humans, Shinichi can summon different beasts from his own body. With this power, he will fight until he kills Genzou Kuruma with his own hands.

Lifelong friends Takeshi Kido and Kentaro Shiratori have been together for nearly their entire lives. One night, a strange creature rises from the lake and begins attacking them. When Takeshi and Kentaro are on the verge of being destroyed, a being named Kopu reaches out to them and explains that they are the chosen ones to inherit the power needed to protect the world from the evil entity Goumon. They then clasp their hands together to transform into Barom One, a being with extraordinary abilities, who will fight to defend the city.

The genius scientist Dr. Oki, who created an innovative submarine, has gone missing. His son Susumu detects the involvement of a mysterious group with malicious intent. Knowing every detail of his father's vessel, the Super 99—its gear, weapons, functions, and abilities—Susumu concludes that finding his father requires uncovering the secret organization Helmet Party and putting an end to their scheme. With the aid of his companions and the Marine Corps, he launches an underwater journey, unaware of the grave danger that lies ahead.

The legendary Forbidden Treasure is a remarkable artifact capable of fulfilling any desire. Those who hunt for this prize are known as Bankers, and our protagonist, Corokke, is among them.

According to legend, the once peaceful Pluster World was thrown into turmoil and darkness when the evil MINASUTA appeared. At that time, chosen Plusters merged with humans and managed to seal away the malevolent MINASUTA. It was believed that the restored peace would last forever. The land was filled with greenery and trees, flowers bloomed everywhere, and creatures soared in the sky, ran across the earth, and swam in the seas. However, this tranquility was lost once more when the MINASUTA reemerged... Now, the fusion of Plusters and humans once again opens the door to an exciting adventure!

Long before recorded history, the Kingdom of Spheres thrived on Earth, its inhabitants possessing psychic abilities. However, widening social stratification and a lust for power led to its eventual collapse. Na Yeon, a mysterious girl discovered in Antarctica, is a remnant of this fallen civilization. Asten, the ambitious chairman of the Sphere Union, seeks global domination and dispatches his followers to monitor Na Yeon. In response, she and her friends strive to protect three powerful artifacts, which serve as keys to conquering the world, from falling into the hands of the Sphere Union.