Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo named the 5 best anime of all time: cyberpunk, space, and detective

Which Japanese projects do the stars of "Stranger Things" like the most in terms of style?

The actors who played the characters Mike Wheeler (Finn) and Dustin Henderson (Gaten) in the horror series about a girl with telekinetic abilities were guests at the "Crunchyroll Anime Awards" in Tokyo.

They were invited to participate as hosts. In addition to their work, they managed to give a short interview to "Billboard Japan." The actors expressed their love for Japanese animation and even shared their favorite anime.

Left: actor Gaten Matarazzo in a black jacket. Center: anime character Saitama is shouting. Right: actor Finn Wolfhard in a white shirt looking at the camera — Gaten Matarazzo, a frame from the anime 'One Punch Man', Finn Wolfhard

We tell you about their favorites—maybe you missed something too?

Finn Wolfhard's Favorite Anime

“Akira” (1988)

Neon, chaos, and telepathy — a cult anime that defined the look of cyberpunk for years to come. The plot unfolds in a grim future Tokyo, devastated after an explosion that sparked the Third World War.

Trailer for the anime 'Akira'

Teenager Tetsuo gains destructive power and goes insane — while his friend Kaneda tries to stop him before the city is engulfed by catastrophe.

“Cowboy Bebop” (1998)

Space, bounty hunters, and melancholy saxophones. The crew of the Bebop are not superheroes, but rather somewhat lost people, each with their own past. They travel around the Solar System, catching criminals for money and pretending everything is fine.

Trailer for the anime 'Cowboy Bebop'

But behind the stylish outfits and sharp dialogues lies a story of loneliness, forgiveness, and the difficulty of letting go. The soundtrack is a separate love. Jazz, like longing, is eternal.

“Death Note” (2006–2007)

One day, high school student Light Yagami finds a notebook in which he can write a name — and the person will die. He decides to "cleanse" the world of evil, becoming a messiah... or a serial killer, depending on how you look at it.

Trailer for the anime 'Death Note'

Against him stands the mysterious detective L — and a battle of wits begins, where every move is a check, and any mistake is fatal. A true intellectual thriller with philosophical undertones: where does justice end and madness begin?

Gaten Matarazzo's Favorite Anime

"Attack on Titan" (2013–2023)

Giant humanoid titans suddenly destroy cities and devour people, while the survivors hide behind enormous walls. But everything that seems clear is quickly turned upside down.

Anime 'Attack on Titan' Trailer

With each season, the anime changes genre—from survival to political thriller and philosophical parable. The characters grow up, ideals crumble, enemies become allies. It's not just an epic action, but a conversation about freedom, fear, and the cost of human choice.

"One Punch Man" (2015–present)

Saitama is the strongest man in the world. He defeats any enemy with a single punch. The problem is, he's deadly bored. He has no one to fight on equal terms.

Anime 'One Punch Man' Trailer

This contrast forms the basis of the entire anime: a paradoxical combination of ultra-hardcore action with an absolute parody of the superhero genre. It's seemingly funny, but behind the jokes lies a subtle commentary on how easy it is to get lost in a world where you have already achieved everything. And how hard it is to remain human when you are almost a god.

Everyone has their own favorite anime. But I agree with Finn and Gaten: with stories like these, falling in love with the genre is easy. Earlier, on zoomboola.com, we talked about the best portrayals of Sherlock Holmes in movies and TV series.