For many, OVAs can serve as a nice treat for those that are fans of the source material or are left wanting more after a full anime series. For others, OVAs are worth a skip. They add nothing and can be troublesome to track down if you happen to stream your anime rather than buy it.
For those not in the know, OVAs, or Original Video Animation, are akin to straight to video movies, but not movies. OVAs are often used to tell side stories of series or otherwise comical treats. Sometimes they are often made to give a taste of anime to a manga that has not had a full adaptation yet. Unfortunately, unless you are a huge fan, most OVAs are not so much worth your time. Rarely do they add anything to the series, but of course, there are some exceptions to that. If you consume yourself a lot of anime and wonder if there are any OVAs worthy enjoying, we can help.
This list covers OVAs that add to a series rather than series that are just OVAs like FLCL, Gunbuster, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, ect. Those, while they wear the label, are treated as proper series anyway.
Best Anime OVAs
ReLife: Kanketsu-Hen
When ReLife came out, I enjoyed it so much I read the manga and kept current with it all the way until it ended. Unfortunately, that end arc wasn’t adapted into the season 2 I hoped for, but you do get it in this OVA form. If you want an ending to the ReLife anime, this is your ending.
Steins; Gate: Egoistic Poriomania
Steins;Gate had a fine ending and you can go on just fine without watching this OVA. However, it does serve as a way to wrap up the events of the season and clear up a few things. Also, since it takes place months afterwards, you get to see a little more aftermath.
Kokoro Connect: Michi Random
Did you reach the end of Kokoro Connect only to realize that nothing has really been resolved? Did you expect a second season only to find that there is none? Well, Kokoro Connect, due to various controversy reasons, became a bit of a hot mess. So much so that if you want an ending, you need to watch the OVAs.
Oreimo OVAs
Oreimo and its OVAs are frustration incarnate. If you skip the OVAs made after season one, you will be very lost upon starting season two. If you skip the OVAs at the end of season two, you just plain old don’t get an ending to the series.
Future Diary: Redial
Fans of Future Diary were a bit upset with the anime ending because it literally would have taken a few more seconds to make it more satisfying. Redial offers a more satisfying conclusion to the series.
Hellsing Ultimate
I said above I would only include OVAs that add to a preexisting series and not series that were OVAs. For Hellsing Ultimate I make a special exception. This is because Hellsing, the anime series that came first, was quite the disappointment. So much so, it was completely redone in Hellsing Ultimate, which is a series of OVAs. It is easily the better way to experience the Hellsing story, not just because it is canon, but because it has an ending.
Higurashi: When They Cry – Rei
There are several optional things in the Higurashi series watch order, like Kira or Outbreak. Rei, however, it not optional. Rei is essentially the third season, but it labeled as an OVA, which makes some people think it is skippable. Definitely don’t skip it as it adds some much needed clarity to the series.
Rurouni Kenshin / Samurai X: Trust, Betrayal, and Reflection
While Reflections offered a different ending than the canon manga ending and people didn’t like that one so much, Trust and Betrayal are generally considered to be absolute staples for the Kenshin fan. It essentially tells his back story of his first wife and being the Battosai in a serious and poignant way. Don’t expect any general Kenshin silliness in any of these three very serious OVAs.
Darker Than Black Specials
After season one, there is a four-episode special that many people skip. While you don’t necessarily need to watch it, it certainly makes it easier to understand what the hell is going on in season 2. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time in season 2 working out what happened, watch the OVAs.
Shiki Specials
Shiki, at the end, leaves somethings a little vague, but overall have an okay ending. The specials, however, do work to clear up some of what happened that you didn’t see, as well as sit as pretty creepy stories in their own right. It is worth noting that they are labeled 20.5 and 21.5. This means you should watch them after episode 20 and episode 21, respectively.
I am, by no means, the authority on OVAs. Usually I watch them because they are just in the queue after finishing a series or because I intend to write a watch order guide, so there very well may be even more good OVAs out there. If you have an OVA that you think compliments a series well, let fans know in the comments section below.
