Netflix animated series every director should know!

When it comes to high-quality animation and storytelling, Netflix’s animated series are setting a new entertainment standard. From epic fantasy worlds to futuristic anime-inspired universes, these Netflix original animated series redefine what modern animation can be. 

At Voice123, the world’s leading platform to hire professional voice actors, we’ve seen how voice acting shapes animated series. Here, we’ll break down the best Netflix animated series, the most popular Netflix adult animation shows, and what producers can learn from Netflix animations. 

The best Netflix animated series 

1. K-Pop Demon Hunters 

Voice actors: Arden Cho (Rumi), May Hong (Mira), and Liza Koshy (Host)

Although K-Pop Demon Hunters is a film, not a Netflix animation series, it deserves a mention as one of the best Netflix animations because it had over 3 billion global streams in the first few weeks of its release. The film combines fantasy and music in a fast-paced, visually vibrant world. It’s a fresh take that merges global pop culture with innovative animation design.

2. Arcane: League of Legends

Voice actors: Hailee Steinfeld (Vi), Ella Purnell (Jinx), Kevin Alejandro (Jayce)

Arcane isn’t just one of the best animated shows on Netflix; it’s a four-time Emmy-winning triumph of narrative depth and visual style. Produced by Riot Games and Fortiche Productions, it blends 2D textures with cinematic 3D animation. The hybrid animation styles and character emotions drive the animation, mirroring the intensity of the voice acting.

3. Blue Eye Samurai

Voice actors: Maya Erskine (Mizu), George Takei (Seki), Randall Park (Heiji Shindo)

Blue Eye Samurai is a masterclass in visual tone and cultural authenticity. Set in Edo-era Japan, it merges traditional Japanese artistry with modern storytelling and crisp motion capture. This Netflix original animated series also demonstrates the importance of strong voice direction in action-heavy scenes. 

4. Castlevania: Nocturne

Voice actors: Edward Bluemel (Richter Belmont), Pixie Davies (Maria Renard), Thuso Mbedu (Annette)

As one of the most acclaimed Netflix animation series, Castlevania blends Gothic art, layered characters, and mature themes. The strong scripts and experienced voice actors balanced dark undertones with emotional nuance. Its success proves that Netflix adult animation can rival live-action dramas. 

5. Devil May Cry

Voice actors: Johnny Yong Bosch (Dante) and Scout-Taylor Compton (Mary)

Based on Capcom’s games, Devil May Cry is a thrilling experiment in stylistic direction. From the creators of Castlevania, this Netflix series embraces hyper-stylized visuals and sharp, witty dialogue. Vibrant animation paired with dynamic voice overs built unforgettable characters in these Netflix cartoons.

6. Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous & Chaos Theory

Voice actors: Paul-Mikél Williams (Darius), Jenna Ortega (Brooklynn)

The Jurassic World Netflix series proves that family-friendly storytelling can also deliver an emotional punch. The balance of adventure, friendship, and danger keeps audiences engaged across all ages. These Netflix animated shows strike a balance between cutting-edge CGI animation and realistic dialogue delivered by talented voice actors. 

7. BoJack Horseman

Voice actors: Will Arnett (BoJack), Alison Brie (Diane), Aaron Paul (Todd)

A cornerstone of Netflix adult animation, BoJack Horseman blends humor, heartbreak, and introspection. Its layered storytelling and sharp dialogue make it a masterclass for narrative-driven animation. The subtle vocal shifts from sarcasm to despair make the characters in this Netflix series unforgettable.

What directors can learn from the Netflix animated series

The best animated shows on Netflix reveal key insights that directors and producers can apply directly to their own projects:

1. Story depth over spectacle

Arcane and Blue Eye Samurai prove that even the most beautiful visuals mean little without emotional resonance. Audiences connect with authenticity, so the characters in animated TV shows must have inner conflicts, not just cool designs.

2. Visual identity is key

Netflix original animated series like Castlevania and BoJack Horseman each have distinct visual personalities. Consistent color palettes, lighting design, and motion rhythm all reinforce the storytelling in these animated TV shows.

3. Voice over collaboration in Netflix animated series

Unlike traditional pipelines, Netflix animation series often integrate voice over recording during pre-visualization. This allows animators to design expressions and timing around natural vocal energy.

4. Cultural authenticity matters

Blue Eye Samurai and K-Pop Demon Hunters celebrate cultural storytelling with respect and nuance. Global collaboration is no longer optional—it’s the standard for international appeal in Netflix animated shows.

5. Adult animation is a new frontier in Netflix animated series

With shows like Castlevania and Devil May Cry, Netflix redefined adult animation as a medium for philosophical themes, not just humor. It’s a reminder for filmmakers to explore deeper emotional storytelling using Netflix adult animation.

Netflix animated series use of voice overs

Every Netflix animated series shares one truth: visuals grab attention, but voices hold emotion. Professional voice actors shape the essence of every character, transforming scripts into living, breathing personalities.

Voice overs add emotional rhythm, texture, and authenticity that animation alone can’t achieve. They bring characters’ internal struggles to life through tone, pacing, and subtle delivery in Netflix animated shows. 

For instance, Hailee Steinfeld’s performance in Arcane captures Vi’s toughness and vulnerability in every syllable. Similarly, Maya Erskine’s nuanced work in Blue Eye Samurai strikes a perfect balance between stoicism and empathy.

A few key lessons for producers:

• Voice casting defines tone: Choose actors whose natural timbre and rhythm match the visual design of your cartoon shows.
  
• Early collaboration builds synergy: Involve voice actors in script reads during storyboarding to align pacing and emotion.
  
• Performance direction matters: Directors must balance vocal realism with stylized delivery, depending on genre, like Netflix cartoons.
  
• Localization requires nuance: Netflix’s multilingual productions prove that dubbing should preserve emotion, not just words.
  

Final Thoughts

The rise of Netflix animated series proves that animation isn’t just kids’ entertainment—it’s cinematic art. From Arcane to cartoon shows like Jurassic World, these Netflix animations showcase how direction, storytelling, and professional voice over come together to create visual and emotional depth.

For directors and producers, studying these animated TV shows on Netflix offers a roadmap to creating world-class projects. And when you’re ready to bring your characters to life, collaborate with expert voice actors on Voice123 to make your story unforgettable. Post your project today!

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