While anime has been popular since its inception, the medium found an explosion in popularity in the West at the top of the 21st century. With anime likeDeath NoteandAttack on Titangaining the attention of those who hadn’t been aware or interested in anime before, anime’s fame exponentially grew and became “cool” in the West (it was always cool). Because of this, the anime landscape is better and stronger than it has ever been.
The 21st century has offered countless anime of impeccable quality over the years, but there are some that simply stand out among the rest.Whether it be because of their cultural impact, animation quality, or superb storytelling, these modern anime are just a step abovethe best of the best.
15’Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End' (2023)
Created by Kanehito Yamada
A recent anime show that has united fans, as it gained unanimous critical acclaim, isFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End. In the anime, a thousand-year-old elf mage named Frieren (now one ofanime’s most badass women), who has gone on a long journey to vanquish evil, discovers the pitfalls of her immortality. She then decides to go on an adventure to fulfill the dying wishes of her former friends, while confronting her own fears of leaving her loved ones behind.
Its poignant and moving story of coming to terms with aging and death is relatableand invites viewers to appreciate the fleeting nature of being alive. One of the best new anime, the show also takes viewers on Frieren’s journey and character development, with each episode adding more layers to her complex personality. Because of its emotional and contemplative story that has resonated with viewers, it’s safe to say that it’s a complex anime show that anime fans will enjoy, regardless if they’re strictly a shōnen or shojo anime fan.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Watch on Crunchyroll
14’Bleach' (2004)
Created by Tite Kubo
Bleachis an anime that is considered legendary by most. It’s one of the most popular anime out there. The character arcs found within the series are certainly above average for what most will find in modern shōnen anime. This caused the audiences to connect and fall in love with the characters within the story.Ichigo Kurosaki (Masakazu Morita) is considered one of the best shōnen anime protagonistsof all time, and for good reason.
His character arc is one of the most masterfully written character arcs ever. His character is relatable, human and about as genuine as shōnen protagonists get.He experiences deep emotions like depression, fear and pain in a way that makes the audience feel right along with him.The animation is great, and the overall story is solid, but Ichigo alone is enough reason to watch throughBleachand its abundant filler at times.
13’My Hero Academia' (2016 - )
Created by Kohei Horikoshi
My Hero Academiahas filled the void left by beloved shōnen anime classicsDragon Ball ZandNaruto. Set in a world where there are people who are born with superpowers known as “Quirks” and normal people who don’t have any powers,My Hero Academiaputs the spotlight on a young boy named Izuku Midoriya. While he’s born without a Quirk, Izuku inherits the legendary quirk of All Might, the number one hero in the world after a fateful encounter with him.
Midoriya then enrolls in the U.A. High School where he trains and develops his Quirk with his classmates and friends.The show has become a cultural phenomenon due to its fun action sequences, mystery-filled story, and elaborate world-building. Anime fans also gravitated to the show as it wasn’t afraid to flesh out its diverse cast of characters and shine a light on the other U.A. High School students who are just as powerful and heroic as Izuku.
My Hero Academia
12’Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' (2019 - )
Created by Koyoharu Gotouge
When it first released in 2019, people went wild over the newest anime on the block,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibaand its absolutely beautiful animation style. Not to mention, it introduced audiences to an incredibly lovable sibling relationship between Tanjiro Kamado (Natsuki Hanae) and his little sister, Nezuko Kamado (Akari Kito).The complex conflict of Nezuko being a demon but not evil is astoundingly compelling.Tanjiro also has this undying determination and will that people adore. He continuously fights through the worst of injuries and pain to fight for what is right, and it’s something that creates some absolutely epic fight sequences.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibawas (and still is) primarily known forhaving some of the best, most visually vibrant animation and animation style in the anime space.All of that is thanks to the legendary studio Ufotable. The elemental effects that emit from the Demon Slayer Corps' swords are beautiful and pop on screen like a graphic novel come to life. It’s certainly unlike anything being animated at the moment and setsDemon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaibaapart from the rest of the major anime airing currently.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
11’Naruto: Shippuden' (2007)
Created by Masashi Kishimoto
Who doesn’t know ofNarutoat this point? While the first series is astounding and groundbreaking,the sequel series,Naruto: Shippuden, is legendary in every way. The series, when fights come along, has some of the most fluid action animation out there.With somefights within the series being considered some of the best in anime.There’s a reason that theNarutofranchise is among the “Big Three” of anime.
Naruto: Shippudenis immensely beloved by the fan base and continues to live on through its countless fans all over the planet. It receives a lot of flak for having a good number of filler episodes, with about 203 of the 500 episodes being considered filler. But, thankfully, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. For those willing to watch through all the filler will also be treated, as most of the filler is still great content. It just doesn’t add to the overall story.
Naruto: Shippuden
10’Gurren Lagann' (2007)
Created by Kazuki Nakashima and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi
In a world where an evil force known as the Spiral King rules over Earth and has forced humanity to retreat to underground villages with no way to contact the world above the dirt. Simon, a young digger, and his best friend Kamina soon become faces of the underground rebellion trying to put an end to the Spiral King’s reign.
Gurren Lagannsmashed it out of the park upon its release and was quickly considered a modern classic. While the first few episodes of the series are very good, from the sixth episode forward, the series hits the ground running and takes its quality from great to stellar. It’s a wonderful story about the profound power of the indomitable human spirit and the incredible things resolute people can accomplish together, even in the worst situations. It also brings a unique take onthe mecha anime genre.
9’Jujutsu Kaisen' (2020 - )
Created by Gege Akutami
When Yuji Itadori, a kind-hearted and insanely strong high schooler, is put in a situation where he must eat a demon’s finger to gain the power to save his friend, he becomes the host of the most powerful Curse that ever lived, Sukuna. Upon meeting the likes of Satoru Gojo and Megumi Fushiguro that night, he is set to attend Tokyo Perfectural Jujutsu High School, where he will train until he can consume the remaining 19 fingers of Sukuna and, in the end, be killed, so they can exorcise Sukuna.
It’s no question whyJujutsu Kaisenhas won Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year awardfor both years that the show’s two current seasons have aired. The show exudes style while also bringing a plethora of substance through its excellent storytelling. The show has been regarded as having some of the best animation of the current decade, thanks to Studio MAPPA. In the almost four short years that the show has been running,it’s gained a following and acclaim that is seen only among instant classics of the past.
Jujutsu Kaisen
8’One Punch Man' (2015 - )
Created by ONE
Saitama is a powerful superheroon an alternate Earth in which all the continents are one, making a supercontinent, in which the world runs rampant with superheroes and villains. Saitama, who performs his heroic deeds as a simple hobby, has trained so hard for years to the point that he can now defeat any enemy with one single punch.
One Punch Manmay very well be one of the most tightly executed anime, both on the visual and storytelling fronts, in years. While the second season didn’t receive as high praise, the quality was still somehow miles better than most anime airing at the time. The animation is easily some of the greatest seen in the medium in a long time, especially in Season 1, which was produced by the studio Madhouse. With a comedic, yet engaging plot and state-of-the-art animation,One Punch Manwill remain at the top of anime culture for quite some time.
One Punch Man
Watch on Hulu
7’Code Geass' (2006 - 2008)
Created by Sunrise
When the exiled prince named Lelouch Lamperouge is gifted a power that allows him to control others, known only as Geass. With his newfound power, he intends to employ it to hunt down his mother’s murderers and bring down the Britannian Empire. His goals get him involved with the Britannian rebellion which sets him on a path that will change the world forever.
Code Geassmanages to include something for everyone. Whether one is a general viewer or a seasoned anime enjoyer, Code Geass is certain to please a majority of audiences.Its plot is quick-paced in the best way possible, the emotions and stakes are high, Lelouch is a compelling main characterand the mecha action is beyond thrilling. Not to mention, its message is as relevant as ever.Code Geassrepresents the disappointment of the younger generation, feeling as if those who have come before have tainted the world, leaving the current generation feeling helpless to do anything about it.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
6’Mob Psycho 100' (2016 - 2022)
The unassuming middle schooler called Mob has a hidden secret that sets him apart from the rest: he holds immense psychic power and may be one of the most powerful espers there is. However, this comes with a cost. Mob must hold himself within an emotional prison to keep himself from losing control. With the goal of learning to hone these powers, he works as an assistant to a con man “spiritual medium” named Arataka Reigen.
At the very first Crunchyroll Anime Awards,Mob Psycho 100took home two awards for Best Fight Scene and the ultimate Anime of the Year. The second season of the show is regarded as one of the greatest seasons of anime ever produced and the series as a whole maintained its outstanding quality throughout its entire six-year life, something most anime are not able to accomplish. Every long-running series is bound to decline, buttheunderrated anime seriesMob Psycho 100had a strong three-season run.
