2010
Angel Beats
Featuring a cast of characters who find themselves in a strange afterlife high school setting upon their deaths, Angel Beats unfolds like a mystery. What’s special about these children that caused them to wind up at the afterlife school? Why do they fight against the student council president, whom they call Angel? Angel Beats provides satisfying answers to each of these questions, and in between, it also delivers an entertaining supernatural high school anime with plenty of laughs, and tears, along the way.Bakuman
Moritaka Mashiro loved manga, but convinced himself practically that any other job was likely a more secure future, despite his talent and love for the craft. However, a secret sketch of his middle school crush lands him in a manga partnership when it’s discovered by top student Akito Tagaki who dreams of being a manga author. Bakuman follows the two’s immense trials as they work toward making a successful manga together all while managing their personal relationships, health, and rivalries. Bakuman also offers an interesting perspective on how manga and their anime are made.Durarara!!
Durarara is a fantastic mix of reality and fantasy, taking place in the real-life district of Ikebukuro, but starring a wild cast of everything ranging from a vending machine hurling bartender to a Russian sushi chef, even to a dullahan that rides around the streets on her horse/motorcycle, searching for her long lost head. Every character has a secret in Durarara, and the way it enticingly drips info bit by bit, helping you piece together its larger narrative as each season goes along makes it a ton of fun to watch.Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is GAINAX’S take on Western cartoons like The Power Puff Girls and Invader Zim with an incredibly obscene, crude twist. The Anarchy Sisters, Panty and Stocking, are angels working with priest Garterbelt to earn their way back into heaven by fighting off ghosts - however, these “angels” are anything but morally inclined heroes. They curse in nearly every sentence and don’t give a damn about much of anything other than their vices: sex and sweets. It’s an irreverent, entertaining joy-ride with dozens of tributes to western cartoons and a bangin’ soundtrack. Just don’t watch it around any children.Princess Jellyfish
In a corner of Tokyo is a building occupied by five very nerdy women who all love different things, but all agree on one thing: no men allowed. However, things change when the cross-dressing son of a politician enters their lives and when their home is threatened by a new redevelopment plan. Led by protagonist Tsukimi Kurashita, the women and new friend Kuranosuke find themselves involved with the stylish people they despise.The Tatami Galaxy
The Tatami Galaxy is a wild rush of creative animation and whirlwind narration that can be a bit hard to follow but is a delightfully odd anime. It follows two men in their third year of college, repeating their time there over and over as the main unnamed student gets a chance to see how his involvement in different clubs could change his college career. The few absolutes that always happen are shaped in interesting new ways with each episode.2011
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Right from the outset, Anohana positions itself as one of the saddest, but also one of the most moving anime of the last decade. It’s about a group of young friends who drift apart after the tragic accident claims the life of their friend Menma. Many years later, Menma reappears as a ghost, and attempts to convince her friends to grant her one last wish, though she can’t remember what that wish actually is. It’s a heartwarming and heart-wrenching tale about friendship, grief, and acceptance.
Blue Exorcist
Blue Exorcist follows the story of a young kid who finds out he’s the son of Satan. The anime showcases the importance of not letting others define who you are, and has some great action-packed moments to boot in this demon-filled world.
Chihayafuru
Anime feature all sorts of clubs and the drama that ensues, but few feature bonds formed so strongly through a game like Chihayafuru. Karuta is a competitive card game that requires its participants to lean 100 poems and snatch away cards that feature the second verse of a poem when the first verse is read aloud. This seemingly simple game brings together three children who dream of becoming the best karuta players in Japan. However, they separate in middle school and their bond through karuta is tested when they find each other again in high school. Chihayafuru is as much a sports anime as it is a drama, and its engaging characters and their personal growth are wonderful.
Fate/Zero
A prequel to Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero is set 10 years before the events of FSN. It’s a dark, mature tale that doesn’t shy away from sensitive material, while also having some of the best animation that lauded studio Ufotable has ever produced. It perfectly sets the stage for Fate/Stay Night, but beyond that, it also stands on its own as the perfect entry point into the series.
Hunter x Hunter
The 1999 Hunter x Hunter anime series was already great, but the 2011 remake is absolutely transcendent. The simple story of a young boy named Gon who sets off to find his father and follow in his footsteps by becoming a Hunter is one of the most unconventional shonen anime out there, featuring wonderful characters, incredible moments, and unforgettable story arcs, with special mention to the Chimera Ant arc, which was never covered in the 1999 series.
Nichijou
Nichijou - My Ordinary Life is 26 episodes of comedy gold set to unbelievably smooth animation. As the title suggests, Nichijou follows an eclectic cast of characters' daily lives, however, their days are anything but ordinary. From a simple fall causing a catastrophic event to wrestling deer, Nichijou takes things to the extreme in the best ways possible.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
One day, middle schoolers Madoka and Sayaka are given the opportunity of a lifetime from a mysterious being called Kuybey to become magical girls. In exchange, they must defeat witches that plague their city. However, the more they learn about what it means to be a magical girl, the darker their story becomes. This mature anime takes a look at how self-sacrifice and goodness can easily be taken advantage of by seemingly trustworthy individuals. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is dazzlingly creative and excitingly different from what you'd expect from a magical girl anime.
Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is revered as one of the best sci-fi anime out there for a good reason. Okarin is a self-proclaimed mad scientist who goofily works on projects with his friends — until they’re suddenly embroiled in a murder loop that involves time travel and mushy green bananas. Steins;Gate is a wonderful time travel drama that, while not perfect, is great at constantly raising its stakes and features an excellent cast of characters.
2012
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
As the title suggests, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is one of the most amazingly bizarre shonen anime of all time that spans many excitingly different seasons. This anime is jam-packed with crazy action and iconic moments that are known to practically all of the anime community.
Kids on the Slope
The unlikeliest of friends bond through the power of music in Kids on the Slope. The anime showcases some great Jazz music composed by the renowned Yoko Kanno who worked on Cowboy Bebop.
Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
This raunchy anime goes all sorts of places; from stealing rare drugs from a massive cult to babysitting, Lupin the Third: A Woman Called Fujiko Mine follows Fujiko on her thieving adventures that often pit her head to head against other famous characters from the main Lupin the Third series. Fujiko is crafty and heavily (and we mean heavily) leans on seduction in her escapades, which makes it not suitable for all viewers. Lupin the Third: A Woman Called Fujiko Mine’s varied cast of characters and unique animation is an utter delight.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is full of adventure and wonder as you follow a young Alladin who comes upon an all-powerful djinn. The anime is a fun watch and has a surprising amount of action for those that are fans of shonen.
Polar Bear Cafe
One of the most relaxing (and silly) anime of the decade is Polar Bear Cafe. Much like the name suggests, it follows the events that happen at a cafe owned by a charismatic polar bear and often occupied by his various human and animal friends. It's a charming slice of life filled with puns and goofy animal adventures.
Psycho-Pass
With notable influence from films like Minority Report and Blade Runner, Psycho-Pass is a cyberpunk crime drama set in a near dystopian--or utopian, depending on perspective--future Japan. The enigmatic Sybil System keeps society running crime-free, constantly evaluating all citizens’ “Psycho Passes,” to determine if their mental state deteriorates to the point of becoming a “latent criminal.” If they are, they are proactively detained or dispatched. A psychological thriller with multiple layers of mystery, Psycho-Pass kept us on our toes through the entirety of the first season.
Space Brothers
Like the title suggests, this anime is about brothers who have a similar dream of going into space. Space Brothers does a beautiful job showing that it’s never too late to follow your dreams in a relatable story about navigating the path of adulthood.
Sword Art Online
It could be easily argued that Sword Art Online was the spark that ignited the flame of the current Isekai trend that has swept over anime in the latter part of this decade. Sword Art Online isn’t the most consistent anime out there, but when it’s at its peak, it’s up there with some of the best. Specifically, the Mother’s Rosario arc.
2013
Attack on Titan
Humanity lives in fear behind several rings of walls while ravenous, man-eating titans lurk beyond the stone fortresses. Attack on Titan is a brutal, exciting anime about a boy named Eren Yager and his friends Mikasa and Armin who lose everything in a titan attack. Eren vows revenge and joins the military alongside his friends to help fight the titan threat and take back their home. This longrunning anime swings from action to mystery to political drama in stunning fashion.
The Devil is a Part-Timer
Flipping the Isekai genre on its head, The Devil is a Part-Timer transports the devil and his demon strategist from another world and strips them of their magic. Forced to survive in modern-day Japan, the devil picks up a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant, and proves he’s not quite the devil the “hero” assumes him to be. The Devil is a Part-Timer is a fantastical slice-of-life dramedy that explores the little problems of life through the lens of characters who treat them as life or death scenarios, making for a light-hearted and funny series.
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Gargantia is an often overlooked gem of an anime about a teenage space ensign named Ledo who crash lands on an oceanic planet during a battle with humanity’s greatest enemy: The Hideauze. He is rescued by a nomadic tribe of humans on board the Gargantia, a fleet of ships that essentially serves as a floating country. Gargantia features great fish out of water style comedy as Ledo attempts to adjust to the fleet’s alien lifestyle, but it also delivers a great story with a few unforgettable plot twists.
Golden Time
On paper, Golden Time may not seem like anything special. It hits all the familiar tropes, from an amnesiac protagonist to childhood friend romances, to promises of marriage, and so on. But what’s wonderful about Golden Time is that it almost always goes in the direction opposite of what you traditionally think those tropes would lead to. Character choices end up being consistently surprising while still making logical sense, which is a rare accomplishment in anime.
Hajime no Ippo: Rising
Hajime no Ippo is one of the top sports anime of all time. The anime explores the high school life of Ippo Makunouchi, who finds himself in the sport of boxing. Not only is this anime a hilariously fun watch, but the action-packed matches and the weight behind each one really showcase the work and effort that athletes put into the sport.
Kill la Kill
Kill la Kill's unique style and animation are an energetic delight, and the story that goes with them is just as eclectic and cool. Protagonist Ryuko Matoi is looking for the other half of a massive scissor blade that's owned by whoever murdered her father, and the local class president of her new school is the prime suspect. Much like Kill la Kill director's other works, the conflict between the girls in super-powered sailor suits is merely just a starting point for their adventure. Kill la Kill's unabashed fan service and certain uncomfortable scenes can make it a tough one to recommend, but it's one hell of an exciting ride at its heart.
Log Horizon
Instead of focusing on the mystery of “why are we here?” in this Isekai, Log Horizon focuses on the question: “how do we live long term, realistically, in a video game world?” The characters soon realize they can’t just survive, they must live, and doing so means structuring a society within the game to co-exist with the NPCs. The perspective turns out to be interesting, entertaining, and fresh, especially for fans of MMOs.
Servant x Service
Servant x Service is a comedy series often described as anime meets The Office, and while it’s not the greatest direct comparison, there definitely is a connection in how both are able to turn the mundane into the absurd and make it hilarious. It follows the work lives of several civil servants, each with their own unique quirk. Whether it’s Hasebe’s impressive talent for slacking off, Chihaya’s obsessive love for cosplay, or Lucy’s complex over her ridiculously long name.
Yowamushi Pedal
Yowamushi Pedal is a sports anime that follows the story of an otaku, Sakamichi Onada, who is surprisingly good at cycling. The anime showcases both hilarious and inspiring moments that make Yowamushi Pedal one of the better sports anime out now.
2014
Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
The first Fate/Stay Night series was a respectable adaptation of Type-Moon’s epic visual novel series, covering just the “Fate” route of the game, but once the reins of the anime production were handed off to Ufotable, the series truly lived up to its potential. Unlimited Blade Works was absolutely stunning to look at, with some of the most impressive fight scenes of the decade, and a great story to match.
Haikyu!!
Haikyu!! Is by far one of the best sports anime out right now. The anime has great character development and showcases the sport, which is in this case volleyball, in a unique and meaningful way that sets it apart from other sports anime.
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
One of the most important moments in any high school romance anime is the confession and Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun puts a comedic spin on it and every other trope you'd expect to see. Chiyo Sakura goes to confess her feelings, only to find out that her crush Nozaki is actually a famous shojo manga artist who thinks she's just asking for an autograph. This moment leads her to become his assistant and hilarious antics between them and the rest of the cast ensue.
Noragami
After saving a stranger from a car, Hiyori Iki's soul is loosened from her body and now allows her to see into the world of spirits and demons. It just so happened that the stranger was a shineless god, Yato, who dreams of making it big. Together they team up to try and fix her soul but find themselves in an excellent, action-packed adventure.
Parasyte: The Maxim
The first few moments of Parasyte: The Maxim warn viewers of what they’re in for: Gory, creepy, sci-fi body horror. One night, spores of unknown origin appear worldwide, producing worm-like creatures that inhabit humans and animals and turn them into emotionless, cannibalistic predators. While sleeping, 17-year-old Shinichi is nearly taken over, but the “parasyte” fails to consume his brain and resigns to taking over his right hand. Together, they must learn to co-exist and face the coming horror of the parasite’s potential worldwide domination while answering the question: What is it to be human?
Ping Pong the Animation
Ping Pong the Animation is one of the most uniquely animated sports anime of this decade. The animation and editing style of the anime lends itself to the action of the sport which sets it apart from other sports anime.
The Seven Deadly Sins
The anime follows the story of a simple tavern owner, Meliodas, who reconnects with his complicated past to help a passerby. The Seven Deadly Sins is an action-packed romp that will also pull at your heartstrings.
Shirobako
Similar to Bakuman before it, Shirobako takes a look at the challenges of creating anime. Aoi Miyamori and her four friends dream of making an anime together, and after years of friendship, they find themselves in various fields in the anime industry to work toward making that dream come true. But the reality of the anime industry means lots of challenging work, and as a production assistant, protagonist Miyamori has plenty of it. Miyamori and her friends are incredibly relatable, and their very real approach to behind-the-scenes anime drama and production challenges make for an excellent show.
Tokyo Ghoul
The story follows a student, Ken Kaneki, who unfortunately stumbles into the underworld of man-eating ghouls. Tokyo Ghoul takes gory action to another level while showing the difficult balance of humans and ghouls existing together.
Your Lie in April
An emotional tale of love, loss, and grief--but also of living life to its fullest--Your Lie in April is a story about a Kousei, middle-school piano prodigy who loses his ability to play after his mother dies. Years later, capricious violin-player Kaori appears to pull him out of the deep-end and teach him to love music again. Your Lie in April may leave you pensive well after its end, but it’s a beautiful story worth the heartache.
2015
Blood Blockade Battlefront
A mysterious agency Liba watches over New York City, which is now Earth's hub for demons and otherworldly beings after a massive portal opens in the middle of the city. Blood Blockade Battlefront is jam-packed with action and its wild pacing keeps things exciting as it slowly moves toward addressing its overarching conflict.
Death Parade
Short and bittersweet, each episode of Death Parade explores the life of recently deceased people as they play an arduous game with devious twists in order for their soul to be judged. One particular Arbiter, Decim, begins to subtly question the validity of the system after meeting a peculiar young woman who is unable to recall her past. Part over-arching mystery, part episodic judgment of the week, Death Parade is an interesting look into human nature with plenty of twists along the way.
Dragon Ball Super
The last Dragon Ball Z episode aired in Japan in 1996, and almost 20 years later, Dragon Ball Super picked up right where it left off without missing a beat. Though it had some rough patches in terms of its animation, Dragon Ball Super managed to introduce a bevy of excellent characters into the Dragon Ball canon, including Hit, Jiren, Beerus, Whis, and many more. On top of that, it concluded with one of the most exciting Dragon Ball arcs yet, the Tournament of Power.
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Ah, literal food porn. Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma is an ecchi anime, meaning things get quite erotic whenever a person eats delicious food. However, as funny as those scenes can be, Food Wars takes its characters and its food very seriously, so much so that it delves into the science behind some of the show's neatest dishes. Food Wars isn't for everyone, but it's certainly a uniquely fun anime.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
This stand-alone Gundam series looks at a darker side of the universe, where child workers are turned into soldiers. While a good portion of the show focuses on politics, its strength is in the growth of the children from survivors into a family. Iron-Blooded Orphans does an excellent job of showing both perspectives of the conflict, which prevents its politics from being seen in black and white.
One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man, as the title implies, is about a man named Saitama who is so ridiculously overpowered in his own universe, that every fight he’s in ends with him beating his opponent in a single blow. It’s an amazing premise that allows One Punch Man to work both as an action anime and a comedic gag anime as well.
Overlord
Unlike other Isekai anime, the protagonist Ainz Ooal Gown ends up being trapped in the game world as an all-powerful being. The anime showcases a different take on the genre that’s hilarious to watch unfold.
2016
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
With his psychic powers, Saiki Kusuo knows everything about everyone. This anime short hilariously explores just how weird that makes his life in his desperate attempts to be somewhat normal.
Erased
From the very first episode, Erased was an emotional roller coaster that didn’t slow down. Every episode was packed with mysteries and revelations that kept us guessing and left us on the edge of our seat as the story jumped between two timelines, weaving together a fascinating tale of redemption and friendship.
Konosuba
When Kazuma Satou dies unexpectedly, he finds himself being given an opportunity by the goddess Aqua to start a new life in a fantasy world, and he can wish for any one thing to take along with him. He chooses Aqua herself, and so begins one of the funniest Isekai shows around. Konosuba revels in its absurdity, resulting in side-splittingly funny moments, the best of which typically involve Megumin, a mage who only knows one super powerful spell, but using it saps all of her energy and leaves her useless.
March Comes in Like a Lion
Who knew that an anime centered around the game of Shogi could be so utterly engrossing? March Comes in Like a Lion is a fascinating character study of a child prodigy named Rei Kiriyama who devotes his entire life to being a professional at a young age, and the dangerous pressure that a life like that can put on such a young kid. It dives deep into what it’s like living with depression, but also balances that darkness with the liveliness of the Kawamoto family, who care for Rei and serve as his light at the end of the tunnel.
Mob Psycho 100
There's not much that stands out about Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama, at least not until he loses control of his emotions and becomes an insanely out-of-control psychic. But when that's not happening, he's learning to improve himself with the help of his family and scam-artist mentor, Reigen Arataka. The two of them along with other excellent cast members find themselves in insane psychic fights with cults and other mischievious characters. Mob Psycho 100 is the whole package; it's got incredibly animated action, a heartfelt story, and wonderful characters and absolutely deserves to be on any watchlist.
My Hero Academia
In My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya is born powerless in a world where 80% of the population have superhuman “quirks,” but is still determined to become a hero. Once he finally gains the powers he’s always dreamed of, he still must face dozens of trials and realistically grows in strength and character with each one. With a supporting cast of amazingly well-developed characters, plenty of heart and humor and fantastic action scenes, MHA is at the top of its class, taking the superhero and shonen genre to the next level.
Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World
Protagonist Subaru Natsuki's unique ability to return to life after death gives this anime a unique chance for growth and destruction, and though the otaku in a fantasy world trope has been done many, many times, this works very well. Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World stands out thanks to its narrative focus on pain, consequence, and building up to truly heartfelt moments.
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Set in the Showa Era of Japan, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju follows two storytellers trying to make a name for themselves in rakugo. The drama that ensues between the two across many years in the first and second seasons is heartwrenching and haunting. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is definitely a slower-paced show, but its incredible drama thrives in it.Tanaka-kun is Always Listless
Just as the name of the anime suggests, protagonist Tanaka is indeed always listless or unenthusiastic in his everyday life and it’s amusing and relatable to watch. Tanaka-kun is Always Listless is a feel-good anime with an amazing cast that takes a refreshing angle and hits it right on the nose.
Yuri on Ice
Yuri Katsuki is ready to give up his ice skating career after a tough loss, but is suddenly swept up in the season of his life after his idol Victor Nikiforov decides to become his coach and choreographer. Yuri on Ice is an incredible sports anime that primarily follows Yuri and Victor's evolving relationship as they progress through a tense skating season. The challenges and challengers they face along the way are given great development too and handled in very realistic ways.
2017
ACCA: 13 Territory Inspection Dept.
Protagonist Jean Otis is tasked with investigating rumors of a coup d'etat brewing somewhere within the 13 states of a large country. This political mystery is a delightfully slow burn filled with imaginative locations and gorgeous animation.
The Ancient Magus' Bride
The anime follows an orphan who finds herself in the company of a powerful mage. The Ancient Magus’ Bride has one of the most beautiful animations of the past decade and showcases an unlikely relationship that is fascinating to see.
Girls' Last Tour
Chito and Yuuri share a quiet post-apocalyptic adventure in Girls' Last Tour. Equipped with few supplies and a motorbike, the two must survive winter by scavenging the ruins of humanity. This morose anime is made brighter through the girls' perspective on a barren world.
Land of the Lustrous
A small community of gem people live relatively quiet lives together in Land of the Lustrous. Each has their own role and responsibilities, one of the key roles is being a scout and defender from the moon people who come down every so often in elegant fashion to shatter and steal their glimmering bodies. Land of the Lustrous is one of the best uses of 3DCG animation to showcase just how beautiful these people are, especially when they're engaged in combat. Its protagonist, Phos, has one of the best character arcs in a short series too.
Little Witch Academia
The witch’s brew that makes up Little Witch Academia would consist of a blended mix of the Harry Potter books, a healthy dose of Naruto, and a pinch of Sailor Moon. The result is a beautiful anime that features a nearly all-female cast in an incredibly inventive world of magic and sorcery. It’s an anime with a ton of heart, carried by its lovable lead, Akko, and rounded out with an excellent supporting cast, including the kind and caring Lotte, the eccentric Sucy, and the complicated Diana.
Made in Abyss
This surprisingly violent anime follows the daughter of an explorer, Riko, and her mysterious new robot friend, Reg on their adventure down a massive abyss in search of Riko's mother. Made in Abyss is as gorgeous and imaginative as it is cruel. The abyss is home to a curse that plagues adventurers with ailments, terrifying monsters, and plenty of other challenges the two children attempt to overcome.
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid
What happens when your average office-worker gets drunk, wanders into the woods, and accidentally saves a dragon? The dragon offers to be her maid! Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is about the hard-working Kobayashi, the dragon maid Tohru, and the other colorful dragons and friends they bring into their hearts along the way. A heartfelt dramedy with family at its center, it serves a nice reminder that even people as powerful as dragons have doubts and insecurities, and sometimes need the helping hand of friends or family to get through it.
Tsuki ga Kirei
Opposites attract in Tsuki ga Kirei, a tender portrayal of young love. It excels in how it portrays the challenges of modern relationships and avoids treating romance tropes we see too often in anime.
Scum's Wish
Love becomes nothing more than a means to end loneliness and satisfy lust for Hanabi and Mugi, two high schoolers who are interested in people they can't have. Scum's Wish is forward with its take on blooming sexuality and how painful it can be, which makes it uncomfortable at times, but it is a rare examination of the challenges of young love.
2018
A Place Further than the Universe
Shirase's mother has been missing for three years since she was last seen on her expedition in Antarctica and Shirase is determined to find her. Joined by Mari, a fellow student who feels like she's wasting her youth, they gather more friends to each find something for themselves on their journey to Antarctica in A Place Further than the Universe.
After the Rain
Akira Tachibana is a star track runner who can no longer compete after an injury. She instead takes up a part-time job and falls for her middle-aged manager who slowly becomes aware of her affection. Their complicated relationship is filled with regrets of their pasts, and together, they learn more about their futures. After the Rain may present itself as being about a forbidden romance, but it successfully explores so much more through that lens.
Aggretsuko
Aggrestuko stars Retsuko, a red panda and Tokyo office worker who works through her stress with death metal karaoke. She's got a lot stressing her out too; from an abusive workplace to general challenges of being an adult, Aggrestsuko is a fantastic and funny look at modern adulthood.
Cells at Work
Have you ever wondered what the cells or organisms in your body are doing right now at this very moment? Probably not, but Cells at Work! does its best to show you the life of cells in this hilarious and surprisingly action-packed adventure in the human body. So much can happen inside the human body, and this anime takes it to a level that is ridiculously fun to watch with all the lovable unique cells that you’ll eventually meet.
Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is an excellent look at human cruelty done through a feverish combination of drama and intense violence. Based on the classic Devilman manga, this version follows crybaby Akira Fudo's life after he merges with a demon. With his newfound power, Akira fights demons that threaten to take over the world.
Golden Kamuy
There is a lot going on in Golden Kamuy, so much so that attributing a single genre to it is near impossible. It focuses on a post-war Hokkaido, and the characters The Immortal Sujimoto, a retired soldier; and the young Asirpa, an Ainu huntress; and their search for supposed hidden Ainu gold. Cue a handful of other over-the-top factions also after the gold, memorable characters, and an ever-deepening and complex story for a bizarre historical-ish fiction unlike anything else.
Hinamatsuri
A successful yakuza suddenly becomes the caretaker of a psychokinetic young girl when she suddenly appears in his apartment and threatens to destroy his prized vase collection. From there, he finds himself involved in her odd life and the hilarious mischief that comes with it. Hinamatsuri does a great job of showcasing other characters too.
Hi Score Girl
The anime showcases an interesting relationship between two kids who happen to be really into Street Fighter 2. Hi Score Girl is a hilarious and cute anime that is set in 1991 and revolves around the video game and arcade community in Japan.
Laid-Back Camp
Laid-Back Camp follows Rin Shima and Nadeshiko Kagamihara on their fall camping adventures. This slice-of-life is a wonderful celebration of nature and friendship while also providing actual camping advice. It also surprisingly celebrates and respects the need to sometimes be alone.
Megalobox
Studio TMS Entertainment celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow’s Joe) with a new “cool retro look” of the original series. In this futuristic world, Junk Dog lives for the thrill of competition through Megalo Boxing, a sport where competitors fight with the assistance of mechanical frames. The story is very different from the original series but the combination of the art style, music, and characters work well together to create some iconic moments.
Run with the Wind
Run With the Wind is different than your typical sports anime, and it shines because of that. Instead of focusing the majority of the anime on the action and technical aspect of the sport, which is marathon running in this case, the focus turns towards the members involved. Run with the Wind beautifully portrays the struggle of overcoming the roadblocks of life and pushing yourself to move forward.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Mikami Satoru used to be a regular old Japanese office worker… until he was murdered and reincarnated as a Slime with extraordinary abilities in another world. It’s pretty ripe with Isekai tropes, but That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime does it well, and even a bit differently. Part action-adventure, part politics, part harem (but not too over-the-top about it), with plenty of heartstring-tugging drama and fourth-wall-breaking humor to get you through it, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is a wholesome treat for fantasy lovers - especially if you’re a fan of JRPGs.
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is beautiful in both its animation and the tale it weaves, telling the story of a young child soldier who must find a new purpose after the war. Violet begins working as a letter writer, unsteadily at first, but with her unique perspective, she is able to craft letters that draw out the rawest emotion. Each story pulled at our heartstrings for different reasons, and the overarching mystery driving the narrative kept us drawn and invested in Violet.
2019
Carole & Tuesday
Two girls from very different backgrounds come together to form a two-person band and start a music revolution on Mars in Carole & Tuesday. This beautiful anime eloquently takes a look at some issues within the music industry and in society all while providing incredible musical performances.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Set in Japan during the Taisho period (early 1900s), Demon Slayer tells the story of Tanjiro, a young man set on revenge against a demon who massacred his family and left his younger sister Nezuko a demon herself. Against all odds, Tanjiro begins training as a “demon slayer” with Nezuko by his side. Tanjiro never loses his kindness and empathy throughout harrowing, beautifully animated battles, which breathes life into all characters - friendly or not. Demon Slayer’s most dramatic scenes merge all aspects - music, animation, story - into a beautiful symphony of emotional spectacle, and the grandeur simply never gets old.
Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is an explosive chemical reaction of fantasy and sci-fi that results in an extremely fun show about a modern-day genius awakening in a world without technology. It’s essentially an isekai in disguise, but while shows like Sword Art Online, ReZero, and Shield Hero are grounded in fantasy, Dr. Stone is instead built on a foundation of science.
Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is an all-time great when it comes to shoujo manga, and its 2019 remake is an incredible reminder of why the story of Tohru Honda and the Soma’s resonates so deeply with anime fans. It succeeds as both a feel-good high school romance comedy with an excellent love triangle dynamic, and as a dramatic tale of a family steeped in trauma, abuse, and darkness.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
The buildup to a romantic confession in anime lives or dies by its drama, and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is jam-packed with hilarious antics that blow most anime about a budding romance out of the water. Protagonists Kaguya Shinomiyua and Miyuki Shirogane are not only the leads of their school's student council and the smartest among their classmates, but they also have massive crushes on each other. However, they're both unwilling to confess their feelings and instead take to mind games and trick to get the other to confess.
The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland, a show about a group of kids who try to escape from a horrible fate, never lets up on its momentum, and despite it being an anime with very little actual action, each episode is dripping with tension, building towards one hell of a climax that satisfyingly wraps up the season while also leaving us waiting with bated breath for what comes next.
Vinland Saga
An old Viking is ripped from his peaceful life in order to protect his village from a looming war. Little does he know that his young son, Thorfinn, stowed away on his ship and they depart for a tragic adventure that will set the child on a bloody, painful path for revenge. Though the action in Vinland Saga is great, its characters and the dark paths many of them walk are what make this anime stand out.
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