The anime industry has been going strong, and over the years, we’ve had several amazing releases. In fact, in recent years, we’ve seen a series of amazing anime series, including Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and many more. And of course, there are several modern anime series that will be remembered for several years.
Best Anime From The 2000s, Ranked
From Fullmetal Alchemist to Skip Beat and Samurai Champloo, the best 2000s anime are just all-time great shows.
However, when you look at the last thirty years, there are only a few anime series that have stood the test of time and will possibly continue to live on for many years to come. That being said, let’s discuss some of the best anime series of the last 30 years.
This list only mentions some of the last 30 years, and not the top 10 anime. So, you will see that several popular anime series aren’t mentioned on the list. However, that in no way implies that those anime series aren’t masterpieces from the last thirty years. In fact, the titles that are missing might appear when we update the list.
Monster
Monster is truly a masterpiece anime series that lives in your mind even years after you finish it. It not only features a gripping psychological thriller story, but it also gives you an antagonist who haunts you in your dreams. Monster isn’t a typical anime that mesmerizes you with the visuals, but it is surely something that hooks you with its grounded narrative and well-written characters. Unlike the majority of modern anime, Monster’s evil isn’t loud or flashy but is quiet and more human.
The story of Monster follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon, who risked his career years ago by choosing a child’s life over a public figure’s. However, things take a rather ugly turn when that same cute boy he once saved has grown into Johan Liebert, a psychopath tied to a trail of brutal murders across Germany. So, Tenma steps forward to hunt the child he once saved and protect those who are scarred by Johan’s existence.
What makes Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood a masterpiece is that it doesn’t waste even a single character or any part of the narrative. It starts strong and leaves even stronger. The 64-episode series doesn’t lose momentum and tells a complete story. Be it the compelling supporting cast, the god-like manipulative villain, or the journey of Edward and Alphonse, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood excels at it all. Moreover, Studio Bones leaves no stone unturned to make every frame of the anime, particularly the action sequences, hit harder.
The series of FMAB revolves around two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose lives turn into a tragedy after their attempt to resurrect their deceased mother goes horribly wrong. Thanks to the Alchemy, both of them lose significant body parts. But the brothers don’t lose hope; in fact, they embark on a journey to find a mystical stone that can help them restore what they lost. Initially, it seems like a personal quest, but very soon the duo unravels dark military conspiracies, making their journey much more meaningful and, well, dangerous.
Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter is one of the rarest anime that catches you off guard by revealing its true self as the story progresses. What initially feels like a simple series evolves into something darker, gradually crossing every boundary and pushing you to really use your brain while watching. Unlike typical shonen titles, the fights featured in Hunter x Hunter are a lot more meaningful. While almost every arc of the series hits differently, the Chimera Ant Arc is the one that takes the standard to a new level. Believe me, the Chimera Ant arc is one of the best anime arcs of all time, period.
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Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who decides to embark on an adventure after discovering that his father, whom he believed to be dead, is actually alive. In fact, Gon’s father is one of the greatest hunters in the world. Gon gets determined to become a hunter so he can find his father and understand why he chose the life of a hunter over his family. On the way, Gon comes across Killua, who eventually forms a close bond with him, blessing the community with one of the cutest and wholesome friendships in anime history.
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is one of the wildest anime that has ever existed. It features one of the most unpredictable stories that gives you goosebumps with its mind-bending twists and turns. When you start thinking you are finally getting the story, the next moment the anime will reveal something that will push you to reevaluate the story and the characters. It is an anime series that globalized the popularity of anime with fantastic foreshadowing and an emotionally intense story that lives in the heads of fans for a long time.
Attack on Titan takes place in a world where humanity is forced to survive against the massive Titans. The story begins with Eren Yeager, our protagonist, whose world turns upside down when his mother gets eaten by a titan in front of his eyes. Yes, that’s how they start the show. Anyway, Eren swears to kill every titan and desperately joins the military alongside his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert. However, what seems like a typical revenge story slowly grows into something bigger and darker by slowly revealing the secrets about the world and the titans.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop features one of the coolest aesthetics that not every anime in existence has. Well, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any other selling points. The anime series attracts you with the solid elements that appear on the surface, but what truly grips you is the emotional depth that lies underneath. Cowboy Bebop also doesn’t force you to invest a lot of your precious time, as it is one of the short anime series that tells a complete, stylish, and memorable story.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
The plot of Cowboy Bebop revolves around Spike Spiegel, a laid-back bounty hunter, and his partner Jet Black as they travel across space on their spaceship Bebop, taking on dangerous missions to earn a living. They are gradually joined by some chaotic crew members, including Faye Valentine, Ed, and Ein. In the first few episodes, Cowboy Bebop seems like an episodic adventure journey, but it catches on to the main story very soon.
One Piece
One Piece is one of the longest-running anime series out there. It started in 1999, and it’s unbelievable to see how it has catered to the audience of every age group since then. The craze for this anime doesn’t seem to fade anytime soon. One Piece features an extraordinary story on paper, but what makes it a masterpiece is how Eiichiro Oda decided to tell it. With a crew of amazing characters with their share of quirks, and a world-building that never feels dull, One Piece has cemented its name among the top anime in existence.
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One Piece is about a fearless boy named Monkey D Luffy, who dreams of finding the legendary treasure called One Piece and becoming the king of pirates. After getting his hands on a devil fruit called Gomu Gomu no Mi and acquiring its rubber-like abilities, he sets out on a journey across the sea, chasing his dreams. On the way, Luffy encounters several misfits, or the Straw Hats, who gradually become his biggest allies. Together, the Straw Hats deal with several dangerous enemies and sail through the Blue Planet.
Mushishi
Mushishi is one of the gorgeous masterpieces out there. Every episode of this anime tells distinct stories of loneliness, memory, grief, and life. One of the primary reasons for you to give it a shot is that it does one thing that most anime ignore: it takes you on a relaxing ride. Unlike the flashy stuff and over-the-top action sequences, Mushishi relies on quiet storytelling, soothing atmosphere, and the calm soundtrack.
Mushishi follows Ginko, a mushi master, who travels from one place to another in order to help people whose lives have been shattered by the ancient and mysterious beings called mushi. Well, these are neither monsters nor spirits, but something even more complicated for any human’s understanding. Each episode of Mushishi introduces the viewers to a new mystery revolving around these lifeforms, new characters, and a new place. However, there’s always only one thing in common in every episode: the brilliance of Genko.
March Comes in Like a Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion is a very special anime that sheds light on mental health in a subtle way. It features one of the best character writings, which even makes the supporting characters look important. The series subtly handles the deepest themes that most anime fail to. It is a shogi-centered anime series that tells the world of the rarely-known game among the Western audience, and what pressures it brings on those associated with it. The visuals and the art impressively capture the feelings of the characters without making a single thing look forced.
The story begins with Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old boy, who was taken in by one of the friends of his father, following the passing of his father, mother, and younger sister. His father’s friend, Masachika Kōda, introduces the boy to the world of shogi. As the story progresses, Rei distances himself from the adoptive family as he believes that he was only causing them trouble. Rei then crosses paths with three Kawamoto sisters and gradually forms an alliance with them. Slowly, he matures in his personal as well as professional life.
Ping Pong the Animation
Ping Pong the Animation may appear as an unusual entry on the list because of the animation, but trust me when I say this, once you start watching it, you won’t leave your seats before finishing it. Initially, Ping Pong may come across as a sports anime, but really, it’s not. The anime doesn’t take very long to prove that it’s more of a coming-of-age drama. Each character in the series is well-written, and even if you aren’t into the sport, you feel like this is your story. That’s right, it’s one of those stories that almost everyone will relate to.
Speaking of the episode count, the anime only runs for eleven episodes. So yes, it’s short, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. In fact, the story, characters, and music will leave an everlasting impact, much like the long-running anime series of the modern era. Many anime fans might think of Haikyuu when talking about the best sports anime. But once you watch Ping Pong the Animation, you’ll realize that it is truly a masterpiece sports anime.
Naruto
Alright, this list can’t be complete without mentioning Naruto, the inspiration behind Hunter x Hunter. Naruto is so popular that the manga had to return with a sequel. The world of Naruto is so massive and captivating that it’s too hard to say goodbye. Each character, I mean each and every character, is layered and complex. In fact, Naruto is one of those rare series where you’ll relate to villains more than the heroes. I mean, remembering the story of Pain or Itachi can still tear up many fans.
Overall, Naruto is one of those anime series that sort of put anime on the world map. To this day, anime series continue to take inspiration from Naruto and try to replicate the impact it had (and still has) on the anime community.
