While the 2010s and 2020s are by far the strongest and most acclaimed decades for the anime industry, the 2000s also have plenty to offer. While fans might call the 2000s the first decade of mainstream success for the industry in the West, the 1990s laid the groundwork with the likes of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z. By now, some 2000s anime have faded or feel too dated, though some still shine as the industry's best.
One way to revisit the 2000s in anime is to take it year by year and see which anime was the strongest of its time. Many of them are beloved classics even now, meaning they are must-see anime or total masterpieces in any given year. In some years, there is some pretty stiff competition for the top spot, while in other years of the 2000s, it was clear which anime was #1.
2010's best anime of every year
The 2010s gave us all-time classics. What were the best anime from each year of the decade?
The best anime of 2000 is Hajime no Ippo
Ippo's fighting spirit is unmatched
The 2000s saw the emergence or continuation of many fantastic action anime that particularly appealed to fans. Inuyasha who a piece who D. Grey-manBut fans need to look beyond fantasy and the supernatural. More grounded action in sports anime Hajime no Ippo Count too much, and the realism makes the messages resonate even more.
Hajime no Ippo It doesn't need a demon or a devil's fruit to thrill audiences with a thrilling underdog story that doesn't shy away from the pain and hardships of a path like Ippo's. Ippo has a little more than grit and dreams, which is the ideal cocktail for something like a sports anime Hajime no Ippo. Fans can say yes Rocky of anime, and for all the right reasons.
The best anime of 2001 is Spirited Away
It is a masterpiece of Studio Ghibli's imagination
Studio Ghibli has gifted many gems to the anime community, viz My Neighbor Totoro and Howl's Moving CastleAnd among them is the amazing 2001 Enthusiast away. It's like an isekai anime movie, condensing everything fans love about isekai while adding strong personal and thematic depth.
Best comic anime of 2010 every year
The 2010s gave us a lot of laughs thanks to these hilarious anime.
This is not escapism in the elf state, nor is it an excuse to get away from the grind of office work. Enthusiast away There is an isekai adventure with a young heroine who doesn't really want to visit the new world, but she has no choice, and young Chihiro has enough room to grow in her time there. Enthusiast away Thanks not only to its attractive visuals and Chihiro's growth, but also to some commentary on Japanese society.
The best anime of 2002 is Naruto
Fantasy shonen anime was forever changed
The shonen “big three” started in 1999 with Toei Animation a pieceAnd just three years later, Studio Pierrot gave it a companion to the small screen: Naruto. It's one of the pillars of shonen from the 2000s and beyond, a masterwork of clever combat, ingenious character design, fun world-building, and powerfully meaningful character arcs.
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Shonen fans can't speak highly enough about it NarutoAnd even in the early days in 2002, it was doing a lot of work. pound for pound, Naruto Was even better in his debut year, rooting himself more firmly in ninja tricks and Naruto's quest where he had everything to prove. This was the era before the Ten-Tails and the giant Rasengan, when Naruto just had dreams and sheer will to see him through everything.
The best anime of 2003 is Planet
With the science fiction Blast of the Planets anime
As of 2003, anime has had notable series and movies in the realm of science fiction, such as 1988's. akira and 1995's Legendary Ghost in the ShellBut like cyberpunk and mecha anime Neon Genesis Evangelion Can't speak for the entire genre. Anime fans needed “normal” sci-fi to awaken their adventurous spirit, and so fans enjoyed 2003. the planets.
This anime comes from the same creator The Vinland Sagameaning the planets There is great character writing to discover the meaning and purpose of life while the protagonists are immersed in amazing adventures. The story still feels resonant today in light of the excitement of the Artemis II mission, humanity still bravely venturing into the perils of space for a mission of discovery in the heavens.
The best anime of 2004 is Bleach
The Big Three were complete when Ichigo arrived
2004 saw the “big three”. Weekly Shonen Jump Once completed on the small screen Bleach arrived It was definitely a cousin to the slightly older one a piece and Naruto anime, but it also felt different as a supernatural series partially rooted in the real world. Borrow that Bleach Some isekai and reverse isekai elements that make it more than just another adventure in a fantasy realm like the Grand Line.
The best Isekai anime of every year of 2010
There were some great Isekai anime in the 2010s. Here are the best from each year of the decade.
Bleach Ichigo Kurosaku also emerged as a “monster hunter” with a somewhat reluctant hero who does no Dream of becoming Hokage or Pirate King. Ichigo dreams of being a good-hearted tsundere who fights for his friends, which makes him even more relatable than Luffy or Naruto. He's an overnight hero doing his best in strange new situations, spirit swords and all.
The best anime of 2005 is Mushishi
May appeal to fans of Mushishi Frieren
In some ways, 2005 MushiAlso spelled Mushi-shiFavorites can remind fans Frieren: Beyond the end of the journey. Jinko the hero is no elf wizard, but he is a quiet, loving hero who visits the supernatural side of the world on a meditative trek into the unknown.
Sometimes, anime fans want from a series: a chance to relax and slowly absorb the mysteries and visions of the world without the need to fight or prove yourself as the best. Fantasy fans will enjoy how Ginko interacts with both humans and mushi creatures to explore the strengths of humanity — and its faults.
The best anime of 2006 is Death Note
Light Yagami's rise as Kira began here
of 2006 Death note A 10/10 shonen anime that bucked tradition with a dark antihero who is all about brains over brawn. Light Yagami wasn't the first or last shonen hero to stand out with his big brain, with Lelouch being his friend, but Light is still unique. By design, keeps the light Death note Fans are confused as to what he really is when he rises to power as Kira.
Death note Fans want badly to believe in Light as a champion of justice and his ideals of protecting humanity from violent crime, but Light's many crimes and descent into darkness make him little more than an idealist with a killer notebook. The very idea of justice is terribly fluid and subjective, even though everyone can agree on it Death noteThe many battles of wits are no match for the occasional plot contrivance to keep the Quest of Light going.
The best anime of 2007 is Gurren Lagann
Subversion and comedy formed the ideal mecha anime
Gurren Lagann Peak is mecha anime because it's a silly but effective combination of parody and genuine love of the genre. It's an unforgettable kind of tie-in with the mecha genre as a whole, tapping into what makes mecha fun while being honest about its exotic nature. Fans can call Gurren Lagann Cheerier, cartoonier cousin of Neon Genesis EvangelionWith each deconstructing mecha anime from the opposite side.
Apart from dissolution, Gurren Lagann It's the best anime of 2007 in part because it's refreshingly honest and straightforward, a personality that anime fans need more than ever. Some anime need to be deep and complex to engage fans' minds and challenge the medium, but fans also need favorites. Gurren Lagann To bring things down to earth even when the mechs are larger than the observable universe.
The best anime of 2008 is Toradora!
Love and tender vulnerability is what makes Ryuji and Taiga so appealing
The romantic comedy genre, and the drama genre, were seamlessly blended into the hit 2008 anime Toradora!. Like Kaguya-sama: Love is war After that, the Toradora! The anime is deceptively powerful as another high school romance anime that maximizes the potential of this familiar genre. Tonally, in comedy and drama Toradora! are in complete sync to make it a real emotional roller coaster.
The best anime of the '80s every year
The '80s were home to some amazing anime. These remain the best of each year.
Toradora!The actual plot and character arcs are carried by the remarkable growth and weaknesses of the two main characters, mostly Taiga Aisaka herself. She started off as a petite and violent tsundere, which raised a few eyebrows, but then she revealed herself to be a terribly vulnerable person who needed more than her friends – and eventually lover – cared to admit.
