The 2000s was a great decade for anime. While many are still nostalgic for classic titles from the '80s and '90s, it's getting to the point where people are starting to look back fondly on the turn of the millennium. For some, considering a series that aired in 2002 as a “classic” anime might be a scary thought, but we're at the point where many series from the era are being fondly revisited.
Shonen anime has always been popular, and the 2000s was a great time to be a fan. Aside from the absolute classic titles we still love today, the decade also had some solid series that are being overlooked. Here's a quick look at the best shonen anime from every year of the 2000s.
2000: Prem Hina
Battle shonen is often what fans think of when you mention “shonen” anime, but some of the most popular titles in the world's biggest shonen magazines are romantic comedies and harem series. As before notable titles To love Roo and Nisekoi WSJ became a staple, there was a weekly shonen magazine Love Hina.
The series is a very straightforward harem. It follows Keitarou Urashima, who, after failing to get into Tokyo University and fulfill a childhood promise, is convinced to help run his grandmother's inn. When he gets there, he discovers that it has actually been turned into an all-girls dormitory, home to five unique residents. Ketarou slowly develops relationships with the girls as he works towards fulfilling his promise.
2001: Bucky the Grappler
Before Netflix brought back the series in 2018 the restThere was the original Baki The Grappler The anime aired in June 2001. While it certainly has a loyal fan base, it always feels like a series that is often overlooked.
The series follows the titular Baki Hanma, who spends his young life training his body to the limit with one goal: to ultimately defeat his father, the terrifying Yujiro Hanma. Dubbed the World's Strongest Man, Bucky faces an uphill battle, ultimately setting out to find new opponents who will sharpen his skills in preparation for a final showdown with his father.
2002: Naruto
a piece It just missed the cut because it premiered in 1999, but you can bet that the rest of the WSJ's “big three” are going to make this list. It means to start talking NarutoA series that has remained a favorite of anime fans around the world for decades.
The series follows the titular Naruto as he works to become Hokage and earn the respect of the people of his hometown. With over 700 episodes, Naruto Definitely a time commitment. But it's worth the investment.
2003: Cromartie High School
Popular shonen anime often have comedic elements, but there aren't many comedies that are pure comedy. Cromartie High School A series you've probably never heard of, but you can be sure it'll be one of the funniest anime you've ever seen.
Despite having the grades to get into any high school he wants, Takashi Kamiya applies to the infamous Tokyo Metropolitan Cromarty High School, home to the country's toughest criminals, to support his less academically gifted middle school friend. When his friend fails the ridiculously easy entrance exam, Takashi is left to try to change schools for the better.
2004: Bleach
It shouldn't surprise anyone to see another “big three” series here. While it did not enjoy the same sustained success a piece and Naruto, Bleach is still an iconic 2000s anime that is experiencing a bit of a renaissance thanks to A Thousand Years of Blood War Anime.
The series follows Ichigo Kurosaki, who, thanks to a unique ability, can see spirits. After meeting a girl from another world named Rukia, who hunts soul-eating creatures known as Hollows, Ichigo is drawn into the conflict between the Hollows and the Soul Reapers, tasked with defeating them.
2005: Negima!
Nejima! One of those series that was huge while it was still running, but hasn't maintained much relevance. Still, it's a classic 2000s shonen that serves as an interesting time capsule.
The series follows 10-year-old Negi Springfield, who needs to pass one more test to become Magister Magi. However, Negi is given a strange task as her final test. He is accused of teaching English in all girls' schools in Japan. Things naturally get off to a rocky start, but Negi works hard to adjust to his new role while learning more about his students and ultimately solving the mystery of what happened to his missing father.
2006: Death Note
Although it may seem a little darker than one would normally associate with shonen anime, Death Note was one of the biggest series in the WSJ during its three-year run. The series serves as both a great introduction to anime and a solid title to sit down and enjoy if you've never gotten around to experiencing it.
Death note Light follows Yagami, who, after finding the titular death note and meeting a shinigami named Ryuk, sets out to create a utopia by killing criminals with the power of a mysterious book. But as things play out, it's clear that this newfound godly power is affecting Prakash in terrible ways.
2007: Gurren Lagann
With titles like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kare Kanoand Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water Under their belt, the now-defunct Gainax was responsible for some of the most iconic anime of the 90s. Although their work was less appreciated in the 2000s, the studio managed to strike gold again with 2007. Gurren Lagann.
Gurren Lagann The friends follow Simon and Kamina, who are forced to live in an underground village. When they stumble upon the ignition key for an old mech suit, they summon Lagann, the two go to the surface world where they fight the Spiral King and his Beastmen, who fight in giant suits called “Gunmen”.
2008: Soul Eater
If there is a classic 2000s shonen that deserves a remake, this is it Soul Eater. Bones' 2008 adaptation is a classic, but very much like the original Fullmetal AlchemistIt ran out of source material and was never completed to adapt the manga.
The series takes place in Death City, where students from the famous Death Weapon Master Academy work to make things called Death Scythes, weapons that the Lord Death uses to fight various monsters in their world. The student body is divided between the Meisters, who wield and wield these weapons to their full potential, and the students who have the power to transform into demonic weapons themselves. Soul Eater Follows a trio of Meisters and their Demon Weapon partners as they battle evil enemies and work towards the ultimate goals of creating/becoming the Death Sith.
original Fullmetal Alchemist The anime was great, but the biggest knock on it is that it didn't fully adapt Hiromu Arakawa's iconic manga. Enter 2009 brotherhoodA series that is considered not only an amazing adaptation of its source material, but one of the best anime of all time.
brotherhood Elric follows the brothers, who, after attempting to use alchemy to bring back their dead mother through human transmutation, face dire consequences. Ed, the older of the two, loses an arm and a leg in the ritual, while his younger brother Alphonse loses his body entirely and his spirit is trapped in a suit of metal armor. Now with a new goal in mind, the brothers set out to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone and restore their bodies.
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Naruto
- Release date
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2002 – 2007-00-00
- showrunner
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Masashi Kishimoto
- directors
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Hayato date
- The authors
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Masashi Kishimoto
- franchise(s)
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Naruto
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Bleach
- Release date
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2004 – 2012-00-00
- network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
- showrunner
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Tite Kubo
- directors
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Mitsutaka Noshitani, Junya Koshida, Hodaka Kuramoto, Yasuto Nishikata, Hiroaki Nishimura, Kazunori Mizuno, Akira Shimizu, Rokau Ogiwara, Kazunobu Shimizu, Akane Inoue, Hikaru Murata, Tomoko Hiramuki, Kazuo Nogaikoi, Kazuima, Kazukoi Nishi, Takushi Kimura, Koji Aritomi, Ogura Shirakawa, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yukio Okazaki, Mitsu Yamazaki, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Itaro Ano
- The authors
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Masahiro Okubo, Masashi Sogo, Kenta Shimoyama, Genki Yoshimura, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Rika Nakase, Michiko Yokote, Natsuko Takahashi, Kento Shimoyama
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Masakazu Morita
Ichigo Kurosaki (voice)
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Fumiko Orikasa
Rukia Kuchiki
