The 2010s were a great time for fans ofanime, with many classic series likeDragon BallandSailor Moonmaking comebacks, while other new series would firmly establish themselves in the landscape.My Hero AcademiaandAttack on Titanwould make their respective debuts in 2010 before eventually becoming giants of their own.
These series are some of the best to enter the anime sphere in the 2010s. Some started then and are still ongoing, while others had brief runs of only 12 episodes. Regardless of their length,these are all series that had some major impacts on the anime fandom of the 2010s, and remain excellent watches to this day.
Attack on Titanwas such a massively popular series when it first debuted that it’s almost hard to comprehend now. The first season dropped in 2013, and the terror of cannibalistic giants suddenly skyrocketed to unprecedented levels.The series won over fans with its ruthlessness and grittiness, as humanity’s last defenders stood against threats they couldn’t hope to defeat.
Attack on Titan’s story certainly changed a lotas it unfolded, and many of these changes were not exactly popular. The series reached peak controversy as it went into its final episodes, with a massive twist that no one saw coming. As such, the series is remembered a bit dubiously these days, but its first season is still unique.
If only for its impact on anime and manga fandom that resonates to this day,Attack on Titanwas a 2010s superstar.
Parasyte: The Maximis a sci-fi/horror seriesin which Shinichi Izumi wakes up to find that his right hand has been taken over by an alien that tried to steal his body and failed.Now forced to coexist with this alien being, dubbed Migi, Shinichi soon discovers many other aliens out there who won’t hesitate to kill him.
As two beings who never would’ve chosen to be allies, the fate of the Earth now rests on their shoulders.
Shinichi and Migi develop a fascinating relationship as the story evolves, with Migi growing more human and empathetic, and Shinichi growing more competent and dangerous in a fight. As two beings who never would’ve chosen to be allies, the fate of the Earth now rests on their shoulders.
The original manga is actually from the late 1980s, so the anime updates the timeframe to a present-day one. The story, however, is timeless, and it’s a great watch even for those who don’t typically enjoy horror.
Kill La Killwas thefirst anime outing by Studio Trigger, a new studio made up of former Gainax employees that took off like a rocket, quickly establishing a major name for themselves.Kill La Killis the kind of anime that one has to be careful of recommending, however, as its bizarre premise may scare off potential viewers.
Kill La Killtells the story of Ryuko Matoi, a delinquent on the hunt for her father’s killer.Ryuko’s quest leads her to a bizarre school with uniforms that hold special powers, and she quickly becomes embroiled in a complex plot that could lead to the takeover of the world by aliens.
The series is both action-packed and hilarious, but it mines a lot of humor out of nudity, something which can definitely make certain viewers uncomfortable. The nudity is always played as a joke, which helps to save it from becoming nothing but fan service.
Sailor Moon, of course, was a ’90s anime icon, and the eponymous hero remains one of the best-known anime characters to this day.Sailor Moon Crystalis a retelling of the story ofSailor Moon, sticking much closer to the original manga than the 90s series did. It ended up lasting three seasons and received 2 movies in the 2020s.
As a more faithful adaptation of a 90s classic,Sailor Moon Crystalis somewhat similar toDragon Ball Z Kai, althoughCrystaldoes use new animation rather than repurposing old 90s animation.It brought the true story of the manga to screens for the first time, letting fans who’ve longed for the manga to be properly adapted rejoice.
It’s thrilling to see a classic likeSailor Moonmake a comeback, especially one that’s as entertaining and groundbreaking asSailor Moon Crystal.
Psycho-Passis a cyberpunk thriller set in the distant future, where a machine known as Sibyl is used to constantly monitor the emotional state of everyone at any time, making crime easy to predict and, in theory, prevent. Inspector Akane Tsunemori teams up with enforcers, criminals who are authorized to use force to spare the Inspector’s mental state.
The series is quite dark, revealing how such a strict monitoring of emotion and mental health negatively affects everyone and anyone, turning innocent civilians into fragile-minded fools who will have a breakdown if they witness anything too violent, potentially getting themselves killed for criminal outbursts as well.
Thefirst season ofPsycho-Passis especially well-respected.Designed as a successor toGhost in the Shell,Psycho-Passis a dark, gritty, and terrifying glimpse at a future that far too many people actually seem to want.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventureis one of those series that even those who don’t know it are aware of it in some capacity. While famous for its memes,Jojo’s Bizarre Adventureis far more than just a factory of goofy images and ridiculous situations. It tells the multi-generational tale of the Joestar family and their struggles with the supernatural.
Jojois famous for its use of Stands, ghostly apparitions which can fight alongside their users and lend them extraordinary powers.
As such,Jojo’s Bizarre Adventurehas a frequently rotating cast, with each story arc featuring its own Joestar with his own gallery of allies and enemies, sometimes including previous heroes and villains.Jojois famous for its use of Stands, ghostly apparitions which can fight alongside their users and lend them extraordinary powers.
Jojobegan as a manga in the 80s, so this adaptation was long-awaited, to say the least. Fans did well this decade, too, as they received adaptations for parts 1-5 before 2020, an adaptation of part 6 in 2022, and therecently announced part 7,Steel Ball Run, coming soon.
Madoka Magicais a magical girl series unlike any other. It follows young Madoka Kaname, a girl who learns of the existence of magical girls and is tempted by the mysterious alien being Kyubey to become one. However, there’s another magical girl out there who seems dead set on preventing Madoka from becoming a magical girl.
Madoka Magica’s story is complex and interesting, and the anime was massively influential when it came out.The anime is beautifully animated, with the Witches, bizarre creatures that transcend physical laws, appearing as some of the most innovative art in the series.Madokawas popular enough to receive a sequel movie,Rebellion Story, and another sequel,Walpurgisnacht: Rising, in 2026.
Now considered a classic and a staple of the genre,Madoka Magicais impressively packed with story, coming in at just 12 episodes. It goes to show, don’t underestimate an anime just for being on the shorter side.
Hunter x Hunteris one of the most highly-respected manga of all time, and the 2011 anime retold the story from the beginning, covering basically every existing chapter of the (as yet still-unfinished) manga.Hunter x Hunterfollows Gon Freecss, a young boy who dreams of becoming a Hunter, a licensed mercenary capable of almost anything.
Gon meets a cast of incredibly memorable characters and goes on some truly wild adventures on his quest to become a Hunter and track down his long-estranged father.The series features one of the most complex magic systems out there in the form of Nen, and has a fascinating world full of all kinds of wonders.
The lengthy Chimera Ant arc is consideredone of the best anime story arcs ever, although it is set very late in the anime. All in all, it’s a fantastic adaptation of one of the best manga of all time.
Space Dandywas the return to sci-fi forCowboy Bebop’s Shinichiro Watanabe, and anticipation for the series was quite high, with this anime actually debuting in English on Adult Swim before its Japanese airing. The series follows Dandy, a space bounty hunter who collects rare aliens for registration alongside his robot QT and cat-alien Meow.
Space Dandyhas a lot in common withCowboy Bebop, but tonally, it’s the complete opposite.WhereBebopis moody and melancholy,Dandyis hilarious and ridiculous. Still, despite being primarily a comedy series, it managed to have some deep moments in it, and the animation was particularly incredible, with different artists in charge of each episode.
It’s tough to sum upSpace Dandyin just a few words, but it’s absolutely worth the time to check out, especially for anyone who’s a fan of Watanabe’s other works.
Mob Psycho 100tells the story of Mob, a young boy with colossal psychic powers who really just wants to be normal. He ends up meeting a con-man named Reigen who has no spiritual or psychic powers of his own, and comes aboard as Reigen’s pupil, ostensibly learning to control his power.
Mob Psycho 100is known for its incredible and beautiful animation, withbizarre colors and effects employed to showcase the power of these psychic abilities. The series is also absolutely hilarious, with Reigen being a stand-out character. It’s also an interesting exploration of Mob as a character, as he grows and comes to accept his powers as part of himself.
The series is high-quality from start to finish, and it’s just as eye-popping as it was the day it came out. For that reason,Mob Psycho 100may well be the very bestanimefrom the 2010s.
