The Best Seinen Anime Series of Every Year of the 2010s

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The 2010s were a particularly strong decade for seinen anime, and many fans consider it one of the best ever. While the 1990s and 2000s also produced some excellent shows, the 2010s delivered a huge number of series that remain popular and well-regarded today.

Every year in the 2010s had its highlights, but some years were particularly strong for anime. Here’s a look back at what we consider the best seinen anime from each of those years – it was tough to choose sometimes!

2010: Working!!

Souta Takanashi, a high school student who loves all things cute, finds himself working at Wagnaria, a family restaurant. He’s asked to join the team by Popura, a very small and charming employee, and quickly gets swept up in the quirky and often chaotic world of his new coworkers. This marks the start of a very unusual work life for Souta.

If you enjoy slice-of-life anime, Working!! is definitely worth checking out. It’s unique because it centers around the everyday experiences of people at work, offering a fresh and funny perspective. While it may not be super popular, the show consistently delivers laughs, features a likable group of characters, and explores their connections in a relatable way.

2011: Kaiji: Against All Rules

Okay, if you love the high-stakes drama of Kakegurui, you absolutely HAVE to check out Kaiji! It’s about this guy, Kaiji Itou, who gets thrown into a crazy world of gambling when he volunteers to take on a huge debt for a friend. He ends up on this insane gambling ship called the Espoir, and let me tell you, the things they bet are absolutely wild. It’s all about Kaiji trying to win everything and climb his way out of this mess – it’s a total rollercoaster!

Following the success of Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (2007), Against All Rules finds Kaiji in another desperate situation – he’s been kidnapped and forced to work. He attempts a high-stakes gamble to regain his freedom, but faces numerous obstacles and temptations along the way, making his escape far from simple.

2012: Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

The Lupin the Third series has been popular for many decades. It’s become a well-known franchise with numerous anime series and movies. While fans worldwide recognize Lupin himself, his supporting characters, particularly Fujiko Mine, have also become incredibly popular over time.

The series The Woman Called Fujiko Mine puts the spotlight on the popular character Fujiko. Though Lupin, Daisuke, and Goemon are present, the story revolves around Fujiko and her past. It’s a beautifully animated series, and delving deeper into Fujiko’s character results in some of the most compelling stories in the Lupin franchise. It often has a more serious tone than other installments, which contributes to its enduring appeal and makes it stand out.

2013: Monogatari Series: Second Season

The Monogatari series relies heavily on conversations and sometimes uses familiar anime clichés, which might not appeal to all viewers. However, if you enjoy this style, you’ll find it offers exceptional animation, engaging characters, and a compelling story.

The Monogatari Series: Second Season is divided into six arcs (Nekomonogatari (White), Kabukimonogatari, Hanamonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari, and Koimonogatari). It follows Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who became a vampire, and his encounters with people facing supernatural problems. While it’s not for everyone, the Monogatari series offers a distinctive and unusual viewing experience that sets it apart from other anime.

2014: Mushi-shi: Next Passage

The 2005 anime series Mushi-Shi is a truly unique show that doesn’t get enough recognition. Many consider it one of the best of its time, but the 2014 sequel, Mushi-shi: Next Passage, is arguably even more impressive.

Next Passage continues the journey of Ginko, who travels around helping people live alongside mysterious, supernatural creatures called Mushi. Because it’s an anthology series, you can easily watch at your own speed, but the captivating stories and dreamlike atmosphere will leave you eager for the next episode.

2015: One-Punch Man

While the newest season of One-Punch Man has sparked some debate, it doesn’t diminish how successful the first season was. Season 1 really launched the series to popularity and created a high benchmark that many fans believe hasn’t been reached in later seasons.

One-Punch Man follows Saitama’s hilarious rise as a hero, introducing memorable characters – both allies and enemies – and consistently delivering laugh-out-loud moments. Unlike many similar stories, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, balancing great action with a playful and comedic tone.

2016: March Comes In Like a Lion

Anime focusing on the game of shogi are rare. While March Comes In Like a Lion features shogi, it’s the compelling characters and their connections that truly make the series stand out.

The story centers around Rei Kiriyama, a talented young shogi player who becomes withdrawn and loses interest in life after leaving his adoptive family. His life begins to change when he meets the Kawamoto sisters – Akari, Hinata, and Momo. Akari tries to help Rei overcome his isolation, but he finds it difficult to manage the demands of his shogi career and learn to connect with people.

2017: Inuyashiki

Inuyashiki offers a fresh take on the superhero story, blending in science fiction too. Although the anime series is short – just 11 episodes – the animation by studio MAPPA is exceptionally well done.

Ichirou Inuyashiki, a 58-year-old man, feels lost and disconnected from his family. When he receives a terminal diagnosis, his life hits rock bottom. Then, a strange event occurs: he’s enveloped in a bright light and awakens to find his body has been completely rebuilt with advanced mechanics. Grateful for a second chance, Inuyashiki decides to dedicate himself to helping others, but he soon discovers things are more complicated than they appear.

2018: Grand Blue Dreaming

Every season brings a lot of funny anime, but Grand Blue Dreaming really stands out. It has a fantastic group of characters and consistently delivers hilarious moments, all while showcasing some surprisingly beautiful backgrounds.

The story centers on Iori Kitahara, a college freshman who moves to the Izu Peninsula to live with his uncle and help at his scuba diving shop. He quickly connects with the local diving club and embarks on a fun and lively college experience, filled with social events and playful adventures.

2019: Kaguya-sama: Love is War

If you enjoy romantic comedies but are looking for something fresh, you should definitely watch Kaguya-sama. This anime is set at Shuchiin Academy, a prestigious private school for the children of wealthy families. Miyuki Shirogane, the student council president, and Kaguya Shinomiya, the vice-president, are both brilliant students and everyone believes they’re perfect for each other—and they secretly feel the same way! However, they’re both too proud to be the first to confess their feelings. Instead of being honest, Kaguya and Miyuki try to outsmart each other, using elaborate plans and mind games to get the other person to confess their love first.

As the title suggests, Love is War portrays the relationship between its main characters as a constant battle of wits. Every attempt at expressing their feelings becomes a carefully calculated move. The series embraces this playful dynamic, and although the characters take their time falling for each other, their back-and-forth is engaging and keeps the story moving forward.

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2026-01-16 17:39