The Best Shonen Anime of Every Year of the 2020s (So Far)

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The 2020s are already proving to be a fantastic decade for anime. We’ve seen incredible shows – from blockbuster movies to popular adaptations and unexpected hits – and there’s still more to come before the decade ends.

The 2020s have been an amazing time for shonen anime, with many popular series featuring fantastic animation. Choosing just one standout series per year is tough! This list focuses only on series – so while movies like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc were excellent, they aren’t included. Here’s a look at the best shonen anime series from each year of the decade.

2020: Jujutsu Kaisen

Currently one of the most popular anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen has been a hit for the past five years. Based on Gege Akutami’s manga, it’s spawned a video game, movies, and a widely successful anime. Although the original manga finished in 2024, a sequel is already underway, and the anime studio MAPPA continues to deliver fantastic episodes, keeping JJK as popular now as it was when it first premiered in 2020.

While Demon Slayer is often praised for its amazing animation, Jujutsu Kaisen, animated by MAPPA, is equally impressive. The action sequences are stunning and flow seamlessly, giving the whole series a very refined and polished feel. With Season 3 currently airing, many believe it could be a top contender for the best anime of 2024.

2021: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc

Since its debut in 2019, Demon Slayer has consistently been a visually stunning and beautifully animated series. Ufotable has done a fantastic job of bringing the Demon Slayer manga to life, creating an anime that’s not only faithful to the source material but also truly exceptional in its own right, especially with the addition of several films.

The Entertainment District Arc features fantastic character development for Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Nezuko, and Inosuke, with several memorable scenes. Visually, it’s stunning—even after five years, the animation remains some of the best in anime.

2022: Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 2

After a decade on the air, the Attack on Titan anime concluded in 2023 with the final special airing in November. The second part of the anime’s final season premiered in 2022, building anticipation for the story’s conclusion, and it ultimately delivered a thrilling and satisfying ending with some of the most intense moments of the series.

The second part of the final season of Attack on Titan consistently delivered impactful episodes, revealing shocking truths like Eren’s control over Grisha, the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death, and the start of the Rumbling. While the ending remains a topic of discussion, MAPPA’s adaptation of the finale was a resounding success.

2023: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

The anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has quickly become a huge hit, earning a score of 9.28 on MAL. This puts it above many well-loved classics like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Steins;Gate, and Hunter x Hunter (2011).

I’m completely blown away by Madhouse’s animation on Frieren! It’s gorgeous to look at, but what really got me was how well they developed all the characters – Frieren, Fern, Stark, everyone. It deals with some really powerful themes of loss and regret, which makes it a bit of an emotional ride, but in the best way. And the music? Absolutely phenomenal. It all adds up to why this series has captured so many hearts – including mine!

2024: Dandadan

2024 offered a lot of excellent anime, but Dandadan truly stood out as something special. It uniquely combines supernatural themes with science fiction, and while the two main characters are fantastic, the supporting cast is equally engaging and worth getting to know.

Thanks to stunning animation by Science Saru and a stylish look, Dandadan is easily one of the most visually impressive anime of the 2020s. The second season arrived in 2025 to similar praise, but viewers will need to wait until 2027 for the next installment.

2025: My Hero Academia Final Season

The final season of My Hero Academia exceeded everyone’s expectations. While the anime has always been well-made, the studio Bones truly outdid themselves to create a memorable conclusion to Kohei Horikoshi’s popular series. Many fans consider it the best season of the show so far.

The final season of My Hero Academia featured gorgeous animation, delivering visually stunning and exciting moments for fans. Bones did a fantastic job of bringing the manga’s ending to life, providing a satisfying conclusion that captured everything fans loved about the series. 2025 was already a strong year for action anime with new releases like Solo Leveling, Dr. Stone, Sakamoto Days, Dandadan Season 2, and Gachiakuta, but My Hero Academia‘s final season truly shined.

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2026-01-31 04:36