Discover the Must-Watch Modern Anime That Will Hook Lapsed Fans Again!

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Summary

  • Anime has evolved from niche to mainstream, offering a wide variety of adult-oriented stories for a larger audience demand.
  • Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time and Uncle From Another World are new additions to the anime lineup for 2022.
  • Isekai series like Onimusha cater to fans of classic shows, offering a mix of dark fantasy and supernatural elements.

Anime has been a component of North American media for many years, but it hasn’t been mainstream for a very long period. In the 20th century, those who watched anime were relatively scarce, and since then, the genre has undergone significant transformations. Some enthusiasts now gravitate towards its more unconventional aspects, and as it gained wider popularity, they began to lose interest.

Nowadays, anime isn’t as avant-garde as it once was, but there’s an abundance of options available in both dubbed and subtitled versions due to increased demand and a broader acceptance of mature themes. For those who haven’t watched anime for some time, certain titles are more suitable for getting back into the groove than others, and all of the suggestions below are from 2020 onwards, ensuring even the most forgetful viewers are up-to-date.

7. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

The Conclusion Of A 20th Century Classic

In the 1990s, the Evangelion series began as a seemingly conventional harem-mecha story. However, it evolved into an unsettling and frightening dark fantasy with a complex narrative. This marked the emergence of anti-mecha anime, where psychological distress and body horror became the true adversaries. Now, three latest movies have concluded this franchise’s epic tale that fans have been eagerly waiting for.

Fans who have watched the original “Evangelion” will be struck by the stunning visuals in “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time,” as it revisits and concludes the larger narrative. The main characters remain largely consistent with the old series, but their final resolution is more definitive this time, although some may find it reminiscent of typical anime’s anticlimactic endings. It offers an opportunity to delve back into classic mecha stories while also introducing new ones that incorporate more CGI and less speculative content.

6. Onimusha

Classic Samurai Anime

Instead of being packed with action figures, superheroes, or far-off locations, the anime “Onimusha” saves its dark fantasy elements for later in the narrative, unveiling them at specific points. It’s an adaptation from a video game and forms part of a larger series that shares some of the same characters and settings from feudal Japan.

In this story, Mushahi serves as the protagonist, and the “oni” is a mystical bracelet, protected by monks and typically housed within their monastery for safekeeping. Mushahi petitions the monks to lend him the bracelet so he can harness its power against an evil spirit. However, there’s a catch: anyone who wields the bracelet runs the risk of becoming a demon themselves, placing both Mushahi’s courage and his very soul under scrutiny.

5. Spy × Family

A Modern Twist On An Old Concept

This title can be understood as “A Spy Joins a Family,” and it’s a narrative that blends these themes together. It ventures into various categories such as humor, emotion, thrill, and magic, ensuring a diverse range of appeal.

In the series Spy x Family, the protagonist goes by the code name Twilight, who assumes the role of psychiatrist Loid Forger for a secret operation. This operation involves creating a fictitious family to bolster his disguise. Unbeknownst to him, the seemingly ordinary individuals he selects as his wife and child are not what they appear. Eventually, Twilight uncovers that he’s enlisted a psychic and a lethal assassin, both with hidden agendas and secrets of their own.

4. Uncle From Another World

Fantasy In The Family

Back in the past, there were numerous isekai series, with hits like “Sword Art Online” and “Death Note” being well-known instances. The latest addition to this genre, “An Uncle from Another World“, is a refreshing twist that fans of vintage anime shows and films will find familiar.

This peculiar and frequently amusing tale unfolds when the main character, Takafumi Takaoka, takes his uncle home from the hospital following a 17-year coma. The twist is that his Uncle insists he was whisked away to a mystical realm while unconscious, and he backs up this claim by displaying magical abilities he supposedly acquired during his time in this fantastical world.

3. Fruits Basket

An Interpretation Of Ancient Mythology

Fruits Basket, which debuted in 2019 and wrapped up in 2023, deserves a spot on the list despite its recent release timeline. Given its popularity and widespread availability across anime streaming platforms, it’s an excellent pick for those new to the anime streaming scene. The narrative leans more towards drama than comedy, yet it intersperses these serious elements with lighter moments amidst the unfolding family mysteries and social intrigue.

The series combines humor, emotion, and age-old mythology by portraying a peculiar family that symbolically represents various creatures from the Chinese Zodiac. In the debut episode, the lead character, Tohru Honda, finds herself camping out due to her grandmother’s home renovations. As she begins living with this unusual household, she discovers they can transform into their zodiac animal counterparts after she grants them permission.

2. Vinland Saga

A Visceral Viking Tale

For some time, it seemed like Vikings were everywhere, with their live-action series capturing the spotlight. Yet, an anime series titled “Vinland Saga” – centered around a narrative of Scandinavian slaves, farmers, and pirates in pursuit of a fabled green land beyond the sea horizon – didn’t receive as much recognition as it merited. Fans of historical dramas or period shows should not miss out on this hidden gem.

The protagonist, Thorfinn, gives up a contented home existence for a mission of retribution. Abandoned in a distant land during childhood, he experiences numerous trials such as warfare, enslavement, famine, and other hardships typical of that era. Yet, his spirit remains crushed, yet fueled by the persistent desire to discover Vinland – the only hope that sustains him through adversity.

1. Belle

A Tale As Old As Time

The title of this Japanese film, “The Dragon and the Freckled Princess,” or literally “Dragon and the Spotted Princess,” might be more recognizable to you. This movie is a captivating retelling of the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” with the story centered around its heroine, and it’s one of Studio Chizu’s most stunning productions.

In the story Belle, the author employs intricate literary devices to echo the classic fairy tale. The protagonist names herself “Bell,” which is both her Japanese name and a reference to the bell-shaped instrument commonly found in churches or doorways. Interestingly, her digital persona in the virtual world is a beautiful, freckled princess, affectionately referred to by fans as “Belle” in French. One of her most ardent admirers is an unusual creature known variously as “The Dragon” or, translated another way, “The Beast.

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2025-02-24 07:35