Although the anime industry has arguably reached its peak in the 2010s and 2020s, the 2000s were also a significant period. Many fans consider the 2000s to be when anime first truly became popular in Western countries, building on the groundwork laid by series like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z in the 1990s. While some anime from the 2000s haven’t aged well, many still stand out as classics.
Looking back at anime from the 2000s, a fun approach is to examine each year and identify its standout series. Many of these shows remain popular and are considered classics today – some are even masterpieces. While some years featured fierce competition for the best anime, others had a clear frontrunner.
2000’s Best Anime is Hajime no Ippo
Ippo’s Fighting Spirit Has No Equal
The 2000s brought us a lot of great action anime, especially shows like Inuyasha, One Piece, and D.Gray-Man that were popular with younger audiences. But it’s also worth remembering the exciting action found in sports anime, like Hajime no Ippo. The realistic settings in these shows can make their stories even more powerful and relatable.
Hajime no Ippo is a captivating underdog story that doesn’t rely on fantastical elements to be exciting. Instead, it focuses on the determination and hard work of its main character, Ippo, making it a perfect sports anime. Many fans compare it to the movie Rocky, and with good reason – it shares that same inspiring spirit.
2001’s Best Anime is Spirited Away
This is Studio Ghibli’s Masterwork of Imagination
Studio Ghibli has created many beloved anime films, including classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle. Among these is the incredible Spirited Away, released in 2001. It shares similarities with the popular ‘isekai’ genre, capturing everything fans love about it while also offering a deeply personal and meaningful story.
I’ve always felt that Spirited Away isn’t about simply escaping into a fantasy world, or needing a break from work. It’s more of an ‘isekai’ story – a genre where someone is transported to another world – but with a twist. Our main character, Chihiro, doesn’t want to be in this new world, she’s forced into it. And it’s amazing to watch her change and grow as she navigates it. What makes the film so successful, though, isn’t just how beautiful it looks or Chihiro’s journey; it also offers a really interesting look at Japanese society.
2002’s Best Anime is Naruto
Fantasy Shonen Anime Was Forever Changed
In 1999, the anime One Piece kicked off what became known as the “big three” of shonen series. Three years later, Naruto joined it on television. Both shows became incredibly influential, defining shonen anime in the 2000s and beyond with their smart battles, creative characters, imaginative worlds, and emotionally resonant stories.
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Fans absolutely love Naruto, and it was already a hit back in 2002. In its first year, the series really stood out, focusing on classic ninja skills and Naruto’s determination to prove himself. This was before the more complex storylines and powerful attacks – it was a simpler time when Naruto relied on his dreams and sheer force of will to overcome challenges.
2003’s Best Anime is Planetes
Science Fiction Blasted Off With the Planetes Anime
Even before 2003, anime had some truly amazing science fiction stories – I mean, classics like Akira from ’88 and the incredible Ghost in the Shell from ’95! But those were often really focused on cyberpunk or giant robots, and sometimes you just crave something a little more… grounded. We needed sci-fi that felt a bit more realistic and adventurous, and that’s exactly what Planetes delivered when it came out in 2003. It really hit the spot for those of us looking for something different!
Like Vinland Saga, this anime is created by a masterful storyteller, resulting in deeply developed characters and thought-provoking explorations of life’s meaning. The story follows thrilling adventures and feels particularly relevant now, as we watch the Artemis II mission push the boundaries of space exploration and continue humanity’s quest for discovery.
2004’s Best Anime is Bleach
The Big Three Was Complete When Ichigo Arrived
By 2004, the three most popular anime from Weekly Shonen Jump – One Piece, Naruto, and now Bleach – were all being broadcast on television. While Bleach shared similarities with One Piece and Naruto, it stood out with its focus on the supernatural and its connection to the real world. This gave it elements of the ‘isekai’ genre – stories about being transported to another world – which set it apart from purely fantastical adventures.
Bleach distinguished itself with a hero, Ichigo Kurosaki, who wasn’t striving for grand ambitions like becoming a powerful pirate or ninja. Instead, Ichigo was a kind but tough character who simply fought to protect those he cared about, making him more down-to-earth than characters like Luffy or Naruto. He was an ordinary person unexpectedly thrust into extraordinary circumstances, complete with spirit swords and supernatural battles.
2005’s Best Anime is Mushishi
Mushishi May Appeal to Fans of Frieren
Fans of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End might enjoy the 2005 series Mushishi (also known as Mushi-Shi). While the main character, Ginko, isn’t a magical elf, he’s a kind and thoughtful traveler who journeys through a mysterious, supernatural world.
You know, sometimes I just want an anime that lets me breathe. Not everything needs epic battles or power-ups! Mushishi is perfect for that – it’s a really gentle series where you can just soak in the atmosphere and think about some interesting ideas. If you’re a fantasy fan, you’ll especially love how the main character, Ginko, connects with both people and these fascinating spirit creatures called Mushi. It’s a beautiful way to explore what makes us human, the good and the bad.
2006’s Best Anime is Death Note
Light Yagami’s Rise as Kira Started Here
The 2006 anime Death Note is a perfect 10/10 shonen series because it broke the mold with a clever, rather than physically strong, protagonist. While characters like Lelouch also rely on intelligence, Light Yagami remains a uniquely unsettling hero. The series is intentionally crafted to make viewers question his motives and feel uneasy as he gains power as Kira.
Fans of Death Note often want to root for Light and his vision of a world free from criminals, seeing him as a hero. However, Light’s actions quickly become criminal themselves, proving he’s far more complex than just an idealist. The series raises difficult questions about what justice really means, as it’s often shown to be a matter of perspective. Despite occasional plot conveniences to move the story forward, Death Note remains unmatched in its clever and suspenseful battles of wits.
2007’s Best Anime is Gurren Lagann
Subversion and Comedy Formed the Ideal Mecha Anime
Gurren Lagann is considered the best in mecha anime because it brilliantly combines humor with a real passion for the genre. It has a unique relationship with mecha, openly embracing its over-the-top elements while still capturing what makes it so enjoyable. Some fans see Gurren Lagann as the more lighthearted, animated counterpart to Neon Genesis Evangelion, with both shows exploring and challenging the mecha genre, but from very different angles.
Despite any complex analysis, Gurren Lagann stands out as the best anime of 2007 because it’s genuinely heartfelt and simple – something anime fans really appreciate these days. While some anime succeed by being thought-provoking and pushing boundaries, we also need shows like Gurren Lagann to offer a more grounded experience, even with over-the-top action and giant robots.
2008’s Best Anime is Toradora!
Love and Tender Vulnerability Made Ryuji and Taiga so Charming
The popular 2008 anime Toradora! skillfully blended romantic comedy and dramatic elements. Like the later anime Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, Toradora! is surprisingly impactful, pushing the boundaries of what a typical high school romance can achieve. The show’s humor and drama work together perfectly, creating a truly emotional experience for viewers.
Watching Toradora!, what really grabbed me was how much the main characters, especially Taiga Aisaka, changed and developed. At first, she came across as this small, feisty, and kind of intimidating tsundere. But as the story unfolded, you quickly realized she was incredibly vulnerable and really needed the support of her friends – and eventually, her boyfriend – even if she didn’t want to show it.
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2026-04-18 15:44