Top Action Anime of the 2020s You Can't Miss

2020s have been quite promising for anime enthusiasts. Japanese shows are now more accessible than before and their production seems unstoppable. Approximately 40 new anime series are released each season, which translates to about 800 series over the past few years. As we approach the end of this decade, this number is expected to double to around 2000. With so many choices available, it’s challenging to keep up with everything, especially in the highly popular action genre.

The top action anime from battle shonen, seinen, or manhwa series of the 2020s can be found among the genre’s all-time greats. These productions often feature stunning animation and narratives filled with compelling heroes, despicable villains, and intricate world-building. Since “action” can be somewhat ambiguous, these shows frequently blend with other genres, providing a diverse viewing experience. Here we will focus on the outstanding action titles of this decade for now.

Here are some criteria and things to keep in mind:

Quality is, naturally, the most important thing, but quantity matters as well. To qualify, an anime has to prioritize action and not just dish out the occasional set-piece. For example, Frieren and Delicious in Dungeon have been left out as they are primarily fantasy and not action anime.
While shows that released content before 2020 will be considered, only the seasons that came out in the 2020s matter.
No movies, OVAs, or donghua.

Honorable Mentions

In the 2020s, we’ve seen a wealth of fantastic action-oriented anime that it’s difficult to single out each one. However, if you’re seeking spectacular battle scenes, you won’t be disappointed by the ones listed below.

86: Eighty Six
Attack on Titan Season 4
Baki Hanma
Bungo Stray Dogs Seasons 4 & 5
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Danmachi Season 4
The God of High School
Ishura
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability
Kaiju No. 8
Kengan Ashura Season 2
Kingdom Seasons 3–5
My Hero Academia Seasons 6 & 7
Record of Ragnarok
Trigun Stampede

10. Lycoris Recoil

The Best Girls With Guns Anime Of The 2020s

In a unique twist, the anime series titled “Lycoris Recoil” centers around an elite group of girl operatives who double as spies and lethal agents (for the greater good). Dressed in regular school attire to mingle with ordinary citizens, they carry out their covert missions. Initially having difficulty getting along with others, Takina is reassigned to a quaint eatery where she partners with the lively and daring Chisato. After overcoming initial hurdles, this pair becomes quite effective, excelling in their roles as assassins/spies while also strengthening their friendship.

Lycoris Recoil masterfully combines pulse-pounding action sequences with tranquil, character-centric scenes from daily life. These seemingly contrasting elements serve to develop the characters, making Chisato and Takina feel more three-dimensional than mere participants in high-octane gunfights. During moments of intense action, Lycoris Recoil delivers exhilarating encounters showcasing a variety of combat styles and teamwork. Since supernatural powers are absent from the story (although certain elements may suggest otherwise), the action sequences focus on the mentalities and strategies of Chisato and Takina.

9. Wistoria: Wand and Sword

Decent Story, Fantastic Action

Danmachi by Fujino Ōmori has had an impressive run in the 2020s, with seasons 4 and 5 being its strongest yet. But when it comes to pure action, another anime adaptation of the author’s work stands out as the best. Wistoria: Wand and Sword demonstrates that exceptional visual presentation can elevate a series to greatness on its own.

In a realm where magic governs all, an individual named Will, who possesses no notable magical skills, faces disrespect from nearly everyone, particularly at Rigarden’s Academy of Magic. Yet, his dream remains undeterred – he aspires to become a Magia Vander, a prestigious role only granted to the most powerful and ingenious magicians.

Although the plot and environment aren’t exceptional, the action scenes in Wistoria stand out as some of the best from the 2020s thus far. With impressive animation, these sequences are heart-pounding events, especially when Will is backed by or confronts magicians, making for truly edge-of-your-seat viewing.

8. Chainsaw Man

A Gore-tastic Shonen Anime

Before its first appearance on screen, “Chainsaw Man” was highly anticipated and it generally met these expectations, although there’s still potential for further improvement as the story isn’t yet at its peak (in the anime). Humans coexist with devils, often living in fear of them, which is why a specific agency exists to handle these dangerous beings. After being killed off and amassing debt, Denji comes back to life by bonding with a friendly devil known as Pochita, thus becoming the Chainsaw Man. Essentially, he gets recruited by the Public Safety Devil Hunters.

In addition to its gruesome battles, what makes “Chainsaw Man” stand out among many shonen anime is its intensely brutal and impactful action scenes. This heightened violence serves to emphasize that any character could potentially meet their end at any time.

7. Dandadan

More Than Just Action

In a nutshell, the anime titled “Dandadan” is versatile and excels in various aspects. If you’re looking for romance, Momo and Okarun’s tender love story will captivate your heart and contribute to their character growth. For those seeking humor, this anime delivers with both physical comedy and witty dialogues among characters. If you’re interested in supernatural elements, it boasts both ghosts and aliens. Lastly, if action is what you crave, rest assured that “Dandadan” has plenty of it to offer as well.

As I take in each breathtaking set-piece of Dandadan, it strikes me how flawlessly it blends various genres and concepts. The fight sequences aren’t just visually captivating, but they often leave me in stitches, all while maintaining their dramatic essence. Much like the show as a whole, Dandadan’s action is nothing short of a perfect blend.

6. Wind Breaker

While extraordinary abilities can certainly make an anime exciting, a high-quality action series doesn’t necessarily require them to excel. Take the show “Wind Breaker,” for instance. Instead of relying on superpowers, it builds nail-biting battles using nothing but masterful martial arts. Occasionally, it even throws in an all-out brawl that perfectly captures the right amount of chaos.

Haruka enrolls in a notoriously tough school located in a well-known lawless town, unaware that its students primarily act as guardians for the town. As part of Bofurin, he engages in conflicts with other schools and gangs that hold differing views, and physical fights are the main method used to reach agreements.

In my opinion, when it comes to one-on-one battles in the realm of 2020s action anime, nothing quite matches up to the captivating fight choreography of Wind Breaker. What sets it apart is its impressive diversity, which is quite unexpected for a series with this particular premise.

5. Shangri-La Frontier

God Gamer

Rather than many game-based anime that confine their main characters within virtual worlds, there are rare series that prefer to chronicle a typical gamer’s journey without peril. Since the protagonist is essentially safe, these shows must find other means to engage audiences, and they often do so by offering thrilling action scenes to maintain interest.

In the virtual reality massively multiplayer online game known as Shangri-La Frontier, we follow the character of Rakuro. Known for his years spent playing unbalanced games, he navigates this so-called god game within the universe. His unique approach to combat comes from his knack for finding unconventional strategies, even when tackling opponents that seem far beyond his current level.

The quality of the action sequences in this game is top-notch due to excellent production, but what truly makes them stand out is that they don’t solely depend on stunning visuals. Instead, Rakuro’s abilities, understanding of the game, and weaponry are consistently developing, allowing him to adapt to a wide variety of formidable opponents.

4. Demon Slayer (Season 2-4)

The Most Popular Action Anime Of The 2020s

After a relatively slow beginning, Ufotable’s “Demon Slayer” gained worldwide recognition when episode 19 was released. This episode displayed animation quality usually found in full-length film productions. Although the first season premiered in 2019, the show flourished significantly during the early 2020s, cementing its place as the standout shonen series of the decade.

Despite boasting many praiseworthy aspects, what truly makes “Demon Slayer” a must-watch is its meticulously crafted and thrilling action sequences. Although it might veer into excessive spectacle during the Swordsmith Village Arc, the Mugen Train and Entertainment District Arcs of “Demon Slayer” are almost flawless examples of battle shonen stories, brimming with exceptional action scenes.

3. Solo Leveling

Season 2 Is Just A Series Of Fantastic Fights

Revising “Solo Leveling,” one of the most famous manhwas ever, required capturing its action perfectly as the original is renowned for its spectacular battles. Luckily, A-1 Pictures recognized the task and seemed to sparingly hold back on costs to ensure that Sung Jin-Woo’s animation transformation was seamless.

As Sung takes his time to establish his power and self-assurance in season 1 of “Solo Leveling,” the series truly shines in season 2, with each installment featuring an action sequence that exceeds the impressive benchmark established earlier. The fight animation by A-1 is not only fluid and polished, but also remarkably consistent. In terms of action anime from the 2020s, it’s safe to say that “Solo Leveling’s” sequel stands out as one of the best.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen

The Modern Standard In Action Shonen Anime

Shonen anime, with their epic battles, will forever remain popular. Whenever an iconic series concludes, a new one seems to emerge, eager to take up the legacy, and it appears that the 2020s are setting themselves up as a brilliant period for this genre. The anime “Jujutsu Kaisen” is a prime example of how shonen’s past influences its present, offering an experience that is both reminiscent of old times and freshly modern, especially in terms of its dynamic action sequences.

MAPPA’s animation is almost perfect, there’s no denying that, but what truly sets Jujutsu Kaisen apart is its rapid and frequent battles. Instead of stretching out confrontations unnecessarily, the anime opts for a series of intense, non-stop actions that swiftly transition to different combat scenarios, resulting in fights that always seem to be reaching their climax.

1. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

The Best Action Anime Of The 2020s (And The Best Comeback Story)

As a devoted fan, I must admit that my initial excitement for Bleach’s anime was uncontainable. The beginning was nothing short of spectacular, but unfortunately, after a promising start, it seemed to lose its spark and momentum, eventually getting axed before completing the final arc. Fast-forward over a decade, and I found myself pleasantly surprised when Pierrot decided to revisit this beloved series in the form of a four-part adaptation titled Thousand-Year Blood War. This decision quickly proved to be a wise move, as it reignited the passion that had been dormant for so long.

Despite its imperfections, Bleach never failed to deliver breathtaking action, even in its less engaging filler arcs. Consequently, a narrative primarily focused on high-stakes battles highlights the anime at its peak performance, and Thousand-Year Blood War boasts minimal distractions, allowing for an uninterrupted focus on its primary appeal. The animation by Pierrot is cinematic quality, making every scene a testament to epicness.

2025-05-04 04:05

Top Action Anime of the 2020s You Can’t Miss