Top Anime of the 2010s You Must Watch Now

Summary

Anime has transitioned from niche to mainstream, with shows like Naruto and Death Note becoming popular in the 2000s.
Streaming services have allowed viewers to access anime easily, making it a popular and enjoyable form of entertainment.
The best anime of the 2010s excelled in storytelling, animation, or cultural impact, with titles like The Tatami Galaxy and Attack on Titan standing out.

Historically, exceptional anime often catered to a specific audience. If they weren’t highly acclaimed titles such as “Akira” and “Ghost in the Shell,” they were shows intended for Saturday morning viewing that underwent significant edits for distribution and censorship reasons. It’s worth noting that even video rental stores, despite these modifications, would sometimes place graphic series like “Ninja Scroll” or “Urotsukidoji” alongside family-friendly Disney productions.

Today, anime has gained immense popularity, and the 2000s were marked by the rise of shÅnen series like Naruto and Death Note, becoming household names. However, the 2010s brought about a revolution with the advent of streaming services, allowing viewers to binge-watch their favorite anime without delay. But which anime made subscribing to platforms like Crunchyroll, Funimation, VRV, etc., truly worth it? Regardless if they shone in storytelling, animation, cultural influence, or all three, these are the top anime of the 2010s, year by year.

10. 2010: The Tatami Galaxy

Disillusionment Across Dimensions

2010 marked my observation of Studio Ghibli’s unique take on “The Borrowers” with the release of “Arrietty”. Meanwhile, the manga-centric story of Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, titled “Bakuman”, transformed into an anime about the very medium it was created within. “The World God Only Knows” provided a stream of laughter, while “Colorful” chose to delve into a dramatic narrative revolving around suicide, offering a sense of upliftment without appearing contrived or insincere.

Viewers found it thought-provoking, but not quite as much as the anime “The Tatami Galaxy” did. Based on a 2004 novel, its unnamed protagonist explores how his college life might unfold in various alternate realities. However, none of these scenarios meet his expectations. Despite being a comedy, it has a deep, psychological undertone that makes it an intriguing viewing experience.

9. 2011: Steins;Gate

Texting the Past to Save the Future

2011 saw an escalation with “Tiger & Bunny,” a unique take on superheroes that was engaging, although not as complex or ominous as “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” The latter masked its tale of cosmic intrigue beneath the facade of a magical-girl series. On the other hand, “Hunter X Hunter” underwent a fresh revamp for a new audience, and “Hotarubi no Mori e” was a heartrending short that should not be missed.

Although they have a significant following, they didn’t garner the same level of success as Steins;Gate did. Initially a video game, Steins;Gate’s narrative about preventing catastrophic alternate timelines while navigating a secretive cabal might have surpassed its roots in visual novels. The anime resonated with both viewers and critics from diverse backgrounds, sparking numerous articles discussing its scientific aspects, take on geek culture, and various themes.

8. 2012: Space Brothers

Late Bloomers Can Still Shoot for the Stars

Instead of focusing on the anime that won the most awards each year, it might be more beneficial to consider those that have left the deepest emotional impact. For example, the heartwarming saga of “Wolf Children” may resonate with a larger audience compared to “Sword Art Online”. Both were released in 2012; however, while “WC” received critical acclaim, “SAO” sparked an isekai craze that has led to numerous spin-offs, competitors, and imitations.

I find it quite intriguing to come across “Space Brothers” in this setting. What makes it stand out is its grounded nature compared to shows like “WC” or “SAO”. Instead of focusing on fantastical elements, it follows Mutta’s journey to catch up with his younger brother Hibito and become an astronaut. This goal feels personal and achievable, yet the show manages to be captivating without resorting to excessive drama. Despite receiving praise, “Space Brothers” seems to have been overshadowed by other 2012 anime series like “Kingdom”, “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”, “Psycho-Pass”, and “SAO”. It appears to be somewhat undervalued in the grand scheme of that year’s animations.

7. 2013: Attack on Titan

The Start of a Colossal Series

Some years produce more standout series than others, and one such example is “Attack on Titan” (similar to SAO), which became a decade-defining series. By the time it concluded, it had solidified itself as a cultural touchstone, finding its way into discussions outside of anime. Its story, detailing Eren Yeager’s heroic journey from rise to fall, earned numerous awards and accolades. However, it wasn’t without competition.

Isao Takahata’s masterpiece at Studio Ghibli, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” is often considered his finest work from 2013. Hayao Miyazaki came close with his film, “The Wind Rises.” The hilarious and heartfelt anime series “My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU” topped the romantic comedy genre that year, and the murder-mystery anime adaption of the visual novel game, “Danganronpa: The Animation,” gained immense popularity, surpassing its origins on the PSP.

6. 2014: Ping-Pong: The Animation

A Unique Story Told Through a Unique Sport

Studio: Tatsunoko Production
1 Season, 11 Episodes
Available on Crunchyroll

2014 turned out to be quite an impressive year for anime. Notable releases included the animated adaptation of the horror manga “Parasyte,” titled “Parasyte: The Maxim,” and the quirky space odyssey of “Space Dandy” that gained cult status. “Your Lie in April” improved upon its manga’s flaws and almost clinched the top spot for the year, but it was hard to overlook the unique appeal of “Ping-Pong: The Animation,” a sports anime with a twist.

In contrast to other teams, Peco and Smile’s narratives didn’t revolve around the fight for the next major victory. Instead, they delved deeper into the characters themselves, their struggles with both success and defeat. The stories were as much about understanding their psyches as they were about documenting their winning streaks. When you add its captivating storyline to its stunning animation, exceptional sound quality, and rhythmic pacing, it becomes a visual, auditory, and intellectually stimulating experience all rolled into one series.

5. 2015: One-Punch Man

An S-Class Series About a B-Class Hero

2015 saw a noticeable drop in activity compared to 2014. While “Dragon Ball” returned with “Dragon Ball Super”, it didn’t quite match the quality of its predecessor films. “Food Wars” blended shonen genre with cooking, offering a unique mix of fine dining and fanservice. “Assassination Classroom” gained popularity with its quirky premise that proved both entertaining and engaging. However, “One-Punch Man” stood out as more intriguing.

One person’s rough-sketched webcomic featuring a superhero capable of obliterating everything with a single strike combined humorous blunders and delved into psychological depth, as Saitama sought purpose beyond the power he acquired. Although its second season was decent, its first season truly shone in its faithful adaptation of Yusuke Murata’s reimagined version of ONE’s comic, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and vibrant animation.

4. 2016: A Silent Voice

Ironically Louder Than its Counterparts

2016 saw me standing in the midst of an epic clash between titans of anime series. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4 squared off against My Hero Academia. The heartfelt bodyswap drama of Your Name found itself going toe-to-toe with the blockbuster BL sensation, Yuri!!! On Ice. Meanwhile, the psychological antics of The Disastrous Life of Saiki. K sought to outsmart Mob Psycho 100, while Erased and Re: Zero engaged in a fierce struggle spanning both time and space.

Despite this, other shows failed to elicit the powerful emotional response that A Silent Voice did. Shoya’s redemption for tormenting his deaf classmate Shoko is severe but poignant, intense yet inspiring, and tinged with a bittersweet flavor. The film’s 130 minutes provide a more emotionally turbulent journey than many entire series, and indeed, other films as well.

3. 2017: Made in Abyss

Looking Beyond the Surface

2017 presented several notable choices. “Kino’s Journey-The Beautiful World” and “Girls’ Last Tour” were heartwarming and poignant stories. On the other hand, “Inuyashiki” and “The Saga of Tanya the Evil” delved into the complexities of morality. Furthermore, “Land of the Lustrous” demonstrated that ‘3D’ can be more than just a term in anime, leaving many fans eagerly anticipating a second season since its conclusion.

Yet, it didn’t present nearly as much of an unexpected twist as “Made in Abyss” did. It appeared just as adorable as “Girls’ Last Tour”, but was significantly darker. The story revolves around a girl named Riko, who ventures into the title-given abyss to discover her mother’s fate, accompanied by a robotic boy named Reg. However, what awaits her goes beyond mere shock value, as the Abyss conceals atrocities far surpassing its increasingly gruesome inhabitants.

2. 2018: Hinamatsuri

An Unlikely Winner in a Busy Year

2018 was an exciting year with numerous newcomers gracing our screens. Shows like Golden Kamuy, Wotakoi, Megalo Box, Devilman Crybaby, Pop Team Epic, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and more are must-watch anime that cater to diverse tastes. There’s something for everyone: from workplace dramas, to stories of revenge with a gritty edge, and fantastical journeys into the surreal.

In just 12 episodes, Hinamatsuri delivers a myriad of unexpected twists. Nitta, a yakuza underling, finds himself caring for Hina, a child with extraordinary psychic abilities. The plot combines elements of criminal drama, humorous slapstick comedy, bizarre visual gags, intricate science fiction, and heartwarming moments as their bond deepens. It’s a delightful mix of the sweet, the absurd, and the profound.

1. 2019: Kaguya-Sama: Love is War

Making Romance By Testing Wills

2019 didn’t experience quite the same level of busyness as 2018, but it certainly had a lot of strong contenders. The anime “Dr Stone” successfully combined shonen elements with science concepts. A remake of Osamu Tezuka’s renowned series, “Dororo,” was released, and “Vinland Saga” finally made its way to animation. “The Promised Neverland” gained international acclaim, until the arrival of its second season.

Shows don’t necessarily need to be grand historical epics or intense dramas to become popular. Instead, “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” transformed the concept of courtship into a clever game of wits, with Kaguya and Miyuki attempting to confess their feelings first, much to the amusement of their peers. The series quickly gained traction, earning awards as well as acclaim from both fans and critics, ultimately ranking at the top going into 2020.

Shows don’t have to be serious or historical to win big. Take “Kaguya-sama: Love is War,” for example. It made courtship fun by turning it into a battle of wits between Kaguya and Miyuki, leaving their friends in stitches. The show became a sensation, earning awards and praise from viewers and critics alike, eventually becoming the most popular show heading into 2020.

2025-06-02 02:36