Entertainment
10 Greatest Anime Series of the Last 10 Years, Ranked
The past ten years have seen massive development in many areas, including increased popularity in new forms of entertainment, especially anime. What started as a niche medium in the West has now exploded into a worldwide sensation that almost everyone consumes. While there are popular masterpieces like One Piece and Naruto, the last ten years have introduced fans to a slew of modern classics.
Anime has only gotten better and more popular over the past decade, which is why this list will rank the greatest anime shows from the past ten years. Based on elements such as story, writing, animation, entertainment value, originality, influence, popularity, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these ten series are the highlights of the past ten years. This list will include any anime that came out from 2016 to the present day.
10
‘Dr. Stone’ (2019–2026)
Dr. Stone marked seven years of shōnen excellence. After the world is suddenly enveloped in a mysterious green light that petrifies all humans, humanity stands still for thousands of years. But when Senku is unpetrified, he starts rebuilding society one step at a time, but not without a few surprises along the way.
Dr. Stone may not be a typical battle shōnen, but it is one of the most unique concepts of the past decade, with each season improving upon the next. Through science and the unrelenting progression of human desire and knowledge, this anime represents the best of humanity and its combined effort to make the world better. Dr. Stone is a triumph of the human spirit and a marvellous new anime that everyone needs to watch.
9
‘Grand Blue Dreaming’ (2017–Present)
Everyone loves to laugh, but anime humor is very hit or miss, with a Western audience finding it hard to enjoy. However, one of the most universally beloved anime comedies is Grand Blue Dreaming. Iori moves to a seaside town for university, staying with his cousins. However, after being roped into the diving club, he spends most of his time drinking and enjoying the ocean view.
After a long wait, fans finally got the second season they deserved, officially reviving interest in this phenomenal comedy series. Grand Blue isn’t just drinking and jokes, but it also features a profound story with genuine moments of self-discovery and reflection. This emotional weight, added to its hilarious style and eccentric characters, makes Grand Blue a must-watch comedy.
8
‘Demon Slayer’ (2019–Present)
While it was a collection of shows and the free time the pandemic brought that created the modern anime boom, one anime in particular exploded the most: Demon Slayer. After a demon named Muzan killed his entire family, leaving only him and his demonized sister, Tanjiro sets out to kill Muzan and hopefully reverse his sister back into a human.
Fans have criticized its story, but Demon Slayer is one of the most popular anime series of all time, and arguably the most influential of modern shows. Its style and animation feature some of the best anime has to offer, delivering stunning visuals and stellar fight scenes. Demon Slayer has built a legacy out of its visually stunning nature, easily being a highlight of the past ten years.
7
‘Golden Kamuy’ (2018–Present)
After announcing that the final season would air in 2026, Golden Kamuy announced a final project in 2027 that will actually conclude this historical story. When a soldier hears about a stash of hidden gold, he teams up with an Ainu girl to find her people’s treasure. The map is tattooed on dozens of criminals, creating a mad dash to find them before the military does.
The historical genre has made an unexpected resurgence in recent times, and Golden Kamuy is one of the best, offering an authentic look back while also including a modern flair. From endearing characters to bizarre fight scenes and hilarious moments, Golden Kamuy is one of the weirdest and funniest action anime, delivering an over-the-top adventure that doesn’t get in the way of its masterful writing.
6
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–Present)
If Demon Slayer isn’t the most popular or influential anime of the past ten years, then it is definitely Jujutsu Kaisen. After Yuji accidentally swallows the fingers of an ancient demon, he is thrust into the world of sorcery. Some want to execute him, and others want to use him in their evil schemes, but all he wants to do is use his newfound powers to save as many people as possible.
Jujutsu Kaisen is a worldwide phenomenon that earned its reputation through incredibly fluid animation and gorgeous fight sequences. As one of the greatest modern action anime, it excels in its imaginative powers and creative battles. It may not be the best anime this decade produced, but it is one of the most popular, influential, and engaging, serving up nothing but some of the most entertaining episodes the medium has to offer.
5
‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023–Present)
As mentioned, historical anime are getting more popular, and one of the most recent masterpieces this genre gave fans was The Apothecary Diaries. Maomao works as an apothecary at a brothel, but when she is kidnapped and sold to the royal palace, she uses her medicinal and detective skills to solve mysteries around the imperial court.
Not many modern anime shows get as many episodes and seasons as The Apothecary Diaries, which already has 50 episodes in three years, with a new season and movie coming out at the end of 2026. This volume of episodes only proves how popular and engaging this anime is, delivering episodic mysteries, slice-of-life moments, fascinating plot developments, and an overall story that uses its characters exceptionally.
4
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022–Present)
While it initially ended with one season, Trigger just announced that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners would receive a second season, bringing back one of the most vibrant series of the 2020s. After David’s mother dies, he decides to join a gang with his cybernetically advanced spine to seek revenge for her death. However, all he gets is more trauma and tragedy.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is full of life and dripping with style, using its magnificent world-building to make the city feel like its own character. Heartbreak is around every corner, and this tragic anime doesn’t pull any punches, creating a gut-wrenching yet beautiful experience. As one of the best cyberpunk anime series, it delivers a gripping story with over-the-top animation and a colorful style.
3
‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–Present)
This list features not one, not two, but three historical anime series, highlighting how great this genre is becoming, and the greatest it has to offer is Vinland Saga. A group of Vikings murders Thorfinn’s father, and while the child seeks revenge, he first joins their Viking crew to get strong enough. However, he will learn many life lessons along the way, even questioning his purpose.
Featuring some of the best character development in anime, Vinland Saga breaks down its characters and slowly builds them back up using philosophical theories, personal goals, and overarching themes. One season, fans are enjoying its thrilling action and sprawling war plot, and the next, they are witnessing a beautiful, grounded masterclass of storytelling. Vinland Saga is a modern masterpiece that will be one of the greatest anime series ever when it ends.
2
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–Present)
The 2020s are highlighted by a handful of anime, including Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and the latter in particular is a masterpiece of the past ten years. Frieren and a couple of pupils set off on a nostalgic quest along the same route she went with her initial party to kill the demon king. Going to speak to those fallen, their adventure is full of ups and downs.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End proves that a show doesn’t need constant action and high stakes to retain attention, rather focusing on the side quests and simple days of an adventure. It proves that stopping to sniff the roses isn’t just filler, but a calming and compelling plot that feeds into core themes and motifs. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a masterful fantasy anime and a staple of the 2020s.
1
‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)
It was difficult to decide whether 2016 or 2017 should be the cutoff for this list, but since the former includes Mob Psycho 100, it had to include that year. Shigeo is the world’s strongest psychic, but he just wants to live an average life. However, since he suppresses his emotions, his psychic powers explode, making life more difficult for him, his friends, and his enemies.
The past decade has included some real heavy hitters, but none hit harder than the champion of the past ten years, Mob Psycho 100. It isn’t just the best anime since 2016; it is one of the greatest anime series of all time, and it earns this status through its endearing characters, compelling development, staple comedy, stunning animation, creative fights, and imaginative directing.
Mob Psycho 100
- Release Date
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2016 – 2022
- Network
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Tokyo MX
- Directors
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Katsuya Shigehara, Kenichi Fujisawa, Yohei Shindo, Hiroshi Takeuchi, Tsuyoshi Tobita, Takashi Kawabata, Shohei Miyake, Yoko Kanamori, Toshiyuki Sone, Tomoaki Ohta
- Writers
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Hiroshi Seko
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Setsuo Ito
Shigeo ‘Mob’ Kageyama (voice)
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Takahiro Sakurai
Arataka Reigen (voice)
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