The 13 Best Anime Series From the Past 5 Years, Ranked

The explosion of anime as a major source of entertainment for mainstream audiences in the 21st century has been one of the most rewarding sensations to take hold in recent decades. The early 2010s in particular saw a significant increase in the Japanese storytelling medium, with series like Attack on Titan, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and One Punch Man reaching the peak of their powers, becoming landmark hits for the genre that enticed millions of new fans.

One of the most exceptional things about the outburst in popularity, though, is how it was harnessed, with animation studios producing more and more great series to keep audiences invested in the genre’s stories and style. While some of the defining classics of anime have now finished, there are many more recent series that have taken up the mantle and enhanced the genre’s legacy in recent years.

13

‘Dandadan’ (2024-present)

Image via Science SARU

Love starts in mysterious ways, and for Dandadan, it begins through a dare to see which is real: aliens or ghosts. As it turns out, both are real, because after Momo awakens her psychic powers and Okarun is possessed by a ghost, the two of them must search for the latter’s golden balls with a weird new supernatural outlook.

The first episode may have weirded people out, but they are missing out on one of the most bizarre love stories out there, which is jam-packed with supernatural goodness and wholesome fun. Dandadan is unconventional, but it is exactly that weirdness which makes it one of the most compelling modern shows with an incredible anime power system. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck

12

‘Dungeon Meshi’ (2024–Present)

Image via Studio Trigger

2024 was one of the best years of modern anime, because right after Solo Leveling and Dandadan is Dungeon Meshi. When a member of the party is eaten by a dragon, the rest of the members rush back down in order to save her. But with no money or supplies, they kill two birds with one stone by eating the monsters they defeat.

Dungeon Meshi boasts one of the most fascinating worlds in anime, using its distinct biology and ecology to create a unique setting that flows into the story. The monster food creations are fun and creative, but the story takes a drastic turn, switching to a darker form of storytelling where the mystery takes over. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck

11

‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023–Present)

Image via OLM

Historical anime are getting increasingly popular, especially over the past five years, and one such example is The Apothecary Diaries. After Maomao is kidnapped and sold to the Royal Palace, she serves as an attendant, apothecary, and de facto detective, using her vast knowledge to solve the mysteries and crimes plaguing the Inner Court.

Maomao is one of the best modern anime protagonists, bringing new ways of thinking that evolve the story in fascinating ways. The Apothecary Diaries already has around 50 episodes, with more seasons soon approaching, and this constant supply of episodes proves how much fans love it, with it even having a chance to become one of the best anime series of all time. —Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck

10

‘Ranking of Kings’ (2021–2022)

Image via Funimation

One of anime’s greatest strengths is its ability to realize and ground fantasy realms while still telling incredible, character-driven stories. Ranking of Kings is a perfect example of this, set in a world where each nation’s king is ranked based on the prosperity of their lands, the strength of their warriors, and the might of the kings themselves. Born deaf and mute, and dubbed “The Useless Prince”, young Bojji suffers jeers even from his own people, but everything changes when he befriends a survivor of an expunged assassin clan who understands him.

Over the course of 23 episodes, the series won over a plethora of fans with its heartwarming yet adventurous and exciting story and its engrossing fantasy setting. While the main series consists of just one season, a spin-off show, Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage, aired in 2023, and an anime film has been announced.

9

’86: Eighty-Six’ (2021–2022)

Image via A-1 Pictures

Launching in 2021 and releasing 24 episodes over two courses, 86: Eighty-Six was a futuristic sci-fi action series depicting a large-scale war between two feuding nations. As stated by the Republic of San Mongolia, they are fighting an ethical war with the Giadian Empire as they use unmanned drones in combat, but their claims are lies, as the robots are piloted by social undesirables known as “Eighty-sixers.”

The story revolves around a compassionate commanding officer tasked with overseeing the operations of the elite Spearhead squadron, forming a complex relationship with the unit’s brilliant leader as he fights on with his own mysterious motive. Based on the light novel series of the same name, it became a revered hit boasting an impressive score on the anime streaming service Crunchyroll.

8

‘Odd Taxi’ (2021)

Image via P.I.C.S.

A playful mixture of crime noir, fantasy, mystery thriller, and comedy, Odd Taxi was an arresting dose of high-value entertainment when it was released in 2021. The must-watch one-season series follows a walrus cab driver in Tokyo who, through conversations with his passengers, begins to unravel a sprawling mystery that leads to him being pursued by the yakuza as well as the police.

It was received by fans as a refreshing anime series that perfectly balanced its penchant for witty comedy and visual style with its poignant meditation on its more harrowing themes. The fact that it also happens to be one of the best depictions of anthropomorphic characters in both style and approach was just an added bonus which made the series that much more compelling.

7

‘Lookism’ (2022)

Image via Netflix

Lookism is a Korean anime based on a webtoon. Hyeong Seok is an average high schooler with one significant problem: he is constantly bullied and picked on for his appearance, which many consider unsightly. Then one day, after spending a day in a new town, he wakes up in the middle of the night in a completely different body.

Now with a fresh face, he learns that he has a second chance to make something of himself with the new advantage of the attractive body he has control over. Lookism focuses on the themes of bias and bullying due to one’s outward appearance; even though Hyeong Seok is unattractive in his real body, people are attracted to the real him in his fake body and give him a chance. Any fan of K-drama adaptations may enjoy this unique entry in the genre.

6

‘Spy x Family’ (2022–Present)

Image via Wit Studio

Already one of the best anime shows of the 2020s, Spy x Family has amassed a huge fanbase and widespread critical acclaim as a stylistic yet compelling series that thrives on every level. Based on the manga of the same name by Tatsuya Endo, it focuses on a master spy who assembles a family for cover as he looks into a political figure. Unbeknownst to him, however, his mock wife is actually an expert assassin and his daughter harbors telepathic abilities.

The series has a deft balance of comedy, action, spy thrills, and intriguing character arcs, making it an immersive and ambitious show that juggles tone and genre with impeccable skill. A third season of the series was recently announced, while an anime feature film based on Spy x Family was released late in 2023, earning high praise and performing admirably at the worldwide box office.

5

‘Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ (2022–Present)

Image via Netflix

David is a young delinquent attending a special academy to climb his way up into the corporate world and out of poverty. However, after getting into an argument with his mother about dropping out, they are caught in the middle of gunfire while driving in the street. The accident leaves David alone and his mother dead. Then he meets the eccentric Lucy, changing his life completely.

Unfolding within the world of Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners speaks heavily on the topics of inequality and the violence that stems from it. It’s a dark series with heavy topics that are not commonly seen in a lot of anime, making this a standout all on its own with its interesting yet complicated tech in a futuristic setting.

4

‘Wonder Egg Priority’ (2021)

Image via CloverWorks

Wonder Egg Priority is an interesting anime from the very start, with a distinct premise that’ll have viewers immediately hooked. It begins with an obscure egg that Ai Ohto receives one day. Upon breaking it in a dream, Ai realizes that she has to save the people who are hatched from the egg, which she hopes will eventually save her best friend, who passed away.

Although often lighthearted, Wonder Egg Priority deals with heavy topics of harassment and suicide, which does not, by any means, make it an easy watch for the average viewer. Still, the obscurity of the anime makes it worth the watch as it engages the viewer almost immediately.