30 Best Anime of the Decade, Ranked

Over the last decade (2015-2024), anime has seen a surge of creative and innovative series and movies. This collection highlights thirty of the best, ranked from good to exceptional, based on how well they were received by critics and viewers. You’ll find a variety of options – including shows that are still running, completed series, and full-length films – with details about the people who made them, the studios involved, and what each one is about, to help you choose your next favorite.

‘The Apothecary Diaries’ (2023–2024)

This anime, created by TOHO animation and OLM, is a historical mystery centered on Maomao, a skilled apothecary who is taken to the imperial court. There, she uses her knowledge to solve medical mysteries and unravel the secrets of the palace. The first season has 24 episodes, combining self-contained cases with a larger story involving poisonings and power struggles. The show pays close attention to historical details about medicine, food, and how clues are uncovered.

‘Horimiya’ (2021)

CloverWorks created a 13-episode anime series based on the manga HERO and Daisuke Hagiwara’s work, exploring themes of self-discovery, friendships, and everyday family life. To cover a years-long love story, the show uses a unique visual style with quick time skips. In 2023, a sequel called ‘Horimiya: The Missing Pieces’ added even more story from the same time period.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022–)

MAPPA has created a 12-episode first season of an anime based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga. It features fast-paced action, realistic violence, and a diverse soundtrack with different music in each ending. The story centers on Denji and a team of Devil Hunters who battle devils born from people’s anxieties. The first season adapts the beginning of the manga, up to the fight with the Katana Man, and a continuation in theaters has been announced.

‘The Promised Neverland’ (2019–2021)

CloverWorks adapted the popular manga about a daring escape in a 12-episode first season, focusing on the story at Grace Field Orphanage. It follows Emma, Norman, and Ray as they discover a dark secret about where the orphanage gets its supplies and begin planning their escape. The second season finishes the story, but covers the remaining parts of the manga at a faster pace.

’86’ (2021–2022)

A-1 Pictures has created an anime based on Asato Asato’s novels, spanning 23 episodes and focusing on the realities of drone warfare and its human impact, often obscured by official narratives. The story shifts viewpoints between Handler One, a privileged observer, and the Spearhead squadron, who are directly fighting the war. It realistically portrays combat with details like battlefield strategy, radio communications, and geopolitical context.

‘Dr. Stone’ (2019–2024)

TMS Entertainment’s ‘Dr. Stone’ follows Senku, a young scientist, as he leads the effort to rebuild civilization after a mysterious event turns everyone to stone. Over several seasons and a special, the series shows humanity progressing from basic stone tools to more advanced technologies like electricity and chemistry, even venturing into early navigation. A unique feature of the show is its visual explanation of science, using on-screen formulas, construction plans, and detailed build sequences.

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

MAPPA’s anime brings Akimi Yoshida’s crime manga to a contemporary setting – New York City in 2018 – while keeping the core story and its political themes intact. The 24-episode series focuses on the intense conflicts between street gangs and a mysterious drug called “Banana Fish,” revealing how these local battles connect to a much larger international conspiracy. The adaptation also updates details like technology and communication methods to reflect the modern era.

‘The First Slam Dunk’ (2022)

Toei Animation and Dandelion have brought Takehiko Inoue’s vision to life, animating his script and direction with a focus on Ryota Miyagi’s experience during the crucial Sannoh game. The movie uses a mix of modern CG animation and traditional hand-drawn techniques to realistically portray the action on the court – everything from player movements and strategies to the flow of the game. Key moments are recreated with detailed clarity, interwoven with flashbacks to provide context.

‘Weathering with You’ (2019)

This animated film from CoMix Wave Films tells the story of a teenage runaway and a girl with the extraordinary ability to control the weather, specifically creating clear skies. It’s set in modern Tokyo and features stunning visuals created by blending real locations with animated elements and realistic weather forecasts. The film’s atmosphere is further enhanced by a captivating soundtrack from RADWIMPS, which includes music performed within the story itself.

‘Suzume’ (2022)

In his latest film, director Makoto Shinkai follows a teenager traveling across Japan who’s tasked with closing mysterious, supernatural ‘Doors’ connected to past disasters. The movie, created by CoMix Wave Films, blends stunning visuals of large-scale disasters with the realistic details of a road trip – including scenes on ferries, highways, and in small towns. The story also thoughtfully incorporates traditional Japanese crafts like chair repair and customs related to shrines.

‘Belle’ (2021)

I was completely captivated by Studio Chizu’s latest film! It tells the story of a young man from the countryside who unexpectedly finds fame as a singer within this incredible virtual world called U. What really struck me was how the film explored both the beauty of online performance and the darker side of the internet – things like keeping things safe from harmful behavior, protecting people’s identities, and the dangers of revealing personal information. Visually, it’s stunning – the contrast between the vibrant, stylized characters you see online and the realistic depiction of everyday life in the countryside and at school is just breathtaking.

‘A Silent Voice: The Movie’ (2016)

Kyoto Animation has created a film based on Yoshitoki Oima’s manga, which explores themes of bullying, sign language, and making amends. The story jumps between different points in time, from elementary to high school, and realistically portrays communication for those who are hard of hearing – using methods like lip-reading, notes, and assistive technology. The filmmakers have paid special attention to sound, using both subtle background noises and moments of silence to enhance the viewing experience.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

CoMix Wave Films’ movie features a body swap caused by a comet, and blends this with elements of Japanese rural life. The filmmakers cleverly used visual cues like timeline charts and symbolic braided cords, and based the fictional town of Itomori on actual places and train stations. They also used clever editing and a consistent record of phone calls to show how the characters’ conversations get mixed up after the swap.

‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ (2016–2018)

This series, based on Chica Umino’s manga, follows the world of professional shogi (Japanese chess) over two seasons. It depicts not only the intense matches but also the players’ lives, including their training, family responsibilities, and the support they receive from their community. Viewers can easily follow the games thanks to on-screen explanations of moves, detailed game records, and expert commentary.

‘Land of the Lustrous’ (2017)

Orange created all the 3D animation for a fantasy series about creatures made of gemstones who fight against the Lunarians. Throughout the 12 episodes, the show features realistic effects for things like hair and materials, showing how hard, cracked, or see-through objects appear. The main character, Phos, physically changes throughout the series, and the animation models and movements were updated to reflect those changes.

‘Ranking of Kings’ (2021–2023)

Wit Studio brought Sōsuke Tōka’s story of Bojji, a deaf prince, to life with striking visuals and a colorful, storybook-like style. The first season, consisting of 23 episodes plus a bonus arc, follows Bojji through his training, adventures in the underworld, and power struggles within the castle. The series thoughtfully incorporates sign language, physical touch, and lip-reading into how characters communicate and how the story unfolds.

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Kyoto Animation’s series follows a former soldier who works as an ‘Auto Memory Doll,’ essentially a professional ghostwriter crafting letters for various clients. The story, continuing in a later film, takes place across different towns and time periods as he fulfills these writing requests. A notable aspect of the production is its attention to detail, showcasing things like how fountain pens work, the intricacies of the postal system, and even the details of typesetting.

‘Spy x Family’ (2022–)

This anime is a collaboration between CloverWorks and Wit Studio, and tells the story of an unlikely family: a spy, a child with telepathic powers, and an assassin who pose as a normal family. So far, the series has featured storylines centered around school life, a cruise, and a movie tie-in. Each episode’s goals are built around things like secret mission files, fake documents, and the rules of the Eden Academy.

‘Oshi no Ko’ (2023–)

Doga Kobo’s anime series is based on a story about the world of idol production, where viral trends and revenge play key roles. It realistically portrays how the entertainment industry works, covering everything from casting and online analytics to creating variety shows and stage performances. The story even uses social media trends and collaborations with influencers to move the plot forward.

‘OddTaxi’ (2021)

P.I.C.S. and OLM have created a dark, atmospheric mystery series set in a unique Tokyo populated by animal-like characters. The 13-part show follows several characters, centering on a taxi driver whose dashcam footage and passenger records reveal connections between crimes and missing persons. Each episode concludes with a short film that expands the story’s timeline and resolves lingering questions.

‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)

Studio Trigger and CD Projekt have created a 10-episode animated story taking place in the world of Night City. The series centers around David, a student who left school, and his team as they take on mercenary jobs, enhance themselves with cyberware, and navigate the city’s criminal connections. The show adapts elements from the game, like the danger of cyberpsychosis, the availability of cybernetic implants, and hacking technology, to fit the format of a TV series.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–2022)

Kinema Citrus has brought Akihito Tsukushi’s adventure story to life through both television series and movies. The story details everything cave divers need to know – from safety procedures and the creatures that live at different depths, to how to identify ancient artifacts and the right equipment to use. The latest season, released in 2022, focuses on a mysterious location called the Capital of the Unreturned, and players progress by finding field notes, studying maps, and understanding a system of whistle ranks.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

The animated series from MAPPA features a world with cursed energy, a school system for those who wield it, and unique techniques called domain expansions. It began with a prequel movie, followed by a first season that introduced the main characters and their abilities, and a second season adapting the ‘Hidden Inventory’ and ‘Shibuya’ story arcs. The series helps viewers understand the power system and the strategies used in battles through explanations and briefings.

‘BOCCHI THE ROCK!’ (2022)

CloverWorks has created an anime based on Aki Hamaji’s manga about a band, using a variety of visuals like live-action footage and clay animation for added flair. The show follows the band as they rehearse, book gigs, record demos, and prepare for performances, detailing their progress from small shows to building a fanbase and improving their music.

‘Kaguya-sama: Love is War’ (2019–2022)

A-1 Pictures presents student council conflicts as elaborate, staged “operations,” complete with narration and on-screen explanations. Each season follows a different school event – exams, sports festivals, cultural events – and continues the story with a full-length movie. The series cleverly shows the characters’ strategic thinking using split-screen effects, mock legal jargon, and data displays.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019–2024)

ufotable has brought Koyoharu Gotouge’s story to life through both television series and movies, all following the main storyline. The animation carefully details elements like different breathing techniques, how swords are made in the Swordsmith Village, and the organization of the Demon Slayer Corps, including the powerful Hashira. So far, the adaptation covers events from the Final Selection all the way to hints of what’s coming in the Infinity Castle arc, and continues to expand.

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

Bones adapted the ‘Mob Psycho 100’ series into three seasons and special episodes, charting Mob’s development and the work of Spirits and Such Consultation Office. The animation style is distinctive, using a beautiful paint-on-glass technique, moments of fast-paced limited animation, and detailed, hand-drawn climaxes. The series follows the team as they handle spirit exorcisms, navigate school life, and deal with city redevelopment projects.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–2023)

Wit Studio and MAPPA have brought Makoto Yukimura’s sweeping historical story to life in two seasons. The story shifts between intense raids and the quieter routines of farming, treaty negotiations, and preparations for a major expedition called the Vinland project. The series pays close attention to historical details, including accurate maps, Norse language, and tools, and even shows how people farmed during that period.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Wit Studio and MAPPA brought Hajime Isayama’s series to a close with four main story arcs and several special episodes. The adaptation carefully details the military, improvements to the ODM gear, and the complex relationship between Marley and the island nation. Viewers can follow the story’s timeline using charts that cover the years that pass between events. The final episodes wrap up the dramatic ‘Rumbling’ storyline and include complete ending credits listing everyone involved in the production.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–2024)

Madhouse created a 28-episode first season of an anime based on the fantasy story by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe. The show centers around an elf mage looking back on their adventures, featuring challenges like magical certification tests, dealing with demons, and journeys through time. It’s known for its longer-than-usual first episodes, consistently detailed artwork of northern landscapes, and a memorable soundtrack with repeating musical themes.

Tell us your top picks from the last decade in the comments below, and let us know what you think should be considered the best!

2025-10-16 15:18