The Most Popular Anime of Each Year Over the Last 20 Years

Every year brings anime that become huge cultural moments – from popular series that everyone watches to blockbuster movies that attract new fans. This list showcases the anime that gained the most attention each year, considering how many people watched it on TV and streaming, how well merchandise sold, and its overall impact on pop culture. You’ll find big action series, critically acclaimed dramas, and record-breaking films. For each anime, we cover the basics: what it’s about, who made it, where it aired, and why everyone was talking about it.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

This suspenseful anime series centers around a student who discovers a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. Created by the studio Madhouse, it originally aired late at night but quickly gained a global audience through streaming and DVD sales. The compelling rivalry between the characters Light and L, combined with a fast-paced plot and unexpected turns, captivated viewers. The show’s striking character designs, based on the original manga artwork, and atmospheric music helped it appeal to a wider audience beyond typical anime fans.

‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)

This anime features exciting mecha battles and tells the story of humans fighting for freedom after living underground. It became incredibly popular at anime conventions thanks to its amazing action sequences, memorable quotes, and unique look. The show was a hit in Japan and around the world, inspiring lots of merchandise like toys and figures. It also helped launch the careers of many talented creators who went on to work on other famous projects.

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2’ (2008)

The second season of Sunrise built on the first, offering more exciting battles, a deeper mystery, and a satisfying conclusion to the Zero Requiem storyline. Airing weekly, the show generated a lot of buzz, with viewers closely following the actions of its masked hero and the complex political maneuvering. It cleverly combined intense robot fights with relatable scenes of everyday school life, attracting a wider audience. Effective character promotion and memorable music helped keep the series consistently popular throughout its broadcast.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Bones Studio successfully animated the entire manga series with consistently high quality and stayed true to the original story. The series follows the Elric brothers as they navigate a world filled with alchemy, military secrets, and difficult choices. Thanks to simulcasting, fans around the world could watch new episodes as soon as they were released. The show’s strong characters, detailed world, and exciting story arcs have kept it popular on streaming services for years.

‘K-On!’ (2010)

As a huge anime fan, I absolutely loved this series! It was a really sweet slice-of-life story about a high school band – you know, the kind where they practice, but also just goof around and have fun. What was amazing was how the songs they played in the show actually became real hits! They had concerts, CDs were selling like crazy, and you could find all sorts of merchandise – clothes, keychains, even instruments inspired by the anime. It was just a really comforting show with a gentle sense of humor and beautiful animation, perfect for watching whenever you needed a pick-me-up, both on TV and now streaming.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

The extended adaptation of Madhouse consistently featured excellent production quality throughout its major story arcs, from the Hunter Exam to the Chimera Ant saga. It skillfully balanced lighthearted moments with intense drama, keeping viewers engaged. Thanks to regular television broadcasts and widespread licensing, the series reached a larger audience and became a popular choice on streaming platforms, with many viewers completing even the longest storylines.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–2014)

A-1 Pictures’ series became popular with a broad audience thanks to its exciting virtual-reality setting and fast-paced action. It was quickly available globally through streaming and home video releases. Strong character development and a diverse game world allowed for sequels, movies, and lots of related products. The series also generated a lot of online conversation about how online games work and the moral questions raised by virtual worlds.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

As a huge anime fan, I remember when Attack on Titan first hit the scene – it was explosive! Wit Studio really blew everyone away with those massive, terrifying Titans, the incredible 3D Maneuver Gear, and just a consistently dark and intense vibe. Each episode felt like a major event with those huge action sequences and the constant unraveling of the mysteries. The music was amazing too – the theme songs were constantly topping the charts, and they even did live concerts which just proved how massive the series had become. Even as the story went on and they collaborated with different studios and platforms, it stayed incredibly popular, consistently drawing in viewers on TV and streaming services.

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014–2015)

The anime adaptation from Studio Pierrot mixed scary urban settings with a story about finding oneself, as the main character deals with life as both a human and a ghoul. Unique mask designs and the use of cafes as backdrops led to a lot of fans creating costumes and buying related merchandise. The original manga also became more popular as the anime aired, attracting new readers. Thanks to its TV broadcast and availability in other countries, the show quickly gained recognition beyond its core horror audience.

‘One-Punch Man’ (2015–2019)

Madhouse created an exciting and funny show about a hero who wins all his battles with just one punch. Short, popular clips from the fights and training scenes quickly spread online. The show’s opening and closing songs became popular at fan gatherings. Its lighthearted humor and ability to be enjoyed again and again helped it remain popular on streaming services.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

Makoto Shinkai’s film, a romantic story about two people who switch bodies, was a huge success in theaters around the world. Its beautiful visuals and moving music brought the story’s settings – both rural towns and bustling cities – to life. The film’s music was also popular, getting a lot of airplay and selling well. Because it was released in theaters and then quickly made available online, it introduced many new viewers to the world of anime.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–2024)

My Hero Academia successfully combined stories of students training to become heroes with epic battles against powerful villains. Regular seasons kept fans engaged and created excitement for related movies shown in theaters. Popular characters drove consistent sales of merchandise like action figures and clothing. The show’s straightforward rules for superpowers and tournament-style competitions made it easy for new audiences to start watching.

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

I was absolutely blown away by Kyoto Animation’s latest series. It’s a really beautiful, character-driven story about a former soldier who’s learning how to communicate her feelings through letter writing – something she finds incredibly difficult. Visually, it’s stunning; the animation is top-notch, and the attention to detail with the lighting truly set a new standard for television. What’s even better is that it was available worldwide, so a huge audience could enjoy it at the same time. And it didn’t stop there! They expanded the story with some fantastic side stories and a feature film that really dug deeper into the show’s core themes. Highly recommend!

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

Ufotable’s anime adaptation was known for its smooth action, beautiful visual effects, and focus on family relationships. The show became incredibly popular, with people constantly searching online for information about its characters and unique fighting styles. The resulting movie broke box office records and renewed interest in the anime itself. Plus, a wide variety of merchandise – from food to clothing – kept the series in the public eye between new episodes.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020– )

MAPPA’s action series blended exciting fight scenes with engaging character interactions. By releasing episodes quickly with high-quality subtitles and dubbing, they reached a wider audience. The show’s storylines, featuring limits to characters’ powers and impressive battles, generated a lot of online discussion after each episode. Merchandise and music releases helped keep fans excited between seasons.

‘Tokyo Revengers’ (2021–2023)

This anime, a thrilling story about time travel and gangs from LIDENFILMS, connects street violence with characters trying to turn their lives around. It became popular not just for its story, but also because of merchandise inspired by the rival gangs featured in the show. Easy access through streaming and exciting cliffhangers encouraged viewers to watch all episodes at once. The series expanded its reach with a live-action version and increased manga sales, attracting fans beyond just anime viewers.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022)

MAPPA’s version of the series featured movie-like editing, realistic settings, and different endings for each episode. Its mix of scary moments, dark comedy, and a heartwarming sense of family appealed to a wide range of viewers. Popular designs of the show’s weapons quickly sold out in stores. The marketing campaign used striking images that became instantly famous online.

‘Oshi no Ko’ (2023– )

Doga Kobo’s new anime series launched with a full-length first episode that explored the challenging side of the idol world, revealing its hidden pressures and secrets. The show quickly gained attention thanks to its intriguing mystery and energetic music performances, sparking lots of discussion online each week. Collaborations with music streaming services and the success of its songs on the charts helped the anime reach a wider audience beyond typical anime fans. It also led to increased popularity for the original manga, prompting publishers to reprint multiple volumes.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024– )

A-1 Pictures turned a popular online comic about an unlikely hunter with a special ability to grow stronger into an anime series. It quickly became available on major streaming platforms with translations for many languages. Exciting character changes and epic boss battles led to lots of fan-made videos and reactions online. The series also expanded its reach with official video game partnerships and merchandise, attracting fans beyond just anime enthusiasts.

‘One Piece’ (1999– )

Toei Animation’s popular pirate adventure continued to attract a large audience each week with new story arcs and exciting battles. It was easy for new fans to start watching thanks to consistent TV airings and wide availability on streaming services. The series also stayed relevant through connections to the original manga, special theatrical releases, and events. Regular updates like new opening sequences, improved animation, and anniversary celebrations helped keep the show visible and engaging all year long.

Share your own picks for each year in the comments and tell us which title defined the era for you.

2025-11-10 15:17