Like the past few decades, the 2020s have been some of the most epic years for the anime industry. Fans have been lucky to witness the rise of some of the most exciting Shonen of the century, while also enjoying stories from diverse genres that leave a lasting impression. With almost half of the decade gone, it’s started to become obvious which anime will have the most lasting influence in the next few years.
These shows have not only awed fans with beautiful animation and captivating storytelling but also reshaped the industry in unthinkable ways. As they become popular in the coming years and inspire future creators, the 2020s will probably be remembered as a great decade for anime.
Solo Leveling
One of the Most Beloved Anime of Recent Times
Solo Leveling’s one-dimensional storytelling has garnered a lot of vitriol on online forums, but even its haters would agree that the hype for the series is unreal. Very few anime receive the kind of reception Solo Leveling has, and it appears that it is only gaining more popularity over time. The story of an underdog turning his life around and redeeming himself is far from unique, but Jinwoo’s personal struggles and his triumphs seem to have struck a chord with the audience.
Solo Leveling is set to cover several exciting arcs in the upcoming third season, and it could be argued that the anime looks set to surpass several titles on this list in the coming years.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
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2024 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
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Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
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Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
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Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
An Epic Tale of Regrets, Mortality, Redemption, and Quest for Meaning
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the highest-rated anime on the list. The fantasy epic is beautifully paced, and its contemplative tone captures the deeply moving experiences of its protagonist. The series feels like a profound meditation on life, death, regrets, and the quest for meaning. From its well-animated and expressive characters to its breathtaking backdrops, Madhouse has nailed almost every scene and has done an incredible job of bringing this timeless story to life.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End deserves all the love it receives. While the show’s slow pace might be a hurdle for some viewers, those who show patience will end up savouring an unforgettable journey.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
- Release Date
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September 29, 2023
- Network
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Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, FBC, RKC, KYT, KRY
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Atsumi Tanezaki
Frieren (voice)
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Kana Ichinose
Fern (voice)
Tokyo Revengers
The Best Time Travel Anime of the Last Decade
Time travel has been a recurring theme in countless stories, myths, and urban legends. Tokyo Revengers’ premise is not unique in that sense, but the story still delivers thanks to its unique cast of characters who drive its emotional core. With its unexpected twists and turns, the anime keeps viewers hooked and creates the tension necessary for a gripping narrative.
Tokyo Revengers tends to leave a lasting impression on the viewers, and it should not come as a surprise that it is comfortably one of the biggest anime of the 2020s.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
A Hilarious Series Focused on Two Stubborn Teenagers in Love
While there are quite a few good rom-com anime, not many are as entertaining as Kaguya-sama: Love is War. Miyuki and Kaguya’s hilarious antics, coupled with their immature belief that confessing love first will make them losers, set the stage for nonstop laughter. The series beautifully balances comedy with romance while also exploring the challenges that adolescents typically face during their high school years.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining anime focused on teenage love. While the buildup to the eventual confession may seem too long to some, it is ultimately worth the wait, especially considering how much the protagonists grow in the process.
Horimiya
A Heartwarming Romance Anime Revolving Around High Schoolers
Horimiya is an emotionally grounded, simple, and sweet story of high schoolers as they deal with the challenges of growing up and discovering love in its purest form. The show is often praised by viewers for its realistic portrayal of teenage love, with all its warmth and vulnerability.
While its poor pacing is criticized along with overemphasis on side characters, Horimiya has still found a place in the hearts of anime fans who love the deutragonists and their sweet bond.
Horimiya
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Haruka Tomatsu
Kyoko Hori
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Koki Uchiyama
Izumi Miyamura
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Seiichiro Yamashita
Toru Ishhikawa
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Zeno Robinson
Toru Ishikawa
Spy X Family
A Fun Spy Comedy Show That Keeps on Giving
Very few anime can balance heartfelt slice-of-life, comedy, and action as well as Spy X Family. Inspired by Tatsuya Endo’s well-known web manga, the spy comedy series follows the enigmatic espionage agent Loid Forger as he marries a ruthless assassin and adopts a telepath for a mission. The eccentric found family and its unexpected adventures are full of surprises and heartwarming moments.
Wit Studio and Cloverworks have done a brilliant job of conveying physical comedy and adapting the fight sequences with remarkable fluidity. Each arc introduces viewers to a new political drama that somehow gels with the Forger family’s personal struggles. Spy X Family may not be as intense as some of the shonen anime on the list, but it thoroughly deserves all the praise and popularity it has garnered over the years.
Spy x Family
- Release Date
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2022 – 2023-00-00
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
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Takuya Eguchi
Loid Forger (voice)
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Atsumi Tanezaki
Anya Forger (voice)
Chainsaw Man
A Violent Shonen With an Eccentric Protagonist
Chainsaw Man’s raw, violent, nihilistic, and unpredictable premise has appealed to anime fans from diverse backgrounds. The series does not shy away from portraying the bleak and horrific realities of life, which, for some viewers, is a refreshing experience. Perhaps what truly stands out about Chainsaw Man is its eccentric and flawed protagonist, who, unlike most shonen main characters, craves basic human needs instead of endlessly chasing lofty ideals.
Chainsaw Man is not a show for everyone, but those who do give it a chance and accept its eccentricities seem to enjoy it a lot.
Chainsaw Man
- Release Date
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2022 – 2022
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
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Tomori Kusunoki
Makima (voice)
Jujutsu Kaisen
Dark Fantasy Shonen Inspired By Gege Akutami’s Magnum Opus
Studio Mappa’s Jujutsu Kaisen is inarguably the biggest anime of the 2020s. The dark shonen has carved a place in the hearts of countless fans around the world through its imaginative storytelling and eccentric characters. The series beautifully balances complex themes to weave a memorable tale of self-preservation, sacrifice, friendship, and the curse of power.
Mappa has done an incredible job of adapting the exciting fight sequences, each of whom are well-choreographed and also captures the intensity of the emotional toll that the characters are experiencing. However, Jujutsu Kaisen is far from peaking and is set to be even more popular as more seasons are released.
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Release Date
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October 3, 2020
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo
