Thousands ofanimeseries exist, and not all of them will enjoy the heights of stardom that a select few shows are permitted to enjoy. Some of the best animes have disappointingly little recognition, but these ten do not suffer from that issue, consistently topping charts and enticing new watchers daily.
These ten animes from the last decade span multiple genres, including romance, crime, and shonen, butthe key factor that links them all together is their immense acclaim.This love is not just surface-level; these animes tackle complex topics with poise, offer up fight scenes that leave viewers gripping their seats in anticipation, and surpass expectations with every single episode.
Banana Fishis a masterpiece, but be forewarned - it is an absolute tearjerker and the ending is a gut-punch no one saw coming. When Ash Lynx, a gang leader, and Eiji Okumura, a photojournalist’s assistant, cross paths, the unlikely pair become entangled in a mystery involving the illegal drug, Banana Fish.
Ash and Eiji work together to track down the origins of the harmful substance and avenge Ash’s brother, who fell victim to the drug’s deadly potential.Banana Fish’saction is heart-racing, as Ash and Eiji struggle to untangle the conspiracy without arousing suspicion.
Banana Fish’strue strength is in its emotional themes. A few of the topics it introduces are extremely heavy, like sexual violence and abuse, but the story never glamorizes or makes light of these issues. Although it’s almost guaranteed to make watchers cry,Banana Fishis worth the tears shed.
The Apothecary Diariesanime has only been airing for under two years, yet it is already the blueprint for modern-day romance anime. The series is one of those rare finds that has something to appeal to everyone, encompassing medicine, romance, politics, mystery, and everything in between.
Jinshi and Maomao’s budding romance is heartwarming to watch unfold, but their love takes time to blossom. The animation, provided by TOHO Animation and OLM, is vibrant and beautiful, further improving the already compelling story. There was massive controversy whenThe Apothecary Diariesdid not win Anime of the Year, but its nomination is a further testament to its impact.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s Endis a new-gen fantasy hit that manages to exude both a sense of calm and an atmosphere of excitement all at once. The world-building, music, and animation inFrierenall contribute to the mystical, enchanting environment that Frieren and her friends live in.
Frierenmay not be as violent as the latest shonen, but that is where it excels. Although Frieren’s lengthy lifespan can be devastating to consider, since she will outlive everyone she loves to some extent, she manages to find purpose, connection, and meaning in spite of this roadblock, inspiring viewers to invest in their relationships and find joy in life.
Dandadanrise to fame was sudden after the release of its first anime episode in October 2024, but it is no surprise why it struck a chord with viewers worldwide. In one of the most unique genre-bending series in years,Dandadanmanages to mesh a terrifying horror with a lighthearted romance while doing justice to both categories.
As much asDandadanis a romance and a horror, it can also be classified as a coming-of-age story, since it is set in high school and follows teenage protagonists. At times, the supernatural situations Okarun and Momo find themselves in are so outlandish they seem unbelievable, but every disaster they encounter heartwarmingly draws them closer in the end.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis on the edgier side when it comes to shonen, unafraid to venture into gorier territory. In the series, protagonistDenji becomes a superpowered individual with Chainsaw Devil powers, granted to him through his dog, Pochita.
The violence inChainsaw Manis not senselessly gratuitous, and the story is also emotionally complicated, unpacking Denji’s trauma on various levels as he deals with manipulation by people he believed he could trust and the loss of those he loves. Its first season was very well-received, largely because of its dark tone and moral complexity.
A Silent Voiceis an anime with a purpose, and that purpose is to warn against the consequences of bullying others. The main characters, Shoya Ishida and Shoko Nishimiya, become friends throughout the film, but there is one twist: Shoya was Shoko’s main bully for many years of her life during middle school, an already tumultuous time.
Mental health is a very important topic that is often not referenced in the media enough,so it is truly commendable thatA Silent Voicededicates an entire powerful story to exploring the adverse effects of this behavior, and the harm it causes to both the victim and the bully themselves.
Shoko’s deafness adds another layer to the story, since her disability was an aspect Shoya ridiculed her for. The ultimate moral ofA Silent Voiceis that no one should be mistreated for their differences. This lesson continually resonates with viewers of all ages and walks of life, explaining why the movie is considered such a classic.
Mob Psycho 100follows a boy named Shigeo Kageyama, otherwise known as Mob, who has some of the most powerful psychic powers in the world. Because of the threat these abilities pose,Mob must be cautious about using his powers, lest he harm someone inadvertently.
Although Mob seems to have it all, he grapples with common teenage experiences like lack of self-confidence, awkward crushes, and finding purpose in life. The series excels in laugh-out-loud humor and cool power sequences, but also has a lot of heart, expressed through the life lessons Mob learns which are valuable in all areas of life, not just middle school.
Jujutsu Kaisenoffered a gateway into anime for many people, with countless fans lovingly recalling it as the first series they ever watched or read. Its characters, like the witty, overpowered Gojo Satoru and the determined, loyal Yuji Itadori, evoke a positive reaction from fans, since most of these characters are very multifaceted and grow tremendously throughout battles.
The depth ofJujutsu Kaisen’scharactersis not its only draw; it also boasts some of MAPPA’s best, most fluid animation, an unmistakable musical score, and deeper messages on good vs. evil, the sanctity of human life, and the lengths people are willing to go to protect those they cherish from harm.
The story is packed with plot twists and major character deaths, some so devastating that they feel like personal betrayals to fans. The public outcry when certain characters meet their end is yet another piece of evidence thatJujutsu Kaisenis cherished by many.
Managing to earn itself the star status of the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Award’s Anime of the Year,Solo Levelingis a once-in-a-generation hit. Following Sung Jinwoo’s journey from E-Rank to the coveted S-Rank, every fight inSolo Levelingis more intense, cinematic, and truly immersive than the last.
Solo Levelingwon the Anime of the Year Award at 2025’s Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
A catchy musical score, breathtaking animation, and the knowledge that Jinwoo is moving one step closer to his goal all contribute to makingSolo Leveling’sfights some of the best in anime.Anime of the Year is not the only awardSolo Levelinghas achieved, and it definitely will not be the last it will obtain.
Demon Slayerhas no doubt been criticized, fielding negative remarks about its storytelling and character development at various points in the series. Love it or hate it though,Demon Slayer’scultural influence cannot be overlooked, becauseit revolutionized the world of shonen anime in a lot of noticeable ways.
One primary example is thatDemon SlayerMugen Train remains the highest-grossing anime filmof all time, even four years after its initial release.Mugen Train’ssuccess sparked an influx of theatrically released anime films in the years to follow, definitively confirming that people indeed want to watch these stories on the big screen.
With the announcement that thefinal season will come in the form of three movies rather than a new season, it has been proven thatDemon Slayerwill continue to set trends in theanimeindustry until its conclusion. With gorgeous animation and one of the most resilient protagonists in anime, there is never a dull moment inDemon Slayer.
