We're more than halfway through 2020 and we've already seen some amazing anime come and go in that time. From record-breaking theatrical releases to highly-anticipated adaptations and surprise hits that no one saw coming, the 2020s have been a great decade for anime so far, and we still have a few more years to go.
It was a particularly good decade for shonen anime, with a ton of great series that generated a lot of hype and produced some of the best animation we've seen. With so many modern day greats, it's hard to narrow it down to just one for each year. This list will only contain anime series in consideration so no movie hits like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle or Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc will be included even though they were absolutely incredible. With that in mind, these are the best shonen anime of each year in 2020.
The best Seinen anime series of every year 2000
These amazing Seinen anime defined the year 2000.
2020: Jujutsu Kaisen
One of the greatest anime of today, Jujutsu Kaisen has been operating for half a decade. Gege Akutami's hit series has inspired a game adaptation, various films, and a hit anime adaptation. The manga ended in 2024, but with a sequel already taking up the mantle and MAPPA absolutely killing it with the anime, JJK it's still as big as it was when the anime first hit the scene in 2020.
Although Ufotable's efforts with Demon Slayer are often touted as having some of the best animation around, you can't sleep on MAPPA's work on Jujutsu Kaisen. The fight scenes are beautiful and the animations are smooth, but overall the series has an incredibly polished look. Season 3 is currently airing and is making a strong case to be considered the best anime of 2026 by the end of the year.
2021: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Demon Slayer has consistently been one of the best looking and most impressive animated series since it first aired in 2019. With the various movies that have gone alongside the anime adaptation, Ufotable has done an amazing job of not only adapting the Demon Slayer manga, but also making the anime stand out on its own.
The Entertainment District Arc is full of amazing moments for our main cast and features some great growth moments for Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Nezuko, and Inosuke. As you'd expect, it looks amazing, and five years later, it still has some of the best animation you can get in anime.
2022: Attack on Titan: Final Season Part 2
The Attack on Titan The anime's ten-year run ended in 2023, with the last of two specials airing in November of that year. But in 2022 the second part Attack on Titans the final season was airing and everyone was excited to see how things would turn out. It can be said that it did not disappoint, because the second part of the last season brought some of the most interesting moments of the season.
From the revelation that Eren manipulated Grisha, to learning about Eren's role in his mother's death and the rise of Rumbling, Part 2 of the final season delivered every episode. The end of the series is still debated to this day, but MAPPA hit the ground running with their version of the finale.
2023: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Seemingly coming out of nowhere Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is undoubtedly one of the most popular modern anime, with a score of 9.28 on MAL, surpassing classics like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Steins; Gate, Hunter x Hunter (2011)and others.
Madhouse's work on the show is amazing. Not only does it look incredible, but Frieren, Fern, Stark and the rest of the cast are well fleshed out, and the themes of loss and regret make this a fun, if tough, series to keep up with. Throw in an amazing soundtrack and it's easy to see why Frieren has become as popular as it is.
2024: Dandadan
2024 was a great year for anime, and while there were many other series that could be considered the best shonen of the year, Dandadan stands out as a unique experience. Mixing supernatural and alien/sci-fi elements, Dandadan he has two great leads that really make the series worth watching, but the investment in the supporting cast is just as rewarding.
With incredible animation by Science Saru and elegant visuals, Dandadan is probably one of the best looking anime of 2020. The second season was released in 2025 and was just as good, but fans will have to wait until 2027 to pick up where things left off.
2025: The final season of My Hero Academia
No one expected the final season of My Hero Academia to be as good as it was. While anime has always been a quality adaptation, Bones really went the extra mile by making sure their latest attempt at adapting Kohei Horikoshi's popular series was memorable. It cannot be said that the final season is the best that the series has to offer.
Each episode of the final season was beautifully animated, giving fans plenty of amazing moments complete with stunning visuals and fluid animation. Bones did a great job adapting the last chapters of the manga. It was the perfect boost, highlighting everything great about anime. 2025 was a great year for the shonen series Solo Leveling, Dr. Stone, Sakamoto Days, Dandadan Season 2, and Gachiakuta will be released, among other great series. But the last season My hero stood out among the others.
The best Seinen anime series of each year 2010
2010 was a great decade for seinen anime. These were the best of each vintage.
