The best years for anime

Key things

• 2015 was highlighted by the rise of Saitama in One Punch Man, cementing anime's mainstream status.
• 2009 produced cult shonen like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, making it one of the genre's best years.
• 2019 was an exceptional year with hits like Demon Slayer attracting new fans and providing a range of gems for all audiences.

Anime really took off around the world during the 1990s when shows like Pokémon, Digimon and more became household names. Today, anime is one of Japan's biggest cultural exports, and in that time there have been some truly special shows.

However, some years stand out more than others, and some of the shows released in those years really cemented anime as the force it is today. Of course, this can be considered a subjective topic, as some may not agree with what others will label “The best years for anime,” but some are probably better than others.

10 2015

The year of Saitama's rise

Today, anime is as mainstream as mainstream can be, but the 2010s were very instrumental in this shift, and one of the most influential years was 2015. For those who were already avid fans, 2015 brought a phenomenon that was One Punch Man. The show's first season, which parodied the idea of ​​overpowered protagonists and heroes, was a huge hit.

But that wasn't all. Isekai fans got Rulerwhich debuted that year. They were philosophically rich there Death Processionthe greatest cooking show of all time, Food Wars!and for lovers of romance, My love story he also made his debut this year. 2015 was full of gems and continues to be one of the best releases ever.

9 2009

2009 Produced some of the greatest Shonen of all time

Shonen is perhaps the genre of anime that is best known and with which we associate anime the most. This is why excellent shonen should always be recognized and celebrated. As far as a time when fans were consistently treated to iconic shonen, 2009 is a notable example of one of the genre's best years.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was released that year and by 2024 was the highest-rated anime of all time on the fan site MyAnimeList. Not to be outdone Fairy Tail he also made his debut this year. Sure, the show has its detractors, but no one can argue that it's an iconic show. Inuyasha also first aired that year and is considered essential viewing for most anime fans. Other notable titles include Heart of Pandora and From me to you.

8 2019

The best year of the modern era

There is usually a show that brings in an influx of anime fans. It was once Narutoand then Attack on Titan attracted a new wave. But lately, there hasn't been a better year for new fans than 2019. Demon Slayer first aired this year and became a hit. It is the first film Mugen trainbecame the most successful anime film of all time.

However, many might forget that it was also a year The Vinland Saga first came out and Thorfinn was first introduced to the world. It was also the year of the remake Dororo a controversial first season was released Hero of the Shield came out too. There were also some underrated gems like Carole and Tuesday and Blade of The Immortal.

7 1988

A year of heavy anime movies

Aside from the general anime series that fans get year after year, there are also some really stellar movies in the anime space. !988 was the year some of the greatest classics came out, esp Akiraa film that is still frequently referenced in popular media today.

It was also the year of the harrowing drama of World War II, Grave of the Firefliesand the more frivolous My neighbor Totoro. That's not to say there weren't some amazing series from that year Legend of the Galactic Heroes and the niche is still classic Crying Freeman they were released.

6 2007

The Year Of The Trigger Masterpiece

Studio Trigger is well known for some stellar mecha anime and over-the-top combat. It could be argued that in 2007 they really cemented themselves in the heart of anime culture with the release of the highly acclaimed Guren Lagann. The bombastic action show is still considered essential watch for all mecha connoisseurs and potential mecha fans.

Also worthy of attention is the release of the 500+ episodes of the odyssey that was Naruto Shippuden. Infamous on top Claymorewhich ended up in the most inconvenient place and has not returned since. There were also unappreciated ones Darker than blackclassic yet confusing Baccanoand visually striking Mononoke.

5 2014

A strong year for almost every anime genre

2010 was an amazing decade for anime, and after an incredible 2013, 2014 brought some roaring classics. Probably the most significant was the release of the thriller, Tokyo Ghoul. The story of Kaneki Ken and how he became a blood-sucking monster captured the imagination of many at the time and was one of the most memorable shows of the year. There were other blockbusters Your lie in Aprila tearjerker that still makes people feel a little apprehensive about the month of April Parasites: Maximincredible thriller and harrowing Akame Ga Kill.

Apart from that, there were so many great shows from different genres like noragamiwhich was awesome shonen while No game, no life fueled the imagination of Isekai fans. Reverse Harem fans had Yona of the Dawnanimation junkies got Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Worksand sports anime fans had Haikyuu. There really was something for everyone in 2014.

4 2012

Birth of Isekai

Referring to 2012 as the year of isekai's birth would be false; what would be correct is to say that it was a key year for this subgenre as an influential one Sword Art Online he was released. While many look back on the anime with some reservations, it would be unfair not to acknowledge how influential it would become for the isekai subgenre.

But alongside this massive show there were several others, incl Psycho Passan anime still remembered by many for its iconic villain. Cultivated fans may also remember that it was that year DxD High School debuted and the horror giant it was Other also came into the limelight.

3 2011

The start of a great series

2011-2015 were stellar years for anime, but 2011 was the year it kicked off with none other than one of the greatest shonen series ever produced – Hunter x Hunter. Togashi's masterpiece is still unfinished, and while it's frustrating, it adds a little to the value of his amazing story.

Who could also forget that it was a year Steins; Gate, Anohana, Fate/Zero, Deadman Wonderland, Puella Magi Madoka Magicaand underrated Skate Dance. With such a packed lineup, it's no wonder why 2011 is fondly remembered as one of the the best years of anime ever.

2 1998

A year of great protagonists

There were many great anime shows from the 90s, but one of the most influential anime ever made its debut in 1998, and that was none other than Cowboy Bebop. The space western still boasts one of anime's greatest protagonists, Spike. This year also featured another really great protagonist in Vash from Trigun.

Also worth noting is the fact that it was 1998 One piece was first adapted to the screen with an OVA, One Piece: Defeat the Pirate Ganzack!. The iconic never-ending show itself began in 1999, but the seeds were laid a year earlier.

1 2006

A defining year of anime

If 2014 was the year that there was anime for everyone, 2006 was the year that many anime fans fell in love with different genres. 2006 brought fans two similar but different protagonists who later became icons. Light Yagami was there since Death Note and Lelouch from Code Geass. These two defined the anti-hero trope that started to become more popular in anime.

2006 had greats everywhere, from action horror Hellsing Ultimate to romantic feelings Ouran High School Host Club. Another anime that was huge during this year was Gintamathe comedy show that has possibly the most entries in the top 50 on MyAnimeList. It was too Ergo Proxy, Black Lagoon, Reborn!, Nanaand Fate/Stay Nightfirst entry into Fate series at the time.