Just like the past few decades, the 2020s have been some of the most epic years for the anime industry. Fans have been lucky enough to witness the rise of some of the most exciting Shonen of the century while enjoying stories across genres that leave a lasting impression. With nearly half a decade gone, it's becoming apparent which anime will have the most lasting impact over the next few years.
These shows not only wowed fans with beautiful animation and captivating storytelling, but also reshaped the industry in unimaginable ways. As they become popular and inspire future creators in the years to come, the 2020s will likely be remembered as a great decade for anime.
Solo leveling
One of the most popular anime of recent times
Solo leveling the one-dimensional storytelling has drawn a lot of flack in online forums, but even its detractors would agree that the hype for the series is unreal. Very few anime get such acceptance Solo leveling has and seems to be gaining more and 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 triumphs seem to have resonated with audiences.
Solo Leveling has some exciting arcs to cover in its 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 story of regret, mortality, redemption and the search 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 acts as a deep meditation on life, death, regret and the search for meaning. From his well-animated and expressive characters to his breathtaking backdrops, Madhouse captured almost every scene and did an incredible job bringing this timeless story to life.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End deserves all the love it gets. While the show's slow pace may be a turn-off for some viewers, those who exercise patience will end up enjoying 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
- directors
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Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji
- Writers
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Tomohiro Suzuki
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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 the premise isn't unique in that sense, but the story still delivers with a unique cast of characters driving its emotional core. With its unexpected twists and turns, the anime keeps the audience hooked and creates the tension necessary for a gripping narrative.
Tokyo Revengers tends to leave a lasting impression on viewers, and it should come as no surprise that it is comfortably one of the biggest anime of 2020.
Kaguya-sama: Love is war
A cheerful series focused on two stubborn teenagers in love
While there are quite a few good rom-com anime, few are as entertaining as Kaguya-sama: Love is war. Miyuki and Kaguya's hilarious antics, along with their immature belief that confessing their love would make them losers first, set the stage for non-stop laughter. The series beautifully balances comedy with romance while exploring the challenges that teenagers typically face during their high school years.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is without a doubt one of the funniest anime about teenage love. While the build-up to the eventual confession may seem too long to some, it's worth the wait in the end, especially considering how much the protagonists grow in the process.
Horimiya
A heartwarming romance anime revolving around high school students
Horimiya is an emotionally grounded, simple and sweet story of high schoolers dealing 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 too much emphasis on supporting 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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Seichiro Yamashita
Toru Ishikawa
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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 heart-felt slice-of-life, comedy, and action Spy X family. Inspired by Tatsuya Endo's popular web manga, the spy comedy series follows a mysterious spy agent, Loid Forger, who marries a ruthless killer and recruits a telepath on a mission. An eccentric found family and their unexpected adventures are full of surprises and warm moments.
Wit Studio and Cloverworks did a great job of conveying the physical comedy and adapting the fight sequences with remarkable fluidity. Each arc introduces viewers to a new political drama that somehow intertwines with the personal issues of the Forger family. Spy X family it may not be as intense as some of the shonen anime on the list, but it absolutely deserves all the praise and popularity it has earned 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
- directors
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Kenji Takahashi, Takahiro Harada, Takashi Katagiri, Kazuki Horiguchi, Tsuyoshi Tobita, Yoshiki Kitai, Shu Honma, Kento Matsui, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Shougo Ono
- Writers
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Daishiro Tanimura, Rino Yamazaki, Honoka Katou, Ayumu Hisao
-
Takuya Eguchi
Loid Forger (voice)
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Atsumi Tanezaki
Anya Forger (voice)
A man with a chainsaw
A violent Shonen with an eccentric protagonist
Chainsaw the raw, violent, nihilistic and unpredictable premise appealed to anime fans from various backgrounds. The series does not shy away from depicting the bleak and terrifying reality of life, which is a refreshing experience for some viewers. Perhaps what really stands out about Chainsaw Man is its eccentric and flawed protagonist who, unlike most flamboyant protagonists, longs for basic human needs instead of the endless pursuit of lofty ideals.
Chainsaw Man isn't a show for everyone, but those who give it a chance and accept its quirks seem to enjoy it a lot.
A man with a chainsaw
- Release date
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2022-2022
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- directors
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Takeru Sato
- Writers
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Hiroshi Seko
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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 undoubtedly the biggest anime of 2020. The dark shonen has carved a place in the hearts of countless fans around the world thanks to its imaginative stories and quirky characters. The series beautifully balances complex themes to weave an unforgettable story of self-preservation, sacrifice, friendship and the curse of power.
Mappa has done an incredible job adapting the suspenseful fight sequences, each of which is well choreographed and also captures the intensity of the emotional toll the characters experience. However, Jujutsu Kaisen is far from peaking and is poised to become 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
- directors
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Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi
- Writers
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Hiroshi Seko
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo
