12 Best Anime Series of the 21st Century, Ranked

While anime has been popular since its inception, the medium found an explosion in popularity in the West at the top of the 21st century. With anime like Death Note and Attack on Titan gaining the attention of those who hadn’t been aware or interested in anime before, anime’s fame exponentially grew and became “cool” in the West (it was always cool). Because of this, the anime landscape is better and stronger than it has ever been.

The 21st century has offered countless anime of impeccable quality over the years, but there are some that simply stand out among the rest. Whether it be because of their cultural impact, animation quality, or superb storytelling, these modern anime are just a step above the best of the best.

12 ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023)

Created by Kanehito Yamada

A recent anime show that has united fans, as it gained unanimous critical acclaim, is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. In the anime, a thousand-year-old elf mage named Frieren (now one of anime’s most badass women), who has gone on a long journey to vanquish evil, discovers the pitfalls of her immortality. She then decides to go on an adventure to fulfill the dying wishes of her former friends, while confronting her own fears of leaving her loved ones behind.

Its poignant and moving story of coming to terms with aging and death is relatable and invites viewers to appreciate the fleeting nature of being alive. One of the best new anime, the show also takes viewers on Frieren’s journey and character development, with each episode adding more layers to her complex personality. Because of its emotional and contemplative story that has resonated with viewers, it’s safe to say that it’s a complex anime show that anime fans will enjoy, regardless if they’re strictly a shonen or shojo anime fan.

Watch on Crunchyroll

11 ‘My Hero Academia’ (2016 – )

Created by Kohei Horikoshi

My Hero Academia has filled the void left by beloved shonen anime classics Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. Set in a world where there are people who are born with superpowers known as “Quirks” and normal people who don’t have any powers, My Hero Academia puts the spotlight on a young boy named Izuku Midoriya. While he’s born without a Quirk, Izuku inherits the legendary quirk of All Might, the number one hero in the world after a fateful encounter with him.

Midoriya then enrolls in the U.A. High School where he trains and develops his Quirk with his classmates and friends. The show has become a cultural phenomenon due to its fun action sequences, mystery-filled story, and elaborate world-building. Anime fans also gravitated to the show as it wasn’t afraid to flesh out its diverse cast of characters and shine a light on the other U.A. High School students who are just as powerful and heroic as Izuku.

10 ‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007)

Created by Kazuki Nakashima and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi

In a world where an evil force known as the Spiral King rules over Earth and has forced humanity to retreat to underground villages with no way to contact the world above the dirt. Simon, a young digger, and his best friend Kamina soon become faces of the underground rebellion trying to put an end to the Spiral King’s reign.

Gurren Lagann smashed it out of the park upon its release and was quickly considered a modern classic. While the first few episodes of the series are very good, from the sixth episode forward, the series hits the ground running and takes its quality from great to stellar. It’s a wonderful story about the profound power of the indomitable human spirit and the incredible things resolute people can accomplish together, even in the worst situations. It also brings a unique take on the mecha anime genre.

Watch on Crunchyroll

9 ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020 – )

Created by Gege Akutami

When Yuji Itadori, a kind-hearted and insanely strong high schooler, is put in a situation where he must eat a demon’s finger to gain the power to save his friend, he becomes the host of the most powerful Curse that ever lived, Sukuna. Upon meeting the likes of Satoru Gojo and Megumi Fushiguro that night, he is set to attend Tokyo Perfectural Jujutsu High School, where he will train until he can consume the remaining 19 fingers of Sukuna and, in the end, be killed, so they can exorcise Sukuna.

It’s no question why Jujutsu Kaisen has won Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award for both years that the show’s two current seasons have aired. The show exudes style while also bringing a plethora of substance through its excellent storytelling. The show has been regarded as having some of the best animation of the current decade, thanks to Studio MAPPA. In the almost four short years that the show has been running, it’s gained a following and acclaim that is seen only among instant classics of the past.

8 ‘One Punch Man’ (2015 – )

Created by ONE

Saitama is a powerful superhero on an alternate Earth in which all the continents are one, making a supercontinent, in which the world runs rampant with superheroes and villains. Saitama, who performs his heroic deeds as a simple hobby, has trained so hard for years to the point that he can now defeat any enemy with one single punch.

One Punch Man may very well be one of the most tightly executed anime, both on the visual and storytelling fronts, in years. While the second season didn’t receive as high praise, the quality was still somehow miles better than most anime airing at the time. The animation is easily some of the greatest seen in the medium in a long time, especially in Season 1, which was produced by the studio Madhouse. With a comedic, yet engaging plot and state-of-the-art animation, One Punch Man will remain at the top of anime culture for quite some time.

Watch on Hulu

7 ‘Code Geass’ (2006 – 2008)

Created by Sunrise

When the exiled prince named Lelouch Lamperouge is gifted a power that allows him to control others, known only as Geass. With his newfound power, he intends to employ it to hunt down his mother’s murderers and bring down the Britannian Empire. His goals get him involved with the Britannian rebellion which sets him on a path that will change the world forever.

Code Geass manages to include something for everyone. Whether one is a general viewer or a seasoned anime enjoyer, Code Geass is certain to please a majority of audiences. Its plot is quick-paced in the best way possible, the emotions and stakes are high, Lelouch is a compelling main character and the mecha action is beyond thrilling. Not to mention, its message is as relevant as ever. Code Geass represents the disappointment of the younger generation, feeling as if those who have come before have tainted the world, leaving the current generation feeling helpless to do anything about it.

6 ‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016 – 2022)

Created by ONE

The unassuming middle schooler called Mob has a hidden secret that sets him apart from the rest: he holds immense psychic power and may be one of the most powerful espers there is. However, this comes with a cost. Mob must hold himself within an emotional prison to keep himself from losing control. With the goal of learning to hone these powers, he works as an assistant to a con man “spiritual medium” named Arataka Reigen.

At the very first Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Mob Psycho 100 took home two awards for Best Fight Scene and the ultimate Anime of the Year. The second season of the show is regarded as one of the greatest seasons of anime ever produced and the series as a whole maintained its outstanding quality throughout its entire six-year life, something most anime are not able to accomplish. Every long-running series is bound to decline, but the underrated anime series Mob Psycho 100 had a strong three-season run.

5 ‘Steins;Gate’ (2011 – 2015)

Created by Chiyomaru Shikura

University student Rintaro Okabe and his friends Mayuri and Daru run Future Gadget Laboratory out of their apartment. When they discover the ability to time travel by sending one’s memories to the past, they must utilize this new ability to put a stop to the devious organization known as SERN.

Steins;Gate is an unbelievably addicting watch. The series brings a unique look at time travel that keeps audiences engaged and the story feeling fresh, adding consistent conflict that makes the show feel borderline impossible to put down. Steins;Gate is packed with wonderful complexity that not only makes the show fun to watch but keeps viewers thinking and guessing what could possibly come next. With a story so thought-provoking and engaging, Steins;Gate deserves its spot among the best.

4 ‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011 – 2014)

Created by Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunter x Hunter‘s unbelievable praise was and still is borderline universal. The show follows the story of the young, green-haired hero Gon Freecss as he aims to become one of the illustrious Hunters, so he may hunt down his father, who went missing when he was just a child. Along the way, he establishes great friendships with the likes of Killua, Kurapika and Leorio.

The action sequences presented in Hunter X Hunter are still some of the best in the medium to this day. The series also has one of the longest runs of consistent and even improving quality in any anime of the century, sustaining its fantastic quality for over 100 episodes straight. The episodes persistently feature beautiful animation, with little use of CGI to aid in fluidity. The series is so well received that fans are holding out for its continuation almost ten years later, with it being placed on an indefinite hiatus due to the mangaka, Yoshihiro Togashi‘s growing health issues.

Watch on Crunchyroll

3 ‘Attack on Titan’ (2013 – 2023)

Created by Hajime Isayama

After Eren Yeager’s hometown is destroyed and his mother is eaten by the terrifying threat that is the Titans, he pledges to purge the planet of the giant beasts that have driven humanity to borderline extinction. But everything changes for Eren when he discovers that he actually has the ability to turn himself into a Titan that he can control.

Attack on Titan almost instantly became a worldwide phenomenon. The animation by the two studios that helmed the series over the years, Wit Studio and MAPPA, has always been great, especially within the series’ action set pieces. But Attack on Titan found its praise and worldwide adoration for mangaka, Hajime Isayama‘s complex and breathtaking storytelling. The messaging within the show’s plot and intricate story and Attack on Titan‘s complex character arcs earned the respect of fans and critics almost invariably. Some have gone as far as to proclaim Isayama as a genius for his writing.

Watch on Crunchyroll

2 ‘Death Note’ (2006 – 2007)

Created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

High school student Light Yagami has been gifted with a supernatural notebook called the “Death Note” that kills anyone with their name written within it. This gets him involved with a shinigami named Ryuk, the Death Note’s previous wielder. When Light uses the notebook to murder high profile criminals, his kills gain attention, with the world placing them under the name of a killer they call Kira.

Death Note is one of the most addictive anime series of all time, and there’s no question. Most successful anime keep consistent attention on the use of action, but Death Note does so with insanely tactical writing, managing to make a scene of Light simply eating a chip one of the most engaging scenes in the show. Another aspect of the show that has captivated viewers is its dual-natured protagonist Light, who isn’t necessarily a good guy (and could very well be one of the most iconic anime villains). Death Note poses an examination of justice not seen anywhere else, keeping audiences thinking and invested until the very last second of the final episode.

1 ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009 – 2010)

Created by Hiromu Arakawa

The Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, journey together for a philosopher’s stone after Edward lost some body parts and Alphonse lost his entire body when they attempted to use alchemy to revive their dead mother. Under the command of the State Military, dubbing Edward the Fullmetal Alchemist, their journey ends up throwing them into a large government conspiracy to hide a being called the Homunculi.

No matter who you ask, it would be hard to find many who can list numerous negative things about Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Whether it’s the beautiful and stylistic animation from Studio Bones, thrilling fight scenes, fantastic world-building, wonderful themes, emotionally impeccable writing, and borderline perfect ending, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is regarded by many as one of the greatest anime of all time. It’s not difficult to see why. The story of the Elric brothers has gone down in history as an anime that simply cannot be missed.

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