
25 Years, 25 Anime: Ranking The Best Series Since 2000

2000 - Fighting Spirit
Fighting Spirit follows Ippo Makunouchi, a shy teen who discovers his confidence and drive through the intense world of boxing. Packed with hard-hitting matches, heartfelt moments, and a cast full of personality, it’s one of the most impactful sports anime of its time. | © Kodansha

2001 - Hellsing
Hellsing stands out for its unforgettable cast, from the unshakable Sir Integra to the unstoppable and mysterious Alucard. Its stylish action, dark atmosphere, and one of the best anime soundtracks ever recorded make it a true cult favorite among fans. | © Crunchyroll

2002 - Naruto
Naruto follows a loud, determined ninja who dreams of becoming his village’s leader while pushing himself to surpass his rival, Sasuke. Packed with memorable arcs, exciting battles, and rich world-building, the original series remains one of the defining anime of the 2000s. | © Crunchyroll

2003 - Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist tells the story of two brothers using alchemy to restore what they lost, uncovering deep conspiracies and moral grey areas along the way. Its rich world, unpredictable twists, and unforgettable characters make it a series well worth the time it takes to watch. | © Crunchyroll

2004 - Monster
Monster follows a doctor whose choice to save a young boy’s life comes back to haunt him when that boy grows up to be a serial killer. With a gripping mystery and one of anime’s most intense hero–villain rivalries, it’s a masterclass in slow-burn suspense. | © Madhouse

2005 - Aria: The Animation
Aria: The Animation is a slow, soothing slice-of-life series set in a beautiful canal city, following everyday moments filled with warmth and charm. With gentle stories, lovely music, and a calming atmosphere, it’s a standout of the genre. | © Right Stuf

2006 - Death Note
Death Note follows a student who finds a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it, sparking a tense game of cat and mouse with the world’s greatest detective. With sharp writing and constant twists, it remains one of the most gripping and rewatchable anime ever made. | © Viz Media

2007 - Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann is a high-energy ride from start to finish, mixing giant mecha battles, wild twists, and a soundtrack that sticks in your head. Its bold style, iconic characters, and over-the-top action have made it a modern sci-fi classic. | © Crunchyroll

2008 - Clannad: After Story
Clannad: After Story moves beyond high school drama to follow Tomoya and Nagisa as they fall in love, get married, and face the ups and downs of starting a family. It’s famous for making viewers cry, but the sad moments hit harder because they’re surrounded by scenes of everyday happiness. | © Sentai Filmworks

2009 - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows two brothers whose failed alchemy experiment sends them on a quest for the Philosopher’s Stone, uncovering dangerous secrets. Packed with action, drama, and humor, it’s one of anime’s most acclaimed series. | © Crunchyroll

2010 - Blue Exorcist
Blue Exorcist follows Rin Okumura, who discovers he’s the son of Satan and decides to fight against his fate by becoming an exorcist. With fast-paced action, likable characters, and a mix of adventure and heart, it’s a series that’s easy to binge and hard to forget. | © Viz Media

2011 - Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate starts slow but builds into a gripping sci-fi thriller about time travel, friendship, and the consequences of changing the past. With unforgettable characters and a plot full of clever twists, it’s the kind of series that sticks with you long after it’s over. | © Crunchyroll

2012 - Wolf Children
Wolf Children tells the heartfelt story of a mother raising her half-wolf children after their father’s death, balancing the challenges of both worlds. Gentle, funny, and deeply moving, it’s a celebration of love, family, and the quiet moments that shape a life. | © Toho

2013 - Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan delivers jaw-dropping action, rich world-building, and a story that constantly raises the stakes. From its breathtaking battles against towering Titans to its slow-burn mysteries about the world’s true history, every episode leaves you wanting the next. | © Crunchyroll

2014 - Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul follows a college student who survives a ghoul attack, only to become half-human, half-ghoul after an organ transplant. As he struggles to live between both worlds, the series mixes action, horror, and moral questions about survival and coexistence. | © Crunchyroll

2015 - One Punch Man
One Punch Man is a fast, funny send-up of superhero stories, centered on a hero so powerful that every fight ends with a single punch. Its mix of spectacular animation, absurd battles, and deadpan humor makes it one of the most entertaining anime in years. | © Viz Media

2016 - My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia takes the familiar superhero formula and turns it into an emotional, high-energy story about fighting for your dreams. With a cast full of memorable characters and a main hero you can’t help but root for, it’s easy to see why it’s become a modern favorite. | © Viz Media

2017 - Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss follows a curious girl and a robot boy as they journey into the vast, dangerous Abyss in search of answers. Its gorgeous visuals and gripping, often unsettling story make it one of the most striking adventure anime in recent years. | © Sentai Filmworks

2018 - Zombieland Saga
Zombieland Saga takes the idol anime formula and flips it on its head by making the stars a group of undead girls trying to hide their zombie status. It combines sharp comedy, catchy music, and surprising drama into a weirdly charming mix that works far better than you’d expect. | © Cygames

2019 - Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga delivers stunning animation, gripping storytelling, and characters so real they give every moment weight. Beneath the epic battles is a powerful message about peace and growth, making Thorfinn’s journey one of anime’s most memorable. | © Netflix

2020 - Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen hooks you right from the start with slick animation, intense battles, and a perfect mix of humor and heart. By the second episode, it’s hard not to be completely invested in its characters, world, and nonstop energy. | © Viz Media

2021 - To Your Eternity
To Your Eternity follows an immortal being who can take the form of anything it encounters, meeting new people and collecting memories along the way. It’s a beautifully animated journey filled with touching, often heartbreaking moments. | © Crunchyroll

2022 - Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War brings back the beloved series with stunning visuals, intense battles, and a story arc fans have waited years to see animated. Even newcomers can jump in and get hooked by the high-stakes action and incredible world-building. | © Hulu

2023 - Pluto
Pluto is a tense sci-fi mystery that asks what makes someone human, blending big ideas about AI with a story full of emotion and suspense. Great characters, surprising turns, and gorgeous animation make it impossible to stop watching. | © Netflix

2024 - Dandadan
Dandadan follows Momo and the oddly nicknamed Okarun, whose bet to prove yokai or aliens exist throws them into a wild world of bizarre monsters and nonstop chaos. With stunning animation and a cast you can’t help but love, it became one of 2024’s best anime. | © Crunchyroll

2025 - Takopi's Original Sin
Takopi’s Original Sin starts with a cheerful alien from Planet Happy trying to help his first human friend, only to trigger a chain of tragic events through time travel. Dark, emotional, and unflinching, it’s one of 2025’s most talked-about anime for a good reason. | © Crunchyroll
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