Summary
Anime really startedgaining traction around the world during the 90swhen shows such as Pokemon, Digimon, and others of that ilk became well-known. Today, anime is one of Japan’s biggest cultural exports, and there have been some truly special shows that have come around in that time.
However, certain years just stand out more than others, and some of the shows released in those years really came to cement anime as the force it is today. Understandably, this can be considered a subjective topic, as some might not agree with what others will refer to as"the best years for anime,“but some are arguably better than others.
Updated on June 08, 2025 by Oluwafemi Famutimi:As the years have gone by, anime has only grown bigger with every season now littered with several titles. As the number of shows to watch have grown, there has also been a growth in great shows and in the last five years, there have been some truly stellar years. From the 90s, to the 2000s, to the 2010s and on to the 2020s, there are some years of anime that truly stand out over others.
Buddy Daddies, Insomniacs After School, Skip And Loafer
Highest Rated Show
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Romance is a major genre in anime and every year there are one or two standout shows from that genre. But, 2023 really stepped on the gas in that department with some stellar entries such as Skip and Loafer, The Dangers In My Heart, Insomniacs After School, and The 100 Girlfriends. No show hit in the romance department as well as Apothecary diaries and the impressive blend of mystery and romance was just perfect.
But, outside of romance, one show was the absolute pinnacle of the year, and this was Frieren. The show which currently occupies the top spot in MAL ratings, was a masterful fantasy that was refreshing after a period where the only fantasy fans got was through isekai. There were some returning anime too like the second season of Vinland Saga, and the continuation of Bleach.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
At the turn of the century, the internet was becoming a thing, and anime was slowly growing in the west and 2002’s lineup was very helpful in its growth. The biggest release was easily Naruto which would run for 5 years before being taken over by Naruto: Shippuden which would also run for a lengthy period.
Naruto was the biggest release, but 2002 also saw the release of The 12 Kingdoms, which is, to this day, one of the best isekai ever made. There was a Gundam entry in the year and shows like Chobits, Ghost In The Shell, and Full Metal Panic. 2002 ensured that the 2000s started well enough and soon, things would get even better as anime grew in influence.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
While many credit 2012’s Sword Art Online as the birth of modern isekai, this was a subgenre that had existed long before then. In fact, 1995 was the year of a lot of well-loved isekai shows, and showed that the subgenre actually leaned more towards a shojo audience. 1995 introduced fans to classics such as Magic Knight Rayearth, Fushigi Yuugi and even Tenchi Muyo.
However, in the fall of 1995 was what truly solidified it as an epic year with the release of Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is one of the most popular anime ever made and is still talked about till today. Many might not remember, but the 90s were also a great time for fighting games and anime also joined the craze with shows for both Street Fighter and Virtua Fighter being released in 1995.
Monster
Before the ‘big 3’ in anime, there was Dragon Ball. But, in 1999, One Piece was first aired, and then it was joined in 2002 by Naruto. In 2004, a shonen about an Orange-haired boy who wanted to become a Soul Reaper was released and captured the imagination of fans everywhere. Bleach made its debut in 2004 and would run for about 9 years with many unforgettable arcs. It completed the big 3 and has retained a huge audience ever since.
But 2004 was so much more as it was also the year that unleashed Johan Liebert on the world in the thrilling epic, Monster. 2004 also saw the release of another anime that popularized a style of music, thanks to a great show with a legendary musician. Samurai Champloo, which some might remember more for its music than its fights (the fights are epic btw) also made its debut in 2004.
Demon Slayer: Entertainment District
With the sheer number of anime being produced today, some fall into the error of assuming that there aren’t standout anime years in the modern era. 2022 was proof that there is still a lot for the world of anime to provide for fans. 2022 will be remembered as one of the best years in the last decade with incredible sequels like the final season of Kaguya-sama, the final bit of Attack on Titan, and the 3rd season of Teasing Master Takagi-san.
But, it was also the year that Bleach made its grand return with one of the best anime returns ever seen — The Thousand Year Blood War. Fan were introduced to the bizarre world of Chainsaw Man. Most notably, was a small show that no one really had on their radar that would go on to blow up in the most incredible way. This was the expertly crafted Bocchi The Rock. There were so many other shows from the year, and it is sure that in another 10 years, people will still talk about 2022.
Gintama
Today, anime is as mainstream as mainstream can be, but the 2010s were very instrumental in this shift, and one of the more influential years was 2015. For those who were already avid fans, 2015 brought about the phenomenon that wasOne Punch Man. The first season of the show, which parodied the idea of overpowered protagonists and heroes, was a huge hit.
But that was not all. Fans of isekai gotOverlord, which made its debut that year. There was the philosophically richDeath Parade, the hypest cooking show ever,Food Wars!, and for the romance fans,My Love Storyalso made its debut that year. 2015 was rich with gems, and is still one of the periods with the best releases.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Shonen is perhaps the genre of anime that is most well-known and is the one that most associate anime with. This is why excellent shonen should always be recognized and celebrated. In terms of a time when fans got consistently iconic shonen, 2009 is a remarkable example of one of the genre’s best years.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodwas released that year and, until 2024, was the highest-rated anime of all time on the fan site, MyAnimeList. Not to be outdone,Fairy Tailalso made its debut that year. Sure, the show has its haters, but no one can argue that it is an iconic show.Inuyashaalso first aired that year and is considered essential watching for most anime fans. Other notable titles includePandora HeartsandFrom Me To You.
Shingeki no Kyojin(Season 3, Part 2)
There’s usually a show that brings in an influx of anime fans. Once it wasNaruto, and thenAttack On Titanattracted a new wave. But in recent times, there has been no better year for new fans than 2019.Demon Slayerfirst aired this year and was a smash hit. It’s first movie,Mugen Train, went on to become the most successful anime movie of all time.
Yet many might forget that this was also the yearVinland Sagafirst came out, and the world was introduced to Thorfinn for the first time. It was also the year the remake ofDororowas released, and the controversial first season ofShield Herocame out, too. There were also some underrated gems, likeCarole and TuesdayandBlade of The Immortal.
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu
Apart from the general serial anime that fans get year by year, there are also some really stellar movies within the anime space. !988 was a year when some of the greatest classics came out, most notablyAkira, a movie that is often referenced in popular media to this day.
It was also the year ofthe harrowing World War II drama,Grave Of The Fireflies, and the more lightheartedMy Neighbor Totoro. This doesn’t mean that there weren’t some awesome series from that year, asLegend Of The Galactic Heroesand the niche yet classicCrying Freemanwere released.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Studio Trigger is well known for somestellar mecha anime and over-the-top fights. One could argue that they really cemented themselves in the heart of anime culture in 2007 with the release of the highly acclaimedGuren Lagann. The bombastic action show is still considered an essential watch for all mecha enjoyers and potential mecha fans.
Also worthy of attention was the release ofthe 500+ episode odysseythat wasNaruto: Shippuden. On top of that, there was also the infamousClaymore, which ended at the most inconvenient spot and hasn’t returned since. There was also the underratedDarker Than Black, the classic yet confusingBaccano, and the visually strikingMononoke.
