10 Amazing 2000s Anime Nobody Remembers – Not Even You

The 2000s were a fantastic decade for anime. It saw the beginnings of hugely popular shows like Death Note and Inuyasha, and with the growing internet, it became much simpler for fans to find and enjoy new anime series.

While many popular anime from the 2000s are still enjoyed today, some great shows have faded from memory. Even though you don’t hear much about anime like Chrono Crusade anymore, they’re still worth checking out.

Psychic Squad Was Based On a Hugely Popular Shonen Manga

In the world of Psychic Squad, people with psychic abilities have drastically changed society. To combat the chaos caused by these powerful individuals, an organization called BABEL was formed. Their most valuable asset is a team of young psychic girls – known as ‘The Children’ – who happen to be among the strongest ESPers on Earth.

This anime is adapted from a popular shonen manga that ran for many years in the 2000s. Psychic Squad starts off feeling quite silly, almost like a colorful superhero team show, but it doesn’t shy away from exploring more serious themes. It’s also famous for creating one of the most memorable anime arcs, The Unlimited.

Witchblade Turned a Comic Book Into an Anime

The ’90s comic book series Witchblade is a long-time fan favorite, though many people don’t realize it was also adapted into an anime in 2006. This anime version features the core Witchblade idea, but with a fresh story and new characters. It’s a noteworthy adaptation.

Now, the powerful Witchblade has bonded with Masane Amaha, a woman who lost her memories when Tokyo was devastated. Even though Masane doesn’t fully understand her abilities, she’s determined to use them to keep her adopted daughter, Rihoko, safe. Rihoko, a young girl, surprisingly seems to have an even stronger connection to the Witchblade than Masane herself.

Chrono Crusade Is Another Great Demon Hunting Series

Set in the vibrant 1920s, Chrono Crusade centers around Sister Rosette Christopher, a skilled exorcist with the Order of Magdalene. She teams up with Chrono, a demon who surprisingly assists her in battling other demons. Together, they’re determined to track down Aion, the demon responsible for kidnapping Rosette’s brother.

Chrono Crusade is a fantastic anime from the early 2000s that often flies under the radar. It’s a fantasy story that manages to be both emotionally impactful and enjoyable, thanks to its charming characters who provide levity without being over-the-top. Be warned, though – the ending is incredibly moving and may leave you heartbroken.

Rune Soldier Louie Is a High Fantasy Comedy

Ryo Mizuno, the author of other fantasy stories, created Rune Soldier Louie. The series centers on Louie, a magically-gifted character known more for his impressive strength. He’s looking to team up with a group of adventurers and lucks into joining a skilled trio of female adventurers who are eager for any mage to complete their team.

Taking place in the world of Record of the Lodoss War, Rune Soldier is a hilarious fantasy-action series from the 2000s. Unlike many shows, it doesn’t rely on typical romantic clichés; the main character, Louie, is with the girls because he has to be, not because they’re interested in him. Think of it as a 2000s predecessor to KonoSuba, playfully poking fun at fantasy tropes.

Mai-Hime Presents Puts a Twist On the Magical Girl Formula

Mai-HiMe centers around Mai Tokiha, who enrolls at Fuuka Academy with her ill brother, Takumi, hoping to provide him with a better future. She quickly learns that the school holds secrets, and that she herself is a HiMe – a warrior capable of summoning powerful weapons to fight massive creatures called Orphans.

If you enjoy classic magical girl themes but are looking for a more mature story, Mai-HiME might be for you. It features intriguing mysteries, exciting action sequences, and a surprising, divisive finale. While popular in the early 2000s, a weaker sequel prevented the series from achieving its full potential.

S-Cry-ed Is the Ultimate Rivalry Anime

In the alternate history of S-Cry-ed, Japan is recovering from a mysterious, destructive event. This event gave special abilities to a small group of people called “Alters.” Eventually, the Alters divided into two groups: those who lived independently (Native Alters) and those who joined HOLY, an organization created to find and control all Alters.

Think of this anime as a darker take on the X-Men, where the heroes are actually the villains. Instead of helping people with special abilities learn to control them, the organization HOLY exploits those powers for government gain. S-Cry-ed is known for its amazing action sequences from the early 2000s, culminating in a final episode that’s a brutal, no-holds-barred fight between the two main characters until one is completely defeated.

Tenchi Muyo GXP Takes Harem Shenanigans Into Space

I remember Tenchi Muyo being huge back in the ’90s, but a lot of people never even heard of its spin-off, GXP. Instead of focusing on Tenchi Masaki, GXP centers around Seina Yamada, who just happens to be Tenchi’s neighbor and has terrible luck. He accidentally gets pulled into the Galaxy Police, and suddenly finds himself in a world full of crazy adventures and, let’s be honest, a lot of beautiful women!

I’m a huge fan of Tenchi Muyo GXP – it’s got that same wonderful charm as the original Tenchi series! Honestly, it’s a really underrated harem anime, and it throws in some genuinely cool sci-fi concepts. What’s even better is that it’s secretly connected to the main Tenchi storyline if you pay attention. It briefly aired on Adult Swim, but it just didn’t get the recognition it deserved back when everyone was focused on action-packed battle anime, and sadly, a lot of people seem to have forgotten about it.

GetBackers Is an Anime Buddy Comedy

Genji Amano and Ban Mido are a powerful duo called the GetBackers, famous for recovering anything their clients need. They reliably retrieve everything from lost keepsakes to highly classified weapons. This reputation often lands them in perilous situations across Tokyo, frequently forcing them to confront secrets from their past.

GetBackers is a classic anime from the early 2000s. It’s an action-packed series about two handsome and laid-back main characters who are surprisingly always short on cash, even though they’re really good at what they do. Unfortunately, it didn’t get a wide release in the West and was mostly seen by those who had access to the Anime Network back then.

MAR Is Perfect for Shonen Anime Tournament Fans

MAR centers around Ginta Toramizu, a timid boy often picked on by bullies. His life changes when he’s suddenly transported to MAR-Heaven, a world where he becomes stronger and gains perfect vision. But his newfound freedom is quickly threatened when the Chess Army launches an attack on MAR-Heaven, starting a war.

Ginta enters a huge tournament called the Chess games to defend MAR-Heaven. He and his friends must battle their way through the powerful Chess Army. If you enjoy anime with exciting tournaments, unique characters, and action-packed fights, this series is definitely worth watching!

Scrapped Princess Is a Fun Sword and Sorcery Anime Adventure

I’m totally hooked on Scrapped Princess! It’s about Pacifica, a former princess who was predicted to bring about the end of the world on her 16th birthday. Can you believe her own family tried to eliminate her? Thankfully, a wonderful family took her in and raised her as one of their own. But once the church found out she was still alive, they all had to go on the run! Now, every day that passes brings Pacifica closer to her 16th birthday, and everyone’s starting to wonder if the prophecy will actually come true.

Even though the story sounds serious, Scrapped Princess is actually a cheerful and enjoyable fantasy anime. It features likable characters and good animation, making it a great choice for anime fans who are tired of the same old tropes. It didn’t become hugely popular, but as a somewhat overlooked gem, it would be perfect for a modern remake.

2026-03-21 06:11