Top 10 Must-Watch Anime Series from 2011-2020 You Can't Miss

The early 2000s were significant for the anime industry, but the subsequent decade saw the emergence of many series that continue to be popular today. Superhero enthusiasts eagerly watched the debut of My Hero Academia in 2016, while fans of Fruits Basket rejoiced when the original manga got an accurate anime adaptation in 2019. The anime community was swept away by the arrival of Jujustu Kaisen in 2020, leading to a resurgence of interest in the shōnen genre.

In the early 2010s, prior to the influx of more recent anime series, “Hunter x Hunter” and “Haikyu!!”, among others, set a strong foundation. This era is significant in the world of anime. While personal preferences may differ regarding which shows were truly outstanding, there were numerous series for each year that garnered exceptional reviews, even when compared to other groundbreaking productions.

Gon Freecss Sets Out To Become a Hunter Like His Father

While the 2011 anime series “Puella Magi Madoka Magica” undeniably left viewers in awe with its groundbreaking storyline, it was the fresh take on Yoshihiro Togashi’s popular manga “Hunter x Hunter” that really swept the globe. The story takes place within a world inhabited by a young boy named Gon Freecss. In this world, there exist professionals known as Hunters. To obtain a license and have the freedom to traverse different regions and accumulate significant wealth, one must pass the yearly Hunter Exam. This world is home to various types of Hunters, such as those who safeguard wildlife or track down wanted criminals, known as bounty hunters. For years, Gon has nurtured a dream to become a Hunter, inspired by tales about his absentee father Ging, also said to be a Hunter.

Becoming a Hunter isn’t a walk in the park for Gon, considering the numerous dangers that lurk, including other Hunters themselves. Fortunately, he manages to forge strong bonds with Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio – fellow aspirants on this challenging path. What makes “Hunter x Hunter” unique is its ability to switch between light-hearted and playful scenes one moment, only to reveal a much deeper, darker narrative beneath the surface as time progresses. As the story unfolds, even Gon’s friendships will be put to the test, as his experiences along the way may alter the very essence of our spirited protagonist.

Akane Tsunemori Begins To Question the Sibyl System

In the not too distant time, technology has significantly advanced, yet paradoxically, the world has grown more perilous than ever. To maintain order and security, a novel technological entity named the Sibyl System has been developed, particularly for Japan. This system allows authorities to monitor every citizen’s mental state continuously until it detects any hint of malicious intent. When such signs are detected, Inspectors are dispatched, with ex-convicts called Enforcers handling the unpleasant tasks that follow.

Akane Tsunemori is a novice police officer who aspires to uphold justice and improve society. Yet, her understanding of her role and that of the Sibyl System she trusts begins to shift following an encounter with a criminal that slipped through its supposedly infallible detection. As Akane delves deeper to expose the truth about the Sibyl System, she discovers that the concept of justice she’s adhered to for years might not be as straightforward as it seems. Although it isn’t for the faint-hearted, Psycho-Pass has endured as a celebrated anime due to its intricate storyline, earning it a place as a modern classic within the psychological thriller genre.

Eren Yeager Joins the Battle Against the Titans

In the universe of Attack on Titan, human settlements are fortified by enormous walls for protection from the carnivorous beasts known as Titans that inhabit the surrounding areas. These titanic creatures, similar in appearance to humans, are notorious for launching immediate attacks upon spotting a person. A long time ago, an unforeseen swarm of these Titans breached one of the walls meant to shield humanity, causing the devastation of Eren Yeager’s hometown and taking his mother’s life. Enraged by this loss, Eren resolves to join the military and take up arms against the Titans, seeking retribution for his mother.

As anticipated, being part of the Survey Corps isn’t a walk in the park, and it’s made even more challenging by the hidden truths within the military. As Eren and his comrades uncover more about their superiors, Eren also finds out that he possesses an extraordinary ability: the capacity to transform into a Titan briefly. This power enables Eren to engage in actual combat against other Titans, but it also turns him into something he despises deeply. Attack on Titan might be primarily an action anime, but it’s not devoid of thought-provoking aspects, particularly as Eren’s role within the story veers from the traditional heroic path.

Shoyo Hinata Never Gives up on His Dream

One day, during a Nationals game telecast, Shoyo Hinata – a student at junior high school – encounters an exceptional spiker from Karasuno High’s volleyball team on TV. Despite being short like him, this athlete was agile and boasted an impressive vertical leap. Inspired by the match, Hinata resolves to follow in his footsteps and assemble a volleyball squad for his school. Regrettably, when it came to his final year at junior high, Hinata’s team suffered a loss against a rival school, primarily because of their temperamental star player, Tobio Kageyama.

At the high school level, Hinata manages to enroll at Karasuno High School, harboring an ambition to eventually outplay Kageyama and his squad. To his astonishment, though, Kageyama is also a student at his school, which means their longstanding rivals become teammates instead. Initially, they’re far from pleased about this arrangement, but over time, they develop an outstanding setter-spiker partnership that leaves their senior colleagues in awe. Despite being primarily a volleyball story, “Haikyu!! stands out as a series that deeply explores the characters and their personal aspirations, contributing to its enduring popularity as a cherished sports anime.

Saitama Decides To Look for More Powerful Foes to Battle

Initially living an ordinary existence, Saitama later opted to transform into a superhero, purely for amusement. As he honed his pastime, Saitama’s extraordinary abilities emerged, enabling him to vanquish the most terrifying monsters with just one blow. Yet, his exceptional prowess in vanquishing supervillains has left him disenchanted. Consequently, Saitama embarks on a quest to encounter other superheroes and villains, eventually assuming the role of an unanticipated mentor for the cyborg hero Genos, who is in pursuit of a malevolent cybernetic adversary.

In unison, Saitama and Genos enlist in the Hero Association, seeking their respective goals through their freshly adopted professions. Much like other action-packed superhero series, One-Punch Man is characterized by exhilarating battle sequences. Yet, what sets it apart is its comedic moments that continue to resonate online, even years after the anime’s initial release. With a unique blend of humor, intense action, and an enduring legacy, One-Punch Man stands as a distinct gem in the superhero anime genre.

Mob’s Intense Psychic Powers Lead Him to All Sorts of Supernatural Phenomena

Shigeo Kageyama, a fourteen-year-old pupil in middle school, goes by the nickname “Mob” due to his knack for blending unassumingly into the crowd. Contrary to appearances, this seemingly ordinary student possesses immense psychic abilities, capable of defeating powerful spirits worldwide. Despite being an incredibly gifted psychic, Mob yearns for a typical life like everyone else. In spite of this, he takes on a part-time role as an assistant to Arataka Reigen, who falsely claims to be a psychic, but is actually a common swindler in reality.

In a more simplified way: Mob usually seems to lack emotions, but this is due to his awareness that uncontrolled feelings could lead to catastrophe. However, since he encounters various people and supernatural events because of his special powers, it’s challenging for him to master his abilities. The anime, titled “Mob Psycho 100“, is not just about psychics and spirits; it’s also a tale of personal growth, demonstrating a kind-hearted protagonist. It offers an exciting, funny, and sometimes emotional experience, making it a must-watch for any anime enthusiast. In essence, it’s a beautifully animated series that showcases the best of the genre.

Phosphophyllite Is Tasked With Creating an Encyclopedia

In a far-off time, Earth is now populated by radiant, gem-like creatures called the Lustrous, instead of humans. These beings, known as the Lustrous, serve their master against enigmatic Moon-dwellers, the Lunarians, who aim to use the Lustrous as ornaments. As conflict persists, a frail Lustrous named Phosphophyllite, incapable of combat, yearns to aid his fellow Lustrous. In search of assistance, he locates Cinnabar, a colleague. Phos is soon assigned the task of compiling a comprehensive natural history reference book for future use, which eventually leads him back to the battlefield.

Phos yearns to join their comrades, the Lustrous, in battle, and this dream comes true, albeit at a heavy cost. As Phos experiences loss of limbs and memory, they undergo a dramatic transformation from their innocent self. The animation for Land of the Lustrous is a fusion of 2D and 3D techniques, which continues to captivate audiences with its distinct ambiance even to this day. Regarding the manga, it concluded in 2024.

Violet Tries To Understand the Meaning of “I Love You”

In a nutshell, Violet Evergarden – a young woman with enigmatic background, steeped solely in conflict and violence throughout her existence – undergoes a significant transformation when the Great War concludes, leaving her with grave wounds and a poignant recollection from her final day on the battlefield. The individual she cherished most in this world, who seemed to be expiring before her eyes, whispered “I love you”, a sentiment that had never crossed Violet’s ears prior to this moment. Post-receiving prosthetic hands, Violet opts to dedicate herself as an Auto Memory Doll – a profession that involves transcribing clients’ emotions into letters.

Violet Evergarden is a captivating anime series adapted from Kana Akatsuki’s light novel series, beautifully animated by the renowned Kyoto Animation. Raised solely for battle, Violet finds herself in a time of peace and seeks to understand her surroundings better. As an employee at the CH Postal Company, she endeavors to uncover her true purpose in life, the essence of the words penned for her, and their significance in shaping her own destiny. To this day, Violet Evergarden continues to spark intriguing discussions among anime enthusiasts, cementing its place as a beloved classic.

The Kamado Siblings Become Members of the Demon Slayer Corps

In the Taisho era Japan, teenager Tanjiro Kamado takes on the role of family breadwinner after his father’s passing, venturing daily to a neighboring village to peddle charcoal. One day, upon returning home, Tanjiro is struck with shock when he finds that a demon has slaughtered most of his family, leaving only his sister Nezuko unscathed. Yet, following the demon assault, Nezuko underwent a transformation into a demon herself. Initially, Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka contemplates slaying Nezuko, but reconsiders upon recognizing that unlike many other demons, Nezuko shows no inclination to harm humans and instead yearns to safeguard her brother.

To transform Nezuko back into a human, Tanjiro enlists in the Demon Slayer Corps following his mastery of the “Water Breathing” technique during a challenging test. Yet, he and Nezuko won’t be venturing alone; they are quickly accompanied by Zenitsu Agatsuma, a shy individual, and Inosuke Hashibira, a lively character. The journey takes an unexpected twist when Tanjiro encounters Muzan Kibutsuji, an old demon who was behind his family’s tragic demise. Although the narrative can be intense, Demon Slayer offers a distinctive animation style that is likely to linger in viewers’ minds for years to come, adding strength and uniqueness to this exceptional anime.

Itadori’s Life Is Forever Changed After Becoming the Vessel of Ryomen Sukuna

Mostly, Yuji Itadori, a typically ordinary high school student with extraordinary physical power, goes about his teenage life cheerfully. However, things take an unprecedented turn when his classmates unwittingly release a powerful ancient Curse from a decayed finger amulet. This Curse poses a grave threat to the world as a whole. In a bid to protect his friends, Yuji makes a drastic decision and ingests the amulet, thereby becoming Sukuna’s host. The Jujustu Society, a group of sorcerers, are initially determined to expel Sukuna from Yuji, even if it means sacrificing his life in the process.

Initially captivated by Yuji’s ability to keep his body in check while Sukuna exerts control, Satoru Gojo, the formidable sorcerer, chooses to mentor him. Consequently, Yuji embarks on a journey to master Jujustu sorcery, joining fellow apprentices Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki in their training. The captivating series, Jujustu Kaisen, has garnered widespread popularity since its release due to its imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and sensitive portrayal of its female leads – a rarity among past shōnen anime. Despite its comical moments, the show is fundamentally a grim tale that consistently leaves viewers in awe.

2025-05-18 04:32

Top 10 Must-Watch Anime Series from 2011-2020 You Can’t Miss