2021 was quite a year for animated TV series and anime, which wasn't surprising given the world's craving so much more content, especially during the pandemic. With the rise of various streaming services as well, this medium allows studios to create diverse, bombastic stories that don't need big Hollywood budgets to get their scope out there. With that in mind, let's dive into the top 10 animated TV series this year had to offer.
10. Star Wars: Visions
Disney+'s Star Wars: Visions takes George Lucas' franchise into new territory in the anime front. This allowed more fluid, dynamic worlds to be built, evolving what's been seen from past cartoons. There's variety galore in character-driven slow-burns, as these shorts highlight a lightsaber-wielding Ronin, the heroic droid T0-B1, Imperial twins bred to be WMDs, the assassin known as F, as well as Gee's rock band, who won over Jabba. It mixes action, suspense and comedy in an unshackled way that the mainstream properties couldn't, leaving fans thirsty for more Elseworlds.
9. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
This Netflix series adds a fresh take on the mythos of Eternia, giving a teenage Adam a new crew of heroes. It still honors the old lore, such as having Teela exploring her destiny with the Sorceress, but also dives into Adam sharing He-Man's power to prove Eternia needed multiple champions. It's a true story of family, which brings Skeletor back, working in the politics of old. Its awesome animated style a la The Incredibles further cements that this is a He-Man for the new generation of toy-loving teens.
8. Marvel's Hit-Monkey
Hulu's Hit-Monkey is a well-executed sleeper hit, expanding on the Marvel lore regarding a snow monkey seeking revenge after his clan got wiped out. By adding Bryce to the mix as his ghost companion and an assassin in need of redemption, it digs into the monster within. At first, the two struggle to understand the sanctity of life, but by understanding the trauma associated with being a killer, they learn about outrunning fate and making changes. This crafts a very cerebral story amid its dark humor, testing the loyalties of both as they learn, in very bloody fashion, if they were meant to be heroes.
7. Arcane
Netflix's Arcane -- set in the League of Legends fictional universe to commemorate the property's 10th anniversary -- took the streaming service by storm. Not only does it add background to the mega-popular game, the animation is some of the most sublime ever. It's the perfect mix of substance and style, with the nine episodes depicting an emotive struggle as Violet's crew tries to survive and end injustices meted out to their kind. It dives hard into the action, magic and science of the franchise, while stitching together thought-provoking takes on war and class in liberating the dystopian undercity, Zaun.
6. Marvel's What If...?
Disney+'s What If...? delivers a mind-bending trip around the multiverse, subverting greatly what's been seen from Marvel Studios. There's feminist power with Peggy as Captain Carter, a horrific story with zombies ravaging the world, while the Watcher looks on as threats such as an evil Doctor Strange and an Infinity Gauntlet-version of Ultron rise up. It's every dream and nightmare come to life with wild stories that feel like fan-fic at its best. Most of all, the heart and soul of this series goes up with Chadwick Boseman's last MCU role, voicing T'Challa as his Star Lord details a story of runaways and family.
5. Maya and the Three
Netflix's Maya and the Three has many big names with Zoe Saldana's Maya fulfilling an ancient prophecy in the Mesoamerican era, banding together fractured kingdoms and finding their Chosen Ones to battle the lord of the underworld in Alfred Molina's Mictlan. But while the animation seems childish, the story is very dark with a lot of betrayal, murder and politics, as Maya quickly realizes secrets have doomed their entire realm. It feels a bit like He-Man, but with a more indigenous twist, that's thankfully educative and authentic to the cultural mix.
4. Invincible
Amazon Prime Video's Invincible does an amazing job adapting the Image Comics title and how Mark Grayson chooses his destiny. With J.K. Simmons' Omni-Man as his dad, Nolan, there's a lot of turbulence as he tries to get Mark to help him take over the planet. Seeing them fight over the Viltrumite legacy, while working amidst government conspiracies and relationship problems feels like a breath of fresh air as opposed to idealistic, romanticized tales of superheroes. And make no mistake, it does justice to the brutal violence from the comics, luring in new fans who are hungry for something after The Boys.
3. Dug Days
This Disney+ series collects five shorts that act as a sequel to Up, with old man Carl (Ed Asner) bonding with Dug. It's hilarious as Dug drives Carl crazy, but they get closer over things like chasing other pets, adapting to neighborhood problems such as fireworks, and other animals finding their voices thanks to Russell's scientific intervention. More so, it fleshes out how Dug isn't a pet -- he's Carl's best friend. What also makes this resonate a lot sentimentally -- beside the cute factor and family warmth -- is Asner died just before it premiered in September, making a heartbreaking franchise even more tear-jerking.
2. Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Disney+ makes even more inroads into the era set by The Clone Wars and Rebels, as we learn more of these defective clones, aka the Bad Batch. But this time, while they break away from Order 66 and flee Moff Tarkin's gaze, it's even more dangerous and personal than ever. They try to protect Omega, the female Jango Fett clone, but have to contend with Crosshair's corruption at the hands of the Empire, charting out a new war with bounty hunters on their case. Still, with characters like Hera Syndulla returning, it still has that nostalgic spin to it, blending the high-octane chases, firefights and combat sequences fans have grown accustomed to in a galaxy far, far away.
1. Masters of the Universe: Revelation
Kevin Smith's Revelation, the other take Netflix put out this year, drew controversy in its first part, but by the time the full season aired, it really was a love letter to the '80s cartoons and Filmation toys. Still, while it powers up Adam as He-Man, it doesn't hold back on progression, making Teela its star as the new Sorceress and custodian of Grayskull's energy. There's also a lot more depth to Man-at-Arms, Cringer and even Evil Lyn, who realizes she's more than just Skeletor's concubine. Seeing things like Eternia's previous champions and Savage He-Man further prove that while nostalgic, this is the fearless direction the property needed.