There's no such thing as one best anime, especially if those anime include everything from over the previous decade. So many gems came out during the most recent 12 years or so, many of which may forever go down in history as some of the greatest anime of all time, and ranking them would be either difficult or downright impossible.
However, there tends to be one specific series each year that offers something unique and helps it truly stand out. Even though the following list is not absolute, the titles listed below are more or less the most talked about shows of their time. Based on this, here are the best anime series each year from 2010 to 2022.
In 2010 Angel Beats! Was a Great Intro to Anime
Every anime has its flaws and good points, but what makes Angel Beats! stand out is the fact that it's a wonderful introduction to anime. The show is a complete package, as it features a bit of everything from romance to action and even comedy. It's a quick watch at only 13 episodes, but it can also be extremely intense and depressing at times. The show's story revolves around characters who find themselves in an afterlife school setting upon their deaths. Angel Beats! is an emotional watch, so even though the characters may look like the stereotypical protagonists, their stories touch the heart.
Hunter x Hunter's 2011 Remake Was Mindblowing
Not many people would disagree that Hunter x Hunter is one of the best anime of the last decade. Although the original series came out in 1999, the remake in 2011 just about broke the internet. Both the manga and anime series have been absolute successes with a narrative that highlights multiple genres. The series features a vast array of characters that are so intricately connected that it almost blows the viewer's mind. The story follows the adventures of Young Gon, who wishes to become an accomplished hunter just like his father. The action sequences are especially on point, featuring intelligent battles that are often unpredictable.
Sword Art Online Drove Isekai to New Heights In 2012
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It's safe to state that Sword Art Online took the isekai genre to the heights it is now. People can even consider SAO to be one of the most successful and widely popular isekai anime of all time. The show captures the very essence of why audiences love anime in the first place. The story is highly entertaining and well-crafted; things never seem out of place in the show. SAO's story may seem like it's been done before, but the show's take on how the virtual world can be fulfilling as well is quite unique and hits deep. The plot follows a virtual role-playing game where players can control their in-game characters with a Nerve Gear helmet.
2013's Attack on Titan Is One of the All-Time Best Anime
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Just as Naruto is still considered a god of shonen, Attack on Titan is perhaps its most successful heir. Anime watchers undisputedly consider Attack on Titan to be one of the best anime not only of the decade but of all time. AoT has earned its place next to masterpieces like One Piece, Naruto and even Death Note. Raking in popularity on an international level, it's safe to say that the show's plot, the balance of elements, and the pace have won the hearts of anime lovers the world over. It has so much diversity and coherence that it's difficult to place it in a single genre. Attack on Titan features a catastrophic world where humanity hides behind gigantic walls from man-eating titans.
2014's Noragami Was Simple, Yet Emotional
Sometimes, a simple story with appealing characters and a lot of emotion can do the trick. Noragami has no extremely intense action sequences or musical performances, but it's a beautiful piece of animation. The show follows the story of a high school student whose soul is accidentally loosened from her body, and now, she has to work with a shrineless god for each other's benefit. It's hard to place Noragami next to AoT, Tokyo Ghoul and more, but the concept and storyline are enough to place it on the best anime list. It's a character-driven show with romantic, comedic and even supernatural elements. Sometimes a show that doesn't feature heavy-duty warriors and otherworld arcs offers a kind of simplicity and entertainment that's undeniable.
One-Punch Man's 2015 Release Reignited the Shonen Genre
Watching One-Punch Man in 2015 would've meant that viewers have had their fair share of shonen anime. However, instead of coming off as another OP-hero-fights-against-evil anime, it surprisingly reignites the love for the genre. The art, animation, fighting scenes and comedy are so good that there's no reason to hate the show. The protagonist of the series is Saitama, who's so OP in his universe that it only takes him a single blow to take down the meanest of his opponents. Audiences understand the difficulty of balancing comedy and action, but One-Punch Man does it expertly.
2016's My Hero Academia Is Still Going Strong Today
With its sixth season coming in 2022, My Hero Academia is still going strong as one of the most popular anime of the decade. It is a modern-day classic and will go down in history as a great shonen anime series. The anime franchise features a commendable cast that focuses on balancing the characters' power metrics. Viewers will find the protagonist neither relying too much on emotions to gain victory nor being born with dramatic powers. Instead, the protagonist Izuku trains to his maximum potential in order to earn his place. The arcs in the show are well-placed and consistent, with zero plot holes and high emotional impact.
Black Clover's Classic Shonen Elements Made it a 2017 Star
The show's fans go as far as calling Black Clover the next Naruto. The biggest thing that fans like about the show is that it takes all the classic shonen elements and condenses them into short arcs. This allows the series to not rely too much on a single element or story that might otherwise seem repetitive. The story is about Asta, who wishes to become the Wizard King. It sounds like a cheap Naruto spin-off right off the bat, but the way the story progress is worth people's time. The character development is outstanding, as the anime also does a great job at showcasing the villains and the side characters with the respect they deserve.
Violet Evergarden Was 2018's Visual Masterpiece
A visual masterpiece, almost everyone was talking about Violet Evergarden upon its release a few years ago. It weaves a beautiful story of a young female soldier who must find another purpose now that the war is over. It's worth mentioning that the storytelling aspect of the show is practically breathtaking and keeps the audience captivated until the end. The show wraps up nicely and doesn't leave the viewer unsatisfied. There are so many emotions attached to each episode, especially in how Violet finds her way back to humanity.
2019's Demon Slayer Captivated Fan Emotions
Demon Slayer is a complete package, from jam-packed action sequences to the on-point music and story. The show's story isn't straightforward; instead, it offers unique angles to the protagonist's journey and takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster. The series follows Tanjiro, who sets out to become a Demon Slayer after his family was massacred by a demon and left his sister one as well. Fans immediately became captivated by how each character was presented, especially the antagonist Muzan. The show isn't polarized – there's no absolute evil or good, and that's why fans love the way Demon Slayer plays with people's emotions on both sides.
Jujutsu Kaisen Skyrocketed to Success In 2020
It's hard to argue this one when Jujutsu Kaisen won Anime of the Year at the fifth annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The show skyrocketed to popularity due to its core elements being true to what the shonen demographic is all about. The series doesn't shy away from showcasing unique elements like horror, gore and dark fantasy. There's a struggle between two groups in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe: there are beings who are cursed with evil while on the other hand, the jujutsu sorcerers fight these creatures. Jujutsu Kaisen doesn't waste time and dives right into the action, getting audiences into the thick of things immediately.
2021's Odd Taxi Is As Strange As Its Name
There were many contenders for this position, but Odd Taxi took points for many reasons. Just like its name, it's a very odd anime with no action, no tournaments and no OP hero or villain. It's a simple slice-of-life drama that centers around a 40-year-old taxi driver who is none other than a walrus. He drives a taxi in a world with anthropomorphic animals and ferries even more odd passengers. The show's biggest draw is its dark comedy theme, which never fails to wow the audience. Every joke, every translation and every pun are smartly written and always mean something more.
Spy x Family Is One of 2022's Best Breakout Series
Since the year hasn't ended yet, fans may have divided opinions over which anime is ruling 2022. Viewers may not agree with every name on the list, but it's evident that Spy x Family is one of the best breakout shows of the year, and unsurprisingly, the anime has topped every list for the best series of Spring 2022. The spy-themed show follows the story of a fake family consisting of Loid the spy, Yor the assassin and Anya the telepath. The series is utterly hilarious, sweet and earnest in all aspects, and its storytelling is so solid that it's hard not to put the show on top.