The 2010s were an interesting time. Retro fashion was all the rage, and anime viewers were treated to hit after hit. Many animation studios were hitting their stride, and new, exciting shows were being adapted or created at record speed.
So much new anime was released or rebooted in the 2010s that even the most avid fans may have let a few shows slip through the cracks. Other anime of the 2010s were so iconic that they necessitate a viewing to understand the hype. Whatever the reason, any anime fan should be on the lookout for these hidden gems and sensational smashes alike.
10 Being Trapped In A Game Is Not As Fun As It Sounds (Sword Art Online)
Though it is a divisive anime now, back in 2012, Sword Art Online was the show to watch. The story follows Beta tester, Kazuto Kirigaya (player name, Kirito) who is playing the recently released - full dive - "Sword Art Online" game. Everything appears to be fine until Kirito tries to log out of the game and finds he cannot.
Everyone playing the game finds themselves trapped by a mysterious villain. The only way to escape the virtual prison is to defeat all levels of the game world. Kirito is determined to reach the top and save everyone. Sword Art Online is a must-watch for any anime fan who loves gaming and also appreciates a unique take on the isekai genre.
9 Fans Should Devour This Culinary Romp (Food Wars)
Food Wars is a hilariously raunchy anime about a young man who is challenged by his father to attend a culinary high school. While there, his cockiness gets the best of him, and he vows to become the best chef in the school. The other students take offense to this and use the entirety of the show to prove him wrong.
Food Wars is a great show to watch, and it makes audiences hungry for more. The gorgeous animation of each dish will leave viewers salivating, while the reactions to each dish will have them cackling uncontrollably. It's a fun romp with a lot of food and a lot of heart.
8 Korosensei Knows The Value Of Education (Assassination Classroom)
Assassination Classroom is about a group of delinquent middle school kids who become part of a special government task force to help kill a malevolent enemy who destroyed the moon... and he happens to be their teacher.
Though the premise sounds unbelievably nonsensical, Assassination Classroom is full of heart. Many hardened anime fans have teared up while watching this show that is more about the love a teacher has for his students than it is about assassination. This show is one that fans will want to check out if they want a beautiful coming-of-age story about finding inner worth.
7 Eren Yeager Dedicates His Heart To Vengeance (Attack On Titan)
Attack On Titan exploded onto the anime scene in 2013. The brutal onslaught of war and overarching mystery garnered attention across the globe and sparked a commotion in the anime world. Fans could not (and still cannot) get enough of Eren Yeager and the Scout Regiment.
As children, Eren and his friends, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlelt, manage to survive an attack by Titans - giant man-eating monsters. The three of them join the military to help humanity by ridding the world of the Titans. However, the secret of where the Titans came from and what their purpose is remains a mystery. Anime fans should check this one out if they love intrigue and a lot of gore.
6 These Heroes Go Beyond Plus Ultra (My Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia centers around Izuku Midoriya - a young boy without superpowers who lives in a society full of super-powered people. Despite this, Izuku dreams of one day becoming a Pro Hero, just like his idol, All Might. Izuku is surprised to learn that his dreams are closer than he thinks when he encounters All Might who has an intriguing offer.
Since 2016, fans have been enthralled by this hit anime. Three movies and five seasons later, fans keep returning for the thrilling fight scenes and unique characters. Audiences everywhere should watch My Hero Academia to remind them of their own heroic spirit.
5 This Infinite Hype Train Has A Few Demons On It (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro Kamado and his family live in the snowy wilderness in Meiji Era Japan. Life is modest but comfortable for the Kamado family until Tanjiro goes out one day. When he returns, he finds most of his family has been killed. The sole survivor is his sister, Nezuko, who has been transformed into a demon. Tanjiro swears to destroy the demon responsible for his family's deaths and promises to find a cure for Nezuko.
Nowadays, the Demon Slayer franchise is almost impossible to avoid. The hit show set fans into a frenzy. Even the movie that serves as the show's continuation became the highest-grossing anime film worldwide. With absolutely gorgeous animation and an atypical shonen story, Demon Slayer is worth the hype.
4 Not Even The Coldest Hearts Can Escape Eru Chitanda's Gaze (Hyouka)
Hyouka may not be as well known in the anime community, but it should be. The show is about a ragtag literature club that comes together to solve the mystery of a family member's disappearance. Protagonist Houtarou Oreki is hesitant at first, preferring to not be bothered by anything until the effervescent Eru Chitanda opens her big anime eyes and flusters Oreki into submission.
Anime lovers would be remiss in not giving this show a watch. The gorgeous animation is only heightened by the clever mysteries and adorable budding romances. Viewers will not regret spending their time with the impossibly cute Eru and the gloomy Oreki.
3 Be Kind and Rewind In Order To Catch A Serial Killer (Erased)
Satoru Fujinuma seems like a regular, underachieving guy... except for the fact that he can travel back in time to undo tragedies. Though he only ever travels back a few minutes, a horrific event triggers his rewind farther back than he has ever been before, back to his fifth-grade year.
Erased is a thrilling tale of Satoru's frantic attempt to save the ones he loves from a desolate fate. The well-paced story and skillful tension will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. The relationships in the show are also incredibly human, making for rich characters. This anime will get every viewer to start thinking about whether they would change anything about their time in school.
2 Hilariously Chaotic Misunderstandings Make For A Great Show (Gamers!)
It is practically criminal that more people do not talk about the chaotic comedy that is Gamers!. Though it starts off as a gaming anime, it slowly morphs into an absolutely hilarious romantic comedy that will have viewers splitting their sides.
The show focuses on Keita Amano, a happy-go-lucky loner whose friends are all online. That is until he meets high school it-girl, Karen Tendou, who happens to have an enormous crush on him. Hijinks ensure, and soon Amano, Tendou, and many others are embroiled in an epic love pentagon. The utter chaos and hilarity of this anime make it one show that fans would be remiss to skip.
1 Even The Songs Will Make Fans Cry (Anohana: The Flower We Say That Day)
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is the saddest, most heart-wrenching anime of the 2010s. That said, no anime aficionado should miss this tragic tale of grief and acceptance.
Five teenagers who went their separate ways after the death of their friend when they were young reunite when it is revealed that one of them can see the ghost of said departed friend. Meiko "Menma" Honma expresses that she wants to get all her friends back together to help her discover her one last wish. The friends agree to help and rekindle their friendship. This is a beautiful anime about life, death, and the importance of grief. Every fan should watch this show at least once... if they can manage to see the screen through their tears.