What's your favorites anime from the past 5 years and why?
Hey guys I'm an old gen anime watcher. I think one of my favorite anime within the past 5 years is Dan da dan Because I find it unique. The characters are super loveable, the plot is weird and quirky, it's funny and it has romance too. It has everything. I binged it so many times. Hells paradise is another fav because I like the art style and it reminds me of shows I grew up watching like Samurai Champloo and Rouroni Kenshin. Demon slayer has really good fights and some cools characters. I don't really care about the animation because I grew up watching older anime anyways. Apothecary Diaries is an absolute visual masterpiece with a great storyline and deserves respect. The main character is a strong willed woman with brains and isn't sexualized. All the intrigue, suspense, and mystery going on in the palace during imperial China is peak anime. What are some of your favorites and why???
Commentaires
I enjoyed S1 so much that I immediately went and finished the manga but enjoyed it in anime more
Even the manga felt like it got you covered in grease/dust, never have experienced something like this
Edit: SHOCKING!
Season 2 is coming out this spring though
It's hard with these ongoing series that have such a huge time between seasons
It's just so good, and i love all the scenes where it just pans over the empty city with the stars overhead and synth music playing. It definitely makes you want to stay up late and wander the city.
* Your Forma
* The Fable
* Red Cat Ramen
* See You Tomorrow at the Food Court
* Dangers in My Heart
* Odd Taxi
For quality, probably Frieren or Takopi's Original Sin
[Frieren](https://myanimelist.net/anime/52991/Sousou_no_Frieren?q=frieren&cat=anime) - I really like the art style and the dynamic animation in the fight scenes are genuinely amazing. The story is pretty good, it's a little basic, but the writing is done well. All the VA's were outstanding too.
[Spy x Family](https://myanimelist.net/anime/50265/Spy_x_Family?q=spy%20x%20fam&cat=anime) - Very adorable and heartwarming over all. I love the characters and their interactions. The story doesn't feel important at all to me, but it's good enough to set up the scenes where we get all of those great character interactions.
[Cyberpunk Edgerunners](https://myanimelist.net/anime/42310/Cyberpunk__Edgerunners?q=edge&cat=anime) - Amazing character designs and animation. I'm a fan of the cyberpunk genre in general, I had around 1000 hours in the game when the anime came out, and at the time of this comment, 12 hours shy of 3,000 hours played in the game. It's an odd feeling watching an animated, completely fictional show and being able to know exactly where nearly every single scene takes place, it's kind of like watching a movie filmed in your city, but, none of it is real.
[Reincarnated as a Sword](https://myanimelist.net/anime/49891/Tensei_shitara_Ken_deshita?q=reincarnated%20as%20a%20sword&cat=anime) - Another adorable show, this along with [Handyman Saitou in Another World](https://myanimelist.net/anime/50854/Benriya_Saitou-san_Isekai_ni_Iku?q=handyman&cat=anime) and [Skeleton Knight in Another world](https://myanimelist.net/anime/48760/Gaikotsu_Kishi-sama_Tadaima_Isekai_e_Odekakechuu?q=skeleton%20knight&cat=anime) were just breaths of fresh air in isekai's. It's not that they came up with new, or unique tropes, but each used established tropes to great effect, making all of them feel comfortable and entertaining as hell.
I think those are ones that stood out to me from what I've seen in the last 5 years.
Full list related to series (in this order)
Original 13 episodes.
1 episode special.
2 movies (watch older movie before newer movie)
Notable mentions:
Kotaro Lives Alone - I have never seen any series dive into child psychology quite like this series. Make sure to bring out the tissues.
With You and the Rain - A beautiful slice of life series with a fantastical element. Besides being cute, in a way, this series is a beautiful representation of an introverted person's life. They aren't sad or lonely. They just like their space and see people when they are comfortable to do so. This series never makes the main character seem strange because of it.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOI8iYka5Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOI8iYka5Y)
When he does stuff like this they all go fucking bonkers over him. Shit's hilarious.
one of those shows i think everyone should watch but that feels genuinely impossible to recommend to anyone haha
No bullshit, just a guy and his rabid cat going to hunt
Zeta's a cat: [https://the-eminence-in-shadow.fandom.com/wiki/Zeta](https://the-eminence-in-shadow.fandom.com/wiki/Zeta)
I thought he didn't recruit anyone more after the first 7. Those girls were the ones who recruited the others without his knowledge, no?
It is actually my favorite anime of all time, right now.
When it comes to TV series (in no particular order)
- The second season of Tsurune. A big step up from season 1 and pretty self-contained. Loved it
- Heike Monogatari
- The Tatami Time Machine Blues.
- My Dress up Darling
- Frieren
- Dungeon Meshi
- Takopi's Original Sin
- Cyberpunk Edgerunners
- The final season of Hibike Euphonium
I also could've mentioned Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop and The Concierge, simple stories but I found both really sweet and pleasing to watch
Dungeon Meshi - very creative worldbuilding (dungeon ecosystem & monsters) and fun cast of characters
Summertime Render - suspenseful mystery/thriller on a remote island with supernatural elements
Oh and Bleach TYBW Arc - looks amazing & fights are really hype
Made In Abyss - This one is just so unique and deadly. I'm constantly scared every episode that someone may die in the most horrible way imaginable while watching.
Oshi no Ko - Also incredibly well written. The way it manages to make me invested in every single episode even though it's mostly just about acting and idol culture is insane.
The Dangers In My Heart - I never thought that I'd like a wholesome romance without major drama, but this one is so romantic that I cried despite nothing bad happening.
The Apothecary Diaries - The main character is awesome. Also it somehow brings back the crime genre in a unique way.
MF Ghost - The races are really exciting. I like that there are many racers all with their own personalities and you never know the result until it's over.
Takopi's Original Sin - Very unique show that tackles topics of parental abuse in a way that actually interesting to watch. Usually shows about depression are too slow paced, but this one has surprise after surprise.
I'm an Space/Astronomy nerd as much as I am an anime fan and have always love anything about space and stars and stuff since I was a kid which was one of the multitudes of reasons Gurren Lagann still has my number 1 favorite anime spot.
So when I saw this anime that talked about and showed this history about struggle that academics faced in the pursuit of knowledge and the truth of the world and universe it just became one of my all time favorites.
Only thing I regret is not being able to watch it as it was releasing live weekly to take part in the discussion threads but even reading all of the treads back after watching the episode still made it my top pick in the last 5 years.
Honestly I think Orb is gonna become a classic anime if it hasn't already but I am heavily bias on anything that has to do with astronomy and Orb scratched that itch in just the right way.
- Apocalypse Hotel is a light-hearted original about robots continuing to run a hotel even after humanity has left the planet in the wake of apocalyptic disaster. It's artistic and philosophical in a very approachable way, super light and fun while being packed with meaning and emotion. Just really clever and socially prescient, while being funny and having lovable characters.
- BanG Dream!! It's MyGO!!!!! is this very angsty soap opera melodrama with extremely strong scripting and very ambitious direction. It's written very particularly and the characters are extremely fleshed out. It has a very poignant core, and its most important character is blatantly neurodivergent and feels like very real, relatable representation. It's tons of fun in how dramatic it is, and also very emotional for the same reason. No familiarity with other BanG Dream entries required. Its sequel Ave Mujica is somehow even more dramatic and angsty.
- Girls Band Cry is another angsty band melodrama, but this one is less operatic and a bit more grounded. I love it because it feels very intimate, the characters' emotions are very detailed and forthright in a way that feels like staring into their souls. It has a lot to do with hiding parts of yourself and rebelling against strict societal expectations, in that sense embodying the spirit of rock very well. The music is spectacular too.
- City the Animation is the most impressive animation showcase... maybe ever honestly. It's a miracle that it was able to air on television, it's just a barrage of constantly impressive and ambitious animation that is utterly joyful to look at. The series itself is just a joy, like the most over-the-top slice of life you'll find. I don't find it funny as much as I find it smile inducing and relaxing. It has a very tangible and cohesive setting where you can see how everyone is interconnected, and the wholesome story about spreading kindness and community feels good at a time of social strife and division like this.
- Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is basically an adventure travelogue. It's mostly battle shounen but it takes a lot of little detours and side quests, and spends more time than the average battle series on meditative, nostalgic mood building and ruminations on the passage of time. It really feels like an adventure due to the way it changes tone and priorities, and while the overall setting is a bit awkwardly built I think each individual location stands out as a place with a unique look and attitude. The animation is amazing and the soundtrack is stellar.
- If you're trying to keep up with something airing right now that has potential, Journal With Witch has had a very impressive set of initial episodes. It feels like classic Japanese "slow cinema," extremely low key and quiet and intimate. Lots of focus on tangible everyday living and body language and the space the characters inhabit, and the script feels very mature and has an adult perspective. I left misty eyed more than once, the characters are fantastic. I'd be shocked if it weren't an AOTY contender.
**Frieren** \- Maybe an obvious choice but I can't think of an episode that didn't deeply touch me. I love Frieren and her journey in learning to value her connections is done just so magically. The stars aligned with the source material, animation, music, and directing being perfect.
**Bocchi the Rock** \- It draws you in with some of the most creative comedy bits I've ever seen, yet it lingers in your heart with Bocchi's relatable journey in finding a place to belong through music. I cannot wait for S2 and was so happy when it was announced.
**Girls Band Cry** \- Its my coming of age story this decade for me following Nina who is quick to anger, annoyingly stubborn, and yet still so endearing. It takes advantage of its 3D animation to make everyone just super expressive.
**Lycoris Recoil** \- Its blend of its slice of life and action scenes just reinforce and built each other up to create something even better just like how Takina's world filled in with color after meeting Chisato. Watching those two changed something in me.
**My Dress-Up Darling** \- The second season really moved it over the line for me from a show I already really liked to one that I love. Between S1 and S2 I got into cosplay too so some scenes from S1 hit a lot harder on the rewatches for me. I've cosplayed a few characters from these shows (Frieren, Kita, Takina) and plan to one day to a Dress-Up character too.
Vinland Saga
Shoshimin - From the writer of Hyouka. Mentally uneven teens solve mysteries.
Akudama Drive - Cyberpunk battle royal, a good one.
Bocchi the Rock
Call of the Night
Horimiya
Orb: On the Movements of Earth
Oshi no Ko
Apocalypse Hotel - episodic series about robots running a hotel after humanity fled the Earth
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Frieren
Girls Band Cry - great girl band drama show. Lot in common with Nana.
Migi & Dali - really heartwarming and tragic and hilarious. It made me feel a lot of things in a pretty short show.
To Be Hero X - Not actually "anime ", but worth giving a chance. Really good super hero battle royal thing.
Now if it's something that has come out in the last 5 years I'd have to say Orb, it's a very beautiful story with so much soul put into it that just stuck a chord with me
Too Many Losing Heroines. Literally get me hyped just in 5 minutes into episode 1. And looking into the main source (light novel) it's a banger romcom.
That is the one which sits atop any list I'd construct of my top series of the 2020s thus far. Why? Writing is the most factor of any series for me and to me this has the best and most impressive writing and construction of anything I've seen from this timeframe.
It also has the finest OST and usage of said OST in-show of any I've seen from the period. And easily the most underrated of any recent OST. Even among fans who talk up the series I rarely hear the music mentioned all that often, which is odd and I can only assume it didn't strike a chord with others as much, but for me it is epic and beautiful.
This series often relies on "Show, don't tell" and presents scenes and the arrangement of and juxtaposition of different scenes and sections of the show against one another such that a member of the audience might be tempted to come to one conclusion or another, sometimes an erroneous one based on a misleading yet not outright deceptive presentation or an easy set of assumptions to fall into, and I find that brilliant.
It's very difficult to author a mystery story like this, which can be appreciated on multiple levels - one more at face value or surface level and then an entirely different vantage point at some point further along the line or even after the fact, when you realize more of what's going on.
Also great if you like post-apocalyptic stories and world, following the close relationship of a few main characters on a perilous journey together (probably also why I love this as it relates to my favorite series in general/pre-2020), and okay with something which incorporates a little of almost everything from heavy mystery and adventure to dark Sci-Fi verging on even horror elements, comedy, and hints of romance.
Actually, assuming 2020 is being included here, I'll just add my pre-existing Top 10 in on top of my shilling for Tengoku Daimakyou.
- 1.) Tengoku Daimakyou
- 2.) Sonny Boy
- 3.) Dorohedoro
- 4.) Urasekai Picnic
- 5.) Lycoris Recoil
- 6.) Arknights (second best OST of the period)
- 7.) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
- 8.) The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace
- 9.) So I'm a Spider, So What?
- 10.) AI no Idenshi
* frieren - there are many reason why it is the n. 1 anime on mal. It's that good overall in writing, animation, music and telling a story about time and it's value, plus it's a characters first, action second and only when meaningful.
* apothecary diaries - most of frieren plus applies here too, and is a fresh setting rarely see in Anime, with a good coherent mystery building episode after episode.
* Yuru camp - the anime is a perfect chill nature immersion with excellent production values and good characters
* Ruri Rocks - the anime that follows the real study of minerals trough good characters and unexpected high quality overall, in a fun educational but never boring way
* City:the animation - the successor of nichijio with the same absurd animation and a true collective cast story, kyoani flexing why there are things only they can do
I'm an oldtaku and after a while you get kind of set in your opinion on what you like which then gets (somewhat unfairly) reinforced by nostalgia. Frieren is the first show that has upset my top anime in over two decades.
Frieren, for anyone who has yet to watch the show or read the manga, is a fantasy story at face value, but to me the story is more about personal growth garnered from those around you, making sure you remember your past and, of course, processing grief.
During the 6 months period season 1 of Frieren aired, my mom fell ill. She was then diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer which had spread to her brain. She was then admitted to hospital on Christmas eve. She then died, a husk of her former self, all before Frieren finished airing.
Those few months were the hardest months I have ever had to go through; my routine was just to get up and go to work, go to the hospital where I had to put on a brave face as I slowly watched my mom deteriorate, go home to eat, sleep, and repeat. I had no time for a social life at that time.
I recognise that to many people, Frieren is just a really good show. Given what I was going through when I watched it, having those 25 minutes each week where something truly spoke to me... to me the show is perfect.
As for why, because it feels like watching fine literature. It's like Dostoevsky meets Legend of Zelda, but with a Gothic genre treatment of a Saturday morning cartoon -- and it works. I can't think of a single episode that I didn't find interesting to watch.
The biggest detriment is the glacial release schedule of the manga. I'll probably be a senior citizen before it's finished, and I'm only half joking.
Takopi because it's a bit of a satire of usual anime aimed at youth where every psychological problem or dilemma is solved by some fantasy fight or the power of friendship. Adults will fuck up their kids and they can't do anything about it. And fucked up people will fuck up other people in their surroundings. It makes you want to encounter every person with a baseline of empathy and understanding that everybody has lived through their own little bits of misery and had to grow up through that, maybe without ever hearing a supportive or loving word their entire life. And many will have permanent scars on their psyche that manifests in their personality and we should be understanding of that.
Bocchi for very different reasons, lol. I just like the style of music they play. The entire show plays in Shimokita, which is a part of Tokyo with a very vibrant rock scene that I like a lot of bands of. Also the animation is fantastic. The use of unconventional animation styles and even incorporating real-life puppets or similar stuff for some gags was great to look at and seemed very high effort. Though the writing wasn't really that world-changing.
**Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!**: A show about animation, literally, as it follows a cast of characters who make anime, very reminiscent of Shirobako, but instead of following a professional studio, it's more, students, keeping the perspective more grounded, and allowing it's celebration of anime as a whole to hit that much more
**Wonder Egg Priority**: Despite the controversy saying this would have, still to me an incredibly great show, the production, when it wasn't struggling by the latter end was a really great treat to watch, the music was jointly done by De De Mouse giving it such a unique soundtrack, and the story when it wasn't making strange turns by the end was really gripping in a very atmospheric, mysterious, and visceral way, dealing quite dark topics relatively well... to a certain point.
**Healer Girl**: It's a musical. Though some I suppose might argue the definitions, I'm not really one to have much stake in that, the creator calls it a musical, so I'll go by that. Aside from being quite unique in terms of genre and how little we get musicals, it's also just really pleasant. A story that's oozing with optimism, using the power of music in a way that's really interesting to the setting and had a lot of fun characters that we could see grow throughout. The musical performances were incredibly well done not only in production but in terms of stakes and how they were presented and their context. it's a show that's so much fun and full of soul, and true to its title, one that, at the time of its airing, in 2022, did a lot of healing, I'm sure, to those who may have been affected by certain world wide events at the time, and to me too.
**Idolmaster U149**: Fan of idolmaster, fan of idol shows, an idol show graced with the production prowess that most now know due to their exploits (Cygames), but also in general just the characters had really great stories in this one. Despite being only 1 cour and unable to really get a full round of characterization and arcs that its original may have, the individual character stories ended up having a lot of gold, relaying themes and ideas really poignant and powerful despite where one might expect from this seemingly innocent cast.
**Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night**: Another one that had many up in arms as it finished, but for me still hit incredibly strongly. A show about people who make art, but in a more modern context, dealing with topics of streaming, creating music videos and illustrations and while the backdrop is very modern, the characters I felt were explored really well throughout. Dealing with imposter syndrome, identity in all kinds of flavour, and self-confidence, there was a lot there along with being really well made too, and having again that kind of modern aesthetic that I actually appreciate despite how weird to some it may be that we havevtubers, discord and youtube being a core premise
**CITY the Animation**: Pure magic. For Kyoani, this is a production that means quite a lot, being something that's not a sequel or part of any of their previous properties, and so it's really exciting to see them getting to do something new and it really shows. Fans of Nichijou will want to see this as it's from the same mangaka, but despite that context, it's just a really enjoyable and fun watch. The easiest way to describe it for me is, that feeling when I was a kid turning on a weekend cartoon and being absolutely enamored by what I was watching as I was absorbed in these vibrant worlds full oh whimsy, energy, happiness and sometimes even a tinge of sadness, as even CITY has somewhat of a story and somewhat of character arcs. It's a gag comedy show with enough heart and happiness for the entire world, even if the world isn't ready to be happy quite yet.
Also, it’s the only anime to ever make me tear up — full glaze for FMAB.
2. Odd taxi
3. Orb : on the movements of earth
4. Heavenly delusion
- Attack On Titan
- Delicious in Dungeon
- Ranma 1/2 (the new one)
- Hunter x Hunter
- Mobile Suit Gundam - Iron Blooded Orphans
I know 2 of those shows are from 2011 and 2015 but I haven't seen them till now.
I know it’s from 2016 but I cannot recommend an anime without mentioning A Silent Voice movie. My favorite movie.
* [One Piece: Fan Letter](https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/9623331f734a6d2ccda13e1fae97e35f.mp4). Touching story that explores the perspective of the oft forgotten civilians and marines in the world of One Piece. Beautiful animation as well and it hits all the notes of what makes One Piece great.
* [Pompo the Cinephile](https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/e1e21ed617fc9d5a201cb193713cf6c6.mp4) - A visually brilliant movie that follows two drastically different leads in a gloomy and disillusioned Gene contrasted with the charismatic and energetic Pompo who has very firm philosophies about filmmaking.
* [Kitarou Tanjou: Gegege no Nazo](https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/4f4ab35d932fca8afffe5cda409c6449.mp4) - The best of the modern Gegege no Kitarou anime, very good action animation as well as artwork to accompany the eerie and soft-horror. Despite not being full-on grotesque gore, it is still much darker than the standard Gegege no Kitarou cartoon which is primarily aimed at younger audiences.
* [Nintama Rantarou Movie: Dokutake Ninja Tai Saikyou no Gunshi](https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/661b8df329ea4a94130bbd7274921e1a.mp4) - Another movie with good action sequences. Pretty good story of the cast working together to go on a rescue mission to save their beloved teacher.
Girls Band Cry, such a strong girls band anime and the use of cgi was so good, it has actually convinced me that more shows should be cgi lmao
Shoshimin (How to become ordinary), specifically s2, such strong payoff for such a slow burn show
Ya Boy Kongming: The famous military strategist Zhuge Kongming met his demise in the Battle of Wuzhang Plains in 234. On his deathbed, he wishes that his next life would be in a peaceful place, free from bloodshed. He is reborn (in his youth) in modern Japan, appearing in the middle of a costume party for Halloween in the club district of Tokyo. The partygoers (in Japanese, "Paripi", a contraction of the English 'party people') of Shibuya lure him to a nightclub, where he meets Eiko Tsukimi, an aspiring singer, and his second life begins.
Kamonohashi Ron: Deranged Detective: The series focuses on the adventures of Ron Kamonohashi, an eccentric private detective, and Totomaru Isshiki, an unskilled police officer, as they solve crimes together.[3] Five years ago, Ron was the top student at the Detective Training Academy Blue. However, after being found responsible via temporary insanity for a deadly incident known as the "Bloody Field Trip", his detective license was revoked and he was expelled. Unable to fulfill his only love of solving mysteries, Ron has lived in isolation since. When Totomaru seeks his help on a case, the two form a partnership where Totomaru takes the credit for the cases that Ron solves.
Ranking of Kings: The people of the kingdom look down on the young Prince Bojji, who can neither hear nor speak. They call him "The Useless Prince" while jeering at his supposed foolishness.
However, while Bojji may not be physically strong, he is certainly not weak of heart. When a chance encounter with a shadow creature should have left him traumatized, it instead makes him believe that he has found a friend amidst those who only choose to notice his shortcomings. He starts meeting with Kage, the shadow, regularly, to the point where even the otherwise abrasive creature begins to warm up to him.
Kage and Bojji's unlikely friendship lays the budding foundations of the prince's journey, one where he intends to conquer his fears and insecurities. Despite the constant ridicule he faces, Bojji resolves to fulfill his desire of becoming the best king he can be.
Just barely makes the cut for 5 years, but it's an amazing science fiction about an android over the course of hundreds of years.
Apocalypse Hotel
Also stars an android. Think Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou but shorter and more comedy. My anime of 2025.
2. Negative Positive Angler (2024) - severely depressed college student learns he only has a year or so left to live if he lets an illness go untreated. Instead of dealing with it head on, he runs from his problems and accidentally finds himself befriending a group of people super into fishing. As he spends more time with them, he starts to gain interest in life again.
3. Oooku (2023) - a plague that only affects men sweeps through historical Japan, making men the minority. This show deep dives into how the power and gender roles change in society due to the outbreak, including a love story with dubious beginnings.
4. Blue Period (2021) - a coming-of-age story following a bored high schooler drifting through life until he discovers a new passion for art, which becomes the first thing he's ever really wanted to do, but also the first thing he's ever really struggled to do
5. The Fable (2024) - a hitman so good he's thought to be just a myth from a large portion of the underworld is forced to take a year-long break from his work at the decision of his boss. He's put up by a mafia group that owes his boss and shenanigans ensue. Action-packed shenanigans. Also his partner (a woman who helps him complete his hits as a support-type, like getaway car, job info, etc) takes a break with him. She's insane in the best way. They all are, honestly.
2. Delicious in dungeon, the story is fun, the characters are fun and ofc the animation is incredible
3. Bocchi the rock, I relate a lot to hitori but I also just love shows or books centered around bands, seeing them play and learn is genuinely so fun.
4. The promised Neverland (season 1 specifically), I want to say that TPN is genuinely one of the best anime I’ve ever watched, from the direction to the music and then the animation it’s all incredible. It’s a beautiful adaptation of the manga. (I personally pretend that season 2 does not exist when I speak about how good of a show TPN is)
5. I also love hells paradise! I’m super excited for season 2!!!!
6. In April of this year, witch hat atelier will be releasing. I’ve been following this manga for a couple years now and I just want to say it’s an incredible and brilliantly written story with beautiful art and wonderful characters and important messages!!!!!! I’ve never been more excited for anything ever than I am for the witch hat atelier anime
Mob Psycho is only 3 seasons, but 3 great ones, not like Stranger Things.
Takopi is only 1 season, but it's great. It's sad at times and funny at times.
Re:zero: I love it. The main character is not op, he's not the most badass. A lot of great and charming characters.