Top 20 Best Anime of Each Year (2000 - 2019)

Top 20 Best Anime of Each Year

They’re the best the medium has to offer, all year round. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 20 Best Anime of Each Year.

For this list, we’re trying something a little different. We’re going to be listing the anime that we feel were the greatest of that particular year, starting all the way back in 2000 and working our way up to 2019. Keep in mind; we will only be considering the first season of an anime, and you’re likely to see some disparities between this list and some of our Best of Year videos.

2000 - “Hajime no Ippo”

A true knockout entry for sports anime and one hell of a way to welcome in the new millennium. Ippo’s journey from weak-willed victim all the way to boxing champion is one of the definitive underdogs stories, complete with explosive battles, enough training sequences to get anyone motivated, and so much heart that you don’t so much live in fear of Ippo’s fists as you want to go out and share a drink with him! Its later seasons would certainly deliver with the visual splendour, but even to this day the matches from Ippo’s younger years still hit their mark.

2001 - “Digimon Tamers”

Everyone’s got their favourite season starring the Digital Monsters, but none went to darker places, took more risks, and caused more nightmare fuel than this clique. You have a war between the human and digital worlds, Digimon being treated as weapons instead of partners, digital genocide, a final boss that used the trauma of a broken girl to cross over into the real world and everything that happened with Beezlemon. Yeah, things were manic, but also kind of amazing, to the point where we’re not sure if the franchise could or should ever try to reach for such heights again.

2002 - “Naruto”

Every knuckleheaded ninja has a beginning, and while it was later mired in filler, no one can deny the impact and influence this former member of the Big Three had, even well before its Shippuden days. The world, the lore, the jutsu, the numerous battles that still stand in the upper echelons of what the golden age of anime has to offer, it’s on display right here and captured the love and imagination of millions of fans alike. It’s kind of hard to forget such standout fights as Kakashi vs Zabuza and Rock Lee vs Gaara.

2003 - “Fullmetal Alchemist”

Did it deviate from the source material? Yes. Was it still considered the apex of anime for the longest time? Also yes. Say what you will about Dante, the resonance of the Elric brother’s original journey to obtain the Philosopher’s Stone and restore their bodies was monumental, all balanced with a slew of fascinating characters, cultures and the complex machinations of alchemy serving as its foundation. The fact the creators of this anime were able to build their own world off a few volumes of the manga is incredibly impressive

2004 - “Monster”

One does not simply discuss the greatest villains in anime without mentioning the sheer menace that is Johan Liebert, who stands as the perfect reminder that there is nothing more terrifying than a human without empathy. After choosing to save the life of a child over a prominent political figure, Dr Tenma unwittingly unleashes a genius sociopath into the world, one who won’t let his insidious spree end unless the good doctor breaks his oath and pulls the trigger himself. As warped as Johan’s antics might be, they’re nonetheless wholly captivating, proving that just a spoken word can be deadlier than a bullet.

2005 - “Mushishi”

Saturated in a lush atmosphere, this supernatural anthology is just as relaxing as it is intriguing. Chronicling the various exploits of the Mushi Master known as Ginko as he aids those who have come into contact with these mysterious entities, the series isn’t so much a narrative juggernaut as it is an episodic spectacle that presented us with various creatures who affect the human inhabitants around them in the most creative if dangerous of ways, often leading to Ginko having to outsmart them before things take a lethal turn.

2006 - “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion”

Where can you expect to find an expertly-crafted narrative, a lead character whose every action inches him further towards the morally grey, all with a sci-fi backdrop and plenty of political discord to keep you invested? Under the shadow of the man called Zero, that’s where! Fuelled by disdain for his family’s legacy of destruction and prejudice, Lelouch vi Britannia becomes the fire of the rebellion after being granted the mind-altering abilities of the Geass, paving the way for revolution amongst the oppressed masses, and creating one of anime’ best anti-heroes in the process. He is the man who makes miracles after all.

2007 - “Gurren Lagann”

Drilling through to the heavens and blowing our damn minds along the way, the sight of two giant robots the size of whole galaxies duking it out continues to stand out in our minds even to this day. Well, that and Kamina’s topless, unparalleled manliness as he rallies together the last battalions of humanity to free them from the beastmen supremacy. The characters are anime tropes personified and yet remain wholly endearing, the action is so off the chain that it turned the cosmos into a battleground, plus it had Yoko.

2008 - “Toradora!”

Opposites attract? You have no idea. Fair warning, this is the only rom-com to make the list. Mainly because it’s the rom-com to defy all rom-coms thanks to its unorthodox duo and their rocky climb towards confessing their true feelings, while also presenting us with plenty of laughs and some surprisingly stellar action scenes! For all of Ryuji’s naivete and Taiga’s explosive temper, the two prove to be so perfect for each other that by the time they finally get around to kissing you’ll be openly applauding.

2009 - “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”

That’s right people, it’s a double whammy, and while you might think it unfair that the Elrics took the top spot a second time…can you actually argue that they don’t deserve it? For all the splendour that the original series had, Brotherhood turned out to be an entirely different beast, perfectly adapting the manga’s sublime storyline from beginning to end, and in doing so gave us a journey that many claim places it up there as the greatest anime of all time. Ed and Al’s brotherly bond, the battles with the Homunculi, the commentary on war, religion and philosophy, everything this series sets out to do, it nails, and by the law of equivalent exchange, earned our eternal admiration.

2010 - “Durarara!!”

It’s a city filled with gangsters, killers, the world’s strongest bartender, and a sexy grim reaper missing her head…and yet we’d give anything to stay! The gaggle of school kids masquerading as main characters may not have been the most thrilling of protagonists, but the rest of the cast are monumental. Izaya is a somewhat crazy info broker who knows his way around a knife, Shizuo is a monster in both his rage and the strength of his fists and Celty is top-tier waifu despite lacking a cranium. Put all of them in one spot and what do you get? Interconnected lunacy of the best kind.

2011 - “Hunter x Hunter”

The golden child of shounen, whose source material paved the way for many of the medium’s most beloved troupes, brought into the modern age with stunning visuals and fluidity. You want a tight knit group who go through major growing pains and development together? Say hello to Gon and the squad. You want to see typical anime conventions but expertly constructed and paced? How about a tournament arc and evil organisation one after another? You want fight scenes that transcend all others? We kindly refer you refer to Netero vs Meruem. There’s just so much good content here that it pains us we’ll likely never see it continued!

2012 - “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure”

By himself, Jonathan Joestar and his exploits might not have made the cut. However, the original series also has the entirety of Battle Tendency attached to it! With a memorable supportive cast, out of this world scenarios and the fabulous villains, this is a series you’ll have a hard time putting down from start to finish. And let's not forget about one of the most memorable protagonists in recent history, Joseph Joestar! The guy who talks so much crap, pulls tommy guns out of his backside and makes his opponents question their own sanity purely through bluffs. The man just can’t be topped.

2013 - “Attack on Titan”

While everyone is in agreement that Season 3 was when this series elevated itself to one of the best in modern memory, we can’t forget the genesis of what would go onto become one of the most popular series on the planet, hitting the mainstream harder than when Eren watched his mother get eaten alive. When their defences are broken by the giant, cannibalistic creatures known as Titans, it falls to the dwindling members of the Survey Corp to bite back or risk extinction. The depth of the lore may not be present in the first season, but it did give us visceral action that only the likes of Levi and Mikasa could deliver!

2014 - “Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works”

The Fate-verse has numerous entries under its Noble Phantasm-sized belt, ranging from the forgettable to the divine. Following on from the equally compelling Zero, the franchise delivered a series that was as flashy as it was accessible, giving the Fifth Holy Grail War the attention it deserved with fight sequences dripping with detail and crisp animation. For the hardcore followers, it was the rendition they had always wanted to see. For newcomers, the intensity of the clashes between the Seven Heroes and their Masters easily made up for all the heavy exposition.

2015 - “One-Punch Man”

What’s the secret to enthralling a whole generation of anime fans in a single season? One guy who is a hero for fun and packs a punch so strong that everything falls before his might. By itself, the concept might seem pretty plain, if not for the fact Saitama and his newfound career of saving lives and insta-killing bad guys also flips every superhero cliché on its head in favour of great slapstick and fight scenes that pushed the boundaries of hype. Why just have a standard punch out with the final boss when you can have the lead getting catapulted into the moon before retaliating with a blow that splits the ozone layer?

2016 - “My Hero Academia”

Speaking of superhero origins. While the later seasons would deliver on the action and emotional maturity characters in a big way, there’s no denying that Midoriya’s rise from humble fanboy all the way to inheritor of One for All wasn’t flooded with charm, great introductions to the wannabe caped crusaders of U.A High, as well as fight scenes that for the time were pretty damn gripping. From the embittered rivalry with Bakugo all the way to All Might’s silver-age inspired brilliance, the way in which this anime both deconstructs and pays homage to the genre certainly won over plenty of hearts.

2017 - “Made in Abyss”

Turns out appearances, even blindingly beautiful ones, can indeed be deceiving. What we originally thought to be a charming adventure between an enthusiastic cave raider and her cyborg buddy turned out to be darker, more profound, and emotionally devastating than we could have imagined. Trekking into the unknown of the great Abyss, the duo’s journey to find Riko’s mother didn’t only turn out to be fraught with danger, but quickly revealed our innocent leads have zero plot armour. For every lush landscape, there’s a haunting twist right around the corner. It’s one of the most unique concepts you’re likely to see, it just doesn’t hold back with its savage storytelling.

2018 - “Devilman Crybaby”

Merging stylised action with the legendary source material’s unfiltered meditation on the worst humanity has to offer, this reimagining of one of anime’s most brutal anti-heroes does not make for an easy watch, though it is essential. Not only does it give the Akira’s character the treatment he deserves as a gentle soul dealing with a new demonic alter-ego, it also wasn’t afraid to go to some seriously messed up places, all without coming across as cheap or unearned in its shock value. You’ll cry, you’ll lose your shit, you’ll cry some more, but you’ll be happy you went through it, even if you’re left hollow by the end.

2019 - “Vinland Saga”

It says something about a series’ pedigree when it kicks things off in such a masterful manner, and somehow continues to excel in every proceeding episode. There’s no other way to say it; Thorfinn’s misguided quest for revenge in the time of Vikings, war and political conspiracy is already on track to be one of the true greats in this new era of anime. The gory confrontations contained within the rich historical setting would usually be enough, but that’s almost an afterthought when compared to the phenomenal character development, especially in regards to Askeladd, who’s antics had us hooked from the beginning.