Unlike any other decade, the 2010s brought an explosion for the anime industry. Amid the rise of streaming platforms that gave greater access to readily available titles, many anime series emerged that became true treasures that years later continue to be masterpieces that no fan should hesitate to add to their watchlist.
Although excellent anime are released every year, there’s something special about the 2010s, whose series currently teeter on the edge between being considered classics or new-gen marvels. Within the diversity of available genres, these animes are masterpieces released during the 2010s that reached the pinnacle of the industry in terms of storytelling, high-quality animation, original concepts, and characters with majestic development.
The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
The Tatami Galaxy is an anime that overflows with creativity thanks to its unique aesthetic and color palette and the personality of its atypical animation style, going from being an underrated series to becoming a cult classic and one of the most recognized works by the famous director Masaaki Yuasa.
The anime encompasses the supposedly idyllic college life of an unnamed protagonist who realizes that nothing has gone as he wished and who contemplates what could have happened if he had made different decisions. While The Tatami Galaxy isn’t for everyone, it’s an entertaining anime gem with a powerful life lesson that manages to break with the standards of the medium.
Steins;Gate (2011)
Steins;Gate is a must-watch anime for fans of suspense, time travel, mad scientists, and real-life references. The anime follows Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, who seems to need a dose of reality but whose experiments lead him to manipulate time. Steins;Gate isn’t only carried forward by the charisma of the characters but also by the impact of its twists.
While the anime develops slowly at first with dialogues that may seem inconsequential, once it lays the groundwork, the plot escalates with each episode, with new events unraveling mysteries and conspiracies. Steins;Gate is the ultimate sci-fi anime that perfectly handles the risks of time travel and leaves viewers pondering for hours trying to digest the story.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
Viewers who start watching Puella Magi Madoka Magica believing it’s an anime about adorable magical girls with lace and ruffle dresses are in for a wild ride. Madoka Magica is an anime that subverts expectations to prove that being a magical girl isn’t all as fun as many think, with amazing plot twists that generate many questions in the audience.
Madoka Magica is a rich amalgamation of unexpected genres with astonishing psychedelic and extravagant animation and moments packed with action that, with its twisted characters and bittersweet, melancholic feeling, has opened the door to a universe of countless interpretations for the public.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Even carrying the burden of surpassing its first adaptation, Hunter x Hunter is a masterpiece that has endured on the podium of the top shōnen anime by managing to encapsulate the true essence of an adventure, creating a universe that feels alive and fascinating characters with their own philosophies and nuances that blur the line between good and bad.
In addition to its imaginative power systems and being known for holding one of the best story arcs in anime history, Hunter x Hunter strikes a balance between quality, impressive action sequences, and a story that is fresh and capable of appealing to a wide audience. As a result, Hunter x Hunter continues to be one of those anime in which fans can always find new details to love.
Attack on Titan (2013)
Despite its controversial ending, Attack on Titan is undoubtedly one of the most influential anime in recent years. Hajime Isayama’s story exploring a society living inside walls to protect themselves from the outside world, replete with human-eating giants, never ceased to amaze viewers with its mind-blowing plot twists that recontextualize everything they thought they knew.
Attack on Titan‘s story is filled with mysteries, complex characters, with deep reflections on political warfare, discrimination, the human condition and the search for freedom, which even gained meaning upon rewatch thanks to its use of foreshadowing and symbolism. Furthermore, the anime boasts bombastic animation and a delightful soundtrack that perfectly complements the atmosphere and tone of every scene from beginning to end.
Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
In Parasyte: The Maxim parasites start appearing on Earth and invading people’s bodies, with Shinichi Izumi suddenly forced to live with one of these creatures that has failed to control his brain and lodged itself in his hand instead. This premise is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is more in Parasyte: The Maxim than what meets the eye.
What appears to be a typical survival horror anime evolves into an anime full of philosophy, with criticisms of the morality and ethics of society and the meaning of being human. Although Parasyte: The Maxim provides exciting battles filled with tension and intensity, it becomes truly captivating thanks to the fascinating dynamic between the characters, as their evolution leaves no viewer unmoved.
Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Although its experimental animation style may appear sloppy to some viewers at first, those who give it a chance are rewarded with marvelous, dynamic sequences featuring well-thought-out uses of perspective and angles that not only fill the matches with a thrilling rhythm but also enrich the narrative with the character’s expressiveness.
Revolving around Smile and Peco, Ping Pong The Animation shows the different perspectives of the athletes as they hone their talent and struggle to win in a competitive environment. However, what makes the anime unique is how it reflects the characters’ emotions with a painful realism that can sometimes feel even too relatable and isn’t exclusive to the ping pong table.
Ping Pong The Animation explores issues that most people experience at one point in their lives, such as hitting a wall and reaching your limits, as well as inferiority complexes and other insecurities. This makes Ping Pong The Animation more than a simple sports anime but a stellar work that showcases the wonders that only animation can achieve.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015)
Despite initially flying under the radar and facing mixed reception for its ending, Iron-Blooded Orphans has gained recognition over the years and become one of the most celebrated entries in the Gundam universe. Following the mercenary group Tekkadan, made up of young orphans, Iron-Blooded Orphans builds up its political conflicts without forgetting to give depth to the characters.
Iron-Blooded Orphans shines with its own spirit and is enjoyable as a standalone anime for viewers unfamiliar with the Gundam franchise. Furthermore, Iron-Blooded Orphans is an incredibly brutal story that stands out especially for its unpredictability and high stakes that keep viewers completely invested in the outcome of the battles as well as moments capable of emotionally wrecking anyone.
March Comes In Like a Lion (2016)
March Comes In Like a Lion follows a young and lonely professional shogi player, Rei Kiriyama, haunted by his past, which prevents him from interacting with others normally. Just like in other great sports anime, shogi serves as a vehicle for developing the characters’ conflicts and exploring meaningful themes such as family and bullying.
However, the anime goes a step further to be a deeply human story about empathizing with others and the important things in life. Also, despite being a slice-of-life, few anime are as visually stunning as March Comes In Like a Lion, as its cheerful and colorful animation is meticulously crafted to create a flawless contrast that elevates every scene.
March Comes In Like a Lion is one of the most introspective anime ever created, brilliantly conveying the characters’ turbulent emotions in both the shogi matches and their everyday lives. While this could have been overbearing due to its vivid depictions of depression and grief, March Comes In Like a Lion is a heartwarming anime that inevitably touches the viewers’ hearts.
Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Despite not quite reaching the popularity of other big titles, Mob Psycho 100 pretty much has it all for being among the greatest anime of all time. Mob Psycho 100 is a crowning achievement in terms of character development, epic battles, and impressive animation, wrapped in one of the most inspiring stories in anime.
Not your typical hero, the gifted esper Shigeo Kageyama is troubled by his powers, choosing not to rely on them and instead improve as a person and impress his crush. Despite its simple story, Mob Psycho 100 is more than a battle anime with comically exaggerated characters; it masterfully explores self-love in a way capable of changing viewers’ perspectives on life.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
