Anime is much more than just cartoons. It has given birth to timeless series like One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto— shows that have become not only staples of Japanese animation but also global phenomena. While these legacy titles continue to define the medium, the past two decades have brought in a new generation of anime that pushes storytelling and artistry even further.
Whether it’s a lighthearted opposites-attract romance, a pair of children embarking on an unforgettable fantasy adventure, or a tale of revenge gone wrong, anime commits fully to its ideas and executes them with confidence. In the spirit of these modern additions, here are the most perfect anime of the last 20 years, ranked.
10
‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)
Image via Kyoto Animation
<em>Violet Evergarden</em> finds humanity in the aftermath of war. After surviving the devastating Great War, former child soldier Violet Evergarden (Yui Ishikawa) struggles to understand the final words spoken to her by the person she cherished most. Taking a job as an Auto Memory Doll at CH Postal Services, she writes heartfelt letters that give voice to the emotions others struggle to express.
Violet Evergarden is a masterpiece in exploring the power of human emotion. At the beginning of the series, the detached Violet cannot understand even the simplest expressions of love. But through the tender art of letter writing, the former “killing machine” gradually learns that being human is not defined by her past actions, but by her capacity to empathize with others.
9
‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–2022)
Image via Kinema Citrus
Made in Abyss is an anime homage to eldritch horror. Orphaned cave raider Riko (Miyu Tomita) dreams of following in the footsteps of her legendary mother, the White Whistle Lyza, who vanished deep within the mysterious Abyss. After discovering Reg (Mariya Ise), an amnesiac robot boy seemingly born from the chasm’s depths, the two pack their bags for a descent of a lifetime.
Reminiscent of fantasy adventures like His Dark Materials, Made in Abyss isn’t fooled by its cutesy, lighthearted visuals. The anime introduces a merciless realm with creatures waiting to kill Riko and Reg. In an abyss that generations of seasoned explorers have failed to conquer, it may be the courage and curiosity of two children that finally uncover its deepest secrets.
8
‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’ (2019–2023)
Image via A-1 Pictures
Never put your heart on your sleeve in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. At the prestigious Shuciin Academy, brilliant student council president Miyuki Shirogane (Makoto Furukawa) and wealthy vice president Kaguya Shinomiya (Aoi Koga) are secretly in love with each other. The problem is that they’re too proud to admit their feelings — the first to do so loses.
In this romantic battlefield, Miyuki and Kaguya engage in Sherlockian psychological mind games, each trying to force the other into making the first romantic confession. It’s a delightfully cheesy opposites-attract affair. But beneath all the ridiculous schemes, the two genuinely understand each other in ways no one else can, leading to some of the anime’s most heartfelt moments amid its nonstop running gags.
7
‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)
…
…
…
…
…
[nospin]Here you can find the original article. The photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors and they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[nospin]
