The best years for anime

Key foods

• 2015 was highlighted by the appearance of Saitama in One Punch Man, cementing anime mainstream status.
• 2009 produced iconic shounen like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, cementing it as one of the genre's best years.
• 2019 was a standout year with hits like Demon Slayer gaining new fans and offering a variety of gems for all viewers.

Anime really took off around the world in the 90s when shows like Pokemon, Digimon and the like became popular. Today, anime is one of Japan's biggest cultural exports, and there have been some truly special shows back then.

However, certain years stand out more than others, and some of the shows released during those years really became the anime they are today. Understandably, this can be considered a subjective matter, as some may not agree with what others point out. “The best years for anime” But some are arguably better than others.

10 2015

The year Saitama appeared

Today, anime is as mainstream as it gets, but the 2010s were very instrumental in this change, and one of the more influential years was 2015. For those who were already avid fans, 2015 brought a phenomenon that One punch man. The first season of the show, which parodied the idea of ​​heroes and villains, was a huge success.

But that was not the whole story. Fans received isekai masterwhich was shown for the first time that year. The rich were philosophical death paradethe hippest cooking show ever, Food wars!And for romance fans, my love story He played his first game that year. 2015 was full of gems and it is still one of the eras with the best editions.

9 2009

2009 produced some of the best shonen ever

Shonen is perhaps the most well-known genre of anime and the one most associated with it. This is why excellent shōnen should always be recognized and celebrated. In terms of when fans consistently became iconic, 2009 is a remarkable example of one of the genre's best years.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood It was released that year and had the highest rating of all time on fan site MyAnimeList as of 2024. let's not miss fairy tail He played his first game that year. Sure, the show has its haters, but no one can argue that it's an iconic show. Inuyasha It also premiered that year and is a must watch for most anime fans. Other notable titles include Pandora's Heart and from me to you.

8 2019

The best year of the modern era

There is usually a show that brings an influx of anime fans. It was once Narutoand then attack on titan attracted a new wave. But in recent times, there has been no better year than 2019 for new fans. demon slayer It aired for the first time this year and was a success. This is the first movie. Mugen trainbecame the most successful anime movie of all time.

However, many may forget that this was also the year Saga of Vineland It was first published and the world was introduced to Turphine for the first time. It was also the year of reconstruction Duroro The controversial first season was released shield hero Also came out there are some underrated gems, like Carroll and Tuesday and Blade of the Immortal.

7 1988

The year of popular anime movies

Aside from the generic anime series that fans get year after year, there are also some truly brilliant films in the anime space. !988 was the year when some of the greatest classics, especially the most prominent ones, were published Akiraa film that is often mentioned in the public media to this day.

It was also the year of the heart-wrenching World War II drama, Grave of firefliesand lighter My neighbor Totoro. That's not to say there haven't been some great series from that year Legend of the Galactic Heroes And niche at the same time classic Crying Freeman were released

6 2007

The masterpiece of the year

Studio Trigger is known for some mecha star anime and over-the-top combat. It could be argued that they solidified themselves at the heart of anime culture in 2007 with the release of the highly acclaimed film. Goren Lagan. Bomber Action Show is still a must watch for all mech enthusiasts and potential mech fans.

Also, the publication of 500+ episodes of Odyssey was remarkable Naruto: Shippuden. On top of that, there was the infamous Claymorewhich ended at the most inopportune point and has not returned since. There were also underrated people Darker than blackclassic yet confusing Bacanoand is visually striking mononoke.

5 2014

A strong year for almost every anime genre

The 2010s were an amazing decade for anime, and after an incredible 2013, 2014 delivered some roaring classics. Probably the most notable was the release of the thriller, Tokyo Giant. The story of Kaneki Ken and how he became a bloodthirsty monster captured the imagination of many at the time and was one of the most memorable shows of the year. There were other blockbusters Your lie in Aprila tearjerker that still causes people to fear for the month of April, Parasyte: The Maximan incredible and heartbreaking trailer Akame Ga Kill.

Beyond that, there were excellent performances from various genres, such as; Nurgamiwhich was a great shonen, while No game, no life It captured the imagination of Iskai fans. The shrine fans had the reverse Jonah from the dawnaddicts received animation Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Worksand had sports anime fans Haikyuu. In 2014 there really was something for everyone.

4 2012

Isekai's birthday

Referring to 2012 as the year Iskai was born is incorrect. It is fair to say that it was an important year for that subgenre, as influential Sword Art Online was released While many view the anime with some reservations, it would be wrong to overestimate how influential it would be to the isekai subgenre.

But along with that huge show, several other shows viz mental passAn anime that many people still remember because of its famous negative character. Also, cultured fans may remember that this was the year DxD High School He did his first job and he was a scary giant the other was also in the spotlight.

3 2011

The start of a great streak

2011-2015 were great years for anime, but 2011 was the year it kicked it off, and it did so with one of the best shonen series ever produced. Hunter x Hunter. Togashi's masterpiece is still unfinished, and while it's boring, it adds some value to its amazing story.

Who can forget that this was the year Stein; the gate, they, Destiny / Zero, Dead Man's Wonderland, Puella Magi Madoka Magicaand underestimated ones Skate dance. With a lineup this big, it's no wonder why 2011 is being hailed as one of the best. The best years of anime ever.

2 1998

Year of cool heroes

There were a lot of great anime from the 90s, but one of the most influential anime ever made came out in 1998, and it was none other than Cowboy bebop. The space western still boasts one of anime's greatest heroes, Spike. This year also another very interesting hero in Vash from Trigon.

Also notable was the fact that 1998 was the year it was each piece Adapted for the first time with a screen OVA, One Piece: Defeat Pirate Ganzack!. The iconic, never-ending show itself begins in 1999, but the seed was laid the year before.

1 2006

The defining year of anime

If 2014 was the year that there was an anime for everyone, 2006 was the year that many anime fans fell in love with different genres. 2006 brought fans two similar yet different heroes who became icons. Light Yagami was from there death note And Lelouch from Code Geass. The two defined the anti-hero trope that became popular in anime.

2006 had great people everywhere, from action to horror The ultimate hell To the romantic feelings of The host club of Oran High School. Another anime that was very big this year Gintamathe comedy show that has perhaps the most entries in the top 50 of MyAnimeList. There was also Ergo Proxy, Black Marsh, Reborn!, Nanaand fate/stay nightthe first entry to fate serial at that time