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The decade spanning 2011 to 2020 stands out as a golden era in the world of anime, marked by both the revival of beloved classics and the emergence of groundbreaking new series. Among these, the revitalized adaptation of Hunter x Hunter captured the hearts of fans old and new, while fresh titles like 2016’s My Hero Academia quickly ascended to iconic status. This period was a particularly vibrant time for shōnen anime, though it also offered fertile ground for diverse genres to flourish.
Even today, the influence of the standout anime from the 2010s is undeniable. These series not only advanced the art form but also laid the groundwork for the next generation of anime classics. The discussions and admiration for these works show no signs of waning, ensuring their legacy will endure for years to come.
One of the most significant events in this era was the 2011 release of a new adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s acclaimed manga, Hunter x Hunter. This series captivated global audiences with its compelling narrative set in a universe where passing the prestigious Hunter Exam grants individuals a special license. Holders of this license, known as Hunters, enjoy unparalleled freedoms, the potential for immense wealth, and diverse opportunities, whether it involves wildlife conservation or apprehending dangerous criminals.
2011’s Hunter x Hunter Anime Adaptation Was Everything Fans Hoped For
In 2011, the new adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi’s bestselling manga Hunter x Hunter took the world by storm. Set in a world where passing the annual Hunter Exam grants a license, the series follows Hunters who travel freely, earn vast sums of money, and pursue many paths, from protecting wildlife to hunting criminals.
For years, Gon has dreamed of becoming a hunter and following in the footsteps of his long-lost father. Working as a hunter is no easy feat, but over the course of Hunter x Hunter, Gon builds lasting friendships. The second Hunter x Hunter anime adaptation is much darker than it appears to be at first, and it will get fans hooked from the start.
2012’s Psycho-Pass Explores a Futuristic Dystopian World
Psycho-Pass takes place in a world where technology called the Sibyl System is used to keep the peace. The Sibyl System allows higher-ups to track every citizen in Japan, keeping an eye on their mental state until they detect a trace of ill will. When this occurs, Inspectors are often called to take care of things, with former criminals known as Enforcers doing their dirty work.
Akane Tsunemori is a new member of the force who hopes to help uphold justice and make the world a better place. However, her perspective on the Sibyl System starts to change after she meets a criminal whom the technology she trusts so much failed to notice. As Akane tries to uncover the truth, she begins to doubt the justice system she’s trusted for so many years.
2013’s Attack on Titan Introduces Characters Who Became Famous
In the world of Attack on Titan, humanity’s cities are guarded by large walls that protect them from the man-eating monsters that dwell nearby. These gigantic creatures, known as Titans, resemble human beings and are known to attack as soon as they see a person. Eren Yeager decides to join the military to fight back against the Titans.
Attack on Titan is an intense action anime filled with shocking moments, but it also has several introspective elements. As the anime develops, Eren begins to stray away from the path of a hero, but Attack on Titan‘s story remains gripping from start to finish.
2014’s Haikyu!! Is a Classic Sports Anime
Since its release, Haikyu!! has become one of the best sports anime of all time. The volleyball anime follows two rivals who find themselves playing on the same volleyball team. Initially, they’re not happy about working together, but they soon form an incredible setter-spiker combination that impresses their upperclassman teammates.
Haikyu!! is indeed a narrative about volleyball, but it also focuses heavily on its characters and their goals in life. Thanks to its character-driven storytelling, Haikyu!! appeals to people who aren’t interested in volleyball, and its story managed to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
2015’s One-Punch Man Introduced an Unbeatable Superhero
Saitama once lived a normal life until he decided to become a superhero for fun. His training gave him the power to defeat any monster with a single punch, but that strength soon left him bored. In search of excitement, he crosses paths with heroes and villains alike and becomes the unlikely mentor to the cyborg Genos, who is hunting a villainous cyborg.
Together, Saitama and Genos join the Hero Association in hopes of finding what they’re looking for. One-Punch Man delivers fantastic action and standout humor, with memorable scenes that still circulate online today. Combined with its lasting legacy, those elements make it a one-of-a-kind superhero anime.
2016’s Mob Psycho 100 Is a Visually Stunning Anime
Shigeo Kageyama, a fourteen-year-old middle schooler nicknamed “Mob” for how easily he fades into the background, is actually one of the world’s most powerful espers. Though he can defeat dangerous spirits with ease, Mob wants nothing more than a normal life. Instead, he spends his time working as the assistant to Arataka Reigen, a self-proclaimed psychic who’s really just a con man.
Mob seems emotionless, but he keeps his feelings in check because losing control could lead to disaster. As his powers draw him into strange encounters with spirits and other espers, that balance becomes harder to maintain. Mob Psycho 100 blends supernatural action, comedy, and heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling into a beautifully animated series.
2017’s Land of the Lustrous Explores a Bizarre Future
In the distant future, Earth is inhabited not by humans, but by the immortal, jewel-like Lustrous. They fight the Lunarians, mysterious beings from the Moon who seek to use them as decorations. Among them is Phosphophyllite, a fragile Lustrous who can’t fight but still wants to be useful.
After seeking out their colleague Cinnabar, Phos is assigned to create a natural history encyclopedia, a task that eventually leads them to the battlefield. Phos longs to fight alongside the other Lustrous, but that wish comes at a great cost. As they lose limbs and memories, they gradually become someone very different from the naive being they once were.
Land of the Lustrous stands out for its striking blend of 2D and 3D animation, while the manga’s 2024 ending only deepened its lasting appeal. The anime wasn’t a massive hit, but it had a lasting impact, with ratings that beat out other popular series like Frieren.
2018’s Violet Evergarden Is a Touching Anime from Kyoto Animation
Violet Evergarden, a young woman of mysterious origins, has known only combat and bloodshed. Raised as the perfect soldier, her life changes when the Great War ends, leaving her badly injured and haunted by her final memory of the battlefield. Before seemingly dying, the person she cared for most told her, “I love you,” words Violet had never heard before.
After receiving metal hands, she becomes an Auto Memory Doll, a scribe who turns a client’s feelings into letters. Based on Kana Akatsuki’s light novels and brought to life by Kyoto Animation, Violet Evergarden follows a heroine learning how to live in a time of peace.
Through her work with the CH Postal Company, Violet searches for her place in the world and the meaning of those final words. Despite controversy surrounding its final film, Violet Evergarden remains one of anime’s most talked-about series.
2019’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Is a Classic Shonen Anime
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Set during Japan’s Taisho era, Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy who supports his family by selling charcoal after his father’s death. One day, he returns home to find that a demon has slaughtered his family, leaving only his sister Nezuko alive, though she’s been turned into a demon herself. When it becomes clear that Nezuko won’t harm humans, Tanjiro is given a chance to save her.
To find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps, where he’s soon joined by Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. His journey grows even more personal when he encounters Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon behind his family’s murder. Though often violent, Demon Slayer stands out for its striking animation and lasting emotional impact.
2020’s Jujutsu Kaisen Thrilled Fans for Years
At first, cheerful high school student Yuji Itadori seems like an ordinary teenager, aside from his unusual physical strength. But when his classmates unleash an ancient Curse sealed within a rotten finger talisman, Yuji swallows it to save them and becomes the host of the feared sorcerer Ryomen Sukuna.
The Jujutsu Society wants to exorcise Sukuna from Yuji’s body, even if it kills him. However, the powerful sorcerer Satoru Gojo is intrigued by Yuji’s ability to keep control despite Sukuna’s influence and takes him on as a student.
Yuji soon begins training as a Jujutsu sorcerer alongside Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki. Jujutsu Kaisen has remained popular for its strong worldbuilding, memorable characters, and thoughtful treatment of its female cast. Though often funny, at its core, it’s a dark story that has captivated audiences.