I’m so excited when I think back to the 2010s for anime! It was a huge turning point – streaming services really blew things up and brought anime to so many more people worldwide. One of the coolest changes was how shows started doing seasonal releases instead of dragging things out weekly with lots of filler. While action-packed series definitely rule the anime world – and hey, shows like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are amazing and deserve all the hype – it can be tough for anything not action-focused to break through and get the same level of attention. There’s just so much other fantastic anime out there waiting to be discovered!
Even so, the world of anime has many fantastic shows and movies, many of which are beautiful to watch. Beyond the impressive animation, the stories are engaging enough that even people new to anime will quickly become fans.
10) Wolf Children
I was deeply moved by this film, which beautifully portrays a mother’s incredible strength and selflessness. It tells the story of Hana, a college student who finds love with a captivating, yet enigmatic man – who happens to be a werewolf, and the very last of his kind. Despite the obvious challenges, they build a life together, get married, and have two children, Yuki and Ame. But their happiness is tragically cut short when the werewolf unexpectedly passes away, leaving Hana to pick up the pieces and find the courage to raise their children alone.
9) Forest of Piano
This series is based on the popular manga by Makoto Isshiki and tells the story of Kai Ichinose, a boy who found solace playing an old, broken piano in the woods – a piano that only he can play. His natural talent is noticed by Sosuke Ajino, a former piano prodigy who now teaches, and Shuehei Amamiya, a classmate and the son of a famous pianist, who also dreams of becoming a great musician. Together, these boys navigate the challenges of a highly competitive music world as they pursue their ambitions.
8) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
This touching story beautifully portrays the lasting impact of childhood friendships, showing how they can be both joyful and painful. Jinta Yadomi, once a lively boy, now avoids school and spends his time gaming, struggling to cope with the loss of his friend, Menma. When Menma’s ghost appears and asks him to fulfill a forgotten wish, Jinta understands she can’t rest in peace. He reconnects with his old friends, who drifted apart after Menma’s death, and works to help her find peace and move on.
7) Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
I’m totally obsessed with this incredibly funny rom-com! It’s all about Chiyo Sakura, who finally works up the nerve to tell her crush, Umetaro Nozaki, how she feels… but things get a little mixed up and she ends up sounding like a fan! You won’t believe what happens next – it turns out Nozaki is actually a super popular manga artist writing under a different name! Suddenly, I’m right there with Chiyo as she becomes his assistant, and meets all his wonderfully weird friends. Seriously, even the most everyday situations turn into a hilarious adventure with these characters!
6) Hyouka
Even though many people enjoy Hyouka and its captivating story, a second season of the anime was never made. The series follows Hōtarō Oreki, a high school student who generally prefers to avoid effort. When his sister makes him join the Classic Literature Club—a very old school organization—he unexpectedly gets involved in various mysteries. Oreki isn’t particularly interested in solving them, but he finds it impossible to resist the constant curiosity of Eru Chitanda.
5) Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
This anime is based on a popular manga and centers around Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, the student council president and vice-president of Shuchiin Academy. Everyone thinks they’re the perfect couple because they’re both brilliant students, and they secretly like each other. However, they’re too proud to admit their feelings! The story follows their funny attempts to make the other person confess their love first, turning it into a playful battle of wills.
4) Violet Evergarden
Kyoto Animation’s original anime is beloved for both its stunning animation and deeply moving story. It follows Violet, a young woman who was raised as a soldier and struggles with a lack of emotion. After recovering from war injuries, she discovers she’s lost contact with Major Gilbert Bougainvillea, a figure she deeply admired. Seeking a new purpose and hoping to understand human feelings, Violet becomes an Auto Memory Doll – a professional letter writer who captures the emotions of others through their words.
3) Barakamon
This charming and funny anime follows Sei Handa, a talented calligrapher, as he tries to turn his life around. After accidentally injuring someone, his father sends him to a peaceful island to live a simpler life. At first, Sei struggles to adjust, but he’s quickly welcomed by the kind locals, including a mischievous young girl named Naru. As he grapples with his mistake, he rediscovers his love for calligraphy and begins to develop his own artistic voice.
2) Yuri!!! on Ice
Although the anime has been incredibly popular, MAPPA cancelled a planned prequel movie in 2024, which upset many fans. The series itself remains very popular, telling the story of Yuri Katsuki, a figure skater who returns to Japan after a disappointing loss. Just as he’s about to give up on his career, he encounters Victor Nikiforov, a five-time world champion, who offers to coach him after seeing one of Yuri’s videos become a viral hit. Excited to learn from his idol, Yuri begins training, determined to win a gold medal and overcome the challenges ahead.
1) Haikyu!!
Inspired by the popular manga series in Weekly Shonen Jump, this story follows Shoyo Hinata, a determined young volleyball player who dreams of being like his idol, the “Little Giant.” His first middle school match doesn’t go as planned, as he’s quickly defeated by the talented Tobio Kageyama. Determined to improve, Shoyo joins Karasuno High School—the same school his idol attended—only to discover that Tobio is also on the team. Now, these former rivals must learn to cooperate if they want to lead their team to the national championships.
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2026-01-19 05:41