7 Great New Gen Anime That Became Instant Classics

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Anime has evolved a lot since it began, with beloved series from the 80s and 90s, plus iconic shows like the ‘Big Three.’ Even more recent anime has quickly become classic, and its popularity has exploded in the last twenty years. Thanks to streaming services like Crunchyroll, it’s now easier than ever to find and enjoy a huge variety of anime, including hidden gems you might have missed before.

I’m a huge anime fan, and even though there’s so much new stuff coming out all the time, a few series really break through. These are the ones everyone knows, even people who don’t usually watch anime, and they’re quickly becoming modern classics! Some of them built their popularity slowly, gaining a following over time, but others? They hit the ground running, instantly connecting with audiences and becoming instant favorites. It’s amazing to see!

7) My Hero Academia

When My Hero Academia premiered in 2016, it quickly gained popularity, likely because it shares similarities with beloved Shonen anime like Naruto and Dragon Ball. While the series uses familiar character types and storylines, it refreshes them for today’s viewers. Ultimately, My Hero Academia is a motivating and upbeat story about pursuing your goals, no matter how difficult they may seem.

The early seasons of My Hero Academia are considered its best, thanks to the incredible work of Studio Bones in bringing Kohei Horikoshi’s manga to life. The show quickly became a hit, growing into eight seasons and several films – a predictable outcome, really. From the very beginning, when Izuku Midoriya asked All Might if he could become a hero, it felt destined to be a classic. Now, with the completion of My Hero Academia Season 8, it’s clear the series has fulfilled that promise.

6) Demon Slayer

I still remember when Demon Slayer first came out in 2019 – it absolutely blew up, and deservedly so! Seriously, the anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga just grabbed everyone right away. That first episode was practically flawless, immediately throwing you into the action and hitting you with some real emotional weight. It instantly made me care about Tanjiro and Nezuko, and honestly, the whole first season just kept building from there – it was amazing!

The quick success of Demon Slayer is highlighted by the fact that its Mugen Train story arc was adapted into a movie before becoming a second season—a film that briefly held the record for highest-grossing anime movie ever. Demon Slayer continued to make waves in the anime world, surpassing its own records with its newest movie, Infinity Castle. By now, it’s clear that this anime will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Its initial season established it as a classic and paved the way for its continued popularity.

5) Jujutsu Kaisen

Following closely on the heels of Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen immediately drew attention. But it quickly proved itself deserving of the hype, thanks to its compelling characters, clever humor, and richly developed world. Viewers were hooked from the very first episode, and it soon became clear the anime was a success. It benefits from popular trends like horror themes and a dynamic animation style, but Jujutsu Kaisen also stands out with a distinctive personality, making it truly special.

Similar to the popular anime Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen followed its first season with a successful movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0. The film became a global hit, earning over $160 million worldwide, as reported by Box Office Mojo. Following the prequel movie and a strong second season, Jujutsu Kaisen is now considered one of the most popular anime series of recent years. It’s rare to find an anime fan who isn’t familiar with characters like Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna, which demonstrates the show’s widespread impact.

4) Chainsaw Man

With the manga already incredibly popular, the Chainsaw Man anime arrived with a lot of anticipation, and it quickly delivered. The show’s unusual story could have been a risk, but strong writing and amazing animation captivated audiences. Everything came together perfectly, and the wild premise actually helped Chainsaw Man stand out from other horror anime. After just one episode, it was clear this series was something truly unique.

The recent film, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, has continued the series’ success, earning $147 million at the box office. However, the anime itself quickly became a hit, even from the beginning of its first season. While the manga was popular beforehand, the anime adaptation has also stood out on its own merits. Chainsaw Man has become widely known, and both long-time fans and new viewers generally praise it.

3) Solo Leveling

One of the most anticipated anime of 2024 is Solo Leveling, based on the popular manhwa by Chugong. The story quickly immerses viewers in a fast-paced world where hunters fight monsters in dungeons to earn a living. The main character almost dies on a mission, which leads him to develop incredible abilities and discover a hidden conspiracy.

The way Solo Leveling begins quickly grabs your attention, especially for viewers new to the story. It sets up a compelling mystery that makes you want to keep watching. The anime quickly gained a large fanbase, and its popularity surged even more with the release of Season 2 earlier this year. It’s become one of the most popular shows of the last few years and is well on its way to becoming a timeless favorite.

2) Spy x Family

Spy x Family has quickly become a beloved modern anime, and its popularity since its 2022 debut isn’t much of a surprise. The story is incredibly engaging: it centers on a spy and an assassin, both keeping their true identities secret, who pretend to be married. They adopt a daughter, unaware that she can read minds. This creates a fantastic blend of suspense and comedy, and the series delivers on both fronts.

While Spy x Family is built around a core of secret identities and espionage, it often takes a break for more relaxed, everyday moments. This might seem unusual for such a show, but its unique premise and endearing characters have clearly resonated with audiences. Now in its third season and with a movie already released, Spy x Family has quickly become a hit, and Anya has become a beloved and iconic character, solidifying its place as a modern classic.

1) Attack on Titan

Whether Attack on Titan can be considered a modern anime is up for discussion, but since most of it aired between 2017 and 2023, I believe it qualifies. It’s remarkable that Attack on Titan kept viewers engaged for so long, starting with its debut in 2013 and continuing through a four-year wait for its second season. Many anime wouldn’t survive such a delay, but it was clear from the beginning that Attack on Titan was exceptional. It clearly resonated with audiences, as many picked up Season 2 as if no time had passed at all.

One reason Attack on Titan became so popular so quickly was its bold approach to storytelling. From the very beginning, the anime didn’t hold back, showing a harsh and morally gray world. It maintained this willingness to challenge viewers throughout its entire run, even up to the final, three-part season. While the show consistently improved in quality, it started with a very strong foundation, and the opening episodes gave a clear sense of what it would eventually become.

What new anime series are you enjoying the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-24 16:11