While action-packed Shonen anime and manga are incredibly popular, the industry offers a lot more variety. Shows like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are rightfully successful, but other genres don’t always get the same recognition. Even when they do well, it’s hard for non-action series to reach the same level of popularity. The 2020s have been a fantastic decade for anime, and thanks to streaming services, it’s now easier for fans around the world to enjoy these shows and movies.
Movies often premiere in theaters worldwide, which helps them become more popular and successful. While over a hundred anime shows and movies come out each year, only a handful really stand out. Here are 10 of the best non-action anime series and films released in the 2020s so far.
10) Blue Giant
The film, released in 2023 and based on the popular manga by Shinichi Ishizuka, won the Best Music Award at the 47th Japan Academy Film Prizes in 2024. It tells the story of Dai Miyamoto, a talented young man who moves to Tokyo to pursue his dream of becoming a world-class jazz saxophonist. In Tokyo, he connects with Yukinori Sawabe, a classically trained musician who recognizes Dai’s potential and joins him. Together, they meet Shunji Tamada and form the band JASS, captivating audiences with their music.
9) Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
This touching anime film, released in 2020, is based on a short story collection from 1984. It centers around Tsuneo Suzukawa, a college student working multiple jobs to save money for studying abroad. When he meets Kumiko, a young woman who uses a wheelchair and prefers to be called Josee, he’s asked by her grandmother to become her caretaker for pay. He gladly accepts, hoping it will bring him closer to his financial goal, but he soon discovers a meaningful connection with Josee as they spend more time together.
8) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
This anime is a hidden gem, boasting a simple but beautifully fluid and distinctive animation style. Despite winning awards and receiving critical praise after its 2020 release, it sadly never got a second season. The story follows Midori Asakusa, a promising young animator, and her new friend, Tsubame Misuzaki, a model who shares her love of art. Together with her close friend Sayaka, Midori starts an animation club, and the girls embark on an inspiring adventure to create amazing animated works.
7) The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
One of the most popular shows of 2025 turned out to be a romantic anime centered around Rintaro Tsumugi, a student at Chidori High – a school known for its troublemakers. Chidori High and the nearby, highly-regarded Kikyo Academy for girls have always been rivals. But things start to shift when Rintaro meets Kaoruko Waguri, a frequent customer at his family’s bakery and a student at Kikyo.
6) Bocchi the Rock!
Bocchi the Rock! is a funny anime about Hitori ‘Bocchi’ Goto, a shy girl who dreams of being in a band and making friends. It’s tough for her to overcome her social anxiety, but she spends a lot of time practicing guitar alone. When the guitarist for a local band suddenly quits before their first gig, Bocchi meets the drummer, Nijika Ijichi, and is invited to join her and the bassist, Ryou Yamada. Despite a somewhat shaky first performance, the girls discover a shared love for music.
5) Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
Based on Uoto’s acclaimed manga, the anime series Madhouse brings this story to a close in 25 episodes. Set in 15th-century Poland, a time of great unrest, the story follows Rafal, a 12-year-old theological genius. Questioning the Church’s teachings about astronomy was considered a serious crime, punishable by death. After meeting a scholar who sparks his curiosity, Rafal begins to grapple with these dangerous ideas and the harsh realities of his world.
4) Takopi’s Original Sin
The highly praised anime series from 2025, though brief at just six episodes, delivers a powerfully emotional story. It centers on Happin, a squid-like being whose sole purpose is to bring joy to others. After leaving his home world, he lands on Earth and is rescued from bullies by a girl named Shizuka Kuze, who nicknames him Takopi. Determined to repay her kindness and make her smile, Takopi learns about Shizuka’s difficult past and strives to understand the complexities of human emotion, all while trying to achieve his mission of spreading happiness – a task that proves more challenging than he expected.
3) The Boy and the Heron
Originally intended as Hayao Miyazaki’s last film, The Boy and the Heron tells the story of Mahito Maki, a young boy coping with the loss of his mother in a hospital fire. Seeking escape from the war, Mahito moves to the countryside with his father and new stepmother (his mother’s sister). Unhappy with his changed life and his father’s remarriage, Mahito encounters a mysterious gray heron, leading him on a journey to uncover secrets hidden within his late mother’s ancestral home.
2) Look Back
The movie is based on a short story by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of popular series like Chainsaw Man and Fire Punch, and quickly became a worldwide success. It’s a story about growing up, focusing on Ayumu Fujino, a talented manga artist for her school newspaper. She loves creating art and receiving positive feedback, but she feels upset when she has to share her work space with Kyomoto, a classmate who doesn’t come to school often. Determined to understand Kyomoto, Ayumu visits her and is surprised to learn that Kyomoto is actually a fan of her work. Despite her initial frustration, Ayumu and Kyomoto become friends and start collaborating on manga together.
1) The Apothecary Diaries
Although aimed at young adult men, The Apothecary Diaries has become incredibly popular recently. The story follows Maomao, a brilliant apothecary who’s highly knowledgeable about medicine, poisons, and solving mysteries. After being kidnapped, she’s sold into service at the Imperial Palace and must work as a servant for three years. She intends to keep her head down and get through her term quietly, but she soon attracts the attention of Jinshi, a powerful eunuch who repeatedly asks for her assistance. Using her intelligence, Maomao helps him unravel various mysteries and also does her best to aid the palace concubines.
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2026-01-13 07:11