10 Best Anime That Defined Each Decade

Every era has a defining focus. In the 70s, anime favored heroic characters; the 80s embraced stories of rebellion; and the 90s explored characters going to therapy. The 2000s were filled with complex stories and sad characters, while the 2010s made emotionally manipulative plots a key artistic element. Now, in the 2020s, anime largely focuses on trauma, then politics, and finally, impressive visuals. This constant imbalance is what makes anime so engaging – it always pushes boundaries, overanalyzes, and sometimes tries too hard, and that very imperfection is part of its appeal.








