The 2010s weren’t just successful for anime—they were revolutionary. Studios shattered creative ceilings, auteurs redefined visual storytelling, and global streaming catapulted niche gems into mainstream phenomena. Each year delivered at least one seismic title that didn’t merely entertain but transformed the medium itself. After analyzing critical reception, cultural impact, and enduring influence, we crown the single most defining anime for every year of this landmark decade.
2010: The Tatami Galaxy
When Kyoto University student “Watashi” chases his idealized “rose-colored campus life,” reality fractures into parallel timelines based on club choices. Guided by the trickster Ozu, his misadventures expose life’s chaotic beauty.
Why It Dominated 2010: Masaaki Yuasa’s avant-garde masterpiece blended breakneck dialogue, hallucinogenic visuals, and existential wit. Its recursive narrative structure—each episode resetting the protagonist’s choices—became a philosophical meditation on regret. Winning the Japan Media Arts Festival’s Grand Prize, it outperformed contemporaries like Angel Beats! through sheer audacity. As critic Hiroko Yamamura noted in Anime News Network (2010), “It’s a thesis on youth packaged as psychedelic slapstick.”
2011: Steins;Gate
Self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Rintaro Okabe discovers time travel via a microwave, accidentally triggering a chain of world-altering disasters. To undo catastrophic timelines, he confronts the shadowy organization SERN while battling emotional collapse.
Why It Dominated 2011: What began as a quirky sci-fi comedy morphed into a devastating exploration of sacrifice. Okabe’s transformation from delusional showman to traumatized hero anchored a meticulously crafted paradox. The series’ “world line” mechanics influenced later hits like Re:Zero. Per the Journal of Animation Studies (2012), its “slow-burn tension and payoffs revolutionized visual novel adaptations.”
2012: Psycho-Pass
In 22nd-century Japan, the Sibyl System quantifies citizens’ mental states into “Crime Coefficients.” Inspector Akane Tsunemori hunts latent criminals alongside enforcers branded as threats—until philosopher-terrorist Shogo Makishima exposes the system’s rot.
Why It Dominated 2012: Gen Urobuchi’s dystopian thriller weaponized cyberpunk aesthetics to dissect free will vs. security. Its moral ambiguity—punishing people for potential crimes—predicted real-world AI ethics debates. Topping Crunchyroll’s 2013 polls, it outshone Sword Art Online by prioritizing psychological depth over escapism.
2013: Attack on Titan
After colossal Titans breach humanity’s last fortress, Eren Yeager enlists in the military, vowing vengeance. But as he gains Titan-shifting powers, revelations about the monsters’ origins ignite a war blurring heroes and villains.
Why It Dominated 2013: WIT Studio’s adaptation amplified the manga’s brutality with cinematic animation and Hiroyuki Sawano’s primal score. Its unflinching themes—xenophobia, trauma, and cyclical violence—resonated globally. The 2014 New York Times review highlighted its “mythic scale,” noting it “redefined anime’s mainstream potential.”
2014: Ping Pong the Animation
Ping pong prodigies “Smile” (stoic technician) and “Peco” (brash natural) clash in high-stakes tournaments. Their rivalry evolves into a meditation on ambition, failure, and rediscovering joy in sport.
Why It Dominated 2014: Yuasa’s jagged, expressionist animation captured athleticism’s grace and agony. Its 11-episode arc deconstructed competition tropes, focusing on players’ inner lives. Awarded Animation of the Year at the 2015 Tokyo Anime Awards, it surpassed even Haikyuu!! by marrying visceral matches with poetic storytelling.
2015: One-Punch Man
Bored god-level hero Saitama can obliterate foes with one punch. Teaming with cyborg disciple Genos, he navigates a corrupt Hero Association while craving a worthy challenge.
Why It Dominated 2015: A satire of superhero excess, its deadpan humor and Madhouse’s fluid fight scenes (like Saitama vs. Boros) became iconic. It weaponized absurdity to critique power fantasy tropes, amassing 15 million+ streams in three months (IGN, 2015).
2016: Mob Psycho 100
Emotionally repressed psychic Mob works for fraudulent mentor Reigen, suppressing his powers to avoid apocalypse-level outbursts. As he joins school clubs and battles evil spirits, he learns self-worth beyond his abilities.
Why It Dominated 2016: Studio Bones’ kaleidoscopic animation visualized Mob’s growth through psychokinetic spectacle. Its balance of absurd comedy and heartfelt coming-of-age earned Crunchyroll’s 2017 “Anime of the Year” award.
2017: Made in Abyss
Orphan Riko ventures into the nightmarish Abyss to find her mother, aided by amnesiac robot Reg. Each descent unveils mutated creatures, cursed relics, and the pit’s horrifying secrets.
Why It Dominated 2017: Kevin Penkin’s haunting score amplified its juxtaposition of whimsy and body horror. Praised by Forbes for “world-building rivaling Miyazaki,” it dominated niche polls despite controversial themes.
2018: Devilman Crybaby
Sensitive teen Akira merges with demon Amon to combat an infernal invasion. But as humanity descends into paranoia, his empathy becomes a liability in a war without heroes.
Why It Dominated 2018: Masaaki Yuasa’s Netflix reboot fused hyper-kinetic animation with nihilistic social commentary. Its apocalyptic finale sparked global discourse, trending with 1.2M+ tweets (Variety, 2018).
2019: Vinland Saga
Viking child Thorfinn joins his father’s killer Askeladd’s mercenary band, seeking vengeance. Years of brutality erode his soul until he renounces war for pacifism.
Why It Dominated 2019: WIT Studio’s visceral combat and nuanced character arcs elevated historical fiction. Winning Crunchyroll’s 2020 “Best Drama” award, it outperformed Demon Slayer by exploring trauma’s aftermath.
These anime didn’t just define years—they sculpted a decade. From The Tatami Galaxy’s existential loops to Vinland Saga’s anti-war odyssey, each champion reimagined what animation could achieve. Rewatch one today and rediscover why the 2010s remain anime’s creative peak.
Must Know
Q: How were these “best anime” chosen?
A: We evaluated cultural impact (trends, awards), critical reception (reviews, essays), innovation, and legacy. Titles like Attack on Titan and Made in Abyss dominated year-end lists from ANN, Crunchyroll, and mainstream outlets.
Q: Why exclude sequels like Haikyuu!! or My Hero Academia?
A: This list prioritizes debut seasons or standalone works. Sequels often build on existing momentum, whereas these titles broke new ground upon arrival.
Q: Did any studio dominate the 2010s?
A: Studio Bones (Mob Psycho 100), WIT Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga), and Science SARU (founded by Masaaki Yuasa) were pivotal. Yuasa directed three entries here—The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong, and Devilman Crybaby.
Q: Are these accessible to new anime fans?
A: Absolutely. One-Punch Man and Attack on Titan are ideal entry points. The Tatami Galaxy or Devilman Crybaby suit viewers seeking experimental narratives.
Q: Where can I stream these legally?
A: Crunchyroll hosts most (Psycho-Pass, Mob Psycho 100). Netflix streams Devilman Crybaby and Vinland Saga. Ping Pong and The Tatami Galaxy are on HIDIVE.
Q: Which 2010s anime influenced Hollywood?
A: Attack on Titan inspired Stranger Things’ creature design (per VFX supervisor Paul Graff). One-Punch Man’s satire echoes in The Boys.
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