5. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)
Studio: Bones | MAL. 8.51 | Genre: Slice of Life
The first episode of Mob Psycho 100 hits you with a torrent of fluid action and vibrant colors. The art style strongly resembles that of it’s creator ONE. Like most of the anime on this list the action itself is worthy of praise, but it’s the characters that shine. Our main protagonist is Shigeo Kageyama (Mob). Quiet and reserved, Mob is mostly ordinary except for is ESP abilities. Under the guide (or manipulation) of his boss Reigen, Mob is trying to learn to control his emotions. He’s in constant fear of his powers, while lacking the control necessary to prevent exploding. Mob Psycho 100 features interesting characters like Reigen. The con man that uses Mob for profit. What could have been a one note character, becomes a more sophisticated one. Is he evil? Does he really have Mob’s best interest at heart? Mob Psycho 100 is a stand out series. It has it all, unique visuals, action, animation, humor and interesting characters.
Check Out My Review of Mob Psycho 100 Episode 1
4. Made in Abyss (2017)
Studio: Kinema Citrus | MAL: 8.83 | Genre: Dark Fantasy
When I first started watching Made in Abyss, I though this should be a fun series. The art style lulls you into a false sense of security. It’s very much intentional. Made in Abyss is a visual marvel, particularly the detailed environments. The initial tone of the series is betrayed by the events depicted. The adorable children are orphans. Not yet jaded or still ignorant of the horrors this world offers, they are excited to explore. That world is the Abyss. A massive chasm that reaches down into the Earth. Each layer getting more and more harrowing the further you go down. Individuals known as “Divers” fearlessly head into it, hoping to discover and understand the secrets of the Abyss. Our main character Riko and her friends will aim to follow in her mother legendary footsteps, it will cost her.
Check Out My Review of Made in Abyss Episode 1
3. One Punch Man (2015)
Studio: Madhouse | MAL. 8.68 | Genre: Parody
One Punch Man is the first series from ONE. It is his second anime/manga series in my top five. Based on a 2009 web comic of the same name, One Punch Man, is a parody series of shonen superheros. One Punch Man makes fun of the over dramatic stories and the inevitable result (the hero winning) of shonen series. Saitama is an unemployed part time superhero that has somehow become so powerful that he often defeats monsters with , well on punch. Saitama and other heroes battle against mutants, cyborgs, ninja’s, aliens, martial arts, kaiju and many other creatures that seem to get larger and larger. If Saitama is a calm and cool type, his “student” Genos is the straight man. Genos unlike his master is constantly getting stronger, learning from each battle and hoping to learn the secret of Saitama’s power. Despite being a cyborg he feels the most human when compared to the godly power of Saitama. The second season was disappointing compared to the near flawless masterpiece of the first, but One Punch Man still ranks highly regardless.
Check Out My Review of One Punch Man Episode 1
2. Attack on Titan (2013)
Studio: Wit Studio | MAL: 8.47 | Genre: Dark Fantasy
Attack on Titan is a stand out anime series. The tone is similar to that of Made in Abyss and The Promised Neverland. However, unlike those series, AOT started with this dire tone. Centuries ago, mankind was nearing extinction by mysterious giant humanoid creatures called Titans. To increase their likelihood of survival humanity retreated behind massive walls. For a century humanity was safe until their piece was destroyed by the Colossal Titan. Eren Yeager witnesses the death of his mother at the hands of one of those Titan, resulting in his vow to exterminate the Titans. Eren along with friends Armin and Mikasa join the Survey Corps. The war against the Titans are brutal, with the Corps consistently taking heavy casualties. As the characters struggle for humanity’s survival they suffer heartbreak, betrayal and pain, along with joy, laughter and friendship. AOT is a dark series that can be intense, but if you can stomach the hardships depicted in the series you will be rewarded.
Check Out My Review of Attack on Titan
1. Hunter X Hunter (2011)
Studio: Madhouse | MAL: 9.10 | Genre: Fantasy
Nobody is more surprised than me that Hunter X Hunter top’s my list of the top anime of the decade. I deliberately avoided the series assuming that it was merely a mediocre shonen series. I think that the manga is terrible. Like most shonen, the action is important to the series. It was watching an out of context fight seen from the series, that convinced me to give the show a chance. I was glad I did. On the surface, Hunter X Hunter is no different from other shonen series. Gon is your typical, dumb hero. However, he’s more selfish than originally let on. It’s this selfishness that results in Gon willingness to allow an innocent girl to die for his own revenge. The final arc, the “chimera arc,” is among the best and darkest arc in anime history. Hunter X Hunter is a series that is often underestimated, but with its variety of characters, complex fighting system and narrator, Hunter X Hunter is a series that must be witnessed.
If you enjoyed this list try Bandit Secret’s Top 100 Anime of the Decade
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