Though a lot of staple anime debuted in the nineties and the 2000s, it would be unwise to say that there were no extraordinary shows coming out in the 2010s. For instance, the genre-changing magical girl series Puella Magi Madoka Magica completely deconstructed the very genre as fans know it, making every fan wary of any seemingly sweet magical girl series since its premiere. Meanwhile, various popular shōnen, such as My Hero Academia, remain extremely popular still due to their overall legacy.
Anime of all genres, naturally, debuted over the course of the 2010s, though not everyone would hold onto the same popularity it may have had during its debut. For instance, shows like K-On! truly aided in the popularity of shows revolving around the energetic yet cozy adventures of friend groups, but the show has since lost some of its fame. Meanwhile, shows like Squid Girl remained rather underrated during their run, but were actually related to even more popular franchises that even the most loyal video game fans may never have heard of.
K-On! Is Goofy, Fun-Filled, and Sweet-Natured
A Group of Girls Decide to Start Their Own Band
Easygoing Yui Hirasawa has a tendency to focus on something particular for a little while before getting distracted by something else. A fan of anything cute and fun, she becomes intrigued by the idea of joining her new high school’s Light Music Club, though the only instrument she knows how to play is the castanets. Luckily, two other new members, the studious bassist Mio Akiyama and the passionate drummer Ritsu Tainaka, support the newbie musician as she works hard to properly play her new electric guitar, a display of passion that surprises her childhood friend and sister. Much to the shock of more experienced musicians in the club (most notably the serious guitarist Azusa Nakano), Yui actually possesses perfect pitch.
Over the course of their time in school, the Light Music Club (later known by their band name of “Ho-kago Tea Time”) becomes more well-known for their upbeat and cheerful music. The girls do not always focus on their music, as they have a tendency to get distracted by other things going on in their lives. No matter what the members of Ho-kago Tea Time decide to focus on, however, the audience is sure to laugh at their misadventures and boundless energy. A popular feel-good show from the 2010s, K-On! is still a favorite among slice-of-life anime fans.
Squid Girl Once Collaborated With Splatoon
An Ocean-Dwelling Invader Fails To Frighten Humanity
Upset at how humanity has caused her beloved ocean home to become polluted, an unusual girl with tentacles in place of hair emerges from the sea and finds herself on a popular beach. As revenge for humanity’s marine pollution, this ocean-dwelling girl, calling herself “Squid Girl”, attempts to take over the world. Unfortunately for the titular protagonist, she instead ends up damaging the seaside restaurant, Lemon Beach House. Afraid of the usually-calm manager’s fearsome aura, Squid Girl finds herself working as a waitress to pay for the restaurant’s damages.
Much to the surprise of her new coworkers, Squid Girl has many other amazing superpowers, from the ability to glow in the dark to the ability to regenerate lost tentacles (as well as the rather awkward power of spewing up ink). Unfortunately for Squid Girl, her further attempts to try and take over the world usually result in chaos, much to the anger of co-manager Eiko Aizawa. Though it was a rather lesser-known series during its debut, Squid Girl is still a very funny and very entertaining slice-of-life with a unique fantasy twist. In fact, a Squid Girl-inspired costume brand was once available in the original Splatoon game.
The Tatami Galaxy Is One of Masaaki Yuasa’s Best Anime
A University Student Navigates the What-Ifs of His Life
Famed anime director Masaaki Yuasa is well-known for a plethora of high-energy animated series, from the passionate Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! to the extraordinary Inu-Oh. However, a work that remains a cult classic among many anime fans is The Tatami Galaxy, a series based off of the novel of the same name by Tomihiko Morimi. In the anime, an unnamed college student at Kyoto University gains the ability to travel through parallel universes. With this ability, he is able to see what would have become of his past two years of school had he joined different social circles.
Often appearing in these parallel universes is a mysterious student named Akashi, who the protagonist often falls in love with. However, she is often cold to him in return, yet appears to be simultaneously drawn to her fellow student. With a mind-bending style and extraordinary animation, The Tatami Galaxy is both an introspective character study and a one-of-a-kind fantasy tale. A sequel series, The Tatami Time Machine Blues, is available for streaming on Hulu.
Snow White with the Red Hair Deconstructs the Classic Fairy Tale
A Young Herbalist Sets Out To Create Her Own Destiny
Everyone knows the classic fairy tale Snow White, revolving around the titular princess, a poisoned apple that nearly ends her life, and the prince that arrives to save her from its spell. However, the shojo anime Snow White with the Red Hair takes a different approach, especially as its narrative is only loosely based on the original fairy tale. Thoughtful herbalist Shirayuki is well-known in her kingdom for her extraordinary bright red hair, so much so that the kingdom’s prince wishes for her to become his newest concubine. Repulsed, Shirayuki cuts her hair and travels to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines, hoping to continue her studies as a herbalist in a new home.
During her journey, Shirayuki meets a friendly yet mysterious young man named Zen, who turns out to be the second prince of Clarines. Following the first episode, Snow White with the Red Hair becomes independent of the original Snow White fairy tale, and instead becomes a story about two good friends supporting one another with their dreams, no matter what. However, as time goes on, a sweet romance begins to bloom between Shirayuki and Zen. With a wonderful soundtrack and stunning animation from Bones, Snow White with the Red Hair is an amazing romance anime for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the medium.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
HeartCatch PreCure! Is One of the Most Visually Stunning Pretty Cure Shows
Yoshihiko Umakoshi Acted as the Lead Character Designer
Since the early 2000s, the Pretty Cute franchise has created several beloved magical girls, adorable mascots, and simply fun animated seasons revolving around a group of superheroines known as Pretty Cures (or PreCures). However, their most visually unique season remains HeartCatch PreCure, with flowers, fashion and music as the core themes. Shy Tsubomi Hanasaki is hoping to make the most of her new school life, and meets her opposite in the boundlessly energetic Erika Kurumi, who has her join the Fashion Club instead of the Gardener’s Club she intended on joining. The two girls are soon chosen to become the newest PreCures, Cure Blossom and Cure Marine, after meeting the fairies Chypre and Coffret.
According to their adorable new mascot friends, the magical Heart Tree has grown weak thanks to the Desert Apostles, who defeated the powerful Cure Moonlight. If Cure Blossom and Cure Marine do not race against time, the Heart Tree may wither away for good and the Desert Apostles will continue to turn people into monsters. HeartCatch PreCure has remained widely talked about in the PreCure fandom not only due to the designs done by Yoshihiko Umakoshi and the overall energy of the show, but the surprisingly dark storytelling present. Like other PreCure seasons, HeartCatch PreCure remains underrated compared to other magical girl anime, but for longtime PreCure fans, it is a series well worth celebrating even today.
Durarara!! Is a Supernatural Story With Intertwined Fates
The Legend of the “Black Rider” Follows the City’s Newcomers
In all sorts of media, the urban fantasy genre is one that many creators like to work with, just as many fans like to learn more about. Oftentimes, this genre revolves around a world with prominent supernatural themes, all showcased in a city similar to real-world places. The action series Durarara!! is also part of the urban fantasy genre, as well as the thriller/suspense genre for its gripping storyline. At the start, the anime begins with protagonist Mikado Ryūgamine moving to Ikebukuro with his childhood friend Masaomi Kida after dreaming of life in the big city.
Soon, Mikado learns about the “Black Rider”, a mysterious woman who is actually a dullahan named Celty Sturluson. As her head has been stolen, she now works as a courier in Ikebukuro and thus sees the lives of those around the city. Durarara!! focuses on several different characters aside from Celty and Mikado, each with their own goals for remaining in the city even as violent happenings become more commonplace. Fans and critics alike adored the series when it first debuted, praising it for its twists and turns that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
Noragami Has a Truly Unforgettable Cast of Characters
Fans of the Anime Absolutely Must Continue With the Manga
Based on the gorgeous manga by Adachitoka, Noragami takes place in the city where teenager Hiyori Iki lives with her family. Coming from a well-to-do family, Hiyori tries to be ladylike and thus keeps her secret love of martial arts hidden from her parents. However, her bravery ends up changing her life forever after she saves a mysterious young man from being hit by a bus. As a result of the accident, Hiyori becomes a half-human, half-spirit, with her soul often “falling out” of her body at random times, causing it to fall asleep.
Hiyori later learns that the young man she saved is actually the minor god Yato, who will take on any task for five yen. Upon taking her own payment of five yen, Yato vows to find a way to cure Hiyori’s dilemma, but their mission is often sidetracked by the many supernatural events going on in the city, especially with the existence of corrupted spirits that pose a threat to both the living and dead. Meanwhile, the discovery of a young ghost named Yukine complicates things, all while Hiyori learns about Yato’s checkered past. Noragami is truly something special, with gorgeous animation done by Bones, an unforgettable soundtrack and an energetic cast of characters. As the manga goes way past the anime and gets even more intense, those who loved the anime are sure to be left in awe at the chapters that follow.
