A review of masterpieces with perfect scores in the past decade! Who will be the dominant anime of 2024?
Over the past decade, each year has produced a masterpiece that dominated both buzz and popularity. These anime not only ruled the internet during their broadcast but also became classic representatives in the hearts of anime fans. From thrilling battles to heartwarming tearjerkers, from comedic daily life to profound philosophy, each work, with its unique charm, has left us with unforgettable memories. Today, let's look back at these 'annual dominant-level' anime and see which one is your favorite! And in 2024, which work will take over as the new generation masterpiece?
2013: 'Attack on Titan' — A Classic That Overturned an Era
In 2013, 'Attack on Titan' quickly became the most influential anime of the year with its stunning animation, shocking worldview, and tight plot. From the survival battles inside the walls to the cruel truths outside, this work not only refreshed audiences' expectations for anime but also made 'powering the Titans' a hot topic that year. The success of this anime remains an unignorable milestone in the anime world to this day.
2014: 'Tokyo Ghoul' —A Dark Masterpiece Centered on Humanity and Struggle
In 2014, 'Tokyo Ghoul' successfully resonated widely with audiences through its dark worldview and the struggles of its protagonist, Ken Kaneki. As an anime exploring humanity and survival, this work is unforgettable for its brutal plot and profound emotional depiction. Although later adaptations received mixed reviews, the first season's performance was undoubtedly at the level of a masterpiece of the year.
2015: 'One Punch Man' — The Pinnacle of Shonen Anime
In 2015, 'One Punch Man' completely subverted the narrative style of traditional shonen anime with its unconventional setup and extreme battle scenes. Saitama's invincible 'one punch' not only brought countless laughs but also made audiences rethink the true meaning of being a hero. With its unique charm, this anime became a classic in the shonen genre.
2016: 'Mob Psycho 100' — A Deep and Thrilling Superpower Anime
2016's 'Mob Psycho 100' was a superpower anime full of personality and depth. The protagonist Mob's seemingly ordinary appearance hides limitless power, and his growth story thrilled audiences. This anime achieved a perfect balance between comedy and emotion, becoming one of the most distinctive works of the year.
2017: 'Made in Abyss' — A Beautiful and Cruel Adventure Journey
2017's 'Made in Abyss' was a masterpiece that made viewers both love and hate it. With its beautiful visuals and brutal storyline, it tells an adventure deep into the Abyss. The characters' growth and sacrifices are heartbreaking, while the Abyss's mystery and danger are irresistible. The emotional impact of this anime remains unforgettable to this day.
2018: 'Violet Evergarden' — A Dual Feast for the Eyes and Emotions
In 2018, 'Violet Evergarden' captured the hearts of countless viewers with its exquisite visuals and delicate emotional portrayal. This anime tells the story of former soldier Violet Evergarden searching for life's meaning after the war, with each episode like an emotionally charged letter, bringing warmth and emotion to the audience. This work is not just a visual feast, but also a journey of spiritual healing.
2019: 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' — The Complete Victory of Classic Battle Shonen
2019's 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' was undoubtedly the dominant work of the year. From its exquisite animation to its stunning battle scenes and deeply moving character stories, this anime achieved phenomenal status with its all-around high-quality performance. Especially the sibling bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko moved countless viewers to tears.
2020: 'Jujutsu Kaisen' — The Rise of Dark Fantasy Battle Shonen
In 2020, 'Jujutsu Kaisen' successfully captured the attention of a massive audience with its unique dark fantasy style and tight plot. Whether it was Yuji Itadori's growth or Satoru Gojo's irresistible charm, this work showcased new possibilities for battle shonen. Combined with MAPPA's high-quality production, this anime became the dominant work of the year.
2021: 'Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation' — The Explosively Popular Isekai Masterpiece
2021's 'Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation' was a highly controversial work. As a pioneering isekai anime, it won over a large fanbase with its exquisite production and detailed character development. However, the protagonist's certain behaviors also sparked considerable criticism, making this work one of the most talked-about anime of the year.
2022: 'SPY×FAMILY' — The Family-Friendly Masterpiece Loved by All
In 2022, 'SPY×FAMILY' successfully captivated audiences of all ages with its lighthearted, humorous plot and warm family atmosphere. Anya's adorable antics, Loid's spy missions, and Yor's assassination skills made this anime a masterpiece suitable for all ages.
2023: 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' — The Highest-Rated Emotional Epic
In 2023, 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' became the most acclaimed anime of the year with its delicate emotional portrayal and profound story depth. Set in the aftermath of a hero's legend, this work masterfully explores themes of time and parting, earning it the fan title of 'the highest-rated anime in history'.
Which anime will be the dominant one in 2024?
Looking back over the past decade, each year had one anime that became the anime of the year with its unique charm. And in 2024, which work will take over and become the new generation's dominant anime?
Which one is your anime of the year?
Each of these animations represents the pinnacle of their respective years. Have you ever been moved, thrilled, or crazy about them too?