While the early 2000s may seem like a lifetime ago for some, the period between 2000 and 2009 is full of anime gold. The 90s may have been one golden period for animation, but the 2000s continued that trend. Series that can grip viewers’ heartstrings, intense amounts of action, and comedic gold can all be found in this era.RELATED: Amazing Anime You Can Binge In One DayMany of these series are still popular to this day, with loyal fanbases. Some have even been receiving reboots and sequels in recent years. With so many amazing 2000s anime to go through, newer audiences have plenty of great starting points.Updated November 5, 2021 by Mark Sammut: Anime’s international exposure seems to grow with every passing year. As each season brings with it dozens of new shows, there is little incentive to seek out older anime. Why focus on the past when the present is so giving? The Fall 2021 season has more than enough worthwhile shows to keep people busy, however, sticking only to the currently airing anime just ensures that hundreds of great releases are missed. The 2000s was a particularly fruitful era for the industry, and to illustrate that, a few more of the decade’s best anime have been added to this article.
15 Inuyasha – 2000
With the release of its sequel Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon and the hundreds of TikToks reminiscing about love triangles and waking up to that iconic closing theme, it is no wonder Inuyasha is a 2000s classic. Shonen and romance anime fans who may not have seen the original series will want to check it out even if only to understand all the memes.
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The series is full of characters that are loveable and some that are almost unredeemable. Inuyasha revolves around the protagonists’ Kagome (a human from modern-day Tokyo) and Inuyasha (a half-dog demon in the Feudal era), as they attempt to retrieve the shattered Shikon Jewel shards. Throughout their journey, they meet a variety of allies with their own motives for seeking out the jewel shards. They also face plenty of powerful enemies along the way, most notably the scheming Naraku and his incarnations.
14 Fruits Basket – 2001
The 2001 series is the first animated adaptation of the Fruits Basket manga. Though the series was canceled after the first season, fans always held out hope that they would receive a continuation. This hope was rewarded when the series was recently revived in 2019, with multiple seasons planned.
Fruits Basket revolves around the stories of the mysterious Sohma family and Tohru Honda. Tohru accidentally uncovers the family’s secret, that thirteen members are possessed by animals of the Chinese Zodiac legend. This curse forces the family to become aloof, as well as causes a great deal of emotional turmoil throughout the series. Fruits Basket is still an emotional rollercoaster to watch, but the characters have a way of pulling viewers in.
13 The Garden Of Sinners – 2007
Japanese Title: Kara no Kyoukai
Split into eight films along with some shorter releases, The Garden of Sinners is an adaptation of Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi’s light novel series. The films revolve around supernatural-themed cases investigated by the Garan no Dou detective agency, with Shiki Ryougi taking center stage.
The Garden of Sinners is a complicated series that doesn’t follow a linear timeline, features plenty of mature and difficult-to-watch sequences, and contains a few movies that are not particularly enjoyable on an initial watch. However, The Garden of Sinners’ best entries – Paradox Spiral and A Study in Murder – Part 2 – more than make up for the franchise’s uneven quality. These entries are complex, visceral, philosophical, and unforgettable.
12 Naruto – 2002
Naruto is one of the most well-known Shonen anime, the series has everything fans of the genre could hope for. The series revolves around the adventures of Naruto a mischievous young ninja outcast. Naruto seeks recognition from the members of his village, as well as dreams of becoming the next Hokage. Naruto finds friends and rivals along the way and discovers that he is the host of a powerful fox, which was responsible for attacking the village in the past.
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The full series is divided into two parts and later received a sequel. The first part is known only as Naruto and aired between 2002 and 2007. The second part of the series Naruto: Shippuden aired from 2007 until 2017. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations focuses on the life of the characters after the original series conflicts are resolved and their children.
11 Bleach – 2004
Bleach is a very well-known and highly popular Shonen anime, from the 2000s. The series follows Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper. As he learns to master these newfound powers, he discovers many of his friends have powers of their own. Though the series starts off with a lighter tone, things take a shift when Rukia (the Soul Reaper who shared her power with Ichigo) is sentenced to be executed. Ichigo and his friends go on a mission to infiltrate the Soul Society to save her and are thrown into an even bigger plot.
Bleach is full of action and takes sword fights to a new level. Anime fans looking for a lengthy action series will absolutely want to check out Bleach. Currently, the series spans 366 episodes, however, in March of 2020, it was announced that the final arc of Bleach would receive an animated adaptation to close out the series.
10 Samurai Champloo – 2005
Blending an alternate version of the Edo-era with modern styles and references is Samurai Champloo. The series revolves around an unlikely trio searching for “the samurai who smells of sunflowers.” A spirited girl named Fuu, a brash vagabond named Mugen, and a more reserved and traditional ronin named Jin. The series shares a director with the critically acclaimed series Cowboy Bebop.
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Samurai Champloo contains many scenes which relate to actual historical events. References such as Alexander Cartwright and Hishikawa Moronobu, are just a few history fans may recognize. The series’ popular soundtrack also takes a lot of inspiration from hip hop music, the name of the series being a nod to the mash-up of genres as well.
9 Fighting Spirit – 2000
Japanese Title: Hajime no Ippo
Major, The Prince of Tennis, and Eyeshield 21 – the 2000s produced plenty of fantastic sports anime that fans of more recent shows such as Haikyuu and Run with the Wind will probably enjoy. Out of all the series released during the decade, none left as big of an impact as Fighting Spirit.
A bullied but strong teenager, Ippo Makunouchi finds his inner confidence through the art of boxing, a journey filled with sweat, blood, tears, and laughter. Grueling matches are accompanied by character-focused episodes that showcase the lovable personalities of the main cast, including the hilarious Mamoru Takamura.
8 Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion – 2006
Japanese Title: Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
The Code Geass franchise is the perfect 2000s anime for fans who may have enjoyed watching Light Yagami’s scheming in Death Note. The main series follows exiled prince, Lelouch vi Britannia, after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman. The woman, who he later learns is called C2, gives him the power of Geass. This power allows him to command anyone to do whatever he wants.
The story takes place after the Holy Britannian empire (the Americas) takes over Japan using giant mech suits. Using this newfound power Lelouch becomes the leader of the resistance movement, with the goal of using them to get revenge on his royal family. There are tons of giant mech fights for action fans as well as plenty of double-crossing and scheming in the series.
7 Ouran High Host Club – 2006
Japanese Title: Ouran Koukou Host Club
Ouran High Host Club is a romantic comedy that is full of satire and cliches found in the shojo genre. The series follows the misadventures of Haruhi and the other host club members. Haruhi is a scholarship student at Ouran High, a school primarily for the stereotypical rich kids. After accidentally breaking one very expensive vase, belonging to the host club, Haruhi has to join the club to help pay off the debt.
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The first episode centers around the members of the club all slowly realizing that despite her appearance Haruhi is actually a girl. The rest of the series involves them all trying to keep Haruhi’s identity a secret. The over the top use of satire is one of the reasons many fans still enjoy going back and watching the series.
6 Mononoke – 2007
Anime and horror don’t go together all that well. Plenty of shows manage to build up a sense of dread, but inspiring genuine fear often seems like a step too far. Mononoke comes the closest to crossing this threshold and the anime does it without utilizing jump scares.
Through an unnerving aesthetic and unsettling sound design, Mononoke teleports viewers into a nightmarish world defined by guilty, anger, and mystery. It is a beautiful show about ugly emotions and rotten people.
5 Death Note – 2006
Anime fans who enjoy more mature themes will want to watch Death Note. The series follows Light Yagami, a model student and the son of the local police chief after he discovers a mysterious notebook. The book is actually a Death Note a tool used by shinigami (a form of grim reaper) to kill anyone. Light immediately begins using the book to create a crime-free society by writing down the names of known criminals.
Things don’t go as planned and once challenged by the equally genius enigmatic detective known only as L, Light spirals into a god-complex. This coupled with the Death Note leads to perhaps the most complex and well-known battle of the minds in anime history. The series handles plenty of mature themes, and will constantly have new viewers wondering what’s going to happen next.
4 Afro Samurai – 2007
The Emmy nominated series featuring Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of the protagonist is a 2000s anime fans should be sure to watch. Afro Samurai follows the life of the title character after witnessing his father being killed by a gunslinger. The gunslinger, Justice, was the owner of the Number 2 headband, and Afro’s father was the owner of the Number 1 headband. The wielder of the Number 1 headband is said to be the greatest warrior in the world and can only be challenged by someone with the Number 2 headband.
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The series takes place in a feudal yet futuristic Japan, where Afro Samurai confronts a variety of enemies and even former friends on this quest for revenge. Afro Samurai is a mini0series, with only five episodes however, the series packs a punch. With a music score from hip hop artist, The RZA from the rap group Wu-Tang Clan, amazing visuals, and an all-star cast the series is a great example of 2000s anime.
3 Gintama – 2006
In this alternate reality, aliens took over Earth during the Edo period, birthing a world that has room for rockets and samurai. Gintama follows the misadventures of the Yorozuya crew as they accept odd jobs that always hold a few surprises.
Gintama is predominantly a parody of shonen anime, and it happens to be hilarious. Edo, the main city, is home to one of the biggest and most complete comedic casts in anime. Gintama delivers ambitious fourth wall breaks, adult humor, and gut bustlingly funny slapstick at a constant rate; when the anime gets serious, it is violent, tragic, and unforgettable.
2 Gurren Lagann – 2007
Japanese Title: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Hype. From its opening scene to its universe-spanning conclusion, Gurren Lagann unleashes a barrage of epic action, inspirational quotes, and unbeatable music. Mecha and Beastmen collide as humans seek to break free of their oppression and reach new heights. However, the anime throws out a few twists along the way.
Gurren Lagann has aged beautifully. Outside of a few moments, the animation is still awe-inspiring, while the main characters have all achieved icon status. Gurren Lagann set a standard for sci-fi anime that few shows have come close to matching.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – 2009
Fans will often debate which version of the Fullmetal Alchemist series is the best. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) was a loose adaptation with a mostly original story. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) follows the story set in the original manga. Brotherhood follows the adventures of the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, as they attempt to regain their full bodies. As they search for more information on the mysterious Philosopher’s stone, they uncover government conspiracies hiding the stone’s true origin.
Though the series has lighter moments and plenty of comedic relief, the darker tones have a way of emotionally sneaking up on viewers. There are plenty of moments in the series that ask viewers to consider who the real monsters of the series are.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood also has a lot of inspirational moments, primarily revolving around standing back up and moving forward when things get tough.
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