#10-Yuri On Ice (2016)
Majestic, beautifully animated and full of heart, Yuri on
Ice was a surprise hit that still resonates even though it might be well past
its heyday so soon after its launch. The
story of Yuki K.s quest for professional redemption turning into a quest for
the love of the man who sees the best in him is a beautiful one. The multicultural cast is stellar and
likeable, even when their immense egos make them super douchy. And that soundtrack? Every genre of music gets representation in
dozens of different dance numbers on the ice.
Also, be use of “the day after” montage from The Hangover ever in Anime.
#9-One Punch Man (Season One) (2015)
From the moment you hear the cry “ONE PUUUUUUUNCH!!!” in
the legendary OP, you know you’re in for something special. For anyone tired of the super seriousness of
US comics these days (especially in DC Extended Universe movies like Batman V
Superman or Justice League), One Punch Man is your medicine. What if Superman was bored with all the power
he has? What if he had to help train a
bad ass ninja cyborg? What if he was
launched to the moon and just did a little hop to see how cool it was before he
flies back to Earth? God this Anime is
just so much freaking fun and even has fight scenes that rival the epic
planetary scale heavy hitting of Dragon Ball Z.
Listen to Saitama kids, his wisdom may seem dumb but it’ll be the best
life advice you ever get.
#8-Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt (2010)
Probably the most creative and out of control Anime of
the 2010’s borders the line between Anime and super raunchy American
cartoon. Then again, Panty and Stocking
can take every single dirty adult joke in the US and Japanese book and smash
them together for the ultimate thrill ride.
From all out action to Satoshi Kon and David Lynch style satire to the
best retelling of the Transformers saga since Beast Wars, there’s literally
something for everyone to enjoy in at least one episode. Whether you’re in it for all the references
or the two baddest and sexiest Fallen Angels in existence, Panty and Stocking
is probably one of the biggest gems of the 2010’s.
#7-Gundam Build Fighters (2013)
Well this is a Gundam page so there had to be a Gundam
entry in this list of Anime across the decade, right? Well while there were some solid titles like
Gundam Thunderbolt and The Origin, my choice for best Gundam title of the 2010s
goes to my favorite entry in the franchise in general to date. Whoever said Gundam only has to be about “War
is Hell” never saw this coming. Build
Fighters is a kids show that’s also the biggest love letter to the Gundam
franchise across almost 40 years. With
appearances by just about every Mobile Suit (Gundam or otherwise) across the
mythos and cameos from beloved fan favorites, Build Fighters might not take
itself too seriously…but it does remind me of why I love Gundam in the first
place: cause
#6-Psycho Pass (Season One) (2012)
Holy freaking crap this first season is pretty much
flawless. Dystopian scifi future with
guns that blow people up with a single shot.
A tightly focused and fascinating commentary on free will. A murder mystery that might not be the most
complex but is wildly entertaining. And
a cast of characters that you grow to love and care about in a world where it
seems impossible to feel that way about humanity as a whole. The final five episodes of this season in
particular stand out as we get some definite payoff for everything that’s been
leading to this point. Oh and the second
theme song is one of the best Anime Ops of the decade too. No wonder Psycho Pass 2 crashed so hard. This first season was a freaking masterpiece
that has yet to be topped (even though The Movie gave it a good shot).
#5-Free! (2013)
I was so ready to ridicule this show like so many others
have in the past. Low and behold I’ll
openly admit I love this show and all of the seasons weve gotten thus far. Kyoto Animation has never made swimming look
more epic and awesome (partly thanks to a jamming soundtrack). But the characters at the heart of this
series are the real draw. Theyre more
than just shonen beefcakes, theyre brothers in arms with dreams, aspirations
and a drive to help each other achieve those goals no matter what. The penultimate episode of the second season,
featuring Rin and Haru traveling to Australia to get Haru’s head on straight,
stands as one of the very best episodes of Anime I have seen in my entire
life. Anytime the boys of Iwatobi and
Sumezuka pop back on the screen, you know that youre gonna have a good time.
#4-Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
I started the first episode one afternoon…and then
blinked and realized I was clutching my pillow 4-5 hours later after a whole
day of brilliantly done but traumatizing magical girl action. Sailor Moon this show is not. Is it superior? I cant say cause I haven’t seen all of Sailor
Moon yet but Madoka Magica could give it a run for its money. This show is unrelenting in the harsh
realities of becoming a hero and trusting in the wrong people for the power to
change the world. Every character has
their own incredibly heartbreaking story, with Homura towering as the Queen of
Tragedy. If you haven’t yet, watch this
show in full (or track down the two part compilation films that are
surprisingly just as good). You might be
a little shaken but it’ll be in the best way.
This is Anime storytelling done right (and the visuals rock too so
there’s that as well).
#3-Fate/Zero (2011)
My gateway to the Fate universe is still one of the
greatest Anime shows ive ever binged.
This is the Game of Thrones of Anime (even with an ending that doesn’t
quite stick but it’s way better than GoTs.).
Twists, turns, betrayals, action on a scale that has rarely been
matched, and a cast of flawed souls duking it out for a goal that might not
even be worth it. Honestly, it’ll always
be the action and visuals that get me with this one. Studio Ufotable has proven time and time
again across the decade with Fate and Demon Slayer that theyre capable of
delivering movie level animation on a TV budget and choreographic fluidic and
flawless action scenes. This show set
such a high bar it’s taken until Heavens Feel for a Fate entry to challenge
this one for title of best in the franchise.
#2-Your Name (2016)
Few Anime have surprised me with a premise I wouldn’t
totally ignore if it were a generic US rom com.
Your Name grabs your attention within seconds and never lets up. The animation is flawless and somehow gets
better the further you get into the movie.
The music is some of the best tailored to an Anime since FLCL. The characters will become etched in history
one day as Taki and Mitsuha are two of the most adorable Anime leads of all
time and an even cuter will they/wont they couple. Your Name is a special film that I think more
than deserves its rightful place in history as the film that made the entire
world look at Anime once again with wonder and awe…man does Makoto Shinkai have
a tricky career ahead (though I hear his most recent film is just as good, if
not a smidge better, than Your Name).
#1-My Hero Academia (2016)
Whereas One Punch Mans satirizes the superhero genre, My
Hero Academia is a love letter to the same genre. In many ways, it contains an optimism and
sense of hope that has been long missing from many US comics (DC Comics in
particular but im not gonna even start with that). The journey of Deku and his classmates to
become the next generation of great heroes never loses its heart, its soul or
any of the lessons its learned along the way with every new episode. This is the true F YEAH, feel good Anime of
the decade and a worthy successor (if not superior) to some of the Shonen
genre’s greatest juggernauts like Bleach, One Piece, Naruto and yes Dragon Ball
Z. As we look towards the future all we
want to do is grasp the sun while screaming, “PLUS ULTRA!!!!”.
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