Summary

Animehas evolved significantly over the years, offering a wide variety of storytelling styles that have built upon the greats to become something of their own. With the rise of streaming platforms, anime is more accessible than ever, and studios are stepping up their game, delivering anime with next-level animation and storytelling.

So, when it comes to starting a new anime in the current climate, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an emotional drama, a high-stakes action series, or something entirely unique, modern anime has something for everyone. These new generation of anime have surpassed the classics in ways we could never have predicted.

A still frame of Ai performing in Oshi no Ko.

10Oshi No Ko

From The Creator Of Kaguya Sama: Love Is War

If you think Oshi No Ko is just another reincarnation anime that plays into the genre like everything else, think again. This series takes a deep dive into the harsh realities of the Japanese entertainment industry, exploring both the good and the bad.

The story follows Ai Hoshino, a beloved idol who’s pregnant. A rural doctor named Gorou is a huge fan of hers and finds himself reincarnated as her child after being mysteriously murdered. What follows is a story filled with twists, and an inside look at how the entertainment industry shapes and exploits talent, making it very distinct from casual shōnen anime.

Izuku Midoriya or Deku spawning black tentacles from an out of control Black Whip in My Hero Academia.

9My Hero Academia

A Superhero-Style Anime Inspired By Western Comic Books

At its core, My Hero Academia is a love letter to Western superhero comics, but it manages to carve out its own identity with its compelling characters and engaging story. The anime takes place in a world where 80% of the population is born with superpowers, known as Quirks.

However, protagonist Izuku Midoriya is one of the unlucky few born without one. Despite this, he idolizes the world’s greatest hero, All Might, and dreams of becoming a hero himself. His life changes forever when he inherits All Might’s Quirk, One For All, setting him on a path toward becoming the greatest hero of all time.

Mob, his face aglow, giving a confused look in Mob Psycho 100.

8Mob Psycho 100

From The Creator Of One Punch Man

If you thought One Punch Man was wild, wait until you watch Mob Psycho 100. Created by the same author, ONE, this anime takes a different approach to the superpowered protagonist trope.

The story follows Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, a middle schooler with overwhelming psychic abilities. Unlike most anime protagonists, Mob doesn’t crave power, he just wants to live a normal life. He suppresses his emotions to avoid losing control of his abilities, but as the series progresses, we see the consequences of his bottled-up feelings.

Isagi from Blue Lock making a very angry expression with aura coming out of his eyes.

7Blue Lock

A Sports Anime With An Interesting Twist

Sports anime have always been a staple of the medium, but Blue Lock takes a fresh approach that sets it apart. Instead of focusing on teamwork and camaraderie, this soccer anime revolves around intense competitions.

The series turns the traditional sports anime formula on its head by emphasizing ego and survival-of-the-fittest mentality. Players are forced to betray and outplay each other to prove they have what it takes to be the best, making for some really intense and entertaining matches.

The Forger family looking at something in Spy x Family.

6Spy x Family

One Of The Best Modern Slice Of Life Anime

Spy x Family masterfully blends action and comedyin the coolest way for a modern-day slice of life anime. The story is anything but normal though, following Loid Forger, a top-tier spy known as Twilight, who is tasked with an undercover mission that requires him to assemble a fake family.

Unbeknownst to him, his new wife, Yor, is a deadly assassin, and his adopted daughter, Anya, is a telepath. What makes Spy x Family so special is its perfect balance of humor and all the characters come together to create a unique dynamic that keeps audiences hooked.

Denji’s Fight With Katana Man In Chainsaw Man.

5Chainsaw Man

One Of Mappa’s All-Time Greats

If there’s one anime that has taken the world by storm in recent years, it’s Chainsaw Man.Animated by MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, this series brings an unfiltered, chaotic energy rarely seen in mainstream anime.

Unlike traditional shōnen protagonists, Denji’s (the main character) motivations are hilariously simple; He just wants a better life, some good food, and maybe even a girlfriend. Unfortunately for him, he just stumbled upon something that makes him a target for high-level devils and devil hunters that will make his life anything but normal.

Attack on Titan image showing eren against the colossal titan.

4Attack On Titan

A Journey Full Of Violence And Plot Twists

Few anime have had as much impact as Attack on Titan, which started as a simple story about humanity’s struggle against giant, man-eating Titans, quickly evolving into one of the most complex narratives in modern anime. As Attack on Titan’s story unfolds, it becomes clear that Titans aren’t the only enemies, and the true war is far more complicated than it first seemed.

One of Attack on Titan’s greatest strengths is its ability to constantly reinvent itself. Every season introduces new revelations that change everything viewers thought they knew. The plot twists hit hard, and the battles are brutal, culminating in a philosophical show that is matched by few.

Rengoku using Flame Breathing in Demon Slayer against Akaza.

3Demon Slayer

The Best-Looking Modern-Day Anime Yet

When it comes to breathtaking animation, Demon Slayer is in a leagueof its own. Studio Ufotable has pushed the boundaries of what anime can look like, delivering fluid fight sequences and a color scheme that you get lost in. However, the anime isn’t just about the visuals, it tells a story that has so much world-building and depth that it has the potential to be your all-time favorite.

The series follows Tanjiro Kamado, who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered and his sister, Nezuko, is turned into a demon. With a simple yet emotionally powerful premise, Demon Slayer excels at making audiences care about its characters, even the evil ones, while delivering some of the most exhilarating battles in anime history.

Frieran, Fern and Stark standing in a clearing from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

2Frieran: Beyond Journey’s End

An Epilogue In Anime Form

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is unlike any other fantasy anime. Instead of focusing on a hero’s journey to defeat a great evil, it begins after the adventure is already over. The legendary hero party has defeated the Demon King, and now, the elf mage Frieren must come to terms with the passage of time and the fleeting nature of human life.

Frieren, being an elf, lives for centuries, while her human companionsdo not. As she travels the world once again, she reflects on her past relationships and learns to cherish the present. The slow, contemplative storytelling gives Frieren a melancholic beauty that makes it stand out in the fantasy genre.

Yuji and Choso Head butting each other.

1Jujutsu Kaisen

The Most Famous New Gen Anime Of Today

Jujutsu Kaisen has become the face of modern shōnen anime, and for good reason. The world of Jujutsu sorcery and the power scaling make the battle sequences in this anime something to behold.

What sets Jujutsu Kaisen apart from other new-gen anime is how well-thought out the world of this anime is, and with such loveable characters taking center screen, it was bound to be successful. On top of that, the anime has some of the best animated fight scenes ever seen, courtesy of MAPPA.