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10 Fantastic Forgotten Anime From the 2000s
If you’ve been a fan of anime for a long time, chances are you’ve seen more series than just the latest Shonen Jump hits that made it to the mainstream these past few years. Anime as a medium has become more and more popular, getting introduced to streaming services and being intertwined with pop culture in a way that seemed impossible a decade prior. Popular series such as My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer have become commonplace names beside other Western franchises, even getting theatrical releases that raked in earnings. It seems like every year, more anime are announced for the upcoming slate of releases to keep up with the growing demand from fans for exciting, new series.
With the influx of recent fans, there are inevitably quite a few people who aren’t as familiar with some of the older anime hits that defined the genre. Many of the big series we know and love now were heavily influenced by their predecessors; shows that defined a genre, and introduced concepts to anime that became templates for tropes, plots, or even character designs. A decade that can often be overlooked is the 2000s, a time when huge hits like Bleach and Death Note debuted. And while those anime won’t be dismissed for what they accomplished within the medium, this list will be looking at 10 amazing anime from the 2000s that have largely been forgotten by time.
10) Spice and Wolf
Spice and Wolf is an anime adapted from a popular light novel series. The show blends romance, adventure, and fantasy in its plot, creating a show that would be perfect for fans of shows like Kamisama Kiss and The Ancient Magus’ Bride. Spice and Wolf was animated for the screen in 2008, and had a total of two seasons before coming to an end. This show explores themes such as companionship, the importance of genuine bonds, economics, self-identity and acceptance, and making your own way in the world.
The series follows Kraft Lawrence, a young man who works as a traveling merchant with the far-off dream of opening his own store. Kraft meets with Holo, a fox-hybrid goddess who feels disillusioned with the small town she resides in, which has forgotten her over the years. The two decide to become traveling partners, with Kraft promising to assist Holo in journeying to Yoitsu, her homeland, as long as she helps teach him business strategy along the way. Throughout Spice and Wolf, Kraft and Holo must face the everyday struggles of making a living, trading, doing business, and traveling, while learning about each other.
9) Nana
Nana is an iconic anime from this decade that sets the standard for complex characters and fascinating character bonds. It’s a gorgeously designed show with emphasis on music, romance, coming-of-age themes, and drama, perfect for fans of Paradise Kiss and Your Lie in April. Nana was released in 2006 and ran for a total of 47 episodes before the series ended. It explored themes such as overcoming trauma, following your dreams, the importance of friendship, the burden of fame, and love.
The plot of Nana revolves around the intertwined lives of two different women named Nana: Nana Komatsu, a soft-hearted, romantic woman, and Nana Osaki, a bold, free spirit pursuing her music career. The two meet on a train one day, an encounter that would later lead to the two becoming roommates and best friends, navigating the challenges of adult life together. Both women fall in love, follow their hearts, and pursue their dreams, entangled in Nana Osaki’s band, Blast, and their goal to become a top-selling act.
8) Mononoke
Mononoke is an anime series that was so stylized and artistic that it remains ahead of its time, even approaching two decades after the show’s initial release. The anime is classified as a supernatural horror, with elements of mystery and fantasy woven throughout that make it a great pick for fans of Shiki and Mushi-Shi. Mononoke was released in 2007 and had a total of 12 episodes, though there were a handful of movies that aired in the same universe. This series focuses on darker themes like vengeance, temptation, sin and punishment, human nature, and the concept of justice.
The anime, Mononoke, technically doesn’t have a singular, contained plotline, with each arc presenting as a self-contained storyline. Our main character is known as the Medicine Seller, a traveling figure that hunts and exorcises malevolent entities known as Mononoke. In order to properly get rid of the demon he’s facing, the Medicine Seller must uncover the individual demon’s “Form, Truth, and Reason”. Set against the backdrop of historical Japan, the anime makes use of art, setting, and animation to convey the sense of uneasiness permeating each story.
7) Darker Than Black
Darker Than Black is a great seinen anime from the 2000s that has been overlooked for way too long. The series blends neo-noir elements with action, supernatural, and thriller genres; if you’re a fan of Durarara! or Psycho-Pass, I recommend giving this show a try. The anime series was released in 2007 with a single season; a second season was released in 2009 under the name Darker Than Black: Gemini of the Meteor. This show navigates themes such as the nature of humanity, morality, loss, the corrupting ability of power, and sacrifice.
In Darker Than Black, the world is set in a world that is living with the new threat of dual supernatural portals that opened up under mysterious circumstances. Hell’s Gate exists in Tokyo, Japan, while Heaven’s Gate was sealed in South America after inciting conflict among nations. With the appearance of these portals, individuals named Contractors have begun popping up— people who gained incredible power from the Gates, but must pay the price each time it’s used. Hei is a mysterious Contractor known as the Black Reaper, working for the shadowy Syndicate organization, and accepting underground tasks to carry out in secrecy throughout the city.
6) Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is an underrated sci-fi anime that makes use of philosophical doctrine while exploring its plot. The show might be classified as science fiction, but it also incorporates mystery, thriller, and action genre aspects that create a moody, gritty atmosphere. If you find yourself gravitating towards anime such as Perfect Blue and Akira. This anime was released in 2006 and had one season containing 23 episodes in total. Ergo Proxy utilizes themes such as identity, human consciousness, morality, the concept of freedom, and the meaning of living.
The plot of Ergo Proxy is centered around a dystopian version of Earth that has attempted to recover from a global crisis. Most of humanity now resides within domed cities that are controlled by a rigid bureaucracy; within the walls, humans live alongside androids, otherwise known as AutoReivs. This peaceful existence is halted when AutoReivs begin contracting a strange virus called Cogito, sparking violent conflicts that result in a string of murders. Re-l Mayer is assigned to investigate the mystery behind these murders. Along the way, Re-l learns about the existence of Proxies, a humanoid being the government has created to save humanity.
5) Monster
Monster is a great anime series from the 2000s that easily could be credited for shaping the detective/serial killer genre within the medium. The show is a detective mystery, but incorporates aspects of the thriller, horror, and drama genres in its plot, shaping a story that feels weighty and grounded in a dark reality. It was released in 2004 and has a total of 74 episodes that are part of one continuous season. Themes included in Monster are good versus evil, the concept of justice, consequence and responsibility, human nature, and morality. If you find yourself gravitating towards series like Death Note and Parasyte, this show might be for you.
The storyline of Monster begins in the past, following Dr. Kenzo Tenma, an experienced neurosurgeon who makes the impossible choice to save a young boy’s life over the city mayor. Nearly a decade after making the decision that would impact his career, Kenzo learns of a gruesome series of murders that are linked back to Johan, the now-grown boy that Kenzo saved all of those years ago. Burdened by guilt, Kenzo takes on the task of hunting Johan down and bringing him to justice, attempting to redeem the choice that allowed Johan to grow into a dangerous psychopath.
4) Baccano!
Baccano! is an anime series with a unique historical setting that was based on popular light novels. The series combines threads of fantasy, action, crime, and dark humor into one cohesive story that feels like classic pulp fiction in tone and style. Baccano! was released in 2007 and had a total of 16 episodes in its single season. Fans of shows like Kekkai Sensen and Cowboy Bebop may enjoy this series. It revolves around themes such as found family, immortality, the nature of humanity, and good versus evil.
The storyline of Baccano! is known for its distinct storytelling style, using a non-linear narrative to tell a web of plots that take place in the Prohibition Era. The main characters vary between rival gangs, alchemists, cult members, and criminals. There is a single thread connecting the large cast— an immortality elixir produced by a criminal organization. While examining the moral nature behind immortality, rival factions and stand-alone characters pursue or reflect on the elixir of life and the impact it’s had on their lives.
3) Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is an anime series with an addictive blend of historical Japanese culture with hip-hop style aesthetics, giving it a distinct art style and vibe; if you enjoyed watching Rorouni Kenshin or Space Dandy, the tone of this anime may be for you. The show blends historical adventure with action and musical themes that stand out from other titles in the genre. It was released back in 2004 and had a single season containing a total of 26 episodes. Themes in the anime series include identity, self-discovery, individuality within social expectations, and the transition from tradition to change.
In Samurai Champloo, the plot starts at a teahouse, where Fuu works as a waitress. After she’s harassed by local samurai, swordsmen Mugen and Jin stand up for her, resulting in a massive fight that destroys the teahouse and draws the attention of authorities. When Mugen and Jin are sentenced for their crimes, Fuu agrees to help clear their name if the two become her personal bodyguards. Their goal is to watch over Fuu and assist her in finding a samurai with the mysterious description of “smelling like sunflowers”.
2) Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is easily one of the best fast-paced action and crime drama series that has been put to screen during the 2000s, and can compete with many modern titles in the genre. The show was released in 2006, and had a count of two seasons and an additional OVA, totaling 29 episodes set in the universe. Themes that the show navigates throughout its run time are the shades of morality, human nature, boundaries in a world of crime, trust and camaraderie, and violence. If you’re drawn to series such as Hellsing Ultimate and Akame Ga Kill, you may want to give Black Lagoon a chance.
The series is set in the fictional city of Roanapur, functioning as a Thai port known for its overwhelming levels of crime. Rokuro Okajima, an average businessman, is made to perform a routine delivery within city bounds by his company. Instead, the Lagoon Company, a violent group of dangerous mercenaries, takes him hostage; as a result, Rock’s company tries to distance itself from him, at the potential cost of his life. Disillusioned with the monotony and back-stabbing of life in everyday society, Rock decides to join the group and venture with them on their multiple jobs and run-ins with other criminal organizations.
1) Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann is a fantastic mecha anime series that has a dedicated fan base who will likely agree it deserves more attention from modern audiences. The anime series was released in 2007 and had a total of one season, consisting of 27 episodes. Similar to series such as Gunbuster and Trigun, the anime consisted of action, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Gurren Lagann uses themes like determination, overcoming obstacles and self-doubt, loss, hope, and the power of belief to weave its plot that doesn’t skimp on emotional delivery even with its fast-paced, hard-hitting fight scenes.
The anime is set in an oppressed world ruled by the Spiral King, who has forced the remnants of humanity to reside in underground villages. Simon, an orphan, lives in a village like this with his friend and brother-figure, Kamina. The two dig in the underground to discover supplies or other findings; one day, they stumble across a Gunmen (a mecha robot utilized by the Spiral King’s army), and a Core Drill. Shortly after this, a Gunmen from the above world crashes into their small village and wreaks havoc, forcing the two to fight back with their own Gunmen and drill up to the outside world. Here, they decide to fight back against the Spiral King and his forces, taking on the task of liberating underground villages against the threat of evil.
Which decade is your favorite for anime? Tell us more about your top 2000s anime picks in the comments below.
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