How do past years hold up - List your true highlights

[MFauli]

I've been meaning to start this thread, but the heat wave kept me tired, so I'll just throw this out there now.

The idea of this thread is to look at past years of anime and pick those anime that even now you consider worth watching.

This is different from the Top3 thread, where you simply post the 3 best anime of a season - you can have such top3, but they could stil all be forgettable in the long run. Get it?

I've been rather defensive for anime in the past couple years, telling haters that anime is as good as ever. But for some time now I feel that isn't true anymore. Do I'm gonna check it out.

I'll start with 2018 and then work my way down to, dunno, maybe 2008. Maybe further. Listing only those anime that give me the urge to recommend, rewatch and buy them (if i had money). I wanna see which anime truly stand the test of time. Would be great if you all participate :]

[Ryllharu]

Go to 1995. See what really holds up. I'm not joking.

[MFauli]

Ok, I'm down to 2015. Will be difficult to go much further because I didn't use MAL after a certain point. Anyway.

My personal ruleset (that I will bend if I choose so) is that I will count long-running series to their first airing date. So i.e. I don't count Shingeki no Kyojin for this year. Also, sometimes a series went to shit, but was great in the beginning, so only S1 makes the list. Lastly, I first picked all the anime from each year that were talked about a lot and that I liked, too. Then, however, I asked myself the important question: "Which of these anime would you mention in line with Death Note, Record of Lodoss War and Cowjoy Bebop?" That was exciting, because asking that question quickly made me realize the shortcomings of most series. However, a few remained that I could confidently say 'yeah, that's right' (Standouts).

So here's my list up until 2015. I'll continue doing these lists for as long as I have MAL data. Remember that this is my list. You are VRRY welcome to post your own :]

2022:
Ousama Ranking
Shuumatsu no Harem
Kimetsu no Yaiba S3

Standouts:

Ousama Ranking

2021:

Beastars S2
Yakusoku no Neverland S2
Kumo desuga, Nanika
Mushoku Tensei
Redo of Healer
Mashiro no Oto
Nomad: Megalo Box S2
Tokyo Revengers
Fumetsu no Anata e
Cestus

Standouts:

Fumetsu no Anata



2020:

Honzuki S2
Kaguya-sama S2
Deca Dence
Re:Zero S2
Shingeki no Kyojin Final Season Part 1

Standouts:

Deca Dence


2019:

Egao no Daika
Mob Psycho S2
Yakusoku no Neverland
Kakegurui S2
Tate no Yuusha
Kaguya-sama
Domestic-na Kanojo
Kimetsu no Yaiba
Isekai Quartet
One-Punch Man S2
Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo
Karakai Jouzu na Takagi-san S2
Vinland Saga
Honzuki
Beastars

Standouts:

Kaguya-sama
Kimetsu no Yaiba
Beastars


2018:

Sorayorimo
Gakuen Babysitters
Kokkoku
Darling in the Franxx
Megalo Box
Golden Kamui
Steins;Gate 0
Shingeki no Kyojin S3
Kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteiru
Tensei shitara Slime datta Ken

Standouts:

Steins;Gate 0


2017:

Youjo Senki: Tanya the Evil
Little Witch Academia
KonoSuba S2
Shingeki no Kyojin S2
Seikaisuru Kado
Berserk S2
Re:Creators
Kakegurui
Made in Abyss
Ballroom e Youkoso
Houseki no Kuni
Blend S
Inuyashiki

Standouts:

Little Witch Academia
Houseki no Kuni


2016:

Boku dake ga inai machi
GATE S2
Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
KonoSuba S1
Ajin
Jojo part 4
Boku no Hero Academia S1
Re:Zero
Berserk S1
ReLIFE S1
MSG: Iron-blooded orphans S2
Yuuri on Ice
Ajin S2
Udon no Kuni

Standouts:

Ajin
Re:Zero
Yuuri on Ice


2015:

Jojo part 3 S2
Aldnoah Zero S2
Kuroko no Basuke S3
Baby Steps S2
Diamond no Ace S2
Sidonia no Kishi S2
GATE S1
Shimoneta
Dragon Ball Super
Overlord S1
One Punch Man

Standouts:

Dragon Ball Super
One Punch Man

2014:

Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren
Jojo: Stardust Crusaders
Haikyuu
Baby Steps
No Game No Life
Ping Pong The Animation
SAO S2
Aldnoah;Zero
Terra Formars
Log Horizon S2
Yowamushi Pedal
Parasyte
Shigatsu wa Kimo no Uso
Sidonia no Kishi

Standouts:

Baby Steps
Ping Pong The Animation
Sidonia no Kishi

2013:

Chihayafuru S2
Hataraku Maou-sama
Oreimo
Shingeki no Kyojin
Log Horizon
Kuroko S2
Diamond no Ace
Yowamushi Pedal

Standouts:

Oreimo
Shingeki no Kyojin


2012:

Shinsekai Yori
Uchuu Kyoudai
Recorder to Randoseru Do
Ginga e Kickoff
Kimi to Boku S2
Sankarea
Accel World
Kuroko S1
Eureka Seven Astral Ocean
Sakamichi no Apollon
Sword Art Online

Standouts:

Shinsekai Yori
Sword Art Online
Accel World
Sakamichi no Apollon
Uchuu Kyoudai


2011:

Infinite Stratos
Hanasaku Iroha
Steins;Gate
Hunter X Hunter 2011
Chihayafuru
Bakuman
Kimi to Boku
Usagi Drop
Baka to Test to shoukanjuu S2
AnoHana

Standouts:

Hanasaku Iroha
Steins;Gate
HXH
AnoHana


2010:

Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
Giant Killing
Highschool of the Dead
Major S6

Standouts:

Rainbow

2009:

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Suzumiya Haruhi Season 2
Cross Game
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Kemono no Souja Erin
Major S5
Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger

Standouts:

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Kemono no Souja Erin

2008:

Chaos;Head
One Outs
Inazuma Eleven
Clannad: After Story
Toradora
Nijuu Mensou no Musume
Code Geass S2
True Tears
Major S4

Standouts:

Clannad: After Story
True Tears

2007:

Kaiji
Clannad
Genshiken S2
School Days
Dennou Coil
Bokurano
Terra e
Claymore
Tengen Toppa: Guren Lagann
Major S3

Standouts:

Claymore
Dennou Coil
Bokurano
School Days
Kaiji

2006:

Code Geass
Death Note
Kenichi
Pumpkin Scissors
Welcome to the NHK
Air Gear
Gintama
Suzumiya Haruhi S1

Standouts:

Death Note
Gintama
Code Geass
Welcome to the NHK

2005:

I's Pure
Mushishi
Noein
Akagi
Eureka Seven
Eyeshield 21

Standouts:

Noein
Akagi
Eureka Seven

2004:

Major S1
Yakitate Japan
Genshiken
Beck
Fantastic Children
Bleach
Gantz S2
Gantz S1
Elfenlied
Tenjou Tenge

Standouts:

Beck
Fantastic Children
Gantz S1

[Sapphire]

Dragon Ball super stands out for you?

These are some standouts for me but I don't know the years they came out.

Promised Neverland
Hunter X Hunter
Re: Zero
Kemonozume
Michiko to Hatchin

[MFauli]

Dragon Ball super stands out for you?

Once you accepted that power levels are irrelevant, it was pure hype. Similar to Kuroko no Basuke, except with the nostalgia bonus of DB. And I wasn't alone, considering all the mass live watchings you can find on youtube

[shinta|hikari]

But isn't that gigantic suspension of disbelief already enough to disqualify it? Fighting shows are largely about power levels, after all.

[MFauli]

Shinta, post your own list pls. I'm not going to change mine because you find it stupid :]

DBS delivered on continuing the DB story in a satisfying manner, that's enough to make it the list.

[shinta|hikari]

I'm not trying to change your mind.

This is an old list I rated as masterpiece in ANN ages ago so it doesn't have any recent shows. This is a subjective list that definitely takes into account my preferences instead of just focusing on objective quality of a show.

Aria the Origination (TV)	Masterpiece
Baccano! (TV)	Masterpiece
Bakemonogatari (TV)	Masterpiece
Banner of the Stars (TV)	Masterpiece
Banner of the Stars II (TV)	Masterpiece
Banner of the Stars III (OAV)	Masterpiece
Chrono Crusade (TV)	Masterpiece
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (TV)	Masterpiece
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (TV)	Masterpiece
Crest of the Stars (TV)	Masterpiece
Cross Game (TV)	Masterpiece
(The) Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (movie)	Masterpiece
ef: a tale of memories (TV)	Masterpiece
El Hazard - The Magnificent World (OAV)	Masterpiece
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (movie)	Masterpiece
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV)	Masterpiece
Fate/Zero (TV 2)	Masterpiece
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (TV)	Masterpiece
(The) Garden of Sinners (movie series)	Masterpiece
(The) Garden of Words (movie)	Masterpiece
Haré+Guu (TV)	Masterpiece
Haré+Guu Deluxe (OAV)	Masterpiece
Honey and Clover (TV)	Masterpiece
Honey and Clover II (TV)	Masterpiece
Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu Final (OAV)	Masterpiece
Katanagatari (TV)	Masterpiece
(The) Legend of the Galactic Heroes (OAV)	Masterpiece
A Lull in the Sea (TV)	Masterpiece
(The) Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV)	Masterpiece
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (movie)	Masterpiece
Passage of the Stars - Birth (special)	Masterpiece
Planetes (TV)	Masterpiece
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (TV)	Masterpiece
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion	Masterpiece
RahXephon (TV)	Masterpiece
Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal (OAV)	Masterpiece
(The) Tatami Galaxy (TV)	Masterpiece
Time of Eve (ONA)	Masterpiece
Time of Eve (movie)	Masterpiece
(The) Wind Rises (movie)	Masterpiece

[MFauli]

Lots of stuff I'd put in my list, too. And I'm reminded that I effing neef to watch El Hazard. I caught one episode on tv like a decade or more ago, and I loved what I saw.

On the other hand, I'll never get the hype surrounding Planetes. It's a good anime. Just not ... all that. 🤷*♀️

[Munsu]

Some of mine, masterpieces or not, what I remember really liking:

Twelve Kingdoms
Monster
Berserk (original)
Boku dake ga Inai Machi
Hunter X Hunter (Both versions)
Fullmetal Alchemist (Both versions)
Now and Then, Here and There
Cross Game
Touch
Legend of Galactic Heroes
Slam Dunk
Black Lagoon
Twin Spica
Kodomo no Omocha
Kimagure Orange Road
Planetes
Rurouni Kenshin (all, particularly the OVAs)
Nodame Cantabile
Hajime no Ippo
Ghost in the Shell (all of it with varying degrees)
Chihayafuru
Hikaru no Go
Great Teacher Onizuka
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Rahxephon
Blue Gender
Cowboy Bebop
Trigun
Baccano!
Chrno Crusade
Kaiba
Hellsing Ultimate
Banner/Crest of the Stars
Kingdom
Full Metal Panic (all)
Attack on Titan
Samurai Champloo
School Rumble
Gankutsuou
Neon Genesis Evangelion
FLCL
Darker than Black
Last Exile
Scrapped Princess
Project ARMS

[Death BOO Z]

are you rating them based on how you remember them or did you watch the shows again?

[MFauli]

are you rating them based on how you remember them or did you watch the shows again?

Haven't watched them recently, but I'm picking stuff I feel confident about. I plan to rewatch lots of series, though.

[Munsu]

are you rating them based on how you remember them or did you watch the shows again?

I've only watched 2 shows more than once, Hunter X Hunter and Hajime no Ippo.

[shinta|hikari]

I also rewatch things very rarely, but I can definitely accurately describe WHY I rated them like that. If it isn't objective excellence in direction/art/writing, it'd be a very subjective aspect that I still remember clearly even now.

[KrayZ33]

In my opinion, a lot of people are forgetting to mention:
Spice and Wolf



The opening alone is so freaking chill. It's one of the most interesting stories I remember to be honest. I'm not saying it's the only of it's kind - it probably isn't (or is it?), but I honestly can not remember a single anime I've watched (and I'm certainly someone who watches quite a bit) that has a similar focus (merchants, economy, medieval times, folklore, love story). That's why it will always be a highlight to me


And Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is and will always be a highlight for me too. Once again, a completely different take on a genre/story that I haven't seen in another show.


When I look at the past, I remember shows that were more diverse and felt completely "new".. like Cowboy Bebop for example... but maybe that's just an illusion. It's not like these shows were there every single season.
So I'd say the quality remained the same. Gems have been found and will come and go - and most of the stuff that aired in the past was trash too.

[MFauli]

Reminder for myself that I need to finish this at least until 2010, so I can make a proper Top of the Decade-list ;o

[MFauli]

Remembered this thread and just got done updating my list above. Wow, time flies by, 2018 was my last update. And it's pretty obvious that Corona is at fault for not only that but also the decline in great anime (at least for me). Just look at the difference from 2019 to 2020, lol. Anime basically came to a halt in 2020 and only the most reliable franchises continued. 2021 has been better again, but we'll see how 2022 can fare. Anyway, feel free to post your own lists or update them if you already have. I find this thread useful to spend time reflecting on the true personal masterpieces and whether or not anime as a medium is getting better/worse.

2022:
Ousama Ranking
Shuumatsu no Harem
Kimetsu no Yaiba S3

Standouts:

Ousama Ranking

2021:

Beastars S2
Yakusoku no Neverland S2
Kumo desuga, Nanika
Mushoku Tensei
Redo of Healer
Mashiro no Oto
Nomad: Megalo Box S2
Tokyo Revengers
Fumetsu no Anata e
Cestus

Standouts:

Fumetsu no Anata



2020:

Honzuki S2
Kaguya-sama S2
Deca Dence
Re:Zero S2
Shingeki no Kyojin Final Season Part 1

Standouts:

Deca Dence


2019:

Egao no Daika
Mob Psycho S2
Yakusoku no Neverland
Kakegurui S2
Tate no Yuusha
Kaguya-sama
Domestic-na Kanojo
Kimetsu no Yaiba
Isekai Quartet
One-Punch Man S2
Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo
Karakai Jouzu na Takagi-san S2
Vinland Saga
Honzuki
Beastars

Standouts:

Kaguya-sama
Kimetsu no Yaiba
Beastars

[KrayZ33]

I still find it extremely difficult to look at it without giving more recent shows a way better rating than older ones.

if I exclude movies and make my "Animes Of The Last Decades"-list they'd currently include:

Grimgar,
Spice&Wolf,
Fate/Zero,
Vinland Saga,
Cowboy Bebop,
Mushoku,
Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans,
School Rumble,
Newer FMA,
Older FMP (the new season was kinda shit) and mostly for the comedy season anyway,
Meglobox,
Oofuri,
Haikyu,
Maria The Virgin Witch.

I'd personally recommend the bolded ones a little more than the others.
But it's going to be a list that can be expanded upon once someone mentions an anime I just can't remember right now.

[Ryllharu]

I'll stand by my original statment where you need to go back to at least 1995 to find the shit that really holds up:

So a random smattering of the "Not Quite Iconic" series out there (i.e. I'm excluding stuff like Eva, Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Slayers, FMP, FMA, Lucky Star, Geass, etc.). If I really loved a series at the time, but have forgotten about it, it isn't on this list, as intended by the thread.

1988:
Gunbuster

1996:
Martian Successor Nadesico

2000:
VanDread

2001:
Hellsing (yes, the original)

2002:
Kiddy Grade
Onegai Teacher

2003:
Kaleido Star
Air Master
Planetes
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
Onegai Twins

2005:
ARIA (all seasons though)
Mai-Otome

2006:
Busou Renkin
(yeah...it's 90% the OP and the running gag where the female lead's presence is instantly accepted because she is presumed to be his girlfriend)
Higurashi
xxxHOLIC
Black Lagoon

2007:
Moyashimon S1
Ef - a Tale of Memories.
Baccano
Higurashi Kai

2008:
Itazura na Kiss
Toradora (I still fucking hate it, and while arguably "iconic," I won't deny that I remember the bird's name was Bisque)
Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari

2009:
Umineko no Naku Koro ni (yes, it is the OP again)
Ladies versus Butlers!
Katanagatari

2010:
Otome Youkai Zakuro
Qwaser (If you've seen it, you can't forget it...)

2011:
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (the first series to make create truly iconic status in quite a while before it)
Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.
Qwaser II (yes, it is indeed worse, but the point from before still stands)
Mayo Chiki!
Mawaru Penguindrum
Fate/Zero (despite ufotable continuing to outdo themselves, this one still holds up)
Chihayafuru (just s1 holds up)
Senki Zesshou Symphogear

2012:
Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199
Robotics;Notes
Girls und Panzer

2013:
Kakumeiki Valvrave (yes, I remember all of it vividly)
Non Non Biyori (all seasons)
Kill la Kill (arguably iconic and wouldn't need to be included)
Nagi no Asukara
PuPiPo!

2014:
No Game No Life
Kenzen Robo Daimidaler
Death Parade

2015:
Himouto! Umaru-chan (kinda hate it, but S1 holds up and started the genre that begat Uzaki and Nagatoro)
Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou

2016:
Keijo!!!!!!!!

2017:
Sakura Quest
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho
Demi-chan wa Kataritai
Isekai Shokudou
Netojuu no Susume
Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan (through 2019)
Mahoutsukai no Yome

2018:
Back Street Girls: Gokudols


I'm going to stop there because there hasn't been enough time for forget the next few years of series, but as I went through this list, 2018 was the objectively the absolute worst year for anime. I remember basically none of the series I was watching that entire year.

I can't count Yuru Camp in 2018 because I watched it in 2021.

[DarthEnderX]

Fighting shows are largely about power levels, after all.

I mean...they're arguably almost never about power levels.