Every decade indicates a shift in the medium landscape of anime, bringing a new collection of shows that will go down in history as the cult classics of their era. The period between 2000 and 2009 may seem ancient and irrelevant, considering how many incredible shows have come out since then.
Yet, the decade of the ‘00s stands out as one of the most prolific times in anime history. To this day, fans return to these shows as masterclasses of all genres, and many of them are considered essential for viewing. Many argue that these particular staples of the ’00s feel even more refined today.
10 Death Note (2006)
To this day, no anime series comes even close to rivaling the influence and fame acquired by Death Note. It’s the one anime that even people with no investment in the medium probably watched and enjoyed. The magnitude of Death Note’s impact could be felt even back when it first aired in 2006.
Yet, the decades that followed truly secured this dark supernatural mystery’s place on the top. Today, the story of Yagami Light’s spiraling from righteousness into obsession holds up as the definitive anime for curious newcomers.
9 Gurren Lagann (2007)
Objectively, the reign of mecha anime happened way before the ‘00s, and the decade only received the withering scraps of the genre’s former glory. However, some of the most notable mecha series ever created had space to shine amidst the genre’s decline.
One such show is Gurren Lagann, a frenetic yet touching love letter to the over-the-top mecha titles of the early ‘80s. The extravagant quest of Team Dai-Gurren to save the universe might be excessively unrealistic. Yet, the show’s spectacular action is more enchanting today than ever.
8 Haibane Renmei (2002)
Even back when Haibane Renmei aired in 2002, many failed to see the appeal of this esoteric psychological drama. The show follows young girls with halos and wings but no memories of their past, searching for atonement in a dreamlike purgatory, and it can get confusing at times.
Yet, Haibane Renmei is a surreal experience worth trying to understand. On top of being one of the most profound philosophical mysteries to date, the show’s visuals are some of the best examples of the early-2000s experimental anime aesthetic.
7 Paprika (2006)
A signature name of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s anime film d’auteur, Satoshi Kon released some of his best works at the dusk of his career. Produced in 2006, Paprika swiftly became one of the most highly regarded films of the legendary director, even if no one knew that it would be the last movie he ever finished.
A surreal, whimsical exploration of dreams and other quirks of the human subconscious, Paprika continues to influence and inspire creators to this day, which proves its appeal is timeless.
6 Kaiba (2008)
The ‘00s was a decade when another notably unorthodox anime director refined his creative voice. In 2008, Masaaki Yuasa, in collaboration with Madhouse, created, wrote, and directed one of his most artistically distinctive TV series, Kaiba.
This dystopian sci-fi love tale features all the signature elements Yuasa’s fans recognize from his later works, including unusual, almost cartoony visuals and a complex, fast-paced narrative. Modern anime often shies away from experimentation, especially in art style. So, even decades after its release, Kaiba feels like a breath of fresh air.
5 Aria The Animation (2005)
Iyashikei is a unique subgenre that exists under the slice-of-life umbrella. Its purpose is to soothe the viewers and inflict a healing effect with its peaceful environment and ambiance. While a rare iyashikei becomes a hit in today’s action-dominated anime landscape, fans can find some cult-classic exemplars of the genre from the ‘00s.
Aria the Animation, a relaxing yet thought-provoking sci-fi fantasy from 2005, is just the right show to unwind to. Meditative and filled to the brim with memorable characters, it also lost none of its charms with years.
4 Monster (2004)
2004 gifted anime fans with one of the best mystery series to ever come out, alongside the genre’s most memorable antagonists, who largely secured the show’s place at the top. An admirably accurate adaptation of Urasawa Naoki’s manga by the same name, Monster is a tense and dark detective story that follows Dr. Kenzou Tenma.
Dr. Tenma is burdened with hunting a serial killer he once saved, Johan Liebert. Filled with unpredictable twists and moments of genuine fright, Monster is a rare series that sticks with the viewers long after the credits roll.
3 Mononoke (2007)
Not all horror anime needs gore and violence to successfully scare the audience. Those tired of the mainstream anime’s approach to horror might want to look back at Mononoke, a cult-classic 2007 psychological horror series many fans regard as one of the genre’s masterclasses.
The aspect of Mononoke that stands out immediately is the show’s surreal, colorful art style. Yet, the series manages to utilize the uniqueness of its aesthetic to be even more terrifying, luring the viewers into the mystical world of spirits and monsters haunting Japanese folklore.
2 Mushishi (2005)
Most expect long-lived anime franchises to be frenetic and excited, filled with twists and action spectacles that entice the viewers to come for more. However, the somber iyashikei from 2005, Mushishi, only offers fans a meditative journey through Japan’s picturesque woods in search of elusive supernatural beings, mushi.
Yet, the series swiftly became one of the most well-loved slice-of-life franchises of its decade. Visually stunning and surprisingly deep, Mushishi teaches its viewers countless important lessons while providing them with comfort and relaxation no action show can replicate.
1 Samurai Champloo (2004)
The next breakout hit of Cowboy Bebop’s director Watanabe Shinichiro, Samurai Champloo, might’ve exchanged imaginative futurism for a look at Edo Japan’s feudal past. However, his 2004 series carries the same love for multiculturalism, creativity, and experimentation as the director’s ‘90s classic.
Samurai Champloo transforms a simple adventure story about three mismatched travelers into a heartfelt tale of friendship, determination, and loss – a mix one appreciates even more by returning to the show today, and the series’ bombastic hip-hop soundtrack only elevates the experience.
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