The 10 Must-See Anime of the 2010s (2015 – 2019)

After taking a few months to mull over the possibilities, here is the second half of my year-by-year picks for the 10 must-see anime of the 2010s.

*Click here for my picks for the first half of the decade.

Image source: やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。 on Twitter

My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! (2015)

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Romance, Sarcastic Comedy

Studio: feel.

Number of episodes: 13

Premiere date: April 3, 2015

Non-spoiler plot summary: Young teen Hachiman is a member of his school’s service club–a club that helps other students with their problems, big and small. But after setting himself up as the scapegoat to save his school’s culture festival, he has gone from non-entity to the most hated kid in high school. Now, only those in the club and the few who have been helped by him personally are even willing to associate with him.

With his reputation already in the gutter, he decides to start solving all the problems he is tasked with in the same, self-destructive way–unable to understand how it hurts not only himself but those who care about him as well. Worse yet, he is so focused on himself and his tasks that he completely misses out on the fact that the person who needs his support the most is the girl who is closest to him.

Why it’s the Must-Watch of 2015: If you’re looking for an anime that encapsulates the drama-filled high school experience in the realest way possible, look no further. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! is all about the shallow (and ultimately meaningless) relationships we build in high school–and the struggle to make them something greater.

It’s a deep look into the teenage psyche–the contradiction of wanting to be included for who you are but being afraid to show your true self, lest you be rejected by those around you. Some people succumb to groupthink–only restating popular and accepted ideas. Others become loners, looking down in derision at the shallow relationships others form–even as they secretly envy what others have.

It’s also about being too wrapped up in your own drama to understand what those around you are going through. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of not picking up on the clues. Other times it’s the result of imposing your own views and biases without realizing it and coming to conclusions as wrong as they are foolish.

All in all, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! has a simple message. High school drama can be embarrassing and painful but if you put yourself out there and try to truly empathize with people, you might actually become a well-rounded adult.

Watch It If You Like: ReLife, Daria, WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Unpopular!

Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Hi-Dive, Hulu, Animelab (AU/NZ)

2015 Runners Up: Death Parade, Overlord, My Love Story!!, SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers, Dragon Ball Super

Image source: TVアニメ「僕だけがいない街」 on Twitter

Erased (2016)

Genre: Time Travel, Murder Mystery

Studio: A-1 Pictures

Number of episodes: 12

Premiere date: January 8, 2016

Non-spoiler plot summary: Satoru is your average mid-twenties part-timer living in Tokyo–except for the fact that randomly, when someone nearby is put in mortal danger, he quantum leaps a few minutes into the past with just enough time to save the unfortunate soul. While he finds the phenomenon annoying, he nonetheless does his best to help those in need when it occurs. But when his mother is killed and he is framed for the murder, he experiences a leap like none other–one that takes him 18 years into the past.

Trapped in his 5th-grade body with no way to return to the present, the only hint he has on how to save his mother’s life is the knowledge that one of his classmates–impoverished loner Hinazuki–is destined to be kidnapped and killed in the coming weeks. Thus, he sets out to keep the young girl alive, no matter the cost.

Why it’s the Must-Watch of 2016: There’s nothing like a good murder mystery. Stuck in the past with only half-remember memories as a guide, suspense is the name of the game. Limited by the fact that he’s in the body of a child, Satoru must somehow keep his new friend safe against adults that could easily overpower him physically. It’s a story filled with ups and downs where defeat can be snatched from the jaws of victory and victory from the jaws of defeat. It doesn’t let up until the final credits roll.

But more than that, it’s a personal story about finding one’s place in the world. Satoru learns about who he is, was, and who he could be. He learns a lot about the darkness of the world that children are unable to see. The series even covers topics like domestic violence, the persecution of the anti-social, and the way killers find their targets. But in the end, it has the hopeful message that things can be better if we work hard to make it so.

Watch It If You Like: Steins;Gate, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Orange

Where You Can Watch It: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Animelab (AU/NZ)

2016 Runners Up: Mob Psycho 100, Yuri!! on Ice, KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, My Hero Academia, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-

Image source: TVアニメ“Re:CREATORS”公式 on Twitter

Re:CREATORS (2017)

Genre: Fictional Worlds Invasion, Fighting, Writing Philosophy

Studio: TROYCA

Number of episodes: 22

Premiere date: April 8, 2017

Non-spoiler plot summary: Selesia Upitiria is a mecha-riding knight battling to save her world from an army of evil magic users. But when a strange woman in military clothing, wielding magic unlike any she’s seen before attacks, she finds herself transported to a strange new world–our world. Soon Selesia learns that she is a fictional character from a popular light novel series–that her entire world and life have been manufactured for our entertainment.

Yet, Selesia is far from the only fictional character ripped from her world. The mysterious Military Uniform Princess has pulled everything from a magical girl and giant-robot pilot to a stand-user and cyberpunk detective into our world–complete with all their destructive magic and technology. And while her motives are unclear, what she offers the summoned characters is tempting: find your creator and get revenge on them for the problems facing your world and the difficulties you face in your life–and perhaps even force them to remake your world.

The question is, who will join her side and who will instead choose to protect the gods that made them?

Why it’s the Must-Watch of 2017: On its most superficial level, Re:CREATORS is born out of the idea of “who would win in a fight, Van from Escaflowne or Sailor Moon?” While all the characters are original, each is clearly an amalgamation of popular characters in anime–be that a young man reluctantly piloting a giant robot, a rough-and-tumble thug with a spirit-like person that comes out of his back, or a knight from a crap-sack dark fantasy world where even when they win they seem to lose. All this makes for some fantastic action–especially as it is set to the score of the always amazing Hiroyuki Sawano.

But beyond the action is an exploration of what it means to be an author. Each of the “creators” in the story follows a different writing philosophy. One believes that the author simply creates the characters and situations–then simply imagines how things turn out. Another believes that reader entertainment is key and characters are disposable pawns in this pursuit. Yet another simply writes escapist fantasy for himself–creating the epic romance he never had a chance for in real life. This would be fascinating enough but add in the characters whose worlds and personalities were dictated by these philosophies–and have them interact with their creators–and you have something truly special.

Watch It If You Like: Fate/Zero, Black Lagoon, Aldnoah.Zero

Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime Video

2017 Runners Up: The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Kakegurui, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Inuyashiki: Last Hero

Image source: 「ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン」公式 on Twitter

Violet Evergarden (2018)

Genre: Slice-of-Life, Steampunk, War

Studio: Kyoto Animation

Number of episodes: 13

Premiere date: January 11, 2018

Non-spoiler plot summary: The long war has come to an end and emotionless child soldier Violet finds herself without a purpose in life. Having lost both arms in the war’s final battle, she is given a pair of automail prosthetics and is discharged from service. Unable to get in contact with her former commanding officer, she finds herself in the care of one of his best friends–a man who now runs a post office in the post-war era.

There she meets a group of women known as Auto Memory Dolls–professional ghostwriters who write letters for both royalty and illiterate commoners alike–who specialize in converting abstract feelings into words. As she spends time with them, she decides she’d like to become one herself–that way, she may be able to eventually understand the meaning behind the final words her commanding officer said to her: “I love you.”

Why it’s the Must-Watch of 2018: Violet Evergarden is one of the most beautiful anime you’ll ever see. From the bright colors and beautiful vistas to the intricate detail of Violet’s robotic hands, there’s rarely a moment where there’s not something visually stunning on screen. But as amazing as the animation is, the story is just as beautiful.

The series is told in a series of episodic vignettes where Violet ghostwrites for different people. Each time, she learns a little more about love–be that the love of a sister for her brother, a soon-to-be husband to his soon-to-be wife, or the love of a mother to the daughter she will never see grow up. But as wonderful as each of the stories is, be they happy or bittersweet, they each draw Violet nearer to the day where she’ll understand not only her commander’s last words to her but what truly happened on the day she lost her arms. From there, the only question is, will her experiences have made her strong enough to weather the pain that is to come?

Watch It If You Like: The Ancient Magus Bride, Kino’s Journey

Where You Can Watch It: Netflix

2018 Runners Up: Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online, Megalobox, Goblin Slayer, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Devilman Crybaby, Bloom into You, Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These

Image source: TVアニメ「ヴィンランド・サガ」公式 on Twitter

Vinland Saga (2019)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Vikings, War

Studio: Wit Studio

Number of episodes: 24

Premiere date: July 8, 2019

Non-spoiler plot summary: In the year 1000 AD, war is on the horizon. The King of Denmark wants to further his empire by taking England for his own. To do this, he will need armies of Vikings–preferably led by the greatest of all Viking warriors: Thors “The Troll of Jom.” But Thors is not the man his warrior brethren remember. After faking his death in battle, he has spent the last decade in Iceland as a farmer and has raised a family–becoming a pacifist in the process.

Yet, Vikings do not take no for an answer. With his village held hostage, Thors sets out for war once more. But as he leaves port, there are two things he is not aware of. The first is that his young song Thorfinn, dreaming of war and glory, has stowed away on his ship. The second is that a ship of Vikings has been hired to assassinate him and ensure he never rejoins the Viking hordes.

Why it’s the Must-Watch of 2019: Vinland Saga is about as far from safe, distilled history as you can get. This series unflinchingly shows the violence and horror of the Viking invasion of England. From the unfairness that faces the common man to the men in power who are more than willing to send countless men to the slaughter for their own ambitions, it is a story of the worst of mankind.

No clearer is this shown than through the trials of our main characters. One is consumed by a need for revenge and has built his entire life around it. Another cares for nothing but himself and the money he can gain by exploiting others. The final one shrinks back from the evils in the world around him, turning to God for salvation instead of working to fix things.

But within all this darkness is also a story of hope for the future. Even this war-torn time, some men cling to the idea of escaping to a land without violence–a land where they can start anew in peace. And while some believe this land to be a fantasy, others believe it to exist on a mysterious continent to the West across the seas.

Watch It If You Like: Berserk, The Heroic Legend of Arslan

Where You Can Watch It: Amazon Prime Video

2019 Runners Up: Carol & Tuesday, Dr. Stone, Beastars, Psycho-Pass 3, O Maidens in Your Savage Season, Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Second

Top image source: 「ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン」公式 on Twitter.