The 2000s Anime You Should Be Watching (But Probably Aren't)

Each decade has a number of anime series that practically everyone watched along with some anime that might have been overlooked or were ignored the whole time. The 2000s, for example, is a decade home to mega-hits like Naruto and Death Note, but those titles may have overshadowed some other gems of the time. Certain 2000s-era anime no doubt had some viewers, but today, those anime are largely forgotten.

Watching 2000s anime for the nostalgia usually means revisiting the hits, the anime everyone knows and loves, while the second-tier anime are left out in the cold. Today's anime fans are probably not watching some of those 2000s-era anime, even if they're 100% worth a watch and had fans at the time. Going back in time means more than browsing the top shelf of anime goodies -- it also means embracing the whole picture and giving every title a second chance, whether it's out of nostalgia or curiosity.

D.Gray-Man Should Hit the Spot For Fans of Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man

The "monster hunter" concept is alive and well in anime, from Gachiakuta and Fire Force to Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man, and those are just the recent ones. The 2000s also had some monster hunter anime, with Bleach being the most prominent example as part of the shonen "big three." Everyone knows what Bleach is, so if fans want an overlooked gem from that decade, D.Gray-Man is the answer.

D.Gray-Man may not be a revolutionary anime, being mostly content to work with shonen anime tropes like the power of friendship, smooth power scaling, and even some rivalries. Still, the anime has much to offer and is probably unknown outside of circles of nostalgic 2000s anime fans. D.Gray-Man also treats viewers to a cool Gothic vibe, including the backdrops, character designs, the magical powers involved, and even the character names and some accessories. It's like a Halloween that never ends.

Afro Samurai is an Overlooked Anime Gem Starring Samuel L. Jackson

Some anime projects are a collaboration between East and West, with Afro Samurai being a semi-obscure example that fans are encouraged to check out. On some levels, Samurai Champloo is a novelty of anime with its character designs and Samuel L. Jackson's involvement, but it also scratches the itch for classic samurai anime action. Fans may enjoy the unique flavor of this anime, from the voice acting to the OST, composed by RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.

As for the story itself, Samurai Champloo has a simple yet compelling central idea, with there being a #1 and #2 headband for the two strongest swordsmen of all. Being #1 is a burden, since it means always watching one's back for #2, and once the second-best swordsman claims the top spot, now he is watching his back, too. It's a bloody cycle, one that's personal for the vengeful protagonist, Afro Samurai himself.

Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex Delivers More of What Fans Loved About the 1995 Movie

Among other titles, 1995's Ghost in the Shell is a '90s anime movie masterpiece, but fans might not have seen the other Ghost in the Shell stories. Anyone can revisit the 1995 movie to experience cinematic history, yet that's no reason to overlook projects like Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex. At the time, in the early 2000s, Standalone Complex was more of a good thing for fans of the 1995 movie and even the source manga from the early '90s.

With or without watching the movie, sci-fi anime fans will have a blast with Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex as a heady cyberpunk adventure. It balances action with strong philosophical musings about the human condition, the role technology plays in society, and more. The anime also has a fine blend of a central plot concerning the elusive Laughing Man and standalone sci-fi adventures covering a variety of personal themes.

Planetes is One of the Most Realistic Explorations of Space Travel in Anime

The mecha genre and anime like Star Blazers 2199 are fanciful takes on the world of science fiction, but sometimes, exploring space and technology feels more meaningful when it's grounded. An example is Planetes, based on the manga by Makoto Yukimura. Yukimura is best known for writing Vinland Saga, but Planetes is worth readers' or anime fans' time just as much. Both series follow an underdog hero who is determined to make something of himself in a vast and dangerous world.

While Thorfinn is all about revenge and redemption, Planetes protagonist Hachirota Hoshino is a humble space cleaner, working with his modest crew to keep Earth's space clear of manmade debris. Most importantly, Hachirota is determined to take part in a historic mission to Jupiter, but a combination of accumulating space junk and personal woes may stop him from ever reaching for the stars. Planetes invites all sci-fi fans to keep watching anxiously to see if Hachirota can make it to Jupiter, or if he'll be stuck on Earth forever.

Hikaru no Go is Great For Fans of Board Games

Certain kinds of games are represented in anime, with card games being covered in the likes of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Kakegurui, while sports are thoroughly explored in anime like Slam Dunk and Haikyuu!!. That leaves board games, and not just mundane games like Monopoly or Risk. The anime Hikaru no Go is an early 2000s series glamorizing the traditional board game of Go, one that many Western fans have probably never tried before.

Hikaru no Go is partly a fresh take on the concept of game-based anime and a fun personal journey. The young hero, Hikaru Shindo partners up with a ghost named Sai, the specter of a man who is determined to make the Divine Move in the game. What follows is a surprisingly gripping narrative of board games without the need for magic, violence, or monsters to capture the shonen spirit perfectly.

Toradora! is a Classic 2000s Romance Anime Worth Another Watch

Some anime fans are nostalgic for 2000s-era hits like Toradora!, and will gladly recommend those series to younger or less experienced anime fans. While Toradora! was popular in its day in the late 2000s, it's a little more obscure now outside its fan base, so curious anime fans are urged to check it out. Fans may note a minor problem with this anime, with Taiga Aisaka being a clear example of the violent tsundere archetype.

Taiga could have been written a little better, but otherwise, Toradora! remains a classic romance that today's younger anime fans ought to check out once they're caught up on today's best romances. The anime starts with a love square in a slice-of-life school setting, only for Taiga and Ryuji to unexpectedly become lovers, even though they had other crushes to pursue. Most of all, Toradora! grips viewers as it peels back the layers of Taiga's standoffish attitude to reveal the vulnerable girl underneath, someone who wants Ryuji's support more than anything.

Claymore May Appeal to Fans of Tokyo Ghoul and Demon Slayer

Claymore is another underrated and oft-overlooked hit from the 2000s, one that may remind anime fans of fantasy anime like Berserk or monster hunter titles like Tokyo Ghoul. This anime also makes use of the popular half-other trope, with swordswomen like heroine Clare using the monsters' own power against them to be strong enough to defend humanity. The problem is that these sword masters might be in danger of becoming true monsters themselves.

Claymore maintains the tension with the shapeshifting Yoma monsters, who can remain in disguise until they attack, raising the suspense a great deal for heroes like Clare. And befitting its dark fantasy tone, Claymore has psychological horror and shows the trauma of fighting monsters like these while using their own powers. Anime fans may note how the anime itself has an original and rushed ending, while the manga's story is better overall.

Samurai Champloo is a Quirky Anime That Has to be Seen to be Believed

Some anime make the most of familiar genres and premises, such as My Hero Academia and Gurren Lagann, while anime like Samurai Champloo are more like a bizarre dream that doesn't even feel real, yet it is. Samurai Champloo is gutsy enough to have an off-beat story and setting that blends punkish antiheroes with hip-hop culture, a personal quest, and an 1800s Japanese setting. There's nothing else quite like Samurai Champloo.

Samurai Champloo is another quirky 2000s hit that's beloved by older anime fans, but is probably unknown to younger or newer anime fans. Anyone who discovers Samurai Champloo is in for a great time with the action, unusual vibe, and the originality of this anime as it leisurely toys around with its own weirdness. Samurai Champloo isn't trying to say anything too epic or profound, and that's part of the magic when the journey matters the most.

Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor is Required Viewing For Fans of Kakegurui or Squid Game

Anime often cranks up the tension with monsters and magic, but other anime like Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor grip anime fans because the danger feels all too real. Kaiji is set in 1990s Japan as the country grapples with a recession, something protagonist Kaiji Ito knows personally. He's struggling with debt as a near-invisible and lonely citizen, and it seems his only way out is to play some scary games of chance.

That will no doubt sound familiar to fans of Squid Game on Netflix, and that's no coincidence. The Kaiji anime created the blueprint for Hwang Dong-hyuk's own gambling-based masterwork, with Kaiji and his fellow gamers being roped into tense games with the hope of financial salvation dangled in front of them. The games also feature some smart, tricky tactics that any fan of Kakegurui will approve of.

Black Lagoon is an Anime Take on Hollywood-Style Action Adventures

The realm of seinen offers some seriously cool anime for anime viewers who want their action to be a little less Dragon Ball and a little more Quentin Tarantino. Black Lagoon should hit the spot, playing out like a Hollywood action movie that the likes of Jason Statham or Sylvester Stallone would love to be in. The interesting part is how the protagonist, Rock, is a far cry from Hollywood tough guys.

Rock is a businessman turned rogue in the mean waters around Roanapur, having little choice but to run around with the members of the Black Lagoon mercenary squad. Rock will embrace his new role a little too well, shocking everyone as he leans into the violence around him, yet he doesn't lose his humanity completely. All this should fascinate today's younger anime fans who are used to a steady diet of shonen anime and sports anime.