The Best Seinen Anime Series of Every Year of the 2000s

We're at the point where 2000s anime are now considered "retro". That might be a lot for some fans to take in, but it's true. A lot of the series some fans loved and grew up with are being looked at with the same nostalgic fondness that fans had for classic '80s and '90s anime not too long ago.

Every decade has its standout series that leave an impact on fans, and while some years are stronger than others, there's always that one series that sticks out. The 2000s were a great year for Seinen anime, putting out some of the most memorable series of the century, as well as some forgotten gems.

The Best Seinen Anime Series of Every Year of the 2010s

The 2010s were a great decade for seinen anime. These were the best from every year.

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By Adriano Valente

2000: Tree in the Sun

Based on the manga by the legendary Osamu Tezuka, Tree in the Sun definitely isn't his most famous work, but it's still worth a watch. It's set in the 19th century and focuses on two characters: a traditionalist samurai named Manjirou and a young doctor who practices Western-style medicine named Ryoan. The series follows both Manjirou and Ryoan as they navigate the social and societal changes Japan undergoes during the final years of the Tokugawa period.

Interestingly enough, the character of Ryon is actually based on Tezuka's grandfather. With so many amazing series under his belt, Tree in the Sun is one of the underrated gems of Tezuka's catalog. Whether you're a fan of his work or just interested in historical anime, this is a great one to watch.

2001: Hellsing

If we're talking about classic 2000s anime, then Hellsing is definitely up there among other greats from the decade. Hellsing, a group led by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, is tasked with combating supernatural threats. The series follows Hellsing's most formidable agent, the legendary vampire Allucard, as well as former police officer and newly turned vampire Seras.

Hellsing definitely looks like a product of its time in the best way possible. The visuals scream late '90s/early 2000s, and the dark tone and action-heavy sequences make it a memorable watch that will stick with you long after you're done with it.

2002: Chobits

If Chobits' art style looks similar to you, then you might be familiar with Clamp, the all-female manga artists group, through some of their other popular works, like Cardcaptor Sakura or xxxHolic. Chobits might be the most interesting of the bunch, tackling themes of love and loneliness through our relationship with technology.

Hideki Motosuwa is a down-on-his-luck aspiring college student who doesn't have much. One day, Hideki finds an abandoned Persocom, a new type of android computer that resembles human beings. Naming her Chii due to it being the only thing she can say, Hideki sets out to teach Chii about the world through shared experiences, with the two developing a unique dynamic in the process.

2003: Planetes

You might be a fan of mangaka Makoto Yukimura through his acclaimed Vinland Saga series, but that wasn't his first foray into the manga world. Yukimura started his career with Planetes in 1999, with the anime adaptation airing only a few years later.

The series takes place in 2075, where space travel has become commonplace. Ai Tanabe has dreams of exploring space and takes a job clearing space debris as a member of the Technora Corporation's debris section. It's here that Ai meets and gets to know the various members of the debris section staff. While focusing on space maintenance workers might not sound like the most exciting set-up, Planetes has a great cast of characters and some incredible visuals you won't forget.

2004: Monster

Naoki Urasawa is one of the most prolific mangaka of his era. With notable works such as 20th Century Boys and Pluto under his belt, Urasawa has become one of the most celebrated mangaka in recent memory. But among all his works, the series that stands above the rest is Monster.

Monster focuses on Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a prolific Japanese surgeon working in West Germany. Tenma has it made, with a high-paying job, the respect of his peers, and is set to marry the hospital director's daughter, Eva. But his life takes a drastic turn when he chooses to operate on seriously injured fraternal twins instead of the town mayor. While the twins survive, the mayor passes away, and Tenma's professional and personal life soon fall apart. But when Tenma becomes involved in a series of murders and finds out that one of the twins he saved is the culprit, he's left questioning his decisions. Monster is an incredible story told through the perspectives of different characters. Not only is it a great mystery, but Tenma's moral conundrums regarding his past actions make him an interesting character to follow while also leaving you pondering the same questions.

2005: Mushishi

The atmosphere of Mushishi is something that not many anime can match. The series follows Ginko, a Mushishi who goes around observing Mushi, mysterious supernatural creatures that seemingly exist without cause.

Mushishi still looks great over two decades later. The atmosphere - a calm and sometimes eerie blend - is unlike that of any other series, and perfectly captures the spiritualistic themes the anime explores. It's a great series to wind down with, providing you with some incredible episodic stories to go along with amazing visuals.

2006: Black Lagoon

The girls with guns genre was big in the '80s and '90s, with series like Dirty Pair, Gunsmith Cats, and Ghost in the Shell standing out. Black Lagoon is another great addition to the subgenre, and stands out as one of the most memorable anime of the 2000s.

Salaryman Rokurou Okajima is taken hostage after a botched business deal by a gang of mercenaries called the Lagoon Company. Rokurou decides to join the group rather than stay a hostage, but has to get acclimated to dealing with his new lifestyle and crewmates - especially the hot-headed gunslinger, Revy.

2007: Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

When one of his coworkers can't repay their debt, Kaiji Itou, a young layabout, is pressured to help settle it by loan sharks. With no money of his own and few options left, he's offered to board the Espoir, a ship where he can make a ridiculous amount of money and repay his debts in just one night.

Kaiji's premise seems pretty straightforward, but the series is full of twists and turns that make for a great viewing experience. Gambling anime might not appeal to everyone, but Ultimate Survivor does a great job of setting up some interesting obstacles for Kaiji to overcome.

2008: Golgo 13

Takao Saito's Golgo 13 has been around for decades. One of the longest-running manga ever, the series has had various anime and live-action adaptations over the years. 2008's Golgo 13 might be the best.

The series follows Duke "Golgo 13" Togo, a professional hitman with a perfect track record whose true identity is a mystery. Willing to serve as a hired gun for just about any organization, the anime focuses on his various exploits through episodic stories. This is a great action-thriller, and while it can get a little cheesy at times, it's still a fun watch.

2009: Bakemonogatari

There aren't many anime out there like the Monogatari series. While the series does feature some action here and there, most episodes are incredibly dialogue-heavy and character-driven, putting a heavy focus on character interactions and motivations.

The series follows recently turned vampire Koyomi Araragi, a high schooler who always finds himself dealing with supernatural oddities and the people affected by them. The first part of the Monogatari Series: First Season, Bakemonogatari is a strong introduction to Araragi's world, with an incredible cast of characters and a unique visual style courtesy of Studio Shaft. It might not appeal to everyone, but the unique style, visuals, and strong voice acting make Bakemonogatari one of the stand-out anime of the decade.