Summary
Plenty of beloved anime series, likeCowboy Bebop,One Piece, andNaruto,have been around for a while. While these shows are among the best anime series ever developed, in the last decade, a new wave of anime has taken over the world.
These new anime series have brought with them new tropes and perspectives that have left viewers intrigued and hungry for more. From shows likeAttack on TitantoDemon SlayerandFreiren, the new generation of anime has begun gaining ground, and fans can’t wait to see what it has in store. For the shows of thenew gen animethat have already aired, the best of them are, without a doubt, incredible.
Updated June 08, 2025 by Oluwatokiloba Folami:The new generation of anime is marked by series that have crossed the line and changed the anime industry in recent years. These series are keeping an eye on the future evolution of anime in the world. Some of the best of these shows influence not only the industry but also the global anime community, committing and making a lasting impact on otaku culture.
Shows like Dandadan and many others continue to set the bar high in terms of creativity and relevancy, just likeBleachandCowboy Bebopwere the classics of their time. They continue to push ideas by offering fresh ways to tell these stories to new audiences. These anime aren’t just hits; they’re shaping the future.
The criteria used for next-gen anime include but are not limited to the recency of cultural impact, innovative animation style, and ever-evolving themes that bring fresh ideas to the anime industry.
The action-comedy animeSakamoto Daysinstantly gained popularity because of its combination of thrilling action scenes with absurd humor, together with an unlikely yet likable main character, Taro Sakamoto. Before starting a new life with his family as a convenience store owner,he abandoned his assassin careerthat brought fear to many. This past continues to haunt him, which pushes him back into action, but this time with his dad bod physique and a strong will to protect his newfound peaceful life.
The success ofSakamoto Daysbelongs to its perfect mix of martial arts with slapstick comedy and genuine emotional depth. Through his psychic employee, Shin, and his peculiar set of friends, who make running a store both hilarious and exciting, the anime presents a modern twist on the assassin stereotype.
This stunning show combines hard science fiction with philosophy. Set against the backdrop of a world where celestial mechanics governs survival, Cecily Aldrin, a brilliant but underappreciated astronomer, and her apprentice, Theo Marlowe, challenge the accepted knowledge regarding the motion of the Earth. Their discoveries place them in direct conflict with the Astral Order, a faction intent on stamping out disruptive knowledge that might upset the balance of the world.
What sets this anime apart is its commitment to scientific accuracy, turning orbital physics into a thrilling adventure.With breathtaking visuals and a gripping story, this anime is perfect for fans who crave depth, discovery, and cosmic intrigue.
This inspirational sports anime delves into the world of figure skating through the dual perspectives of Inori Yuitsuka, a young girl with big dreams yet no formal training, and Tsukasa Akeuraji, a washed-up skater who now works as a coach. They defy the odds together in a sport that requires no small amount of ability coupled with unfailing discipline.
Medalistshines with its emotional depth and beautiful skating animation. Inori’s determination and Tsukasa’s redemption story is a heartwarming journey of passion, setbacks, and triumphs, making ita must-watch for dedicated fans of sportsanime.
Few anime capture the giddy thrill of gaming quite likeShangri-La Frontierdoes. The series centers around Rakuro Hizutome, an elite gamer who lives for destroying low-quality, buggy games. Looking for a real challenge, he jumps into Shangri-La Frontier, a next-gen VRMMO, where his outlandish skills give him the leg up, even on seasoned players.
Rakuro starts as any typical player but soon becomes involved with high-level missions, battling against legendary monsters while joining forces with in-game big shots. With fast-paced combat, deep world-building, and a main character who loves gaming,Shangri-La Frontieris a must-see for adventure lovers.
As a relatively new anime series,Dandadanis making waves in the anime industry. Itcombines fantastical elementsin terms of supernatural abilities and yokai, and extraterrestrial life and technology in the form of aliens. It then combines all its intriguing aspects with drop-dead humor that makes the show stand out and hilarious at the same time.
The plot of the series is heavily focused on the discovery and entanglement of Ken Katakura, Ayase Momo, and the rest of their crew with aliens and yokai. Through their interactions, they also develop supernatural abilities that allow them to battle the supernatural and, of course, mess around with unpredictable and chaotic results.
With its first season airing in the spring of 2022, this anime series went on to garner a solid rating of 8.49 on MyAnimeList and was generally well-received by fans. Fast forward to the autumn of 2023:Spy x Familyreleases a second season and a movie, and fans still love it.
What fans love the most is undoubtedly Anya Forger’s many anticswith her mind-reading skillsand Lloyd and Yor’s many dubious behaviors in their quest to prevent each other from finding out their true abilities as a spy and assassin, respectively. With Anya in the same school as Damien Desmond, she, alongside her adoptive father, must find a way to infiltrate the Desmonds' inner circle to prevent a war from breaking out.
After airing,Odd Taxiwent on to become an award-winning anime series with multiple awards to its name for good reason. The series features the protagonist walrus, Hiroshi Odokawa, who, despite being asocial, has varying discussions with his passengers as a taxi driver.
During these many discussions, Odokawa gets to know many things about Tokyo and its dark happenings, but the information comes at a cost as a missing girl is traced back to Odokawa, and the walrus must now become more than a simple taxi driver to clear his name. Winning various awards, such as the 2021 IGN Awards for Best Anime Series and the 2022 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards for Best Protagonist, Odd Taxi is a worthwhile watch.
Music is often referred to as a universal language, andGirls Band Cryportrays that universal languageas it impacts the various characters in the show. The show focuses on the clumsy 17-year-old Nina Iseri and four other girls who decide to start a band together after fated meetings.
As always, being in a band often has as many disadvantages as it has advantages, so struggles and various forms of disagreements are bound to happen. However, with passion uniting them all, the girls decide to push past their differences. As a next-gen anime series,Girls Band Crystands out for its unique story and well-crafted CGI animation. Moreover, its focus on music makes it catchy, and the original songs fit the story well.
This anime seriestells a gripping storybetween Lina and Shinei, two individuals from completely different worlds. During the era in which the series is set, the Empire and the Republic of San Magnolia are at war, using autonomous robots to ensure that there are no human casualties. However, it’s merely a façade, as the supposed autonomous units of the Republic of San Magnolia are piloted by a group of discriminated-against individuals collectively known as the 86.
When Lina, a handler who believes she is managing autonomous machines, uncovers the truth, she realizes the situation is far more disturbing than she ever imagined, and the complications spread far more than the Republic of San Magnolia.
With humans and AI mentioned in the same breath, there are bound to be all sorts of theories about what AI’s evolution could mean for humanity’s future. InVivy: Fluorite Eyes Song, AI is out to eradicate humanity, but it also remains humanity’s last hope from destruction.
100 years into the future, humanity is about to be eradicated by AI, which believes the best way to progress is to eradicate the inferior species. However, a scientist sends an AI, Matsumoto, back into the past to ally with the first-ever autonomous AI, Vivy, to stop the eradication of humanity. With the gripping storyline and intense combat scenes portrayed in the first few episodes, this seriesis one to look out for.
