u/shugosha_38

My New-Gen Peak Anime Picks of the 2020s

Jujutsu Kaisen (2020) is an anime that made a splash among anime titles,  embracing a much darker, grittier direction and  pushing anime fights, and more to a new level.

Chainsaw Man (2022) is the second anime title to make a splash among anime titles,  showcasing a cinematic style alongside  colorful and intriguing characters who stay with you for a long time.

Dorohedoro (2020) is such an extraordinary anime,  throwing you into a bizarre world filled with magic,  showing the full color palette of blood with an almost unreasonable amount of mushroom madness.

The Eminence in Shadow (2022) is an extraordinary anime with a unique delivery,  brilliantly flipping standard isekai tropes  while showcasing an almighty reincarnated character and his "I am Atomic."

DanDaDan (2024) is the next that took the world by storm and became a beloved title, showcasing the fun relationship between a couple  backed by a wild mix of occultism and UFOs.

Kaiju No. 8 (2024) is an anime that I think many have been waiting for, eager to see the adaptation of the manga about fighting giant Kaiju monsters on screen  while bringing daikaiju culture back into the mainstream.

Sentai Daishikkaku (2024) is an anime deconstruction of the superhero genre that portrays superheroes as supervillains, offering an interesting look at the Rangers  by effectively flipping the roles of heroes and villains.

Sentenced to Be a Hero (2026) is a banger that completely surprised by presenting medieval dark fantasy in anime as something truly exceptional, backed by a strong plot.

Gachiakuta (2025) is a banger that breaks the anime mold. Its art style and storytelling are on a whole different level.

To Be Hero X (2025) is a compelling, character-driven animated with a unique way of telling the story about superheroes.

And then there are two manga that, in my opinion, have every chance of becoming the next major anime hits. I hope their anime adaptations get announced very soon.

Gokurakugai (?) is a cool manga that immediately caught my attention. Its visual style really reminds me of DanDaDan.

Choujin X (?) is another awesome manga that reminds me of highly-rated darker titles like Chainsaw Man.

All of these titles feature cool storytelling and plot. They genuinely have a story to tell.
The characters are cool and vibrant, endearing themselves to you and making you want to root for them.
The art and animation styles are stunning. Ensuring that every moment is captivating to watch.
On top of that, they have banger openings with amazing music that you just want to keep listening to.
What I also love about these titles is how dark undertones are masterfully blended with comedic moments, paired with those jaw-dropping, unique character transformations, and the beautifully crafted, compelling dynamics between the protagonist and their companions, and, of course, the fascinating concepts behind their unique worlds.
They are truly phenomenal.

And there is one more title I want to mention.

The Vermilion Mask (Late 2026) - I heard about this upcoming anime quite recently, and it completely caught my attention. I think it has every chance of making it onto this list and becoming another standout title. I’ve already read the first few chapters of the manga, and the plot, along with the whole concept of the masks, is incredibly intriguing.

So, these are my picks.

My own experience. My personal vision. My view.

Have you watched these titles? Could you briefly write about your impressions of them?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Don't hesitate to ask questions, and I'd love to hear your feedback. A-and your vision.

^(In the future, I'll also publish a post on Mid-Gen Anime, which is positioned between the new and the classics.)