Calling all 20-somethings! A roundup of nostalgic anime from the 2000s to the 2010s

Kuroko's Basketball

[Official] Kuroko's Basketball Team Introduction PV

An unconventional basketball manga that made its mark in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Affectionately known as Kurobas, I looked forward to each new chapter every week.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the legendary Slam Dunk, it’s truly a monumental work in the basketball manga world.

Its most unusual aspect is that the protagonist isn’t a dazzling, radiant figure, but someone so colorless and odorless he seems to erase his very presence—so indistinct you can’t tell where he is.

Teammates like Ryota Kise, Shintaro Midorima, and Daiki Aomine—each color-coded by name—are elite talents, and the strong appeal of these characters drove the series forward in remarkable fashion.

Even after its stage adaptations, it has repeatedly broken out again and again.

A must-read not only for basketball fans, but for everyone.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Episode 1 | Gundam SEED [Ganchan]

For people in their twenties, this might be the Gundam series they think of! Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is an anime whose story revolves around the protagonist Kira Yamato and his close friend Athrun Zala.

It began airing in 2002 and proved so popular that it even got a sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY.

Its portrayals of human relationships and the philosophical question of what is right and what is wrong are why it continues to be beloved even after it finished airing.

That said, I have to admit—the Freedom Gundam’s design is just plain cool!

K-On!

Fluffy Time

K-On! is a popular anime with many fans overseas.

It depicts the everyday lives of junior high school girls who join the light music club.

The original work is a four-panel manga, but in the anime the story generally progresses in a mostly self-contained, episode-by-episode format.

It’s appealing for points that people who have played in bands can relate to, as well as the comical interactions between the characters.

And, uniquely to anime, there’s the fun of actually being able to hear the music they play.

We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day.

[10th Anniversary] “We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day.” OP Video “Aoi Shiori” (Galileo Galilei)

One work that’s been gaining attention for its heartrending story is Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.

This anime, which aired in 2011, tells the story of a reunion, interactions, and a farewell with a friend who was thought to have died.

It has expanded into various media, including manga, a TV drama, a film, and stage productions, but starting with the anime is recommended because it’s an easy and thorough way to grasp the story.

Another selling point is that, for an anime series, it’s relatively short at just 11 episodes.

A Certain Magical Index

A Certain Magical Index: 3-Minute Summary Series Digest

Anime adaptations based on Kazuma Kamachi’s light novels, including spin-offs like A Certain Scientific Railgun and A Certain Scientific Accelerator, are also popular.

The setting—where the opposing factions of science and magic collide—and the blend of sci-fi and fantasy are especially appealing.

Depending on what you focus on—the distinctive characters starting with the protagonist, the many scattered mysteries, or the way the story faces hardships head-on—the impression of the work can change.

I imagine many people became interested in what has historically been called magic because of this series.

Pretty Cure series

Definitely! Pretty Cure (We Are Pretty Cure)

Speaking of Sunday morning anime, there’s the Pretty Cure series.

The so-called original, Futari wa Pretty Cure, began airing in 2004.

It flipped the existing anime image of “magical girls who cast spells to fight” on its head with intense action battle scenes that became a hot topic.

Since Futari wa Pretty Cure, new installments like Fresh Pretty Cure! and Smile Pretty Cure! have aired each year.

So when chatting with anime fans, you might find the conversation blooming into a generational discussion about which Pretty Cure series they watched.

My Hero Academia

All You Need to Know About MHA! Revisiting Season 1: “My Hero Academia Hero Note”

My Hero Academia began its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014.

Created by Kohei Horikoshi, the series follows characters with unique abilities known as “Quirks” as they strive to become heroes.

The anime started airing in 2016, the first feature film was released in 2018, and stage performances began in 2019.

With thrilling battle scenes, heartfelt emotions each character carries, and the evolving growth not only of their Quirks but of their hearts, it’s full of highlights! It’s a work that can energize people in their twenties and give them the courage to dream once more.