Calling all 20-somethings! A roundup of nostalgic anime from the 2000s to the 2010s
Anime, a cultural treasure Japan has long been proud of.
Some titles become huge hits with film adaptations or even spark trends that define an era.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected popular anime that will feel especially nostalgic for people in their 20s.
Focusing on works from the 2000s to the 2010s, we chose titles whose popularity hasn’t faded.
Some have ongoing series that continue to air today or have been adapted into films.
Take this opportunity to revisit them!
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Calling all 20-somethings! A roundup of nostalgic anime [2000s–2010s] (11–20)
Yowamushi Pedal
This is an anime based on the manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Champion by Wataru Watanabe.
It portrays the unique members of a high school road racing club, led by the protagonist, and stands out for its intense competition and the characters’ growth.
Another highlight is how carefully it depicts the races over time, allowing viewers to really feel the strategies of bicycle racing.
It’s also recommended to pay attention to each character’s position—differences in year group, their feelings shaped by last year’s results, and how these factors influence their approach to competition.
Bakemonogatari
The anime series Bakemonogatari, developed from Nisio Isin’s novels, is brimming with appeal: the intensely distinctive characters, a story that throws itself fully into its fetishes, and director Akiyuki Shinbo’s so-called “SHAFT style” direction.
There’s no end to what makes it compelling.
The characters have countless memorable lines, and both the opening and ending themes are packed with great songs.
It’s the kind of work where you discover something new every time you watch it.
There are also many stories that haven’t been adapted into anime, so why not take this opportunity to read the original novels?
Bakuman.
Bakuman by Tsugumi Ohba began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2008, and the anime started in 2010.
The story follows two protagonists aiming to become manga artists, and many people were likely hooked on it during their school days.
It portrays the world of manga creation realistically, and I’m sure many were inspired to aspire to become manga artists through this work.
The anime ran for three seasons, each with 25 episodes, making it very satisfying to watch.
Why not take this opportunity to binge it again?
Attack on Titan
Its grand, violent worldview sparked a massive craze! Attack on Titan, the anime based on the manga by Hajime Isayama, is a highly acclaimed hit even among overseas anime fans, and its Season 1 opening theme, Guren no Yumiya, was a smash success.
The music unit Linked Horizon, who created the song, also made headlines by performing it at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
The story of boys and girls fighting desperately in a brutal world must have set your hearts ablaze as well.
Toriko
An anime based on Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro’s manga, it’s a work whose unique worldview centered on food and its over-the-top action are major draws.
While the story follows a quest to pursue the world’s finest cuisine, the battle scenes where characters face powerful opponents are also compelling.
The progression of honing one’s strength to take on tougher ingredients and greater challenges embodies the classic Shonen Jump spirit.
Since most of the ingredients that appear are fictional, it’s also fun to imagine what they taste like based on the reactions in the story.
Haikyu!!
An anime based on high school volleyball, originally created by Haruichi Furudate.
The manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 2012, and the anime began airing in 2013.
Its appeal lies in the passionate stories of players who dedicate themselves to volleyball—anyone who was in a school club back in the day probably got hooked on this series! The theme songs are also popular; many people in their 20s likely listened to Haikyu!!’s opening themes a lot during their school years.
In 2024, it was adapted into a film titled Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, which drew major attention.
Calling all 20-somethings! A roundup of nostalgic anime [2000s–2010s] (21–30)
Barrier Master
Countless people have shouted “Bind!” and “Annihilate!” in that pose.
The anime Kekkaishi, based on a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday, began airing in 2006.
Since it occupied the Monday 7 p.m.
slot, many people probably watched it as a follow-up to shows like Inuyasha and Black Jack 21.
The story follows the protagonist and barrier master Yoshimori Sumimura and his friends as they battle ayakashi.
There’s just something so stirring about a good battle series! By the way, the opening theme “Sha la la – Ayakashi NIGHT -,” sung by Saeka Uura, was written and composed by Koshi Inaba of B’z.