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!
Calling all 20-somethings! A compilation of nostalgic anime [2000s–2010s] (1–10)
NARUTO
NARUTO, a globally popular series, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump for 15 years starting in 1999.
Created by Masashi Kishimoto, it not only became an anime but was also adapted into films and even performed as a kabuki play.
The anime Naruto aired from 2002 to 2007, followed by Naruto Shippuden from 2007 to 2017—exactly during the years when many people now in their twenties were coming of age.
Its intense battles featuring ninja techniques and its moving human drama have remained cherished memories for many in their twenties.
Tokyo Ghoul
An anime based on Sui Ishida’s manga, it’s a work set in Tokyo overrun by mysterious, man-eating creatures known as ghouls, blending elements of suspense and horror.
The story begins when the protagonist, Ken Kaneki, becomes a half-ghoul, and from there it unfolds into a conflict between ghouls and humans.
A major appeal lies in the excitement of discovering each character’s motives and seeing how the plot develops.
With its dark elements and a storyline that keeps you eager for what comes next, it’s also highly popular overseas.
Zatch Bell!
“Zatch Bell!” is an anime that aired starting in 2003.
It’s a battle-fantasy series that portrays the friendship between junior high schooler Kiyomaro Takamine and the boy Zatch Bell.
In addition to intense battles and comedic elements, it’s full of scenes that really tug at your heartstrings.
It runs for 150 episodes, but you can watch episode 1 on YouTube! Be sure to check it out.
Also, just to add, the sequel manga ‘Zatch Bell! 2’ has been serialized since 2022 and has been getting a lot of attention.
Digimon series
Didn’t you used to have one? The keychain-style virtual pet battle game “Digital Monster.” Its anime adaptation, the “Digimon Adventure” series, aired on TV starting in 1999.
Elementary school protagonists team up with the monsters from the game and set off on adventures together.
Many people probably dreamed, “I want to walk around with a monster, too.” In recent years, the film “Digimon Adventure tri.
,” featuring the first installment’s protagonist Taichi Yagami and the others grown into high school students, was also released and became a hot topic.
Inazuma Eleven
An anime based on a game by Level-5, it brings the game’s story to life with the kind of dynamic visuals only anime can deliver.
While centered on soccer, the series also drew attention for its unique characters and the special moves they unleash.
Its lively world that blends soccer with fantasy even sparked interest in real-world soccer.
Some viewers may have wondered how far those special moves could be replicated and how they might be adapted in reality.
Sword Art Online
This work, based on light novels by Reki Kawahara, has expanded widely into anime, manga, games, and spin-offs.
Its depiction of a VRMMORPG world unlike reality and the diverse characters who thrive there are especially compelling.
While the main story follows the unraveling of mysteries within the virtual space, the anime’s stylish, game-world-specific action is also a major highlight.
With its setting centered on a new kind of game using VR, it made many viewers feel that such experiences might one day be possible in real life—an important reason the series drew so much attention.
Gintama
Hideaki Sorachi’s masterpiece Gintama is definitely one of those unforgettable manga.
Not only the manga itself, but the original work exploded far beyond the term “media mix,” spawning games, novels, and even live-action films.
Kanna Hashimoto’s take on Kagura was particularly impactful—many people probably still vividly remember the scenes where she rolls her eyes or gets a nosebleed.
Despite being a gag manga, Gintoki’s sudden serious expressions and lines are incredibly cool, and he remains a hero in our hearts.
There are plenty of favorite characters too, from his partner Shinpachi to the Shinsengumi members who steer the story’s direction.
It’s a series we’d love to see continue with more sequels.