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)
Pretty Cure series
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.
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?
My Hero Academia
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.
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.
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.
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)
Curious George
The animated series “Curious George” is based on the picture book series “Curious George.” The protagonist, George, is a little monkey, so he doesn’t speak.
But through his gestures and expressive face, you can tell what he wants to do and what he’s thinking.
In these charming stories, George dives into all kinds of adventures and mishaps—and solves them—making the show hugely popular with children! The lack of dialogue sparks the imagination and draws viewers into George’s world.
If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to give it a try.