10 Best Original Anime of the Last Decade That Deserve a Watch
Anime adaptations often begin with a successful manga or light novel. However, some of the most memorable series of the past decade took a different route. Instead of adapting an established property, their creators built new characters, worlds and stories specifically for television.
That approach has produced everything from emotional sports dramas and ambitious science fiction to mystery thrillers, supernatural comedies and stylish action series. Some became major hits almost immediately, while others developed dedicated fanbases over time.
Here are 10 original anime that demonstrate just how much creative freedom an anime-original story can offer.
Beneath that relaxed premise, however, lies a carefully constructed mystery involving a missing girl, criminal groups and several seemingly unrelated characters.
The show's greatest strength is its writing. Conversations that initially appear insignificant can become important much later, while details introduced in earlier episodes gradually take on new meaning.
Its anthropomorphic cast also gives the series a distinctive visual identity without distracting from the grounded crime story underneath.
For viewers who enjoy mysteries that reward close attention, Odd Taxi is an especially effective example of what an original anime can accomplish.
The story follows Makoto Edamura, a small-time Japanese con artist who becomes involved with Laurent Thierry, a sophisticated professional thief. What begins as a relatively straightforward scam soon takes the characters across different countries and increasingly elaborate operations.
Each major storyline feels almost like its own film, with new locations, targets and schemes constantly changing the circumstances.
The vibrant animation is another major attraction. Combined with a lively soundtrack and an energetic cast, it gives the series a distinctive identity.
Great Pretender is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys crime stories, elaborate cons and characters who are rarely as trustworthy as they first appear.
The story follows four teenage girls who decide to travel to Antarctica, each motivated by different personal reasons. What begins as an ambitious adventure gradually becomes a story about friendship, grief, courage and stepping beyond familiar surroundings.
The series manages to make the journey itself feel meaningful. Preparing for the expedition, dealing with unfamiliar environments and learning to depend on one another are just as important as reaching Antarctica.
Its 13-episode structure keeps the story focused, allowing the relationships between the four girls to develop naturally.
For viewers who want an emotional anime without a conventional battle or romance formula, this series offers something considerably more grounded.
At the centre are Chisato Nishikigi, an exceptionally cheerful and talented operative, and Takina Inoue, a much more serious and disciplined partner. Their contrasting personalities drive much of the show's appeal.
The series moves comfortably between relaxed café scenes and fast-paced action sequences. Chisato's unusual approach to combat also gives the fights a distinctive visual style.
Although the premise involves covert missions and firearms, the story spends considerable time developing its characters and their relationships.
The result is an anime that can switch from comedy to action without losing its central personality.
Yuuri Katsuki is a talented skater whose confidence has collapsed following a disappointing performance. His life changes when legendary skater Victor Nikiforov decides to become his coach.
The competition provides the series with plenty of spectacle, but the heart of the story lies in the characters' relationships and their struggles with confidence, expectations and personal identity.
The skating routines are also used as an important storytelling device, allowing the characters' emotions to come through their performances.
Rather than relying on a traditional sports-manga adaptation, Yuri!!! on Ice created its own world and characters specifically for anime.
Vivy is an AI designed to sing and bring happiness to people. Her existence changes when another AI arrives from the future with a warning about humanity's eventual destruction.
From there, Vivy becomes involved in a series of historical events designed to alter the future.
The story uses these time jumps to examine the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence while also focusing on Vivy's gradual understanding of her own purpose.
Its polished animation, action sequences and musical performances make it visually striking, but the emotional questions at its centre give the series its lasting impact.
Sakura Minamoto and several other girls are unexpectedly brought back to life by the eccentric Kotaro Tatsumi. He then attempts to turn them into an idol group representing Saga Prefecture.
The concept is deliberately ridiculous, but the series gradually gives its characters surprisingly meaningful backstories.
Its biggest strength is its unpredictability. One episode may focus on absurd comedy, while another can deliver a surprisingly emotional story about one of the group's members.
Zombie Land Saga shows how an original premise can become memorable simply by committing fully to its unusual idea.
Reki Kyan introduces transfer student Langa Hasegawa to S, an illegal nighttime skateboarding competition held in an abandoned mine. Langa's unusual background and natural talent soon turn him into a serious competitor.
The series combines exaggerated skating sequences with character rivalries and personal struggles.
Its competitors are also deliberately larger than life, creating a world where every race feels more like an action sequence than a conventional sporting event.
The result is a fast, stylish series that does not need an existing manga franchise to create excitement.
Natsume dreams of becoming a fighter, but instead finds herself working as a mechanic. Her life changes after she encounters Kaburagi, a veteran with secrets of his own.
The series becomes much more ambitious once its larger world is revealed. What initially appears to be a straightforward fight for survival develops into a story involving technology, control and the value placed on individual lives.
Its compact format also allows the narrative to reach a proper conclusion rather than depending on a future adaptation.
Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa are skilled hitmen whose carefully controlled lives are disrupted when they unexpectedly become responsible for Miri, a young girl.
The contrast between their dangerous profession and ordinary domestic responsibilities creates much of the comedy. Cooking meals, getting Miri ready and dealing with everyday childhood problems can be just as challenging for them as their assignments.
Underneath the humour, the series explores family, responsibility and the ways people can change when they become responsible for someone else.
It is an accessible choice for viewers who enjoy the balance of action, comedy and family drama.
The anime above demonstrates the range of possibilities. Odd Taxi uses animation for an intricate crime mystery, A Place Further Than the Universe focuses on friendship and personal growth, while Great Pretender turns international scams into stylish entertainment.
Other titles take even bigger risks. Zombie Land Saga combines idols with zombies, Lycoris Recoil mixes café life with covert operations, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song uses artificial intelligence and time travel to tell a long-form science-fiction story.
Not every original anime becomes a major franchise, but these series show that an established manga is not a requirement for creating memorable characters, compelling worlds and stories that stay with viewers long after the final episode.
That approach has produced everything from emotional sports dramas and ambitious science fiction to mystery thrillers, supernatural comedies and stylish action series. Some became major hits almost immediately, while others developed dedicated fanbases over time.
Here are 10 original anime that demonstrate just how much creative freedom an anime-original story can offer.
1. Odd Taxi
At first glance, Odd Taxi looks deceptively simple. Its protagonist, Hiroshi Odokawa, is a middle-aged walrus who drives a taxi around Tokyo and spends his days talking to an unusual collection of passengers.Beneath that relaxed premise, however, lies a carefully constructed mystery involving a missing girl, criminal groups and several seemingly unrelated characters.
The show's greatest strength is its writing. Conversations that initially appear insignificant can become important much later, while details introduced in earlier episodes gradually take on new meaning.
Its anthropomorphic cast also gives the series a distinctive visual identity without distracting from the grounded crime story underneath.
For viewers who enjoy mysteries that reward close attention, Odd Taxi is an especially effective example of what an original anime can accomplish.
2. Great Pretender
Great Pretender turns international confidence scams into colourful, stylish entertainment.The story follows Makoto Edamura, a small-time Japanese con artist who becomes involved with Laurent Thierry, a sophisticated professional thief. What begins as a relatively straightforward scam soon takes the characters across different countries and increasingly elaborate operations.
Each major storyline feels almost like its own film, with new locations, targets and schemes constantly changing the circumstances.
The vibrant animation is another major attraction. Combined with a lively soundtrack and an energetic cast, it gives the series a distinctive identity.
Great Pretender is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys crime stories, elaborate cons and characters who are rarely as trustworthy as they first appear.
3. A Place Further Than the Universe
A Place Further Than the Universe takes a much quieter approach.The story follows four teenage girls who decide to travel to Antarctica, each motivated by different personal reasons. What begins as an ambitious adventure gradually becomes a story about friendship, grief, courage and stepping beyond familiar surroundings.
The series manages to make the journey itself feel meaningful. Preparing for the expedition, dealing with unfamiliar environments and learning to depend on one another are just as important as reaching Antarctica.
Its 13-episode structure keeps the story focused, allowing the relationships between the four girls to develop naturally.
For viewers who want an emotional anime without a conventional battle or romance formula, this series offers something considerably more grounded.
4. Lycoris Recoil
Lycoris Recoil combines an apparently ordinary café with a secret organisation responsible for protecting Japan.At the centre are Chisato Nishikigi, an exceptionally cheerful and talented operative, and Takina Inoue, a much more serious and disciplined partner. Their contrasting personalities drive much of the show's appeal.
The series moves comfortably between relaxed café scenes and fast-paced action sequences. Chisato's unusual approach to combat also gives the fights a distinctive visual style.
Although the premise involves covert missions and firearms, the story spends considerable time developing its characters and their relationships.
The result is an anime that can switch from comedy to action without losing its central personality.
5. Yuri!!! on Ice
Yuri!!! on Ice takes competitive figure skating and turns it into an emotional character drama.Yuuri Katsuki is a talented skater whose confidence has collapsed following a disappointing performance. His life changes when legendary skater Victor Nikiforov decides to become his coach.
The competition provides the series with plenty of spectacle, but the heart of the story lies in the characters' relationships and their struggles with confidence, expectations and personal identity.
The skating routines are also used as an important storytelling device, allowing the characters' emotions to come through their performances.
Rather than relying on a traditional sports-manga adaptation, Yuri!!! on Ice created its own world and characters specifically for anime.
6. Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song
Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song combines artificial intelligence, time travel and music into a science-fiction story spanning a century.Vivy is an AI designed to sing and bring happiness to people. Her existence changes when another AI arrives from the future with a warning about humanity's eventual destruction.
From there, Vivy becomes involved in a series of historical events designed to alter the future.
The story uses these time jumps to examine the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence while also focusing on Vivy's gradual understanding of her own purpose.
Its polished animation, action sequences and musical performances make it visually striking, but the emotional questions at its centre give the series its lasting impact.
7. Zombie Land Saga
Zombie Land Saga takes two genres that would not normally be placed together and somehow makes them work: zombie horror and idol entertainment.Sakura Minamoto and several other girls are unexpectedly brought back to life by the eccentric Kotaro Tatsumi. He then attempts to turn them into an idol group representing Saga Prefecture.
The concept is deliberately ridiculous, but the series gradually gives its characters surprisingly meaningful backstories.
Its biggest strength is its unpredictability. One episode may focus on absurd comedy, while another can deliver a surprisingly emotional story about one of the group's members.
Zombie Land Saga shows how an original premise can become memorable simply by committing fully to its unusual idea.
8. SK8 the Infinity
SK8 the Infinity brings underground skateboarding into the world of anime with an energetic visual style and a colourful group of competitors.Reki Kyan introduces transfer student Langa Hasegawa to S, an illegal nighttime skateboarding competition held in an abandoned mine. Langa's unusual background and natural talent soon turn him into a serious competitor.
The series combines exaggerated skating sequences with character rivalries and personal struggles.
Its competitors are also deliberately larger than life, creating a world where every race feels more like an action sequence than a conventional sporting event.
The result is a fast, stylish series that does not need an existing manga franchise to create excitement.
9. Deca-Dence
Deca-Dence begins like a familiar post-apocalyptic survival story. Humanity lives inside a gigantic mobile fortress while fighting mysterious creatures known as Gadoll.Natsume dreams of becoming a fighter, but instead finds herself working as a mechanic. Her life changes after she encounters Kaburagi, a veteran with secrets of his own.
The series becomes much more ambitious once its larger world is revealed. What initially appears to be a straightforward fight for survival develops into a story involving technology, control and the value placed on individual lives.
Its compact format also allows the narrative to reach a proper conclusion rather than depending on a future adaptation.
10. Buddy Daddies
Buddy Daddies takes the unlikely combination of professional assassins and childcare and builds an entertaining character-driven story around it.Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa are skilled hitmen whose carefully controlled lives are disrupted when they unexpectedly become responsible for Miri, a young girl.
The contrast between their dangerous profession and ordinary domestic responsibilities creates much of the comedy. Cooking meals, getting Miri ready and dealing with everyday childhood problems can be just as challenging for them as their assignments.
Underneath the humour, the series explores family, responsibility and the ways people can change when they become responsible for someone else.
It is an accessible choice for viewers who enjoy the balance of action, comedy and family drama.
Why Original Anime Matter
Original anime give creators an opportunity to develop stories without having to follow an existing manga or light novel. That freedom can lead to unusual concepts that might never have been approved as conventional adaptations.The anime above demonstrates the range of possibilities. Odd Taxi uses animation for an intricate crime mystery, A Place Further Than the Universe focuses on friendship and personal growth, while Great Pretender turns international scams into stylish entertainment.
Other titles take even bigger risks. Zombie Land Saga combines idols with zombies, Lycoris Recoil mixes café life with covert operations, and Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song uses artificial intelligence and time travel to tell a long-form science-fiction story.
Not every original anime becomes a major franchise, but these series show that an established manga is not a requirement for creating memorable characters, compelling worlds and stories that stay with viewers long after the final episode.
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