2020 has been an unusual year for many, what with the COVID-19 pandemic that took us by surprise. Despite unavoidable delays, animation studios still managed to pull through and released many anime films and series over the course of 2020.
These anime have helped to make staying at home more bearable as we could pass time watching the new releases. Here are the 20 best anime in 2020 that got us through the year.
Haikyuu!! To the Top – Part 1
Image credit: IMDb
Season 4 of Haikyuu!! sees Japan’s beloved volleyball team from Karasuno High School preparing for their upcoming fierce matches against various elite teams in the nationals.
Image credit: IMDb
With just a few more weeks till the long-awaited nationals, Shoyo Hinata and the rest of the Karasuno volleyball team train rigorously in order to put their best foot forward in the upcoming matches.
During this time, both Tobio Kageyama and Kei Tsukishima are invited to join separate training camps to practice with the nation and prefecture’s best players.
Image adapted from: 明 山瀬
To better himself, Hinata crashes the training camp attended by Tsukishima, but he’s reduced to being a mere ball-boy throughout the next few days. But don’t underestimate the usefulness of being a ball-boy. Watch to see the accelerated growth of the Karasuno volleyball boys in just a short time after their intense match against Shiratorizawa High School.
Part 1 ends with a sneak peek of Karasuno’s next match against Inarizaki High School, the favourite to win this year’s nationals.
Haikyuu!! To the Top – Part 2
Image credit: IMDb
In Part 2, Karasuno High School battles it out in a relentless and epic match against Inarizaki High School. Their match stretches across 12 episodes, and various players from both teams get their time to shine and fight their hardest.
Image credit: IMDb
To both teams, as long as the ball is still up in the air, they still have a chance to clinch a win.
Genre: Comedy, Sports, School life, Drama, Shounen
Length: 1 season, 25 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
Somali and the Forest Spirit is a heartwarming tale of a young human girl and a stoic Golem. Humans have been attacked by various creatures and are currently in the brink of extinction. Somali, a small human girl, is found by Golem and taken under his wing.
Image credit: IMDb
Having far more knowledge and experience, Golem knows of the dangers that await Somali in the near future, and he wishes to find a way to ensure her safety. Together, they learn what it means to be a family and how to take care of one another despite being of different species.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Slice of life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It is a rom-com that follows the story of Ayame Himuro and Shinya Yukimura, 2 intelligent science geeks who are in love with each other. However, they refuse to casually admit it without first proving their love in a scientific manner.
Image credit: IMDb
The duo drags the entire Ikeda Lab team at Saitama University into their quest to determine the factors that lead to love. Follow this unusual pair as they try to understand love in their own hilarious but logical method.
Genre: Romantic comedy, School life, Slice of life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
The urban legend about the toilet spirit named Hanako-san is well-known and has been portrayed in many shows, films, and even video games. The first-ever on-screen portrayal of Hanako-san was in a 1995 film called Phantom of the Toilet.
Image credit: IMDb
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun tells the tale of 15-year-old Nene Yashiro, who manages to summon Hanako-san, the famous toilet-haunting spirit said to grant the summoner’s wish at a cost. To Nene’s great surprise, Hanako-san turns out to be a boy and his spiritual duties go far beyond the dumb rumours that have been spread for years.
Due to a curse, Hanako-kun and Nene end up linked spiritually, causing Nene to get dragged into the world of paranormal activity.
Genre: Comedy, Shounen, School life, Supernatural
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Netflix
Image credit: @myanimelist
A Certain Scientific Railgun is a spin-off series from A Certain Magical Index, a science fiction anime series. The protagonist of this spin-off is Academy City’s 3rd strongest Level 5 esper, Mikoto Misaka, who specialises in electricity. A Certain Scientific Railgun T is the 3rd season of the series.
Misaka and friends participate in the annual Daihaseisai, a public sports event across all the schools in the city. They get themselves involved in skirmishes against the ruthless groups lurking in Academy City and those who have infiltrated the city as members of the public during the ongoing sports event.
Image adapted from: GMB1590
Misaka becomes aware of the scientific experiments and villain groups lurking in the city. She is willing to risk her own life to protect her loved ones and to put a stop to the unethical experiments, which includes human cloning and mind control, that occur in the city.
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama
Length: 1 season, 25 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Image credit: IMDb
Fruits Basket follows the story of Tohru Honda, a high school girl who finds herself entangled with the Soma family.
She ends up living in the Soma household after moving out of her grandfather’s place. Tohru discovers that 13 members of the Soma household are spiritually connected to the 13 Chinese zodiac animals.
Each of the 13 men is cursed to turn into their animal form when touched by a member of the opposite gender or when put under tremendous pressure, which is inconvenient.
Image credit: IMDb
Tohru grows close to the different members of the Soma family, especially Kyo and Yuki, and wishes to set them free from their family curse. They delve deeper into the secrets of the Soma household and try to find a way to lift the curse.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Slice of life, Shoujo
Length: 1 season, 25 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Image credit: @thisisnothumi
The 5th season of Food Wars! sees Soma Yukihira, Erina Nakiri, and their friends in the Totsuki Culinary Academy battle against other chefs in The BLUE, a prestigious culinary competition. Soma, Erina, and their friends compete against Asahi Saiba, Monarch, Yunosuke, Sarge, Don Kalma, and Kou Shiou – fierce opponents who make up a group called Le Cuisiner Noir.
Genre: School life, Shounen, Food
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a rom-com story about the seemingly perfect student council president and vice-president of Shuchiin Academy, Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya. Everyone in school views them as a power couple.
However, their lack of experience in the romance department causes them to act childishly when it comes to showing affection. For some strange reason, both Miyuki and Kaguya believe that confessing first is an act of submission. Both refuse to admit their love and try to trick the other into surrendering first.
Image credit: IMDb
In the 2nd season, Miyuki and Kaguya strive to keep their positions as elections for the 68th student council begins. In the midst of the busy elections, Miyuki and Kaguya continue to use their wit to manipulate the other into professing their love first.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Psychological, Seinen, School life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Funimation, Netflix
Image credit: IMDb
Kakushigoto tells the tale of a father named Kakushi Goto and his daughter, Hime Goto. Kakushi, whose name means “secret”, is hiding a secret from his daughter. In order to protect his daughter, Kakushi pretends to be an office worker so as to hide his real job – a manga artist who draws explicit content.
Image credit: IMDb
This is a comical yet touching series that talks about family, honesty, and acceptance.
Genre: Comedy, Slice of life, Shounen
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Funimation
Image credit: @MKashion
Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World Season 2 follows Subaru Natsuki as he journeys alongside Emilia to help her become ruler of Lugnica. Subaru, Emilia, and company are forced to complete 3 trials at the Sanctuary in order to save the people of Irlam Village.
Threats begin to surface at the mansion where some of their allies are at, adding to their troubles. Subaru fights relentlessly to make good on his word to Emilia and to protect his loved ones. But after countless deaths and resurrections, Subaru is mentally and physically drained, and he wallows in despair.
Image credit: Pancakes
Subaru tries his hardest to retain his sanity and fight on for the sake of his loved ones, even in the depths of his despair.
Genre: Drama, Psychological, Fantasy, Thriller
Length: 1 season, 13 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: @sgcafe
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Climax! is the 3rd and final season of the anime series that started 7 years ago. The dramatic high school lives of Hachiman Hikigaya, Yukino Yukinoshita, and Yui Yuigahama finally reaches its conclusion.
As graduation looms near, the characters start to understand their feelings for one another and are forced to confront each other. The complicated love triangle between the trio will finally be resolved.
The thought-provoking series has great character development as the 3 friends mature and begin to take charge of their own lives over time. It also has effective dialogue between characters, and curveballs to their storyline leave the audience surprised but satisfied.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, School life, Slice of life
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
A Whisker Away is a touching story about finding one’s sense of belonging, understanding love and relationships – be it between humans or animals – as well as finding the courage to speak out about one’s dreams and feelings.
Life as a human may not be easy 90% of the time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth living. Miyo Sasaki, the female protagonist, learns this the hard way.
Image credit: IMDb
Miyo struggles with day-to-day life with her family and schoolmates, and she goes through a rebellious phase in middle school. She finds solace in the form of Kento Hinode, her crush, but is only able to get close to him in the form of a white cat nicknamed “Tarou”.
A series of events leads Miyo to give up her humanity to become “Tarou” and stay by Hinode’s side. It is up to Hinode to save Miyo before the latter becomes a cat, permanently.
Genre: Romance, Drama, Magic, School life
Length: 1 hour 44 minutes
Available on: Netflix
Image credit: IMDb
Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel III. Spring Song is the 3rd and final film in Heaven’s Feel trilogy and it will finally wrap up the darkest and most gruesome route in the Fate/stay night game series.
Shirou Emiya is desperate to save Sakura Matou from becoming one with the Holy Grail, succumbing to the overwhelming magical forces and turning ruthlessly evil. Shirou recruits the help of Rin Tohsaka, Illyasviel von Einzbern, and Rider – Sakura’s servant – to fight alongside him and put an end to this Holy Grail war.
Image credit: IMDb
The film boasts spectacular animation, action-packed scenes, and great theme songs. Out of the 3 films, Spring Song has gotten the best reception and it made ¥1,000,000,000 (~USD9,625,450) in just 11 days after its theatrical release on 15th August 2020.
Genre: Action, Magic, Supernatural
Length: 2 hours 2 minutes
Image credit: IMDb
Great Pretender boasts intelligent and effective storytelling, colourful and realistic characters, and well-thought-out scams delivered by the main leads. The story follows Makoto Edamura, a con artist who partners up with an even craftier conman, Laurent Thierry.
Image credit: IMDb
Together with other smart and manipulative individuals, Makoto and Laurent take their con business across the world. The series might sound unwholesome, but Makoto and Laurent only target despicable people to bring their evildoings to light.
Genre: Action, Crime, Psychological, Adventure, Comedy
Length: 1 season, 23 episodes
Available on: Netflix
Image credit: Imgur
Fly Me to the Moon is a love story between Nasa Yuzaki and Tsukasa Tsukuyomi. Their peculiar romance begins one fateful night when Nasa falls in love with Tsukasa at first sight.
Nasa gets into a serious traffic accident as he carelessly crosses the road to get to Tsukasa. He manages to confess his love for Tsukasa before succumbing to his wounds and she surprisingly accepts on one condition – if they get married before dating. Nasa wakes up to find that Tsukasa has disappeared and he is unable to find her anywhere.
Image credit: IMDb
3 years later, Tsukasa suddenly re-appears in front of Nasa to begin their newlywed life. They get to know each other better, grow closer, and fall deeper in love after becoming husband and wife.
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Infinity Train is the highest-grossing film in Japan and the 5th highest-grossing film of 2020.
Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira have been tasked to work alongside Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, to investigate the mysterious Mugen Train and hunt down a demon who has caused multiple deaths on the train.
Image adapted from: AniplexUS
On their demon hunt, Tanjiro and friends are ambushed by Enmu, the demon that they’re looking for, and are lulled into slumber. If they fail to wake up in time and stop Enmu, everyone on the train will become food for the demon. With powerful scenes, great action, and emotional parts, it’s not hard to see why the film won the hearts of viewers this year.
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Demons, Shounen, Historical
Length: 1 hour 57 minutes
Image credit: u/ArunavaSensei
Violet Evergarden the Movie is the finale to the Violet Evergarden anime series.
Image credit: IMDb
Violet Evergarden the Movie gives fans the closure they desperately need after the anime series ended 2 years ago. Violet has grown to become an independent woman who helps to write and deliver letters for people. However, deep down, she longs to reunite with Gilbert and believes that he did not die in the war.
Although everyone persuades her to move on, Violet holds firm on her belief that Gilbert is out there somewhere. An anonymous letter seems to be the clue that will lead her to Gilbert’s whereabouts.
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of life
Length: 2 hours 20 minutes
Image credit: IMDb
4 starkly different high school students – Yuna Ichihara, Akari Yamamoto, Rio Yamamoto, and Kazuomi Inui – end up becoming close friends after a series of encounters. With different personalities and perspectives on love, the 4 friends struggle with their feelings.
Plagued with a love square, the quartet’s high school experience is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride of emotions and growth.
Genre: Romance, Drama, Coming-of-age, Shoujo, School life
Length: 1 hour 43 minutes
Image credit: IMDb
Is the Order a Rabbit? BLOOM is the 3rd season of the beloved slice-of-life series. Cocoa and her friends are back to entertain us with their daily life, from attending classes to working in cafes to various adventures.
The simple and funny interactions between Cocoa, Chino, Rize, Chiya, and Syaro never fails to bring joy to the audience. Story and character development are particularly prominent in this new season, and we see the 5 friends have fun and bring us around their quaint town.
Genre: Slice of life, Comedy
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
Image credit: IMDb
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina follows Elaina, a witch who goes on a free-spirited journey of self-discovery and growth. She travels to different cities and meets people who impact her in various ways.
Image credit: IMDb
The series will catch you off guard as the story develops, and the themes of the show – morality, self-preservation, and self-contemplation – begin to surface. It is a thought-provoking series that will test one’s morals and compassion.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Available on: Crunchyroll
2020 may not have been the best yea,r but the variety of great anime that have kept us company made it much better. Before the year ends, be sure to catch some of the best anime in 2020 on our list.
Check out other anime-related articles:
Cover image adapted from: u/ArunavaSensei, IMDb, @thisisnothumi
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