7 Cult Classic Animation of the 2010s No One Will Remember in 2026

While many major anime debuted in the 90s and 2000s, it would be unwise to say that the 2010s didn't bring out anything special. For example, the genre-changing magical girl series Puella Magi Madoka Magica It completely deconstructed the very genre that fans knew, making fans everywhere wary of the seemingly sweet magical girl series since its premiere. Meanwhile, various popular boys, My Hero AcademiaIt remains very popular due to its overall heritage.

Anime of all genres naturally debuted in the 2010s, but not all of them maintained the same popularity they had when they debuted. For example, here's a show: K-On! It was a huge boost to the popularity of the show, which centered around the lively yet cozy adventures of a group of friends, but the show has since fallen into disrepute. In the meantime, shows like squid girl While it was somewhat underrated during its run, it was actually tied to a much more popular franchise that even the most loyal video game fans had never heard of.

K-On! Do you have a quirky, fun, and friendly personality?

A group of girls decide to start their own band

Yui Hirasawa, who has an easy-going personality, tends to focus on a particular task for a while before turning her attention to something else. She likes cute and fun things and becomes intrigued by the idea of ​​joining her new high school's light music club, but the only instrument she can play is the castanets. Fortunately, the other two new members, studious bassist Mio Akiyama and passionate drummer Ritsu Tainaka, support the budding musician as he works hard to play his new electric guitar properly, a passion that amazes his childhood friend and younger sister. To the shock of the club's more experienced musicians (especially serious guitarist Azusa Nakano), Yui actually has perfect pitch.

While at school, the Light Music Club (later known by the band name “Ho-kago Tea Time”) became more famous for their upbeat and cheerful music. Girls don't always focus on the music because they tend to get distracted by other things going on in their lives. But no matter what the Hokago Tea Time members focus on, the audience is sure to laugh at their bad luck and boundless energy. A feel-good show popular in the 2010s, K-On! It is still the most popular work among short animation fans.

Squid Girl once collaborated with Splatoon.

Ocean-dwelling invaders fail to surprise humanity

squid girl

Angry that humanity has polluted her beloved sea home, an unusual girl with tentacles instead of hair emerges from the sea and lands on a popular beach. In revenge for mankind's pollution of the oceans, a sea-dwelling girl who calls herself “Squid Girl” seeks to conquer the world. Unfortunately, the protagonist ends up causing damage to her beachfront restaurant, Lemon Beach House. Squid Girl, scared of the usually quiet manager's scary atmosphere, takes a job as a waitress to compensate for the damage to the restaurant.

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To the surprise of her new companions, Squid Girl possesses many surprising superpowers, from the ability to glow in the dark to the ability to regenerate lost tentacles (and the somewhat awkward power of spewing ink). Unfortunately for Squid Girl, her further attempts to take over the world usually result in chaos, much to the wrath of her co-manager Eiko Aizawa. Although it was a somewhat lesser-known series at the beginning of its debut, squid girl It is a very entertaining and entertaining slice of life story with a unique fantasy element. In fact, a clothing brand inspired by Squid Girl was once released in the original. splatoon game.

Tatami Galaxy is one of Masaaki Yuasa's best animations.

College student explores the virtual reality of life

tatami galaxy character art

Renowned animation director Masaaki Yuasa is known for creating many passionate and energetic animation series. Hands off Eizouken! specially Inuo. However, here are some that remain cult classics among many anime fans: tatami galaxyA series based on the novel of the same name by Tomihiko Morimi. In the anime, an unnamed college student at Kyoto University gains the ability to travel to parallel universes. This ability allows him to see what his last two years of school would have been like if he had joined a different social circle.

This parallel universe frequently features Akashi, a mysterious student with whom the protagonist often falls in love. However, while she is often cold towards him, she also appears to be attracted to her fellow student. With captivating style and special animation, tatami galaxy It is both an introspective character study and a unique fantasy story. sequel series, tatami time machine bluesYou can stream it on Hulu.

Snow White with Red Hair deconstructs a classic fairy tale

A young herbalist trying to carve out his own destiny.

Everyone knows the classic fairy tales. snow whiteIt revolves around the princess of the title, the poisoned apple that almost ends her life, and the prince who arrives to save her from a spell. However, Sunjo animation snow white with red hair It takes a different approach, especially since the narrative is loosely based on the original fairy tale. Shirayuki, a thoughtful herbalist, was famous in her kingdom for her unusual, bright red hair, so much so that the kingdom's prince wanted her to become his new concubine. Rejected, Shirayuki cuts off her hair and travels to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines to continue her studies as an herbalist in her new home.

During her travels, Shirayuki meets a kind yet mysterious young man named Zen, the second prince of Clarines. Following the first episode, Snow White with Red Hair becomes independent from the original. snow white The fairy tale is about two good friends who have dreams and support each other no matter what. However, as time passes, a sweet romance begins to bloom between Shirayuki and Zen. Bones has a great soundtrack and amazing animation. snow white with red hair It's an amazing romance anime for both seasoned fans and newcomers to the medium.

Find all 10 pairs


Find all 10 pairs

Heartcatch Precure! Visually, it's one of the most stunning Pretty Cure shows.

Yoshihiko Umakoshi served as chief character designer.

Cure Blossom, Cure Marine, Chypre, and Copret are posing together.
Cure Blossom, Cure Marine, Chypre, and Copret are posing together.
Image via Toei Animation

Since the early 2000s, pretty cute The franchise has created fun animated seasons revolving around several beloved magical girls, adorable mascots, and a group of superheroes known as the Pretty Cures (or PreCures). However, it remains the most visually unique season. Heartcatch Pretty CureFlowers, fashion, and music were the core themes. Shy Tsubomi Hanasaki hopes to make the most of her new school life and meets her opposite in the infinitely energetic Erika Kurumi, who ends up joining the fashion club rather than the gardener's club she had intended to join. After meeting the fairies Chypre and Coffret, the two girls are soon chosen to become the newest PreCures, Cure Blossom and Cure Marine.

According to their adorable new mascot friends, the magical Heart Tree has been weakened thanks to the Desert Apostles defeating the powerful Cure Moonlight. If Cure Blossom and Cure Marine don't race against time, the Heart Tree will wither forever and the Desert Apostles will continue to turn people into monsters. Heartcatch Pretty Cure It's widely talked about in the Pretty Cure fandom, not only for Yoshihiko Umakoshi's designs and the overall energy of the show, but also for its surprisingly dark storytelling in the present. Like anything else pretty cure season, Heartcatch Pretty Cure Although it is underrated compared to other magical girl anime, it has been around for a long time. pretty cure Dear fans, this is a series worth celebrating today.

Durarara!! Is it a supernatural story with intertwined fates?

The legend of the “Black Riders” follows the city’s new faces

Durarara

Across all types of media, the urban fantasy genre is one that many creators love to work with, just as many fans would love to learn more about it. Often, this genre revolves around worlds with prominent supernatural themes, all presented in cities that resemble real-life locations. action series Durarara!! It also falls into the urban fantasy genre as well as the thriller/suspense genre due to its compelling storyline. The anime initially begins with the main character, Ryugamine Mikado, dreaming of life in a big city and moving to Ikebukuro with his childhood friend Masaomi Kida.

Soon Mikado learns about the mysterious female “Black Rider”, a dullahan named Celty Sturluson. Having lost her head, she now works as a courier in Ikebukuro and observes the lives of people around the city. Durarara!! It focuses on several characters other than Celty and Mikado, each with their own goals to remain in the city as violent incidents become increasingly common. Fans and critics alike loved the series when it first debuted, praising the twists and turns that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

Noragami features some truly unforgettable characters.

If you are an anime fan, you should definitely continue the manga.

Based on Adachitoka's brilliant manga, noragami A story that takes place in the city where teenager Hiyori Iki lives with her family. Hiyori, who comes from a wealthy family, tries to be feminine and hides her secret love of martial arts from her parents. But her bravery changes her life forever after she saves a mysterious young man from being hit by a bus. As a result of the accident, Hiyori becomes half-human and half-spirit, and her spirit often randomly “falls” out of her body, putting her to sleep.

Hiyori later learns that the young man she saved was actually Yato, a minor god who would take on any task for 5 yen. After paying five yen, Yato vows to find a way to cure Hiyori's dilemma, but their missions are often derailed by the many supernatural events occurring in the city, particularly the presence of corrupted spirits that pose a threat to both the living and the dead. Meanwhile, the situation becomes complicated with the discovery of a young ghost named Yukine, and Hiyori learns about Yato's complicated past. noragami Bones' gorgeous animation, unforgettable soundtrack, and vibrant character cast make this a truly special production. As the manga becomes more intense beyond the anime, those who loved the anime will be in awe of the next chapter.

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