So... my situation has changed a bit recently, and, for better or worse, I've got (convenient) access to Crunchyroll through at least the end of the year. I've barely seen anything new since 2020. I'm going through some of the obviously popular stuff from the last few years like Bocchi, Frieren, Nagatoro, Spy x Family, etc. that's entered my awareness mostly through memes. Just finished Mushoku Tensei and currently watching Apothecary Diaries. Open to suggestions.
In addition to what other have suggested, here are my favorite recent and semi-recent shows that are on Crunchyroll:
Takopi's Original Sin - I should warn you this one is kind of hard to watch
I've seen the first couple episodes and while I'll definitely be finishing it, yeah... it's right up there with Grave of the Fireflies.
Thanks for the suggestions!
That's a solid starting point. Some other suggestions:
Catching up on AOT is definitely on my PTW. Makeine is already on there as well. I've seen Monogatari up through Nisemonogatari; will probably get back to it eventually. Not familiar with SHOSHIMIN -- will look into it, thanks!
Is the NieR Automata adaptation still worth watching if I'm already very familiar with the game (e.g. I got all 27 endings)? I've watched the first episode of it, and while it looked like a solid adaptation I wasn't sure if I'd get anything new out of it.
I'd say it's worth it. I've played the game too and loved the adaptation. It changes things up here and there (Yoko Taro was involved after all) in a good way and also adapts parts of the Pearl Harbour Descent manga, and I really liked that. The 1st season was a bit troubled due to COVID stuff (still good), but the 2nd season was incredible.
Any preferences in terms of genres or themes?
Not really on genre -- I'll watch a bit of everything.
I tend to prefer shows that have a strong continuity between episodes, and that'll grab you and make you binge the rest of the show (or at least the arc) in one go though. The 2nd half of Steins;Gate, Erased, Shin Sekai Yori, A Place Further Than The Universe, Mai-HiME, FMA, Madoka Magica, ATLA, etc. worked for me.
Preference also towards shows where the characters are not in high school (although that's not a deal breaker). e.g. more Shirobako, Planetes, Samurai Champloo, please!
I tend to prefer shows that have a strong continuity between episodes, and that'll grab you and make you binge the rest of the show (or at least the arc) in one go though.
I feel you my man. I love this kind of shows too - though I noticed drama, suspense and thrillers tend to fit the bill.
+1 on the AoT and Makeine recommendations from @[email protected] (haven't watched the rest)
Of anime that aired this decade, I think you may also like:
86 (started in 2021)
Vinland Saga (season 1 aired in 2019; season 2 in 2023)
Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song (aired 2021)
Terminator 0 (2024)
Pluto (2023)
Heavenly Delusion (2023)
Apocalypse Hotel (2025)
Medalist (2025)
These anime starred high-schoolers as the main characters but you may like them anyway:
Beastars (season 1 aired in 2019; the rest are more recent)
Oshi no Ko (came out in 2023)
Umamusume: Cinderella Gray (2025)
Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 2 (2021; can be watched without season 1 IMO)
I've heard of a few of those, but most are new to me. I'll look into them -- thanks for the suggestions!
Here are some of the story driven ones I have enjoyed.
Shadows House (2021) - Great story and I don’t see it mentioned much. One of the ones that made me go and binge the source material.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride (2016) - Another one that never seems to get mention but is fantastic. Season 1 was in 2016 but it’s had season 2 since 2020
Lycoris Recoil (2022) - Great story, if I remember correctly it was vey popular but has faded into the back ground as more series get pumped out.
Ascendance of a Bookworm (2019) - Excellent series, binged the Light Novel. Can’t wait for Part 3 to be Animated.
Medalist (2025) - A nice comfy show that will have you routing for all the characters.
Delicious in Dungeon (2024) - Personally not one of my top picks but was vey well received by the community.
If you liked Frieren, check out Violet Evergarden. Similar themes of a protagonist who's very detached from humanity learning to heal through the stories of people around her. (Disclaimer: Watch the original series, OVA, and Eternity and the Auto Memories Doll. Do not watch Violet Evergarden: The Movie. It's bad.)
If you liked Bocchi the Rock, you might enjoy Komi-san Can't Communicate, since it's also an over-the-top comedy about social anxiety. Though I do have to attach another disclaimer that there's one character who's entire joke is that she's a horrible pervert harassing the MC, but it's supposed to be funny because she's a lesbian apparently. It's still a great show whenever that one character is not onscreen, but, when she is, sigh.
If you like comedy in general, or if you just like animation as a medium, CITY: The Animation is currently airing and is absolutely phenomenal. The only thing better than Keiichi Arawi's art is the production values putting it into motion.
I don't have anything to really compare this one to, but I'd be remiss not to also mention Dungeon Meshi. It's good.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Death Note
Your Name
One Punch Man
Attack on Titan
Demon Slayer
Chainsaw Man
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Fullmetal Alchemist
My Dress-Up Darling
Kaguya-sama
I'm finally catching up this season. I'm now up to date on Dr Stone, Gachiakuta, Dandadan, With You And The Rain and My Dress-up Darling. There are others I want to watch still, but oh well.
Some banger OPs this season. Gachiakuta's OP is fire and With You And The Rain's OP is delightfully chill
Binged Takopi's Original Sin. Didn't realize it was only six episodes, thought it was still ongoing.
Ending spoilers
Maybe I'm a little horrible for thinking this, but I was actually slightly disappointed in the happy ending. For how dark this show was I expected them to just continue twisting that knife even futher.
I kind of hear you. The ending surprised me too.
I completed the rest of Haikyu last week. It has got to be the most hyped anime for me since Cinderella Gray.
The training arc was, to be expected, somewhat weaker and slower than the rest of it.
Haikyu mild spoiler; information shown in synopses of later seasons
But once nationals got started, it was just as exciting as the prefecture qualifiers.
One thing I didn't expect is for them to keep winning the way they did.
I thought they would lose at some point, then a timeskip occurs and the story continues with the younger members of the club finally achieving national championship.
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