The 2000s were a major growth period in anime, as the hobby became more mainstream in the US and other regions outside of Japan. The period between 2001 and 2010 saw a huge number of series produced, and many of them have gone on to be respected classics, both within their genres and within the scope of anime in general. While some are part of larger franchises, many of the best anime in the 2000s were stand-alone works based on manga.
There are far too many amazing 2000s anime to list here, but these are 10 of the best anime that this decade has to offer. Narrowing down this list was quite difficult, so if a favorite series is missing, don't take it too hard; it was probably on the edge of being included.
10 Monster (2004-2005)
Monster is a psychological thriller series which tells the story of Dr. Tenma, who found himself in a difficult triage situation, and opted to save a child over a politician, causing him to lose his career. That child, unfortunately, turned out to be a lunatic serial killer who now has an obsession with Dr. Tenma, stalking him and killing those around him. Tenma's life is ruined, and he's set on the run, desperate to prove he has no hand in these killings. The series is both very dark and incredibly tense, and that atmosphere it carefully cultivates easily stands up even now.
9 Gurren Lagann (2007)
Gurren Lagann starts off as a series about two boys, Kamina and Simon, who live underground but dream of the surface. Things get really wild when they actually make their way to the surface and discover other humans living there, who battle beastmen in large mecha known as ganmen. The show is known for its brutal early twist, which really is best unspoiled, that completely changes the tone and feeling of the series for quite a while. For fans of absurdly huge mecha battles, Gurren Lagann is the series that arguably does that the best.
8 Code Geass (2006-2007)
Code Geass tells the story of Lelouch Vi Britannia, a prince who is exiled to Area 11, the region formerly known as Japan. Lelouch makes a deal with a mysterious girl known as CC (read C-two) and takes on the persona of the vigilante known as Zero, who isn't quite on the side of the Britannians or the Elevens. Lelouch uses his newfound ability to compel people to follow his orders (a "geas") to enact his intricate plans. There's also a resistance war going on with giant mecha known as Knightmare Frames, and Lelouch must carefully navigate complex political situations in order to achieve the peaceful world he dreams of, no matter the cost.
7 Paranoia Agent (2004)
An anime series by the legendary anime film director Satoshi Kon, Paranoia Agent tells the story of a town undergoing a bizarre rash of attacks by a boy on roller skates with a baseball bat, known as Lil' Slugger. The series follows a variety of characters as they go through their lives until they feel backed into a corner, which is when Lil' Slugger strikes. As the investigation continues, though, it becomes less and less clear who's responsible–or if Lil' Slugger is even real at all. The series features some of the mind-bending animation Kon is known for, as well as some heavy social satire aimed at Japan's kawaii culture.
6 Baccano! (2007)
Baccano is an incredibly stylish series set in the Prohibition Area of the US during three time periods: 1930, 1931, and 1932. The story is told out of order, which can make it a bit difficult to follow, but everything ultimately comes together beautifully. Baccano is known for its style and entertaining characters, as well as possessing one of the very best anime opening themes of all time. The unique setting for an anime makes it worth checking out alone, but the complex mystery unfolding is very well done, considering the jumping back and forth between time periods.
5 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was an absolute phenomenon when it first came out, rapidly becoming incredibly popular even outside of Japan. The series revolves around Haruhi, a girl with reality-altering powers who doesn't seem to know it, and the variety of aliens, magical beings, and the like which are trying to make sure she doesn't find out. Dragged into all this is ordinary guy Kyon, who suddenly has to appease Haruhi while keeping the secret from her. It's got some wild fantasy and sci-fi elements all rolled into one story that's heavy on metafictional references.
4 Samurai Champloo (2004)
The follow-up series to Shinichiro Watanabe's Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo mixes (then) modern day hip-hop culture with the age of Samurais in Japan for a show that's not quite like anything else. A young girl, Fu, sets out in search of "the Samurai who Smells of Sunflowers," and tricks two very different swordsmen into being her bodyguards, the wild Mugen and the calm Jin. Like Bebop, this perpetually broke trio wander from town to town, getting into trouble and looking for clues. The show's music is a big part of its charm, and there's plenty of action that still looks great.
3 Death Note (2006)
This psychological thriller series sees its protagonist, Light Yagami, discovering the Death Note, a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. He resolves to use it to change the world by ridding it of crime, attracting the attention of the world's greatest detective, L. Thus begins a complex cat-and-mouse game between detective and vigilante with the future of humanity on the line. While the show can get a little melodramatic at times, its intensity and crazy twists more than make up for that.
2 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002)
The Ghost in the Shell movie from the 90s is a classic anime film itself, but fans shouldn't pass up the 2002 anime series, known by the subtitle Stand Alone Complex. The story is centered on Major Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist from the film, and her team made up of humans and cyborgs who handle security problems as part of Public Security Section 9, such as the mysterious Laughing Man. The show can be dense and difficult to follow, but it respects the intelligence of its viewers by not spelling everything out. Many of the show's cyberpunk themes are more relevant to today than they were at the time, so this is one show that's definitely aged well.
The second Fullmetal Alchemist anime series adapts the manga more or less directly, and is widely regarded as one of the best anime ever, consistently ranking on both critic and fan lists. Brotherhood follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who destroy their own bodies in an ill-fated attempt to resurrect their deceased mother. With a new goal of restoring their bodies back to normal, Edward joins the State Alchemists, hoping to access research on the Philosopher's Stone, which supposedly allows any alchemical reaction to take place. The world is very interesting and unique, while the characters are lovable and compelling. It's absolutely a must-watch anime for beginners and veterans alike.
As noted above, the 2000s were an excellent period for anime, as popularity began to grow around the world. Quality of animation also spiked significantly in this period, far beyond the low frame rates and budget-saving techniques of the 80s and 90s. There are many good anime series from that era which just barely didn't make this list, so be sure to check out what looks interesting in addition to the anime shows listed above.
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