The 25 best anime of 2020

Every year, Japanese directors spoil us with dozens of animated films that are popular all over the world. Comedies, detectives, melodramas, and even horror movies – anime can combine any genre, forcing viewers to follow their favorite characters with bated breath. In this list you will find the most popular and famous anime of 2020, which will help you to plunge back into the wonderful world of Japanese animation and get a sea of bright emotions.

Table of contents

Made in Abyss: Fukaki Tamashî no Reimei

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Anime, cartoon, detective, adventure, sci-fi, fantasy
Japan production / 2020
Worldwide gross: $4 971 635
Directed by Masayuki Kojima
Cast: Miyu Tomita, Maria Ise, Shiori Izawa, Inori Minase, Sayaka Ohara, Tetsu Inada, Eri Kitamura, Natsuko Hara, Shinji Kawada, Yoshimitsu Shimoyama

Rico, Reg and Nanati find themselves on the fifth level of the Abyss, where the rumored exit to the surface is located. Here the heroes encounter the adopted daughter of a madman who has conducted terrible experiments on innocent children. Soon Bondrud is brought before his friends in person, leading to unbelievable consequences.

Continuing the events of the first season, the anime once again plunges viewers into an enchanted world that has fallen in love with many devoted fans of Japanese animation.

The sequel was once again directed by Masayuki Kojima, whose projects boast non-trivial plot twists and beautiful visuals.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Rating IMDB – 8.6
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, horror, fantasy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Park Sung-hoo
Cast: Yuichi Nakamura, Junya Enoki, Yuma Uchida, Asami Seto, Mitsuo Iwata, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tomokazu Seki, Mikako Komatsu, Koki Uchiyama, Junichi Suwabe

An action-packed fantasy anime that takes us to a world where bloodthirsty demons inhabit in addition to ordinary humans. Years ago, humans managed to defeat the most powerful monster, but his body parts were scattered all over the world. Whoever is able to piece them together will gain unbelievable power.

Yuji is an ordinary high school student, who unexpectedly signed up for the occult club. Because of this, the hero has to become an unwitting participant in the fateful events associated with ancient magic and beliefs. Will the guy be able to fight back the dark forces and become the savior of mankind?

Dorohedoro

Rating IMDB – 8.1
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, comedy, fantasy, sci-fi
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yuichiro Hayashi
Cast: Wataru Takagi, Reina Kondo, Kenyu Horiuchi, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Yu Kobayashi, Hisao Egawa, Hozumi Goda, Mitsuhiro Ichiki, Sondo, Kengo Takanashi

A fantasy comedy about a world called The Hole, which has become a haven for a huge number of sorcerers. The main character is a girl named Nikaido, whose life changes abruptly after she meets a man who is a victim of inhuman experiments. So Nikaido has a friend with a crocodile’s head and amnesia, who dreams of restoring lost memories.

Meanwhile, the mighty magician En decides to hunt down anyone who opposes the sorcerers. Will Nikaido and her friend be able to stop the psychopath and thus stop the madness going on in the world?

Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!

Rating IMDB – 8.2
Genre: Anime, cartoon, comedy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, Yuki Igarashi, Mari Koichi
Cast: Sairi Ito, Mutsumi Tamura, Misato Matsuoka, Yumiri Hanamori, Kazuhiko Inoue, Mikako Komatsu, Ryunosuke Watanuki, Yusuke Kobayashi, Yuki Ono, Shiori Izawa

In the category of the best anime of 2020 you can also include the comedy “Hands off the film circle!”, which has attracted the attention of a huge number of viewers. The plot of the cartoon is about a schoolgirl named Midori, vividly fond of drawing. Also the heroine has a friend Sayaka, which is a confident person.

Acquaintance with a talented model leads the friends to the fact that they create their own club called “Cinema Club”. So the high school girls start making their own anime, which changes their formerly humdrum lives beyond recognition.

Arte

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Anime, cartoon, drama, melodrama
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Takayuki Hamana
Cast: Mikako Komatsu, Junya Enoki, Mao Ichimichi, Katsuya Konishi, Kosuke Toriumi, Sayaka Ohara

We are transported to early sixteenth-century Florence, where artists from all over the world flock. Arte is a young beauty from an aristocratic family who dreams of becoming a famous artist.

But the trouble is that in those days only men could create. Women could only become apprentices of some famous artists. But Arte absolutely does not want to play by the rules imposed on her, which one day leads her to meet the amazing Leo.

If you have always been interested in the Renaissance, then this anime definitely will not leave you indifferent.

Tower of God

Rating IMDB – 7.7
Genre: Anime, cartoon, adventure, fantasy, detective
Japan, South Korea production / 2020
Directed by Takashi Sano
Cast: Tachi Ichikawa, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kenta Miyake, Saori Hayami, Hochu Otsuka, Kazuyuki Okitsu, Takuya Eguchi, Toshinari Fukamachi, Mariko Honda, Akira Sekine

The story is about a boy named Baam, who since early childhood has dreamed of solving the mystery of the mysterious Tower. Legend has it that if a man manages to get to the top of this structure, he will get a chance to fulfill any dream, no matter how crazy it is.

But the problem is that the floors of the Tower are literally teeming with traps and dangers. After learning that his girlfriend has dared to climb to the top to see the stars, Baam goes to the rescue.

«Tower of God» was the first Korean web manhwa to be filmed as a full-length TV series.

Interspecies Reviewers

Rating IMDB – 7.4
Genre: Anime, cartoon, comedy, fantasy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yuki Ogawa
Cast: Junji Majima, Yusuke Kobayashi, Miyu Tomita, Mao Ichimichi, Kyo Yayoi, Hibiku Yamamura, Kaede Yuasa, Hideyuki Umezu, Yoko Hikasa, Kenji Hamada

A fantasy comedy that transports us to a world inhabited by many different races. In addition to ordinary people here you can find all kinds of fairies, elves and even creatures completely composed of slime. And, understandably, there are many brothels in this world, where everyone can find what they need.

One day a company of merry adventurers decides to conduct their own research and find out which race is the most attractive.

Thanks to fanservice and a lot of specific jokes, «Interspecies Reviewers» became the most scandalous and controversial anime of 2020.

Yuukoku no Moriarty

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Cartoon, thriller, crime, detective, history
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Kazuya Nomura
Cast: Theo Devaney, Ryan Colt Levy, Nazih Tarsha, Stephen Chatfield, Sarah Roach, Kellen Goff, Christopher Wekamp, Rachel Naylor, Arto Ken, Jan Le Gall

The events of this detective anime take us to England undergoing the Industrial Revolution. But despite technological advances, the country is still at the mercy of 3% of the population, which stubbornly continues to control the destinies of ordinary people. While the aristocrats live at their pleasure, the lower classes struggle daily to survive.

But everything changes when someone named William James Moriarty decides to declare real war on the cruel rich and create a perfect state. Can Moriarty really pull off a revolution? And to what consequences will this lead?

It’s funny that the main character is the same evil genius who confronted Sherlock Holmes in the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The God of High School

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, sports, fantasy, sci-fi, comedy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Park Sung-hoo
Cast: Tatsumaru Tachibana, Kentaro Kumagai, Ayaka Ohashi, Kenji Hamada, Yuki Kaida, Chikahiro Kobayashi, Daisuke Namikawa, Tomokazu Seki, Tomokazu Sugita, Asami Tano

A sports comedy about a guy named Chin Mo-ri, who has been practicing taekwondo since childhood. Everyone around him is sure that one day the young man will definitely become a famous athlete, who will make all his friends and relatives proud. The hero’s life changes abruptly when he decides to take part in an unusual combat tournament for schoolchildren.

In spite of the somewhat secondary nature of the plot, this anime received high audience ratings due to the quality visuals and memorable characters.

ID:Invaded

Rating IMDB – 7.6
Genre: Anime, cartoon, detective, crime, sci-fi
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Ei Aoki
Cast: Ryota Takeuchi, Mao Ichimichi, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Kenjiro Tsuda, Junya Enoki, Shuhei Iwase, Wataru Kato, Takashi Kondo, Manabu Muraji, Rintaro Nishi

If we talk about the anime series of 2020, we can’t help but think of the sci-fi detective series “ID: Invasion,” which was warmly received by both viewers and critics.

The main character is an experienced detective named Sakaido, who is a member of the Kura organization. In his investigations, the detective often enlists the help of a special system capable of sensing murder intent. Another crime boom once again forces Sakaido to become a part of a mysterious story that can turn his life upside down

When watching, movie fans may notice similarities in the story to the films «Tenet» and «Inception».

Darwin’s Game

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, detective
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yoshinobu Tokumoto
Cast: Yusuke Kobayashi, Reina Ueda, Nichika Omori, Yumiri Hanamori, Taku Yashiro, Ai Kayano

Another detective that combines many different genres. The story begins the day Kaname, a high school student, downloads an app called «Darwin’s Game» on his phone, hoping to have some fun. But suddenly a snake appears from the screen and bites the guy’s neck.

Opening his eyes, the hero finds himself in a medical room and comes to the conclusion that the snake was just a dream. However, the situation changes abruptly when a stranger appears near Kaname and attacks him with a knife. So the schoolboy realizes that «Darwin’s Game» is not just an ordinary toy, but a real struggle for survival.

BNA

Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Anime, cartoon, fantasy, action, comedy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yo Yoshinari
Cast: Sumire Morohoshi, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Kaito Ishikawa, Michiyo Murase, Maria Naganawa, Hiroshi Naka, Kenji Nomura, Kimiko Saito, Yohei Tadano, Gara Takashima

Anima City is a large city that has become the only sanctuary for beastmen. Here they can fear no attacks and do not hide their bestial nature. In the past, Mitiru was an ordinary girl who couldn’t imagine life without friends and fun. But everything changes when some forces turn the schoolgirl into a creature that can change the shape of her limbs. It’s up to the heroine to conduct her own investigation and find out what exactly caused her transformation into a monster.

For many viewers, «BNA» was a real discovery, capable of impressing all anime fans.

Kakushigoto

Rating IMDB – 7.4
Genre: Anime, cartoon, comedy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yuta Murano
Cast: Hiroshi Kamiya, Rie Takahashi, Natsuki Hanae, Taku Yashiro, Kiyono Yasuno, Ayane Sakura, Ayumu Murase, Maaya Uchida, Daisuke Namikawa, Azumi Waki

A comedy story about an artist named Kagushi Goto, who has been creating erotic comics for years. The hero’s sedate life changes abruptly when he learns of the existence of his own daughter, who will now live in his house. However, what happens when Hime discovers that her father is making money from outright vulgarity?

The anime raises important themes and issues in an amazing way, combining both good jokes and a share of drama at the same time.

The Millionaire Detective: Balance – Unlimited

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Anime, cartoon, detective, comedy, crime
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Tomohiko Ito
Cast: Yusuke Onuki, Mamoru Miyano, Yoko Hikasa, Akira Kamiya, Kentaro Kumagai, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Kazuyuki Okitsu, Maaya Sakamoto, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Junya Enoki

A police story about a guy named Daisuke Kambe, who was born into a wealthy and well-off family. But despite his money and connections, the hero decides to devote his future to working at the police station. Daisuke was sure that he would soon be the talk of the town, but everything changes when the management decides to transfer him to the department for troubled detectives.

So the young rich man runs into good-natured kid Haru, who is convinced that there are still things in this world that even the richest man on the planet can’t buy. Joining forces, the two men, so different in spirit, embark on investigations into high-profile crimes.

This anime boasts excellent drawing and good music accompaniment.

Great Pretender

Rating IMDB – 7.9
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, crime
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Hiro Kaburagi
Cast: Mie Sonozaki, Chiaki Kobayashi, Natsumi Fujiwara, Junichi Suwabe

The story is about the life of a skilled con man from Japan, capable of fooling around even the most attentive person. Masato also has a friend, Kudo, who can’t imagine life without adventurous adventures. One day the guys decide to swindle a certain Frenchman and steal his money, but unexpectedly it turns out that even the most dangerous criminals obey this man. As a result, Masato and Kudo become his subordinates, forced to carry out not the most trivial tasks.

The anime premiered on Netflix streaming platform on June 2, 2020.

Akudama Drive

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, sci-fi
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Tomohisa Taguchi
Cast: Shunsuke Takeuchi, Megumi Ogata, Shun Horie, Subaru Kimura, Takahiro Sakurai, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Yuichiro Umehara, Maaya Uchida, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Yumiri Hanamori

A fantasy action film with a plot dating back to ancient times. Once there was a terrible war between Kanto and Kansai, which caused the division of Japan into two parts. In the end, years of confrontation led to the crushing defeat of Kansai and loss of independence. Also because of all these events, thousands of criminals appeared, thinking only about their own benefit.

According to many viewers, “Akudama Drive” can rightly be called the coolest anime of 2020, on the creation of which a lot of money was spent.

Nakitai watashi wa neko o kaburu

Rating IMDB – 6.7
Genre: Anime, cartoon, melodrama, fantasy, adventure
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Junichi Sato, Tomotaka Shibayama
Cast: Mirai Shida, Natsuki Hanae, Minako Kotobuki, Kensho Ono, Hiroaki Ogi, Ayako Kawasumi, Koichi Yamadera, Sayaka Ohara, Eri Kitamura, Susumu Chiba

A 2020 anime adventure film about a high school girl who is going through a difficult divorce from her parents. Mie’s life changes abruptly when fate introduces her to a mysterious merchant. From the hands of a stranger, the girl receives a magic mask capable of turning her master into a white cat.

She is given a new appearance and begins to spend time with her classmate Kento, who has stubbornly ignored her over the past few years. However, it soon becomes clear that Mie may stay in a cat disguise forever. Will she be able to regain her former life and solve the mystery of the unfortunate mask?

Munou na Nana

Rating IMDB – 7.0
Genre: Anime, cartoon, fantasy, thriller
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Shinji Ishihira
Cast: Rumi Okubo, Yuichi Nakamura, Mai Nakahara, Takuya Nakashima, Hiromichi Tezuka, Yo Taichi, Atsushi Kosaka, Yuki Inoue, Koji Yusa, Yoshitaka Yamaya

We are transported to one of the most amazing schools on the planet, where teenagers with unique abilities are educated. Some can control fire, others can fly, and still others boast monstrous physical strength. And they are all being prepared for the final battle with bloodthirsty monsters that dream of destroying mankind. The boys’ peaceful life is abruptly changed when a series of brutal murders sweeps through their school.

Interesting characters, an intriguing storyline, and high-quality drawing all helped «Munou na Nana» receive plenty of praise and attract the attention of a wide audience.

Kanojo, Okarishimasu

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Anime, cartoon, melodrama, comedy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Kazuomi Koga
Cast: Shun Horie, Sora Amamiya, Aoi Yuki, Nao Toyama, Rie Takahashi

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

Rating IMDB – 7.5
Genre: Anime, cartoon, comedy, action, fantasy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Masaomi Ando
Cast: Megumi Ogata, Shoya Chiba, Akari Kito, Daiki Kobayashi, Yuma Uchida

A fascinating story about Kamome Academy, where strange things happen all the time. For example, if you knock on the door of one of the women’s toilet cubicles, a ghost named Hanako is sure to appear in front of you.

A girl named Nene decides to use the services of a ghost and fulfill her deepest dreams, which suddenly leads her to meet the spirit of a little boy. Nene’s once peaceful life is turned upside down, forcing her to take part in unbelievable adventures.

Gleipnir

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Anime, cartoon, detective, action, fantasy
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda
Cast: Nao Toyama, Natsuki Hanae, Shizuka Ito, Takuma Terashima, Yo Taichi, Kana Hanazawa, Miku Ito, Hiroki Yasumoto, Takahiro Sakurai

The list of the best anime of 2020 continues with the fantastic picture “Gleipnir”, the plot of which will please every fan of the genre. Shiyuchi is a seemingly ordinary guy who one day wakes up in the body of a monster. So he gets furry paws, enormous physical power and creepy self-loathing. The situation changes abruptly when the hero meets a girl named Claire Aoki, who dreams of finding her sister, who has also become a monster.

The series was directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda, who gave us the comedy Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma.

Majo no Tabitabi

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Anime, cartoon, fantasy, adventure
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka, Takeshi Nishino, Jun Takahashi
Cast: Kaede Hondo, Amber Lee Connors, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Kana Hanazawa, Yoko Hikasa, Shizuka Ito, Kimiko Saito, Daiki Yamashita, Yumi Uchiyama, Rinn

In her early childhood, Elaina read novels about the adventures of the witch Nicky, who traveled all over the world and participated in incredible adventures. It was then that the girl made a vow to herself that one day she too would become a traveler and make a lot of discoveries.

Becoming an adult, Elaina leaves her native land and finally makes her dream a reality. So she will encounter incredible surprises, meet all sorts of people and find her true destiny.

Yesterday wo Utatte

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Anime, cartoon, drama, melodrama
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
Cast: Chikahiro Kobayashi, Yume Miyamoto, Kana Hanazawa, Natsuki Hanae, Shun Horie, Eri Kitamura, Ryoko Maekawa, Kaori Nadzuka, Yuki Ono, Maaya Sakamoto

A dramatic story about a former student named Rikuo, who can’t find his place in the world. For lack of another way out, he gets a job at a convenience store, where he immediately faces routine and monotony.

Rikuo has a run-in with a girl named Haru Nonaka, who is able to bring new colors to his boring life. Rikuo also happens to meet an old girlfriend and a beautiful girl he used to be madly in love with. Will the guys be able to join forces, overcome all obstacles and become happy people?

Altered Carbon: Resleeved

Rating IMDB – 6.5
Genre: Anime, cartoon, action, sci-fi, detective
Japan, USA production / 2020
Directed by Takeru Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Okada
Cast: Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Rina Sato, Ayaka Asai, Joji Nakata, Kenji Yamauchi, Kanehira Yamamoto, Koji Ishii, Hiromichi Tezuka, Ryunosuke Watanuki, Setsuji Sato

A fantasy detective story about a mercenary named Takeshi, who was once a member of the resistance. Now the guy has to take orders from powerful people, which makes his life an extremely complicated thing.

One day, the hero meets an influential criminal boss in need of help. He meets a powerful criminal boss who needs his help. Thus, the mercenary becomes a part of crazy events, which force him to look at the world with new eyes.

Somali and the Forest Spirit

Rating IMDB – 7.5
Genre: Anime, cartoon, fantasy, adventure
Japan production / 2020
Directed by Kenji Yasuda
Cast: Inori Minase, Daisuke Ono, Hiroki Nanami, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Yu Kobayashi, Saori Hayami, Sho Hayami, Yuki Ono, Rie Shibata, Tomokazu Seki

Another fantasy about a world where supernatural creatures live. Here you can meet goblins, elves, ghosts, and other creatures with unique abilities. Somalia is a little girl who is one of the few survivors of humanity.

One day the little girl meets a keeper of the forest, who unexpectedly becomes her faithful protector and friend. Will the children be able to change this world and, finally, find the long-awaited peace? Or will the hostile monsters take away their hopes for a normal future?

The 25 Best Anime of 2020