Everyone loves to celebrate a good milestone or anniversary, as it marks an important time for a person, project, nation, or anything really. It also applies to anime, and many will be celebrating anniversaries in 2026, such as Death Note turning 20 and Odd Taxi turning 5. However, one of the most important early anniversaries is the tenth one.
Ten years is a big landmark, which is why this list will rank the ten best anime turning 10 in 2026 based on writing, story, animation, influence, how well it’s aged in the past ten years, popularity, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. This list will only include new anime that came out in 2016, no sequel seasons. It will also rank the show as a whole, not just the portion that aired in 2016.
10
‘Yuri!!! on Ice’ (2016)
Watching shows dependent on the real-world seasons is a must, and one of the best anime to watch during winter is Yuri on Ice. The titular character’s window to enter the challenging world of figure skating is closing, but when his idol begins to teach him, he starts his journey to the world stage.
While it may have won anime of the year at the Crunchyroll awards in 2016, in the grand scheme of things, Yuri on Ice isn’t the best anime from this year. However, it is still a classic and one of the most engaging sports anime series in the medium’s modern history. The animation is stunning, and the choreography is gorgeous, creating a mesmerizing anime turning 10 right in time for the Winter Olympics.
9
‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016-)
There are many mysteries in the world, and after Atsushi is kicked out of the orphanage and saves a drowning man, he enters a world of danger. Now working with a supernatural detective agency, Bungo Stray Dogs follows the crew and the many investigations they lead.
Bungo Stray Dogs is one of the most underrated anime series of all time. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, despite being a well-written, action-packed Shonen with solid visuals and an intriguing premise. The literature references and the show’s elegant nature create a sophisticated feeling, but it doesn’t fail to deliver compelling action and an engaging story with plenty of mystery.
8
‘Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World’ (2016-)
The Isekai genre is one of the most popular in anime, even if it is known for its unoriginality. Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World is one of the best in the genre, following a recently passed soul reborn into a fantasy world. However, things aren’t all that magical, being stuck with an eccentric group of weirdos.
Unlike most Isekai series, Konosuba pokes fun at unoriginal tropes and tiresome gags, creating a refreshing comedy that ranks among the funniest anime series. Each character is a horrible person but endearing at the same time, creating a unique dynamic that works perfectly alongside the fantasy world and adventure.
7
‘Erased’ (2016)
The majority of the anime on this list have more than one season, but one of the few that doesn’t is Erased. Satoru gains the power to travel back in time, and he uses it to save lives. However, when he is framed for murder, the situation gets personal, and he is left scrambling to learn the truth about what happened.
There aren’t enough prestigious mysteries in anime, but luckily, Erased is one of the few that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. This remarkable anime is known as one of the best and most bingeable short series, delivering a complete experience in just twelve episodes. Erased is essential viewing and yet another gem that turns 10 in 2026.
6
‘Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World’ (2016-)
Two of the greatest Isekai anime shows came out in 2016: KonoSuba and Re:Zero. Born into a new world, the protagonist is helped by a passerby, but they are both brutally murdered. However, he wakes up again in the same scene, repeating a loop every time he dies.
In a sea of cliché Isekai, Re:Zero stands out as arguably the best, focusing on its dark psychological plot and intricate character study. Trauma seems to build character in this show, as Subaru undergoes considerable psychological torture throughout. Re:Zero is still running, with the next season among the most anticipated anime shows of the year, proving 2016 was the best year for Isekai.
5
‘The Disastrous Life of Saiki K’ (2016-2019)
Japanese humor isn’t for everyone, but some shows stick out as must-watch comedies, including The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Saiki is the most powerful psychic in the world, but he only wants a normal life. Alas, he continuously must use his powers to save his friends while trying his best to keep them a secret.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is arguably the best comedy anime of all time, using its colorful cast of characters and their quirky traits to create some of the funniest gags, both visual and narrative. It is chaotic, silly, unpredictable, over-the-top, and full of charm, creating one of the most endearing and hilarious anime to date.
4
‘My Hero Academia’ (2016-2025)
After nearly a decade, one of the most influential anime series came to an end, but My Hero Academia’s legacy will never die. In a world full of superheroes, Deku doesn’t have any powers, but he still dreams of becoming the world’s greatest hero. However, after getting a chance at superheroism, Deku aims to make his dreams come true.
It’s becoming increasingly rare for anime to become long-running series, with My Hero Academia being one of the last. Maybe it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it was an essential modern anime that defined culture and fandom over the past ten years. The final season was one of the best anime shows of 2025, ending on a bang and cementing the show’s overall legacy, making 2026 an extra special milestone.
3
‘March Comes in like a Lion’ (2016-2018)
Sports anime come in many shapes and sizes, but most fans didn’t expect shogi to be among them. March Comes in Like a Lion follows a young professional shogi player who moves to Tokyo to escape the pressure. Not taking care of himself, a local family makes it their mission to get him on track and lead a healthy life.
There aren’t many anime more beautiful than March Comes in Like a Lion. This high praise isn’t just because of its stunning art and animation, but also because of its daring story. Its focus on mental health is profound, nuanced, respectful, and expertly written, resulting in a sophisticated, relatable experience that makes it one of the greatest anime series of all time.
2
‘Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’ (2016-2017)
A lot of the anime on this list are well known, but one of the most obscure is also one of the best. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju follows a former yakuza member who develops a love for the performing arts while in prison. When he gets out, he becomes the apprentice of a performer and pursues the craft despite its fading popularity.
There aren’t enough good words to say about Shouwa Genroku, but summed up, it may be the best-written anime series of all time. The switch between past and present gives a fascinating look at the craft throughout history, showcasing its legacy and how it has changed. Shouwa Genroku is a phenomenal anime and a hidden gem that is among the best 2016 has to offer.
1
‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016-2022)
ONE is a prolific creator known for some of the most entertaining manga series, and 2016 brought his best work to screen, Mob Psycho 100. Shigeo is the most powerful psychic, but he just wants to live an honest life. However, because he suppresses his emotions, his powers explode, creating trouble for him, his friends, and his enemies.
Mob Psycho 100 has everything an anime fan could want, from stellar animation, engaging fight scenes, hilarious comedy, well-written characters, memorable moments, phenomenal character development, and a remarkable story. Reigen and Mob’s dynamic is a standout, and the comedy is flawless. Not to mention it is charming, emotional, and features a heartwarming story with magnificent developments, culminating in one of the best modern anime series ever, and it will stay like that for much longer than ten years.
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