The anime landscape has evolved rapidly in the 2020s, with a new generation of series stepping up to shape the industry’s future. These aren’t just passing trends—they’re the shows pushing boundaries, breaking records, and captivating audiences worldwide. With stunning animation, gripping stories, and fresh ideas, these new gen anime are already making their mark.  

While long-running giants like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball continue to dominate, a new wave of anime is taking center stage. In this article, we’ll highlight 10 standout new gen anime series that are set to shape the industry for years to come. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

10. Gachiakuta

Gachiakuta - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

An upcoming new gen anime by Studio Bones, Gachiakuta is a dark fantasy action series that follows Rudo, a young boy from the slums of a floating city where the wealthy live lavishly above while discarding their waste into the abyss below.

Things take a drastic turn when Rudo is falsely accused of murdering his foster father and sentenced to exile in the “Pit”—a perilous junkyard filled with monstrous creatures. Determined to uncover the truth and seek vengeance, he sets out to challenge the corrupt system and the elite who uphold the city’s brutal social divide.

9. Undead Unluck

Undead Unluck - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Undead Unluck takes viewers on a thrilling adventure with an unlucky girl and an immortal man. The anime follows Fuuko Izumo, a Japanese girl cursed with a Negator ability that drains good luck from those around her—often with fatal consequences. To avoid harming others, she chooses to live in isolation.  

Just as she’s about to end her own life due to her misfortune, Fuuko meets Andy, an immortal man who desperately seeks death. Together, they form an unlikely duo, with Fuuko determined to help Andy achieve the perfect demise. Undead Unluck delivers a unique and unpredictable dynamic, keeping viewers hooked with its wild twists.

8. Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Mashle is a coming-of-age comedy anime like Sakamoto Days, set in a magical world where one’s social status is dictated by their magical prowess. However, Mash Burnedead, born without a shred of magic, faces an uphill battle in a society that shuns the powerless.  

Determined to carve out a peaceful life with his foster father and prove that raw strength can rival magic, Mash enrolls in Easton Magic Academy, aiming to become a Divine Visionary! This new gen anime masterfully blends over-the-top battles with slapstick humor, making it a must-watch for fans of action-packed comedies.

7. Shangri-La Frontier

Shangri-La Frontier - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Shangri-La Frontier is one of the most well-received, flashy new gen isekai anime with op MC. Set in a world dominated by VR gaming, the series follows veteran player Rakuro Hizutome who thrives on tackling the worst games on the market under his alias, Sunraku.

However, his gaming journey takes an unexpected turn when he immerses himself in “Shangri-La Frontier”, a virtual reality RPG far more complex and mysterious than it first appears. Sunraku’s unorthodox playstyle and the series’ brilliantly executed, fast-paced battles make this anime a must-watch for action and gaming fans alike.

6. Wind Breaker

Wind Breaker - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

The torchbearer of the delinquent anime trope in the new gen, Wind Breaker delivers a drama-filled story centered around Haruka Sakura, a transfer student at Furin High School—a school infamous for its brute strength and rowdy delinquents.

Haruka isn’t interested in heroes or teamwork; he only cares about fighting the strongest. Determined to climb to the top on his own terms, he takes on town’s fiercest groups and fighters. With Wind Breaker Season 2 just around the corner, it’s already one of the most anticipated upcoming anime in 2025.

5. Sakamoto Days

Sakamoto Days - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Sakamoto Days is a fun action-comedy series starring Taro Sakamoto who used to be an elite hitman until one day he met and fell in love with a woman. Choosing family over violence, he retired, got married, had a kid, and put on a few extra pounds in the process.  

Now a humble convenience store owner, Sakamoto tries to live a peaceful life, but the world of assassins refuses to let him go. With a no-kill rule in place, he must find creative (and often hilarious) ways to fend off relentless enemies while protecting his family, his store, and his quiet town.

4. Blue Lock

Blue Lock - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

One of the best new gen anime in sports genre in recent years, Blue Lock follows Yoichi Isagi, a young footballer with dreams of becoming Japan’s top striker. However, after a crushing defeat in a local match, his lack of individuality on the field leaves him questioning his abilities.  

Everything changes when Isagi is invited to Blue Lock, a radical football project that gathers 300 of Japan’s best young strikers to forge the ultimate egoist! With its intense matches and psychological battles, Blue Lock is a must-watch sports anime and a top-tier modern shonen manga to dive into in 2025!

3. Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No. 8 - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Kaiju No. 8 is one of 2024’s biggest new gen anime hits, instantly winning over fans with its fresh take on the kaiju genre. Set in a Japan constantly under siege by monstrous creatures, the story follows 32-year-old Kafka Hibino, who works a mundane job cleaning up kaiju corpses.  

Everything changes when Kafka is exposed to a mysterious substance that transforms him into a kaiju himself. With his newfound powers, he seizes the chance to join the Defense Force, determined to fulfill a childhood promise and protect humanity from the very monsters he once cleaned up after.

2. Solo Leveling

Solo Leveling - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

Based on the world’s best-selling webtoon, Solo Leveling is undeniably the face of new gen action anime, easily ranking among the top 3 new gen anime. The story follows Sung Jinwoo, the weakest E-rank hunter, struggling to survive in a world where humanity must constantly fight against deadly monsters.  

Burdened by his mother’s hospital bills, his sister’s tuition, and limited job prospects, Jinwoo has no choice but to risk his life in dangerous dungeons. However, during a disastrous guild operation, he encounters a life-altering event that grants him an extraordinary ability—the power to level up without limits.

1. Dandadan

Dandadan - Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Define the 2020s

The coming-of-age supernatural thriller Dandadan, a new gen anime by Science SARU, is a perfect mix of action, comedy, romance, and mystery. The series kicks off with Momo Ayase, who forms an unexpected bond with her school’s UFO-obsessed nerd, Okarun.  

While Momo firmly believes in spirits but dismisses aliens as nonsense, Okarun thinks the exact opposite. To prove their beliefs, they challenge each other to visit haunted and extraterrestrial hotspots—only to discover that both ghosts and aliens are terrifyingly real. What follows is a wild, chaotic adventure filled with young love, supernatural battles, and bizarrely horny entities!

Which of the following new gen anime is your favorite? We’d love to hear your thoughts – feel free to leave a comment below and share this article with your fellow otaku!

We post daily anime and manga updates, so don’t forget to follow us on Google News. For more articles like this, be sure to check out our anime ranking page.

The post Top 10 New Gen Anime That Will Carry the industry’s future appeared first on Anime Galaxy.