10 Modern Anime Masterpieces Better Than Naruto & Boruto

For a long time, Naruto has been a hugely popular action anime. With its unforgettable main character, compelling stories, and scary enemies, Naruto has remained a fan favorite. However, the release of Boruto led many to question the quality and future of the entire series.

As Boruto struggled to live up to the legacy of Naruto, new anime series emerged and quickly became popular. These newer shows feature well-paced stories without unnecessary filler, and strong character development that highlights the weaknesses in Naruto by comparison.

Takopi’s Original Sin Contrasts Bright Animation With a Twisted Tale

In 2025, the six-episode anime miniseries Takopi’s Original Sin became a surprising hit, captivating audiences with its dark and unique approach. The story starts with a cheerful idea: an alien named Takopi arrives on Earth with the mission of bringing joy to everyone. However, Takopi soon discovers that small gifts aren’t enough to heal the deep emotional wounds many people carry.

Despite being only six episodes long, Takopi’s Original Sin is a deeply upsetting and emotionally impactful story. It powerfully illustrates how damaging family issues can leave lasting trauma on individuals. What makes the series particularly striking is the contrast between its bright, colorful animation and its incredibly dark and heavy themes, putting it in direct competition with even emotionally resonant shows like Naruto.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Deals With Grief & Loss in a Slice-of-Life Story

Many anime stories about heroes and demons start with the hero beginning their quest to defeat the demon king. However, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End begins after that big battle is already over. The story focuses on Frieren, an immortal elf who was part of the hero’s team. Though she’s a powerful mage, Frieren doesn’t really understand humans or their feelings.

Throughout the series, Frieren experiences the sorrow of losing all her old friends, leaving her feeling isolated. With thousands of years still ahead of her, she sets out on a new journey to revisit places from her past, this time with a fresh group of companions. Along the way, she meets both new allies and dangerous demons who need to be stopped. The series Frieren expertly blends everyday life with moments of humor and action.

To Your Eternity Explores the Lifestyle of the Immortal

To Your Eternity is a beautifully made anime that explores the idea of immortality and what it truly means to live forever. The story centers around Fushi, an immortal creature who can change shape. After being born into the world, Fushi transforms into a boy and embarks on a long and incredible journey that lasts for centuries.

Fushi, once an orb and now the central character, repeatedly experiences the joy of friendship and the pain of loss as those around him succumb to time and conflict. Yet, he remains determined to protect the world. He forms strong connections with people, builds valuable alliances, and confronts numerous challenges. The series keeps Fushi’s ever-changing forms engaging, and his skillful use of his abilities is truly exceptional – a feat very few other shows manage to accomplish.

Delicious in Dungeon Pairs Cooking Anime With Dungeon Conquests

Delicious in Dungeon starts like a foodie anime, but with a twist: the ingredients are monsters! When Laios’s sister, Falin, is swallowed by a dragon in a dungeon, he sets out to save her. Facing a lack of money, he turns to a dwarf named Senshi, a skilled cook who can create tasty meals from the creatures they find within the dungeon, as a way to survive.

The anime Delicious in Dungeon meticulously details all the monsters found within the dungeon, and interestingly, many of them end up as food. Beyond this unique concept, the story follows a hero facing even greater threats as he tries to rescue his sister.

Violet Evergarden Understands the Healing Power of Anime

Violet Evergarden is a touching story about a young woman who was raised as a soldier and lost her arms in war. With the conflict over, she feels lost and desperately searches for Major Gilbert, the one person who was kind to her. She finds work as an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters for others, but struggles to understand emotions, having spent her entire childhood fighting in battles.

Violet is trying to decipher a final message from Gilbert, and in the process, she begins writing letters for other people. This beautifully animated story from Studio Kyo-Ani follows Violet’s journey to understand emotions and find herself, one letter at a time.

Pluto Is a Murder Mystery Driven by Suspense

Pluto is an anime series based on the manga of the same name by renowned creator Naoki Urasawa, known for hits like Monster and 20th Century Boys. Set in the far future, the story explores a world where humans and intelligent robots live side-by-side. It unfolds as a murder mystery, with the world’s seven most powerful robots – and the brilliant scientists who created them – becoming targets one by one.

Meet a skilled detective and his robotic companion as they investigate a worldwide conspiracy. Each episode of Pluto builds tension and mystery, challenging viewers to solve the puzzle alongside them until the full truth is revealed. This series tells a remarkable story, a feat rarely accomplished even by anime with long, sprawling narratives.

Gachiakuta Has Mastered Plot Twists

In the story of Gachiakuta, Rudo is falsely accused of killing his adoptive father and thrown into a huge pit used as a dumping ground for both garbage and criminals. When he lands at the bottom, he discovers a shocking truth: he wasn’t living on solid ground at all, but on a massive city floating in the air. The pit is actually home to both people and monstrous creatures that feed on waste.

Rudo quickly joins the Cleaners, a group that battles monstrous creatures made of trash using unique weapons called Vital Instruments. He discovers he also possesses a Vital Instrument, a gift from his adoptive father. The creator, Gachiakuta, is skilled at surprising the audience with unexpected turns and consistently delivers a well-rounded experience, excelling in comedy, world-building, and action.

Dandadan Blends Supernatural & Classic Sci-Fi Tropes

Anime explores many themes, from the supernatural to science fiction. One series combines both, featuring a world where ghosts and aliens are real. The story follows Ken (nicknamed Okarun) and his classmate Momo, who initially argue about whether aliens or ghosts exist, only to discover that both are present in their world.

In Dandadan, two teenagers find themselves constantly caught up in strange, otherworldly events and battles with alien creatures. They must overcome each challenge to protect their world and the people they care about. The series stands out for its strong female lead, Momo, a psychic prodigy who defies typical anime tropes. Beyond the exciting action and fast-paced plot, Dandadan also offers a surprisingly relatable and charming high school romance.

The Apothecary Diaries Is a Historical Drama with Engaging Mysteries

I recently started watching The Apothecary Diaries, and it’s set in this fascinating country called Li, which feels a lot like ancient China. The main character, Maomao, is really into learning about both poisons and medicines. But things take a turn when she’s unexpectedly kidnapped and ends up sold to the Imperial Palace! She just wants to stay out of trouble, but her unique knowledge keeps pulling her into the middle of all sorts of palace mysteries.

This anime skillfully combines political intrigue, historical details, and medical mysteries. The main character, Maomao, uncovers hidden plots, prevents assassinations, and develops a complex connection with the mysterious Jinshi, all while stumbling upon a larger, overarching conspiracy.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Is an Upbeat Zombie Apocalypse Anime

Akira is trapped in a demanding and exploitative job, working long hours for little pay. He’s constantly at work and feels his life has become a monotonous cycle of exhaustion, wishing for a way to escape the pain. His wish seems to come true when he wakes up one day and discovers…

Honestly, seeing Akira finally break free from that awful job and those terrible bosses was such a relief! It was like a weight lifted, and he immediately started thinking about all the things he’d always dreamed of doing. It was amazing – he finally felt like he could really live and experience the world in a whole new way.

2026-01-13 06:11