Top 15 Anime In 2011
1. Hunter x Hunter
Story(Spoiler Free)
Hunter x Hunter narrates the story of Gon Freecss, a young boy who discovers that his father, Ging, is a world-renowned Hunter, a licenced professional who searches for rare treasures, strange creatures, or mysterious phenomena. Determined to find his absent father and follow in his footsteps, Gon goes on a journey to take the difficult Hunter Exam and become a Hunter himself. Along the way, he encounters other aspiring Hunters, like the smart Killua Zoldyck, the stoic Kurapika, and the eccentric doctor Leorio Paradinight. They tackle obstacles together, honing their unique Nen skills and unravelling the Hunter world’s mysteries.
2. Steins;Gate
Story(Spoiler Free)
Steins:Gate tells the narrative of Rintaro Okabe, a self-described crazy scientist who heads the Future Gadget Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo. One day, he comes upon an unusual invention: a microwave oven turned into a device that can transmit messages back in time. Rintaro, along with his quirky lab colleagues, begins experimenting with this time travel device, unwittingly affecting the present and encountering unexpected repercussions.
As they dive deeper into the world of time travel, they come into contact with a sinister organisation called SERN, which attempts to control the flow of time. The series delves into the moral quandaries and paradoxes of modifying the past, the butterfly effect of changing time, and the effort to safeguard those they care about. Rintaro struggles with the consequences of his actions as he seeks to establish a world in which everyone can be happy.
3. Nichijou - My Ordinary Life
Story(Spoiler Free)
Nichijou: My Ordinary Life does not adhere to a typical story framework. Instead, it tells a collection of standalone vignettes that reflect the absurdity and humour of ordinary life. We follow the lives of three high school girls: the outgoing and mischievous Aioi Yuu, the cool and collected Mio Naganohara, and the shy and easily flustered Mai Minakami.
Their world is anything but normal. Sakamoto, a talking cat, disrupts their lives; Nano, a teenage inventor, creates bizarre contraptions; and the school principal is a middle-aged man who enjoys riding his scooter.
Each episode presents the characters with unexpected scenarios, ranging from confronting a deer to dealing with a runaway robot. The humor stems from the characters’ reactions to these strange situations, as well as their smart conversations.
4. Fate/Zero
Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Tragedy
Ratings:
- MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.70 https://myanimelist.net/anime/10087/Fate_Zero
- Anime Planet: 4.3/5 https://www.anime-planet.com/anime/fate-zero
Story(Spoiler Free)
The plot is set ten years before the events of Fate/Stay Night. It centres on the Fourth Holy Grail War, a deadly combat royale in which seven magicians, known as Masters, call legendary heroes, known as Servants, to fight for the Holy Grail. The winner of the war will have their wish granted, regardless of the cost.
Our protagonist, Kiritsugu Emiya, is a vicious assassin and great strategist who joins the war on behalf of the Einzbern family. He is motivated to obtain the Holy Grail for personal reasons, even if it means compromising his values.
The story delves into the complicated motivations and dark secrets of the masters and servants involved in the war. It explores topics like conflict, morality, sacrifice, and the corrupting impact of authority.
Be warned: Fate/Zero is a considerably darker and more violent series than Fate/Stay Night. It has brutal violence, complex characters with questionable morality, and a grim overall tone.
5. Natsume's Book of Friends Season 3
Genres: Slice of Life, Supernatural, Drama
Rating:
- MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.67
- Anime Planet: 4.2/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 3 picks up where Season 2 left off, following Natsume Takashi’s goal to return the names of yokai imprisoned in a mystical book acquired from his grandmother.
This season features a number of joyful and emotional stories involving new yokai. Natsume meets a lonely kappa ghost longing to return home, fights a mischievous tanuki (raccoon dog) yokai making havoc, and even deals with a past occurrence involving his deceased grandma.
The season also emphasises Natsume’s ties with those around him. We observe the supportive friendship he has with his classmates Tanuma and Hiiragi, as well as his increasing bond with his foster family, the Fujiwara.
6. Bunny Drop
Story(Spoiler Free)
Daikichi Kawahara, a thirty-year-old, never-married bachelor who enjoys his single life, attends his grandfather’s funeral. He learns a startling truth there: his recently departed grandfather had a secret illegitimate daughter named Rin Kaga.
With no other close relatives to care for her, Daikichi makes a life-changing decision: he adopts his six-year-old niece Rin. The story recounts Daikichi’s journey through the unknown area of single fatherhood. He encounters problems such as how to care for a child, overcoming societal biases against single fathers, and developing a bond with Rin.
Daikichi and Rin’s shared experiences help them develop and mature. Daikichi learns about the benefits and duties of motherhood, while Rin finds a loving and supportive home. The anime also depicts Daikichi’s heartfelt connections with those around him, including his friends and family, who provide support and guidance.
7. Bakuman Season 2
Genres: Shounen, Drama, Comedy
Rating:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.34
Anime Planet: 4.1/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
Bakuman. Season 2 continues where Season 1 left off. Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi, two young manga artists, are determined to realise their dream of creating a successful manga series for Shonen Jump magazine.
This season presents even more challenges as they compete with their rivals, receive harsh criticism from editors, and deal with the pressures of deadlines and economic success. They’ve collaborated on a new series called “PCP” (Perfect Crime Party), which they hope will be their breakout smash.
The story delves into their determination, difficulties with self-doubt, and the sacrifices they make for their ideal. We also watch their personal lives progress, with Mashiro’s relationship with his crush, Azuki Miho, encountering new challenges.
8. Kaiji: Against All Rules
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama
Rating:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.32
Anime Planet: 4.1/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
Kaiji: Against All Rules follows Kaiji Ito, a down-on-his-luck man who is duped into incurring tremendous debt. To avoid the yakuza, he is forced to board a gambling ship known as the “Espoir.”
On the ship, Kaiji plays a series of high-stakes games with unjust rules and psychological manipulation. These frequently harsh and sophisticated games put Kaiji’s intelligence, drive, and ability to read opponents to the test.
The story delves into the depths of human despair and how far people would go in desperate situations. Kaiji must utilise his cunning and resourcefulness to win the games while still surviving the Espoir’s brutal world.
9. Tiger & Bunny
Genre: Action, Sci-fi, Comedy
Ratings:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.20
Anime Planet: 4.2/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
The plot takes place in Stern Bild City, a metropolis teeming with “Next,” people who have achieved amazing talents. These Next perform as licensed superheroes, and their heroic exploits are featured on the popular show “Hero TV.” However, there is a catch: their every move is tracked and assessed according to the sponsors they represent.
Our main characters are Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a veteran hero known as “Wild Tiger,” and Barnaby “Bunny” Brooks Jr., a rookie prodigy. Despite their opposing personalities and work styles—Wild Tiger is a hot-blooded hero who prioritises saving people over points, while Barnaby is a calculating strategist intent on maximising his score—they are obliged to collaborate due to low ratings.
The show follows their adventures as they battle crime, deal with the pressures of corporate sponsorships, and form an odd alliance. They fight up against villains, uncover conspiracies, and debate the actual meaning of heroism in a culture obsessed with celebrity and ratings.
10. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Story(Spoiler Free)
Madoka Kaname, a typical middle school student, has a normal existence until she has a disastrous meeting with a mystical creature called Kyubey. Kyubey offers Madoka and her friend Sayaka Miki the opportunity to become magical girls—fighters who combat witches, evil entities who threaten humanity. In exchange, they can have their wishes granted.
However, Madoka quickly learns that the world of magical girls is not all sunshine and rainbows. The magical ladies encounter a bleak reality, plagued by a sinister secret and a cruel fate.
The series delves into themes of hope and despair, the cost of magical power, and the sacrifices people make for their aspirations. As Madoka grapples with her newfound understanding, she must decide whether to accept the magical world or battle to defend those she cares about.
11. Deadman Wonderland
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-fi, Gore
Ratings:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 7.03
Anime Planet: 3.9/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
Ganta Igarashi, an innocent youngster, is wrongfully convicted of a horrible slaughter that kills the entire class. After being sentenced to death, he is inexplicably taken to Deadman’s Wonderland, a jail that also functions as a macabre amusement park.
Inside this high-tech prison, convicts are fitted with unique neck collars that track their movements and can cause agonizing agony. To acquire privileges and possibly gain their freedom, they must compete in perilous games and conflicts televised for the amusement of the outside world.
Ganta, determined to establish his innocence and escape from prison, becomes entangled in a web of plots involving Deadman Wonderland and the mysterious force known as the “Branch of Sin” that rises inside him.
12. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan - Demon Capital
Genre: Shounen, Supernatural, Action, Comedy
Ratings:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 8.12
Anime Planet: 4.1/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan—Demon Capital picks up where Season 1 left off, following Rikuo Nura and his increasing band of faithful yokai allies on their quest to restore the Nura clan’s previous grandeur and conquer the human world.
This season’s stakes are much higher, as Rikuo and his allies face tough opponents, including the powerful demon faction, the Yoki Council. New and intriguing yokai individuals are revealed, each with their own special skills and personalities.
The emphasis continues on Rikuo’s internal conflict between his human and yokai identities. He struggles with leadership responsibilities, the weight of his ancestry, and the sacrifices that come with attaining his goals.
Despite the serious struggles and approaching threats, the series maintains its distinctive mix of action, comedy, and touching moments. We observe the close relationships Rikuo has with his human and yokai pals, as well as the value of loyalty and solidarity.
13. Blue Exorcist
Genre: Shounen, Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Ratings:
MyAnimeList (MAL): 7.32
Anime Planet: 3.9/5
Story(Spoiler Free)
The world of the Blue Exorcist is divided into two dimensions: Assiah, the human realm, and Gehenna, the demon realm. Normally, these realms are distinct, but demons do occasionally cross over and possess humans. To avoid this danger, exorcists are trained to fight demons and protect humans.
Rin Okumura, a seemingly average adolescent, finds a terrible fact on his 15th birthday: he is Satan’s offspring! Rin is furious and perplexed, so he makes a deal with the demon-suppressing katana Kurikara and swears to become an exorcist with his twin brother Yukio, a genius already on his way to becoming an exorcist priest.
Rin enrols in True Cross Academy, a prominent exorcist school, where he improves his skills and confronts his demonic origins. He befriends other exorcist students as they train, fight demons, and discover the truth about his birth and abilities.
14. Guilty Crown
Story(Spoiler Free)
The plot begins in 2039, seventeen years after the “Lost Christmas” tragedy, a meteorite crash that released a lethal virus and threw Japan into turmoil. GHQ, a multinational organisation, now administers the country with an iron fist, relying on modern technology to keep control.
Shu Ouma, our protagonist, appears to be an ordinary and withdrawn high school student. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Inori Yuzuriha, a mystery girl who belongs to the Funeral Parlour, a rebel group resisting GHQ’s power.
During their confrontation, Shu acquires the “Power of the King,” which enables him to remove “Voids,” manifestations of human hearts, and wield them as weapons. Unwillingly drawn into the struggle, Shu must decide how to use his newfound abilities and join a side in the fight for freedom.
15. Beelzebub
Story(Spoiler Free)
Oga Tatsumi is not your average high school student. He is the most powerful delinquent at Ishiyama High, a well-known juvenile delinquency school. One day, while dozing by the river, Oga comes upon a floating guy who splits in half, revealing a baby boy with an unusual mark on his forehead. This infant is Beelzebub IV, the Demon King’s son!
Oga’s life is turned upside down once he is chosen as Beelzebub’s improbable guardian. Beelzebub wields enormous demonic power, and if Oga allows the baby to go too far, he is zapped by a tremendous electrical jolt.
Now, Oga must balance his delinquent lifestyle with rearing powerful demon offspring. He must deal with Beelzebub’s bizarre antics, repel assassins from the demon world, and negotiate Ishiyama High’s insane environment. He also forms an unexpected bond with Hilda, Beelzebub’s stern but kind demon maid, who supports him in raising the young demon lord.