Before streaming platforms madeanimeaccessible to the world, and way before social media fandoms hyped upcoming adaptations, the year 2000 became a turning point where anime exploded with creativity, emotion, and ambition. It was a foundational year when fans discovered stories that would stay with them for decades. And now, in 2025, those anime series are hitting their 25-year milestone. Goes without saying, they are still beloved.still rewatched, and still shaping the way we see the medium.
What makes 2000 so iconic is how many of its anime releases became synonymous with the culture. These shows were filling airtime, sure, but they were also defining genres and daring to be visually stimulating. Some introduced memorable characters, others transformed storytelling. Whether you're into gothic horror or sci-fi romance, 2000 had something that scratched the itch. And chances are, it still does.
Here are 10 anime series that debuted in 2000 and continue to entertain and inspire, 25 years later.
Banner of the Stars
Adapted from a series of science fiction novels written by Hiroyuki Morioka,Banner of the StarsIt is set against the backdrop of an interstellar war. It continues the saga of Jinto Linn and Princess Lafiel, heirs to the legacy of Crest of the Stars. They now serve aboard the assault ship Basroil and are thrust into the heart of a conflict between the genetically engineered Abh Empire and the human-led Triple Alliance.
Most Elegant Sci-Fi
In terms of storytelling, this sequel isway better than its predecessor,Crest of the StarsBy refusing to treat war as spectacle, the series becomes a meditation on identity, diplomacy, and the loneliness of being in command. The subdued palette and orchestral score by Katsuhisa Hattori give it a melancholic beauty. Plus, Lafiel and Jinto's dynamic remains one of anime's most compelling partnerships even 25 years later.
Love Hina
InLove Hina, Keitarō Urashima's life is a mess. He fails the University of Tokyo entrance exam twice and is kicked out by his parents, eventually ending up as a manager at his grandmother's old inn, which is now a girls-only dormitory. As Keitarō tries to fulfill a forgotten childhood promise to a girl he vowed to enter Tokyo U with, his life becomes more and more chaotic.
Harem Comedy That Endures
WhenLove Hinapremiered, it rode the harem wave. Ken Akamatsu's manga sold over 20 million copies in Japan and the anime adaptation became a gateway series for international fans in the early 2000s. Its pastel aesthetic, catchy soundtrack, andExaggerated humorwere what shaped the genre. Also, Naru and Keitarō's slow-burning romance resonated with viewers who saw themselves trapped in the awkwardness of young love.
Boogiepop Phantom
Adapted from theBoogiepopLight novel series by Kouhei Kadono, this one takes place a month after a mysterious pillar of light splits the night sky. Strange things happen across a Japanese city, like high school students disappearing, and whispers of Boogiepop, a shinigami-like urban legend, begin to surface. Each episode centers on a different character and explores how their lives intersect with the supernatural forces.
Horror with Timeless Impact
A masterpiece of psychological horror and suspense, this one stunned audiences with its nonlinear narrative structure and striking visual style (courtesy of Madhouse). Often compared toSerial Experiments Lain, it pioneered the subgenre and trusted viewers to piece together its themes of memory and transformation. 25 years later,Boogiepop Phantomis still revered by fans of dark and cerebral anime.
Digimon Adventure 02
The second anime series in theDigimonfranchise,Digimon Adventure 02It is set three years after the original DigiDestined saved both worlds. It introduces a new generation of heroes: Davis, Yolei, and Cody, along with returning veterans T.K. and Kari. When the Digital World is under siege again and a human antagonist starts enslaving Digimon, the team battles to restore balance.
A Beloved Sequel
Digimon Adventure 02expanded theDigimonuniverse with its emotional depth, global scope, and exploration of the ever-evolving relationship between humans and their digital companions. Definitely not as universally acclaimed as its predecessor, and yet, it introduced DNA Digivolution, international DigiDestined, and one of the franchise’s most complex characters in Ken. So, even 25 years after its debut,Digimon Adventure 02is just as iconic.
Ghost Stories
After their mother passes away, siblings Satsuki and Keiichirou Miyanoshita move to her hometown, only to discover that the local school is haunted by spirits their mother once sealed away. The siblings, along with a ragtag group of classmates, beginexorcising evil entities unleashed by urban developments. With each episode, the group's bond becomes stronger.
Still Heavily Quoted and Meme'd
Ghost-busting seems to have an enduring appeal worldwide. A true cult classic,Ghost StoriesIt is a rare anime with its legacy split into two. The original Japanese version is a sincere supernatural drama with eerie music and haunting tone. But its English dub, infamously rewritten by ADV Films, turned it into a parody filled with pop culture jokes, irreverent humor, and fourth-wall breaks. And this unexpected shift is what glued the anime to Western fandoms.
Hamtaro
Hamtaro is not an ordinary hamster. He is a sunflower seed-loving explorer with a curious heart. After moving to a new home with his owner, Laura, Hamtaro discovers a secret world beyond the confines of his cage. He befriends other hamsters, and together, they embark on daily adventures that mirror the emotional ups and downs of their human counterparts.
Cheerful and Oddly Existential
Whether it's building a clubhouse, helping a friend overcome fear, or navigating hamster-sized drama, the series strikes the perfect balance betweenslice-of-life storytellingand whimsical charm. There is a reasonHamtarobecame a global phenomenon. It spawned over 290 episodes, multiple OVAs, and even video games, with merchandise sales reaching billions by the early 2000s. If that's not iconic, what is?
Hajime no Ippo
Ippo Makunouchi is a quiet teenager who spends his days helping his mother run a fishing boat business and being bullied at school. One fateful encounter with pro boxer Mamoru Takamura changes everything. Takamura not only discovers his raw punching power, but also introduces him to the Kamogawa Gym, where Ippo begins his journey into the brutal world of professional boxing.
Quintessential Underdog Story
The First Ippois atrue masterpiece of the sports anime genreAnimated by Madhouse with dynamic fight choreography and heartfelt emotional moments, the series received much praise for its pacing and character development. The manga, which started in 1989, had over 100 million copies in circulation by 2023, making it one of the best-selling sports manga of all time. Even now, fans return to it for the adrenaline, warmth, and humor of its cast.
Inuyasha
Kagome Higurashi's life takes a sharp turn when she is pulled into a well and transported to Sengoku-era Japan. There, she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon sealed to a tree by a priestess named Kikyo. And as it turns out, Kagome is the reincarnation of the same priestess. When a sacred jewel shatters, Kagome and Inuyasha must recover its shards before they fall into the hands of the evil Naraku.
Feudal Fantasy and Timeless Romance
Rumiko Takahashi'sInuyashacombines folklore, romance, and action into a sweeping epic. The feudal fantasy is rich in visuals and backed by a haunting score from Kaoru Wada. Even though it debuted in 2000, the anime was aired in over 30 countries and sold over a million DVDs in English between 2003 and 2004. So, what makesInuyashaSo iconic is not just the story, but the aching humanity beneath the magic, the longing, and the love.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
InYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Yugi Mutou is a shy high school student who solves the ancient Millennium Puzzle and ends up unlocking a powerful spirit known as the Pharaoh. When his grandfather's soul is stolen by Maximillion Pegasus, the creator of the Duel Monsters card game, Yugi enters the Duelist Kingdom tournament to win it back. He must face dangerous opponents, uncover the Pharaoh's lost memories, and battle for control.
Card Battles With High Stakes
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel MonstersTurned trading cards into pure drama. Its mix of Egyptian mythology, strategic duels, and iconic monsters like Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes White Dragon made its impact on pop culture even greater. The anime ran for 224 episodes and launched a real-world card game that became one of the best-selling TCGs globally. Even now, phrases like "It's time to duel!" evoke nostalgia and entertain fans around the world.
FLCL
Naota Nandaba lives a quiet life until Haruko Haruhara crashes into it, literally, on a Vespa. She hits him with a bass guitar, moves into his house, and opens a portal in his forehead. As Naota cruises through adolescence, he is pulled into Haruko's hunt for Atomsk, a space pirate with godlike powers. Each episode turns Naota's internal struggles outward and becomes crazier.
Confusing But Cathartic
FLCL, as an anime, is short, loud, and raw. It defies convention and pushes the boundaries of what the art form can achieve. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and animated by Gainax and Production I.G., it features frenetic editing, visual gags, and layered narratives.Though only six episodes, it won Best Comedy and Best Short Series at the American Anime Awards in 2007. 25 years later,FLCLIt is like a rite of passage for anime fans.
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