Anime fans are all set to welcome the new year 2022 as it is packed with a lot of good anime shows that are scheduled to release next year. However, before moving on to 2022 let’s take a look back at some of the best anime in 2021 that was loved by the fans very much.

2021 saw a bunch of new shows which includes Tokyo Revengers and Mushoku Tensei meanwhile, it was also a year of anime sequels as JoJo Stone Ocean and Dr. Stone Season 3 was released this year. But, at the end of the year, every anime fan want to know which was the best anime of the year?

And, in this article, we will take a look at some of the best anime in 2021 according to My Anime List (MAL) ratings. So, let’s get started without any further delay.

15. Dr. Stone: Stone Wars

MAL Rating: 8.19
Genre: Adventure, Sci-fi, Post-apocalyptic

Dr. Stone is a well-known manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by the South Korean artist Boichi. In 2019, it received an anime adaptation which was later praised by the critics for its knowledgeable plot full of science & chemical reactions.

Dr. Stone: Stone Wars is the second major animated arc of the series that aired from January 14 to March 25, 2021. It focused on the story of the “Stone Wars” arc from the manga series which follows Senku and the Ishigami villagers of the Kingdom of Science who go to war with the Tsukusa’s Kingdom of Strength.

14. Komi Can’t Communicate

MAL Rating: 8.21
Genre: Romantic comedy, Slice of life

Komi Can’t Communicate is a rom-com and slice of life anime available to watch on Netflix. The series got licensed in October 2021 and is streaming on the official platform for worldwide fans. The series was loved by many for its good storyline and in-depth character visualisation.

On her first day of school, Shouko Komi impresses everyone with her long black hair and beautiful appearance. Every single person in the school gets attracted by her looks and tries to befriend her. But, despite her massive popularity Komi has one problem, lack of communication skills.

She had never made any friends due to this incompetence and to conquer this fear, Hitohito Tadano, a classmate of Komi promises that he would help her to make 100 friends so that she can overcome her communication disorder.

13. HoriMiya

MAL Rating: 8.21
Genre: Romantic comedy

Hori-san to Miyamaru-kun, in short Horimiya, is a shōnen web manga series written & illustrated by Hiroki Adachi. The series premiered in January 2021 and it became popular for its romance comedy genre.

Horimiya follows the story of two high school students, Kyoki Hori and Izumi Miyamaru both with contrasting personalities. On one hand, Hori is a bright student while on the other, Miyamaru is a nerdy glass wearing guy.

But, their after school life seems different and they both try to hide this secret from their peers. After knowing about each other’s true identity, Hori and Miyamaru conceal their secrets however, as time passes they get closer to each other taking their relationship to something special.

12. Moriarty the Patriot S2

MAL Rating: 8.23
Genre: Crime, Mystery

Moriarty the Patriot is a mystery manga series written by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and illustrated by Hikaru Miyoshi. The series is based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series and received an anime adaptation by Production I.G.

The story is set during the late 19th century when Great Britain was the greatest empire in the world. It follows the story of an orphan James Moriarty who goes by the name William James Moriarty when he and his younger brother are adopted into the Moriarty family.

As a young man, he seeks to remove the ills caused by England’s strict class system. Alongside his brothers Albert and Louis, James sets on a journey to change the filthy world they live in even if blood must be spilled.

11. Tokyo Revengers

MAL Rating: 8.25
Genre: Action-thriller, Sci-fi

Tokyo Revengers premiered its first episode on April 10, 2021, and within a span of two months, it turned out to be the best anime in 2021 outshining all the top-tier manga & anime one by one. Its performance is reflected in the best-selling anime charts as well where it ranked 3rd with an estimated income of US $120 million.

The series follows the story of an unemployed guy, Takemichi Hanagaki who lives a miserable life in his small rented apartment. One day after hearing the news of the death of his only girlfriend way back from middle school, Takemichi becomes depressed and sad.

At the peak of his tough time, a sudden incident sends him 12 years back in time where he finds himself back to middle school days. Once a loser, Takemichi aims for the top of the Tokyo Manji Gang so that he can turn back the past events in his favour and save the life of Hinata.

10. TenSura S2

MAL Rating: 8.41
Genre: Fantasy, Isekai

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, also called TenSura, is one of the best isekai anime series fans ever witnessed. Inspired by a light novel with the same name, the series explores the journey of a middle-aged man in the world of sword and sorcery.

The series is about a 37-year-old corporate worker, Satoru Mikami who gets reincarnated as a slime in another world, after being stabbed in the streets of Tokyo. As a slime, Satoru explores the fantasy world and acquires new skills & unique powers.

However, to overcome the hurdles and live a superior life as compared to his past one, Satoru sets on a mission to gather allies so that he can build his own nation of monsters.

9. To Your Eternity

MAL Rating: 8.43
Genre: Fantasy

To Your Eternity is a fantasy manga series written by Yoshitoki Ōima who is best known for her previous work, A Silent Voice. The series is based on the theme of death & immortality and describes the journey of an immortal being.

It follows the story of an ‘Orb of Light’, cast on Earth by an unknown person. At first, the orb takes the shape of a stone and then it takes on the shape of a dead wolf. In this process, he meets a young boy living alone in the harsh cold weather.

The boy mistook him for his pet wolf, Joaan and accompany him to cross the cold region so that they can meet their relatives and loves ones who left the village in search of a good place.

But, after being wounded on his way the boy takes his last breath under the roof with his final words to the wolf, “Remember me”. From here on the Orb inherits the will and body of that boy and starts his journey to explore every part of the world to learn what it is to be truly human.

8. Miss Kobayashi’s Maid Dragon S2

MAL Rating: 8.44
Genre: Fantasy comedy, Slice of life, Yuri

Miss Kobayashi’s Maid Dragon is a fantasy comedy anime series that premiered for the first time in 2017. This year the show got renewed for a second season and introduced some new characters to lift the mood of the audience.

Initially, the show follows the life of Miss Kobayashi, an average office worker who lives a boring life alone in her small apartment. One day she saves the life of a female dragon in distress. However, later she comes to know that the dragon, named Tohru, has the ability to magically transform into an adorable human girl.

Now, to pay off Miss Kobayashi’s debt of gratitude, Tohru starts living in her house and do any kind of work whether Miss Kobayashi likes it or not.

7. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song

MAL Rating: 8.48
Genre: Sci-fi, Drama

Produced by WIT Studio, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song is set in the year 2056 where advancement in technology and artificial intelligence is at its peak. As a result, android bodies that can mimic human form come into action.

A songstress AI known as ‘Vivy’ is given a mission to make people happy with her songs. To fulfill her mission, she works in an amusement park to grab the main stage one day.

But, after encountering another AI from 100 years in the future, Vivy comes to know that a destructive war between humans & AIs is coming and she has to prevent it at any cost.

6. 86 Part 2

MAL Rating: 8.51
Genre: Mecha, Sci-fi, Romance

86 is a science fiction light novel series written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii. It received an anime television series adaptation by A-1 Pictures premiered in April 2021 and received a bunch of positive reviews from the viewers for its thrilling storyline.

The Republic of San Magnolia has been attacked by its neighbor, Giadian Empire. Outside the 85 districts of the Republic, there is the ‘non-existent 86th district,’ where young men and women continue to fight.

Major Vladilena “Lena” Milizé is an Alba noble and military officer in the Republic’s Military who is assigned as a Handler of the Spearhead Squadron of the Eastern Front led by their squad leader, Shinei “Undertaker” Nouzen.

As Lena gets to know Shinei and the rest of the Spearhead Squadron, she becomes sympathetic to his people’s plight and tries to help them. At the same time, Lena and Shinei learn a dark secret: the war between Republic and the Empire is not what it seems.

5. JoJo Stone Ocean

MAL Rating: 8.67
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural

Stone Ocean is the sixth story arc of the manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. In Dec 2021, Netflix premiered JoJo Stone Ocean on their official platform for the international audience.

In Florida, 2011, Jolyne Cujoh serves as the prisoner of Green Dolphin Street Jail after being framed for a crime she didn’t commit. Though all hope seems lost, a gift from her father Jotaro ends up awakening her latent abilities, manifesting into her Stand, Stone Free. Now armed with the power to change her fate, Jolyne sets out to find an escape from the stone ocean that holds her.

However, she soon discovers that her incarceration is merely a small part of a grand plot. Moreover, the mastermind is lurking within the very same prison and is under the protection of a lineup of menacing Stand users. Finding unlikely allies to help her cause, Jolyne sets a course to stop their plot, clear her name, and take back her life.

4. Odd Taxi

MAL Rating: 8.77
Genre: Mystery

Odd Taxi received an anime television series in April 2021 and surprisingly it became one of the best anime in 2021. The show got praised for its fascinating mystery drama with incredible writing, memorable characters, and a unique art style that stands out.

Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, Odd Taxi follows the story of Odokawa, a 41-year old walrus taxi driver whose parents abandoned him in elementary school, leaving him generally asocial. However, he usually has conversations with other animal inhabitants who ride in his taxi on their respective journeys around Tokyo, where the series is set.

Odokawa’s conversations with these people unravel into a series of mysteries and acts of violence, including that of a missing high school girl. Because of the case of the missing girl, the police have been tracking leads back to him, and now both the yakuza and cops are on his tail.

3. Mushoku Tensei Part 2

MAL Rating: 8.81
Genre: Fantasy, Harem, Isekai

2021 was not like that much exciting as it should have been for the anime fans but somehow, a fresh exciting series like Mushoku Tensei delighted the viewers with its beautiful story. Best anime in 2021? Well, it deserves to be called that so.

Mushoku Tensei also termed ‘Jobless Reincarnation’ follows the story of a 34-year-old jobless guy who dies in a road accident in an attempt to save someone. Later on, he finds himself being reincarnated in a new world, as a baby, where he goes by the name of Rudeus Greyrat.

As a baby, he starts his gifted life once again in this exciting magical world and explores the fundamentals of magic to help him in his adventurous journey. In the beginning, the series is funny & kinda erotic but as soon as you move forward you’ll get to see the intense and interesting side of this show.

2. Ousama Ranking

MAL Rating: 8.86
Genre: Fantasy comedy, Coming-of-age

Ousama Ranking is an ongoing adventure-comedy anime series written by Sōsuke Tōka. The makers of the popular shōnen series Attack On Titan, Wit Studio are behind the production of this anime. The direction & storyline is promising and it should be definitely on your to-watch list.

The series is about a deaf boy Bojji, a powerless prince who cannot even wield a children’s sword. As the firstborn son, he strives hard and dreams of becoming the world’s greatest king.

However, people mutter about him behind his back as “a good-for-nothing prince” and “no way he can be king.” Despite all these things, Bojji doesn’t get off his track and keeps pushing on to succeed in his dream.

1. Fruits Basket: The Final

MAL Rating: 9.06
Genre: Slice of life, Romantic comedy

Fruits basket: The Final is the third installment in the popular anime series Fruits Basket written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. The story revolves around an orphaned girl named Tohru Honda, who miraculously gets involved with zodiac spirits bearers, humans who could change into various zodiac animals and who have their own twisted and dark pasts and a secret curse.

Season 3 attempts to reveal many of the dark secrets of the famous Sohma family piled up in previous seasons. It also attempts to show how the curse of the family breaks and leads to the downfall of Akito, Sohma family head and antagonist of the series.

This series shows the final climax of the anime plotline and ends with a positive note of characters meeting their respective happy ending.

With this, our list of best anime in 2021 comes to an end. We hope you liked it. Let us know in the comments section, which one you think don’t deserve to be on the list and which one was your favorite from this year?

And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends so that we’ll come up with more exciting anime articles like this one.