10 Best Netflix Original Anime of the 2020s, Ranked

The breakthrough Netflix has long been eyeing to establish a stronghold in the anime industry is finally here. They clearly leveled up their game with every new Netflix Original Anime that has come out in the 2020s. Some of them are even potential contenders for anime of the decade!

You might not even realize that your favorite series could actually be produced and distributed by Netflix. Therefore, below we’ve ranked the 10 best Netflix Original Anime of this decade so far. You can either take some recommendations or find out where your favorite anime ranks. So, let’s dive in.

10 The Way of the Househusband Is a Comedy Gem in Anime

The over-the-top premise of The Way of the Househusband truly makes it comedy gold. Seeing a former legendary yakuza boss, Tatsu, act dead-serious about grocery shopping, coupon hunting, or cleaning the house is never not funny. Also, his chemistry with his wife feels incredibly real.

The animation in this anime might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in a sense, it catapults the appeal of the overall narrative. Some of the scenes in the anime are straight from manga panels, but the way they are presented actually helps the dialogue and comedy hit harder than you expect.

9 Blue Box Combines Sports With a Tragic Romance Plot

Blue Box has one of those classic romance plots that are hard not to fall for. However, what sets it apart from others is its incorporation of sports into the storyline. It mixes both genres seamlessly with all the plot points, character dialogues, and even through the beautiful soundtracks.

Here we have our main character, Taiki, who aspires to be a pro in badminton. However, his life changes when his crush, Chinatsu, who is exceptionally good at basketball, has to start living with his family due to certain circumstances. Though their love story will be far from perfect as things move forward.

8 Great Pretender’s Mystery-Thriller Plot Immediately Hooks You In

A Japanese con artist who finds himself getting tricked by foreigners he was trying to con, and ends up in Hollywood, where he finds himself in an unexpected predicament! Certainly sounds like the beginning of a grand storyline, right? Well, it actually is, even with a lovable cast of characters.

On top of that, the art style of Great Pretender further elevates the show’s appeal, giving it a unique touch. The story also delves deep into multiple narratives set in different countries, and the series ultimately ties them all in a grand finale by the end of the anime. So, it’s definitely a must-watch.

7 Blue Period Might Help You Realise Your Inner Passion

Blue Period is all about discovering your passion and how it can literally change one’s life. In fact, it doesn’t just show the life of a talented individual, but even people with talent have to go through a lot of frustration, self-doubt, jealousy, and burnout before actually mastering their art.

What makes this feel more real is the characters. People like Yuka, Mori, and the art club members all approach art differently, so it takes a more philosophical take on the genre. The anime constantly explores questions like “What makes art good?” or “Why do people create at all?” without giving easy answers.

6 Lookism Lifts the Curtain on Society’s Hypocrisy on Looks

If you’ve ever felt insecure about the way you look, then Lookism might be the perfect anime for you. Its storyline fits incredibly well in modern high school and college scenarios, where people are often judged by their looks. Therefore, this anime lifts the curtain on that hypocrisy.

The main character, Daniel, has always been a guy with so-called average looks. This subjected him to constant bullying by his peers. But one day, he magically woke up with a new, conventionally attractive body. Sure, this makes everyone around him treat him differently, but is he happy?

5 The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Is a Classic Romance

The romance that we truly deserved is The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity. It has mastered the idea that simplicity is the key. Not only does it not have a toxic love triangle, but even the side cast is also extremely fleshed out, making every character interaction hit close to home.

Kaoruko and Rintaro’s way of falling for each other is also so grounded in reality. It does not provide any plot-heavy backstory because it never really happens like that in real life. Instead, it’s simply about two people meeting each other at the right time. Therefore, it easily deserves the fifth spot.

4 Delicious in Dungeon Has a Beautiful Fantasy Worldbuilding

You’d rarely come across another dungeon adventure series where this much attention to detail has been put in, as Delicious in Dungeon has done. Not only does the dungeon look lively in every way possible, but the way it presents the ecosystem in this world is legitimately phenomenal.

The art style also adds much to its overall appeal. That said, while the worldbuilding alone was enough to put it on the list, the route the story takes in the latter half of the series is actually deserving of high praise. It turns into a dark fantasy plot that you would not want to miss out on.

3 Pluto Reminds Us of the Pros & Cons of Advanced Technology

The source material of Pluto sure is old, but the recent adaptation by Netflix did it more than justice. Written by Naoki Urasawa, the creator behind Monster and 20th Century Boys, Pluto is another example of his mastery in writing deep, introspective storytelling. It’s just as good.

The story pays tribute to Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy in the best way we could hope for, creating a narrative about how robots and AI can take over human lives. How much should we advance in technology, and where should we put the stop? It’s a hauntingly beautiful study of such thoughts.

2 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Is the Perfect Video Game Adaptation

For a long time, video game adaptations had never reached the level of success fans of the franchise wanted them to achieve, partly because the adaptations were never up to the mark. But Cyberpunk: Edgerunners changed that norm. With Studio Trigger behind it, the anime surpassed everyone’s expectations.

Adapting the dystopian world of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, the story introduced a cast of characters that changed the way many people looked at the game. It is an emotional rollercoaster with heavy narrative themes, which even helped the anime win the 2023 Anime of the Year award.

1 Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Is a Philosophical Masterpiece

No words can justify how impactful the narrative of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth can be on someone’s ideologies and beliefs in life. While on the surface, the historical setting of the storyline focuses on the discovery of heliocentrism, proving that Earth is not at the center of the universe.

However, upon finishing the show, you’d realize the themes in Orb go way beyond heliocentrism. It’s a deeper exploration of human psychology. The best thing the author did, though, was that the story never preached a message. It’s open to your interpretation of how you strive to be as a person.

A quick look at some of the key details of the 2020s’ 10 best Netflix Original Anime:

TITLE	RELEASE DATE	IMDb SCORE (as of May 9, 2026)
The Way of the Househusband	April 8, 2021	7.3/10
Blue Box	October 3, 2024	8.0/10
Great Pretender	July 9, 2020	7.8/10
Blue Period	October 2, 2021	7.6/10
Lookism	December 8, 2022	7.6/10
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity	July 6, 2025	8.3/10
Delicious in Dungeon	January 4, 2024	8.1/10
Pluto	October 26, 2023	8.1/10
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners	September 13, 2022	8.3/10
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth	October 5, 2024	8.4/10

Which one are you more drawn to trying after going through the list? Let us know below.