10 Incredible '00s Anime That Aged Better Than Fine Wine

In a medium as dynamic as anime, it's easy for many series to feel outdated and be forgotten after just a couple of years. However, the industry has also gifted fans with true gems over the years that have not only aged well but have also continued to build their legacy, attracting more fans as cult classics.

Despite being two decades old, rather than feeling displaced by newer titles, these iconic animes from the 2000s remain relevant today thanks to their timeless stories and high-quality animation that feel as fresh as when they were released.

Planetes

• Release date: October 4, 2003
• Streaming platform: Crunchyroll

From Vinland Saga's creator, Planetes, it's a masterwork that feels as relevant today as it did upon its release. Planetes is set in the 2070s, where space junk has become a major contamination problem. Contrary to other sci-fi anime, it isn't filled with robot battles but follows a group of workers tasked with recovering the debris to prevent collisions with other spacecraft.

With sharp social commentary, an excellent soundtrack, and a realistic animation style featuring breathtaking panoramic shots that showcase the vastness of space, viewers can easily connect with Planetes' characters and story, which tackles themes such as space development, inequality in developing countries, and the perspectives and dreams of office workers. Even decades later, Planetes remains an anime that viewers won't regret watching.

Baccano!

• Release date: July 26, 2007

What differentiates Baccano from other anime is the way it weaves together multiple parallel stories in several periods, combining the characters' perspectives to reveal a big picture. Set in New York during Prohibition, Baccano follows a diverse cast of eccentric characters as they become entangled in the search for an "immortal liquor" from gangsters, mafia members, thugs, criminals, and terrorists.

Baccano is chaotic, with stylish characters and plenty of action that makes it ideal for binge-watching. The anime shares the thrill of a mystery novel, as it hides many clues that make viewers feel like they're solving a puzzle. This gives Baccano an incredible rewatch value, since viewers can revisit it and discover new details they might have missed the first time.

Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

• Released date: October 3, 2007
• Streaming platform: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Kaiji is more than a story about gambling. In the anime, Kaiji Ito is self-indulgent and unmotivated and is forced into engaging in heated life-or-death gambling games, embroiled in extreme situations where he pushes himself to his limits with dramatic turnarounds that can make him win a lot of money.

While its unique art style still stands out, Kaiji's greatest appeal lies in its depiction of psychology and humanity. The anime explores the dark side of society ruled by money and greed from the perspective of the weak, showing Kaiji and his friends' financial struggles. This makes Kaiji a timeless work that even inspired Netflix's global hit Squid Game.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00

• Released date: October 6, 2007
• Streaming platform: Crunchyroll, Hulu

Although the franchise has remained active, releasing new series in recent years, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is one of the anime that still holds up spectacularly. Not only does it boast excellent animation for its time, but the Celestial Being's story has become the perfect gateway for those looking to get into the Gundam franchise.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is completely independent of previous works and tackles heavy themes such as terrorism and power conflicts, featuring many cruel situations and memorable side characters that won't leave viewers indifferent. As a result, it has become one of the most recommended series within the Gundam universe, sparking greater interest in other installments of the franchise.

Gurren Lagann

• Released date: April 1, 2007
• Streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix

Despite the passage of time, Gurren Lagann could pass for a modern anime, as its animation even surpasses many current productions. The story begins in an underground village where Simon dreams of reaching the surface. However, after a fateful encounter and battles against powerful foes, the adventure not only spans the entire planet but also reaches an even greater scale.

In Gurren Lagann, the robot battles are a true marvel, and Simon's epic journey from a shy boy to a determined fighter is as moving as it is rewarding. Therefore, in addition to its visual appeal, Gurren Lagann's energetic and audacious story is a must-see, deserving to be considered an animated gem.

Code Geass

• Released date: October 6, 2006
• Streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Code Geass has gone down in history as one of the most iconic anime of the 2000s, following a brilliant anti-hero protagonist under the mask of a terrorist figure. While its high production values still feel fresh with spectacularly fluid and explosive mecha battles, Code Geass shines thanks to Lelouch's duality.

Lelouch's masterfully crafted schemes gifted viewers with shocking developments and plot twists that blurred the line between good and evil, posing philosophical dilemmas about justice and revenge and making Code Geass an unforgettable work that continues to attract the new generations of anime fans.

Mushi-shi

• Released date: October 23, 2005
• Streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Most new-gen anime focuses on action and adrenaline, but series like Mushishi endure the test of time because of the way they invite viewers to reflect. Mushishi follows Ginko as he meets various people during his journey and solves mysterious phenomena, with its greatest trait being its relaxing atmosphere and awe-inspiring scenery that feels ephemeral and vivid.

What makes Mushishi special is its variety of thought-provoking stories, ranging from sweet to heartbreaking and hopeless. So while Mushishi continues to captivate with the sheer beauty of its visuals and is a slow and contemplative anime, it draws viewers in with its emotional stories and makes them empathize with the characters.

Samurai Champloo

• Released date: May 20, 2004
• Streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

Although Cowboy Bebop is a cult classic considered by many fans to be Shinichiro Watanabe's masterpiece, Samurai Champloo is not far behind. Samurai Champloo blends samurai stories with hip-hop culture, becoming a work full of originality that isn't tied by tradition or historical accuracy.

Even something as established as a sword technique is based on breakdancing, making the anime absurd but also fun and exciting, and adding another type of charm to the action that is impossible to match even more than twenty years later. That being said, it's Samurai Champloo's cutting-edge animation and soundtrack that have made it a supreme piece of visual art.

Death Note

• Released date: October 4, 2006
• Streaming platforms: Netflix

Despite its divisive ending, Death Note marked a turning point in the anime industry, with Light Yagami becoming the trademark of an anti-hero protagonist, as many subsequent works were inspired by his selfish, intelligent, and strategic nature with delusions of grandeur and supernatural power.

Death Note is among those titles that any anime fan should watch at least once, thanks to its masterful psychological warfare and deception in Kira and L's intellectual clash, peppered with many unexpected twists. That's why Death Note became one of the world's most popular series and continues to be recommended as the perfect title for non-anime fans.

Monster

• Released date: April 7, 2004
• Streaming platforms: Netflix

Monster is arguably the best psychological thriller anime of all time, deserving the title of masterpiece. Although newer anime fans might find its art style and neutral color palette a little outdated, it's perfect for creating the series' heavy and tense atmosphere. Moreover, Monster's story is all about its characters.

With many moral dilemmas, Naoki Urasawa's story is brimming with narrative depth, exploring the nature of evil and offering a compelling look into humanity. Furthermore, Monster boasts one of the best villains in all fiction, taking viewers into a complex journey that has not only aged well but continues to win over fans almost 22 years later.