Top 10 Anime Of The Year 2021

What a year it has been! A wide variety of great anime was released this year, and we honestly had a hard time narrowing down our list to ten.

Some honorable mentions, “Otherside Picnic”, “Laid-Back Camp Season 2”, “Mieruko-chan”, “The Aquatope on White Sand”, “BanG Dream! Movie: Episode of Roselia - Part II: Song I am”, and “Princess Principal Movie 1: Crown Handler”.

Check out our list for “Top 10 Anime Of The Year” for 2021 below:

10. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S (Season 2)

“Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S” Synopsis: The wacky Dragon Maid is back again! A strange turn of events leads the Dragon, Tohru, to work as Miss Kobayashi's maid. She occasionally (that's a lie, she often) causes trouble for her beloved Miss Kobayashi while blending into human society and splendidly (that's a lie, only mediocrely) carrying out her maid duties. Her fellow dragons, Kanna, Lucoa, Fafnir, and Elma all find their own places to fit in as well and enjoy interspecies interactions with the humans. Yet while they're all enjoying that laid-back and occasionally turbulent left, the threat of a new Dragon swoops down upon Miss Kobayashi.

Where To Watch: Season 2 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll in subtitles and on Funimation in English dubbing. Season 1 and the “Mini Dragon” Short Anime series is also available on Crunchyroll in subtitles. Funimation is also currently streaming season 1 in English dubbing.

Episode Count: 12 episodes

9. Let’s Make A Mug Too Season 1 & 2

“Let's Make a Mug Too” Synopsis: Together with her father, who had quit his salaryman job, Toyokawa Himeno moves to Gifu prefecture's Tajimi city. That's the city where her mother is from, whom she had lost when she was still young. Himeno is now attending her mother's alma mater, where her classmate Kukuri Mika invites her to tag along to a special place. That place turns out to be the pottery club! There, she learns for the first time that her mother was a legendary potter, and is consequently pulled into the world of pottery.

Where To Watch: Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll in subtitles.

Episode Count: Season 1 (12 episodes) and Season 2 (12 episodes)

8. Selection Project

“Selection Project” Synopsis: Suzune Miyama has been sick since childhood, but always used idol Akari Amasawa’s music for courage and smiles through hard times. Now in her final year of junior high, Suzune is auditioning against thousands of contestants to become one of nine chosen idols in the “Selection Project”—the exact audition competition Akari used to gain fame. Will she follow in her icon’s footsteps?

Where To Watch: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles.

Episode Count: 13 episodes

7. The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!

“The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated!” Synopsis: In the Dark Realm, the Great Jahy was only second to the demon king. Feared by all, she was supposed to be just enjoying being endlessly willful and hedonistic, when a magical girl attacked her and blasted her to the human realm. Forced to live in poverty, her days consist of working in a bar while living in a tiny apartment without a bathroom. Blowing both pity and the demand for rent away, her ambitions are grand: Restoring the Dark Realm!

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll is currently streaming the series in subtitles.

Episode Count: 20 episodes

6. Blue Reflection Ray

“Blue Reflection Ray” Synopsis: Optimistic Hiori can’t turn away anyone in need. Awkward Ruka can’t seem to make friends, even when she tries. But these two do have one thing in common: they’re both magical girls called Reflectors! Together, this unlikely pair will use their powers to help resolve emotional struggles and protect the Fragments of people’s hearts.

Where To Watch: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles.

Episode Count: 24 episodes

5. Non Non Biyori Nonstop (Season 3)

“Non Non Biyori Nonstop” Synopsis: Renge, Natsumi, Komari and former big-city-girl Hotaru live a quiet life in the Japanese countryside, but things get a lot more exciting when newcomer Akane Shinoda moves into the house next door to the Koshigaya family!

Where To Watch: Season 3 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE in subtitles. “Non Non Biyori” Season 1 and “Non Non Biyori Repeat” Season 2 are also available to stream on Crunchyroll in subtitles. Seasons 1, 2 and the film “Non Non Biyori Vacation” are also available to stream on HIDIVE.

Episode Count: 12 episodes

4. Love Live! Superstar!!

“Love Live! Superstar!!” Synopsis: Tokyo’s brand-new Yuigaoka Girls’ High School has no history, no upperclassmen, and no reputation—its first students are starting from scratch! A team of five girls led by Kanon Shibuya discover school idols, and their hopes to do something with singing begin to grow. They begin the “School Idol Project” with a blank slate and infinite potential. It’s time for their Love Live to take flight!

Where To Watch: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles.

Episode Count: 12 episodes

3. Super Cub

“Super Cub” Synopsis: There’s freedom in loneliness, and Koguma finds hers on a motorcycle. A Honda Super Cub motorcycle, to be exact. With no parents, friends, or plans for the future, Koguma’s daily detours on her way to school become her sole source of excitement. Until one day, she learns a classmate, Reiko, shares her passion. Together, they’ll discover friendship, fun, and the adventure of the open road.

Where To Watch: Funimation is currently streaming the series in subtitles.

Episode Count: 12 episodes

2. Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Season 2 -The Eve of Awakening-

“Magia Record” Synopsis: Few people know the truth: the world is safe thanks to the Magical Girls who are forced to slay Witches. Even though these girls are putting their lives on the line for a wish, rumors say they can be saved in Kamihama City. That’s where Iroha Tamaki is headed in search of answers. She can’t remember the wish she made to Kyubey, but a shadowy figure haunts her dreams.

Where To Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll and HIDIVE are all currently streaming Season 2 in subtitles. Season 1 is available to stream on Crunchyroll, HIDIVE and Amazon Prime Video in subtitles and Funimation in English dubbing and subtitles.

Episode Count: 8 episodes

1. Yuki Yuna Is A Hero: The Great Mankai Chapter (Season 3)

Synopsis: Yuna, Mimori, Fuu, Itsuki, Karin and Sonoko have vanquished deadly Vertexes, and recovered a missing friend. Now a new adventure begins, one that will test their skills and their friendships alike.

Where To Watch: HIDIVE is currently streaming season 3 in subtitles. Season 1, Season 2’s “The Washio Sumi Chapter” and “The Hero Chapter”, and “Churutto!” short anime series are all also available to stream on HIDIVE.

Episode Count: 12 episodes

Sources: Funimation Website. HIDIVE website. Crunchyroll website. Amazon website.