Best action anime of 2021

10
Kemono Jihen Was The Darkhorse Of Anime This Year
Kemono Jihen was the sleeper hit of the Winter anime season, quickly
gaining a small reputation and cult following. It was not one that many
people have talked about, which is a shame because the anime contained
a perfect mix of mystery and action. But it should not be overlooked just
because it had a small, yet dedicated viewer base. There are some truly
interesting elements at play in this anime, and it is surprisingly
consistent with its adaptation. Make no mistake. Kimono Jihen might be
small in terms of popularity, but it is a hidden gem worth checking out.

9
A Hilarious Tale Of Villains In Combatants Will Be Dispatched
From the same author as the legendary Konosuba series, Combatants is
about an evil organization that is trying to take over the world. There are
some solid action sequences in this anime, as the main duo is able to
teleport weapons of Earth out of thin air, oftentimes turning the tides of
battle in an instant. The dialogue is punchy, and the cast chemistry is
oftentimes gold. Fans of Konosuba should feel right at home here, as
there are plenty of similarities between the two series. There are great
moments of action and hilarious gags that will keep audiences engaged
until the credits roll.
8
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Season 2 Keeps
Expanding To New Heights
The first season of this anime back in 2018 was not one that many were
originally anticipating, as the premise of a man killed and reincarnated
as a slime in a fantasy world is something that had been done in similar
degrees before. But before long, this show won over plenty of fans with
its use of charming characters and clever worldbuilding. The anime
captivated audiences by highlighting the details of establishing a new
nation, from politics and economics to the friends and enemies made
along the way.

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Season two of Slime has continued to expand on these elements, and as

Rimuru Tempest has grown in power, so have his adversaries. The action
moments in this anime don't just exist for the thrills, but often to
highlight the diplomatic relationships between nations and their
consequences.

7
Eighty-Six Is A Tragic Military Drama With Great Action
This anime doesn't exactly have the most descriptive or memorable
name of the year, but it shouldn't be overlooked. It tells a tale of a
heartwrenching tale of an ongoing war and the sacrifices that encompass
such a battle. It's also a story about the struggle of human survival, and
what it means to fight for that right to live. But at its core, the story of 86
is surprisingly human, interspersing some real emotion in-between the
intense action. Every bit of this story is as thoughtful as it is tragic, and
one that will keep viewers coming back.

6
Sk8 The Infinity Is One Of The Most Unique Anime Of The Year
Before this show was created, there had never been a skateboard anime.
And considering how well the skateboarding works in animated form, it's
a bit surprising to hear that fact. Studio Bones has created a very unique
and visually impressive premise about an underground skateboard
racing organization. And if that premise isn't already interesting enough,
learning about real skateboarding moves and tricks makes for some of
the most exciting action sequences that have come out this year.
Everything about this show oozes style and passion, and fans of action or
sports anime simply cannot afford to pass this one up.

5
So I'm A Spider, So What? Has Charmed Isekai Fans
Fans of isekai anime should already be aware of this spider-focused
anime RPG, as it stormed onto the scene earlier this year. The struggle
for survival in an unknown environment (and as an entirely different
species) was not only endearing but also enthralling.

This is a show that is mechanically similar to the aforementioned Slime

anime but with a completely different story and execution. It knows
exactly what it wants to do, and accomplishes those elements in strides.
Being won over by an energetic spider is not exactly something that the
anime community expected to happen this year, but it's surprisingly
lovable anyway.

4
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Is Fantasy Anime Like
Never Before
It's not an understatement to say that there has been a lot of fantasy
anime recently. It's an extremely popular genre in both Japan and in the
west, so it makes sense to keep adapting fantasy manga and light novels.
The risk, however, is adapting something that will be generic or
forgettable, and completely forgotten a season later. Jobless
Reincarnation is far from forgettable, thanks to some excellent
production and planning that have elevated the series to a polished and
beautiful level.
9 Anime Magic Schools That Put Hogwarts To Shame

The fights are so fluidly animated that it can be hard to remember that
the show is an anime. The set pieces and magic systems are also
downright artful, and any given frame with these elements will always be
guaranteed to be a treat for viewers.

3
Tokyo Revengers Is One Of The Most Gripping Anime Of The Year
Out of all the recent anime to come out this year, this one was by far one
of the most surprising. Not because it's done anything groundbreaking or
revolutionary, but because it executes so well on its premise.
Week-by-week, the main character Takemichi travels back and forth
between the past and the present in order to stop gang violence that will
inevitably cause his past lover to be caught in the crossfire. Every week is
filled with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats,
and the show does an excellent job at keeping fans guessing. It's equal
parts gritty, dark, and riveting, and is easily one of the best action/drama
shows to come out this year.

2
Nomad: Megalobox 2 Has Some Of The Best Writing In Recent
Memory
The announcement for the second season of a show that already had a
complete ending was completely unexpected, let alone an original series
that finished in 2018. What more could be said or explored? And it turns
out that TMS Entertainment had a lot more in mind for Gearless Joe.
The second season of Megalobox explored a darker, and thematically
more mature side of Joe, as he wrestled with addiction, loss, and finding
purpose in life. At the core of this anime, Nomad is one of the most
earnestly written shows not just of this past year, but also in recent
memory. Every minute of this show, from the action to the heartfelt
drama, feels like a complete and satisfying journey.

1
Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- Has Swept The Anime Community By
Storm
The thing about anime-originals is that people never know what to
expect from them. With no source material to follow, there's always a
chance that it will lead to a wildly uneven experience. But when Vivy
exploded onto the scene back in April, it absolutely floored viewers with
gorgeous animation, incredible music, and a thought-provoking story
about an AI uprising. Vivy masterfully navigates these elements and
more, all while weaving in with some of the best action scenes in anime
this year. On top of being an incredibly entertaining and riveting passion
project, this anime is one that will surely be remembered for years to
come.