Since the time when Dragon Ball Z dominated the screens, the Japanese animation industry has undergone major upheavals that have profoundly transformed the way we consume animated series. This turning point, marked by the emergence of must-watch modern anime, now offers richer stories, more nuanced worlds, and unprecedented animation quality. While Dragon Ball Z remains a pop culture monument, several new anime have succeeded in captivating and retaining a new generation of anime fans, bringing a true animated evolution. In this article, we will explore six series that have managed to surpass expectations and sometimes eclipse the formerly unmatched animated success of Dragon Ball Z. The key points we will address are:
- Visual and narrative innovations that redefine standards
- More complex and deeper characters and plots
- Specific examples and audience or critical figures for the series
- The cultural impact of these new works in the animation world
- Comparisons with Dragon Ball Z and its current limits on the eve of 2026
Let us now move on to a detailed analysis of what makes modern anime so strong, attracting the attention of both novices and pop culture aficionados.
- 1 Jujutsu Kaisen: the mature shonen that redefines the genre
- 2 Solo Leveling: Korean mastery of animation and storytelling
- 3 Demon Slayer: a visual and emotional revolution
- 4 Sakamoto Days: comedic action serving rare originality
- 5 Gachiakuta: a graphic and social work that challenges conventions
- 6 Dandadan: when comedy, the paranormal, and action intertwine
Jujutsu Kaisen: the mature shonen that redefines the genre
Jujutsu Kaisen establishes itself as a pillar of contemporary Japanese animation. Its meteoric popularity among anime fans reflects a significant evolution in how shonen stories are told. Far from the stereotypical fights of Dragon Ball Z, Jujutsu Kaisen introduces rare psychological depth and an impressive visual aesthetic led by the MAPPA studio. The hero, Yuji Itadori, is an ordinary teenager confronted with curses and supernatural forces, thus going beyond the simple archetype of the overpowered warrior to offer themes of sacrifice, suffering, and resilience.
The fight sequences, exceptionally fluid, are choreographed with an unprecedented attention to detail, where every movement truly matters. The work on the gothic and dark atmosphere contrasts with classic battles, and the narrative choices avoid the traditional manichaeism of anime in its genre. The ongoing season 3 deepens this with a narrative complexity that attracts a wider audience, including fans who are not necessarily die-hard shonen enthusiasts.
Critics also highlight the sound quality and refined artistic direction, contributing greatly to the series’ critical and commercial success. Audience figures show constant growth, with over 10 million subscribers on streaming platforms in 2025 alone. Cross-referenced with its global reception, it becomes clear that Jujutsu Kaisen has managed to go beyond the traditional fanbase to become a must-watch.
This series symbolizes the evolution of modern anime, offering an interesting alternative to Dragon Ball Z, whose long format and sometimes repetitive nature now show their limits in captivating new audiences.
Solo Leveling: Korean mastery of animation and storytelling
Although Dragon Ball Z marked the Japanese animation landscape, the rise of Korea in this field cannot be ignored, and Solo Leveling is a perfect example. Adapted from a hugely popular webtoon, Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-Woo, a discreet and weak hunter who is propelled onto center stage thanks to a mysterious system allowing him to progress without visible limits.
The animated adaptation surprised with its exceptional fluidity and rarely achieved detail precision in traditional anime series. Fight sequences combine brutality and elegance, with impressive animation that gives the impression that the characters dance to the rhythm of their battles. Season 2 reinforced this trend by avoiding classic flaws like filler episodes: every moment serves the progression of a dynamic and captivating story.
Streaming figures are eloquent: in 2025, Solo Leveling had exceeded 15 million views on international platforms, highlighting the growing influence of modern anime beyond Japan. This popularity also highlights a new attention economy where animation quality and narrative construction are priorities, thereby relegating Dragon Ball Z to the status of a classic whose repetitiveness pushes part of the young viewers away.
Solo Leveling perfectly illustrates the rise of new anime, driving the industry toward increased demand for innovation and visual sophistication.
Demon Slayer: a visual and emotional revolution
Demon Slayer has succeeded in raising the standards of Japanese animation like no other recent work. Far from the classic shonen format, this series combines breathtaking aesthetics with a powerful emotional storyline.
The Ufotable studio, responsible for the animation, skillfully exploited technology combined with ancestral artistic know-how, offering incredibly detailed shots, where every texture and every light contribute to a total sensory spectacle. Fights such as the one between Tanjiro and Rui or the Infinity Train arc saga represent a true revolution in how battle staging is approached.
This success is also reflected in impressive figures: the film “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” is one of the biggest hits at the Japanese box office, with over 43 billion yen in revenue. Moreover, the anime series continues to gather millions of viewers on all platforms, consolidating its place in global pop culture.
Deep themes on family, pain, and perseverance, combined with incredibly fluid animation, give this rare emotional dimension that goes far beyond mere physical confrontation, marking a major step in animated evolution.
Sakamoto Days: comedic action serving rare originality
Far from the dramatic intensity of Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer, Sakamoto Days offers a refreshing mix of action and comedy. The protagonist, Taro Sakamoto, a former hitman turned grocer, embodies a claimed originality that appeals through his humanity and quirky humor.
This anime manages to deliver spectacular action scenes while naturally slipping in moments of lightness and sincere emotions. This duality, rarely mastered, gives modern anime a welcome diversity, far from the clichés often reproached to classic shonen series like Dragon Ball Z.
Sakamoto Days has been enjoying growing enthusiasm since its launch. In 2025, critics highlight its ability to renew the genre, with fast-paced animation and innovative choreography that combine precision and fluidity.
For fans eager to discover new things, Sakamoto Days enriches the palette of must-watch animated series, illustrating the current richness of the Japanese industry and its ability to create unique characters and stories.
Gachiakuta brings a totally different dynamic to the modern anime landscape. Inspired by street art and graffiti culture, it plunges into a raw and marginal dystopia where usual codes are deliberately broken. The hero, Rudo, faces a ruthless universe that evokes social issues often overlooked in more mainstream anime.
This series stands out for its radical visual identity and a dramaturgy that refuses simplification. Its graphic and narrative violence evokes both survival and the quest for justice in a world where protagonists’ legitimacy is always questioned.
For those seeking a more subversive experience that goes beyond simple entertainment, Gachiakuta remains a must-watch to follow. This conceptual boldness testifies to a deep renewal that now seduces anime fans thirsty for originality.
In a context where traditional anime sometimes struggle to renew themselves, this work offers a new breath, at the boundaries between art, politics, and animated storytelling.
Dandadan: when comedy, the paranormal, and action intertwine
Dandadan captivates with its originality and decidedly offbeat tone. This unlikely mix of teenage romance, paranormal adventures, and high-octane action creates a unique place in the sphere of modern anime.
Through Momo and Okarun, this series oscillates between spontaneous laughter and unrestrained fight scenes where reality seems suspended. This cocktail of varied and well-controlled elements prevents any predictability, thus capturing the attention of a broad audience.
Dandadan’s ability to constantly surprise by shaking up expectations is a rare asset that attracts a community of fans as diverse as can be. Its success perfectly illustrates the diversity of new anime and their ability to push the boundaries of classical genres established by Dragon Ball Z.
Rising audiences on streaming platforms as well as enthusiastic viewer reactions underline that this series will have to carve out a lasting place among the must-sees of tomorrow’s Japanese animation.
| Animated Series | Year of Success | Estimated Audience (millions) | Animation Studio | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jujutsu Kaisen | 2020-2026 | 10 | MAPPA | Gothic combat and mature storytelling |
| Solo Leveling | 2023-2026 | 15 | MADBOX | Extreme fight fluidity, intense progression |
| Demon Slayer | 2019-2026 | 25+ | Ufotable | Spectacular animation and powerful emotion |
| Sakamoto Days | 2024-2026 | 7 | TMS Entertainment | Innovative action-comedy blend |
| Gachiakuta | 2025-2026 | 3.5 | Studio sauvage | Street art aesthetic and subversive storytelling |
| Dandadan | 2022-2026 | 6 | Connect Animation | Unlikely comedy/paranormal/action combination |
To discover the current evolution and trends in Japanese animation influencing these successes, you can consult this detailed article on manga trends 2025. The rise of new anime continues to attract international attention, strengthened by the release of innovative series on major platforms like Netflix, where several intriguing new works are regularly presented.
For example, the renewal of classic series with more modern adaptations or even sequels to famous franchises such as One Piece season 2 on Netflix contribute to this growing animated success and the diversity of the anime catalog available for all audiences.
