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As celebrated as anime from the 2000s are nowadays, plenty of titles still fall through the cracks. Anime like Naruto or Fullmetal Alchemist will always be remembered as classics, but there are still dozens more that deserve the same recognition. Unfortunately, these titles have only gotten the chance to get the spotlight they deserve in more recent years. Otherwise, these series were largely ignored in favor of more popular series back when they were airing.
These anime titles are far more experimental than their more popular peers. They tried new and novel ideas that had rarely been attempted in the medium before. In many instances, these entries even set up the groundwork for future popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen to thrive. That’s why seeing a modern remake or reimagining of these now-beloved classics would help introduce old and new fans to these hidden gems.
10 Zatch Bell's Tournament Setup Offers Explosive Action and Fun Characters
Streaming on Plex
Zatch Bell! continues to be praised by fans of shonen anime as a highly underappreciated modern classic, and for good reason. The series is well-known for its unique battle system. In it, the supernatural Mamodo dolls and their masters battle in a tournament to determine who will be the Mamodo world’s king. Tournaments are a staple of the shonen anime genre, but Zatch Bell! allows the viewer to become intimately familiar with the series’ characters.
The Mamodo and their human partners all share a special bond. Zatch’s kind-hearted nature and Kiyo Takamine’s intellect may put them at odds at first, but they learn to capitalize on each other’s strengths to try to win the tournament. The same rings true for pairings like the tomboyish Mamudo, Tia, and the compassionate pop star Megumi Oumi. These clashing personalities working together to achieve greater goals is one of the highlights of Zatch Bell!’s character writing. These partnerships are at the heart of Zatch Bell! and they easily make the anime a treat to watch.
9 The Law of Ueki's Cult Classic Status Makes It Deserving of A Modern Reboot
Streaming on Pluto TV
The Law of Ueki may be a cult classic in the present, but it was very overlooked when it first debuted in 2005. The show is all about a tournament where 100 middle schoolers must compete against each other to decide who will become the new King of the Celestial World. The premise may not seem very special at first. But the Law of Ueki quickly pulls in viewers with its unique characters and their even more bizarre abilities.
The main character, Kosuke Ueki, is a prime example of a pattern. While he’s a very selfless individual, Kosuke can also summon multiple celestial weapons, turn trash into trees, and is highly intelligent in the heat of battle. Kosuke’s classmate, Ai Mori, doesn’t have any powers and often has to outwit her opponents just as much as Ueki does. While The Law of Ueki may seem basic at first, each character’s tactical prowess and strategies turn a simple battle shonen anime into complex mind games.
8 Chrono Crusade is a Supernatural Take on 1920s America Makes It Stand Out
The Anime's Stylish Visuals and Characters Will Instantly Make Viewers Ask For A Modern Remake
Chrono Crusade is another hidden gem of the early 2000s that deserves far more attention. Set in New York during the Roaring Twenties, the anime centers around Sister Rosette Christopher and her demonic partner Chrono as they hunt down demons that terrorize the innocent. The pair travel around the country, hunting down the unholy as a part of the mysterious Order of Magdalene. During their travels, they come face to face with many demonic threats that threaten people’s everyday lives.
The anime excels at sucking viewers into its unique and supernatural world. The streets of New York are littered with dangerous demons called Sinners who have rebelled against their brethren to cause havoc in the human world. These dangerous scenarios put Rosette and Chrono’s bond with each other to the test and keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Chrono Crusade may not be well-known, but it’s worthy of a modern reimagining.
7 Haibane Renmei is a Classic Anime Begging to Be Remastered
Streaming on Apple TV
Anime fans who are tired of the non-stop action of the various shonen titles that are available to watch may want to turn their attention to Haibane Renmei. The anime is a philosophical mystery anime exploring themes of life, death, and rebirth in the afterlife. As the angel-like haibane, Rakka, adapts to her new life in the strange Old Home boarding school, she meets plenty of new friends who have just awoken to their strange new surroundings.
The other haibane Rakka meets have their own reasons for ending up in Old Home, offering several unique perspectives on life. Reki is one of the oldest residents of Old Home, but still isn’t any closer to figuring out the source of her strange dreams, nightmares, and troubled past. The tomboy Kana hides a more sensitive side to her personality, often wondering about what lies beyond the walled exterior of the countryside. For anime fans looking for something more introspective to watch in their free time, Haibane Renmei will not let them down.
6 RahXephon's Fascinating Story and Musical Themes Will Hook Viewers Instantly
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
RahXephon is one of the more overlooked mecha anime to come out in the 2000s. But just like classic titles like Code Geass or Guren Lagann, RahXephon has a unique premise and story that’s unlike most mecha anime that came before it. The series revolves around an invasion of Earth by an alien species called the Mulians, After secretly taking over Tokyo, it’s up to 17-year-old student Ayato Kamina to repel the invaders using the giant clay machine, RahXephon.
What’s especially impressive about the anime is how it ties standard mecha tropes and incorporates it with elements related to music and songs. The giant Mulian-controlled robots in the series, the Dolems, alll attack while singing or performing some kind of song. The RahXephon’s attacks also require its pilots to sing, often using their «notes» to amplify the strength of its attacks. RahXephon‘s unique premise and themes make it a one-of-a-kind mecha anime that would be perfect for a modern revival.
5 Air Gear's Stylish Skating Would Look Lovely in a Modern Remake
Streaming on Roku
Air Gear was a unique take on a shonen sports anime when it first aired in 2006. Rather than focusing on the trials and tribulations of regular basketball players like in Kuroko no Basket, Air Gear puts its attention on the futuristic fad of Air Treks. Designed as an evolution of skating, Air Treks soon caught the attention of middle-school student, Itsuki Minami. It doesn’t take long for Itsuki to attract new friends and foes alike as he tries to navigate the gangs that have all hopped on the Air Treks fad for themselves.
Air Gear immediately stands out from other sports anime with its crisp animation and stylish characters. The attention to detail in the characters’ fashion and aesthetics will not make viewers mistake Itsuki with his best friend Kazuma Iruka, or any of the other skaters, for how distinctly each of them dresses from the other. Anytime viewers get to see Air Treks in action, the animation never ceases to capture the tricks and stylish flourishes of the skaters. Air Gear is an anime tailor-made for a modern remake, appealing to sports anime fans looking for something different from the norm.
4 Rave Master Is an Unheralded Classic That Deserves A Reimagining
Streaming on Plex
Rave Master is an unusual shonen anime that had all the ingredients to be a breakout hit among fans of the genre. While it may not have become as popular as Naruto or Bleach, it’s still worth watching in its own right. Rave Master centers around Haru Glory, a sixteen-year-old boy who sets out on a journey with his friends to find fragments of a mystical stone sought after by nefarious organizations. Haru’s quest takes him all around the world and leads him to make several new friends and enemies.
Rave Master‘s cast of characters is its strongest quality by far. The snowman-like Plue is extremely loyal to Haru and his friends, despite goofing off at every opportunity. Elie is also a cheery and positive influence on Haru’s group, possessing incredibly strong magic. The criminal organization, Demon Card, is made up of menacing threats to the world that Haru’s group must contend with. Cold-blooded warriors like Lucia and Gale Raregroove make an immediate first impression as imposing villains.
3 Wolf's Rain is A Dark Fantasy Gem That Deserves The Remake Treatment
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Wolf’s Rain is a one-of-a-kind fantasy anime that more people need to experience. The plot focuses on the journey of four wolves, Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe as they search for a place called Paradise. Their search leads them to Freeze City, where the residents live in complete poverty. As the four wolves travel from place to place, their struggles to find Paradise and the Flower Maiden that can unlock it leads them to encounter many different regional conflicts.
Each of the four wolves has their reasons to search for Paradise. Despite his cold exterior, Kiba’s devout search for Paradise is fueled by his belief that the Flower Maiden had shielded him from the flames that consumed his first wolf pack. His passion for finding Paradise quickly makes him the leader of the pack. Tsume only joins the journey out of boredom, but Kiba’s influence on him leads him to become just as determined to find Paradise as his pack leader is. Hige and Toboe are also less certain of Kiba’s claims, but join anyway to escape their dreary past lives.
2 Darker Than Black's Supernatural Mysteries Would Be Perfect for a Modern Remake
Streaming on YouTube
Darker Than Black may be overlooked in the modern day, but there’s no doubt that its thrilling mysteries and characters still hold up. Set in modern-day Tokyo, an incident with a spatial anamoly called «Hell’s Gate» soon leads to a portion of its population developing superhuman powers. Labeled «Contractors», the series follows the exploits of a super-powered assassin named Hei who works for the mysterious Syndicate. As Hei attempts to locate his missing sister Bai, he’s soon dragged into conflict with other powerful agencies with their own Contractors.
Darker Than Black’s competing agencies and mysteries weave together to tell a unified story. While the focus is on Hei’s search for his sister at first, his findings allow viewers to learn about Pandora and Evening Primrose, two organizations that are also investigating Hell’s Gate. This conflict between Contractors and their organizations only adds to the seedy, underground atmosphere of the series. Darker Than Black would benefit heavily from a modern remake, its supernatural setting fitting right in with contemporary titles.
1 Paranoia Agent Would Benefit From a Remake Now More Than Ever
The Psychological Thriller's Themes of Depression and Guilt Is Even More Relevant in the Modern Day
Paranoia Agent is still one of the most bizarre and unique thriller anime to ever be released. The series revolves around a string of odd attacks carried out by a mysterious boy named Lil’ Slugger. As Slugger’s assaults begin to get investigated, it’s revealed that his attacks begin relieving his victims of stress and internal turmoil. What starts as a bizarre mystery ends up engulfing the whole of Tokyo in madness.
The characters of Paranoia Agent are at the heart of its narrative. Tsukiko Sagi doesn’t seem to have much connection to Lil’ Slugger other than being the first victim viewers see on-screen. However, her connections to the enigmatic boy become a core part of unraveling the larger mystery behind his attacks. Maromi, a popular mascot character created by Tsukiko, often comes to life and encourages her creator to sink into her delusions. Maromi and Lil’ Slugger’s influences on Tsukiko and her friends help to ground the more exaggerated parts of Paranoia Agent‘s story in reality. Overall, Paranoia Agent‘s wild and unpredictable narrative gives way to themes that would feel right at home in a modern reimagining of the series.
