If you’re diving back into the world of anime or just want to experience the adrenaline-charged classics of the 2000s, 2000s Anime Action Shows should be on your radar. This list is your guide. The 2000s marked an explosive era for action anime—introducing unforgettable worlds, wild battles, and iconic heroes that would shape fandom for decades. Here are the top 10 must-watch action anime from that golden decade, plus some links to explore further curated anime selections:
For even more anime recommendations and deep dives, check out the Anime section and Top Picks on Cradle View!
10. Black Butler (2008–2009)
Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Victorian England, Black Butler weaves supernatural thrills with gothic style.
The story follows Ciel Phantomhive, a 12-year-old earl and servant to the Queen of England, who is haunted by family tragedy and consumed with vengeance.
After a traumatic ordeal involving the murder of his parents and being enslaved by a cult, Ciel forms a Faustian pact with Sebastian Michaelis, a demonic butler who pledges deadly competence in exchange for Ciel’s soul.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The plot is rich with intrigue: the pair solve mysteries riddled with occult violence, unravel underworld schemes, and confront twisted foes like Jack the Ripper.
The unique chemistry between Ciel—calculating and resolute despite his age—and the ever-imposing, supernaturally skilled Sebastian, anchors a story that’s at once dark, stylish, and morally complicated.
The action is driven by gothic flair, complex cases, paranormal combat, and deadly mind games—plus an array of memorable supporting characters such as the sword-wielding Lizzie and the snarky undertaker.
Black Butler offers suspense and spectacle with deep psychological undercurrents, making it essential viewing for fans of darker, supernatural action anime.
9. Fairy Tail (2009–)
Fairy Tail explodes with color, magic, and relentless camaraderie, becoming one of the defining shōnen adventures of the late 2000s.
Centered around the infamous Fairy Tail wizard guild, the story primarily follows Natsu Dragneel—a fire-breathing Dragon Slayer known for his fierce loyalty and unstoppable energy—and Lucy Heartfilia, a rookie Celestial mage.
The magic-infused world is alive with epic quests, daunting monsters, guild rivalries, and heartfelt friendships.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Each story arc piles on creativity, whether it’s storming the Tower of Heaven, facing off against the mysterious Oración Seis, or unraveling the sinister secrets of Zeref. Fairy Tail’s battle scenes are both emotionally charged and dazzling, with magical powers visually popping off the screen.
What sets the series apart is its focus on family—the guild members are as much comrades as they are chosen kin, and this emotional heart pumps through every electrifying showdown and teary-eyed rescue.
By the close of the 2000s, Fairy Tail was already a defining force in anime’s global boom.
8. Soul Eater (2008–2009)
In Soul Eater, a gothic Halloween aesthetic collides with outrageous supernatural action. The show unfolds at Death Weapon Meister Academy—a bizarre school where students pair up as weapon meisters and their weapon partners (who can literally transform into scythes, swords, or guns).
Protagonists Maka Albarn and her scythe partner Soul, together with friends like Black☆Star and the death-obsessed Kid, face off against “kishin” monsters and witches who threaten humanity.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Soul Eater stands out for its bold, kinetic animation style, loaded with jagged lines, expressive faces, and acrobatic battles.
The tone brilliantly flips from dark and grotesque to zany and irreverent, weaving its commentary about madness, power, and the meaning of partnership into every ghoulish showdown.
The series’ unique cast, offbeat humor, and relentless action make Soul Eater a feverishly memorable ride—and a top pick for any fan seeking supernatural brawls with punk energy.
7. Samurai Champloo (2004–2005)
We love Samurai Champloo so much we’ve written a review of it: Why You Must Watch Samurai Champloo. Please give it a read if you’re interested in watching.
This swordplay meets hip-hop cool in Samurai Champloo, a genre-bending road adventure from Shinichiro Watanabe (of Cowboy Bebop fame).
Set in an alternate Edo-period Japan, the story follows three unlikely companions: the sword-wielding vagrant Mugen, stoic ronin Jin, and the quirky, tea-serving girl Fuu.
What begins as a simple quest to find “the samurai who smells of sunflowers” turns into a series of wild escapades, equal parts swashbuckling danger and surreal humour.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});What really sets Champloo apart is its outrageous mash-up of anachronistic elements—graffiti, breakdancing, and modern slang—set to a soundtrack of jazz and hip-hop.
Every episode is a stylistic showcase, with kinetic, off-kilter fight scenes and snappy, genre-defying storytelling.
Underneath its cool exterior, Champloo explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and finding one’s path amid chaos. It remains one of the most inventive and influential action anime of the decade.
6. Death Note (2006–2007)
Death Note is a tense battle of wits that redefined the psychological thriller genre in anime. High school prodigy Light Yagami stumbles upon a mysterious notebook with a deadly power: anyone whose name is written in it dies.
Driven by a warped sense of justice, Light becomes the masked vigilante “Kira,” triggering a global manhunt led by the inscrutable super-detective “L.”
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The series is less about traditional combat and more about mental warfare, featuring nail-biting showdowns, elaborate mind games, and shifting moral boundaries.
Action erupts not in fists or swords, but in strategy and deduction—even the quietest scenes crackle with electricity.
Death Note’s characters, especially Light and L, are some of the decade’s most iconic, and the show’s themes of power, corruption, and justice remain chillingly relevant. With its relentless pace, iconic cat-and-mouse chases, and high-stakes twists, Death Note is not just action-packed—it’s addictive.
5. Gintama (2006–2018)
Few shows balance parody, raw action, and genuine drama quite like Gintama. Set in an alternate Edo-period Japan where aliens have taken over, the show follows odd-jobber Gintoki Sakata and his ragtag crew—Shinpachi, Kagura, and Sadaharu.
While it’s best known for its irreverent comedy, Gintama regularly explodes into some of anime’s most impressive action sequences, with swordfights that merge samurai tradition and over-the-top sci-fi mayhem.
Multi-episode arcs bring serious foes and personal stakes—for example, Gintoki’s battles against his old friend Takasugi or the chilling Shinsengumi conflicts—delivering high emotion and heart-pounding duels.
Meanwhile, each episode brims with self-aware jokes, genre deconstruction, and pop culture references.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Gintama is a fever dream of action, parody, and heart—a deceptively smart, endlessly rewatchable titan of the 2000s anime scene.
4. InuYasha (2000–2004)
Transporting viewers into a feudal fantasy Japan, InuYasha is a sweeping, action-packed mix of folklore, romance, and monster hunting.
Modern-day schoolgirl Kagome finds herself drawn through a magical well into the past, where she meets the brash half-demon Inuyasha.
Their quest to collect shards of the powerful Shikon Jewel leads to nonstop battles against demons and vengeful spirits, as well as confrontations with formidable villains like Sesshomaru and Naraku.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});InuYasha’s high-energy combat and supernatural showdowns are balanced by slower moments—romantic tension, team camaraderie, and moral quandaries about love, vengeance, and destiny. The show’s beautiful landscapes, memorable musical score, and distinctive character designs helped define the anime boom internationally.
Whether it’s an epic duel or a quiet insight into a cursed character’s past, InuYasha blends emotional depth and fiery action.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)
Often hailed as the definitive shōnen anime, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood adapts Hiromu Arakawa’s original manga with precision and scope.
The story follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, alchemists on a quest to restore their bodies after a forbidden ritual goes horribly wrong.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Their journey unravels a grand conspiracy tied to military corruption, ancient homunculi, and the philosopher’s stone—a plot filled with betrayals, epic battles, and moral dilemmas.
Brotherhood balances dazzling, inventive magic-based combat with persistent emotional stakes; every fight forces the Elrics and their allies to confront loss, sacrifice, and the consequences of their ambition.
The sprawling cast—including tactical genius Roy Mustang and deadly assassin Scar—adds nuance and depth to every confrontation. Smart, tragic, and exhilarating from start to finish, Brotherhood earns its spot as one of the greatest action anime of its era.
2. Bleach (2004–2012)
Bleach burst onto the 2000s anime scene with high stakes, stunning visuals, and a cast full of personality.
The journey begins when Ichigo Kurosaki, a spiritually gifted teenager, accidentally becomes a Soul Reaper—and is soon plunged into a world of hollow-hunting and reaper politics.
RELATED: How To Watch Bleach For Free
The early “Soul Society” and “Arrancar” arcs deliver furious combat, endless sword techniques (zanpakuto), and intense rivalries—while introducing one of anime’s deepest and most varied rosters of heroes, villains, and antiheroes.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Bleach thrived on constant escalation: each saga brought new threats, mysterious conspiracies, and dazzling evolution in the hero’s power.
Though infamous for its pacing and filler episodes, Bleach remains beloved for its larger-than-life battles, striking designs, memorable soundtracks, and gripping sense of adventure—securing its legacy as a must-watch shōnen juggernaut.
1. Naruto (2002–2007)
Few anime have captured the world’s attention like Naruto. Bursting onto the scene in the early 2000s, this tale of a loud, energetic ninja dreaming of acceptance became a global phenomenon.
The story centers on Naruto Uzumaki, an orphan scorned by his village but brimming with energy and a resolve to become Hokage, the greatest ninja leader.
Naruto’s formative adventures—teaming up with Sakura and Sasuke under the mentorship of Kakashi—are classic genre storytelling, featuring unforgettable tournaments, wild ninja techniques (jutsu), and brutal rivalries.
Every arc ups the stakes, from covert missions to all-out wars against powerful rogue ninjas like Orochimaru or the criminal Akatsuki.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4474055489327117 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});What truly raises Naruto above other action anime is its investment in emotional journey: perseverance, overcoming pain, loyalty, and the bonds forged in shared struggle.
The show’s gravity-defying fights and massive cast of unique side characters stuck with entire generations; for many, Naruto was the gateway into anime itself and remains the gold standard for 2000s action.
More Anime content
Explore even more in-depth anime guides in the Anime section and Top Picks at Cradle View.
Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned fan, these classics capture the explosive, creative heyday of 2000s anime action.
