Let’s be honest—anime in the 2000s was a chaotic masterpiece. It was the era of chunky DVD box sets, Toonami marathons, and forums where people argued over sub vs. dub like their lives depended on it. But while some shows like Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist got the spotlight (and the merch), others quietly faded into the background like a ninja in a fog machine. So today, we’re dusting off the VHS memories and giving five forgotten gems the love they deserve. Because nostalgia hits harder when it’s wrapped in pixelated angst and questionable hair physics. Check out these because nostalgia hits harder when it’s wrapped in pixelated angst and questionable hair physics. Let’s relive the 2000s with these 5 Fantastic Forgotten Anime TV Shows of the 2000s!
Blast From the Past: 5 Fantastic Forgotten Anime TV Shows of the 2000s
1. Ergo Proxy (2006)
Genre: Cyberpunk, Psychological Thriller Vibe: “This is what you get when philosophy is mashed with a moody stare and a loaded weapon.”
If Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell had a temperamental anime goth baby, it would be Ergo Proxy. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic dome city where humans and androids coexist (read: barely tolerate each other). This show dives deep into existential dread, identity crises, and the kind of plot twists that make you question your own reality. Re-l Mayer, our eyeliner-wielding protagonist, is basically the poster child for “I’m not like other girls”—because she’s not. She’s chasing down a mysterious entity called Proxy, and the journey is equal parts cerebral and beautifully bleak.
Why it was forgotten: It’s smart. Like, “you might need a philosophy degree to fully get it” smart. But if you’re into slow burns and aesthetic despair, this one’s a must-watch.
2. Texhnolyze (2003)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, Psychological Horror Vibe: “Depression, but make it digital.”
Texhnolyze is not here an anime to comfort you. It’s here to drag you into a dystopian underworld called Lux, where people replace limbs with cybernetic tech and hope is basically extinct. Ichise, a prizefighter turned reluctant cyborg, stumbles into a power struggle that’s less “cool action” and more “existential meltdown.” The pacing is glacial, the tone is grim, and the color palette is 50 shades of gray—but that’s the point.
Why it was forgotten: It’s not for the faint of heart. Or the impatient. But if you want to feel like you’ve been emotionally steamrolled by art, Texhnolyze delivers.
3. Noein: To Your Other Self (2005)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Multiverse, Coming-of-Age Vibe: “Quantum physics meets middle school drama.”
Noein is that weird fever dream of a show that somehow makes quantum theory feel personal. It follows Haruka, a girl caught between dimensions, and Yuu, her childhood friend who may or may not be a future warlord in an alternate timeline. The animation style is wild—sometimes sketchy, sometimes fluid, always bold—and the story juggles multiverse theory with emotional growth like a caffeinated physics professor.
Why it was forgotten: It’s ambitious and a little messy, but in a charming way. If you like your anime with a side of “what is even happening right now,” Noein is your jam.
4. Witch Hunter Robin (2002)
Genre: Supernatural, Mystery, Action Vibe: “Corporate goths fighting witch fashionistas.”
Robin Sena is a teenage witch working for a secret organization that hunts other witches. Think X-Files meets Buffy, but Neo dressed them and they love espresso. The show blends supernatural mystery with sleek noir aesthetics, and Robin herself is the definition of quiet power. The pacing is deliberate, the soundtrack is moody, and the plot slowly unravels.
5. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama Vibe: “Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in the Bodyguard with spears.”
Moribito is the kind of anime that sneaks up on you with its quiet brilliance. Balsa, spear-wielding badass warrior, is hired to protect Prince Chagum, a boy carrying a mysterious spirit inside him. What follows is a gorgeously animated tale of honor, redemption, and maternal vibes that hit harder than expected. The world-building is rich, the pacing is thoughtful, and the emotional payoff is a chef’s kiss.
Why it was forgotten: It aired on Adult Swim, but never got the hype it deserved. Too mature for shonen fans, too fantasy-heavy for slice-of-life lovers—but perfect for you.
Final Thoughts
Just because something is from the past, like these anime from the 2000s, does not mean it needs to be forgotten. And if it is forgotten, maybe it is just waiting for a new generation to rediscover the lure these anime still hold. Take a chance and broaden your love of the lost anime. Who knows what you might discover watching these anime shows?
