The list may surprise you.
There are a lot of ways and reasons to combine some lists. Anime Reddit decided to ask its Redditors about their favorite anime of the decade, and that decade was from 2000 to 2009. The readers had to fill the list with ten shows. The show that was in first place got 2 points, while every other one got 1 point.
And the leaders seem pretty interesting.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood placed 1st with 596 points. And no one questions it: the anime that was released in 2009 still tops the personal lists of a lot of anime watchers. This show is a reboot of the original Fullmetal Alchemist that aired in 2003 simultaneously with the manga release and because of that diverged from the story and had its own original ending. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the faithful adaptation of the manga, one that follows the story and adds wonderful animation to all the important parts.
Code Geass
Code Geass placed 2nd with 590 points. It's interesting that if you look at it, more people named it their top 1 anime than FMA:B, but the total number of points was smaller. This show is special because it's the anime original series, and during the very climactic finale arc the viewers didn't know what to expect, because there was no source to look it up, so they were very eager to see what was going to happen: the suspense in the anime community was palpable in 2006. That experience probably is what propelled the show to the top: you can't forget it that easily. And the story in general is pretty satisfying.
Death Note
Death Note got 3rd place with 583 points. What's interesting is that Death Note is the show that has been placed on the Redditor's list the most. It's impossible to diminish the significance of this anime, both to the anime industry in general and to its popularization in the West. The story that delves deep into the troubles of gray morals and shows how people change under the circumstances, even the self-imposed ones, still sparks heated discussions in the community. The impact of Death Note on the anime community in general is also something you can't skimp on.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann placed 4th with 492 points. This bizarre show truly leaves its mark and imprints onto viewers' memory by being extremely flashy and over-the-top. It's a truly unforgettable experience, one that leaves you wondering what's gonna come next, and this unpredictability combined with the top-notch animation is what makes it exciting. It has its drawbacks in terms of storytelling, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a wild ride one probably should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Clannad
Clannad placed 5th with 369 votes, and that is pretty surprising — but refreshing. A tear-jerking but wholesome story that makes even the most stoic people weep, its impact on the community and on the industry is undeniable. One of the most notable works by Kyoto Animation, this anime is compellingly heartbreaking, and its storytelling keeps people engaged and willing to learn more, to sympathize with the characters, to get immersed in their lives. This show is a cultural staple, first and foremost.
Bakemonogatari
Bakemonogatari took 6th place with 335 votes. The first part of the Monogatari series that opened the world of Nisio Isin's novels to lots of anime viewers is properly bizarre and a signature work in SHAFT's portfolio. The famous head tilt with Senjougahara, the palette, the blocky colors, the fights, the ungodly amount of text on the screen that you cannot read without pausing the show, the insane story — there's a reason why people love Bakemonogatari, remember it 15 years after its release, and keep it close to their hearts.
The Melancholy OF Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy OF Haruhi Suzumiya climbed to the 7th place with 293 votes, and if anything, it's the essence of 2000's anime. It's one that propelled the meme culture and changed the anime community as a whole. It embodies this decade, fully and properly, by being insane and funny and so over the top, but in a different way than Gurren Lagann. It uses the cliche of the slice-of-life and school comedy genre in a special way and tries to tamper with the stereotypes while simultaneously putting the viewers' brains through a blender. Truly an experience.
Monster
Monster ranked 8th with 280 votes. Right now the show experiences some sort of a mild renaissance, and the chilling thriller story definitely deserves your attention. It's crafted meticulously, it feels grounded to the real world and that makes it even more horrifying. The slow pace of the show adds to the suspense, and the way the manga was recreated in the animation is spectacular. A lot of emphasis is put into facial animation, which is important in a show driven by the deepest inner turmoils of its characters.
K-On!
K-On! placed 9th with 268 votes. The show that, once again, changed the anime industry, made moe trendy and introduced the sub-genre of a slice-of-life with cute girls doing cute things — it definitely deserves to be on this list. The impact of K-On! not only on the anime culture but on the culture in general is insane: back when it was airing in 2009 the sales of electric guitars skyrocketed in Japan, and the guitar stores' managers say that a lot of the buyers were young girls inspired by K-On!
Toradora
Toradora concludes the top 10 with 267 votes. And this show is special because it tampered with the stereotypes of romantic comedies, played with them in the right way, and created a cohesive and unpredictable story of developing relationships between believable characters, ones that you would want to root for.
What would be your top for this decade?
Source: Reddit