7 Best New A-1 Pictures Anime Since 2020, Ranked

Founded in 2005, A-1 Pictures has been producing anime for over two decades, refusing to slow down as it continues to deliver one hit after another. While the renowned studio started by coproducing smaller projects, it eventually established itself as one of Japan’s leading anime studios and is responsible for a good number of popular anime across various genres.

That said, the 2020s continue to be a great decade for A-1 Pictures, as it continues to produce successful anime series and movies that fans struggle to resist. From action-packed series presented with the most flawless animation to romance anime that tugs at viewers’ heartstrings, the best new A-1 Pictures anime of the 2020s are worthy additions to everyone’s watchlist.

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7 Engage Kiss Is an A-1 Pictures Anime Worth Giving a Chance

It’s easy to dismiss Engage Kiss as a mediocre A-1 Pictures anime, thanks in large part to its debut episode that introduced viewers to a lazy protagonist who relies on his love interests not just to defeat demonic monsters but also to make ends meet. Letting these questionable elements define Engage Kiss would surely turn anyone away, but the anime becomes surprisingly compelling once its emotional story unfolds.

There’s more to Engage Kiss than meets the eye, and by the time the third episode rolls around, the series begins to reveal a deeper, more mature story. Shu Ogata, as the main character, has a mysterious backstory, life goals, and internal issues he’s struggling with, giving him far more depth. Likewise, Kisara and Ayano offer not just an entertaining rivalry over Shu, as both characters have complicated histories that give their relationships with Shu more emotional weight.

6 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines Is a Romance Anime Where Rejection Is Only the Beginning

Among the romance and drama anime released in the early 2020s, Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines stands out for its unique premise, where instead of using the main protagonist as the center of a typical romance, the story focuses on the girls who have already lost their chance at love.

Depending on the viewer’s perspective, Nukumizu, Makeine’s main character, either becomes an emotional support system or a dear friend to heartbroken anime girls. From here on forward, Nukumizu, who initially prefers to keep to himself, gradually becomes more involved in the girls’ lives and their personal struggles. This anime is packed with genuinely emotional moments that give its story and characters plenty of heart.

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Animation Comedy Romance Release Date 2024 - 2024 Network Tokyo MX, BS11, Tochigi TV, Chukyo TV, KYT

5 NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Is One of A-1 Pictures’ Most Ambitious Anime Adaptations

Adapting a video game into a seasonal anime often ends up underwhelming, but that’s not the case for NieR:Automata Ver1.1a. What was once believed to be an unadaptable game, A-1 Pictures defied expectations by producing a surprisingly great anime adaptation of NieR that somehow lives up to the original game not just in terms of animation, but also in story.

While NieR:Automata Ver1.1a can be a difficult anime to recommend to fans unfamiliar with the game, those who know the original can better appreciate its attempt to tell a unique story without losing sight of the source material. Other than its story, the anime adaptation also delivers incredibly good action sequences and stunning background visuals, though the CGI can sometimes be distracting.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a TV-14 Animation Action Adventure Sci-Fi Release Date 2023 - 2024-00-00

4 Mashle Is a Hilarious A-1 Pictures Anime With an Overpowered Shonen Hero

Mashle is a modern shonen anime that never stops entertaining viewers with its hilarious cast of characters. From the protagonist, Mash Burnedead, who consistently provides comedic moments with his unpredictable muscle shenanigans, to the villains who can’t take him seriously, Mashle's own brand of comedy makes the series a must-watch.

Set in a magic-dominated world, Mashle’s Mash Burnedead is completely magicless. Instead of wielding wands or grimoires, Mash uses the power of his muscles to prove that magic isn’t everything in this world. True enough, Mash proves time and again that being magicless doesn’t mean being powerless in Mashle.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles TV-14 Animation Comedy Action & Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy Release Date 2023 - 2024-00-00

3 Lycoris Recoil Is a Stylish A-1 Pictures Anime Where Cute Girls and Deadly Gunfights Collide

The intense debut episode of Lycoris Recoil, released in 2022, is enough to sell this must-watch A-1 Pictures anime to viewers. Lycoris Recoil looks like a slice-of-life anime on the surface, with the presence of cute high school girls in uniforms, but beneath its charming and pleasant exterior lies a thrilling action story with trained assassins involved in dangerous missions from one episode to another.

Lycoris Recoil also follows the mismatched duo of Chisato and Takina, two of the strongest fighters working under a secret organization who are more than capable of wielding guns and other firearms with deadly precision. When they’re not working as assassins, they work in the LycroReco Café as cute and cheerful waitresses.

Lycoris Recoil TV-14 Animation Comedy Action Thriller Release Date 2022 - 2022

The main protagonists of 86 (Eighty-Six), Lena Milize and Shinei Nouzen, aren’t the only likable part of this modern A-1 Pictures anime. It goes without saying that 86 is a remarkable series that could easily qualify as an Anime of the Year contender for its gripping storyline that delves into war and political drama, complemented with an epic soundtrack and polished visuals.

86 is more than just a good-looking sci-fi and mecha anime series that delivers non-stop mech action. It also raises compelling points about discrimination, oppression, war, and, above all else, the value of human life. Set in a world where superior humans enjoy privilege while others risk their lives on the frontlines, it is up to Lena and Shinei to challenge the unjust and rotten system.

86: EIGHTY-SIX TV-MA Animation Action Adventure Sci-Fi War Release Date 2021 - 2022

1 Solo Leveling Is One of A-1 Pictures’ Biggest Anime Hits in the 2020s

Solo Leveling no longer needs an introduction, as this hit A-1 Pictures anime quickly rose to fame with Sung Jinwoo’s action-packed story. His evolution from being the weakest hunter to becoming the strongest is what makes his redemption story satisfying, blessing viewers with a thrilling power progression filled with unforgettable battles.

On top of Solo Leveling’s satisfying story, the anime series also boasts near-perfect animation, especially during Sung Jinwoo’s fight scenes, which feature fluid choreography and cinematic visual effects. The popular series is expected to return sometime in 2027 with a new movie titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System after releasing two successful seasons.