A Look Back at the Anime That Defined 2016
My Hero Academia, Re:Zero, Erased, Yuri on Ice, JoJo’s Part 4 & Haikyuu!! Season 2
If you’ve been watching anime for a while, 2016 probably lives rent-free in your head. It was one of those rare years where everything hit at once—new franchises exploded, long-running series reinvented themselves, and anime crossed deeper into mainstream pop culture than ever before.
At Shumi, we love celebrating the eras that shaped modern anime fandom, and 2016 was absolutely one of those turning points. Let’s rewind and revisit the anime that defined the year.
My Hero Academia – The Birth of a Modern Shōnen Giant
When My Hero Academia premiered in 2016, it instantly felt different. Superheroes were everywhere in Western media, but MHA blended that concept with classic shōnen storytelling in a way that felt fresh and emotional.
Izuku Midoriya’s journey from powerless fanboy to aspiring hero resonated worldwide, while characters like All Might, Bakugo, and Todoroki became instant fan favorites. What started in 2016 quickly grew into one of the most recognizable anime franchises on the planet—and it all began here.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable (Part 4)
JoJo Part 4 brought a totally new vibe to the franchise. Diamond Is Unbreakable swapped globe-trotting chaos for the quiet (but very strange) town of Morioh—and it worked perfectly.
With Josuke Higashikata leading the charge, Part 4 delivered unforgettable Stand battles, bold colors, and some of the most stylish character designs JoJo has ever seen. For many fans, 2016 was the year JoJo went from “cult classic” to full-blown phenomenon.
Erased – A Thriller That Had Everyone Hooked
Few anime in 2016 sparked weekly discussion quite like Erased. Blending mystery, time travel, and emotional storytelling, the series followed Satoru Fujinuma as he was sent back to his childhood to prevent a tragic chain of events.
Each episode ended with tension that had fans counting down to the next week. Even today, Erased is remembered as one of the most gripping psychological anime of the decade.
Re:Zero – Isekai Gets Dark
Before 2016, isekai anime often leaned toward power fantasies. Re:Zero flipped that expectation on its head.
Subaru Natsuki’s brutal, looping journey through death, despair, and emotional breakdowns shocked viewers and redefined what the genre could be. Characters like Emilia, Ram, and Rem became instantly iconic, while the show’s darker tone set a new standard for modern isekai storytelling.
Yuri on Ice – When Anime Took Over the World Stage
Yuri on Ice wasn’t just popular—it was a cultural moment.
The series combined elite figure skating, emotional character arcs, stunning animation, and a groundbreaking approach to relationships in anime. Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov became global icons, and the show helped anime reach audiences far beyond traditional fandom spaces in 2016.
Haikyuu!! Season 2 – Sports Anime at Its Peak
By the time Haikyuu!! Season 2 aired in 2016, fans already knew they were watching something special—but this season elevated everything.
The intensity of matches, the growth of Hinata and Kageyama, and the unforgettable rival teams made Season 2 one of the strongest sports anime arcs ever. It proved that volleyball could be just as hype as any battle shōnen—and inspired a whole new generation of fans.
Why 2016 Still Matters to Anime Fans
Looking back, 2016 wasn’t just a great year—it was a foundation year. Many of today’s biggest anime franchises, collectibles, figures, and fan communities trace their roots back to this era.
At Shumi, we celebrate anime history because it fuels today’s fandom—whether you’re collecting figures, blind boxes, model kits, or rediscovering the series that made you fall in love with anime in the first place.
Which 2016 anime still hits the hardest for you?
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