Ranked roundup
The best series of 2021
25 ranked · updated June 2026
The year 2021 redefined serialized storytelling, blending high-concept animation and gritty genre deconstruction with deeply intimate character studies. This collection highlights the standout series that captured the cultural zeitgeist through innovative world-building, bold narrative risks, and profound explorations of human connection amidst chaotic, evolving societal landscapes.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score combining each title's average rating and rating count (minimum 100 ratings to qualify, weighted toward titles with more votes), filtered to series released in 2021.
Arcane
Christian Linke
Arcane earns its top position through unparalleled animation artistry and a heart-wrenching examination of how systemic inequality drives a wedge between those we love most.
Invincible
Invincible revitalizes the superhero genre by grounding its visceral, high-stakes action in the complicated and often tragic reality of a son navigating his father's legacy.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei stands out for its meticulous approach to the isekai genre, prioritizing meaningful character redemption and steady personal growth over simple power fantasies.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin
Only Murders in the Building succeeds by perfectly balancing its witty mystery-comedy tone with the genuine, heartwarming chemistry of an unlikely intergenerational friendship.
Horimiya
Horimiya captures the essence of youth by exploring the vulnerability of hidden identities, proving that true connection often begins when we drop our social masks.
Young Royals
Lisa Ambjörn
Young Royals earns its place by offering a poignant, authentic look at the suffocating pressures of duty when weighed against the desire for personal identity.
Vincenzo
Vincenzo masterfully blends dark comedy with high-stakes legal drama, creating a unique narrative where the pursuit of justice is often achieved through ruthless, calculated revenge.
Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers thrives on its high-tension premise, using the mechanics of time travel to explore the desperate, recurring struggle for redemption within gang culture.
Clarkson's Farm
Clarkson's Farm provides a refreshing, grounded reality experience that highlights the genuine difficulty of agricultural work through a charmingly honest fish-out-of-water lens.
WandaVision
Jac Schaeffer
WandaVision is a masterclass in psychological storytelling, using the structure of sitcom parody to externalize the internal, crushing weight of grief and lost control.
Tear Along the Dotted Line
Zerocalcare
Tear Along the Dotted Line utilizes a unique, self-deprecating perspective to deliver sharp existential commentary that resonates deeply with the anxieties of modern life.
Snowdrop
Yoo Hyun-mi
Snowdrop excels at building tension, weaving a complex narrative of forbidden love that remains inextricably tied to the high-stakes dangers of political espionage.
TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-
TSUKIMICHI offers a fresh take on fantasy adventure by focusing on the challenges of community building and the resilience of an outcast protagonist.
Loki
Michael Waldron
Loki succeeds by deconstructing the identity of its titular character, shifting from a standard superhero narrative into a fascinating exploration of fate and bureaucracy.
1883
Taylor Sheridan
1883 provides an intense, cinematic study of the American frontier, capturing the brutal reality and indomitable spirit of a family seeking a new beginning.
Common questions
What are the best animated series from 2021?
The top-ranked animated series of 2021 include Arcane, which features steampunk and cyberpunk elements, followed by the superhero-focused Invincible. Other notable animated entries include the isekai fantasy Mushoku Tensei and the introspective Italian dramedy Tear Along the Dotted Line.
Are there any good mystery series released in 2021?
Yes, Only Murders in the Building is a standout mystery comedy from 2021. It follows three strangers in New York City who are obsessed with true crime and eventually find themselves caught in the middle of an actual investigation.
What is the best show about royalty and boarding school life?
Young Royals is a highly regarded teen drama from 2021 that explores these themes. It centers on Prince Wilhelm as he adjusts to life at the prestigious Hillerska boarding school while navigating class differences and the challenges of following his heart.