Japan's Greatest Years, Ranked

When was the golden age of Japan? We ranked every year by the accumulated weighted rating of its best Japan titles — a year rises when it delivered many strongly-rated entries, not just a lone classic. Data from 3eyedraven's catalog.

  1. #1 2016 23 great titles Best: Hacksaw Ridge
  2. #2 2019 22 great titles Best: Dororo
  3. #3 2015 16 great titles Best: The Boy and the Beast
  4. #4 2021 15 great titles Best: Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
  5. #5 2010 15 great titles Best: Confessions
  6. #6 2014 13 great titles Best: Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends
  7. #7 2018 12 great titles Best: Isle of Dogs
  8. #8 2012 12 great titles Best: Psycho-Pass
  9. #9 2013 12 great titles Best: The Wind Rises
  10. #10 2017 11 great titles Best: Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower
  11. #11 2023 10 great titles Best: BLUE EYE SAMURAI
  12. #12 2022 10 great titles Best: Tokyo Vice
  13. #13 2009 10 great titles Best: Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact!
  14. #14 2000 8 great titles Best: Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card
  15. #15 1999 8 great titles Best: Kikujiro
  16. #16 2020 8 great titles Best: Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. Spring Song
  17. #17 2006 8 great titles Best: Paprika
  18. #18 2024 7 great titles Best: Shōgun
  19. #19 2004 7 great titles Best: Nobody Knows
  20. #20 2002 7 great titles Best: Millennium Actress
  21. #21 1972 7 great titles Best: Mazinger Z
  22. #22 1962 6 great titles Best: Harakiri
  23. #23 2025 6 great titles Best: Takopi's Original Sin
  24. #24 2003 6 great titles Best: Kill Bill: Vol. 1
  25. #25 2005 6 great titles Best: Memoirs of a Geisha
  26. #26 2007 6 great titles Best: Liar Game
  27. #27 2011 6 great titles Best: Infinite Stratos
  28. #28 2008 6 great titles Best: Suspect X
  29. #29 1974 5 great titles Best: Great Mazinger
  30. #30 2001 5 great titles Best: Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
  31. #31 1965 5 great titles Best: Red Beard