Best Action Anime of 2002

A giant demon fox once terrorized the world twelve years ago. During the beast's rampage on the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hokage—the village's leader and mightiest ninja—gave his life to seal the creature inside a newborn infant. This act delivered civilization from destruction but condemned the child to a life of solitude. Now, after years of being ostracized and bullied, Naruto Uzumaki torments the village with elaborate pranks and vandalism. Yet behind these antics, he trains relentlessly to achieve his dream: becoming Hokage and gaining the acknowledgment of those who have wronged him his entire life. Naruto is assigned to Team 7, a ninja squad that includes two of his peers—the prodigy Sasuke Uchiha and the intelligent Sakura Haruno. Guided by the aloof Kakashi Hatake, Team 7 undertakes a string of dangerous missions, forcing its members to grow in strength and camaraderie despite their stark differences. Naruto strives to outshine Sasuke in their rivalry and win Sakura's romantic affection. But as the trio faces constant peril and death, their tragic pasts threaten to drive them apart.

After competing in the Johto League, Satoshi decides to start fresh on a new adventure—this time traveling alone with Pikachu through the Houen region. However, he doesn't stay solo for long. Ten-year-old Haruka, who dislikes Pokémon but wants to see the world, ends up accompanying him after Pikachu destroys her bicycle. Satoshi also reunites with his old friend Takeshi, and meets Haruka's younger brother, Masato. Together, the group journeys across Houen, taking on Gym Leaders, participating in contests, and experiencing various events along the road to the Houen League.

Youko Nakajima has always wanted nothing more than to be ordinary. She follows instructions, earns high marks, serves as class president, and lends a hand to classmates whenever possible—yet her red hair has always made her stand out as different. Because of her passive nature, Youko lets others take advantage of her, leaving her with no one she can truly consider a friend. Then, on what seems like a normal day, a man claiming to be from another world bursts into Youko's classroom and kneels before her. This refined, blond-haired man named Keiki declares that Youko is his liege and destined to rule his kingdom. But their encounter is abruptly interrupted when youma—monstrous beasts from another world—pursue Keiki. He manages to flee with Youko into his own realm, but two other classmates, Ikuya Asano and Yuka Sugimoto, are swept into the chaos as well. Their troubles are far from over, as the youma attack leaves them separated from Keiki. Stranded in this unfamiliar world, these ordinary students must learn to survive on their own or face death.

Five new children embark on a fresh mission in the Digital World in Digimon Frontier, delivering the same thrilling action and adventure as the previous three seasons. Takuya, Kouji, Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki encounter each other on a train that transports them to the Digital World, where a conflict against evil is underway. The Angel digimon Cherubimon, one of the three angels dispatched to rescue the world from the power-hungry Lucemon, has fallen to the dark side, placing the entire Digital World in jeopardy. To confront this great battle, the five CHOSEN ONES must locate the Densetsu no Spirit (Legendary Spirit).

Although they stay hidden from the public eye, Witches—individuals with supernatural abilities—have existed throughout human history. Neither especially numerous nor inherently malicious, these Witches can still cause chaos when they misuse their powers for criminal activities. Solving such supernatural crimes is beyond the scope of ordinary law enforcement and is instead managed by the Solomon organization. After completing her training in Italy, Robin Sena is assigned to Solomon's local Japanese branch, STNJ. As a Witch herself with powerful pyrokinetic abilities, she finds herself at odds with STNJ's methods for handling rogue Witches. Specifically, Robin objects to the use of a potion called Orbo, which can weaken or completely neutralize a Witch's powers. To establish her place within the organization, Robin must navigate Solomon's internal politics while dealing with the threat of hostile Witches—both of which pose dangers for entirely different reasons.

Mido Ban and Amano Ginji are the Get Backers, retrieval specialists with a flawless success rate. No matter what is missing or stolen, they can retrieve it without fail. In spite of their skills and high spirits, Ban and Ginji are perpetually broke because very few people actually want to hire them. Consequently, the pair often take on risky jobs, which frequently result in unwanted run-ins with their old—and dangerous—acquaintances.

The Bladebreakers must reunite after being defeated by a mysterious group led by Oozuma, though he is not the true antagonist. The actual danger comes from a faction that employs cyber-BitBeasts to capture the original BitBeasts belonging to the Bladebreakers.

At the fog-shrouded battlefield of Sekigahara in 1600, two legendary swordsmen clashed fiercely. One was Kyoushirou Mibu, a noble warrior endowed with the unique abilities of the Mibu Clan. The other was Kyou, known as "Demon Eyes" due to his blood-red hair and gaze, and infamous as the thousand-man slayer. Their epic duel was abruptly ended when a meteor crashed onto the field, causing both fighters to disappear. The story picks up four years later, following Yuya Shiina, a bounty hunter who carries a gun. She tracks down Kyoushirou, who has become a lecherous traveling medicine man burdened by significant debt. While attempting to capture him for the bounty, they are ambushed by a monstrous creature intent on devouring Kyoushirou. This attack triggers the awakening of "Demon Eyes" Kyou, whose consciousness had been confined within Kyoushirou’s body since that fateful day. This sets in motion a grand narrative exploring the mysteries of these two legendary warriors.

In the year 20XX, a boy named Netto Hikari starts fifth grade and receives a special present: his own customized Net Navi, Rockman! Although Rockman is small and has a much more serious personality, the two quickly become close friends. A Net Navi guides its operator from inside their Personal Terminal, known as a PET. People of all ages take part in friendly Net Battles, where they pit their Navis against each other to show their skill.

Beneath Tokyo, Japan's capital, lies a vast, hidden world called Underground. Its inhabitants are Elemental Users—individuals who wield powers over forces like fire, water, lightning, magnetism, or ice. The story follows Rumina Asagi and his best friend Ginnosuke Isuzu, two ordinary high school freshmen living in Tokyo. Their lives are turned upside down when they encounter Chelsea Rorec, a Gravity User, and Ruri Sarasa, the Miko of Life, setting them on a grand adventure.

Takaya Ougi is an ordinary high school student who only wishes to protect his closest friend and live a quiet life. That changes when Nobutsuna Naoe, an older man, appears and tells Takaya that he is actually the reincarnation of Lord Kagetora. Naoe, himself a possessor, awakens Takaya's powers to drive out evil spirits and fight in the Feudal Underworld. While most possessors remember their previous lives before being reincarnated, Takaya does not. Naoe is relieved by this, considering the passionate and abusive history he had with his Lord Kagetora. As Takaya grows stronger, he starts to recall what Naoe did out of love for him. At the same time, the dark forces of the Hojo and Fuma clans begin their attack as the Feudal Underworld descends upon the living world.

Reiji Ozora is known for giving up on everything he starts, unable to stay motivated for long. That changes when his best friend Maiko introduces him to a new virtual reality game called Dragon Drive. In this game, each player is assigned a dragon that matches their personality and strength. Reiji dreams of getting a huge, intimidating beast, but instead he receives Chibi—a cute, friendly-looking dragon even smaller than himself. He's disappointed at first, but then discovers that Chibi is actually the rarest dragon of all. For the first time, Reiji finds something that holds his interest, and he dedicates himself to training both himself and his new companion. Soon, that training proves essential, as certain individuals harbor dark plans for Dragon Drive that threaten the entire world.

The realm of Duel Masters consists of five great civilizations. By playing a card game, duelists can bring these worlds to life, turning what was once an idea into reality. Such skilled individuals are called Kaijudo masters. Shobu Kirifuda is the strongest player at his neighborhood playground and aims to become a top-tier master like his father. His first move toward that goal is winning a local tournament—or at least it should have been, but he is crushed by Knight, the world's greatest Kaijudo master. Shobu loses, yet after recalling the wise lessons his father left with him, he chooses to keep moving forward as a duelist who can appreciate the game for what it truly is. Thus begins his path to triumph—and as everyone knows, the journey itself is what matters most!

After his father's death, Claire Leonelli takes control of the "Vampire" Mafia group in Judoh City. To curb Claire's criminal operations and others like them, the Bureau of Urban Safety deploys Special Services Division agent Daisuke Aurora and the top-secret super android known only as "J" (whose existence remains hidden since androids are forbidden in the city). With these two on the job, crime struggles to survive in Judoh.

Five supernatural factions have been locked in conflict for countless centuries, always keeping the arrival of the Aquarian Age in mind. Kyouta begins having visions of mystical girls battling, and soon discovers they are real. He and his girlfriend Yoriko are drawn into the struggle, and the fate of Earth and the Aquarian Age rests in their hands.

The Gun Frontier is a harsh, barren wasteland where the weak have no right to dream. It is also a sacred territory for true men, offering a place where a man can feel most alive. Into this frontier come Sea Pirate Captain Harlock and the wandering samurai Tochiro, arriving in the United States' Old West. Accompanied by an enigmatic woman they encounter on their journey, the two friends take on sex rings, bandits, and a corrupt sheriff. Their goal is to find a vanished clan of Japanese immigrants, and they intend to scour the Gun Frontier from one end to the other until they succeed.

One night while asleep, Ryo Utsugi has a nightmare of monsters attacking him. Later, he discovers a strange ability that lets him hear voices and see visions of girls being killed, and then one night he hears that same voice again.

Koua Academy gathers Japan's most gifted individuals and students. Its mission is to cultivate talents who will bear the world's future leadership. Recently, however, the suicide rate at the academy has been rising, with hardly any information released to the public. Fujimiya Aya is dispatched to infiltrate the school under the guise of a teacher to conduct a criminal investigation. In reality, there is a connection between Koua Academy and the frequent global terrorist activities. Therefore, Persia also assigns Hidaka Ken and Kudou Youji to this mission to uncover the truth and the link behind the incidents at Koua Academy.

Tadahiro Amatsu has had one brown eye and one light hazel eye since childhood. However, a hidden secret tied to his left eye has made him the prey of the masked sorcerer Ayatara Miramune and his demon followers. To fight the demons cropping up across town, trainee priestess Yuzu Hieda brings together four other girls from her high school. Under the guidance of Yuzu's older sister Kurako, these five young shrine maidens must train for months to develop their skills.

Saint Hoshikawa School harbors a clandestine unit known as the G-On Riders, composed of students selected for their exceptional physical prowess and skills to defend Earth from extraterrestrial threats. Yet, the internal conflicts among the Riders prove just as challenging as the battles against the invaders. Meanwhile, fellow student Ichiro makes fervent attempts to confess his romantic feelings for Yuki, a member of the group.

Deep Space, diverse cultures coexist on the planet Jet. To preserve harmony, an organization called the Jetters is established. This space police force combats villains known as the "Hige hige dan," ensuring the universe's safety. The Jetters' leader, Mighty, is a powerful Bomberman admired and respected by all. His brother, Shirobon, is a lazy, crude slacker. After Mighty suddenly vanishes, Shiro finds himself thrust into a new situation. He steps up and matures into a responsible Bomberman, and with the new friends he makes among the Jetters, he might become the next leader of the team.

In a world four years removed from the present, balance has been shattered. A massive expanse of ten thousand meters of forest has vanished, rendering the land uninhabitable for humans and allowing a desert to expand without limit. Consequently, people are forced to migrate into the realm of Meshichi, where they must coexist with the Anbots. Fate brings Sanzou and Gokyuu together. Sanzou is a mysterious young man, while Gokyuu is regarded as the most formidable and dangerous Anbot. They are joined by Tongoh, an Anbot who enjoys drinking; Jou, a skilled mechanic; Suuji, a female Anbot thief; and Mioto. Thus, their expedition commences toward the limitless East, seeking the land where the sun originated.

This series is based on the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children: Light & Dark games, known as DemiKids in North America. In the year 200X, three childhood friends—Jin, Akira, and Lena—share a fascination with the mysterious. One day at the library, together with the enigmatic transfer student Ami, they discover the Akuma Compendium. After chanting an incantation from the book, devils suddenly appear before them. Ami then reveals to Jin and Akira that they are the chosen Devil Children who will determine the fate of the world, and hands them their Devil Risers. The group passes through the Door of Time into the land of Valhalla, where they battle an evil ruler named Imperius, who seeks to conquer the entire world. Jin's nakama is Rand, a Sol Lion, and Akira's is Gale, a Hylon.

A vessel carrying wealthy international business figures has been seized by terrorists. Rescue efforts fall to a Japanese operative called Japa, who must assemble a team of seven allies to form the Wild Seven. Their mission unfolds against the backdrop of the waters surrounding the Nicaragua Canal.

The second season of Chou Tokkyuu Hikarian.

A girl named Niu sets out to find the Papo Spring in order to save her tribe, which has fallen into a deep sleep due to the black magic of the wizard Ferrox. Together with Imp and Zar, she travels to each dinosaur tribe to collect relics of water, fire, wood, gold (iron), and earth. However, the constant interference from Ferox and his gang eventually leads to the great war that will decide the fate of the Continent of Gondua.