Rechargeable　aqueous　zinc-ion　batteries　(AZIBs)　have　attracted　significant　attention　in　large-scale　energy　storage　systems　due　to　their　unique　merits,　such　as　intrinsic　safety,　low　cost,　and　relatively　high　theoretical　energy　density.　However,　the　dilemma　of　the　uncontrollable　Zn　dendrites,　severe　hydrogen　evolution　reaction　(HER),　and　side　reactions　that　occur　on　the　Zn　anodes　have　hindered　their　commercialization.　Herein,　a　state-of-the-art　review　of　the　rational　design　of　highly　reversible　Zn　anodes　for　high-performance　AZIBs　is　provided.　Firstly,　the　fundamental　understanding　of　Zn　deposition,　with　regard　to　the　nucleation,　electro-crystallization,　and　growth　of　the　Zn　nucleus　is　systematically　clarified.　Subsequently,　a　comprehensive　survey　of　the　critical　factors　influencing　Zn　plating　together　with　the　current　main　challenges　is　presented.　Accordingly,　the　rational　strategies　emphasizing　structural　design,　interface　engineering,　and　electrolyte　optimization　have　been　summarized　and　analyzed　in　detail.　Finally,　future　perspectives　on　the　remaining　challenges　are　recommended,　and　this　review　is　expected　to　shed　light　on　the　future　development　of　stable　Zn　anodes　toward　high-performance　AZIBs.　©　2023　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.