Animehas evolved into a global force of pop culture, shaping everything from fashion trends to box office records. What was once a niche genre that aired on weekend morning cartoon blocks hasnow become a dominant presence on streaming platforms and in the entertainment industry. Anime attracts audiences with eye-catching animation, emotional stories, and memorable characters.
Popularity in anime isn’t just about viewership numbers but also a reflection of its cultural impact. From explosive battles to high-stakes drama, the most iconic titles tend to endure for a reason. A few have even helped define entire generations and inspire countless other works. When anime connects with audiences, it does more than entertain; it becomes a part of cultural identity.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisencenters on Yuji Itadori, a high school student who gets caught up in the world of jujutsu sorcerers after swallowing a powerful cursed object, one of the fingers of Ryomen Sukuna. With a blend of supernatural horror, intense action, and dark comedy, the series delivers some of themost high-stakes battles along with emotional depth and complex character arcs.
Jujutsu Kaisenskyrocketed in popularity thanks to its fast-paced storytelling, stunning animation, and its ability to create characters that instantly resonate with fans. The series isrenowned for its intense fights and gritty tone, setting a new benchmark for shōnen anime.Jujutsu Kaisenis often recognized as part of the “New Gen Big Three” and aspart of shōnen’s “Dark Trio.”
My Hero Academia
Set in a world where superpowers, known as quirks, are the new norm,My Hero Academiafollows Izuku Midoriya, a quirkless boy who dreams of becoming a hero. After a chance encounter with All Might, Japan’s top hero and the Symbol of Peace, Midoriya inherits a powerful quirk and begins training at U.A. High School.
There, young heroes learn to master their abilities and face increasingly dangerous threats. With a mix of superhero tropes, explosive action scenes, and emotional growth,My Hero Academiaquickly became a fan favorite. Paired withrelatable characters, moral complexity, and a unique take on heroism, the series became anentry point for many new anime fans.
LikeJujutsu Kaisen,My Hero Academiais often referred to as part of the “New Gen Big Three.”It carves out its own identity among shōnen while also touching on popular tropes fans love.With careful attention to character and world-building, the series has easily solidified its place among anime’s most popular titles.
Death Note
Death Notetells the story of Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who discovers a mysterious notebookwith the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.As he begins to use the Death Note to cleanse society of criminals under the alias of Kira, he finds himself at the center of a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with the world-renowned detective L.
The series quickly evolves into apsychological thriller that explores morality, justice, and the corrupting nature of power.Death Noteis praised for its intellectual tension, complex characters, and compelling narrative, which helped it become a global phenomenon. Paired with the dynamic between Light and L, viewers worldwide found themselves captivated by whatanime storytelling can achieve.
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayerfollows Tanjiro Kamado, a kind-hearted boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered and his younger sister, Nezuko, is transformed into a demon. Set in Taishō-era Japan, the series blendstraditional folklore with breathtaking sword fights and emotionally charged stories.Its narrative focuses on themes of family, resilience, and the nature of humanity.
The series skyrocketed to global fame withstunning animation by Ufotable, especially through the cinematic fight sequences that pushed the boundaries of what fans believed anime to be capable of. The story’s emotional depth and relatable characters resonated with audiences worldwide, especially after its record-breaking theatrical release ofMugen Train.
Demon Slayeris oftencredited with introducing a fresh wave of fans to the genre, making it a defining series of the late 2010s and early 2020s, with the rapid rise in popularity supporting it. Standing tall alongsideJujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academia,Demon Slayeris recognized as the third pillar of the “New Gen Big Three.”
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titanbrings audiences into a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction and threatened by man-eating Titans. Following Eren Yeager and his friends as they enlist in the military to fight back against these gigantic creatures, the storytakes viewers through several unexpected turns as the cast uncovers the truth behind their existence.
With intense action, deeply complex characters, and morally ambiguous storytelling,Attack on Titanexplores powerful themes of freedom, humanity, and the costs of war.Since its debut, the series has soared in popularity and is highly praised for its gripping plot twists and cinematic animation. The series challenged traditional norms andredefined expectations for dark fantasy anime, becoming one of the most influential modern anime.
Naruto
Narutofollows the journey of the titular character Naruto Uzumaki, a young, spirited ninja with dreams of becoming the Hokage. Born as the host of the powerful Nine-Tails fox demon,Naruto faces extreme ostracism but overcomes it through sheer willpower and determination.Along his journey, he builds unbreakable bonds and battles against formidable enemies.
The series combines intense action with universal themes of friendship, perseverance, and self-discovery, spanning from Naruto’s youth into adulthood. As one of theBig Three of animealongsideOne PieceandBleach,Narutoplayed a major role in popularizing anime worldwide in the early 2000s.
With itsrich world-building, memorable characters, and a mix of emotional, humorous, and high-stakes storytelling,Narutohas become a cultural icon. The series inspired countless fans, films, video games, spin-offs, and an ongoing sequel, solidifying its position as a classic shōnen series and one of the most popular anime ever aired.
One Piece
One Piececenters around the adventure of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece to become the Pirate King. With intense action, humor, and emotional storytelling, the series is known for its widely developed world and characters.
One Pieceis one of the best-selling manga andlongest-running anime series worldwide, exploring themes of freedom, friendship, and dreams. It has built an incredibly passionate fanbase, and its influence extends beyond anime into mainstream culture. As part of the Big Three,One Piecestands as one of the main pillars of shōnen anime.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moonfollows Usagi Tsukino, an ordinary teenage girl who discovers she is the reincarnation of a powerful moon princess destined to fight evil alongside a team of magical guardians. With themes of friendship, love, and empowerment,the series helped popularize and revolutionize the magical girl genre worldwide.
With its relatable characters and iconic transformation sequences,Sailor Moonquickly became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s and beyond. As one of the first anime series to achieve widespread international success, it broke barriers for female-led stories and was groundbreaking in its inclusivity.
Sailor Moon’sinfluence extended well beyond Japan, shaping fashion, music, and fan communities across the globe. The show’s message of hope and courage resonated with multiple generations, inspiring countless adaptations and revivals.The series is a beloved classic that has cemented its place in anime history, both for its genre and its role in expanding anime’s global reach.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Zcontinues the adventures of Goku and his friends as they defend Earth from increasingly powerful threats. Building on the originalDragon Ball, the seriesraises the stakes and action with epic battles and transformations that became iconic in shōnen anime. Its fast-paced fights, memorable characters, and high-stakes moments helped define the genre for decades.
As one of the most influential anime series worldwide,Dragon Ball Zplayed a crucial role in introducing Western audiences to Japanese animation during the 1990s. Its cultural impact is undeniable, inspiring countless films, spin-offs, video games, and merchandise.Dragon Ball Zis a cornerstone of anime history and a popular, beloved classic for fans across multiple generations.
Pokemon
Pokémonfollows Ash Ketchum,a young trainer on a quest to become a Pokémon Masteras he travels through various regions, capturing and battling creatures known as Pokémon. The franchise includes video games, anime, movies, trading cards, and merchandise, making it one of themost extensive and recognizable entertainment empiresin history.
The series combines adventure, friendship, and action, making it appealing to viewers of all ages.Pokémon’sinfluence is enormous and crosses multiple generations, shaping childhoods around the world for decades. The series iseasily the most popular and lasting anime franchise ever created, with a reach that extends beyond just entertainment.
