Top 10 Most Popular Anime Series of All Time

The anime genre boasts an ardent global following, attracting fans from diverse corners of the world. Renowned for its distinctive visual style, compelling and relatable characters, and bold storytelling, anime has witnessed exponential growth in its market, paralleling the success of industry giants like the U.S. music industry. The advent of streaming services has further enhanced its accessibility.

Dedicated fans, spanning various age groups, enjoy a vast array of choices, as the anime industry continually introduces fresh content. The industry appears to be thriving, with 2023 standing out as a monumental year, marked by the release of numerous new seasons, series, and movies.

Amid the constant influx of new material, certain anime series have endured as perennial favorites, sustaining active discussions within fan communities and some continuing their run. These noteworthy anime selections have garnered acclaim through stellar ratings and enthusiastic reviews over the years. Several have even ventured beyond the realm of anime to inspire their own live-action reboots. Whether one is a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer looking to explore the genre, here are some of the most popular choices to consider.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Among the more recent additions to the anime landscape, Jujutsu Kaisen made its debut in October 2020, adapting Gege Akutami’s manga of the same name. The inaugural season garnered widespread acclaim globally, captivating both existing fans and newcomers with its stunning art style and dynamic action sequences. Subsequently, a prequel movie titled Jujutsu Kaisen Zero was released, and the second season of the anime has recently commenced.

The central narrative follows Yuuji Itadori, a student whose life takes a supernatural turn after ingesting the desiccated finger of Sukuna, an ancient curse. Itadori becomes a vessel for Sukuna, and alongside his friends and mentors, he confronts various curses while grappling with personal challenges and haunting pasts. Jujutsu Kaisen swiftly amassed a dedicated fanbase, rapidly solidifying its status as one of the most-watched anime in recent times.

Bleach

Bleach, an anime with a more conventional adult theme, aired from 2004 to 2012 and continues to run to this day. The narrative revolves around Ichigo Kurosaki, who gains Soul Reaper powers, akin to the Grim Reaper, and endeavors to protect humans from malevolent spirits while guiding lost souls to the afterlife. Adapted from Tite Kubo’s best-selling manga, fans initially questioned how the anime would compress the voluminous filler content.

Surprisingly, it didn’t. The series took liberties with the source material, introducing characters and storylines absent from the manga. Despite the common issue of overcrowded casts in such shows, each character in Bleach had a distinct adult-oriented ongoing storyline. Following a prolonged hiatus, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, a direct sequel to the original anime, was released last year. The series aims to conclude the final arc of the manga, though it might diverge, just as it has done in the past.

Naruto

Naruto centers around a young boy, Naruto Uzumaki, who faces societal rejection but evolves into one of the most accomplished and formidable ninjas. The mischievous yet optimistic protagonist, created by Masashi Kishimoto, is a cherished anime character with a manga counterpart. Naruto’s loyalty, optimism, and unyielding spirit serve as a source of inspiration for young audiences, imparting valuable life lessons along the way.

For those who have enjoyed the original Naruto series, the natural progression is to delve into its sequel, Naruto: Shippuden. Both segments offer compelling character developments and captivating storylines, immersing viewers in the expansive world of ninjas. Additionally, enthusiasts seeking more can explore the various Naruto movies that further expand on the franchise’s rich narrative.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, based on Hiromu Arakawa’s manga, distinguishes itself from its predecessor in several significant ways. Notably, Brotherhood maintains a much closer adherence to the original manga’s storyline. Its release in 2009 propelled it to greater popularity than the 2003 version, largely attributed to its fidelity to the source material.

The narrative revolves around two brothers deeply involved in alchemy, embarking on a challenging yet ultimately triumphant odyssey. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood delves into profound themes, addressing matters such as familial ties, fascism, ethical considerations, and the ongoing debate between the natural and the unnatural. The anime provides a rich exploration of these important topics, contributing to its widespread acclaim and enduring popularity.

One Piece

The One Piece anime made its debut in 1999, and now, 24 years later, it continues its run as one of the longest and most enduring anime series, boasting well over 1000 episodes. Adapted from Eiichiro Oda’s manga of the same name, One Piece unfolds in a world where humans and mythical creatures coexist. The narrative primarily follows the protagonist, Luffy, and his pirate crew, navigating through numerous arcs and plots within the expansive storyline.

Given its immense length, the anime has garnered a substantial and devoted fanbase. Regarded as one of the most-watched anime series of all time, One Piece’s popularity extends to various adaptations, including a successful live-action show produced by Netflix. As the manga is anticipated to conclude in 2024 or 2025, now is an opportune time for newcomers to delve into the series, offering a wealth of episodes to binge-watch and an upcoming live-action series to explore.

Death Note

Death Note delves into the intriguing question of what someone might do when given a notebook with the power to remotely kill anyone, provided the user has a name and face. The protagonist, Light Yagami, is a brilliant and dissatisfied individual who, after acquiring the Death Note, takes it upon himself to eliminate criminals and reshape society according to his vision.

The series unfolds as a captivating cat-and-mouse game between Light and the brilliant detective, L. The characters consistently give the impression of being several steps ahead, creating an enthralling mental battle. Death Note’s appeal lies not only in its suspenseful narrative but also in its profound commentary on ethics and justice. These elements contributed to Death Note securing its place as the runner-up among the most popular anime on platforms like MyAnimeList.

Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer has emerged as one of the most beloved titles in recent years, tracing the journey of Tanjiro Kamado. Returning home after a single night away, Tanjiro is confronted with the devastating aftermath of a demon attack that claimed nearly his entire family. The sole survivor, his sister Nezuko, reveals a grim twist—she has been transformed into a demon.Familial bonds take center stage in Demon Slayer as Tanjiro vows to avenge his family and strives to help Nezuko retain her dwindling humanity. The series has become a powerhouse in the anime world, captivating audiences with its superb animation, engaging characters, dynamic action sequences, and a poignant emotional core. Demon Slayer stands out as one of the most-watched anime series of its generation, resonating with viewers through its compelling blend of elements.

Attack on TItan

Over the past century, the inhabitants of the Attack on Titan universe have lived within the protective walls without facing any breaches or Titan attacks. However, the status quo shatters on a fateful day when a group of Abnormal Titans breaches the wall surrounding Shiganshina, altering the course of young Eren Yeager’s life forever.

After witnessing his mother’s death at the hands of a smiling Titan, Eren dedicates himself to eliminating all Titans and seeking revenge. The narrative takes a complex turn as it’s revealed that Eren possesses the ability to transform into a Titan. The series unfolds with a compelling blend of heart-wrenching moments, intense action, and unexpected twists, solidifying Attack on Titan as one of the most popular and impactful anime of all time.

Pokemon

Pokémon, an expansive franchise that has captivated generations of fans, revolves around the adorable fictional creatures known as Pokémon, or “Pocket Monsters.” These creatures exhibit various strengths and weaknesses, making them endearing to a wide audience. Even for those who may not consider themselves huge fans, the cultural impact of Pokémon is undeniable, as the desire to own iconic creatures like Pikachu and Squirtle remains a widespread dream.

While the Pokémon video games have enjoyed immense popularity, the anime series played a pivotal role in introducing many to the franchise and paved the way for a long-running film series. Fans who have grown up with Pokémon appreciate the series for its emotional and occasionally dark storylines. Additionally, Pokémon has been a source of inspiration for, and inspired, various tabletop game spinoffs, including Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh!

After nearly 25 years of adventures, the perennially 10-year-old Ash Ketchum’s story has recently concluded with the new Pokémon anime, Pokémon: New Horizon, poised to carry on the legacy and continue captivating audiences with the world of Pokémon.

Dragon Ball Series

Dragon Ball stands as a colossal franchise that left an indelible mark on a generation of millennials. Originating as a manga series created by Akira Toriyama in the early 1980s, the journey began with Dragon Ball in 1986, centering around the young Goku. Subsequently, Dragon Ball Z, released in 1989, continued the saga five years later, focusing on a young adult Goku and his son, Gohan.

Rooted primarily in martial arts, Dragon Ball offers captivating multi-episode battles, showcasing the characters engaged in epic confrontations with aliens and defending Earth against nefarious forces. The anime’s adventurous narrative remains accessible to audiences of all ages. Dragon Ball has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring memes and serving as a wellspring of creative inspiration for animators and live-action filmmakers alike. Despite its classification as niche, the franchise’s enduring popularity is evident in successful feature-length movies that perform well at the box office. Dragon Ball undeniably holds its place as one of the most beloved and influential anime series worldwide.

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As an anime fan, you may know that finding the perfect merchandise can be a challenge. This store offers a wide range of anime and manga merchandise, including figures, trading card game (TCG) products, hoodies, wall scrolls, snacks and much more.
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For trading card game enthusiasts, we offer an extensive collection of TCG products from popular card games like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, and Pokémon. This includes booster packs, sleeves, playmats, and special products that are only available here. We even have our own custom crossover decks such as Yu-Gi-Oh! x Dragon Ball and Yu-Gi-Oh! x Bleach for a unique game experience. As a waifu shop, we also sell Waifu Collectible Cards like Goddess Story and many other custom Waifu sets exclusively made by us. We are also planning to introduce the One Piece & Dragonball TCG soon.

Waifuworld is not just a store for collectors. We also offer cozy Hoodies based on your favorite anime series. Additionally, our Wall Scrolls feature the most popular anime characters and waifus, in a very high-quality print to ensure your love for anime is beautifully displayed.

We even sell snacks 😊 Try our Japanese import snacks like Mochi, a sweet treat that has been a popular dessert in Japan for centuries and will be a delicious and unique addition to any snack collection.
For those looking for something more mature, our store has a section dedicated to spicy products directly imported from Japan, as well as exclusive items that are only available here.

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