Some anime series, especially in recent years, achieve success to such a level that they become household names. This sort of popularity is enjoyed by very few shows, though the number continues to increaseas anime continues to skyrocket in popularity.
And though such mainstream popularity is reserved for a select few titles, there are certain shows that paved the way and made anime’s current meteoric rise possible.Without these series, anime wouldn’t be what it is today, and a good number of them remain relevant with new and ongoing installments.
10The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Animated by Kyoto Animation, Based on the Light Novel Series by Nagaru Tanigawa
Newer anime fans might not know, but there was once a time when everyone was familiar with the name Haruhi Suzumiya. 2006’sThe Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiyatook the global anime community by storm, and effectively delivered otaku culture to the West, where the general anime fan had little knowledge of the art form outside the big battle shōnen names.
In Japan, the series was also massively influential, popularizing the now incredibly common light novel to anime and manga adaptations.Haruhiism spread like wildfire during the mid-2000s, and though the series' popularity has waned in the years since, its influence cannot be understated.
9Sailor Moon
Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Naoko Takeuchi
Sailor Moonwas not the origin of the magical girl genre. In fact, it was far from it. The genre roughly dates back to the 1950s, and was largely dominated by stories about young witches. However, during the 1980s, the focus switched towards transformations and pop culture, beforeSailor Moonarrived in the ’90s andestablished the formula that’s still followed today.
In the West,Sailor Moonput the magical girl genre on the map, and offered an anime experience that appealed to the young female audience as major shōnen titles were breaking onto the scene. Magical girl stories have changed quite a bit since then, thanks to shows likePuella Magi Madoka Magica, but it wasSailor Moonthat opened the door in the first place.
8Akira
Animated by TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by Katsuhiro Otomo
The cyberpunk genrehas always seen great representation in anime. Retro predictions of bleak futures ruled by lawlessness and the rapid advancement of technology have always just vibed with viewers, and no other Cyberpunk title is as influential on the anime industry and animation as a whole than 1988’sAkira.
Akira, based on the manga of the same name by director Katsuhiro Otomo, changed animation forever, moving away from traditional techniques and instead being animated almost entirely at 24 frames per second. The result was one of the most visually stunning animated films ever created, and one that established animation as a legitimate form of entertainment.
7Spirited Away
Animated by Studio Ghibli, Original Anime Movie
Spirited Awayis one of the most recognizable films in anime history, from arguably the most recognizable name in the industry, Studio Ghibli. Much likeAkirabefore it, the film helped to establish anime as a legitimate art form on the global stage, being recognized for its greatness outside of Japan with its 2003 Oscar win.
The work of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki as a whole has beenendlessly influential on the world of anime, but it wasSpirited Awaythat alerted Western audiences to the sort of magic that was being put on-screen in Japan. It can be argued whether the film is Ghibli’s best, but it’s undeniable that it had the biggest global impact.
6Attack on Titan
Animated by Wit Studio and MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama
Very few shows are capable of boasting the sort of successenjoyed byAttack on Titanduring the 10 years it was on-air. By the time it reached its final season, the release of each new episode turned into a celebration among the anime community, and fans couldn’t wait to see whatever developments awaited Eren Yeagar and the island of Paradis.
Anime would not be what it is today outside of Japan withoutAttack on Titan, and all it did to make anime cool in the West.
Much earlier in its run, however,Attack on Titanwas the leader of a movement that not only delivered anime to a mainstream audience in the West, but also transformed it from a niche interest to a major form of entertainment. Anime would not be what it is today outside of Japan withoutAttack on Titan, and all it did to make anime cool in the West.
5Pokémon
Animated by OLM, Based on the Video Game by Satoshi Tajiri, Game Freak, and Nintendo
As a multimedia franchise,Pokémonis arguably the most popular name to come out of Japan, alongside its publisher, Nintendo. While its video games might be the main draw of the franchise, the popularity andsuccess of its numerous TV anime series cannot be understated.
While the cute mascot was a mainstay in anime long beforePokémon’s arrival on the world stage, few shows ever made those mascots their central focus, at least not to the scale thatPokémondid.
The influx of mini-monsters and trading card-based titles in the years that followed can be traced directly back toPokémon, while its global popularity only spread anime to children’s television screens around the world.
4Mobile Suit Gundam
Animated by Sunrise, Original Anime Series
Mobile Suit Gundamwas far from the very first mecha anime. Much likeSailor Moonand Magical Girl shows, the mecha genre predatesGundamby quite a few years, but it can be argued thatno other property has had more of an impact on the genre. The original 1979 anime series spawned countless sequels and spin-offs, and eventually transformed the franchise into a highly profitable giant.
Many of the tropes commonly found in mecha titles likely began somewhere inGundam’s long and storied history, and the franchise continues to pump out incredibly successful new installments on a regular basis. Mecha might not hold the position it once did in the anime community, but its lasting success is largely thanks toMobile Suit Gundam.
3Astro Boy
Animated by Mushi Production, Based on the Manga by Osamu Tezuka
No discussion surrounding the most influential anime ever created is complete without mention ofAstro Boy, based on the manga by the ‘father of anime’ himself, Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka was one of the most important cartoonists in history, and his popular manga,Astro Boy,set the standard and laid the groundwork for what today defines shōnen anime.
Everything from the art style on display, to being the first ever adaptation of a manga series,Astro Boypioneered shōnen anime adaptations, and the work of Osamu Tezuka has influenced nearly every manga artist since its release. It wasn’t the first ever anime series, but it is the one that opened the door for all anime to follow.
2Neon Genesis Evangelion
Animated by Gainax, Original Anime Series
Neon Genesis Evangelionis known for being influential, but many fans aren’t aware of exactly to what extent. The series' impact stretches far beyond the boundaries of the mecha genre, and it can be argued thatEvangelionsaved anime as a whole. The 1990s are known as Japan’s ‘Lost Decade’, defined by the bubble burst of 1990 that kicked off years of economic stagnation.
Public spirits weren’t exactly high, and the art coming out of Japan reflected that, while the anime industry struggled to bring in profit. In cameNeon Genesis Evangelion, which became an overnight smash hit phenomenon that captured the attention of an entire nation.
Due to the mature subject matter ofEvangelion, other titles began diving into heavier themes, causing TV networks to open late-night slots for anime. Those late-night slots are still mainly occupied by anime today. The art form might have survived withoutEvangelion, but the series did quite a bit to revitalize it.
1Dragon Ball Z
Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama
Those who weren’t around for anime’s early 2000s boom in the West might have a difficult time graspingthe importance ofDragon Ball Z. Suddenly, anime was being broadcast on cable television throughout North America, and children of all ages became instantly captivated by Goku and company.
General audiences typically had no experience with shōnen anime before the arrival ofDragon Ball Z, and it didn’t take long for the series to break through into Western mainstream culture.
Shortly following its initial run, shows likeOne PieceandNarutofollowed behind, and the rest is history. Outside of Japan, no anime series has had a bigger impact on mainstream pop culture thanDragon Ball Z.
Dragon Ball Z
Cast
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, who lives a peaceful life with his family until the arrival of Raditz, a mysterious warrior claiming to be Goku’s brother. This revelation unveils their true heritage as Saiyans, a formidable warrior race known for conquering planets.
