Top 20 Most Popular Anime of All Time

Summary

This video script from Watch Mojo lists the top 20 most popular anime of all time, considering commercial success and fan adoration. It covers a diverse range of genres, from mecha and psychological thrillers to supernatural battles and slice-of-life stories. Anime like 'Code Geass,' 'One Punch Man,' and 'Bleach' are mentioned alongside classics such as 'Sailor Moon' and 'Dragon Ball.' The list also includes modern hits like 'Attack on Titan' and 'My Hero Academia,' showcasing the breadth and enduring appeal of the anime medium.

Takeaways

• 📊 The video lists the top 20 most popular anime of all time based on commercial success and fan community love.
• 🎬 'Code Geass' is highlighted for its wide appeal to various anime fans and its current high popularity due to a revival movie.
• 💪 'One Punch Man' is praised for its unique take on superheroes, blending action with comedy and impressive animation.
• 🎮 'Sword Art Online' is noted for its high sales and polarizing fan reactions, leading to multiple spin-offs and sequels.
• 👻 'Bleach' is recognized for its youthful rebellion theme and memorable fight scenes, despite a drop in popularity towards the end.
• ⚔ 'Fullmetal Alchemist' is celebrated for its storytelling, character development, and philosophical themes.
• 🚀 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' is acknowledged as an influential and critically acclaimed mecha anime with enduring popularity.
• 🗡️ The 'Fate' franchise is lauded for its multimedia success and high-quality animation across various series.
• 🌙 'Sailor Moon' is honored as a pioneer in shojo anime with a lasting impact on female superheroes and inspiring young girls.
• 🕵️‍♂️ 'Detective Conan' is mentioned for its incredible longevity with over 8,000 episodes and strong manga sales.
• 🦸‍♂️ 'My Hero Academia' is noted for its global appeal, engaging storyline, and diverse characters in a world of superpowers.
• 🃏 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' is highlighted for its 20-year span and its card game's significant impact on the franchise's popularity.
• 🤖 The 'Gundam' franchise is recognized for pioneering the mecha genre and its lasting influence on Japanese media.
• 🌟 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' is celebrated for its unique style and the explosion of its popularity following the 2012 anime series.
• 🗡️ 'Attack on Titan' is acknowledged for its rapid rise to fame and its status as a modern classic in the anime community.
• 📓 'Death Note' is praised as a smart and beautifully crafted series that has left a lasting impact on the occult detective genre.
• 🐱 'Pokemon' is recognized for transforming from a video game into a long-running anime empire with a catchy theme song.
• 🗡️ 'Demon Slayer' has quickly become a mega-hit with its stunning anime adaptation, surpassing sales records.
• 🥋 'Naruto' is noted for its enduring fanbase despite narrative flaws, and its sequel series capturing the essence of the original.
• 🏴‍☠️ 'One Piece' is the best-selling manga, known for blending intense action with political commentary, setting a standard for adventure anime.
• 🔥 The 'Dragon Ball' franchise is credited with redefining Western perspectives on action and animation, and its cultural impact is immense.

Q & A

What is the main criterion for ranking the top 20 most popular anime of all time in the video?

The anime are ranked based on their commercial success globally, considering both their sales figures and their popularity within fan communities.

How does the anime 'Code Geass' incorporate its title into the plot?

In 'Code Geass', the protagonist Lelouch uses the power of 'Geass' to make anyone he sees do exactly what he tells them, which he uses to instigate a rebellion.

What makes 'One Punch Man' stand out among other superhero anime?

'One Punch Man' stands out due to its comedic approach to the superhero genre, with the protagonist Saitama being able to defeat nearly any opponent with just one punch, leading to a mix of intense and funny battles.

Why is the anime 'Sword Art Online' so polarizing among viewers?

The polarizing nature of 'Sword Art Online' stems from its mix of a virtual video game world, character development, and the contrast between serious action and occasional awkward love scenes.

How does 'Bleach' appeal to a wide range of audiences?

'Bleach' appeals to a wide audience with its emphasis on youthful rebellion, great fight scenes, and an enormous cast of characters that cater to both younger and older demographics.

What is the significance of 'Fullmetal Alchemist' in the anime world?

'Fullmetal Alchemist' is recognized as one of the greatest anime of all time due to its captivating story of redemption, artistic portrayal of alchemy, and the characterization of the homunculi.

What themes does 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' explore?

'Neon Genesis Evangelion' explores psychological themes, combining them with mecha action and symbolic imagery to create a series that is both influential and critically acclaimed.

How has the 'Fate' franchise managed to maintain its popularity?

The 'Fate' franchise has maintained its popularity through a multitude of sequels, spin-offs, and tie-ins across various media, along with top-notch animation and a wide variety of entry points.

What impact did 'Sailor Moon' have on the anime and pop culture landscape?

'Sailor Moon' was the first successful shojo anime to hit the western mainstream, setting a benchmark for numerous series that followed and becoming an inspirational figure for young girls.

What is the appeal of 'Detective Conan' that has allowed it to have such a long run?

'Detective Conan' has a long run due to its engaging crime-solving exploits, which have made it a national treasure in Japan, with over 200 million copies of its manga sold.

How does 'My Hero Academia' balance its diverse cast of characters with an ongoing storyline?

'My Hero Academia' balances its diverse cast with an ongoing storyline by focusing on the adventures of Deku and his classmates as they strive to become professional heroes, offering emotionally satisfying action and an intriguing narrative about heroism.

What aspects of 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' have contributed to its status as one of the highest-grossing media franchises?

The 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' franchise's success is attributed to its long-running anime series, tie-in card game, various video games, and other merchandise that have resonated with fans over the years.

Why is the 'Gundam' franchise considered seminal in the mecha genre?

The 'Gundam' franchise is considered seminal because it pioneered the mecha genre by emphasizing a more realistic approach to the concept of giant piloted robots and has been highly influential in anime and other forms of Japanese media.

How has 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' managed to maintain its popularity over the years?

'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' has maintained its popularity through its unique storytelling that spans multiple generations of the Joestar family, its distinctive art style, and the numerous parodies and references that have become a staple in internet culture.

What elements of 'Attack on Titan' have contributed to its status as a modern classic among anime lovers?

'Attack on Titan' has become a modern classic due to its blend of visceral action, dark fantasy, and mature themes, along with its compelling narrative of humanity's battle against the Titans.

What makes 'Death Note' one of the smartest and most beautifully crafted examples of the occult detective genre?

'Death Note' is recognized for its intelligent storytelling, complex characters, and psychological battle between the genius sociopath Light Yagami and his intellectual equal, L.

How has 'Pokemon' managed to maintain its popularity and relevance over the years?

'Pokemon' has maintained its popularity through an innovative video game that spawned a long-running anime series, with Ash Ketchum's ongoing adventures and the franchise's ability to engage fans with various spin-offs and merchandise.

What factors have contributed to 'Demon Slayer' becoming a mega-hit in a short amount of time?

'Demon Slayer' became a mega-hit due to its stunning anime adaptation by ufotable, compelling story, and the success of its movie 'Mugen Train,' which became the highest-grossing anime movie of all time.

Despite its flaws, what aspects of 'Naruto' have allowed it to persist and remain popular?

'Naruto' has persisted in popularity due to its creation of a rich world with many brilliant moments, a best-selling manga, and a sequel series that captures some of the best parts of the original.

What makes 'One Piece' the best-selling manga of all time and a gold standard for adventure anime?

'One Piece' is the best-selling manga of all time because of its epic narrative, insane fight scenes, political commentary, and its ability to bypass shonen conventions, which has earned it a loyal fanbase and set a high bar for subsequent adventure anime.

How did the 'Dragon Ball' franchise redefine the Western perspective on action and animation?

The 'Dragon Ball' franchise, particularly 'Dragon Ball Z,' revolutionized the Western perspective by showcasing how action and animation could be combined, opening the gateway to the diverse and imaginative stories found in anime.