Newanimeare coming out every year, which makes it feel as if there is an unlimited supply of beautiful shows to dip your toes into. Romance, action, fantasy: there’s something out there for everyone. You can obsess over something new or watch an old favorite, whatever floats your boat.
Of course, no matter what your preferences are, there are some anime that transcend genre. These are the most famous anime out there, and therefore the most watched. Keep reading to see if your favorite is on this list (or if there’s one that you missed).
Episodes
51
Fullmetal Alchemist aired in 2003 and again in 2009. There’s the original show, the second adaptation called Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, and several movies, so it’s no wonder that this show is so popular. However, it’s not just about the quantity; the quality of the show is amazing, and it has a rating of100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
This show is about two brothers who hope to restore their bodies to their original form. They are, of course, both alchemists who expand upon their skills to achieve their goals. It has some dark moments and difficult plot points, but it is well worth watching.
37
Death Note is one of the most-watched anime, even by non-anime fans. Not only was there a live-action movie, but there’s even a musical based on it. The story is unique because it follows a villain, Light Yagami, and watches as he spirals into a serial killer.
The show is about a book called Death Note. The user can write names in the book, which causes that person to die. When Light gets the notebook, he has a strange sense of justice and works to kill off criminals. But as time went on, his idea of justice became more and more warped.
26
Cowboy Bebop came out in 1998 but has maintained its popularity to this day. The show surrounds a group of bounty hunters who travel across the solar system to capture criminals. It’s a fun mix of adventure, western, and sci-fi.
Fans of this show watch it over and over again. The backstories are rather tragic, but there are a lot of people that you meet who are very relatable. Within the tragedy, there is hope, and that hope is what makes the show so unique and beautiful.
366
Bleach is one of the more convoluted anime on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less wonderful. It is a story about a high schooler who becomes a Soul Reaper, or Death God. He’s reluctant at first to embrace his powers, but eventually he comes into his own. His mother died protecting him, and he has a heightened spiritual awareness and connection to the afterlife.
Bleach is popular because it’s evolved over time. There are amazing super-powered death godsbattling in the show, which attracts many viewers, and the tragic backstory and good writing lead you to root for the protagonist episode after episode.
220
Episodes (Shippuden)
500
Naruto follows an orphan named Naruto who is in a ninja school. He doesn’t know anything about his parents, and he lives on his own, so many consider him a troublemaker. All he wants is to make a name for himself and become the leader of the village. Later on, you discover he is an orphan because his parents died protecting the village, and it only gets more complicated from there.
This show has great progression, relatable characters, and it’s a show where you are really rooting for the underdog. No matter what negativity is thrown Naruto’s way, he continues to grow and make the right choice every step of the way.
94
Attack on Titan is about larger-than-life titans that attack, destroy and eat people. The people of the village have a large army that they’ve built over the years to fight against them. Eren, the protagonist, joins the military but isn’t the best fighter. Throughout the show, they learn that there is more to the Titans than they thought.
This show is popular in part because of its gore. It’s not necessarily a positive show; there’s a lot of death and destruction, and beloved characters get killed off. The story is complex and interesting, and if you haven’t watched it yet,it should be next on your list.
Over 1,100
One Piece is one of the longest-running anime of all time, and the one with the most episodes on this list, by far. This show follows a young pirate, Luffy, who is working to become the Pirate King and discover the mystical treasure, which is known as One Piece.
Some find that this anime is harder to get into because it is such a time commitment, but if you’re willing to give it a chance, you’ll have a show with great side characters, captivating visuals, and lots of mystery.
63
Demon Slayer is a tragically beautiful storyabout Tanjiro Kamado. After his family is slaughtered by demons and his sister turns into one, he dedicates his life to not only fighting demons, but finding a cure for his sister to turn her back into a human. He is a determined character driven by his hatred for demons and his love for his sister.
People love a tragic backstory, which is one of the reasons that Demon Slayer is so popular. Some have even coined it as one of the best anime ever made. It has everything you need: gore, levity, great visuals, and a unique setting.
200
Episodes (Remake)
39
Sailor Moon is iconic and has one of the most dedicated fan bases out there. The original show was about 200 episodes, and then there was a remake that had 39 episodes, followed by multiple movies. These movies act as season four and five.
Sailor Moon is an anime about Usagi, a young girl who discovers she’s a reincarnation of the Moon Princess. She saves the world again and again with her band of magical friends and the love of her life, Mamoru.
1,300
Pokemonis unique because there are so many different arcs, characters, and multiple main characters. Some examples of these are Indigo League and Pokemon Horizons. This is more than just a show; it’s an entire franchise with games, movies, cards, and adorable merchandise.
Pokemon is a show about little creatures, similar to animals, that can communicate and have powers. Trainers capture and train them to become the best, complete their Pokedex, and defeat the bad guys.
