Whileanimehas its roots all the way back in the 1910s, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the medium really took off, and since then, it hasn’t slowed down. Anime is now one of the most consumed forms of media around the world, hooking viewers with gorgeous animation and unending creativity. With such a rich and impressive history, certain shows influenced the landscape and culture more than others to create what it is today.
Anime likeNarutoandDemon Slayerare undoubtedly important and influential, but these ten series are different beasts whose legacy shaped the medium. This list will rank the ten most influential anime shows based ontheir impact on the industry, how they changed the way studios think, cultural significance, revolutionary techniques, inspiration for future series, popularity, and legacy.
10’Bleach' (2004)
Original Creator: Tite Kubo
The Big Three are some of the most popular anime of all time, earning their title because of their relevance during the early 2000s.Bleachfollows Ichigo, a teenager who can see ghosts and gets involved with the spirit world. After a soul reaper lends him her power, he uses his gift to fight for his friends and city, defending them against threats such as the Soul Society, a traitorous soul reaper, and the king of the Quincies.
Bleachhas many great arcs, each with its own importance and style that inspired countless modern anime. WhileNarutois more popular and came out aroundBleach, the latter is much more influential. However, fans only began to see that recently. Itsurban fantasy setting and stylish vibe have quietly changed the modern anime landscape, with shows such asJujutsu KaisenandChainsaw Manbeing direct products.
9’One Piece' (1999)
Original Creator: Eiichiro Oda
LikeBleach,One Pieceis also a member of The Big Three and the earliest of them, giving it more time to reach a wider audience. Monkey D. Luffy dreams of becoming King of the Pirates and embarks on a grand adventure to find the titular treasure. But first, he must build a crew and make a name for himself, which he does by being himself and challenging all manners of authority.
One Pieceis undoubtedly influenced by a few anime on this list, but it also passed down those influences and added its own to a new generation. Thisunpredictable anime seriesuses its universal themes, memorable characters, expansive worldbuilding, extensive plot, and diverse storytelling to createa shōnen masterpiece that has reached almost every anime fan worldwide.
8’Doraemon' (1979)
Original Creator: Fujio F. Fujiko
Most kids in the West grew up withScooby-DooorSpongeBob SquarePants, but Japanese kids grew up withDoraemon. This anime follows the titular robotic cat and Nobita, a lazy kid who spells doom for the future, which is why Doraemon came back to the past. Helping Nobita grow up to be a respectable person, Doraemon possesses a slew of weird gadgets and inventions.
Doraemonisn’t an anime that every fan needs to or should watch, but it is influential nonetheless. It helped inspire countless children and is usually their first taste of anime, introducing them to a whole world of possibilities.Doraemonis a massive franchise, and as such, it has reached fans and companies alike, influencing them to make kids' anime more fun while also teaching them valuable lessons.
7’Neon Genesis Evangelion' (1995)
Original Creator: Hideaki Anno
The mecha genre is a staple of anime, and while there will be one more higher on this list,Neon Genesis Evangelionis the series most people associate the genre with. In a world struck by multiple catastrophes, humanity prepares for the next by sending those compatible with the mechas against the angel-like aliens. However, Shinji’s trauma and pressure get in the way of doing what is right.
Neon Genesis Evangeliontakes everything cliché about anime and the mecha genre and deconstructs it, building something completely different that becomes a new standard. Its psychological themes were groundbreaking for the time, influencing other anime to focus on the issue and self-expression.Evangelionis the best avant-garde animefor its unconventional methods that impacted the industry and left a lasting legacy.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
6’Yu Yu Hakusho' (1992)
Original Creator: Yoshihiro Togashi
Most fans knowYoshihiro TogashiforHunter x Hunter. However, his first series is just as good and easily more influential.Yu Yu Hakushofollows Yusuke, who, after unexpectedly dying, gets a chance to regain his life if he does a series of jobs for the spirit world. Now a spirit detective, Yusuke uses his powers to maintain the balance of the supernatural in the human world.
Yu Yu Hakushois an underrated masterpiecethat defines classic shōnen archetypes and inspires future anime of the same genre. In a medium full of goofy and stupid protagonists, this anime switched things up with a rebellious nature, dealing with the complexities of masculinity.The Dark Tournament also changed anime forever, establishing a staple format for arcsthat is still popular today.
Yu Yu Hakusho
5’Ashita no Joe' (1970)
Original Creators: Ikki Kajiwara and Tetsuya Chiba
While it may not be the oldest anime on this list,Ashita no Joeis still a classic series over fifty years old, giving more than enough time to establish a legacy. When a former boxing coach sees potential in an arrogant street punk, he hopes to train him and create the next best boxer. However, their journey is full of hardships and struggles, including time in prison, an unfulfilled rivalry, and trauma.
Ashita no Joewas a serious character-focused storyin an age brimming with goofy anime with only entertainment value. Its themes and representation of the working class still hold up today and serve as an important starting point for further representation. Theprofound messages and revolutionary techniquesfurther cemented its legacy as an influential anime that shaped the sports genre and the medium as a whole.
Ashita no Joe
4’Sailor Moon' (1992)
Original Creator: Naoko Takeuchi
A little fun fact is the creator ofYu Yu Hakushois married toNaoko Takeuchi, the mangaka ofSailor Moon. It isn’t uncommon for mangaka to date, but it is rare both produce legendary series. After a cat-like entity grants her magical powers, Usagi becomes the titular magical girl and must use her newfound abilities to save the world from dastardly threats.
Anime is predominantly male-oriented, with most anime appealing to that gender. However,Sailor Moonbroke barriers by creating a mainstream and widely popular shoujo, which used its visual style, groundbreaking techniques, and classic story to become a pop-culture icon.Sailor Moonis an important animethat popularized the magical girl genre and influenced how studios make them.
3’Mobile Suit Gundam' (1979)
Original Creator: Yoshiyuki Tomino
As previously mentioned, there is one mecha anime that is more influential thanNeon Genesis Evangelion:Mobile Suit Gundam. TheGundamfranchise is a massive entity that started with the anime television series, further spawning countless spin-offs, sequels, movies, toys, andsoon a live-action movie.
It popularized and redefined the mecha genre with semi-realistic robots, also using shoujo elements to appeal to every fan possible.Gundamhas a massive community because of its epic fights and subtle romance, with new sequels still gaining traction today.Gundamestablished popularity in Japan as not just a kid’s mediumand found new ways to monetize shows, which other shows replicated.
Mobile Suit Gundam
2’Astro Boy' (1963)
Original Creator: Osamu Tezuka
While fans may be shocked thatAstro Boyisn’t number one, the top spot goes to a different show just as deserving as this one.Osamu Tezukais known as the Father of Manga/Anime because of its insurmountable influence on the medium. The android child fights against robot injustices and other villains in this classic sci-fi anime series.
This is the oldest anime on this list, and while its age has restricted new viewers from watching it,Astro Boyrecently underwent AI restoration, making it feel a bit more modern. It may not have been the first anime, but it wasthe show that started it all, introducing the concept as a feasible project and changing history forever.Astro Boyinspired countless creators and influenced the making of anime.
1’Dragon Ball' (1986)
Original Creator: Akira Toriyama
Whether it beDragon BallorDragon Ball Z, each series played an incredible part in building anime into what it is today. Living alone in the woods, Goku’s life would change forever after meeting a young girl named Bulma. On an adventure to find seven mysterious orbs, they tag along with new friends and fight tough opponents, eventually battling space entities set on world domination, including Frieza, Majinn Buu, and Cell.
Pretty much every Shōnen anime uses techniques and methodsDragon Ballcreated or popularized.This anime set the blueprint for a successful anime and laid the groundwork for future series. Whether directly inspiring series likeOne PieceandNarutoor influencing works through its essential tropes,Dragon Ballis an important series that shaped anime.Dragon Ballis a timeless anime, a trendsetter, and an uber-famous anime that touched fans' hearts around the world.
