Anime typically refers to as Japanese animation. It first appeared in 1917, more than a century ago. However, it was not until the 1960s, that the first Anime was broadcasted on television.
At that time, the appeal of the Japanese art form was not as widespread. Astro Boy deserves this honor (a.k.a. Mighty Atom).
Every year, 100s of new Anime series are broadcast, and their popularity grows with each passing year.
No one person decides which Anime is the best or which should be the No.1 Anime of all time. It is all a matter of popularity, fanbase, and its impact on the audience.
It’s always a particular show that grabs the audience’s attention and becomes the gateway for them to enter the fan base. I also have the same story, I was introduced to Anime through Pokémon on Cartoon Network, and it was not until a year later that I got into the genre as an obsessed fan.
As a dedicated member of the Anime community, I have brought to you the top 5 Anime based on their popularity, influence, plot, and characters. So, keep reading!
What are the top 5 best Anime?
Naruto
Hokage? Shinobi? Sounds familiar?
Well, it should be because of the iconic goofy ninja character from the popular series Naruto.
For good reason, the long-running Naruto series has been referred to as one of the big three Anime series due to its worldwide success. If you do not know about Naruto, you are missing out.
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Martial Arts |
| Studio | Pierrot Co., Ltd. |
| Created by | Masashi Kishimoto |
| No. of Seasons | 5 |
Plot
The Nine-Tailed Fox, which was trapped in Naruto because he was the only person capable of surviving it, was an orphaned child whose parents were killed during the village’s conflict with the creature.
Naruto is a series that is packed with action, combat, emotions, friendships, beliefs, and, most importantly—bonds.
It revolved around power and the value of believing in oneself, from its darkest backdrops to its cool advances till the finish, the Anime is a superb storyteller. It also contains a lot of great and intriguing characters who feel really genuine.
While the plot is typical of a slice-of-life ninja story, I was captivated by the rapidly changing plot, which began to showcase the evil powers at work.
Naruto’s transformation from a brat to a determined and inspirational character, and the darkness that builds within Uchiha, who has an interesting backstory himself.
Dragon Ball Z
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Martial Arts |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Created by | Akira Toriyama |
| No. of Seasons | 9 |
Dragon Ball Z has been a part of almost every Gen Z and millennial kid. The series is a typical shonen Anime with not much depth to it and no proper plot.
However, the humor, action, and quirky moment made it Akira Toriyama’s best creation so far. I mean how can you not enjoy a series with characters having superhuman strength capable of destroying planets with just their hands protecting the earth?
Plot
Dragon Ball Z is the story of the superhuman martial artist, Goku and his allies putting their skills to the test against a more powerful and bizarre array of adversaries. The series is loosely based on the Chinese folk tale journey to the west.
This series was an inspiration for an entire generation of Japanese Manga artists and animators. The Anime series is about Son Goku’s adventures to gather all seven of the legendary dragon balls.
Although the first series was a masterpiece, it was Dragon Ball Z that pushed it from a national treasure to a global sensation.
Dragon Ball Z is an essential edition in the canon of martial arts action Anime and a lasting foundation figure for beginners to the genre to this day, with hyperkinetic violence, dazzling energy strikes, dizzying spectacles of mass devastation, and suspenseful moments of serial crescendo.
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
| Genre | Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Steampunk |
| Studio | Bones Inc. |
| Created by | Hiromi Arakawa |
| No. of Seasons | 1 |
The Anime was first released in 2003 and was entirely remade in 2009. Similar to Sailor Moon: Crystal, the 2009 version, titled Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in English, was designed to be more mature and closer to the original Manga.
While I’ve seen many fantasy worlds where magic circles are required to cast spells and whatnot, I’ve never seen magic represented in this way.
Alchemy in the FMA: B world is based on the law of equivalent trade, so to obtain something, something of equal worth must be given.
Plot
FMA: B is set in a fictional world where a magical version of alchemy exists, allowing alchemists to do incredible feats using transmutation circles.
The story revolves around two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric. Both brothers have something they’ve lost, and they’re on a quest to reclaim it.
Edward, the elder of the two brothers, is a state alchemist known as the “Fullmetal Alchemist” in the military dictatorship nation of Amestris.
As the brothers continue on their journey, they are drawn into something far larger, in which the fate of the entire nation is at risk.
Edward and Alphonse Elric seek the Philosopher’s Stone to resurrect their bodies, which were destroyed when they attempted to resurrect their deceased mother using their alchemy skills.
The brothers travel about their country and have many thrilling experiences, becoming involved in political intrigues as well as clashes with otherworldly beings. They learn a lot about alchemy and the secrets peculiar to their own lived experiences, but they also help a lot of people in the process.
Attack on Titan
| Genre | Action, Dark Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic |
| Studio | Wit Studio, MAPPA |
| Created by | Hajime Isayama |
| No. of Seasons | 3 |
Attack on Titan also Known as Shingeki no Kyojin in Japan is based on a Manga that was first published in 2009, with the first episode premiering in 2013.
Without “Attack on Titan”, the modern Manga and animation industries would not exist. Hajime Isayama’s sad arrangement and its huge, worldwide fan following,
Plot
The story begins on Paradis Island, where the residents have constructed massive barriers to protect themselves from attacks by mindless titans.
Only the courageous Scouting Legion members risked to venture beyond the walls’ safety – and even those valiant warriors rarely returned alive.
Those who lived in the city clung to the illusion of a quiet existence until one day it was destroyed, and their limited chance of survival was reduced to one terrifying choice, kill or be devoured!
Although it has a few cliches common in shonen, it is otherwise utterly unique and intriguing. Assuming the Anime truly follows the Manga, you are in for many spectacular twists!!!!
With its great animation, soundtrack, and characters, you can’t help but fall in love with it. This is accomplished by having characters with depth and wonder that you return to because you become so connected with them.
The incredible, cliffhanger-filled plot adds to this. That will keep you on edge throughout each episode and leave you wanting more at the conclusion.
Death Note
| Genre | Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural Thriller |
| Studio | Madhouse, Nippon TV, Shueisha |
| No. of Seasons | 1 |
Death Note is a Japanese Anime series based on Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s Manga series of the same name.
The show’s popularity stems largely from its mystery and horror genre aspects. It is popular with both Japanese and international audiences.
The plot is relatively short, lasting less than 40 episodes, allowing it to be concise and to the point without diverting too much, as is common with longer series.
Plot
Death Note is a now-classic Anime series that follows Light Yagami, a kid who develops superhuman abilities via the use of the Death Note.
A book that allows the user to kill whomever they desire simply by entering their name in the book. With the power of the Death Note and a brilliant brain, Light embarks on a genocidal “moral” crusade that has global ramifications.
What follows is a game of cat and mouse between World Class investigators who are as clever and as intelligent as Light.
This show inspired numerous more dark protagonist shonen Anime as well as numerous live-action adaptations, which justifies its status as one of the best and most influential Animes of all time.
Conclusion
- Anime has changed and progressed significantly in terms of production value, ubiquity, and appeal in recent years.
- Most popular Anime series are mainly from the shonen genre with elements of fantasy, supernatural, crime, and suspense.
- All these top 5 Anime have become a cultural reset for the Anime community, and have played a vital role in shaping their respective genres.
Other articles
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- Does Manga Count As Comic?
- What Is Cosplay: Exploring Japan’s Subculture
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