I am a huge anime fanatic.
I am a huge fan of sharing my favorite popular anime with my friends and with anyone who is into anime.
Today, I am sharing the most popular anime of all time, so you should not skip these!
If you’re a true lover of anime, then you’re probably familiar with each one of these.
I’ve picked these anime because of their fame and how well they’ve impressed fans of anime.
These are my personal favorites. However, I’m certain that most people will be happy with my selections.
If you’re new to these addictive Japanese anime series, then this is the perfect selection for you.
Millions of viewers across the world enjoy these anime shows.
They are frequently rewatched and recommended to many other anime beginners.
Updated June 20, 2024, by Shagun Singh: This list has been updated to align with My Otaku World’s current publication standards and includes some new entries as well.
Here Are Some Of The Best Popular Anime Of All Time
16. Erased
If you’re a fan of Tokyo Revengers, a shonen anime where the protagonist travels back in time to his teenage years to save the day, you might find Erased to be a great watch as well.
This anime features the protagonist Satoru Fujinuma, who travels back in time to his youth in order to prevent tragic events from occurring.
After being wrongly accused of murder, he finds himself transported back to 1988.
As he delves into the case, he can’t help but wonder if it is somehow linked to the mysterious disappearance of his childhood friend.
Discovering the truth from the past won’t be a walk in the park, but Satoru is determined to do whatever it takes for the sake of himself and his classmates.
Brace yourself for a thrilling and suspenseful adventure that lies ahead.
15. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Oh my god! This is the typical reaction after watching this amazing Shounen anime that follows various generational lines from the Joestar family.
The popular Manga series has been running since 1987 and began airing anime in 2012.
Stardust Crusaders follows Jotaro Kujo (Get it? JoJo? ) A High School student who discovers himself to possess a natural ability known as “stand” due to his bloodline.
Jotaro embarks on a journey to help his mom using his newfound power while being pursued by the most bizarre of assassins.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders is packed with amazing excitement, wild and wacky characters, and unforgettable moments that will continue to live throughout the world of anime (and memes).
14. Samurai Champloo
Following Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanabe’s popularity was up to a record high, and his sequel,
Which was a straightforward Samurai story with a hint of hip-hop, did only to establish his reputation in the ranks of greatest in the field of anime direction.
Samurai Champloo, like Cowboy Bebop before it, was mostly episodic, and while the overall plot isn’t much to be praised.
However, the individual stories of the 3 main protagonists were thrilling to follow and included the same amount of emotionally powerful stories and literal wild action.
13. My Hero Academia
Superhero tales are commonplace, and My Hero Academia offers a unique take on the genre by focusing on the story of Izuku Midoriya.
Midoriya is a heroic character who was born with no powers (but will do anything to help others no matter what) within a universe of people who have abilities.
However, even after he’s earned an elusive “quirk” he’s always dreamed of, MHA constantly finds ways to push the boundaries of Midoriya’s hero’s story by offering fresh variations on the well-known tropes, exploring the definition of an exemplary hero, with a consistent sense of comedy and heart and amazing action scenes.
With its amazing animation, a lovable cast of well-developed characters, and the ability to come up with the most absurd and unusual superpowers that have ever been brought to the screen,
My Hero Academia is an oasis of joy that is often hilarious, sometimes sweet, and constantly unexpected.
12. Hunter x Hunter
Hunter is pronounced as Hunter Hunter begins with a well-known classic: A hero, in this case, a little boy named Gon is forced to leave his small hometown for the very first time to embark on an adventure.
He sets off on a search for his long-lost father, who abandoned him.
The only clue?
He’s a famous licensed hunter, and, therefore, Gon decides to take the notoriously hazardous test and eventually become the Hunter himself.
It’s a bit boring and cheerful, however, Hunter is far from that.
There are emotional highs and lows, as well as arcs of both protagonists and antagonists, which are among the most memorable episodes.
Like most shonen dramas, the action in dramatic form is fantastic too.
11. Cowboy Bebop
It’s difficult to believe that Cowboy Bebop is over 20 years old due to the way it holds up, both in its creation and in its execution.
It’s the space-western that gave the world Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and of course Ein is still stunning and has a compelling story, strong characters, and an amazing soundtrack that guarantees it will remain one of the most memorable animated films ever created.
Cowboy Bebop has had a lasting impact that extends well beyond anime.
Everyone from Orson Scott Card, Rian Johnson, and Robin Williams has praised the series and has cited the influence it had upon their works.
Cowboy Bebop is still working well due to the constantly accessible story that lies at the center of its diverse 26-episode run.
The show’s exploration of adult themes like the loss is the anchor of the crew’s adventure across the universe which makes it a show that we’re eager to revisit after all these years.
Three Two, One Let’s jam!
10. Sword Art Online
If stunning animation and memorable characters are what you would expect from a show of the anime genre take a look at Sword Art Online!
The soundtrack and animation of the series are entertaining.
It might not be the paciest and has its imperfections, but it’s fun and keeps you engaged.
The story follows a teen kid, Kirito, who gets trapped in a virtual game that is known as Sword Art Online.
He enters the world of medieval weapons as well as dangerous monsters.
But, the player soon realizes that he will not be able to stop playing until he has completed 100 levels!
This is when the game stops being enjoyable and thrilling.
If players are killed in their virtual reality, they’ll die in the real world.
Kirito and his friends decide to do whatever is necessary to live.
If you enjoy this anime, check out this list of similar anime like sword art online.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist tells the story of two brothers who make an effort to bring back their mother from the dead.
Following the basic law of alchemy, to obtain something, one must sacrifice something of similar worth.
This means that one brother loses an arm while the other is stripped of his entire body (his soul is bonded to an armored suit.
In the next few days, the brothers discover that there is a Philosopher’s Stone, which can go beyond the rules of alchemy.
Our heroes set out on a journey to find the stone.
As you may have thought, this series is part of one of the more well-known anime genres, shounen that targets teenage males.
In reality, Fullmetal Alchemist has a more detailed and intricate plot than other Shounen.
It is also distinct from other entries in the genre because it is set in a fantasy world, with the setting being somewhere in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century.
This action fantasy series is one to watch for anyone who loves anime and also for those who are just beginning to explore animation!
8. Sailor Moon
If you’re seeking romance, comedy, dramatic moments, and excellent music, Sailor Moon is the right selection.
The comedy and romance in this film are well-balanced with hilarious moments and they work very well!
The characters in this anime are easy to connect with!
It may appear juvenile (primarily due to the voice actors in the dubbed version) however, it addresses a variety of subjects, such as violence, sexuality, and several issues in relationships.
Fans suggest that you watch it with subtitles as voices are superior when you watch the first Japanese version.
Sailor Moon is about an ordinary teenage girl whose life gets transformed when she discovers her destiny.
The girl will become the planet’s guardian and defend the earth.
7. Attack on Titan
If you’re looking for an epic and dramatic show with an engaging story you should take a look at this series.
This show is sure to make you cry because many characters risk their lives to defend humanity.
Based on the award-winning manga of the same title, Attack on Titan transports us to an era where humanity is close to extinction.
The terrifying and massive creatures known as Titans have forced humankind to hide behind huge walls.
They devour human flesh and blood not out of a desire to eat, but because of enjoyment.
This makes them more frightening.
But their peaceful existence ends when a titan breaks through the wall that surrounds them.
The story is told through Eren Yeager as well as his two companions who are dedicated to slaying the man-eating beasts.
6. Detective Conan
Detective Conan has all the elements to keep you engaged.
It is filled with hilarious moments as well as love story tension and a unique mystery.
The story is about Shinichi Kudou who is a genius with the ability to resolve even the most complex cases.
This is especially true when you consider that he’s just 17 years old.
But one night alters his life.
The night is when the young detective spots two men who appear suspicious at Amusement Park.
They catch him and hand the young man an experimental drug.
He can survive but his body has shrunk into the proportions of a 7-year-old boy!
While concealing his true identity, Shinichi investigates the strange group that has brought about an incredibly drastic change in his body.
5. Death Note
If you’re looking to experience an extremely unique and engaging story, then you must watch Death Note.
The series is one of the top and most well-known.
The viewer is forced to think about what they would do in a character’s position.
Imagine being able to murder people just by thinking about them and then writing their names in a specialized notebook.
This is insane, isn’t it?
It’s likely to happen for Light Yagami, a high school student, who discovers a Death Note.
This particular notebook was released into the world by the god of death who did it due to his boredom.
When he discovers that he has power, Light decides to make the world a better place by eliminating the most criminals possible.
But, the police spot the bizarre serial murders and want to find the perpetrator with the help of a nerdy young detective L.
4. Naruto
You’ll be amazed by the range of emotions that this show evokes.
The show is filled with heartbreaking moments that will make you think about the characters and cry!
Every character in the show has a dark history that connects the viewers to the narrative.
It is a fact that even the antagonists of the show are likable since they all have their justifications.
One thing that gives Naruto so unique is the deep-rooted jutsu structure.
Naruto is a story about Naruto’s adventures as a young boy with a living beast within him.
It was a long time ago that the Nine-Tails fox, a fierce critter, struck some of the towns of the Shinobi Countries.
The village’s leader took his own life and sealed the beast inside his infant baby son Naruto.
After a few years, the boy is struggling to discover his place in the world.
A few days later, a highly active Naruto transforms into a Ninja.
He creates his group and goes on various missions requested by the locals.
Because of his temper, Naruto encounters not just wonderful friends, but also dangerous foes.
3. Pokemon
Pokemon is widely regarded as the most-watched anime series available.
It is a fun show that includes action, adventure, and morals.
Because the show is aimed mostly at kids they learn several moral lessons.
Give this show a go, particularly in case you’ve experienced the same kind of show in other media like games or cards.
The story follows Satoshi, 10 years old, who has always wanted to be a Pokemon trainer.
His dream is set to become a reality however, the three Pokemon for beginners are already gone.
The only remaining one is an electric Pokémon named Pikachu.
Satoshi and Pikachu embark on an adventure to become the top of the most elite.
The adventure begins!
2. One Piece
One Piece is an amazing anime that will quickly captivate you!
The show begins with the Pirate King who reveals the existence of One Piece, the treasure that can bring its owner an unending amount of fame and wealth.
The series is about Monkey D. Luffy, a teen boy who joins his crew.
He travels the Grand Line as he fights fierce enemies and has several adventures to find the ultimate treasure.
The first episode is mostly spent showing the characters, however, there is always an adventure in this show.
But once the group reaches their destination, you’ll get to dive into endless adventures!
The people who love this show suggest watching it in the original Japanese language, with subtitles.
It’s important to know that the style of art used in this series is completely different from other shows.
It’s more cartoonish.
1. Dragon Ball
Dragonball is the story of Son Goku, a young boy living in the forest.
Son Goku is without friends and is left by himself until a girl stumbles upon him.
She is looking for the Dragon Balls, a magical object that is believed to grant a wish to those who have the entire set of seven.
The girl would like to discover all of them and wish them all an ideal boyfriend.
Goku only has one dragon ball.
The fights don’t run lengthy, which means it’s not dull to observe.
It’s very thrilling!
Indeed, the animation and art style are not the most impressive as compared to modern animation.
Dragon Ball can be an absolute must-watch for everyone who loves anime.
Give this iconic classic a go!
Some Popular Action Anime Mentions
- Angel Beats!
- Baccano!
- Fate/Zero
- Trigun
- Mob Psycho 100
- Rurouni Kenshin
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Tiger & Bunny
