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The Most Popular Anime List, Ranked

Choose the anime list you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:29
Anime fans often find themselves sifting through an extensive selection of series, each unique in its narrative depth, visual style, and character development. Identifying which of these titles resonate most with viewers can be a daunting task. A well-curated list of popular anime helps provide clarity and save time, guiding fans to widely appreciated works. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that reflects current tastes and preferences within the anime community. This collective input ensures the list remains pertinent and continuously updated, aiding new fans in making informed choices about what to watch. Engaging with this list not only enhances your viewing experience but also connects you to the broader anime community.

What Is the Most Popular Anime List?

  1. 1
    48
    votes
    Dragon Ball Z
    Toei Animation · Public domain

    Dragon Ball Z

    Akira Toriyama
    One of the most iconic anime series of all time, known for its action-packed battles and memorable characters.
    Dragon Ball Z is a popular anime series that follows the adventures of Goku, a Saiyan warrior, as he defends Earth against various villains. The story continues from the original Dragon Ball series and features intense battles, epic transformations, and a focus on friendship and personal growth.
    • Dragon Balls: Seven magical spheres that, when gathered, grant a wish
    • Continuations/Sequels: Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super
    • Number of Episodes: 291
    • Original Run: April 26, 1989 – January 31, 1996
    • Genre: Action, Adventure
    Dragon Ball Z in other rankings
  3. 2
    24
    votes

    Naruto

    A long-running series following the journey of a young ninja named Naruto as he strives to become the strongest in his village. Known for its emotional moments and epic fights.
    Naruto is a Japanese anime series that follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who aims to become the Hokage, the strongest ninja in his village. The story is set in a fictional world where ninjas possess various abilities and fight against powerful enemies. Naruto's journey is filled with action, friendship, and personal growth as he faces challenges in his quest for recognition and to protect his loved ones.
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
    • Original Run: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007
    • Episodes: 220
    • Main Protagonist: Naruto Uzumaki
    • Setting: Hidden Leaf Village, various other ninja villages
  4. 3
    23
    votes
    One Piece
    Anass_belghrib · CC BY-SA 4.0

    One Piece

    Eiichiro Oda
    A pirate-themed series following the adventures of a rubber-bodied captain and his crew as they search for the ultimate treasure. Known for its world-building and lovable characters.
    One Piece is a highly popular anime and manga series created by Eiichiro Oda. It follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they search for the ultimate treasure known as One Piece, in order to become the next Pirate King. The series is set in a world of vast oceans and diverse islands, filled with intriguing characters, epic battles, and deep storytelling. With its unique blend of action, humor, and emotional moments, One Piece has captivated audiences worldwide.
    • Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
    • Episodes: More than 1000
    • Manga Volumes: Over 100
    • Original Run: July 22, 1997 – present
    • Animation Studio: Toei Animation
    One Piece in other rankings
  5. 4
    10
    votes

    Attack on Titan

    Hajime Isayama
    A dark and intense series set in a world where humanity is besieged by giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. Known for its high stakes and shocking plot twists.
    Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin, is a popular dark fantasy anime series set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The story revolves around Eren Yeager and his friends who join the military to fight against the Titans and uncover the secrets behind their existence.
    • Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
    • Original run: April 7, 2013 – Present
    • Episodes: 75 (and counting)
    • Manga: Written by Hajime Isayama
    • Animation Studio: Wit Studio (seasons 1-3), MAPPA (season 4)
    Attack on Titan in other rankings
  6. 5
    7
    votes

    Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    Hiromu Arakawa
    A fantasy series following two brothers on a quest to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment. Known for its complex themes and well-developed characters.
    Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series based on the manga written by Hiromu Arakawa. It is a remake of the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime series and follows the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, in their quest to find the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical experiment. The series is set in a fictional world where alchemy is a highly advanced scientific technique. As they uncover the dark secrets behind alchemy and society, the Elric brothers face numerous challenges and encounters with other powerful alchemists and beings.
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
    • Episodes: 64
    • Original Run: April 5, 2009 – July 4, 2010
    • Animation Studio: Bones
    • Producers: Square Enix, Aniplex, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Studio Moriken
    Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in other rankings
  7. 6
    6
    votes

    Death Note

    A psychological thriller following a high school student who gains the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in a supernatural notebook. Known for its cat-and-mouse game between the protagonist and his pursuers.
    Death Note is a psychological thriller anime series that tells the story of Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. The notebook has the power to kill any person whose name is written in it. Driven by his desire to cleanse the world of criminals, Light begins a killing spree as he takes on the identity of Kira. However, his acts of vigilante justice don't go unnoticed, and he becomes the target of an eccentric detective known as L.
    • Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological
    • Episodes: 37
    • Original run: October 3, 2006 – June 26, 2007
    • Studio: Madhouse
    • Adapted from: Manga
    Death Note in other rankings
  8. 7
    2
    votes

    Sailor Moon

    Naoko Takeuchi
    A classic magical girl series following a group of girls who transform into powerful warriors to defend the Earth against evil forces. Known for its positive messages and empowering themes.
    Sailor Moon is a popular anime and manga series that follows the adventures of a young middle school student named Usagi Tsukino, who transforms into the superhero Sailor Moon to battle against the forces of evil. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians, Usagi protects the Earth and the galaxy from various villains while also dealing with everyday school life and personal relationships.
    • Genre: Magical girl, action, romance
    • Original run: March 7, 1992 – February 8, 1997
    • Episodes: 200 (including specials)
    • Manga volumes: 18
    • Main protagonist: Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon
    Sailor Moon in other rankings
  9. 8
    13
    votes
    Cowboy Bebop
    Sunrise · Public domain

    Cowboy Bebop

    Shinichirō Watanabe
    A space western following a group of bounty hunters as they travel through the galaxy and confront their dark pasts. Known for its stylish visuals and iconic soundtrack.
    Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime series that follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters in space. Set in the year 2071, the show combines elements of science fiction, westerns, and film noir to create a unique and captivating story. The series explores themes of existentialism, loneliness, and the search for purpose, all set against a backdrop of jazz music.
    • Number of Episodes: 26
    • Original Network: TV Tokyo
    • Original Run: April 3, 1998 – April 24, 1999
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Western
    • Animation Studio: Sunrise
    Cowboy Bebop in other rankings
  10. 9
    13
    votes

    My Hero Academia

    Kōhei Horikoshi
    A superhero series following a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero in a world where superpowers are the norm. Known for its creative powers and heartwarming moments.
    My Hero Academia is a popular anime series set in a world where most of the population possesses superpowers known as Quirks. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without a Quirk. However, his life takes a turn when he encounters the greatest hero of all, All Might, who offers to pass down his Quirk to Izuku. Faced with challenges and obstacles, Izuku enters U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes, and embarks on a journey to fulfill his dream of becoming the world's greatest hero.
    • Genre: Action, Comedy, Superpower
    • Original Run: April 3, 2016 – present
    • Episodes: Currently over 100 episodes
    • Manga Volumes: Currently 30 volumes
    • Main Protagonist: Izuku Midoriya
    My Hero Academia in other rankings
  11. 10
    11
    votes

    Hunter x Hunter

    Yoshihiro Togashi
    A shonen series following a young boy on his journey to become a Hunter, a group of skilled individuals who undertake dangerous tasks. Known for its intricate world-building and complex characters.
    Hunter x Hunter is a popular anime series based on the manga of the same name. It follows the story of a young boy named Gon Freecss who embarks on a journey to become a Hunter, a licensed individual who can pursue dangerous tasks such as capturing criminals and discovering hidden treasures. Along the way, Gon meets other aspiring Hunters and faces various challenges and enemies in order to achieve his goal and find his absentee hunter father.
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
    • First Episode Date: October 16, 1999
    • Last Episode Date: September 23, 2014
    • Number of Episodes: 148
    • Studio: Madhouse
    Hunter x Hunter in other rankings

Missing your favorite anime list?

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Ranking factors for popular anime list

  1. Viewer Ratings
    Consider the average ratings given by viewers on sites like MyAnimeList, IMDb, and AniList. Higher ratings generally mean that the anime is well-received and enjoyed by a large number of people.
  2. Popularity and Audience Reach
    Check the number of viewers, followers, and discussion threads on social media platforms and online forums to gauge the overall popularity and audience reach.
  3. Cultural Impact
    The extent to which an anime impacts and influences popular culture, such as inspiring memes, catchphrases, and merchandise.
  4. Critic Reviews
    Take into account reviews and opinions of professional critics on anime review websites and publications.
  5. Awards and Honors
    Consider any awards or honors the anime has received, such as the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, Japan Media Arts Festival, or Seiun Awards.
  6. Sales and Box Office Performance
    Look at the sales figures for Blu-ray/DVD sales, manga adaptations, and box office performance for any associated movies.
  7. Longevity and Franchise Success
    Consider the length of the series or the number of seasons, as well as the success of related media like manga, novels, video games, and spin-off series.
  8. Genre-Specific Appeal
    Understand the target audience and demographic of the anime, as certain genres may cater to specific age groups or interests.
  9. Artwork and Animation Quality
    Evaluate the quality of the animation and the visual appeal of the anime.
  10. Storytelling and Character Development
    Take into account the depth and complexity of the storylines and how well the characters develop throughout the series.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular anime list. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Anime is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1984 views
  • 156 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Anime once every 24 hours. The rank of each Anime is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular anime list

Anime, a style of Japanese animation and cartoons, has gained a huge following worldwide. From classic series like Dragon Ball and Naruto to newer hits like Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia, anime has captured the hearts of fans across different generations. With so many anime titles available, it can be hard to determine which ones are the most popular. That's where StrawPoll comes in - our platform allows users to create and participate in polls and rankings, giving an insight into the most beloved anime series of all time. Whether you're a long-time anime fan or just getting started, StrawPoll is the perfect place to discover the most popular anime list and join the conversation.

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