Why is Anime popular?
The Evolution and Global Influence of Anime
This is it. The definitive list of the greatest anime ever made. Not just popular. Not just well-loved. These are the anime that built the industry, revolutionized storytelling, and defined their genres.
THE IMMORTALS
THE FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS OF ANIME
These anime shaped the medium and are untouchable in their influence.
Neon Genesis Evangelion – The mecha deconstruction that exposed the psychological trauma of heroism.
Cowboy Bebop – The coolest anime ever made. Jazz, noir, existentialism, and space in perfect harmony.
One Piece – The greatest long-form story in anime history. Unmatched world-building and adventure.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – The perfect anime. Every element—story, character, action—executed flawlessly.
Attack on Titan – The most ambitious war epic in anime, constantly evolving, culminating in a legendary finale.
Death Note – The ultimate battle of intellect, morality, and god complexes.
Berserk (1997) – The king of dark fantasy. A brutal, haunting tale of fate, ambition, and survival.
Dragon Ball – The foundation of modern battle anime. No Dragon Ball, no shōnen anime.
Akira – The cyberpunk masterpiece that made the world take anime seriously.
Mobile Suit Gundam (UC Timeline) – The birth of real robot mecha, proving giant robots could be military, political, and philosophical dramas.
THE LEGENDS
INDUSTRY GAME-CHANGERS
These didn’t just succeed—they changed anime forever.
Steins;Gate – The greatest time-travel story anime has ever told.
Code Geass – The ultimate antihero and strategy anime.
Hunter x Hunter (2011) – The shōnen that rewrote the shōnen rulebook.
Naruto – The ultimate coming-of-age epic, exploring trauma, friendship, and legacy.
Vinland Saga – A revenge-driven war epic that transforms into a story about peace.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes – The most sophisticated space opera anime ever made.
Ghost in the Shell – The cyberpunk prophecy questioning identity, AI, and the future.
Spirited Away – The only anime to win an Oscar, proving anime is high art.
Princess Mononoke – Ghibli’s most intense, mature, and philosophical film.
Gurren Lagann – The most over-the-top, inspirational anime ever made.
THE GENRE KINGS
THE BEST OF THEIR CATEGORY
These anime define their genres.
Revolutionary Girl Utena (Fantasy/Psychological) – The feminist, surreal deconstruction of fairy tales.
Made in Abyss (Dark Fantasy) – A deceptively childlike horror adventure.
Ergo Proxy (Cyberpunk/Philosophy) – Deep psychology and AI-driven dystopia.
Your Lie in April (Romance/Drama) – The definitive tragic love story.
Trigun (Western/Sci-Fi) – The gunslinger’s anime, where ideals clash with violence.
Hajime no Ippo (Sports) – The definitive boxing anime.
Monster (Psychological Thriller) – The greatest mind-game thriller in anime.
Haikyuu!! (Sports) – The ultimate team sports anime.
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) (Slice of Life/Comedy) – The greatest mentor anime.
Welcome to the NHK (Psychological/Drama) – The rawest depiction of depression and social anxiety.
THE CULT GAME-CHANGERS
SERIES THAT REDEFINED ANIME
These anime redefine their genres.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Magical Girl/Horror) – The Evangelion of magical girls.
Fate/Zero (Fantasy/Action) – The ultimate battle royale anime.
Tokyo Ghoul (Seinen/Horror) – The tragic journey of a man between two worlds.
Paranoia Agent (Psychological Horror) – Satoshi Kon’s David Lynch-esque nightmare.
Black Lagoon (Action/Crime) – The gritty Tarantino of anime.
The Tatami Galaxy (Experimental/Existential) – A fast-talking masterpiece about choices.
Baccano! (Action/Crime) – Nonlinear storytelling done right.
Serial Experiments Lain (Cyberpunk/Philosophy) – The godfather of internet horror.
Sailor Moon (Magical Girl) – The blueprint for the modern magical girl genre.
Pokémon (Adventure) – The most mainstream anime of all time.
THE FINAL INDUCTEES
THE LAST ESSENTIAL ENTRIES
These essential anime left a mark.
Clannad: After Story (Romance/Drama) – The hardest-hitting emotional anime.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Cyberpunk/Action) – A modern cyberpunk masterpiece.
Ashita no Joe (Sports) – The original boxing anime.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (Comedy) – The greatest comedy anime ever.
The Promised Neverland (Season 1) (Thriller) – Best thriller debut in years.
Wolf’s Rain (Fantasy/Post-Apocalypse) – A beautifully bleak tale of survival.
Erased (Mystery/Thriller) – The best time-travel murder mystery.
Megalobox (Sports/Cyberpunk) – A cyberpunk reimagining of boxing.
The Rising of the Shield Hero (Isekai/Fantasy) – The darkest hero’s journey in isekai.
GATE (Military/Isekai) – The best military isekai, showing modern warfare vs. fantasy.
A Cultural Revolution
Anime has long transcended its status as a niche form of entertainment, emerging as a defining force in global storytelling. It is a medium that not only captures artistic expression but also reflects philosophical thought, technological anxieties, and evolving cultural norms. More than any other form of animation, anime possesses the unique ability to merge visual splendor with deeply intricate narratives, tackling themes of existentialism, heroism, loss, and societal transformation. Examining the connections between some of the most influential anime reveals a complex tapestry of artistic innovation and thematic exploration that continuously reshapes the medium.
Post-War Japan and the Birth of Anime
The American occupation of Japan played a foundational role in the birth of anime as it is known today. Following World War II, the U.S. occupied Japan from 1945 to 1952, enacting sweeping political, economic, and social reforms. This period saw the introduction of Japan’s new constitution (1947), which promoted democracy and limited Japan’s ability to maintain a traditional military (Article 9). With military power curtailed, Japan turned to cultural influence as an alternative means of global presence.
During the occupation, Western media flooded Japan, particularly Disney animation and American films, heavily influencing early Japanese artists. Osamu Tezuka, often regarded as the "God of Manga," found inspiration in Disney’s animation techniques, integrating their expressive character designs and fluid movement into his own work. His seminal creation, Astro Boy (1963), became the first serialized anime television series, establishing the visual and narrative conventions that still define anime today. Tezuka’s work laid the foundation for an industry that would grow to be a dominant cultural and economic force.
As Japan’s economy stabilized and surged in the 1960s and 1970s, the anime industry expanded rapidly. Increased television ownership and improvements in animation technology provided fertile ground for the emergence of studios like Toei Animation and Sunrise, which would go on to shape the industry. This period witnessed the birth of various anime genres, including mecha, space opera, and fantasy epics, which would set the stage for decades to come. The introduction of Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) marked a shift in anime storytelling, where giant robots were no longer simply tools for war but also vehicles for political and philosophical discourse.
Anime as a Tool of Soft Power
With Japan’s military influence restricted post-WWII, anime became one of its most powerful tools of soft power, shaping global perceptions of Japanese culture. Unlike Western films, which tend to emphasize Hollywood-style heroism and spectacle, anime embraced a philosophical depth, emotional nuance, and meticulous world-building that set it apart. This shift allowed Japan to distinguish itself in the global entertainment landscape, leading to initiatives such as Cool Japan, a government-backed program designed to promote Japanese pop culture worldwide.
By the 1980s and 1990s, anime had cemented itself as an economic and cultural powerhouse. Films such as Akira (1988)and Ghost in the Shell (1995) introduced cyberpunk themes that explored the impact of technology on humanity, captivating global audiences with their intellectual complexity. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon popularized the shōnen and magical girl genres, ensuring anime’s penetration into international markets. These series solidified Japan’s cultural export strategy, ensuring that anime was not just a form of entertainment but a symbol of Japanese creativity and storytelling.
Today, anime is a multi-billion-dollar industry, influencing global pop culture through streaming platforms, conventions, and merchandise. Countries such as France, the U.S., and Brazil have developed deep anime fanbases, further amplifying Japan’s cultural influence beyond its borders. The rise of streaming services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Funimation has democratized access to anime, allowing it to reach new audiences and further cement its position in global media.
Thematic Depth and Psychological Complexity in Anime
What distinguishes anime from other forms of animation is its willingness to explore psychological, existential, and philosophical themes with unflinching depth. Unlike many Western animated productions, anime often embraces morally ambiguous storytelling, encouraging audiences to engage critically with its narratives.
The Evolution of Character Complexity
Anime protagonists frequently transcend conventional hero archetypes, embodying flawed, deeply human personas that challenge simplistic notions of good and evil. Consider the following:
Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion) – A reluctant pilot struggling with identity, trauma, and existential dread, embodying the fear of inadequacy.
Light Yagami (Death Note) – A brilliant but arrogant protagonist who descends into tyranny, showcasing the intoxicating allure of power.
Guts (Berserk) – A warrior burdened by relentless suffering, whose journey highlights the cost of survival and the pursuit of destiny.
Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass) – A strategist-turned-revolutionary whose quest for vengeance turns into an ideological battle for justice.
Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) – A gifted alchemist searching for redemption and truth in a world defined by equivalent exchange.
These characters reflect the shifting narrative landscape in anime, where clear-cut morality is replaced by nuance, ethical dilemmas, and psychological introspection. Their struggles resonate with audiences because they reflect real human conflicts—self-doubt, ambition, vengeance, and the search for purpose.
Existential and Philosophical Storytelling
Anime frequently grapples with existential themes, questioning the nature of identity, free will, and human purpose. Some of the most thought-provoking examples include:
Steins;Gate – A time-travel narrative that delves into the consequences of determinism and the illusion of choice.
Paranoia Agent – A surreal exploration of mass hysteria, social alienation, and the consequences of repressed trauma.
Revolutionary Girl Utena – A surreal deconstruction of fairy tales and gender roles.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes – A space opera that explores war, democracy, and leadership.
Vinland Saga – A historical epic that questions the cycle of revenge and the meaning of true strength.
These narratives elevate anime from mere entertainment to a medium that challenges societal norms and existential inquiry.
Conclusion: Anime as an Ever-Evolving Medium
Anime is more than just an art form—it is a cultural movement, a philosophical dialogue, and a reflection of the human condition. Its ability to continuously evolve, challenge conventions, and inspire audiences ensures its lasting relevance. Whether through epic space operas, intimate character studies, or dystopian thrillers, anime remains a testament to the power of storytelling.
Beyond just entertainment, anime fosters conversations about reality, human emotion, and technological evolution. From the political struggles in Legend of the Galactic Heroes to the deeply personal trauma in Neon Genesis Evangelion, anime provides a space where audiences can reflect on the complexities of life itself. The inclusion of sports anime like Haikyuu!! and Hajime no Ippo, as well as romance-driven works like Your Lie in April, demonstrates that anime's thematic range is limitless.
As Japan continues to push anime into new frontiers with advancements in animation technology, digital streaming, and cross-media adaptations, one thing is certain: anime’s influence is far from over. Its stories will continue to captivate, challenge, and redefine how audiences engage with art and narrative in the years to come.
By Noel | Fowklaw
