The Ultimate Compilation of the 20 Most Iconic and Timeless Anime Series

Summary

Long-running anime series have impressive staying power, with some like One Piece and Case Closed surpassing 1,000 episodes.

With series ranging from popular titles like Dragon Ball to lesser-known ones like Crayon Shin-chan, these anime shows have continually captivated audiences for years. Their enduring popularity and triumph can be credited to their exceptional storytelling and the ability to deeply connect with viewers throughout time.

Determining the title of the longest running anime is surprisingly challenging due to the abundance of anime series that have hundreds of episodes. One Piece and Case Closed (also known as Detective Conan), beloved long-running shows, have surpassed the milestone of one thousand episodes, leaving viewers in awe of their enduring popularity. These series have been on air for longer than some of their audience's lifetimes, accumulating hundreds or even thousands of episodes. In fact, it would take weeks to marathon just one of these extensive series.

Whether they are widely recognized classics like One Piece or lesser-known gems like Crayon Shin-chan, these anime series possess something that has captivated viewers for decades. While other anime may come and go, these series have proven their longevity throughout time.

20 Dr. Slump Arale-chan - 243 episodes, 5 Years Airing

19 Hamtaro - 296 episodes, 6 Years Airing

Dr. Slump, created by the renowned Akira Toriyama, is a manga that stands as his greatest work prior to Dragon Ball. This captivating series revolves around the adventures of Arale Norimaki, a charming little robot girl, and her creator Senbei Norimaki, as they navigate the eccentric residents of Penguin Village. Notably, Dr. Slump has intersected with the Dragon Ball universe on several occasions. In a delightful twist, Goku made an appearance in the 1997 remake of Dr. Slump, while Arale herself crossed over into the realms of Dragon Ball and its sequel, Dragon Ball Super. Although Dr. Slump ran from 1981 to 1986, its airing period only briefly overlapped with Dragon Ball. With its light-hearted and irreverent humor, reminiscent of early Dragon Ball, this series is sure to captivate fans who reveled in the charm of the original Dragon Ball.

Hamtaro, the adorable hamster, is the star of a beloved children's show. Unlike most anime, Hamtaro is not based on a manga but on a series of children's books. The anime first aired in 2000 and ran for six years, captivating its audience with 296 episodes featuring Hamtaro and his Ham-Ham friends. In the West, Hamtaro gained popularity through its broadcast on Cartoon Network during that period, although it primarily targeted a younger demographic. Such was its success that Hamtaro spawned four movies and numerous video games. To this day, Hamtaro continues to entertain children in Japan as a segment of the show Norisuta Hai!

18 Fairy Tail - 328 episodes, 10 Years Airing

17 Sgt. Frog - 358 Episodes, 7 Years Airing

Fairy Tail, a popular action/fantasy anime, is based on a manga by Hiro Mashima. The series revolves around Natsu Dragneel, a powerful wizard known as a Dragon Slayer, who is a member of the Fairy Tail guild. Natsu's adventures begin when he joins forces with Lucy Heartfilia, a young woman. Initially airing in 2009, Fairy Tail enjoyed great success and continued for a staggering 328 episodes until 2019. Furthermore, fans can look forward to the upcoming adaptation of the manga's sequel, titled 100 Years Quest. With this addition, the number of episodes in the franchise is only set to increase.

Sgt. Frog, also known as Keroro Gunso, is a manga created by Mine Yoshizaki that follows the adventures of a group of frog-like aliens. Their goal is to conquer Earth, but their efforts are constantly hindered by their lazy and inept leader, Sergeant Frog. While the manga targets a teenage audience, the anime adaptation caters to a younger demographic. Each episode consists of two approximately 15-minute segments, similar to many Western cartoons. From 2004 to 2011, the series aired one episode per week consistently, showcasing its impressive longevity.

16 Bleach - 366 Episodes, 8 Years Airing

Bleach is an anime about the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, a newly reborn Soul Reaper who devotes his life to protecting the helpless and alleviating the anguish of lost souls. With his newfound abilities, the destiny of the world rests in Ichigo's hands as he combats evil and rescues innocent lives. Bleach premiered in 2004 and continued for the next eight years, culminating in a magnificent finale in 2012. As one of the longest-running anime series of all time, the show aired 366 episodes before its conclusion. The impact of Bleach still endures through its exciting new sequel series, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. With 26 episodes already released and more to come,

15 Gintama - 367 Episodes, 12 Years Airing

holds true to the spirit of the original.

Gintoki Sakata, a former swordsman, has abandoned his violent past. Now, he earns a living by taking on odd jobs all over Japan. He is joined by Shinpachi, a samurai who serves as the voice of reason, Kagura, a remarkably powerful alien girl, and Sadaharu, a massive dog accompanying Kagura. Together, they form the Yorozuya Gin. Gintama is set in a world where aliens heavily influenced Japan during the Edo Period. Consequently, the series is filled with absurd occurrences and unpredictable events. For instance, one character transforms into a gorilla after being bitten, a four-way swordfight erupts over toilet paper, and the anime showcases one of the most memorable beach episodes. Gintama spans a remarkable 367 episodes and has aired over a span of twelve years.

14 Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops - 373 Episodes, 8 Years Aired

Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops, a comedic anime series, follows the adventures of Kankichi Ryotsu, a middle-aged cop in Tokyo, and his comrades in the police force and the city. This series is based on a beloved serial that had been running for many decades before it was adapted into an animated show. Korchikame: Tokyo Beat Cops offers a vast array of episodes for both new and loyal fans, spanning over eight years of content. In 2004, the series concluded after a total of 373 episodes, but it has continued to produce fresh content in the form of nine television specials. The most recent special aired in 2016.

13 Dragon Ball - 639 Episodes, 32 Years Airing

Dragon Ball, an iconic shounen anime, is an adaptation of Akira Toriyama's renowned manga. The story draws inspiration from the Chinese novel Journey to the West and revolves around the protagonist Son Goku. As one of the few survivors of the Saiyan alien race, Goku's journey unfolds from his early years to adulthood. Along this path, he not only grows stronger but also forms lasting friendships and builds a loving family. Engaging in various tournaments and battling apocalyptic threats to Earth, Goku's adventures are marked by the recurring revival of deceased Dragon Ball characters, leaving fans with mixed emotions.

12 Naruto - 720 Episodes, 15 Years Airing

Even aside from Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which currently consists of 293 episodes, Naruto stands as one of the longest-running series in history. Its second part, Naruto Shippuden, constitutes the majority of its runtime. Naruto Uzumaki, initially an isolated orphan with untapped potential, ultimately emerges as a remarkable hero in his own right. Admittedly, some may argue that Naruto benefits somewhat in this regard due to the inclusion of numerous filler episodes that contribute to the episode count. Despite the criticism often aimed at Naruto: Shippuden's filler content, certain story arcs have introduced some of the series' most compelling adversaries.

11 Shima Shima Tora No Shimajiro - 726 Episodes, 15 Years Aired

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro is a must-watch series for enthusiasts of the slice-of-life anime genre. This long-standing anime series is aimed at young children and seeks to impart valuable lessons about starting school, making friends, listening to parents, and more. The series made its debut in 1993 and continued for an impressive fifteen years, concluding in 2008 after airing over 700 episodes. However, this marked the end of only the original series, as subsequent series have contributed to its rich legacy, resulting in a cumulative total of well over 1,000 episodes.

10 One Piece - 1,075 Episodes, 24 years airing

9 Case Closed - 1,067 Episodes, 26 Years Airing

One Piece, a worldwide favorite, is based on one of the longest-running manga ever. It is a faithful adaptation with minimal filler content. Just moments before his execution, the infamous pirate Gol D. Roger declared that he had concealed his ultimate treasure, known as the One Piece. The individual who completes the seemingly impossible quest and discovers this treasure will be crowned the new Pirate King. As Eiichiro Oda's manga continues to captivate audiences with no signs of ending, it may soon surpass some of the currently lengthier anime series. Only time will reveal how far Luffy and the Straw Hats' journey will have extended once it reaches its ultimate conclusion.

Renowned for his superior deductive skills, Shinichi Kudo is a prodigious young detective who regularly supports law enforcement in tackling high-profile cases with astounding swiftness. However, basking in accomplishments inevitably attracts adversaries, as evidenced when two felons orchestrate an assault on Shinichi, forcibly administering an experimental toxin instead of delivering a fatal blow. Unbeknownst to his assailants, this poisonous concoction inexplicably regresses Shinichi into a juvenile form, compelling him to adopt a fresh persona while persisting in his pursuit to unravel mysteries. Despite the plot's central theme revolving around Shinichi's quest to regain his original physique, Case Closed predominantly takes on an episodic nature, effectively captivating audiences with an extensive repertoire of captivating investigations that number well beyond the thousandth mark.

8 Gundam - 1,118 Episodes, 44 Years Airing

7 Crayon Shin-chan - 1,122 Episodes, 30 Years Airing

Gundam is an immensely popular anime franchise that has gained fame and success over the years. With a vast number of TV series and a rich canon, Gundam continues to captivate fans. These captivating shows portray courageous pilots who command formidable flying robots known as Gundams. Their goal is to emerge victorious in wars and safeguard their loved ones in various alternative universes and timelines. Amongst the notable Gundam series are the 1979 original Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. The most recent addition, Witch From Mercury, also received critical acclaim upon its release. While the quality of each series may differ, Gundam has established a commendable track record, surpassing many other classic anime series.

Crayon Shin-chan is a slice-of-life anime with eccentric character designs. It revolves around Shinnosuke Nohara, a mischievous five-year-old who causes mayhem in his hometown with his friends. The show is currently airing in Japan, and there have been numerous attempts to dub it in English, although none have been fully completed. The English dubs often take creative liberties with the original content, such as the Vitello Productions dub adding even more crude humor to an already risqué series.

6 Yu-Gi-Oh! - 1,177 Episodes, 25 Years Airing

5 Pokémon - 1,257 episodes, 26 Years Airing

Card games are often underestimated, but Yu-Gi-Oh! defies such assumptions. This incredibly successful franchise began in 1998 and gained worldwide recognition in the early 2000s. Originally comprising 224 episodes, Yu-Gi-Oh! has evolved into an expansive franchise with 11 different series already and more to come. Similar to Pokémon, the franchise's real-life card game continually introduces new content, providing a solid foundation for future anime series as long as the card game maintains its popularity.

As long as Pokémon games are still being produced, new seasons of the animated series will continue to be released. Ash Ketchum, a young Trainer, and his partner Pikachu journey through various regions, capturing new Pokémon, making new friends, and triumphing in battles in their pursuit of becoming Pokémon Masters. This popular show appeals to audiences of all ages worldwide and Pikachu is particularly beloved in many countries. While the stakes may not be particularly high, the series remains optimistic, vibrant, and entertaining enough to keep viewers coming back for more. After a successful run of 1,232 episodes and 25 years, Ash's story in the anime has come to an end, but the series has already embarked on a new chapter with Pokémon Horizons.

4 Chibi Maruko-Chan - 1,359 Episodes, 27 Years Airing

3 Soreike! Anpanman - 1,572 Episodes, 34 Years Airing

: Chibi Maruko-chan, a single-season anime, is a must-watch show that may pose a challenge for marathon viewing due to its extensive episode count. Unlike typical 12- or 24-episode seasons, this series spans thousands of episodes, requiring over three weeks to complete in its entirety. Based on a beloved shoujo manga, the series revolves around Momoko "Maruko" Sakura, her family, and friends, creating a heartfelt and adorable children's show. It is ideal for both adult viewers seeking nostalgic content and younger viewers in search of something light and uncomplicated.

Sorieke! Anpanman chronicles the adventures of the iconic children's superhero, Anpanman, renowned for his bean-shaped head. He valiantly combats malevolence, particularly the notorious germ, Baikinman. This series holds immense cultural significance in Japan, as Anpanman has emerged as one of the most instantly recognizable original characters in Japanese pop culture. Given the immense popularity of the protagonist in Japanese society, Sorieke! Anpanman boasts a remarkable television run that commenced in 1988 and continues to this day, showcasing over three decades of captivating storytelling, totaling an impressive 1,500 episodes.

2 Doraemon - 1,787 Episodes, 26 Years Airing

Doraemon, a popular anime, has had several long-running series. However, the 1979 series holds the record for the longest tenure in the franchise. It aired for twenty-six years and consisted of over 1,700 episodes before concluding in 2005. Despite not having the highest count of episodes among all anime, the entire Doraemon collection boasts over 3,000 episodes.

1 Sazae-San - 7,920 Episodes, 53 Years Airing

Sazae-san surpasses every anime in history in terms of its extensive library and longevity, making it one of the longest-running TV shows of all time. It has successfully outperformed renowned shows like The Simpsons and Doctor Who. In fact, it holds the prestigious Guinness World Record for being the longest-running television animated show ever created. The series revolves around the daily lives of Sazae Fuguta, a dedicated housewife, and her family. Its portrayal of a wholesome Japanese lifestyle has captured the hearts of viewers, with many families still eagerly tuning in every Sunday night. The show has become such an integral part of Japanese culture that "Sazae-san syndrome" is the recognized term for the feeling of depression experienced when the weekend ends and the workweek is about to begin.

Despite having little presence in the dedicated Western anime fandom, many of these anime have managed to maintain their longevity, which is especially impressive considering that they are aimed at very young children – a demographic known for being finicky and hard to please. On the other hand, the remaining anime series have become staples in Western fandoms and it is almost impossible to find an anime fan who hasn't watched at least one episode of Dragon Ball or One Piece. These series have managed to stand the test of time due to the high quality of their storytelling, despite facing various challenges along the way. While some of the longest running anime series may come as a surprise, it simply provides fans with the opportunity to discover new beloved shows that will endure.