Undeniably, there are not many franchises in the Western world as highly regarded as this one. The reason becomes apparent; “Dragon Ball Z” played an instrumental role in attracting countless anime enthusiasts to the medium. Furthermore, it has maintained its popularity, with new series still being produced even decades after the original series concluded in the early ’90s.
To put it simply, it’s not just Dragon Ball that deserves our admiration. The world of anime is rich with franchises that have been running for nearly as long or even longer than Dragon Ball. These series have played a crucial role in shaping the medium we know today. While Dragon Ball truly earns its accolades, these other iconic series also deserve their due respect.
Everyone Wanted Their Own Cast of Bishounen After Seiya Aired
Despite appearances suggesting otherwise, Saint Seiya was extraordinarily popular during the 1980s. This manga series, which followed a band of warriors protecting the goddess Athena from powerful Greek deities, found immense success on Weekly Shōnen Jump. The anime adaptation of Saint Seiya became a sensation almost everywhere except in the United States, rivaling Dragon Ball in terms of explosive martial arts action during that era.
Not only did Saint Seiya become renowned for its cast of handsome action heroes, but it significantly influenced the creation of similar anime series during the ’90s. Shows like Ronin Warriors and Gundam Wing were among those that followed suit, while Saint Seiya itself continued to resonate through sequels, offshoots, and even modernized remakes in CGI format. The original series concluded in 1990, but its impact has persisted over time.
Gundam is One of the Few Franchises Still Doing Mecha Anime
Since 1979, the series “Mobile Suit Gundam” significantly reshaped the perception of mecha for all time. Unlike previous approaches, it reimagined giant robots not as superheroes, but as instruments of destruction controlled by military forces. Furthermore, instead of traditional enemies like colossal monsters or alien threats bent on human annihilation, “Gundam” introduced more intricate conflicts that pitted humans against each other.
For decades, Gundam has remained a significant element in the world of mecha anime, encompassing numerous universes within its expansive franchise. Despite fluctuations in popularity for mecha since the 2000s, fans can count on finding several Gundam series throughout each decade. As we speak, the current airing of Gundam GQuuuuuuX stands as one of the most robust new anime offerings of the year.
Lupin’s Current Resurgence Has Made Him Bigger Than Ever
Starting in the late ’60s, renowned manga artist Monkey Punch started crafting his masterpiece, a tale about the indomitable gentleman burglar known as Lupin III. This captivating story first graced our screens in 1971 and has remained a constant presence on television ever since. Over the years, Lupin and his team have become enduring symbols of anime, establishing many themes that would later be repeated in other gentleman thief series.
Since its initial broadcast in Japan, the beloved character Lupin III has graced our screens through both television series and films. Following a relatively quiet decade in the 2000s, Lupin saw a remarkable comeback starting from the early 2010s, particularly with a series focusing on the show’s principal female character, Fujiko Mine. Since then, the popularity of the character has soared to unprecedented heights, as evidenced by the upcoming release of Lupin the IIIrd The Movie in late 2025.
Every Anime is Inspired by Astro Boy’s Existence
It’s almost self-evident, but Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka is often considered the forerunner of significant anime productions. In the early ’60s, it laid the groundwork for the unique aesthetics and visual storytelling that would eventually define “anime”. A few years later, it made its way to America, leaving an equally profound impact on Western audiences as one of the first anime series to air there.
Despite Astro Boy having fewer series than some other well-known franchises, its significance is so profound that fans seldom overlook it. In fact, the main character Atom played a pivotal role in Netflix’s adaptation of Pluto, an engrossing science fiction thriller. Furthermore, whispers of an Astro Boy Reboot are circulating, promising excitement for enthusiasts as true classics never truly disappear.
Doraemon Has Managed to Get Over 40 Different Films to Become Hits
Doraemon hasn’t received widespread recognition in the Western world because it didn’t experience a significant breakout. Conversely, in Japan, it’s an enormous franchise that has been highly influential almost since its manga debut in 1969. The manga spanned nearly three decades and produced not one but three distinct television series, as well as numerous animated films.
If there’s any doubt about Doraemon’s significance as a cultural icon, this whimsical time-traveling robot cat was once appointed Japan’s first anime ambassador. Although he is extremely popular in Japan and adored by children, his image might not have resonated well in the U.S., where anime is often perceived as an ‘adult’ medium. Nevertheless, given Doraemon’s immense popularity worldwide, it’s challenging not to acknowledge its importance with due respect.
Decades Later, One Piece Continues to Keep Fans Engaged
In Western cultures, One Piece is recognized alongside series like Naruto and Bleach as part of the popular anime genre. However, in Japan, One Piece stands out as the most successful modern shōnen anime of its time, with Eiichiro Oda’s epic pirate saga leaving an indelible mark on anime history. The story is filled with memorable characters and pivotal moments that have kept fans captivated since its inception, and continues to impress as Oda skillfully reintroduces forgotten elements to advance the narrative of his grand adventure.
Regardless of whether One Piece concludes tomorrow, few other series could equal its unparalleled quality and consistency spanning nearly three decades. Fans have been on this journey for so long that they’ve even had time to introduce their children to the series, fostering a new generation of enthusiasts. While it certainly built upon the foundation laid by Dragon Ball Z, One Piece offers something Dragon Ball Z never did: a high-quality live-action adaptation.
No Other Anime is Better at Presenting Quality, Yet Endless Mysteries
People often associate certain long-running series with One Piece, but there’s another series that has been running even longer – Detective Conan. Unlike One Piece, Detective Conan revolves around Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant detective who, after getting too deep in a case, is transformed into a child by a powerful criminal organization. As Conan Edogawa, Shinichi continues to solve mysteries while searching for a cure to regain his original form.
In essence, Detective Conan shares a strong resemblance to the TV show Law and Order, particularly among anime enthusiasts. Each episode introduces a fresh murder mystery that Conan and his companions work diligently to unravel. Simultaneously, the story subtly progresses Conan’s personal plotline. The series’ remarkable longevity is noteworthy, as fans have remained loyal for almost three decades, consistently following its developments.
Pretty Cure Creates a New Magical Girl Series For Fans Every Year
Pretty Cure, often overlooked by Western fans, is a notable anime series that can be compared to its counterpart in the magical girl genre. Contrary to popular belief, Pretty Cure has surpassed the success of Super Sentai for quite some time.
If you haven’t watched it yet, most seasons are very similar to a traditional magical girl anime. They aren’t trying to redefine or criticize the genre; instead, they’re delivering high-quality magical girl anime that many fans love. The animation is usually top-notch as well. This series has been particularly popular with children, showing that there will always be an audience for a well-crafted superhero series.
Hello Kitty is One of the Most Consistent in Keeping an Anime Series on the Air
It’s not mandatory for long-lasting anime franchises to revolve around action. Intriguingly, the popular anime franchise, Hello Kitty, is known more for its merchandise than its characters. The globally recognized feline character has a vast array of products associated with her that fans can buy. Surprisingly, despite this, Hello Kitty often features an anime series.
1987 marked the debut of the initial series, but it only aired 13 episodes before wrapping up. Remarkably, the character has been granted new series over almost three decades since then! The latest one is the CG series, Hello Kitty: Super Style. As audiences remain captivated by adorable characters, so does the popularity of Sanrio’s most iconic mascot persist.
Pokémon Fans Have Fallen in Love With This Endless Adventure
Pokémon has enjoyed remarkable success almost since its debut, captivating young fans with its video game and attracting new viewers through the appealing backdrop of its TV series and infectious theme song. The show allowed audiences to join Ash and Pikachu on Ash’s quest to become a skilled Pokémon trainer.
After spending decades standing still, Ash, the protagonist of Pokemon, finally realized his goal of becoming a Pokemon master by defeating the Elite Four in combat. However, despite Ash’s retirement, the Pokemon series persists with a fresh set of characters. Although it may not appeal to adults, it continues to draw in young fans and introduce them to the world of anime.
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2025-05-29 00:56