Essential Anime
Anime
Collection of anime that are widely considered influential, iconic or popular.
Have you ever wanted to understand all the anime tropes, memes and references? This is the list you are looking for.
Many anime take elements from prior made ones and mix them into something new. The anime on this list are the origin of various genre tropes and character archetypes. Here you'll find everything from the first "Kamehameha", the origin of tsundere girls, and the source of various memes and reaction images.
Honorable mentions: I chose not to include anime that are unlikely to get picked up due to their age or because they were never really popular outside of Japan, nevertheless I want to mention them here because they were still very important for the anime industry:
Astro Boy (1963), Gigantor (1963), Speed Racer (1967), Sazae-san (1969), Lupin III (1971), Doraemon (1973), Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), Urusei Yatsura (1981).
I also wanted to add Boku no Pico to this list but MAL didn't let me.
(Stack is still under construction and being permanently updated.)
Have you ever wanted to understand all the anime tropes, memes and references? This is the list you are looking for.
Many anime take elements from prior made ones and mix them into something new. The anime on this list are the origin of various genre tropes and character archetypes. Here you'll find everything from the first "Kamehameha", the origin of tsundere girls, and the source of various memes and reaction images.
Honorable mentions: I chose not to include anime that are unlikely to get picked up due to their age or because they were never really popular outside of Japan, nevertheless I want to mention them here because they were still very important for the anime industry:
Astro Boy (1963), Gigantor (1963), Speed Racer (1967), Sazae-san (1969), Lupin III (1971), Doraemon (1973), Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), Urusei Yatsura (1981).
I also wanted to add Boku no Pico to this list but MAL didn't let me.
(Stack is still under construction and being permanently updated.)
TV, 1995,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Defying industry standards and how characters and their emotions can be portrayed in anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion is arguably one of the most influential anime of all time. Influenced especially the psychological and mecha genre and was defining for new character archetypes and industry standards.
Psychological, Mecha - 26 episodes + 5 movies
Psychological, Mecha - 26 episodes + 5 movies
TV, 2006,
14 eps
Me:-
Author:-
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was an internet phenomenon that hit the anime community by storm. Changing its genre with almost every episode it took anime tropes and character archetypes to a whole new level and defined the face of modern otaku culture. This anime is where iconic choreographic dances and the infamous Endless Eight arc originate from.
Slice of Life, Sci-Fi - 28 episodes + 1 movie
Slice of Life, Sci-Fi - 28 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 1998,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
With mature themes and art style Cowboy Bebop was one of the first anime to air for an adult audience on regular western television. A futuristic wild-west drama set in space and loved by many anime fans as a classic and must-watch.
Action, Sci-Fi - 26 episodes + 1 movie
Action, Sci-Fi - 26 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2006,
37 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Death Note is one of the most popular anime in the western world and was for many people their first contact with anime. Follow the student Light Yagami as he gains the powers of a death god and redefines the meaning of justice while eating potato chips in the most epic way possible.
Psychological, Suspense - 37 episodes
Psychological, Suspense - 37 episodes
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Akira was one of the first anime for a whole generation. With its outstanding mature plot and animation quality it didn't just set new heights for the anime industry but also influenced countless works of media all around the world.
Action, Sci-Fi - 1 movie
Action, Sci-Fi - 1 movie
Movie, 1984,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
One of the first feature films of Hayao Miyazaki who later co-founded Studio Ghibli which would soon become the market leader for Japanese animated movies. Ghibli movies are well known for featuring themes like eastern mythology and human impact on nature.
Adventure, Fantasy - 1 movie
Adventure, Fantasy - 1 movie
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
The cute forest spirit Totoro isn't just the logo of studio Ghibli but also often shown as icon of anime as a whole. Ghibli movies are commonly child-friendly and even popular among people who don't regularly watch anime.
Adventure, Supernatural - 1 movie
Adventure, Supernatural - 1 movie
Movie, 1995,
1 ep
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Author:-
Better known as "Ghost in the Shell" this movie didn't just influence the sci-fi genre in anime but even inspired western pop culture such as "Matrix" and "Avatar".
Psychological, Sci-Fi - 1 movie
Psychological, Sci-Fi - 1 movie
TV, 1986,
153 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Often called "the grandfather" of battle shonen. Fights over multiple episodes and shouting out attack names are typical shonen tropes that were first introduced here. Many shonen authors said they took inspiration from this anime.
Adventure, Fantasy - 800+ episodes + ca. 20 movies
Adventure, Fantasy - 800+ episodes + ca. 20 movies
TV, 1999,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
One of the "Big Three" most popular Shonen Jump series. The one with the pirates.
For a crash course check out the movies Episode of East Blue, Episode of Chopper, Episode of Alabasta, Episode of Skypiea and Episode of Merry, which summarize the first 300 episodes of the anime.
Adventure, Fantasy - 1000+ episodes + ca. 40 movies
For a crash course check out the movies Episode of East Blue, Episode of Chopper, Episode of Alabasta, Episode of Skypiea and Episode of Merry, which summarize the first 300 episodes of the anime.
Adventure, Fantasy - 1000+ episodes + ca. 40 movies
TV, 2002,
220 eps
Me:-
Author:-
One of the "Big Three" most popular Shonen Jump series. The one with the ninja.
Adventure, Fantasy - 980+ episodes + 11 movies
Adventure, Fantasy - 980+ episodes + 11 movies
TV, 2004,
366 eps
Me:-
Author:-
One of the "Big Three" most popular Shonen Jump series. The one with the soul reapers.
Adventure, Fantasy - 366+ episodes + 4 movies
Adventure, Fantasy - 366+ episodes + 4 movies
Movie, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Popular Ghibli movie
Supernatural, Mythology - 1 movie
Supernatural, Mythology - 1 movie
TV, 1992,
46 eps
Me:-
Author:-
This isn't the first magical girl anime but the one that made the genre popular.
For a crash course check out the summary movies Sailor Moon Memorial.
Mahou Shoujo, Romance - 240+ episodes + 4 movies
For a crash course check out the summary movies Sailor Moon Memorial.
Mahou Shoujo, Romance - 240+ episodes + 4 movies
TV, 1996,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
You can't talk about mystery without talking about Detective Conan. Solving cases for over two decades it has influenced the genre like no other.
Mystery, Detective - 1000+ episodes + ca. 25 movies
Mystery, Detective - 1000+ episodes + ca. 25 movies
TV, 1997,
276 eps
Me:-
Author:-
This iconic anime isn't just a childhood memory of a whole generation but also influenced many monster collection and battle anime that came after it.
For a crash course check out episode 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21, 37, 59, 72, 82 and the first two movies.
Adventure, Fantasy - 1200+ episodes + ca. 24 movies
For a crash course check out episode 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21, 37, 59, 72, 82 and the first two movies.
Adventure, Fantasy - 1200+ episodes + ca. 24 movies
TV, 1997,
39 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Iconic shoujo anime
Mahou Shoujo, Drama - 39 episodes
Mahou Shoujo, Drama - 39 episodes
TV, 1998,
27 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Popular card game anime
Fantasy, Strategy Game - 1000+ episodes + 4 movies
Fantasy, Strategy Game - 1000+ episodes + 4 movies
TV, 1998,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Iconic psychological anime
Psychological, Avant Garde - 13 episodes
Psychological, Avant Garde - 13 episodes
TV, 2000,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Love Hina might look like a stereotypical harem anime but it is also the very reason why you feel that way. This anime was the first to introduce various popular harem and romance tropes that are still being widely used even today.
Romance, Harem - 30 episodes
Romance, Harem - 30 episodes
TV, 2002,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Azumanga Daioh is said to be the first real Slice of Life anime and the ancestor of the CGDCT genre. As such it heavily influenced both genres and paved the way for other anime about the everyday lives of cute girls doing funny things such as Lucky Star, K-On and Nichijou. It also introduced the term waifu to the anime community.
Slice of Life, Comedy - 26 episodes
Slice of Life, Comedy - 26 episodes
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
A thrilling psychological horror anime that doesn't hold back at the amount of blood and violence shown. One of the most iconic anime of the horror genre that still inspires even modern fiction like US series Stranger Things.
Horror, Gore - 14 episodes
Horror, Gore - 14 episodes
TV, 2006,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Popular anime
Sci-Fi, Mecha - 50 episodes + 1 movie
Sci-Fi, Mecha - 50 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2006,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Popular shoujo anime
Romance, Comedy - 26 episodes
Romance, Comedy - 26 episodes
TV, 2007,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Lucky Star pushes the elements of moe and CGDCT to the extreme, which is no surprise given that this anime was made for the otaku culture itself. With its countless anime references and adorable character design it has become a shining star in the anime community and kicked off the widespread popularity of moe as we know it today.
Comedy, CGDCT - 25 episodes
Comedy, CGDCT - 25 episodes
TV, 2008,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
By many man of culture considered to be the pinnacle of ecchi. Not only does this anime feature the most ecchi tropes and character archtypes on this list but probably in all of anime. Vastly influenced the ecchi genre like no other anime. When a cute alien princess crashes right into the bathtub of a shy boy his world gets turned upside down.
Ecchi, Sci-Fi - 80 episodes
Ecchi, Sci-Fi - 80 episodes
TV, 2009,
64 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Popular anime
Action, Fantasy - 64 episodes
Action, Fantasy - 64 episodes
TV, 2007,
23 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Clannad is the most popular adaptation of a visual novels by company Key.
Other Key visual novel adaptions are: Air, Kanon, Little Busters and Angel Beats.
Romance, Drama - 49 episodes + 1 movie
Other Key visual novel adaptions are: Air, Kanon, Little Busters and Angel Beats.
Romance, Drama - 49 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2008,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Toradora is the most popular romance anime of all time and also features the most iconic tsundere in all of anime. Follow the journey of an odd duo trying to figuring out the true meaning of love.
Other anime with iconic tsundere girls from that time period are: Shakugan no Shana, Zero no Tsukaima and Hayate no Gotoku.
Romance, Comedy - 26 episodes
Other anime with iconic tsundere girls from that time period are: Shakugan no Shana, Zero no Tsukaima and Hayate no Gotoku.
Romance, Comedy - 26 episodes
TV, 2008,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Recommended starting point for the Toaru/Raildex series. As an unfortunate student meets a young girl that carries the library of forbidden magical grimoires within her, he finds himself thrown into an ancient battle between magic and science.
Sci-Fi, Supernatural - 150+ episodes
Sci-Fi, Supernatural - 150+ episodes
TV, 2009,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
If you aren't new to the internet you have probably already seen cute reaction gifs of the keion girls more than once. Follow four girls as they revive the light music club to play their way into our hearts and drink a lot of tea. The showpiece of the CGDCT genre that many tried to copy but never caught the spirit of the original.
CGDCT, Music - 41 episodes + 1 movie
CGDCT, Music - 41 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2009,
15 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Recommended starting point for the Monogatari series. A tale about ghosts, gods and toothbrushes for fans of heavy dialog and Japanese dialectic. An adaption of the popular light novel with a very unique form of storytelling and art style.
Supernatural, Mystery - 100 episodes + 3 movies
Supernatural, Mystery - 100 episodes + 3 movies
TV, 2011,
12 eps
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Author:-
Madoka Magica is the best example of "don't judge a book by it's cover". When a magical creature offers two friends to grant any wish in exchange to becoming magical girls they soon find out that their wishes come at a high price. This anime created a whole new genre of "magical girl deconstruction" that many tried to copy without coming close to the success of the original.
Mahou Shoujo, Psychological - 12 episodes + 1 movie
Mahou Shoujo, Psychological - 12 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2011,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
One of the earliest and most popular battle royal anime that also features the most iconic yandere character in anime.
Survival, Supernatural - 26 episodes + 1 movie
Survival, Supernatural - 26 episodes + 1 movie
TV, 2011,
13 eps
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Author:-
Recommended starting point for the Fate series. Every 60 years seven masters and their servants clash together in a battle of life and death, the winner is allowed the use of the Holy Grail, an ancient relic that grants its user one wish. With it's countless spins-offs and alternative watch orders the Fate series is one of the most ambitious and confusing franchises in anime.
Action, Fantasy - 160+ episodes
Action, Fantasy - 160+ episodes
TV, 2012,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
While this isn't the first popular isekai anime and technically isn't even one itself, it is the one that made the genre popular.
Action, Fantasy - 96 episodes + 2 movies
Action, Fantasy - 96 episodes + 2 movies
TV, 2012,
26 eps
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Author:-
With arguably the most bizarre art style and storytelling this anime is the source of countless parodies and anime memes.
Action, Supernatural - 164 episodes
Action, Supernatural - 164 episodes
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Popular anime
Action, Drama - 92 episodes + 4 movies
Action, Drama - 92 episodes + 4 movies
