Anime has transitioned from underground popularity to a worldwide cultural phenomenon—and it’s not letting up anytime soon. What was once niche has become mainstream, and streaming platforms make it easier than ever to become immersed in tales ranging from tear-jerking dramas to top-speed battles. But some shows do more than just entertain—they shift the horizon altogether. These 10 anime not only impressed people—they redefined the genre, inspired creators to come, and imposed an undeniable stamp on pop culture. Let’s count them down.
10. Solo Leveling
Even as one of the more recent additions to this list, Solo Leveling never hesitated to become a fan favorite. With stunning animation and a satisfying surge-of-power narrative, it brought pure adrenaline and demonstrated that web novel adaptations can be just as thrilling as established classics. Its ascension is a testament to how rapidly modern anime can become international—and make a big impact in the process.
9. Spy x Family
On the intersection of spy thriller, family sitcom, and slice-of-life sweetness sits Spy x Family, a surprise winner that’s won audiences across the globe. Its offbeat premise—a spy, an assassin, and a telepathic child forming an artificial family—sounds like madness, but the show somehow makes it warm and funny all at the same time. It’s a quintessential case of anime’s rising genre-bending strength in the streaming age.
8. One Piece
A true titan of the anime world, One Piece has sailed through over 20 years of storytelling and somehow never lost its heart. With its massive world, endless adventures, and deeply loyal fanbase, it’s the blueprint for long-form anime storytelling. Few series have matched its emotional depth, wild imagination, or sheer longevity. As many fans will tell you, there’s just nothing quite like it.
7. Death Note
With a notebook, a name, and an ego complex, Death Note turned the tables on what constituted an anime hero. The battle of wits between Light and L had audiences gripped episode by episode, and its exploration of justice, morality, and total power brought it to a plateau that few mainstream anime experienced. It remains the entry point for many fans of psychological thrillers.
6. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Few shows have hit the balance of philosophical nuance and character development as well as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It’s a compelling narrative of sacrifice, loss, and redemption set in a deep fantasy world of alchemy and warfare. With writing and animation universally lauded, it’s little wonder that it’s frequently among the best anime ever produced, according to fans and critics.
5. Cowboy Bebop
Cool, moody, and stylishly effortless, Cowboy Bebop introduced a generation of Western audiences to anime—and they never looked back. Every episode was like a short film, combining genres such as jazz, noir, and sci-fi into something wonderfully new. To this day, decades later, its impact on anime and international animation is still easy to see.
4. Naruto: Shippuden
Naruto Uzumaki’s origin story—outcast, ninja, and eventually savior—touched hearts globally. Shippuden took the coming-of-age story and cranked up the pressure with richer arcs, emotional conflicts, and character development over several years. It contributed to the shōnen template we are familiar with today, with high-intensity action as well as unexpectedly poignant moments.
3. Dragon Ball Z
An institution of anime history, Dragon Ball Z is where many fans first fell in love with the medium. Its legendary battles, epic transformations, and unforgettable villains have become a part of pop culture itself. More than a TV show, DBZ was an opening door—and for many, it’s still the gold standard of action anime.
2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
With its stunning animation and simple but emotionally charged story, Demon Slayer set the anime universe ablaze like few before it in recent memory. From its incredible fight animation to its heart-wrenching moments of character, it captured the hearts of audiences worldwide—and broke box office records along the way. Today, it’s a modern classic, and its influence continues to spread.
1. Attack on Titan
Influence-wise, Attack on Titan transformed the game. It was not afraid to be dark, violent, and morally complex, but in the process, it gave us some of the most jaw-dropping moments in anime history. From its plot twists to its endless storytelling, the series just kept taking everything to the extreme, both thematically and aesthetically. Its legacy is cemented as much as a fan favorite as a cultural giant.
From bold experiments in genre to heartfelt tales of resilience, these anime didn’t just raise the bar—they moved it. Each one opened doors, challenged norms, and helped turn anime into the global storytelling powerhouse it is today. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just dipping your toes into the medium, these are the shows that changed everything.