Anime is more than a genre of animation—it’s a cultural powerhouse. Across decades, it’s defined the way we tell stories, impacted international pop culture, and ignited entire genres that continue to reign supreme today. Whether you’re an anime veteran or just beginning your exploration, some shows excel not only for being awesome but because they revolutionized the medium itself.
Here’s the countdown of the 10 most revolutionary anime television shows of all time. These aren’t just popular with the fans—they’re the ones that changed the game.
10. Sword Art Online – When Isekai Went Mainstream
Love it or hate it, Sword Art Online revolutionized. It took the “trapped in a game” trope and launched it into mainstream anime awareness. Isekai wasn’t just a subgenre anymore—it was the genre. SAO’s combination of virtual reality, romance, and action made it a worldwide phenomenon and opened the gates for thousands more shows to push through. As Collider explains, it’s the most well-known example of isekai—and why it’s everywhere today.
9. Demon Slayer – A New Gold Standard
When Demon Slayer first came out, it didn’t merely perform well—it crushed it. Through its breathtaking animation, its tear-jerking plot, and its broad appeal, it didn’t merely win over anime viewers—it created them. It set new standards for what contemporary anime can be like, and studios now rush to keep up with its aesthetic quality. Collider labeled it the show that brought anime to a new generation—and it’s clear to understand why.
8. Urusei Yatsura – The First Waifu & Harem Comedy
Before any anime hero had a horde of fans, there was Ataru and the lectrifying space alien girl Lum. Urusei Yatsura, authored by Rumiko Takahashi, effectively created the harem comedy formula and created the “waifu” phenomenon. Its weird humor and odd romance set the stage for decades of romantic comedies and left an enormous impression on how women are represented in male-oriented anime.
7. One Piece – The Never-Ending Adventure
Few shows have had the longevity of One Piece. With well over 1,000 episodes and showing no signs of slowing down, it’s become the very definition of the long-form adventure epic. It’s what makes it legendary that it has such deep worldbuilding, emotional storytelling, and the irrepressible positivity of Luffy and his friends. As Collider puts it, One Piece didn’t simply set a new standard for shōnen anime—it redefined the formula.
6. Doraemon – Japan’s Childhood Idol
Doraemon is not only a popular anime—he’s Japanese cultural heritage. The time-traveling cyborg cat and his bottomless box of gadgets have been imparting life lessons to children since the ’70s. Although it never took off in the West like some did, in Japan, Doraemon is as ubiquitous as Mickey Mouse. It’s not just entertainment—it’s a coming of age.
5. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind – The Dawn of Ghibli Magic
Before Studio Ghibli officially existed, Nausicaä laid the groundwork. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this sci-fi epic combined breathtaking animation with strong environmental themes and a fearless female lead. It set the tone for all future Ghibli films and proved that anime could be deeply emotional, visually rich, and thought-provoking. Its influence even echoes in Western films like Avatar and WALL-E.
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion – The Mecha Mind-Bender
Evangelion didn’t merely tamper with the mecha genre—it deconstructed it. What began as an anime program about giant robots evolved into a psychological exploration of trauma, depression, and emotional interconnection. Evangelion pushed anime into darker, more philosophical themes and defied what fans expected from animation. It’s strange, it’s genius, and it continues to be analyzed today—reason enough.
3. Sailor Moon – The Feminine Force of Anime
Dragon Ball may have dominated the shōnen universe, but Sailor Moon was no less significant—apparently, for everyone else. Usagi and the other Sailor Guardians did not merely battle evil—she established friendships, demonstrated vulnerability, and made magical girl role reversals a work of art. The show provided girls (and many boys) with their anime heroine, inspiring a generation and changing what “strong” female characters could be.
2. Astro Boy – The Origin Point
Without Astro Boy, anime today would be lost. Conceived by Osamu Tezuka, it was among the very first anime ever broadcast on television. This cute robot boy with a golden heart brought storytelling, character development, and moral depth to animated television shows. It set the stage for all that came after—from Mega Man to My Hero Academia.
1. Dragon Ball (Z) – The Global Powerhouse
No anime has had a more lasting effect on pop culture than Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Goku’s evolution from wide-eyed martial artist to space-faring warrior influenced everything from Naruto and Bleach to The Matrix. It’s the anime that introduced the world to the concept of the Super Saiyan and turned energy blasts into a part of every child’s backyard ritual. It’s the anime that nearly every human on Earth has heard of—and whose legacy continues to define the industry to this day, according to Collider.
These series didn’t merely entertain—they reshaped the culture. They brought new genres, built international fan bases, and set anime on the path to becoming the force it is today. Whether they gave us beloved characters, groundbreaking new ideas, or whole subgenres, these series set the bar. So whether you’re a die-hard fan or just starting to become interested, these are the series that created the building blocks of anime history—and they’re all worth watching.