Anime isn’t merely something that fans love—it’s a cultural behemoth. What began as a niche pastime has grown into a global phenomenon, influencing everything from fashion and gaming to art and philosophy. Yet within the thousands of series that have aired, there are only a handful that changed the course of anime history. These are the shows that didn’t just amuse—they defined eras, initiated trends, and helped make anime the global phenomenon it is today.
Let’s take a look at the 10 most significant anime in TV history—the ones that changed the game for the industry and left an irrefutable mark on the world.
10. Sword Art Online
Whether you’re a staunch fan or one of its numerous critics, Sword Art Online is a show you just can’t look away from. When it first came out in 2012, it did more than surf the isekai wave—it produced a tsunami. As Collider points out, SAO became the go-to isekai anime, breaking the genre into the mainstream and prompting a deluge of virtual-world tales. Its combination of game fantasy, life-or-death stakes, and godlike protagonists has served as a template for dozens of shows since. Say what you will about Kirito, but SAO altered anime’s course.
9. Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer was not just successful – it was a pop culture phenomenon. With breathtaking animation and heartwarming storytelling, it got its hooks in audiences of all ages and nationalities. As pointed out by Collider, it was a gateway anime that introduced many to the world of anime through its heartwarming storyline and stunning visual effects. It’s also changed the very means of anime production and distribution, setting a new gold standard in animation quality. Few shows have had so immediate and drastic an impact in such a short period.
8. Urusei Yatsura
Urusei Yatsura was setting the stage long before rom-coms and harems became staples of anime. Conceived by manga legend Rumiko Takahashi in 1981, the series introduced us to Lum—the definitive alien girlfriend that helped establish waifu culture. The series has been credited with popularizing many of the tropes that have become synonymous with anime, especially for fans in the West. There would be a very different romantic comedy anime landscape had it not been for Urusei Yatsura.
7. Cowboy Bebop
Sophisticated, soulful, and damnably cool—Cowboy Bebop was the show that legitimized anime. Through its genre-bending story, memorable music, and deep emotional resonance, it bridged the distance between cult anime enthusiasts and wider Western audiences. As WatchMojo puts it, it’s the best of action, grown-up themes, and music that appealed to both general audiences and ordinary fans. If anime has a West’s gateway drug, Cowboy Bebop is it.
6. One Piece
No list of influential anime would be complete without One Piece. With over 1,000 episodes and still going today, Eiichiro Oda’s epic tale of pirates, dreamand freedom is a shonen genre staple. Collider praises it as pushing the envelope on what it means to go on a genuine adventure in anime. Its unprecedented worldbuilding, emotional arcs, and enduring optimism still shape the way anime stories are being told today.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam
Before Gundam, mecha anime existed primarily as flashy robots and explosive combat. Mobile Suit Gundam turned the tables in 1979 by handling war with seriousness and realism. It brought moral nuance, political subplots, and layered characters along with it, redefining anime’s storytelling capacity. As WatchMojo puts it, it wasn’t good vs. evil—it was the dirty, human price of war. Gundam did not only redefine mecha—it helped make anime grow up.
4. Sailor Moon
With her magical powers and legendary sailor suits, Usagi Tsukino introduced a whole generation to anime fandom. Sailor Moon turned the magical girl genre mainstream, empowering young women and providing action, comedy, and heart. WatchMojo attributes it to bringing the genre to the masses globally, and its legacy continues to be felt today in shows like Madoka Magica and even Steven Universe. It was not merely a girl-power moment—it was a global phenomenon.
3. Doraemon
If you are from Japan, Doraemon wasn’t only an anime—it was your childhood. This robot cat time-traveler has been on TV since the ’70s, imparting life lessons through magical gadgets and sentimental tales. According to WatchMojo, its power lies in being a source of inspiration—not only in fiction, but in reality. Though lesser-known in the West, Doraemon is something of a national treasure in Japan and a prime example of the way anime can entertain and educate.
2. Astro Boy
The origins of anime all lead to one location: Astro Boy. Created by Osamu Tezuka in 1963, it was the first show to establish the medium on television. Its narrative, animation quality, and depth of emotion set the stage for all that followed. Collider points out that Astro Boy wasn’t merely a program—it was the genesis of anime as a genre. Its take on ethics, humanity, and technology resonates to this day through scores of contemporary series.
1. Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z
A legend sits atop. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z not only introduced anime to the world, but also claimed it. From legendary characters to iconic battles, Goku’s saga set the gold standard for shonen anime and inspired generations of creators and fans alike. Collider deems it the most iconic anime of all time—and for good reason. It is difficult to come across an individual who has not imitated a Kamehameha or bickered over the power levels. If anime has a monarchy, it’s Dragon Ball.
These programs didn’t merely entertain—they redefined anime itself. Whether by pioneering new genres, rethinking story structure, or entering international awareness, each of these programs shifted the paradigm in its unique way. Anime will keep evolving, but the influence of these pioneers will be seen for generations to come. Ready to see any of these again? Or perhaps add some of them to your queue? Either way, they’re worth a watch—not as programs, mind you, but as mile markers in anime’s past.