Imagine a time when anime in the West was like a precious gem—something you’d find in a dusty video store shelf or stumble upon during an unusual Saturday morning television block. Nowadays? It’s ubiquitous. You find it in music videos, on the runway, in memes, and even in storytelling across film and television. But not all anime simply surfed the wave—they created the wave. Here’s a countdown of the 10 titles that hugely impacted Western pop culture.
10. Pokémon – The Global Catch
If you were a kid in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Pokémon wasn’t a TV show—it was a phenomenon. Children were swapping cards at school, singing the theme song in their heads without even knowing it, and clamoring for the new game to be released. Pikachu was a pop icon on par with the largest cartoon icons. Not only did Pokémon bring anime mainstream, but it made it cool, it made it mainstream, and it made it a part of your daily life.
9. Sailor Moon – Girl Power in Glitter and Moonlight
Long before “girl power” ever caught on, Sailor Moon was proving magical girls could be tough, hilarious, and stylish all at the same time. It brought children new kinds of heroes to cheer for, and its impact bled into fashion, conventions, and even superhero stories in the West. For many, it was their first experience of seeing that anime could be their own, and that still occurs for new fans every day.
8. Spirited Away – A Work of Animated Art
When Spirited Away won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, it wasn’t only a victory for the movie—it was a moment that made everyone sit up and take notice of anime. With its stunning animation, fantastical world, and emotionally resonant storytelling, it proved to audiences everywhere that animated movies could be as artistically risk-taking and emotionally satisfying as any live-action drama. It’s just as enchanting today as it was the day it came out.
7. Death Note – The Thinking Person’s Thriller
Half supernatural thriller, half mental game of cat and mouse, Death Note drew viewers in with a cat-and-mouse game like no other. The tense game of chess between Light and L left viewers in suspense, and its moral ambiguity sparked debates that lasted forever. It showed anime didn’t have to be action-packed constantly—occasionally, the biggest thrill is seeing two very smart minds challenge one another.
6. Neon Genesis Evangelion – Robots, Religion, and Raw Emotion
Evangelion didn’t simply contribute another mecha tale to the heap—it redefined the formula. With multifaceted characters, dense symbolism, and an unabashedly uncompromising narrative, it was a template for more complex, more contemplative animated storytelling. Its impact still resonates in both big-budget action and smaller, more intimate endeavors. And those now-iconic mecha designs? Still unparalleled.
5. Ghost in the Shell – Cyberpunk’s Crown Jewel
Before dystopian technology became de rigueur, Ghost in the Shell posed questions about identity, what it means to be human, and technology’s role in our future. Its blend of clean visuals, intellectual gravitas, and acutely timed action sequences appealed to both science fiction and noir fans alike. Fingerprints of this classic permeate contemporary science fiction—from film and television to video games and more.
4. Naruto – The Ninja Who Never Gave Up
Naruto wasn’t just an anime—it was a cultural moment. The story of an underdog chasing his dreams struck a chord with audiences everywhere, and suddenly, ninja headbands and hand signs were popping up in schools, sports teams, and fan conventions. Packed with emotional arcs and unforgettable fights, it’s a series that still inspires people to push forward, no matter the odds.
3. Dragon Ball – The Energy Blast Heard Around the World
To so many Western fans, Dragon Ball was the first anime they ever fell in love with. Its over-the-top battles, larger-than-life heroes, and cinematic power-ups became instant playground lore. From internet memes to gym motivation playlists, its reach hasn’t diminished—because when you go Super Saiyan, the world notices.
2. Cowboy Bebop – The Cool Side of Animation
Cowboy Bebop showed the world that anime did not have to be kiddie-ish, quirky, or embarrassing. Cowboy Bebop was stylish, adult, and cool. It combined space adventure, noir, and jazz into something entirely new. Its characters were defective but compelling, its soundtrack indelible, and its tone something Western audiences had never seen. The show’s imprint is still apparent in music, fashion, and the approach people have to adult animation today.
1. Akira – The Game Changer
Akira did not merely arrive—it burst onto the scene. Jaw-dropping animation, grimy cyberpunk visuals, and a rebellious pulse of a story stunned Western audiences and redefined animation. Its reach extends far beyond anime, influencing film, design, streetwear, and even the look of urban landscapes in fiction. Two decades later, it remains so ahead of its time.
Anime’s trajectory into Western popular culture has been a crazy rollercoaster of giant action sequences, subtle emotional gut-punches, and boundary-breaking creativity. These shows didn’t merely entertain—and they changed the way we think about animation, storytelling, and creativity itself.