When it comes to anime, anime binge-watchers know that Japan, the land of the rising sun, has a slightly unique taste in what anime series their audience enjoys. So now and then, it’s a good idea to take a peek on the other side and get to know what’s going on over there. What anime series are currently popular in Japan?
For this purpose, we’ll be using a Japanese ranking website called ranking.net, which gets an average of 8 million views according to SimilarWeb. So, they’ve got a substantial user base to make this list credible.
Now, on to the numbers: over 270k votes have been cast by around 50k users for the most popular anime of all time, and below are the top 20 highest-ranked anime. I’ll also include top comments from reviewers just to get a feel for what Japanese fans have in mind when they vote.
1. Attack on Titan
Even after its finale aired, Attack on Titan remains a cultural juggernaut in Japan. What began as a horror-survival tale, humanity trapped behind walls, fighting man-eating Titans, evolved into a layered story of history, revenge, power, and gray morality.
One Japanese fan shared: “This is a series I had put off watching because of the many grotesque scenes. I now regret not following it in real time. Nothing is wasted in any of the characters. Each one’s personality and feelings are carefully portrayed. Even the horses aren’t just there—they’re partners. The backstory is so rich, it feels like there might be a real historical basis. I’m completely hooked now.”
2. Hunter x Hunter
Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter continues to grip Japanese fans despite being on a lengthy hiatus. Starting off as a simple adventure series about a boy named Gon searching for his father, the series takes a sharp turn into psychological warfare, emotional trauma, and complicated ideologies in arcs like Chimera Ant and Yorknew City.
A fan summarized their feelings beautifully: “If I had to describe Hunter x Hunter in one word, it would be love. Mito’s love for Gon, the friendship between Gon and Killua, Biscuit’s motherly affection, and even the twisted love between Kikyo and Illumi, it’s all there. These emotions are hidden throughout the story, and watching it fills your heart with warmth.”
3. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen burst onto the scene with thrilling animation and dark urban fantasy themes, and it hasn’t let up since. Yuji Itadori’s journey as the vessel of Ryomen Sukuna adds constant tension, while the Jujutsu High setting allows for slick fights, hilarious character interactions, and gut-punch emotional moments.
One fan noted:
“While it contains many homages to popular series like Hunter x Hunter, Bleach, and Yu Yu Hakusho, it still manages to establish a unique world and setting of its own.”
They added, “The more you understand it, the deeper and more captivating it becomes. Gojo’s strength and domain expansion are so cool it makes you want to imitate him.”
4. My Hero Academia
Midoriya Izuku’s journey from quirkless underdog to inheritor of One For All has made My Hero Academia a staple of modern anime. Set in a world where heroes are professionally trained, the series captures school drama, high-stakes hero work, and intense emotional arcs.
A Japanese viewer commented: “What makes it interesting is how the protagonist Deku and his childhood friend Bakugo compete with each other while aiming to become the number one hero. It’s really moving to see how Bakugo, after learning All Might’s secret, comes to acknowledge the very Deku he once looked down on. Their rivalry becomes mutual growth.”
They also mentioned, “Every other character has their own charm, humor, and coolness. That’s what makes the series endlessly entertaining.”
5. Assassination Classroom
A yellow, tentacled creature who destroyed part of the moon becomes a middle school teacher, and his class is assigned to kill him before he does the same to Earth. Assassination Classroom might sound absurd, but it delivers some of the most heartfelt moments in anime, tackling growth, purpose, and self-worth, all through the lens of students learning to believe in themselves.
A Japanese fan wrote: “What really stands out about Assassination Classroom is how well-balanced it is. It blends comedy, emotional moments, action scenes, and everyday school life in just the right amount. So you never get bored watching it. It inspires students to dream. Watching this anime makes you think: maybe I have something special in me, too.”
6. Haikyuu!!
Haikyuu!! brings the thrill of real sports to anime without any gimmicks. Short but fiery Hinata teams up with the cool, precise setter Kageyama on Karasuno’s volleyball team, aiming for nationals. What makes it so gripping is the sense of authenticity, no magic powers, just raw determination, strategy, and emotional growth.
One fan shared their connection: “Whenever I made mistakes or lost a match, watching Haikyuu!! made me feel like, alright, I’m going to keep going.” They added, “I used to dream of playing at Spring Nationals. Watching this show brought those feelings back. The voice cast is insane—their performances bring every spike and loss to life.”
7. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Most fantasy stories end after the Demon King is defeated. Frieren begins there. This meditative tale follows an immortal elf mage reflecting on her adventures as her human companions age and pass. It’s slow, reflective, and full of poignant moments that explore the meaning of time, grief, and what it means to really know someone.
A fan said: “The story is set after the Demon King is defeated after 10 long years. The protagonist is an elf who has lived for over a thousand years, so her sense of time is completely different from that of humans.”
They continued, “She often thinks back to her human friends and starts to understand the meaning of the things they said and did. Seeing the world through Frieren’s eyes is beautiful.”
8. Gintama
A samurai in an alien-invaded Edo period who runs an odd-jobs shop. That barely scratches the surface of Gintama. This long-running series is a mix of parody, heartfelt drama, sci-fi, and sheer chaos. It’s unpredictable in the best way, one moment you’re laughing at a poop joke, the next you’re crying over a character death.
One passionate fan summed it up: “Gintama is insanely cool, insanely funny, and insanely emotional. The author missing deadlines in crazy ways is part of the charm. I admire both him and Gintoki for being wild and awesome. If you really want to experience Gintama, read the manga too.”
9. Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden tells the story of a former soldier who becomes a ghostwriter, helping others express emotions she barely understands herself. As she writes letters for grieving lovers, estranged families, and lost children, Violet begins to grasp what “I love you” truly means. The series is a visual marvel, thanks to Kyoto Animation’s trademark polish.
A fan shared: “What does it mean to say I love you? That’s what this anime explores. It also shows how important it is to express your feelings in a world that’s changing fast.”
They went on, “It made me cry. I want to become an animator at Kyoto Animation because of this series. I’ll never forget it.”
10. Blue Lock
After Japan fails to win the World Cup, they launch Blue Lock, a ruthless program to forge the world’s greatest striker. Think Hunger Games, but for soccer. Players battle each other in high-stakes elimination matches, clashing not just in technique but in ideology. It’s bold, modern, and radically different from typical sports anime.
One viewer shared: “The excitement ramps up in the second half. The character arcs are tightly woven, and my impression of the show changed completely from how it started.”
They concluded, “It focuses on raw clashes between players with different values. Blue Lock is the perfect answer to today’s audience. It breaks the mold—and it’s at the very top of sports anime for me.”
11. Summertime Rendering
What begins as a homecoming for a funeral quickly turns into a high-stakes supernatural thriller filled with doppelgangers, looping timelines, and creeping dread. Set on a remote island in Wakayama, Summertime Rendering pulls viewers in with its urgent pacing and eerie atmosphere.
One fan shared, “It’s been so long since I felt like rushing home because there was an anime I couldn’t wait to watch. I binged all 25 episodes in just two days. Even after it ended, it left this heavy aftertaste I couldn’t shake.”
They added, “The setting wasn’t just a background. That summer heat, the ocean breeze, it all made the mystery feel so alive. I could feel the island itself.”
12. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
A shonen staple that continues to define excellence in storytelling, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a journey of two brothers, personal sacrifice, and philosophical stakes. Even years later, it’s seen as the gold standard for emotionally intelligent anime.
“This anime is complete in a way few others are,” a fan said. “From the beginning to the ending, nothing feels wasted. The worldbuilding, the morality, the way each arc flows, it’s art. Compared to some newer anime, this just has a different level of emotional and narrative craftsmanship.”
13. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Evangelion is as much an experience as it is a series. While it features giant robots and apocalyptic stakes, the real battle takes place inside the minds of its broken, vulnerable characters. Few anime have had the same cultural impact.
One Japanese viewer confessed, “Honestly, I don’t think anyone fully understands Evangelion, not even me. But that’s what makes it unforgettable.”
They continued, “It taps into that adolescent belief that something huge is coming, that you have hidden powers no one else can see. I can’t die until the Rebuild movies are finished.”
14. Steins;Gate
A slow burn that rewards patience, Steins;Gate transforms from quirky slice-of-life into a devastating tale of love, loss, and the cruel unpredictability of time travel. Once it takes off, it doesn’t let go.
“I dropped it around episode 5,” one fan admitted. “Picked it back up out of boredom… and then I couldn’t stop. It became insanely good. I got hooked, bought the drama CDs, learned the OP song—everything.”
They further added, “Okabe and Kurisu are still my favorite characters in anime. The emotional payoff is unreal.”
15. Natsume’s Book of Friends
A gentle, melancholic look at the boundary between humans and spirits, Natsume’s Book of Friends is less about drama and more about reflection. It’s one of the most emotionally comforting anime Japan has ever produced.
A fan described it as, “A god-tier anime. The setting in Kumamoto, the quiet pacing, the bittersweet stories—it’s all so soothing. It’s not flashy, but it stays with you.” They concluded, “It’s one of the few shows that made me tear up just from how human it felt. Every episode feels like a poem.”
16. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Strategic, explosive, and unapologetically dramatic, Code Geass delivers on all fronts. Lelouch remains one of anime’s most compelling protagonists, brilliant, flawed, and unforgettable.
“Lelouch has a pretty nasty personality,” one fan noted, “but he’s endlessly fascinating. Every move he made kept me glued to the screen.” The fan also shared, “I loved how every character had strong beliefs, and even the ‘villains’ were often right. The show didn’t feel hopeless either, it was emotionally charged but still thrilling. I rewatch it almost every year.”
17. The Apothecary Diaries
Combining historical court life with medical mystery-solving, The Apothecary Diaries stands out thanks to its sharp-witted protagonist Maomao. Her knowledge of poisons and her lack of fear make her a scene-stealer.
“She was exposed to poison as a kid,” one viewer said, “so now she’s completely fascinated by it. I loved how she stayed calm at that banquet and identified a deadly substance like she was identifying wine.” They continued, “She’s different from any other anime heroine, unapologetically blunt, incredibly smart, and a joy to watch.”
18. Naruto Shippuden
The tale of a lonely boy seeking recognition grew into a global cultural juggernaut. But in Japan, Naruto Shippuden carries extra weight, a story about perseverance, empathy, and confronting the past.
One fan shared their perspective: “It’s a story about a kid who was rejected by society but learned how to build bonds and eventually change the world. When Naruto formed his first real connection, with Iruka-sensei, it cracked something open in him. That moment always makes me cry.”
19. Oshi no Ko
A disturbing peek into the idol industry, Oshi no Ko shocked audiences with its plot twist in the very first episode. But it’s the emotional fallout and social commentary that made fans stick around.
A fan wrote, “I don’t usually care about idol anime, but Oshi no Ko changed that. I was completely unprepared for how good the first episode was, it felt like a full-length movie.”
He added, “Now I’m hooked. The commentary on the entertainment world, the way it handles manipulation and trauma, it’s just too real.”
20. Your Lie in April
A heartbreaking, musically infused story about healing from grief, Your Lie in April left a deep mark on those who watched it. Through classical music and vulnerable storytelling, it captures the pain and beauty of youth.
“His frozen time begins to move again. His hazy world regains color,” a fan reflected.
“This show is beautiful and quietly heartbreaking. It made me think about the people who changed my life, even if they were only there for a moment.”
Other popular anime series like Solo Leveling is ranked 449th, 100 Girlfriends who really really love your ranked 662nd, and Wind Breaker is ranked 223rd. It is fascinating to see the differences between Japanese rankings and the international rankings on MyAnimeList.
Source: Ranking.net
