Many beloved anime shows have been around for more than 20 years, and a lot of the most popular ones originally aired in the 2000s. Titles like Death Note, Inuyasha, and Hunter x Hunter are great examples. Interestingly, despite their current fame, some of these classics weren’t instant hits when they first came out.
These anime shows are now famous for their unique stories, beautiful animation, and imaginative scenes. But they didn’t start out that way. Despite a slow beginning, these series from the 2000s eventually became classics and continue to attract new fans even now.
5. Fullmetal Alchemist
Streaming Revival
Both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood gained popularity after their initial release in the 2000s. Today, they’re celebrated for their excellent storytelling and satisfying conclusions to the characters’ journeys. A key strength of Fullmetal Alchemist is its thoughtful central theme and the strong bond between the brothers, Edward and Alphonse.
Both series weren’t immediately hits, but they became more popular when they started appearing on streaming platforms. Many fans who originally enjoyed Fullmetal Alchemist rediscovered it and recommended it to others, which helped the series gain a large new audience.
4. Nana
Social Media Popularity
I absolutely love Nana! It’s not about big fights or explosions, but honestly, that’s what makes it so amazing. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really connected with how deeply it explores relationships and just…life. The story follows two Nanas, both women who happen to share the same name, and watching their lives intertwine as they navigate Tokyo is just incredible. There’s a lot of drama, for sure – messy relationships, the struggle to achieve your goals – but it all feels so real and relatable.
The anime Nana is now considered a cult classic, but it wasn’t very popular when it first aired. In the 2010s, as social media grew, the series gained a new audience through platforms like TikTok, where fans shared edits and aesthetic content. This, along with online recommendations, led many new viewers to discover and become invested in Nana‘s complex themes.
3. Naruto
Global Popularity
Although Naruto is now hugely popular, it wasn’t always this way. One of the things that makes Naruto so engaging is its complex characters – very few are simply good or evil. This applies to the villains too, many of whom have opportunities to change and find redemption. Plus, Naruto himself wasn’t a typical hero. He was an outsider burdened with a powerful, nine-tailed beast, and he often tried to help his enemies instead of defeating them.
While Naruto gained popularity gradually, streaming platforms and social media helped it reach a much wider global audience. This allowed longtime fans to relive their favorite moments and introduced a new generation to the series. Today, Naruto is widely considered one of the greatest anime ever made.
2. Bleach
Unique Design
Bleach initially became very popular, then experienced a dip in viewership before making a strong comeback. The series is known for its original premise, centering around Ichigo Kurosaki who becomes a Soul Reaper and battles Hollows after entering the Soul Society. Part of Bleach’s early success was also due to its distinctive and fashionable character designs.
Similar to many anime that gained popularity later on, Bleach experienced a surge in popularity thanks to social media in the 2010s. New fans loved its unique style, and many even used it as inspiration for their own work. Plus, longtime fans rediscovered and enjoyed Bleach even more than they did originally.
1. One Piece
Long-Time Popularity
Although One Piece first aired in 1999, it remains incredibly popular today. With over 1000 episodes, the series has only grown more legendary over time. While it was already well-known, the rise of streaming services has allowed a new generation of fans to discover and enjoy its amazing fights, high-quality animation, and everything else it has to offer.
Beyond its exciting adventures, One Piece is celebrated for its complex villains and tackles serious themes like social inequality and government corruption. Because of its long run and enduring popularity—it’s one of the most well-known anime ever—many viewers have enjoyed One Piece since childhood, and it continues to attract new fans regularly.
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2026-04-03 21:39