10 Best Anime With Over 100 Episodes It’ll Take You All Year To Finish

While shorter stories can be very effective, there’s a special enjoyment in getting lost in a long series. It’s wonderful to immerse yourself in a new world, connect with compelling characters, and follow their journeys over an extended period – it’s a unique and satisfying experience.

Luckily, there are tons of fantastic anime series with enough episodes to entertain you well into 2026. Many of the longest-running anime are shonen shows based on manga from Weekly Shonen Jump. While this isn’t a bad thing, it’s good to keep that in mind when you start watching.

10. Hunter X Hunter (148 Episodes)

The 2011 version of Hunter x Hunter is widely considered one of the best shonen anime ever made. It adapts the manga up to chapter 339, including the complete 13th Hunter Chairman Election arc and the acclaimed Chimera Ant arc—which the original anime didn’t get to cover. What makes this version stand out is its complex and well-developed characters, meaningful themes, and great storytelling, all enhanced by beautiful animation, a fantastic soundtrack, and expertly choreographed fight scenes.

One of the things that makes Hunter x Hunter so captivating is its willingness to challenge and twist common anime tropes that other shows take seriously. The series is notable for showing the genuine consequences of actions and portraying characters’ reactions to big events in a believable, and sometimes heartbreaking, way. Be warned though: once you’ve seen Hunter x Hunter, it might be hard to enjoy other similar anime as much.

9. My Hero Academia (170 Episodes)

After eight seasons, My Hero Academia has finished its incredible run. Widely considered one of the best anime adaptations ever made, it really raised the bar for turning manga into animated series. Unlike many older action anime that rushed to release episodes weekly and ended up with unnecessary filler, My Hero Academia used a seasonal format. This allowed the story to stay strong and resulted in consistently amazing animation quality.

Many fans actually consider the My Hero Academia anime to be even better than the original manga. The animation, voice acting, music, and overall presentation are consistently excellent, and the anime arguably gets better as it goes on. With a huge cast of interesting characters, compelling villains, and a really creative superpower system called “Quirks,” My Hero Academia is a great anime to binge-watch.

8. Naruto (220 Episodes)

The original Naruto anime is truly great. It’s an inspiring story about an unlikely hero who learns the value of dedication, self-belief, and overcoming the burdens of the past. Few action anime explore such complex themes with as much depth. The show features fantastic character development, giving even supporting characters meaningful arcs and growth. The action sequences are incredibly well-done, combining exciting choreography with emotionally impactful moments, and the plot is full of surprising twists that are both captivating and often deeply moving.

The biggest issue with the original Naruto anime is its long stretch of 85 filler episodes, which aren’t always great. If you enjoy spending time with the characters and world – and most fans do by around episode 135 – you can watch the filler if you want. However, the main story is so good that it’s perfectly fine to skip straight to the first episode of Naruto: Shippuden after the Valley of the End arc. Either way, you’re about to experience one of the best action anime ever made.

7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (224 Episodes)

The first Yu-Gi-Oh! anime has a lot of slow moments and filler that stretch the story, and it often bends or breaks the rules of the card game – sometimes frustratingly so. However, it’s still enjoyable, especially when it’s at its best, as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters is truly special. While the very first episodes (Season 0) provide background on the characters, you can still easily enjoy the series without them, starting with the Duelist Kingdom arc.

While the story quality dips in later seasons, the Duelist Kingdom and Battle City arcs are what truly make the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime worthwhile. Even when it’s not at its best, Yu-Gi-Oh! remains a shonen classic thanks to its strong character development, surprising plot twists, and inventive duels that are both challenging and exciting. It’s probably best to skip the less important story arcs, though.

6. Pokémon the Original Series (276 Episodes)

Surprisingly, the first seasons of the Pokémon anime still hold up today. While not flawless, the series—which follows Ash’s journey through Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto—is genuinely heartwarming. It does a fantastic job of bringing the original Pokémon generations to life, showing how people and Pokémon could realistically coexist. The animation isn’t immediately polished, but it quickly improves, especially starting with the first tournament, and remains strong throughout.

What truly sets Pokémon apart is the journey leading up to each big tournament. Seeing Ash collect badges and build his team throughout the Kanto, Orange Island, and Johto leagues makes the final showdowns so rewarding. The battle against his rival Gary at the Silver Conference especially feels like a special moment. If you’re looking for a long-term commitment, the anime continues even after Ash’s adventures in Hoenn begin. As of Horizons, there are over 1,300 episodes, but many fans consider Ash’s early seasons – from Generation 1 to Generation 2 – the most memorable.

5. Dragon Ball Z (291 Episodes)

To fully appreciate Dragon Ball Z, it’s best to start with the original Dragon Ball series, which means committing to a total of 444 episodes. However, if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll discover one of the most iconic anime ever made. Dragon Ball Z’s influence is clear in nearly every modern action anime, as it established many of the tropes we see today – from power-ups and intense rivalries to core story elements. It really shaped the anime landscape as we know it.

Many fans don’t realize how deep Dragon Ball Z actually is. Beyond the action, it features strong character growth, thoughtful themes about acknowledging others’ strengths and mentoring the next generation, and some of the most impressive fight scenes ever created. Akira Toriyama was a master of battle choreography. To get the best experience, watch Dragon Ball Z with subtitles and the original Japanese soundtrack.

4. Fairy Tail (328 Episodes)

Fairy Tail is definitely not for everyone – people tend to either love it or dislike it. It doesn’t try to be overly serious and prioritizes having fun with its characters. Plus, it boasts a fantastic soundtrack with some truly memorable anime music. Essentially, Fairy Tail is a classic shonen anime, embracing all the typical tropes of the genre – both the good and the bad. Expect lots of fan service, the importance of friendship, and a big group of lively, unique characters.

Despite its flaws, Fairy Tail has a lot going for it. The story can be surprisingly heartwarming, and some of its arcs, like Tartaros and Tenrou Island, are among the best in the shonen genre. Even when it’s not at its peak, Fairy Tail is a genuinely enjoyable anime that strikes a good balance between serious moments and lighthearted fun. It won’t appeal to everyone, but if you’re looking for a consistently entertaining anime to watch year-round, Fairy Tail is a solid choice, and even its filler episodes are usually pretty good.

3. Bleach (366 Episodes)

Released in the 2000s, Bleach quickly became a hugely popular anime, earning its place among the giants like Naruto and One Piece as one of anime’s “Big Three.” It’s beloved for its striking visual style, incredible music, and surprising depth. What really sets Bleach apart is how it started. The early “Agent of the Shinigami” arc skillfully combines elements of training sequences, everyday life, and monster-of-the-week stories, all while introducing a memorable cast of characters and a fascinating world.

Bleach truly shines when it reaches the Soul Society arc, delivering one of the best storylines in all of shonen anime. While the series does have some flaws – like unnecessary filler episodes, a somewhat repetitive structure, and a large cast of characters – it’s still a worthwhile watch, even at its lowest points. Recently, the series made a comeback with Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War, continuing the story with stunning animation and direction, making it one of the best anime of the 2020s. That return alone justifies watching all 366 episodes.

2. Naruto: Shippuden (500 Episodes)

As a huge fan, I’ll admit Naruto: Shippuden doesn’t always reach the same heights as the original Naruto, it definitely has some weaker moments. But honestly, the good parts really shine – some of the animation and directing are genuinely among the best I’ve ever seen in anime! I was completely hooked up until the Pain arc, and even when things get a little messy towards the end, it’s still an incredible experience. The character development is fantastic, and the fight scenes are just breathtaking – it’s a sequel I won’t soon forget.

The main weakness of Naruto: Shippuden is its use of filler episodes. While the original Naruto saved its filler content for after the main story finished, Shippuden mixes filler in with the important plot points, similar to Dragon Ball. This creates uneven pacing and sometimes contradicts the creator’s original plans. However, if you enjoyed the first Naruto, you should definitely watch Shippuden to see the conclusion. It’s best to skip Boruto, though.

1. One Piece (1,155 Episodes & Counting)

With over 1,100 episodes and more on the way, One Piece is a massive series that would take years to complete unless you binge-watch or use the fan project, One Pace, which cuts out slower parts to match the manga. However, there’s no single “right” way to enjoy the show. One Piece is a true modern epic, consistently releasing episodes since 1999 and now entering its final story arc. As the anime moves to a seasonal release schedule leading into the Elbaph arc, now is the perfect time to start watching or catch up.

Let me tell you, the absolute best way to get into One Piece is to just enjoy it at your own speed. Eiichiro Oda is such a fantastic writer, and it’s a story you really want to savor. Every story arc is bursting with incredible character growth, a world that’s constantly expanding in really clever ways, and fights that are honestly some of the best I’ve ever seen in any action series. It’s wild how much the show has evolved since the beginning, so don’t rush! Just jump in and prepare for an unforgettable adventure. If you start watching now, you might even reach the time skip before Christmas! Just be warned: once you start One Piece, say goodbye to your free time – and hello to your new obsession!

2026-01-23 06:36