Which is the #1 anime in the world?
By Sidequest
Ask any fan which Anime is the best and you will start a lively debate. "Number one" can mean different things depending on whether you value sales, cultural influence, critical acclaim or sheer recognisability. In this article we look at the evidence behind several contenders and explain why a definitive single answer is elusive.
Why the label "number one" for an Anime is tricky
Counting which show is the best involves many metrics. Do you measure by manga volumes sold, TV ratings, streaming numbers, box office receipts, awards won or by how many people can hum the theme tune? Different measures point to different winners. For example, One Piece has unparalleled manga sales and longevity, while films such as Spirited Away achieved global critical acclaim and awards.
Major contenders and the metrics they win
One Piece often tops lists by raw sales. Eiichiro Oda's saga has sold hundreds of millions of manga copies globally and sustained popularity across decades. That gives it a strong claim if your definition of number one is scope and commercial dominance.
Dragon Ball is another heavyweight for influence. It shaped how many Western fans perceive Anime, inspired countless creators and remains a cultural touchstone with merchandise, games and enduring character recognition.
Demon Slayer is a modern example of explosive success. The movie Mugen Train broke box office records in Japan and helped the franchise reach mainstream audiences quickly. Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen rank highly on streaming platforms and among younger viewers for narrative intensity and production values.
For film prestige, Studio Ghibli titles like Spirited Away are hard to beat. Spirited Away won an Academy Award and broadened the art house appeal of Japanese animation worldwide.
How fandom and collecting change the picture
Collectors and fans bring another perspective. Which Anime is most collectable depends on merchandise availability, rarity and the strength of a fan community. One Piece and Dragon Ball offer huge ranges of figures and memorabilia, while niche titles may become prized precisely because items are limited. If you are starting a collection or buying a gift, think about display appeal and long term desirability as much as current chart positions.
So, which is truly number one?
There is no single correct answer. Sales and longevity often point to One Piece, cultural reach and influence favour Dragon Ball, while award recognition highlights Studio Ghibli. Recent streaming trends can crown different winners by season. The more useful view is to pick a definition of "number one" and then measure against that.
That said, One Piece is commonly cited as the world leader when you combine lifetime sales, ongoing popularity and franchise breadth. But for many fans the #1 Anime will always be the series that inspired them personally. That variety is part of what makes Anime so vibrant and worth collecting, watching and discussing.