Many anime fans growing up in the nineties and early 2000s remember their first encounters with the original Pokémon anime. The grand adventures of Ash Ketchum and his best friend Pikachu remain some of the most beloved stories in animation history, and a classic among all-ages anime. However, there are many series with narratives, whether for all audiences or not, that are even more popular than the original Pokémon anime.
From sweet-natured shojo anime to action-packed shonen anime, there is a roster of shows that work with a similar format to Pokémon, often with a theme for battling. However, many of these anime are more narrative-focused than Pokémon. This may very well be why some anime are even more beloved than Pokémon; after all, no one can resist a good story.
Cardcaptor Sakura Is a Sugary Sweet Classic Shojo Anime
Sakura Must Find All the Missing Clow Cards
In the animated adaptation of CLAMP's famous manga, elementary school student Sakura Kinomoto's ordinary life suddenly becomes much more fantastical after she accidentally summons and releases a set of magical cards from an old book in her home library. She is informed by the cards' guardian, the adorable beast Cerberus, that these are actually the legendary Clow Cards, named after the grand sorcerer Clow Reed. Alongside Cerberus (now nicknamed Kero), Sakura must become a magical girl and collect all the missing Clow Cards. However, she is not the only one seeking these amazing artifacts.
Like Pokémon, many episodes in Cardcaptor Sakura deal with a creature (or Clow Card) of the day, resulting in a battle. However, Cardcaptor Sakura, while it does work with the fantasy adventure format, tends to focus more on each characters' individual journeys. Aside from Sakura, fans are also introduced to her supportive best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, and her rival Syaoran Li, who also wishes to capture the Clow Cards. In the meantime, Sakura's older brother Touya pretends not to know about his sister's adventures while his soulmate Yukito Tsukishiro grapples with his own magical destiny, one that direcly correlates to both Kinomoto siblings.
Bleach Follows the Journey of a Reluctant Hero
Ichigo Kurosaki Must Become a Soul Reaper
Ichigo Kurosaki, though he has the extraordinary ability to see and communicate with the dead, wants nothing to do with his power. Despite this, he has a strong sense of justice and often finds himself helping out spirits in need. These abilities soon cause him to cross paths with Rukia Kuchiki, a skilled Soul Reaper. After a shocking first encounter with a Hollow, a corrupted spirit, Ichigo gains Rukia's powers and must fight Hollows in her place, though he is certainly not happy about this change.
Similar to other shōnen anime, Ichigo and his allies often have to battle against different enemies, though as the story progresses, they fight less against minor antagonists and more so against main villains. Critical reception for Bleach and its anime adaptation in the early 2000s later surfaced, commenting on how the storylines in Bleach could be nonexistent; despite this, many praised the characters and the unique worldbuilding. However, as the years have gone by, the reputation of Bleach only seems to improve, granting it the long-standing title as one of the Big 3 of shōnen classics. A sequel anime, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, is currently premiering with amazing animation in order to bring a close to the final arc in the manga.
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Hunter x Hunter Is Simultaneously Cheerful and Gritty
Gon Freecss Sets Out To Find His Long-Lost Father
With the premise alone and the happy-go-lucky first opening theme, Hunter x Hunter almost looks as if it could be a children's anime. However, those who watch the show or read the original manga will find themselves greatly surprised, as Hunter x Hunter is very much not for the faint of heart. Protagonist Gon Freecss begins the series simply wanting to become a Hunter in order to find his legendary father, yet as time goes on, things grow much more grim. At its core, Hunter x Hunter is a philosophical journey that is not afraid to showcase the darkness that can exist in any person, no matter how innocent they might be.
Even as the series grows more violent and often sorrowful, Hunter x Hunter is also a story of hope. As their destinies change and grow alongside them, Gon's life is forever changed by his friendships with Killua, Leorio and Kurapika, three other individuals who all wish to become Hunters for their own reasons. No matter the obstacles each character faces, and no matter the outcome of every battle, Gon and his friends are always striving for what they most desire. It is no surprise that a story like Hunter x Hunter is still so highly praised today.
Dragon Ball Is the Start of a Legendary Hero’s Journey
Goku Embarks on a Quest for the Extraordinary Dragon Balls
Even as new anime premiere every season, there is one character that remains so popular that even those unfamiliar with the overall anime sphere know who he is. That character is Son Goku, the protagonist of the legendary Dragon Ball franchise. A good deal of different anime revolving around the Dragon Ball universe have since come and gone, yet the original series is still widely beloved today. There, anime fans can see the beginnings of a hero that would change the anime world forever.
At the start of the original Dragon Ball, Goku, a boy with the tail of a monkey, lives alone in the forest until he meets Bulma, a girl searching for the extraordinary Dragon Balls. According to legend, if one collects all the Dragon Balls, then they can summon the dragon Shenron and have a wish granted. As Goku meets lifelong friends (and enemies), his goals soon change from finding the Dragon Balls to saving the entire universe. Anime fans worldwide have grown up alongside Goku, inspired by his determination to do good.
Naruto Continues To Inspire Fans Today
The Titular Protagonist Works Hard To Achieve His Dream
Years before the main events of Naruto, a vicious fox known as Kurama nearly destroyed Konohagakure, also known as the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Though the village was saved, many brave ninja lost their lives, including the parents of Naruto, a young ninja initially unaware that Kurama's spirit lived within him. As many of the adults in Konohagakure scorned Naruto for acting as Kurama's vessel, the young ninja would live a lonely life until he was able to become a full-fledged ninja in his own right. However, the path to becoming a great ninja would not be an easy one.
Naruto's main goal throughout the series is to become the village leader, or Hokage, in order to finally gain respect from others. Like other shōnen anime, the series works with different action-packed arcs that include new threats for Naruto and his allies to defeat. However, even in the early episodes, it is made clear that dark secrets lie within each village, including Konohagakure. Despite the obstacles and even betrayals that Naruto faces, he never gives up on his dream nor does he give up on his loved ones, making him a hero that many fans still adore today.
One Piece Follows the Adventures of a Superpowered Pirate
Luffy D. Monkey and His Allies Journey To Find the Titular Treasure
On his deathbed, the legendary King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, announces that his grand treasure, the One Piece, is out there for any pirate to take. The problem is, the location of the treasure, and what is actually is, remains a secret. Following Gol D. Roger's death, thousands take to the seas in order to find the One Piece, a treasure that would give whoever found it the title of King of the Pirates. One hopeful pirate wanting to find the One Piece and become the next king is Luffy D. Monkey, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
After eating a powerful Gum-Gum Fruit as a child, Luffy loses the ability to swim, but his body becomes rubber-like, allowing him to stretch his body and evade a variety of attacks. Aside from Luffy's goal in finding the One Piece, the aspiring King of the Pirates also searches for crew mates, his journey allowing him to meet a variety of unique allies that would become the young pirate captain's lifelong friends. One Piece is often fun-filled and even whimsical, though it also does not shy away from much more serious themes and even major character death. Despite this, Luffy, as well as the overall hopeful tone of One Piece, have inspired anime fans to never give up and to remain loyal to their loved ones; it is no wonder that the original One Piece manga remains the best-selling manga in history.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Remains a Renowned Shōnen Anime
A Series Often Called the "Greatest" Anime Ever Made
In a world where the concept of alchemy is very real and a constant in the lives of many, two brothers try to bring their mother back to life. Unfortunately, the experiment backfires, and the younger of the two brothers, Alphonse Elric, loses his entire body. His older brother, Edward Elric, gives up one of his arms in order to connect his brother's soul to a suit of armor, even after losing one of his legs. After tragedy, the brothers' work towards a new goal of restoring their original bodies, with clues leading to rumors of the Philosopher's Stone, an artifact capable of overriding the laws of alchemy. Though he does not trust them, Ed becomes part of the military in order to gain access to hidden intel, gaining the codename "Fullmetal Alchemist".
There are many reasons as to why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the anime adaptation covering the entire plot of Hiromu Arakawa's bestselling manga of the same name, gains the top spot in several rankings. Aside from the gorgeous animation and the widely praised soundtrack, what makes Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood so well-received is the highly detailed narrative. Every character, no matter how much screentime they have or the role they play in the story, is part of the overall experience. The Elric brothers' destiny correlates to the paths of many, resulting in a journey that many fans will find unforgettable.
Pokémon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1997 - 2023
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
Cast
-
Rica MatsumotoSatoshi (voice) -
Ikue OtaniPikachu (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
- Franchise(s)
- Pokemon
- Studio
- OLM
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.40
