10 Iconic Anime (Almost) As Influential As Dragon Ball
There are only a handful of anime that have influenced the medium like Dragon Ball has. Akira Toriyama’s series did not just inspire a legion of shōnen anime heroes to train harder and fight even more powerful enemies; the series practically created the blueprint for what success looks like with anime outside of Japan. From the way that characters gain power to the tradition of long sagas spanning many generations, Dragon Ball is part of the DNA of modern anime.
Nonetheless, Dragon Ball isn’t alone in leaving an immense imprint on anime society. While few series can rival Dragon Ball‘s worldwide popularity, many others have come close. Some defined genres, while others ruled TV ratings and toy shelves. Series like Naruto and Sailor Moon transformed the way anime was made, marketed and remembered. They are the nearest rivals to Dragon Ball. Each reformed the industry differently, but still fell just shy of that same universal cultural dominance.
Naruto Redefined Shonen Anime for a New Generation
If Dragon Ball demonstrated what shōnen battle series could be, Naruto demonstrated that the formula could be refreshed and expanded. Launched in 1999, Masashi Kishimoto’s series quickly became the defining anime of the 2000s. Its sprawling world and complicated backstories were new things for kids who were raised on Goku to latch onto. The tension between Naruto and Sasuke set a new standard for anime frenemies, which affected hundreds of series that followed.
Naruto‘s use of training arcs and big, escalating battles was a nod towards Dragon Ball, but infused with a dash of ninja mysticism and emotional resonance. While Naruto reached extraordinary global popularity and helped anime explode on the internet, it never quite eclipsed Dragon Ball. Goku’s adventures had already set the stage, and Naruto ultimately stood as a worthy successor rather than a replacement.
One Piece’s Endless Voyage Falls Just Short of Dragon Ball
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece blew the shōnen anime formula to legendary proportions. Started in 1999, One Piece became one of the longest-running anime to still have its story go on all these years later. Its legacy is in its ever-growing sea of islands, cultures and characters that remapped how big anime storytelling can get. The Straw Hat Pirates themselves became legends as Luffy’s desire to be Pirate King became a dream for future generations of fans.
The anime introduced a mix of humor and drama that provided a new standard for depth and creativity in shōnen anime. While widely popular worldwide, it didn’t receive the same broad mainstream recognition as Dragon Ball. Luffy may be one of the most recognizable anime characters ever, but he has never reached Goku’s universal icon status.
Sailor Moon Changed Anime Forever
When Sailor Moon launched in 1992, the anime transformed the magical girl genre into a worldwide phenomenon. Usagi Tsukino and the rest of the Sailor Guardians found a combination of romance, comedy and action that proved girls could star in epic adventures as much as shōnen anime protagonists. The series’ monster-of-the-week model and magical transformation sequences became de facto requisites for magical girl anime shortly thereafter.
Simultaneously, Sailor Moon grew across the globe and captured the attention of an audience that extended well beyond the borders of Japan. The anime became a part of fashion, fandom culture, and greatly influenced LGBTQ+ representation in anime. As important as Sailor Moon was, it did not quite match Dragon Ball‘s reach to all audiences. Goku’s travels were sold to everyone, whereas Sailor Moon was sadly stereotyped as a “girls’ show.”
Neon Genesis Evangelion Broke Its Own Genre
In 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion transformed the mecha anime genre. What began as a basic “mechas fighting space aliens” story became a deep dive into trauma and human connection. Shinji Ikari’s tortured struggle and the ambiguous ending generated countless discussions and reinterpretations. Evangelion merchandise began pouring into Japan, and the original series’ iconic imagery is now recognized even by casual fans.
More than anything, Neon Genesis Evangelion made anime be viewed as art and not just entertainment. Despite its gigantic influence, however, Evangelion was not a mass-market success in the same way that Dragon Ball was. Its darker themes and complex symbolism probably weakened its mainstream appeal. But in anime circles, Evangelion remains one of the most important series of all time, shaping creators for many decades after.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Made Anime a Playground Phenomenon
During the early 2000s, Yu-Gi-Oh! was king in schoolyards everywhere. The anime, an adaptation of Kazuki Takahashi’s manga, presented the Duel Monsters card game to youths worldwide. “It’s time to duel!” became a battle cry for kids everywhere, as the anime birthed trading cards as an international phenomenon. The series contained all the ingredients of a great shōnen anime: big battles, evil villains and ultimate powers.
Unlike Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!‘s impact traveled alongside its merchandise. The card game and anime complemented each other, creating a cultural cycle that established Yu-Gi-Oh! as a vital part of childhood for millions. However, while the franchise was a phenomenal cash success, its longevity was more niche. Goku became a sheer icon of anime as a genre, while Yugi and Kaiba were still linked with the card game mania.
Bleach Made Anime Cool Again
When Bleach made its debut in 2004, it completed the iconic “Big Three” of shōnen anime alongside Naruto and One Piece. Tite Kubo’s stylish combination of supernatural sword fighting, bold character design and memorable music gave anime one of its most instantly recognizable looks. For years, Bleach worked itself into a position as a gateway series for Western fans. The Soul Society Arc alone ranks as one of shōnen anime’s most beloved arcs, and it left countless impersonators in its dust.
Ichigo Kurosaki led a dual life as an average teenager and as a supernatural protector, striking a nice balance between relatable teenage life and anime spectacle. But while Bleach was undeniably influential, it wasn’t able to sustain that momentum. The inability to belt out memorable arcs, and inconsistency in pacing kept Bleach from reaching Dragon Ball‘s ever-growing cultural relevance.
Mobile Suit Gundam Built a Genre
When Mobile Suit Gundam debuted in 1979, the series completely changed the face of mecha anime. Before then, giant robots were mostly treated like superheroes; invincible machines piloted by flawless heroes. Gundam flipped that idea, presenting war as messy and morally gray. The “real robot” genre was born, and suddenly, mecha were tools of war instead of just flashy weapons. Amuro Ray and his RX-78 Gundam became cultural icons.
Outside the series, Gundam‘s influence broke through in merchandise. Its Gunpla (plastic model kits) were a global phenomenon, fueling the franchise for decades and propelling it to become one of the highest-grossing anime franchises ever. Although Gundam shaped anime history, its influence was concentrated more in Japan, and among hardcore enthusiasts worldwide. Unlike Dragon Ball, Gundam never made the crossover as a global threshold for mainstream audiences.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Went From Cult Classic to Meme Empire
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is one of anime’s longest and strangest series. The manga was a cult favorite in Japan for years, but when the anime adaptations began releasing in 2012, the story went international. JoJo‘s influence is everywhere; in fashion, in music, and especially in memes. Its ridiculous poses, strange art and melodramatic fight scenes created an instantly recognizable personality.
Phrases such as “It was me, Dio!” became part of the fabric of internet culture, advancing JoJo beyond traditional anime fandom. Nevertheless, while its creativity fueled many artists and fans, it was not able to attain the mainstream dominance of Dragon Ball. JoJo is loved and endlessly cited, but it’s more of a cultural niche show than an openly known household name like Goku. Its impact is felt, but it’s a few steps below Toriyama’s classic.
Rurouni Kenshin Paved the Way for Modern Shonen Anime
Before the Big Three took over the 2000s, Rurouni Kenshin was one of the most significant shōnen anime of the ’90s. Set in the Meiji era, it recounts the tale of Himura Kenshin, a traveling swordsman who is trying to atone for his past as the infamous assassin Battousai. While being a historical drama, Kenshin delivered high-stakes action.
The combination of swordsmanship, moral conflict and great antagonists made the series a success worldwide. Kenshin’s promise never to kill again gave the anime an added level of tension. Rurouni Kenshin impacted how later shōnen anime leads tended to experience moral tests and patterns of atonement in their stories, but the anime never enjoyed the global longevity of Dragon Ball. It is quite beloved, but it never became a generational brand.
Astro Boy Is the Origin of Modern Anime
When Astro Boy was first broadcast in 1963, it effectively created the television anime medium. Written by Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy was the first anime to experiment with many of the techniques and story styles that will be familiar even to new viewers. Atom, a robot boy with a human heart, provided a sci-fi adventure while teaching viewers about humanity and compassion.
Astro Boy was an important cultural centerpiece in Japan, and one of the first anime exported to the world. This was also the first time that much of the world was exposed to the words “Japanese animation,” long before Dragon Ball aired. While the anime had a major influence, Astro Boy has not continued with as much cultural significance. Nevertheless, to many modern fans, it’s still an important historical landmark.
