10 Longest Running Anime Series of All Time: Viewers are astounded by the endurance of such anime as long-running favorites One Piece as well as Case Closed widely recognized as Detective Conan fly beyond the thousand-episode milestone. These are television series that have been running for longer than some of their fans have lived, amassing hundreds or even thousands of episodes to the extent that it would take several months to a marathon just one of them.
Whether these shows and series are some of the most well-known of all time, like Crayon Shin-chan, or obscure but still popular, like One Piece, they all have a unique selling point that has drawn viewers to them for years. These anime have remained popular throughout time while other anime come and go.
10 Longest Running Anime Series of All Time
Gintama
With more than 367 episodes, Gintama has been on the air for 12 years. Gintoki Sakata, a former swordsman, has abandoned his life of killing and now survives by working odd jobs all across Japan with straight-arrow samurai Shinpachi, obscenely strong alien female Kagura, and Kagura’s enormous dog Sadaharu. They form the Yorozuya Gin when combined. Any crazy thing that may happen will happen in the series since it is set in a reality where aliens have had a major cultural influence on Edo Period Japan. These include one of the best anime beach episodes, a character who transforms into a gorilla because of being bitten by one, a 4-way swordfight over toilet roll, and more.
Naruto
With over 720 episodes, Naruto has been on television for 15 years. Naruto is among the longest-running series of all time, even without considering the follow-up series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which has 247 episodes so far. The majority of Naruto’s runtime is accounted for by its second portion, Naruto Shippuden. Beginning as a desolate orphan with unrealized potential, Naruto Uzumaki eventually triumphantly emerges as a great hero. Of fact, some would argue that Naruto cheats a little in this department because filler episodes make up a large portion of its episode total. Even though this filler is frequently criticized, some arcs gave birth to some of Naruto’s greatest foes.
One-Piece
Since its debut 23 years ago, One Piece has aired 1040 episodes. One Piece is among the longest-running manga series ever and is a universal hit. With very little filler, it is an accurate adaptation. The One Piece, the ultimate treasure, has been concealed, according to Gol D. Roger, the most legendary pirate in history, just before he was executed. The new Pirate King will be whoever completes the arduous task and discovers the loot. Eiichiro Oda’s manga may soon surpass some currently lengthier anime because it is still going strong and shows no signs of stopping. Only time will be able to determine how long the Luffy and the Straw Hats saga will have continued after its conclusion.
Dragon Ball
The first of Dragon Ball’s 639 episodes aired roughly 32 years ago. The enduring Akira Toriyama manga, which in turn was inspired by the Chinese classic Journey to the West, is the source for the legendary shounen anime Dragon Ball, a pillar of the genre. From childhood through adulthood, it chronicles the life of Goku, one of the few remaining members of the Saiyan warrior race, an alien warrior culture. Goku not only grows stronger in the 3 series that directly adapt the book but also through the Dragon Ball GT anime. He battles his way through numerous competitions and end-of-the-world scenarios. Because death is not always final in this realm, storylines frequently include Dragon Ball characters whom fans believe should have remained dead.
Gundam
Over 857 episodes of Gundam have been broadcast over its 39-year history. It is among the most well-known and successful anime franchises ever. The canon TV shows keep coming even without including specials and OVAs. In dozens of other worlds and timelines, they tell tales of valiant pilots piloting strong flying machines known as Gundams to win battles and defend loved ones. The original Mobile Suit Gundam from 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and Zeta Gundam are a few of the most well-known Gundam series. They may all be regarded as foundational anime series for the mecha subgenre.
Pokémon
Pokémon has been on television for 25 years and has 1115 episodes. The anime will likely have new seasons as long as Pokémon video games are produced. In an effort to become a Pokémon Master, the young Trainer Ash Ketchum and his companion Pikachu travel across numerous regions, collecting new Pokémon along the way, meeting new friends, and triumphing in a fight after the battle. Pikachu is a favorite character in many nations, and the series continues to be popular with viewers of all ages all around the world. Even if the stakes aren’t quite tremendous, the show is cheerful, upbeat, and plenty entertaining to draw viewers in again and again.
Shin-chan
Shin-chan has 1122 episodes and has been on television for 30 years. Crayon is a slice-of-life anime featuring some of the silliest character designs ever. Shinnosuke Nohara, a five-year-old, is followed by Shin-chan. Shin is a typical mischievous youngster that engages in extensive mischief with his friends in his neighborhood. Numerous efforts have been made to dub it in English, albeit they are largely ineffective. It is still being broadcast in Japan. The Vitello Productions dub, for example, adds even more crude jokes to an already obscene show. All the English dubs significantly alter the original material.
Sazae-San
Sazae-san has been on television for 53 years and has over 7881 episodes. It is among the longest-running TV series of all time, easily surpassing powerhouses like The Simpsons. It not only outperforms any anime in history when it comes to library and duration. Sazae-san currently holds the record for the longest-running animated television program in history. The program, which follows the daily activities of housewife Sazae Fuguta and her family, is well-liked in Japan for its accurate depiction of a healthy Japanese way of life. Many families continue to watch it every Sunday night. For depression brought on by the conclusion of the weekend and the approaching start of a new workweek, “Sazae-san syndrome” is the accepted phrase in Japan.
Case Closed
There have been more than 1026 episodes of Case Closed over the course of 26 years. Shinichi Kudo is a smart young detective who has already helped seasoned law enforcement on significant cases with his blazingly quick assessments. As a result of their accomplishment, two crooks attack Shinichi and force-feed him an experimental poison. As he proceeds to strive to solve murders, the poison shrinks him into a child rather than killing him. This forces him to assume a new identity. The fact that fans continue to tune in for updates on Shinichi’s most recent cases despite the fact that there are hundreds of them is a credit to the show’s writing’s quality. Shinichi’s attempts to get back into his original body are a recurring theme, however, Case Closed is mostly episodic.
Chibi Maruko-chan
With over 1,329 episodes, Chibi Maruko-chan has been on television for 27 years. Despite being a must-watch one-season anime, Chibi Maruko-chan might be more challenging to a marathon than the typical 12 to 24-episode season. It would take a little over 3 weeks to finish everything, with an episode number far into the thousands. The children’s program, which is based on one of the most well-known shoujo manga, features Momoko “Maruko” Sakura and her friends and family. Both younger fans who want something straightforward and elderly viewers who are nostalgic will enjoy it because it is charming and lively.
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