Anime is always growing and changing. What's popular today may not be popular tomorrow. With the e'er-changing tastes of fans and innovations in technology and animation, rising standards accept made many serial seem outdated in a modernistic climate. However, some anime manage to stand the exam of fourth dimension and stay relevant for years to come.

Sometimes a series will be considered a beloved classic among fans, shaping their childhoods and making them lifelong anime lovers. Other times, they're however ongoing and have stayed fresh for mod audiences. Fifty-fifty with so many new and exciting series releasing each season, these anime yet resonate with fans and leave a lasting impact on the medium.

x Moomin Is However Adored Decades Later

Moomintroll from Moomin 1990.

The Moomin franchise dates back to 1969 with the first anime serial. Since and so, audiences have loved the adorable, round creatures and their many friends. Moomin still has a very big and active fanbase despite being such an former series. With endless series and films, including the recent 2019 series Moominvalley, it's become a huge franchise, bigger than anyone could take expected. Though each series is unproblematic and more along the lines of kid's anime, no one is too one-time for Moomin.

9 Pretty Cure Keeps The Archetype Magical Girl Formula Alive

An image of characters from the Pretty Cure franchise.

Magical girls have been popular for decades, especially after Sailor Moon's debut in the '90s. As magical girl deconstruction has increased in popularity, many take started to meet the classic magical girl as an outdated relic of the past. Despite that, the Pretty Cure franchise is alive and well, with currently nineteen series nether its belt. Each series is unlike from the last, but they all hark back to the early days of magical girls when everything is cute and upbeat. Though each serial is essentially a basic magical daughter plot, fans can't seem to get plenty of them. In a time when magical girls have all go dark and depressing, Pretty Cure keeps to the classics, and it works.

eight Digimon Is More than Than Only A Pokémon Clone

Tai Kamiya and his friends look out into their new surroundings.

Digimon was an instant hit in the '90s and 2000s, seeing just as much popularity at the time every bit its rival, Pokémon. Still, many argued that it was simply a cheap clone trying to ride off Pokémon's success, and some notwithstanding remember that to this day. Despite the unfair comparisons, Digimon however holds its own in a mod anime landscape. With the series at present into its 10th season and many beloved films, it's safe to say that it's much more than just a knock-off. Digimon is one of few serial that manage to stand confronting an anime giant like Pokémon and still remain relevant today.

7 Fans Never Abound Tired Of Dragon Ball

An image from Vol. 1 of the Dragon Ball manga.

Dragon Ball is 1 of the biggest franchises in anime history. Information technology'south considered one of the greats, and few serial tin always compare to it. Though it's been a part of anime for many decades, Dragon Ball has never lost its steam.

It's probably more pop now than ever earlier, with tons of fans who are always hyped for every new series, movie, or spin-off. Even not-anime fans love the franchise, making it one of the well-nigh recognizable anime of all time. With every new installment, it seems that Dragon Ball is ane series fans will never be tired of.

6 Expiry Notation's Popularity Has Merely Increased Throughout The Years

Light and Ryuk from Vol. 1 of the Death Note manga.

Fans can't talk most 2000s anime without mentioning Expiry Notation. It'southward ane of the defining series of the time that nevertheless influences the anime scene today. Its popularity has gone up and downwards throughout the years, merely to this day, Decease Note is as relevant as ever. Fifty-fifty after the series ended, it'due south maintained a steady pulse in the anime world with live-action films, a tv drama, musicals, light novels, and more than. Now, with the inclusion of a spin-off manga, new fans are getting in on the hype as well.

5 One Slice'due south Ongoing Story Remains Pop With Fans

The cover of Vol. 38 of the One Piece manga.

One Piece has been around since the late '90s, and it'due south withal 1 of the most popular anime of all fourth dimension. With over 1,000 episodes, it'southward still ongoing and adored by fans of all ages. Despite being on air for so long, the serial has managed to go along its audience invested with exciting arcs and many lovable characters. It'south 1 of anime's Big 3 and so far, nothing has knocked information technology from its rightful throne. Information technology's a daunting series for newcomers to take on, but long-fourth dimension fans urge anyone to give information technology a try. Chances are, equally long equally I Piece's story remains unfinished, fans will keep coming dorsum no affair how long information technology takes.

4 Sailor Moon Raised A Generation Of Fans

An image of Sailor Moon on the Season 1 Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack.

Information technology's hard to deny Crewman Moon'south significant impact on anime. Since its debut, information technology has influenced countless serial and is ane of the most recognizable anime worldwide. It's been around for decades, but Sailor Moon has nonetheless reigned supreme and stayed relevant throughout the years. The original 90s adaptation was a gateway series for many old-schoolhouse anime fans. And now, newer generations become to experience Usagi'due south magic and charm through the Crewman Moon Crystal series. With ii anime adaptations, several movies, phase plays, live-action shows, and even video games, it'south difficult to picture a globe where Sailor Moon isn't an anime phenomenon.

3 Avatar: The Last Airbender Is A Timeless Masterpiece

Team Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Anyone who loves animation volition concur that Avatar: The Final Airbender is one of the finest examples of genius the medium has to offering. Though it's now almost two decades one-time, the series remains one of the greatest Western cartoons of all time. Long later its conclusion, fans never got over the incredible journey of Aang and his friends.

With beautiful settings, skillful animation, and amazingly well-written characters, it's a timeless classic that audiences of any historic period tin can love. With its sequel series, The Legend of Korra, the upcoming Netflix live-activity remake, and the creation of Avatar Studios, it'southward clear that the Avatar franchise is hither to stay, giving fans even more to love.

2 Naruto's Legacy Still Continues

An image from Vol. 1 of the Naruto manga.

Naruto was ane of the biggest anime of the 2000s, fifty-fifty earning a identify as 1 of the Big 3 of the fourth dimension. For a while, it seemed like the series would keep forever, then when Naruto finally concluded in 2014, it was a big deal. However, Naruto's story was far from over, as many would presently realize. Subsequently the original series ended, Naruto passed the torch over to a new series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. While many fans complain that Boruto pales in comparing to its predecessor, many can't assist only melody in anyway. Though Boruto has taken the helm as the protagonist, fans remain loyal to Naruto, and most are more than invested in his story than his son's.

1 Pokémon Is Loved By Fans Of All Ages

An image of Pokémon.

If there's one anime serial with no signs of ever catastrophe, it's Pokémon. Afterward its debut in the '90s, Pokémon speedily exploded into popularity, and it hasn't slowed down since. With a current total of 25 series and over ane,000 episodes, Pokémon has get a huge franchise over the years. It'southward a series that transcends generations, finding fans of all ages and backgrounds. Based on the incredibly popular video game franchise, the series is a global success and is known by just about everyone. With both the series and the games all the same successful, it's unlikely that Pokémon's reign volition come to an terminate any fourth dimension soon.