20 Longest-Running Anime Of All Time

The title of longest-running anime is a surprisingly difficult question to answer, if only because there are so many anime that have continuously aired episodes for decades. As long-running favorites such as One Piece and Case Closed (also known as Detective Conan) sail past the thousand-episode mark, viewers marvel at the staying power of anime.

Whether these series and franchises are some of the most famous of all time, such as One Piece, or more obscure to Western fans, like Crayon Shin-chan, they all have something that has kept audiences coming back to them for decades. Other anime come and go, but these series have stood the test of time.

20

Gintama (2006-2010), Aired for 4 Years

Produced by Sunrise, based on the manga by Hideaki Sorachi

Coming in at 201 episodes is Gintama, which follows the unusual samurai Gintoki Sakata as he travels, performing odd jobs and selling services in an alternate history version of Edo-period Japan, where aliens known as Amanto have begun an invasion. He’s joined on his adventures by Shinpachi, whose sister he saved and who decided to become his apprentice, and an alien girl named Kagura, who possesses super-strength.

The series is primarily a comedy, heavy on gags, and even breaking the fourth wall on occasion. With laughs, solid action, a surreal setting, and an oddly compelling plot, Gintama proved it deserved its longevity.

19

Yo-kai Watch (2014-2018), Aired for 4 Years

Produced by OLM, Inc. based on the Video Games by Level 5

With 214 episodes in its original series, Yo-Kai Watch is based on the video games of the same name, and follows Nate Adams, who accidentally frees a Yo-Kai, Whisper, from a capsule machine. In gratitude, Whisper gives Nate a Yo-Kai Watch, a device that will allow him to summon various Yo-Kai, provided he has befriended them and received a medal from them. Accompanied by the cat Yo-Kai known as Jibanyan, Nate meets other Yo-Kai, both friendly and not, and uses their powers both in battle and to help people.

Yo-Kai Watch is undoubtedly for kids, and seems constructed to have been a rival to Pokémon. While it never reached those heights, it’s had a fair degree of success, with numerous spin-off series and a number of video games released.

18

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000-2004), Aired for 4 Years

Produced by Studio Gallop, based on the manga series written by Kazuki Takahashi

With 224 episodes, the original Yu-Gi-Oh! makes for an interesting entry in the longest-running anime competition. The story follows Yugi Muto, a young boy in possession of a mysterious ancient puzzle which he assembles, causing him to develop another persona, commonly known as “Yami Yugi.” Yugi is a top-tier player of the card game Duel Monsters, and after defeating his greatest rival, is approached by a villain who stole his grandfather’s soul using another ancient artifact. Yugi is forced to enter a high-stakes tournament in order to defeat this foe and win his grandfather’s soul back.

Full of absurd action sequences and some occasionally baffling card games, Yu-Gi-Oh! was a major hit in the early 2000s, and sparked a massive franchise full of follow-up series that are also quite long runners, such as Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s and Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.

17

Dr. Slump Arale-Chan (1981-1986) Aired for 5 years

Produced by Toei Animation, based on the original series by Akira Toriyama

At 243 episodes, Dr. Slump Arale-Chan is yet another series by Akira Toriyama, based on his manga that he worked on before Dragon Ball. It follows the android child Arale, created by an inventor named Senbei Norimaki, who aimed to make the perfect little girl robot. A comedy, Arale gets up to all manner of hijinks as she explores Penguin Village and the world beyond, and the series even has a crossover with Dragon Ball at one point, with Goku visiting Penguin Village during the original anime.

A gag series full of puerile humor and puns, Dr. Slump Arale-Chan is a comedy that’s sure to cause just about any viewer to crack a smile, and because of its gag-based nature, there’s very little continuity to worry about.

16

Dragon Ball Z (1989 – 1996) Aired for 7 Years

Produced by Toei Animation, based on the original series by Akira Toriyama

Dragon Ball Z

Release Date

1989 – 1995

Directors

Daisuke Nishio

Writers

Akira Toriyama, Takao Koyama

Stream

Surprisingly short compared to other long-running series – and its reputation – Dragon Ball Z sits at 291 episodes after running for seven years, and is one of the most recognizable entries of the shonen franchise. Dragon Ball Z picks up five years after the conclusion of the original Dragon Ball, opening with the Saiyan Saga, an iconic arc in shonen anime history that reintroduced Dragon Ball fans to Son Goku and his son, Gohan.

While it would be easy to lump all the Dragon Ball franchise’s anime adaptations together to celebrate just how long the anime has been ongoing, it’s also important to remember just how different each of these entries are, and how the distinctions between them shape the greater narrative in Dragon Ball‘s lengthy and beloved history.

15

Fairy Tail (2009-2019), Aired for 10 Years

Produced by A-1 Pictures, Dentsu Inc., Satelight, Bridge, and CloverWorks, based on the Manga by Hiro Mashima

Fairy Tail

Release Date

2009 – 2018

Directors

Shinji Ishihira

Writers

Hiro Mashima, Masashi Sogo

Stream

Coming in at 328 episodes is Fairy Tail. Fairy Tail follows the story of Natsu Dragneel, a dragon-slaying member of a wizarding guild known as Fairy Tail, as he explores the land in search of a dragon, Igneel, who is actually his long-lost father. Natsu is joined on his quest by the likes of young wizard Lucy Heartfilia, the cat-like Happy, and eventually, the ice wizard Gray Fullbuster, mage knight Erza Scarlet, and Wendy Marvell, a fellow dragon slayer.

The series is known for its wacky action and whimsical setting, but also for having substantial fight scenes and dramatic moments. With a sequel, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest currently running, the franchise only stands to get longer.

14

Sgt. Frog (2004 – 2014) Aired for 10 Years

Produced by Studio Sunrise, based on the original manga by Mine Yoshizaki

Boasting nearly 400 episodes over its entire run, Sgt. Frog is an anime that, while more niche to western audiences, is adorably iconic back in Japan. The series follows a small troupe of frog-like aliens occupying the planet Earth from their home planet, Keron. While the adorably unassuming aliens want to eventually conquer Earth, each of their attempts ends in failure, instead leading to slapstick hijinks involving the human characters.

Filled with adorable puns about frogs (ex., Planet Keron being named after the Japanese word for a frog’s ribbit, kero), and a generally wholesome sense of humor, it’s easy to forget just how many episodes there actually are in the anime.

13

Bleach (2004 – 2012), Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War (2022 – Present) 15 Years Airing

Produced by Studio Pierrot, based on the original manga by Tite Kubo

Bleach

Release Date

2006 – 2022

Showrunner

Tite Kubo

Cast

• 

  Johnny Yong Bosch

  Ulquiorra (voice)

• 

  Michelle Ruff

  Ryūsei ‘Kenryū’ Kenzaki (voice)

• 

  Stephanie Sheh

  Ugaki (voice)

• 

Stream

Despite not quite measuring up to the other members of the “Big 3” shonen series of its time in terms of episode count, Bleach still maintains a spot as one of the longest-running anime of all time, especially considering how the series has made a huge comeback in the way of the ongoing Thousand Year Blood War, adapting the series’ final arc.

Following Ichigo and the other members of the Soul Society, Bleach is iconic for not only being one of the first anime to find mainstream success with western anime fans, but also by influencing new age shonen mangaka like Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Gege Akutami.

12

Naruto (2002 – 2017), Aired For 15 Years

Produced by Studio Pierrot, based on the original manga by Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto

Release Date

2002 – 2006

Showrunner

Masashi Kishimoto

Directors

Hayato Date

Stream

One of the original shonen ‘Big 3″, Naruto has had a lasting impact on the anime and manga industries, inspiring modern talent and influencing the direction of modern Shonen Jump titles. The series follows the titular Naruto Uzumaki, a young boy shunned by the people in his home village. Despite aspiring to someday become the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, he faces a constant uphill battle learning that his body is the host of the Nine-Tailed Beast, and setting himself on a quest to bring back his friend and rival Sasuke Uchiha that shapes the main, driving plot of the story for decades.

With over 720 episodes between Naruto and the anime’s sequel, Naruto: Shippuden, the anime has solidified itself as being one of the most iconic anime ever produced, even if much of its episode count is padded out by non-canon filler content.

11

One Piece (1999 – Present), 24 Years Airing

Animated By Toei Animation & Based on the Manga By Eiichiro Oda

One Piece

Release Date

October 20, 1999

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou

Cast

• 

  Mayumi Tanaka

  Monkey D. Luffy (voice)

• 

  Kazuya Nakai

  Roronoa Zoro (voice)

• 

  Akemi Okamura

  Nami (voice)

• 

Stream

An all-time favorite worldwide, One Piece is based on one of the longest-running manga ever. It is a faithful adaptation with very little filler. Just before his execution, the world’s most notorious pirate, Gol D. Roger, declared that he has hidden his ultimate treasure, the One Piece. Whoever completes the impossible quest and finds the treasure will become the new Pirate King.

As Eiichiro Oda’s manga is still ongoing with no signs of stopping yet, it may well overtake some currently longer anime in the near future. One Piece’s anime began in 1999 and has since produced 1,090 episodes at the time of writing. Time will only tell how far Luffy and the Straw Hats’ story will have stretched when it finally ends.

10

Ojarumaru (1998 – Present), 25 Year Airing

Animated By Gallop & Created By Rin Inumaru

In a strange reverse isekai story, Ojarmaru follows a 5-year-old prince from ancient Japan who falls into a portal that leaves him stranded in present-day Japan. As with most other long-running anime, Ojarmaru is a kids anime with a delightfully juvenile sense of humor. Episode plots typically involve the titular prince being pursued by a trio of oni siblings also sent from the past who are after a powerful scepter Ojarmaru stole.

While adult fans may not find much compelling about the series, it’s clearly earned its place in anime history, as Ojarmaru started in 1998 and has gone on to run for an impressive 2,037 episodes.

9

Doraemon (1979 – 2005), 26 Years Airing

Animated By Shin-Ei Animation & Based on the Manga By Fujiko F. Fujio

Doraemon has long been a staple of the anime medium, with several series bearing the name running for long stretches of time. The 1979 series in particular, however, has managed to garner the longest tenure of the franchise. The 1979 rendition of Doraemon ran for twenty-six years and aired over 1,700 episodes before coming to an end in 2005. Though the series is still far from the longest-running anime’s episode count, the total amount of episodes in the entire Doraemon pantheon is over 3,000.

8

Pokémon (1997 – Present), 27 Years Airing

Animated By OLM & Based on the Video Game Franchise Created By Satoshi Tajiri

Pokémon

Release Date

1997 – 2022

Network

TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

Directors

Kunihiko Yuyama, Daiki Tomiyasu, Jun Owada, Saori Den

Cast

• 

  Rica Matsumoto

  Pikachu (voice)

• 

  Mayumi Iizuka

  Satoshi (voice)

• 
• 

Stream

So long as Pokémon games keep getting made, new seasons of the anime will keep on coming. The young Trainer Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu travel through region after region, catching new Pokémon, making new friends, and winning battle after battle in hopes of becoming a Pokémon Master. The show continues to be a hit worldwide among audiences of all ages, with Pikachu being a favorite in many countries. While its stakes aren’t exactly high, it’s bright, optimistic, and more than fun enough to keep viewers coming back for more.

Ash’s run in the anime ended after 1,232 episodes and 25 years, but a new future for the series has already begun with Pokémon Horizons. Taking into account the new series, Pokemon anime has produced 1,269 episodes since its premiere in 1997​​​​​.

7

Case Closed (1996 – Present), 28 Years Airing

Animated By TMS Entertainment & Based on the Manga By Gosho Aoyama

Case Closed

Release Date

January 8, 1996

Cast

• 

  Minami Takayama

  Conan Edogawa

• 

  Kappei Yamaguchi

  Shinichi Kudo

• 

  Wakana Yamazaki

  Ran Mouri

• 

Shinichi Kudo is a brilliant young detective, already assisting seasoned police on big cases with his lightning-fast analyses. However, with success comes enemies: two criminals attack Shinichi and force-feed him experimental poison. Instead of killing him, the poison turns him into a child, forcing him to adopt a new identity as he continues to try and solve crimes.

It’s a testament to the strength of the show’s writing that viewers are still tuning into Shinichi’s latest cases even as they number over one thousand. Case Closed began in 1996 and has since produced 1110 episodes. While a running thread is Shinichi’s attempt to return to his old body, Case Closed is largely episodic.

6

Chibi Maruko-Chan (1995 – Present), 29 Years Airing

Animated By Nippon Animation & Based on the Manga By Momoko Sakura

Chibi Maruko-chan might technically be a single-season anime, but it will be harder to marathon than the average 12- or 24-episode season. With an episode count well into the thousands, it would take over three weeks to finish the whole thing. Maruko-chan started in 1995 and has since encompassed a staggering 1,417 episodes.

An adaptation of one of the most famous shoujo manga, the children’s show follows Momoko “Maruko” Sakura and her family and friends. It is lighthearted and cute, and is good for both older viewers who are feeling nostalgic and younger viewers who want something simple.

5

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro (1993 – Present), 30 Years Airing

Produced by Studio Kikan & Studio Pierrot

Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō is an animated childrens’ program in Japan that began airing in Japan in 1993, meant to help preschool-aged children learn valuable life lessons and other practical skills and abilities through the life of Shimajiro, a tiger boy attending preschool.

Like other, similar television programs, Shimajiro focuses on teaching the importance of helping one another, knowing how and when to apologize for hurting somebody’s feelings or making a mistake, and making friends. The series has gone through a few different iterations since it began in 1993, but is still going strong today.

4

Nintama Rantarō (1993 – Present), 31 Years Airing

Animated By Ajia-do Animation Works & Based on the Manga By Sōbe Amako

As well-known Japanese broadcaster NHK’s longest-running program, it’s no surprise that Nintama Rantarō is also one of the longest-running anime. The series is about a first-grade boy named Rantarō who attends a ninja school alongside his best friends Kirimaru and Shinbee.

Another comedy-based anime aimed at a younger audience, the series revels in references to Japanese culture. Since it started airing in 1993, Nintama Rantarō has aired 2,321 10-minute segments.

3

Crayon Shin-chan (1992 – Present), 32 Years Airing

Animated By Shin-Ei Animation & Based on the Manga By Yoshito Usui

Crayon Shin-Chan

Release Date

April 13, 1992

Cast

• 

  Yumiko Kobayashi

  Shinchan Nohara #2

• 

  Akiko Yajima

  Shinchan Nohara #1

• 

  Miki Narahashi

  Mitsy Nohara

• 

A slice-of-life anime with some of the most ridiculous character designs in anime, Crayon Shin-chan follows five-year-old Shinnosuke Nohara. A typical troublemaking kid, Shin causes untold amounts of mischief around his hometown with his friends. The series is still airing in Japan, and multiple attempts have been made to dub it in English, though each is mostly incomplete. All the English dubs take considerable liberties with the source material, such as the Vitello Productions dub by adding in even more dirty jokes to an already lewd show.

Crayon Shin-Chan’s anime started in 1992 and has so far produced 1,200 episodes. The series’ juvenile sense of humor has proven quite popular in Japan, more than earning Shin-Chan its incredible staying power.

2

Soreike! Anpanman (1988 – Present), 35 Years Airing

Animated By TMS Entertainment & Based on the Children’s Book By Takashi Yanase

Sorieke! Anpanman follows the adventures of the bean-headed eponymous children’s superhero Anpanman as he battles evil, including the nefarious germ Baikinman. The series is a cultural staple of Japan, with Anpanman becoming one of the most recognizable original characters from Japanese pop culture.

Due to the main character’s prominence in Japanese popular culture, Sorieke! Anpanman has enjoyed a lengthy run as a television series. Beginning its tenure in 1988, Anpanman still continues to this day, with 1,572 episodes.

1

Sazae-San (1969 – Present), 53 Years Airing

Animated By Eiken & Based on the Manga By Machiko Hasegawa

Sazae-San

Release Date

October 5, 1969

Network

Fuji TV

Cast

• 

  Midori Katō

  Katsuo (voice)

• 

  Ichirô Nagai

  Sazae (voice)

• 
• 

Sazae-san doesn’t just outstrip every anime in history in terms of library and longevity, but it is one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, soundly beating heavy hitters like The Simpsons and Doctor Who. It even holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running television animated show ever. Sazae-San started in 1969 and now contains over 2,640 episodes.

The show chronicles the daily lives of housewife Sazae Fuguta and her family, and it is beloved in Japan for its portrayal of a wholesome Japanese lifestyle, with many families still tuning in every Sunday night. It is such a cultural staple that “Sazae-san syndrome” is the recognized term in Japan for depression caused by the end of the weekend and the impending start of a new workweek. With its cultural influence and simple appeal, it’s no wonder that Sazae-San is the longest-running anime in history.