One Piece, Naruto, Bleach. These three anime have come to be known as the “Big 3” in anime. Occasionally, some fans will try to contest this assertion. But it’s not a debate, it’s not subjective, and there will never be another trio like the Big 3.
So, what makes these three anime so definitive as to earn this title (one of only two widely recognized, the other being the dark trio, which is based off of the Big 3). There is a plethora of reasons I could point too: popularity, writing, fame, highs, longevity. But the one, unwavering (and not up for debate) reason is that these three shows dominated the anime world throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, helping to define what many consider the “golden era” of shonen anime. Here is an article outlining the staggering sales these series amassed: Why The Big Three Of Shonen Anime Won’t Be Dethroned Anytime Soon (gamerant.com). They set a standard for action-packed storytelling, complex characters, and endless adventure.
Let’s start with Naruto. Created by Masashi Kishimoto and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump starting in 1999, Naruto tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja with dreams of becoming the strongest ninja, the Hokage. What really sets Naruto apart is how iconic and well-known it is. Second only to Pokémon, Naruto is without a doubt the (second) most popular anime ever, period. The emotional backstories and powerful fight scenes, combined with its memorable characters like Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, made Naruto one of the most beloved anime series of all time.
Next up is One Piece, which remains a juggernaut in the anime world. Created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, it follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of pirates on their journey to find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and become the Pirate King. What makes One Piece special is its story and its world building. One piece is considered to have some of the best worldbuilding in all of anime. The blend of adventure, humor, and emotional storytelling has kept fans hooked for decades, making it one of the longest-running and highest-grossing franchises in anime history.
Finally, Bleach, created by Tite Kubo, brought a supernatural twist to the shonen formula. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2001, Bleach tells the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who becomes a Soul Reaper and is tasked with protecting the world from evil spirits. Bleach stood out for its darker themes, stylish character designs, and intense sword battles. Although the anime concluded in 2012, Bleach maintained a massive fanbase and made a triumphant return in 2022 with the adaptation of the final arc, Thousand-Year Blood War.
Together, these three series redefined what shonen anime could be, influencing countless other series that followed. They all share core themes of self-discovery, teamwork, and pushing beyond one’s limits, but each brings its own unique style and flair. Whether you’re a fan of Naruto’s journey to becoming Hokage, Luffy’s grand pirate adventure, or Ichigo’s supernatural battles, the Big 3 left an undeniable mark on anime and continue to inspire new generations of fans.
I have watched some Anime but not a lot, including all of Naruto and some of Bleach. I hear people arguing about the “big 3” and which show is better. Regardless of which is the best (I think Naruto is the best), all three have had a major impact on the anime audience and continue to do so. How would you rank the “big 3,” using your personal opinion?
Great point! All three shows are influential in their own way. Personally, I’m a big One Piece fan. My ranking of the three shows would probably be: 1. One Piece 2. Naruto 3. Bleach.
This was really interesting to read because as someone who doesn’t know much about anime, it is cool to hear about what is most popular in the industry. Although I haven’t watched any anime, I actually have heard of one of the Big 3, Naruto, from social media. It is cool that there are so many different types of anime and so many different shows and plots, and it makes me wonder if this Big 3 is universally accepted or if some others would disagree.