Best Anime Series of All Time

List of the best anime series ever made. The blanket term "anime" in the US can refer to any animation originating in Japan, and specifically differentiates a few aspects of Japanese animation from more Western styles. (This includes the Japanese propensity to feature adult themes and stories in animation, as opposed to Western "cartoons" aimed primarily at children, as well as the exaggerated, fantasy-oriented and colorful style of Japanese animated visuals.) "Anime" can refer either to animated films or TV series, furthering the confusion. (Anime is often incorrectly used to refer to Japanese comic books as well. These are actually known as "manga," though many anime series are based on or inspired by popular manga.)

Anime TV series first found popularity outside of Japan in the 1980s and have continued to find larger and larger audiences in the West. A number of anime shows originating in Japan - such as "Cowboy Bebop" or "Dragon Ball Z" - have found enthusiastic audiences for dubbed versions in English speaking countries. ("Pokemon," a series inspired by Nintendo's blockbuster series of video games, has been an ongoing hit franchise in both Japan and the US.) The anime style has grown so popular in the US, it has stared to significantly influence the style and aesthetics of American animation. Shows such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender," "Afro Samurai" and "Samurai Jack" have borrowed heavily from anime in terms of pacing, subject matter and design.

This list collects the best Japanese anime TV series of all time. American series that have been influenced by anime, such as "Avatar: The Last Airbender," are not included.