I'm Japanese, and I’ve always been curious—I suspect that the "fan favorites" in Japan might be quite different from what's popular overseas.
While I know there are some h******* fans here who dig deep into the niche stuff, I’d love to hear from everyone: **What is your favorite anime title, and what exactly makes it so special to you?**
Ranking Of Kings. it's great. the story-telling, world-building, character design, art style, animation. all of it is amazing imo
4
xiggy_stardustApr 1, 2026
+3
Yuyu Hakusho
3
gamingthreadlurkerApr 1, 2026
+2
Same
2
suzume1310Apr 1, 2026
+3
Apothecary diaries is amazing and probably my current favourite. But honestly, it changes based on my mood and stuff
3
FixedFrontApr 1, 2026
+2
I love Sailor Moon beyond comprehension. Specifically thr '90s anime (though the live-action PGSM is also baller).
Recently I watched the Gunsmith Cats OAV, and my girlfriend is showing me the Birdy the Mighty OAV. We're also watching Ebichu (which I loved in the early naughties, and it still holds up two decades later). My boyfriend is showing me Death Note, and he's showing the whole polycule Frieren. We did the same for Dunmeshi as it came out. And I'm watching Rinne no Lagrange with another girlfriend. Watching more anime now than ever. But Sailor Moon is still the queen of my heart.
2
jmj666Apr 1, 2026
+2
Its between Cowboy Bebop and Mob Psycho.
2
FunnyLoud3067Apr 1, 2026
+2
Jujustiu kaisen
2
Thin_Basil850Apr 1, 2026
+2
Can I say Avatar?
If not, it changes pretty frequently but Frieren was my most recent favorite. Demon Slayer before that.
2
Neither-Employee6848Apr 1, 2026
+1
Gotta be Attack on Titan. It just kept getting crazier every season—story, twists, characters, everything kept leveling up. Rare to see an anime stay that intense from start to finish.
But I know this is gonna start a war… what’s everyone else picking?q
1
noi3asyhApr 1, 2026
+1
For me it's Steins;Gate and I don't think I need to explain why. I'm just gonna say that I played the visual novel first and watched the anime later.
1
irdk-lolApr 1, 2026
+1
vinland saga 😍
i love the second season. the character developments is top tier.
1
pastelchannlApr 1, 2026
+1
sailor moon (90's version) because of nostalgia.
digimon adventure 2020 because it was one of the better remakes of the original
Given is one of my favorite BL (and the music is fire)
sk8 the infinity is just cool as hell (also BL coded to hell and back)
Nana and Paradise Kiss because they are just so emotionally intense (and Nana has the coolest music)
1
FurtiveshapeApr 1, 2026
+1
Golgo 13.
1
thepixelmurdererApr 1, 2026
+1
For me it has to be Clannad. It's such a wonderful story, Maeda is an amazing writer.
1
left4chedApr 1, 2026
+1
Three way tie between Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Revolutionary Girl Utena.
They each have such an atmosphere about them and they each handle the themes of loneliness and connection in different ways.
1
VizthApr 1, 2026
+1
Last exile. Love the design of the airships.
Ghost in the Shell standalone complex would be a close second.
1
gamingthreadlurkerApr 1, 2026
+1
Demon Slayer, Black clover, inyusha, Hells Paradise, The Apothecary Diaries, Naruto, Boruto, Black Torch, One piece, yu yu hakusho, yu gi oh, dragon ballz, etc
I love romance!!
1
grimphant0m23Apr 1, 2026
+1
For me it is between fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood and code geass.
I really like the story, the themes, and especially the ending. In particular the music also sticks with you for a long time. I dont understand the lyrics but I still listen to it a decade down the line!
1
ShrimptankglassfaunaApr 1, 2026
+1
The Law of Ueki
1
sincerevibesonlyApr 1, 2026
+1
To your eternity
1
KrassKasApr 1, 2026
+1
Samurai Champloo
1
dsarche12Apr 1, 2026
+1
My Hero Academia or Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Both are what I consider to be perfect stories. The animation is amazing, the music is excellent, and the storylines are so cohesive and tight. Just amazing.
Dorohedoro is a close second!
1
bitter_personwApr 1, 2026
+1
Hunter X Hunter
1
cKypeApr 1, 2026
+1
Attack on titan
1
Rad_Mint17Apr 1, 2026
I've followed AOT since its first anime release. That could be it. And also, my first love is Fairytail but I'm a casual follower now. Even though its theme of friendship is repetitive, I love the different magic they have.
0
Dry_Macaroons_fanApr 1, 2026
-1
THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!! I know it's a cliche, but One Piece is my absolute favorite! When I was a huge depression, this show got me through it. It has such good comedy and drama, especially pre-time skip. The fights are so awesome (Luffy Gear 5 vs. Kaido), and how the show alludes to actual history and politics is so intriguing as well! The animation gets so much better later. I know it's sooooo long, but it's totally worth it!!
-1
suzume1310Apr 1, 2026
+1
Same here! I only started watching as a teen but it helped me through some tough time <3
1
BeatleProfApr 1, 2026
-9
People have favorite cartoons?
-9
Lottie_LowApr 1, 2026
+3
Yes
3
1ncredibr0Apr 1, 2026
+2
Absolutely. Why would it be any different than having a favorite movie or a favorite musician? Anime is just a medium, and the shows encapsulate all genres, not just shows and themes for kids.
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