Defining a Genre: The Most Important Anime of All Time

To declare one anime the “most important” of all time is a monumental task. The medium is a vast tapestry of genres, styles, and narratives, each with its own legacy. However, when we look beyond mere popularity and focus on cultural impact, artistic innovation, and influence on the industry, a few names rise above the rest. These are the shows that didn’t just entertain; they broke new ground, defined entire genres, and changed the way we think about animation as an art form. While series like Astro Boy laid the foundational groundwork, and others like Pokémon and Sailor Moon brought anime into the Western mainstream, a select few stand out for their transformative power. Here are the anime that are in the conversation for being the single most important of all time.

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Deconstruction That Saved Anime

No discussion about influential anime is complete without Neon Genesis Evangelion. Released in 1995, this series was a bold and audacious deconstruction of the “mecha” genre. It took the tropes of giant robots piloted by heroic teenagers and turned them inside out, exploring the psychological trauma, existential dread, and emotional instability of its characters. The series famously struggled with budget constraints, leading to abstract and mind-bending final episodes that forced viewers to confront the deeper themes of the show. Evangelion‘s influence can be seen in countless works that followed, from the character archetypes it popularized to its focus on psychological introspection. It proved that anime could be a mature, thought-provoking medium, and its willingness to tackle complex themes of depression, loneliness, and human connection cemented its place as a masterpiece. It can be argued that Evangelion didn’t just deconstruct a genre; it saved anime by showing a path forward for more ambitious and mature storytelling, leaving a legacy that is still felt in media today, from games like Xenogears to shows like Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

2. Dragon Ball Z: The Shōnen Blueprint

While Neon Genesis Evangelion changed the landscape for more mature audiences, Dragon Ball Z was a global phenomenon that fundamentally shaped the shōnen genre and brought anime to the Western mainstream. Its explosive action, epic power-ups, and long-running story arcs became the blueprint for nearly every major shōnen anime that followed. The series popularized tropes like the “tournament arc,” the idea of “power-up transformations” (like the Super Saiyan form), and the concept of a hero’s rival (like Vegeta) who slowly becomes an ally. Its influence is so pervasive that it’s difficult to find a shōnen anime that doesn’t borrow at least one of its ideas. Dragon Ball Z’s success on television, especially on platforms like Toonami, was a crucial factor in the growth of anime’s popularity outside of Japan. It was the “gateway anime” for an entire generation of fans, and without it, the modern anime industry as we know it would likely not exist. While some of its conventions may seem cliché today, that’s only because Dragon Ball Z invented them, solidifying its place as a cultural titan.

3. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Birth of Real Robot Mecha

Before Mobile Suit Gundam, mecha anime was dominated by “Super Robots”—invincible machines with fantastical powers, often piloted by a clear-cut hero. But in 1979, Gundam revolutionized the genre by introducing the “Real Robot” concept. It presented its giant robots, known as “Mobile Suits,” as realistic military machines with limited ammunition, vulnerable parts, and a need for maintenance. The show was a complex and mature story about the horrors of war, political intrigue, and the moral ambiguity of combat. It focused on the human characters, their flaws, and the devastating consequences of their actions. The series’ influence extends far beyond the mecha genre, with its themes of war, peace, and the human condition becoming a constant source of inspiration for countless creators. Gundam is a franchise that has a cultural footprint that is hard to measure, from its massive sales of Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) to the creation of real-life, life-sized Gundam statues in Japan. It proved that a children’s cartoon could tackle adult themes, and in doing so, it laid the groundwork for a new wave of anime that would change the medium forever.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy of Innovation

While there are many other contenders for the most important anime of all time—including the pioneering work of Astro Boy, the global success of Pokémon, and the artistic masterpiece that is Spirited Away—the trio of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Dragon Ball Z, and Mobile Suit Gundam stands out for their transformative power. They each, in their own way, pushed the boundaries of what anime could be, whether it was through psychological depth, genre-defining conventions, or a new level of thematic maturity. Their legacies are not just in the shows they influenced but in the very fabric of the medium itself. They are the cornerstones of anime’s history, and without their bold innovations, the landscape of modern entertainment would look very different today.