Naruto is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, anime in the world. The series started airing in 2002, and since then, it has grown into a massive franchise that is globally adored. Naruto has a lot of amazing characters and an incredible story, and both are major reasons why the anime became so well-known. Despite the anime ending in 2017, people still talk about it and even compare it to other titles.
10 Anime Almost As Iconic as One Piece
One Piece is monumental, but so are these other anime series.
However, Naruto is not the only iconic anime. There are several other titles that are just as famous and loved by anime fans. With that in mind, here are some anime that are venerated like Naruto.
This post contains spoilers for several anime.
One Piece
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.73
If there is any anime that comes close to Naruto’s popularity in the last few decades, it’s One Piece. The anime premiered in 1999 and has released more than 1100 episodes since. One Piece is a global phenomenon that has collaborated with other major franchises. The series has even received a live-action adaptation, which shows how famous it is nowadays.
One Piece follows the story of charismatic Monkey D. Luffy as he explores the seas in his quest to become the King of the Pirates. During his adventures, Luffy finds several people who ally with him. Together, they travel to different islands and beat powerful enemies.
Bleach
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.99
Bleach is a part of the Big 3 along with One Piece and Naruto. Based on Tite Kubo’s manga of the same name, Bleach has a devout and loyal fan base. Even though the anime ended in 2012, Bleach fans didn’t give up and waited patiently for updates regarding their beloved series. Finally, in 2022, Bleach made a comeback with the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, which successfully rekindled the series’ popularity.
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Bleach narrates the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who ends up becoming a soul reaper. Due to being inexperienced, Ichigo has to undergo a lot of training before he is ready to face the biggest Hollows. As the story progresses, Ichigo gains new powers and faces new enemies, resulting in several high-octane fights. All these things make Bleach an exciting series.
My Hero Academia
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.78
My Hero Academia’s final season ended in 2025, and it was loved by viewers. In fact, every episode of the last season earned a rating of 9 and above, which is a rarity in itself. After the conclusion of season 8, My Hero Academia will return with one more episode in 2026, which will focus on the aftermath of the final arc and reveal the current status of every main character.
My Hero Academia follows the life of Midoriya Izuku, who dreams of becoming a pro-hero just like his idol, All Might. However, there is one problem—Midoriya is quirkless, meaning he cannot fight villains. Despite lacking a Quirk, Midoriya doesn’t give up on his goal entirely. Then one fateful day, luck swings in his favor, and Midoriya gains the power that could change the world.
Jujutsu Kaisen
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.72
Jujutsu Kaisen has released two seasons so far, and a third is on the way. Even though the anime hasn’t released hundreds of episodes, it has grown into an iconic series. Jujutsu Kaisen is adored by millions of people, who are always looking forward to the next anime project. The popularity is reflected in the manga as well, which has sold more than 100 million copies. When JJK Season 3 finally hits streaming platforms, the series’ fame will only increase.
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A shonen epic, Naruto delivers action, great characters, and humor. Fans looking for something new to watch should check out these anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen is set in a world where curses attack and kill humans. To counter their threat, a specific group of people who are able to utilize curse energy band together. At the center of attention is the high schooler, Itadori Yuji, who willingly swallows one of the most dangerous cursed items, and puts the entire world’s safety in jeopardy. This leads to Gojo Satoru stepping in and taking matters into his own hands.
Dragon Ball
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.98
Dragon Ball revolutionized the anime industry and paved the way for other shonen anime. The anime is based on Akira Toriyama’s manga, which is one of the best-selling titles in the world. Dragon Ball may not have the most riveting story, but fans still respect it because of its impact on the industry.
Dragon Ball covers the story of Son Goku, an extraterrestrial, who ends up on Earth. Due to his naivety, Goku often finds himself in trouble, but his monstrous strength bails him out. Goku spends most of his time training, fighting, and exploring the world.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
MyAnimeList Rating: 8.07
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a unique series, as it is not a single anime but rather divided into several parts, with each one focusing on a different hero and villain. Due to this reason, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has a strong cast of characters, and many of them are global icons.
As previously stated, the anime is split into multiple parts, so to save confusion, the list only mentions the synopsis of the last animated part, which was Stone Ocean. In this particular part, Jolyne Cujoh is at the crux of things. After a bizarre case, she ends up getting locked inside a prison. However, it isn’t until later that she realizes that it was all part of a devious plan.
