Anime continues to have a massive impact around the world, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the medium has changed lives and given audiences one or two life lessons along the way. With time, the industry has become highly profitable globally, and its popularity grows with every passing year and each new hit series released.
At the heart of this popularity are, of course, the many authors and staff members who put their hearts into their projects. New anime series are released on a monthly basis, but many classics still remain at the forefront of fans' minds. It may be shocking to learn that some of these legendary series are celebrating their 20th birthday this year, given how wildly popular they remain in 2026.
The impact of Death Note is felt to this very day. Its dark and thrilling story follows the high schooler Light Yagami, who comes into possession of a mysterious notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written within its pages.
The anime effectively shows that Light has no equal, but the detective L soon gets involved, who proves himself to be a genius of the same caliber. This marks the beginning of the cat-and-mouse game between the two in order to see who will come out on top. Death Note has a phenomenal story, and each episode has twists and turns that keep viewers on edge.
Code Geass also happens to follow a genius protagonist. Lelouch Lamperouge is a boy who hates the world around him, swearing to someday change it and overthrow the empire that has made things the way they are. While the main character isn't the strongest, he offsets this with his incredible mental prowess.
While brute strength isn't Lelouch's strong suit, there are plenty of fighters throughout the series who keep things fresh. The anime also introduces many interesting side characters throughout the story, who contribute in one way or another to its unforgettable conclusion.
Gintama remains a mega-hit due to its amazing cast of characters and its comical nature. While it could easily pass off as a comedy anime, Gintama is actually one of the best adventure sci-fi series of all time. During its lengthy 201-episode run, it made audiences experience just about every single emotion known to man.
Gintama follows the life of Gintoki Sakata, who gets by doing odd jobs with his partners. The series is known for its parodies of famous pop culture franchises, spanning from One Piece to Star Wars. It's become a timeless masterpiece with many tricks up its sleeve, which makes the series just as enjoyable as it is rewatchable.
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