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These seven longest-running anime series have charmed audiences for decades with their storytelling magic.
Has anyone ever imagined a television series running since before its current viewers were born? It sounds impossible, right? Yet, it’s true in the anime world.
Anime-verse’s storytelling knows no bounds, and some series seem to be time-defying. Most shows struggle to hold the interest of the fans beyond a few seasons, whereas some of these longest-running anime maintained audiences for a long time. Since their airing, they have made back-to-back episodes and movies.
Let us count down the 7 longest-running series that stood the test of time and earned a place in our hearts.
7 Longest-running Anime
7. Doraemon– 26 Years of Robotic Cat Adventures
Creator: Fujiko F. Fujio
One of the children’s iconic anime characters, Doraemon is perhaps a cultural legend of Japan. Doraemon, a blue robotic cat from the future, has been entertaining generations of fans since 1979. He is also known as the Mickey Mouse of the East, like its counterpart. I think everyone knows how popular Doraemon is among children, not only in Japan but the whole world.
Creator, Fujiko F. Fujio made the series follow the hilarious adventures of Doraemon and his human friend Nobita Nobi. Doraemon can pull futuristic gadgets out of a magic pocket whenever Nobita needs help. That’s his superpower.
The original series ended in 2005 with 1787 episodes and 30 specials. But guess what? Doraemon’s popularity never stopped. New series and movies continue to be produced for new generations of viewers.
Just as Sin-Chan is not considered an anime, Doraemon also falls into that category. Which is not true for both cases. He is a childhood companion and a source of nostalgia for every viewer.
6. Pokemon – 27 Years of Catching Them All
Creator: Satoshi Tajiri
From the beginning, the series shows a non-stop journey of Ash Ketchum and his most trusty Pikachu through various Pokemon regions. It started as a simple video game in 1996 which exploded into a long-running anime series for 27 years. Many have wanted to become the “very best” and earn the title of the Pokemon Master in their childhood.
The series took a major turn after Ash completed his goal of becoming a Pokemon Master. A new generation of trainers took the spotlight after him.
With 1200+ episodes and 23 animated films, Pokemon has become the most successful video game adaptation in the anime industry. Its influence extends beyond just the show—there are video games, trading cards, merchandise, and spin-offs.
5. Case Closed (Detective Conan) – 28 Years of Mystery Solving
Creator: Gosho Aoyama
Talk about a wild premise! Detective Conan has been a go-to anime for an anime lover who loves the mystery-solving genre.
It follows Jimmy Kudo (now using the alias Conan Edogawa), a detective who gets transformed into a child after being poisoned by a mysterious criminal organization. As an elementary school kid, Jimmy does not let his new body stop him from solving complex crimes.
With more than 1100 episodes and 27 movies, it has become the ultimate mystery anime. The episodes are just like a mini-detective novel, filled with cleverness, twists, and suspense.
The ongoing plot of Jimmy trying to return to his original body while helping the police still keeps viewers hooked. It proves that a good mystery never goes out of style.
4. Nintama Rantaro – 31 Years of Nina School Shenanigans
Creator: N/A
Long before Naruto and Boruto, this Ninja School comedy anime has been making Japanese viewers laugh since 1993. Set in the Sengoku era, the show depicts how hilariously awful Rantaro and his fellow ninja-in-training are at being ninjas.
At the Ninjutsu Academy, instead of becoming stealthy warriors, they are more of chaos and laugh-out-loud moment creators.
The episodes are packed with references to traditional Japanese life, making it the longest-running anime in entertainment and educational content. The show has become a staple of NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, and has produced 2321 episodes in 10-minute segments.
Though aimed at children, Nintama Rantaro’s charm appeals to all ages.
3. Dragon Ball – 38 Years of Saiyan Saga
Creator: Akira Toriyama
Dragon Ball changed the entire landscape of action animation. Since 1986, we have been cheering for Goku and his friends through epic battles and power-ups. Dragon Ball’s characters have become absolute legends in pop culture.
From the original series to Dragon Ball Super, and now Dragon Ball Daima, the franchise has continuously kept things fresh with amazing fight scenes. Who can forget Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation or his battles against the iconic villains Frieza and Cell?
Dragon Ball has its own world-building and character development like Vegeta, who started as a villain and became one of the beloved characters in anime. It has 21 animated films and over 600 episodes across multiple series. It’s influenced everything from martial arts to fitness culture. Even many manga creators of popular series like One Piece took inspiration from this particular series.
2. Gundam – 45 Years of Mecha Madness
Creator: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Since 1979, the Gundam franchise has been taking viewers on incredible journeys through interplanetary wars and human conflict through the lens of gigantic robotic machines.
Unlike other mecha series that treat robots like superheroes, Gundam presents them as mechanical suits used for realistic military technology. Each series takes fans to different timelines, conflicts, and sets of characters, keeping the franchise fresh.
The franchise has more than 20 different series and over 30 movies. It has different iconic series like Gundam Wing and Zeta Gundam, each bringing something unique to the table.
Mobile suit model kits alone have become a massive hobby for collectors and fans.
1. Sazae-San – 54 Years of Family Life
Creator: Machiko Hasegawa
Talking about the longest-running anime, Sazae-San does not just top the list—it is way ahead of the competition. Running since 1969, this slice-of-life series has defined family entertainment for generations. Also, the series has been a Sunday tradition in Japan. When considering international audiences, this series is almost unfamiliar to Western audiences, but due to its long run and its popularity within its origin place, it has been placed here.
The series depicts Sazae Fuguta and her everyday life in suburban Japan. It might sound simple, but that’s exactly its charm. It even forged a term called “Sazae-san Syndrome”—the depression people feel when the weekend ends and a new work week begins.
The style of animation still remains unchanged, and the stories are simple and relatable. With 2640+ episodes, the series set a world record for the longest-running animated TV series.
Conclusion
The anime series mentioned above, from the tremendous adventures of Doraemon to the epic battles of Dragon Ball and the everyday charm of Sazae-San, have connected with viewers in their own way. These longest-running anime have evolved and survived changing technologies, shifting landscapes, and multiple generations of viewers.
For anime fanatics, these series are something exceeding entertainment. So, here’s to the shows that keep going and the characters that feel like old friends.
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