If you’re an anime fan, you’ve probably heard of the “Big 3 anime”. These three anime series, Naruto, Bleach and One Piece, have been dominating the anime industry for decades. Each of these anime series has a massive following and has contributed to the growth of anime culture around the world and established many weebs.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best Big 3 anime. We’ll be looking at the popularity of each anime series, the cultural impact they’ve had, and why they’re considered some of the best anime series of all time. Whether you’re a long-time fan of these anime series or you’re just getting into anime, this article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the Big 3 . So, sit back, relax, and let’s get into the world of anime!
Top Big 3 Animes
As anime enthusiasts, we have watched numerous anime series, but there are a few that have stood the test of time and have become classics. These are the Big 3 animes – Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece.
Bleach
Bleach is a shonen anime that follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts. He becomes a Soul Reaper after an encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper herself. The anime is known for its epic sword fights, amazing character development, and unique storyline.
Naruto
Naruto is a shonen anime that follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who made saying “dattebayo” into his character trait with the dream of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village. The anime is known for its action-packed fight scenes, emotional moments, and various unique characters. Naruto’s journey to become the strongest ninja is filled with obstacles, both physical and emotional, which makes the anime a must-watch for any anime fan.
One Piece
One Piece is a shonen anime that follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate with the ability to stretch his body like rubber. Luffy sets out on a journey to find the One Piece, a legendary treasure that will make him the Pirate King. What sets it apart is its ability to seamlessly blend humor, drama, and action while exploring themes of friendship, freedom, and chasing one’s dreams. Its enduring appeal lies in its captivating storytelling and imaginative universe.
In conclusion, these are the Big 3 animes that every anime fan should watch. They are classics that have stood the test of time and are still loved by fans all over the world. If you call yourelf an anime fan and haven’t even watched these, I have bad news for you. Chances are high your’re missing out the best meme references ever.
Origins of the Big 3
In this section, we’ll take a look at the origins of these three anime and how they rose to fame. And no Goku is not part of that, sadly.
Early Beginnings
The Big 3 anime all started as manga series in the early 2000s. Naruto was created by Masashi Kishimoto and was first published in 1999. Bleach was created by Tite Kubo and began serialization in 2001. One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda, began serialization in 1997. All three manga series were published in Weekly Shonen Jump, a popular manga magazine in Japan.
Rise to Fame
The Big 3 anime gained immense popularity in the mid-2000s, with Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece dominating the front page of Weekly Shonen Jump. Their popularity led to the term “Big 3” being coined to describe the three most popular running series during their golden age in Jump’s mid-2000s period.
Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece were all adapted into anime series, which aired on Japanese television and gained a worldwide following. Bleach ended their anime run in 2012, while Naruto lasted till 2017 and One Piece is still ongoing as of 2024.
The success of the Big 3 anime led to a surge in popularity of shonen anime and manga, with many series following in their footsteps. Today, the Big 3 anime are still beloved by fans and are considered classics in the anime world.
That’s a brief overview of the origins of the Big 3 anime. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at each of the three anime series and what makes them so special.
Defining Features of Big 3 Anime
When it comes to the Big 3 Anime, there are a few defining features that make them stand out from other anime series. All in one the base is pretty much the same: friendship, one big dream of that one special friend which everyone follows and epic fights. In this section, we will discuss some of these features and why they make these anime so popular.
Character Development
One of the most important features of Big 3 Anime is the character development. The protagonists of these anime are well-developed and have a unique personality that sets them apart from other characters. For example, Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto is a character who starts as an underdog and grows to become a powerful ninja. Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach is a character who starts as a human but gains the power of a Soul Reaper and struggles to balance his two identities.
And Luffy? Well, he was a charismatic idiot at the beginning and grew to be a stronger charismatic idiot, being very consistent with his character.
Unique Power Systems
Another defining feature of Big 3 Anime is the unique power systems. Each anime has its own power system that sets it apart from others. For example, Naruto has the concept of chakra, which is a form of energy that can be used to perform jutsu. Bleach has the concept of Zanpakuto, which are swords that have their own unique abilities. One Piece has the concept of Devil Fruits, which grant the user special abilities but also takes away their ability to swim.
Impactful Story Arcs
The Big 3 Anime also have impactful story arcs that keep the viewers engaged. The story arcs are well-written and have a clear beginning, middle, and end. But let’s say Naruto was very generous with its fillers.
The villains in these anime are well-developed and have a clear motive for their actions. Also the fights in these anime are excellent animated for its time and have a clear sense of tension, drama and epicness.
As you can see the Big 3 Anime are popular because of their sophisticated characters, unique power systems, and impactful story arcs. These features make these anime stand out from others and keep the viewers engaged.
Evolution of the Big 3
Everyone who loves the Big 3 should also love and know their authors. They are Tite Kubo for Bleach, Masashi Kishimoto for Naruto, and Eiichiro Oda for One Piece. These men revolutionized anime.
New Contenders
Over the years, the anime industry has seen new contenders to the “Big 3” throne. Recently, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia have emerged as some of the most popular anime series. Demon Slayer, with its stunning visuals and gripping storyline, has become a fan favorite. Jujutsu Kaisen, with its unique take on the supernatural, has also found a place in the hearts of anime fans. Even though people were initially put off by the quirky art style. And My Hero Academia, with its relatable characters and exciting action sequences, has become one of the most popular anime series of all time.
Legacy Series
Despite the emergence of new contenders, the legacy of the Big 3 anime series lives on. Naruto has seen a sequel in Boruto, which follows the journey of Naruto’s son. Which most likely isn’t as liked as Naruto and many may be annoyed from Borutos bratty behaviour, nevertheless it found its dedicated fans. Bleach is also getting a new anime adaptation, which will cover the final arc of the manga. One Piece, on the other hand, continues to dominate the anime world, with over 1000 episodes and counting.
While new contenders have emerged, the legacy of these series lives on. Whether you are a fan of the classics or the new contenders, there is no denying the impact these series have had on the anime world.
Critique and Analysis
Storytelling and Pacing
When it comes to storytelling, all three of the Big 3 anime have their own incomparable strengths and weaknesses. Naruto has a compelling story that follows the journey of a young ninja as he strives to become the Hokage. One Piece, on the other hand, has an incredibly detailed and intricate world that is filled with interesting characters and epic adventures. Bleach has a darker and more mature story that is centered around the concept of death and the afterlife even tho the main character name means strawberry.
In terms of pacing, Naruto and One Piece tend to have a slower pace due to their longer episode count and focus on world-building. Especially Naruto fucking loved those fillers, man. Bleach, on the other hand, has a faster pace and tends to move quickly through its story arcs. However, this can also lead to some rushed storytelling and underdeveloped characters.
Fillers and Adaptation Quality
Filler episodes are a common occurrence in anime, and all three of the Big 3 have their fair share of them. Naruto is as already mentioned notorious for its high filler percentage, with some arcs consisting entirely of filler episodes. One Piece also has a significant amount of filler, but it tends to be more seamlessly integrated into the story. Bleach has a lower filler percentage, but some filler arcs have been criticized for their quality.
When it comes to adaptation quality, all three anime have their strengths and weaknesses. Naruto’s animation quality tends to be consistent throughout the series, but some arcs have been criticized for their poor pacing. One Piece has a unique animation style that can take some getting used to, but it is generally well-received by fans. Bleach has some stunning animation and fight scenes, but some arcs suffer from inconsistent animation quality.
Overall, each of the Big 3 anime has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to storytelling, pacing, fillers, and adaptation quality. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and which aspects of the anime are most important to the viewer.
Cultural Impact and Popularity
Global Influence
As one of the most popular anime genres, the Big 3 anime have had a significant impact on global popular culture. The anime industry has been growing steadily over the years, and the Big 3 anime have been at the forefront of this growth. Their influence can be seen in various forms of media, from television to movies and even video games.
The popularity of the Big 3 anime has also led to collaborations with various companies and brands. For example, TV Tokyo, the broadcasting network that aired Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach, has partnered with various companies to produce merchandise and other products based on the anime. Netflix has also recognized the popularity of the Big 3 anime and has added them to its streaming service. One Piece even got its own live-action series from Netflix and guess what – it was the best anime live action series till today.
Fanbase and Community
The fanbase and community surrounding the Big 3 anime have the biggest anime fandoms with One-Piece at the top, followed by Naruto. They are incredibly passionate and dedicated but also can be very delusional sometimes. The anime has inspired countless fan works, including fan fiction, fan art, and cosplay. Fans have also created online communities where they can discuss and share their love for the anime.
The popularity of the Big 3 anime has also led to the creation of various events and conventions dedicated to them. These events provide a space for fans to come together and celebrate their shared love for the anime. The events also provide an opportunity for fans to meet the creators and voice actors behind the anime. Also a great opportunity for many fans to practice their fainting ability.
Followed by that, the cultural impact and popularity of the Big 3 anime cannot be overstated. They have had a significant influence on popular culture worldwide and have inspired a passionate and dedicated fanbase.
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What are the Big 3 Anime today?
The Big 3 Anime of 2023 were My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer.
Which is the #1 Anime?
Determining the “#1” anime is subjective, but influential titles like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Cowboy Bebop, and Attack on Titan often top lists due to their compelling narratives, well-developed characters, and lasting impact on the anime community.
Why is DBZ not involved in the Big 3 Anime?
The term “Big 3” traditionally refers to “One Piece,” “Naruto,” and “Bleach,” which were the most popular and influential shonen anime during the 2000s. “Dragon Ball Z,” while extremely influential, predates this era and is considered a classic in its own right.
But everyone knows that Goku is the Dad of the Big 3.
