All anime that were once in the 20 Most Popular (Part 1)
Anime
A sister list of https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35061 to show which anime were in the top 20 most popular. Description will have the day they first entered along with what score and its highest popularity ranking. I will not be including its highest member count since that will increase every day, you can just see it by clicking on the link to its MAL page. By its nature, the Top 10 doesn't change very much, especially when compared to the highest rated anime. So for the sake of filling out the list, I will include up to the 20th spot along with all anime that hit the 2 million member milestone, though that won't come into play until the second half of the list.
Found with the Wayback Machine (https://web.archive.org/), with the earliest crawl being on July 4, 2007.
Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/41827
For anime that were in the Top 10 Highest rated: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35061
Found with the Wayback Machine (https://web.archive.org/), with the earliest crawl being on July 4, 2007.
Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/41827
For anime that were in the Top 10 Highest rated: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35061
TV, 2004,
366 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#1, 3,093 members, 8.25)
Highest: #1
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Supernatural, Shounen
Note: The first of only 3 anime to hold the #1 most popular title.
Highest: #1
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Supernatural, Shounen
Note: The first of only 3 anime to hold the #1 most popular title.
TV, 2003,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#2, 2,883 members, 8.84)
Highest: #2
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Action, Shounen
Highest: #2
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Action, Shounen
TV, 2002,
220 eps
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#3, 2,708 members, 7.79)
Highest: #3
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Shounen
Note: Naruto Season 1 and Death Note are the only two series to have been in the Top 10 most popular since day one and haven't left in nearly 18 years.
Highest: #3
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Shounen
Note: Naruto Season 1 and Death Note are the only two series to have been in the Top 10 most popular since day one and haven't left in nearly 18 years.
TV, 2006,
37 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#4, 2,435 members, 8.95)
Highest: #1
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Drama, Supernatural, Psychological, Crime, Shounen
Note: Death Note took the #1 spot from Bleach on December 5, 2008 and held that title for 14 years, until a certain other series with an evil protagonist took its throne. Also the first anime to reach the 1 million member milestone on November 21, 2016 and the only anime to have held the title of both the #1 highest rated and #1 most popular, albeit at different times.
Highest: #1
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Drama, Supernatural, Psychological, Crime, Shounen
Note: Death Note took the #1 spot from Bleach on December 5, 2008 and held that title for 14 years, until a certain other series with an evil protagonist took its throne. Also the first anime to reach the 1 million member milestone on November 21, 2016 and the only anime to have held the title of both the #1 highest rated and #1 most popular, albeit at different times.
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#5, 2,115 members, 8.49)
Highest: #5
Studio: Arms
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Action, Romance, Seinen
Note: I find it very interesting that Elfen Lied was consistently in the Top 10 most popular for close to 9 years until it eventually fell out. It's currently on the lower end of the Top 100.
Highest: #5
Studio: Arms
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Action, Romance, Seinen
Note: I find it very interesting that Elfen Lied was consistently in the Top 10 most popular for close to 9 years until it eventually fell out. It's currently on the lower end of the Top 100.
TV, 2006,
14 eps
Me:-
Author:3
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#6, 2,042 members, 8.80)
Highest: #5
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Mystery, School, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
Note: Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1, Chobits, FF7 Advent Childen, Trigun, Full Metal Panic, Hellsing, FMA The Conqueror of Shamballa, Rurouni Kenshin, Fruits Basket 2001, Azumanga Daioh, Claymore, Fate/Stay Night, Lucky Star and Darker Than Black are the only anime on this list that do not currently have at least 1 million members.
Highest: #5
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Mystery, School, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
Note: Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1, Chobits, FF7 Advent Childen, Trigun, Full Metal Panic, Hellsing, FMA The Conqueror of Shamballa, Rurouni Kenshin, Fruits Basket 2001, Azumanga Daioh, Claymore, Fate/Stay Night, Lucky Star and Darker Than Black are the only anime on this list that do not currently have at least 1 million members.
TV, 1998,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:10
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#7, 1,977 members, 8.73)
Highest: #7
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Crime
Highest: #7
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Crime
TV, 1995,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#8, 1,849 members, 8.21)
Highest: #8
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mecha, Psychological, Action
Highest: #8
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mecha, Psychological, Action
TV, 2004,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#9, 1,778 members, 8.40)
Highest: #9
Studio: Manglobe
Genre: Action, Historical, Adventure, Samurai
Highest: #9
Studio: Manglobe
Genre: Action, Historical, Adventure, Samurai
TV, 2002,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#10, 1,777 members, 7.71)
Highest: #10
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi, Drama, Seinen
Highest: #10
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi, Drama, Seinen
Movie, 2005,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:5
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#11, 1,741 members, 8.33)
Highest: #11
Studio: Square Enix Visual Works
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Highest: #11
Studio: Square Enix Visual Works
Genre: Action, Fantasy
TV, 2006,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#12, 1,722 members, 8.78)
Highest: #9
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Romantic Comedy, School, Shoujo
Highest: #9
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Romantic Comedy, School, Shoujo
TV, 1998,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#13, 1,709 members, 8.31)
Highest: #13
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Shounen
Highest: #13
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Shounen
TV, 2007,
500 eps
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#14, 1,695 members, 8.10)
Highest: #7
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Shounen
Note: Naruto, Code Geass and Fullmetal Alchemist are the only three series to have two installments in the top 10 at the same time. Plus, in 2010, Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and both seasons of Code Geass were all in the top 10 together.
Highest: #7
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Adventure, Shounen
Note: Naruto, Code Geass and Fullmetal Alchemist are the only three series to have two installments in the top 10 at the same time. Plus, in 2010, Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and both seasons of Code Geass were all in the top 10 together.
TV, 2002,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#15, 1,685 members, 8.25)
Highest: #13
Studio: Gonzo
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Mecha
Highest: #13
Studio: Gonzo
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Mecha
TV, 2001,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#16, 1,678 members, 7.78)
Highest: #14
Studio: Gonzo
Genre/Demographic: Action, Horror, Seinen
Highest: #14
Studio: Gonzo
Genre/Demographic: Action, Horror, Seinen
Movie, 2005,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#17, 1,661 members, 8.18)
Highest: #17
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
Highest: #17
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
Movie, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#18, 1,634 members, 8.70)
Highest: #12
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
Highest: #12
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
TV, 1996,
94 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#19, 1,607 members, 8.43)
Highest: #19
Studio: Gallop and Studio Deen
Genre/Demographic: Action, Romance, Samurai, Historical, Shounen
Highest: #19
Studio: Gallop and Studio Deen
Genre/Demographic: Action, Romance, Samurai, Historical, Shounen
TV, 2001,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#20, 1,603 members, 8.19)
Highest: #18
Studio: Studio Deen
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Drama, Supernatural, Shoujo
Highest: #18
Studio: Studio Deen
Genre/Demographic: Romance, Drama, Supernatural, Shoujo
TV, 2002,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:10
First entered: July 4, 2007 (#21, 1,590 members, 8.40)
Highest: #21
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT), School
Note: I know this is kind of cheating but...I really wanted Azumanga to be in one of these lists. Plus it's close enough that I don't feel too bad about it.
Highest: #21
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT), School
Note: I know this is kind of cheating but...I really wanted Azumanga to be in one of these lists. Plus it's close enough that I don't feel too bad about it.
TV, 2007,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: October 15, 2007 (#18, 3,574 members, 8.51)
Highest: #14
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror, Adventure, Shounen
Highest: #14
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror, Adventure, Shounen
TV, 2006,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: October 15, 2007 (#20, 3,405 members, 8.18)
Highest: #18
Studio: Studio Deen
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Highest: #18
Studio: Studio Deen
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
TV, 2006,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:5
First entered: February 28, 2008 (#17, 8,257 members, 8.75)
Highest: #2
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha, School
Highest: #2
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha, School
TV, 2007,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: February 28, 2008 (#20, 7,903 members, 8.47)
Highest: #17
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT), School
Highest: #17
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT), School
TV, 2007,
27 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: December 5, 2008 (#16, 22,841 members, 9.01)
Highest: #13
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mecha, Action
Highest: #13
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mecha, Action
TV, 2008,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:4
First entered: December 5, 2008 (#18, 22,638 members, 8.93)
Highest: #7
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha, School
Highest: #7
Studio: Sunrise
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha, School
TV, 2008,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:7
First entered: April 30, 2010 (#11, 91,460 members, 8.34)
Highest: #11
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Comedy, School, Shounen
Highest: #11
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Comedy, School, Shounen
TV, 2007,
23 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: April 30, 2010 (#14, 89,747 members, 8.60)
Highest: #10
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Romance, Drama, Coming of Age, Supernatural
Highest: #10
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Romance, Drama, Coming of Age, Supernatural
TV, 2009,
64 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: April 30, 2010 (#17, 87,116 members, 9.19)
Highest: #3
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Action, Shounen
Note: The most popular remake series.
Highest: #3
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Drama, Action, Shounen
Note: The most popular remake series.
TV, 2007,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: April 30, 2010 (#19, 84,392 members, 8.41)
Highest: #18
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Highest: #18
Studio: Bones
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
TV, 2008,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:6
First entered: April 30, 2010 (#20, 84,267 members, 8.56)
Highest: #10
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Romance, Drama, School
Highest: #10
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Romance, Drama, School
TV, 2010,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:10
First entered: October 6, 2012 (#17, 138,076 members, 8.58)
Highest: #5
Studio: P.A. Works
Genre: Supernatural, School, Drama
Highest: #5
Studio: P.A. Works
Genre: Supernatural, School, Drama
TV, 2012,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:6
First entered: August 20, 2013 (#17, 195,218 members, 8.31)
Highest: #2
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: High Fantasy, Isekai, Action, Romance
Note: The most popular anime based on a novel series.
Highest: #2
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: High Fantasy, Isekai, Action, Romance
Note: The most popular anime based on a novel series.
TV, 2010,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: August 20, 2013 (#18, 193,880 members, 8.55)
Highest: #17
Studio: Brain's Base
Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
Highest: #17
Studio: Brain's Base
Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
TV, 2010,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: August 20, 2013 (#19, 189,645 members, 7.79)
Highest: #19
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Ecchi, School, Action, Horror, Seinen
Highest: #19
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Ecchi, School, Action, Horror, Seinen
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: January 22, 2014 (#17, 227,498 members, 8.91)
Highest: #1
Studio: Wit Studio
Genre/Demographic: Action, Drama, Mystery, Horror, Shounen
Note: The third and most recent anime to take the #1 spot. It dethroned Death Note on February 4, 2022 with 3,264,436 members. They fought back and forth for a few months, but ultimately AOT secured its position. It is currently on track to be the first anime to hit the 4 million member milestone.
Highest: #1
Studio: Wit Studio
Genre/Demographic: Action, Drama, Mystery, Horror, Shounen
Note: The third and most recent anime to take the #1 spot. It dethroned Death Note on February 4, 2022 with 3,264,436 members. They fought back and forth for a few months, but ultimately AOT secured its position. It is currently on track to be the first anime to hit the 4 million member milestone.
TV, 2009,
175 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: March 7, 2014 (#20, 224,208 members, 8.56)
Highest: #17
Studio: A-1 Pictures and Satelight
Genre/Demographic: Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Shounen
Highest: #17
Studio: A-1 Pictures and Satelight
Genre/Demographic: Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Shounen
TV, 2011,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: September 21, 2014 (#17, 284,955 members, 9.18)
Highest: #6
Studio: White Fox
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Tragedy, Suspense, Psychological
Note: The most popular series based on a visual novel.
Highest: #6
Studio: White Fox
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Tragedy, Suspense, Psychological
Note: The most popular series based on a visual novel.
TV, 2011,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: September 21, 2014 (#20, 281,498 members, 8.28)
Highest: #8
Studio: asread.
Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Supernatural, Action, Psychological, High Stakes Game, Shounen
Highest: #8
Studio: asread.
Genre/Demographic: Mystery, Supernatural, Action, Psychological, High Stakes Game, Shounen
TV, 2011,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
First entered: March 17, 2015 (#20, 328,547 members, 8.02)
Highest: #14
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre/Demographic: Action, School, Supernatural, Shounen
Highest: #14
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre/Demographic: Action, School, Supernatural, Shounen
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:5
First entered: June 2, 2016 (#19, 497,108 members, 8.10)
Highest: #6
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Horror, Psychological, Seinen
Highest: #6
Studio: Pierrot
Genre/Demographic: Action, Horror, Psychological, Seinen
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
First entered: July 8, 2016 (#20, 511,797 members, 8.49)
Highest: #8
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Isekai, Comedy, Strategy Game, Fantasy, Ecchi
Highest: #8
Studio: Madhouse
Genre: Isekai, Comedy, Strategy Game, Fantasy, Ecchi
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:10
First entered: January 11, 2017 (#20, 578,927 members, 8.81)
Highest: #4
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographics: Action, Comedy, Superhero, Seinen
Highest: #4
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographics: Action, Comedy, Superhero, Seinen
TV, 2014,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:5
First entered: September 4, 2017 (#20, 686,688 members, 7.26)
Highest: #16
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: High Fantasy, Isekai, Action, Romance
Note: Currently the lowest scoring anime on this list, being the only one with less than a 7.00
Highest: #16
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Genre: High Fantasy, Isekai, Action, Romance
Note: Currently the lowest scoring anime on this list, being the only one with less than a 7.00
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: September 27, 2017 (#20, 697,821 members, 8.16)
Highest: #14
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Supernatural, Action, Shounen
Highest: #14
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Supernatural, Action, Shounen
TV, 2016,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: August 16, 2018 (#20, 819,116 members, 8.44)
Highest: #6
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Superhero, School, Shounen
Highest: #6
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Superhero, School, Shounen
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: January 16, 2019 (#20, 885,889 members, 9.15)
Highest: #9
Studio: Comix Wave Films
Genre: Romance, Drama, Time Travel, Supernatural
Note: Currently the most popular movie and the most popular anime original title.
Highest: #9
Studio: Comix Wave Films
Genre: Romance, Drama, Time Travel, Supernatural
Note: Currently the most popular movie and the most popular anime original title.
TV, 2011,
148 eps
Me:-
Author:5
First entered: October 7, 2019 (#20, 986,597 members, 9.11)
Highest: #9
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Adventure, Action, Shounen
Highest: #9
Studio: Madhouse
Genre/Demographic: Adventure, Action, Shounen
TV, 2017,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
First entered: May 4, 2020 (#18, 1,157,628 members, 8.53)
Highest: #13
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Superhero, School, Shounen
Highest: #13
Studio: Bones
Genre/Demographic: Action, Superhero, School, Shounen

















































