Interest Stacks

All anime that were once in the 20 Most Popular (Part 1)

Anime
byratliker63
Jan 27 2024, 4:07 PM | Updated Feb 25, 2024 2:49 PM
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
Bleach
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.
Fullmetal Alchemist
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
Naruto
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.
Death Note
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.
Elfen Lied
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.
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
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.
Cowboy Bebop
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
Shinseiki Evangelion
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
Samurai Champloo
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
Chobits
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
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
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
Ouran Koukou Host Club
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
Trigun
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
Naruto: Shippuuden
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.
Full Metal Panic!
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
Hellsing
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
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa
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
Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi
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
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
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
Fruits Basket
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
Azumanga Daiou The Animation
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.
Claymore
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
Fate/stay night
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
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
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
Lucky☆Star
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
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
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
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2
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
Soul Eater
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
Clannad
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
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
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.
Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
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
Toradora!
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
Angel Beats!
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
Sword Art Online
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.
Durarara!!
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
Highschool of the Dead
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
Shingeki no Kyojin
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.
Fairy Tail
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
Steins;Gate
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.
Mirai Nikki (TV)
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
Ao no Exorcist
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
Tokyo Ghoul
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
No Game No Life
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
One Punch Man
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
Sword Art Online II
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
Noragami
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
Boku no Hero Academia
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
Kimi no Na wa.
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.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
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
Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season
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

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