Anime that Were/are More Popular/Famous in Japan Than in (Almost) Everywhere Else in the World
The Top Ten
1 Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha is a Japanese anime television series directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, with screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki, and produced by Seven Arcs.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha is a Japanese anime television series directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, with screenplay written by Masaki Tsuzuki, and produced by Seven Arcs.
2 Senki Zesshou Symphogear
3 Shakugan no Shana
Shakugan no Shana is an anime series including three television series, original video animation episodes, and bonus shorts.
Shakugan no Shana is an anime series including three television series, original video animation episodes, and bonus shorts.
4 Kemono Friends
Kemono Friends"(Japanese: けものフレンズ, Hepburn: Kemono Furenzu, "Beast Friends") is a Japanese anime television series produced by Yaoyorozu. The series aired from January to March 2017. The anime was co-financed and licensed by Crunchyroll.
A second season, produced by Tomason, aired from January to April 2019. The series was based on the smartphone game of the same name, created... read more
Kemono Friends"(Japanese: けものフレンズ, Hepburn: Kemono Furenzu, "Beast Friends") is a Japanese anime television series produced by Yaoyorozu. The series aired from January to March 2017. The anime was co-financed and licensed by Crunchyroll.A second season, produced by Tomason, aired from January to April 2019. The series was based on the smartphone game of the same name, created... read more
5 King of Braves GaoGaiGar
6 GeGeGe no Kitaro
The GeGeGe no Kitarō anime, based on the manga series of the same name by Shigeru Mizuki, was produced by Toei Animation and aired on Fuji TV.
The GeGeGe no Kitarō anime, based on the manga series of the same name by Shigeru Mizuki, was produced by Toei Animation and aired on Fuji TV. How is this not number one?
7 Strike Witches
8 Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Reborn!, known in Japan as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! (Japanese: 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!, Hepburn: Katekyō Hittoman Ribōn!), and also known as Hitman Reborn!, is an action-packed Japanese anime series. It is based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Akira Amano.
The story follows the life of Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, a hapless teenager who discovers he's the... read more
Reborn!, known in Japan as Katekyō Hitman Reborn! (Japanese: 家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN!, Hepburn: Katekyō Hittoman Ribōn!), and also known as Hitman Reborn!, is an action-packed Japanese anime series. It is based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Akira Amano.The story follows the life of Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, a hapless teenager who discovers he's the... read more
9 The Familiar of Zero
The Familiar of Zero is a Japanese light novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. It was adapted into various forms of media, including anime, manga, and visual novels. The story revolves around a young magician named Louise and her human familiar, Saito, exploring themes of romance, adventure, and magic. The series has garnered a dedicated fan base and has been influential within the "isekai" genre, where characters are transported to another world.
The Familiar of Zero is a Japanese light novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. It was adapted into various forms of media, including anime, manga, and visual novels. The story revolves around a young magician named Louise and her human familiar, Saito, exploring themes of romance, adventure, and magic. The series has garnered a dedicated fan base and has been influential within the "isekai" genre, where characters are transported to another world.
10 When They Cry
The Contenders
11 Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (Japanese: 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ, Hepburn: Tantei Opera Mirukii Hōmuzu, lit. "Detective Opera Milky Holmes") is a Japanese anime series based on the internet radio drama of the same name, created by Bushiroad. The series combines elements of comedy and mystery... read more
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (Japanese: 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ, Hepburn: Tantei Opera Mirukii Hōmuzu, lit. "Detective Opera Milky Holmes") is a Japanese anime series based on the internet radio drama of the same name, created by Bushiroad. The series combines elements of comedy and mystery... read more
12 Cells at Work!
13 MegaMan NT Warrior
14 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Japanese: マギ, Magi) is a Japanese fantasy adventure manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Ohtaka. It was serialized by Shogakukan in the shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from June 2009 to October 2017, with its chapters collected and published into 37 tankōbon volumes. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media... read more
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Japanese: マギ, Magi) is a Japanese fantasy adventure manga series written and illustrated by Shinobu Ohtaka. It was serialized by Shogakukan in the shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from June 2009 to October 2017, with its chapters collected and published into 37 tankōbon volumes. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media... read more
15 Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss (Japanese: メイドインアビス, Hepburn: Meido in Abisu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi. It has been serialized online in Takeshobo's digital publication Web Comic Gamma since 2012 and has been collected into ten tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation, produced by Kinema Citrus, aired from July to September 2017. A sequel... read more
Made in Abyss (Japanese: メイドインアビス, Hepburn: Meido in Abisu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi. It has been serialized online in Takeshobo's digital publication Web Comic Gamma since 2012 and has been collected into ten tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation, produced by Kinema Citrus, aired from July to September 2017. A sequel... read more
16 Gundam
17 World Trigger
18 Tsuritama
Tsuritama "fishing ball", sometimes written as tsuritama, is a Japanese anime television series that aired between 13 April 2012 and 28 June 2012. The anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, by MVM Films in the United Kingdom, and Hanabee in Australia and New Zealand.
Tsuritama "fishing ball", sometimes written as tsuritama, is a Japanese anime television series that aired between 13 April 2012 and 28 June 2012. The anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, by MVM Films in the United Kingdom, and Hanabee in Australia and New Zealand.
19 B-Project
20 Love Live
21 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is an anime and manga franchise originally written by Hirohiko Araki. It centers around the perilous journey of the members of the legendary Joestar bloodline.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is an anime and manga franchise originally written by Hirohiko Araki. It centers around the perilous journey of the members of the legendary Joestar bloodline.
22 B-Project: Kodou Ambitious
23 Popee The Performer
Popee the Performer (Japanese: ポピーザぱフォーマー, Hepburn: Popīza pa fōmā) is a Japanese anime series of 3DCG shorts. It was produced for Kids Station, one of the all-anime satellite stations in Japan.
The show was produced by the husband-wife team of Ryuji Masuda (writer, director) and Wakako Masuda (art director, art design, and character design). The music was composed by... read more
Popee the Performer (Japanese: ポピーザぱフォーマー, Hepburn: Popīza pa fōmā) is a Japanese anime series of 3DCG shorts. It was produced for Kids Station, one of the all-anime satellite stations in Japan.The show was produced by the husband-wife team of Ryuji Masuda (writer, director) and Wakako Masuda (art director, art design, and character design). The music was composed by... read more
This anime is also popular in Spanish speaking countries for some reason.
24 Yo-Kai Watch
The Yo-kai Watch anime (Japanese: 妖怪ウォッチ アニメ Yōkai Wotchi Anime) is a Japanese comedy-action-adventure animated series based on the Yo-kai Watch franchise. It ran from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, in Japan, spanning 214 episodes across three seasons. The anime primarily focuses on Nathan Adams, who meets Whisper after Whisper had been sealed away in a capsule for 190 years... read more
The Yo-kai Watch anime (Japanese: 妖怪ウォッチ アニメ Yōkai Wotchi Anime) is a Japanese comedy-action-adventure animated series based on the Yo-kai Watch franchise. It ran from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, in Japan, spanning 214 episodes across three seasons. The anime primarily focuses on Nathan Adams, who meets Whisper after Whisper had been sealed away in a capsule for 190 years... read more
25 Rozen Maiden
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