Gegege no Kitarou (1968)

impactful anime that exist in black and white

Anime either based on, heavily influenced by or drawing key aspects from folklore. Folklore encompasses the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, people or culture passed down through the generations by word of mouth and later often recorded in written form.

While the majority of works listed in this club have their origins in East Asian folklore (for obvious reasons) also included are examples of folklore ranging from portrayals of the mythology of Ancient Greece, stories featuring local spirits, legendary folk heroes, adaptions of Brothers Grimm fairy tales and narratives featuring the Gods of the Norse pantheon as characters. Modernised interpretations and retellings have been largely excluded.

As MAL currently sadly only allows a max of 50 entries on interests stacks this list prioritises the stand out and most high quality examples of folkloric anime. For a more comprehensive list which also includes manga, I direct you to my accompanying folklore club of the same name.

The top 50 of the top 100 anime gathered from TV Asahi's Japan-wide survey, conducted with multiple age-groups, into the best animated series.



(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2)

title

In 2012, The Asahi Shimbun announced the 104 TV anime that they considered to be the most representative and memorable of all TV anime between 1963 and 2012. It's a good starting point for exploring general TV anime history, and the shows are all worth giving a shot. The list was not ranked, and ordered by release date.

I've never made a stack before, and I don't really get it, but I think it can help people find new anime and that's great!

I thought this would be a simple one to start with!

Looking for something new to watch this Halloween? Any of these are a great pick!

Largest groups (1-50):
1. Pokemon - 186🥇🔺
2. Holo no Graffiti - 156🥉🔺
3. Mobile Suit Gundam - 149🥈
4. Doraemon - 100🔺
5. One Piece - 89🔺
6. Sore Ike! Anpanman - 86* (Yanase Takashi Märchen Gekijou (Robo-kun to Kotori episode) and Hal no Fue were screened in Yanase Takashi Theater with Anpanman ga Umareta Hi.)
*7. Hello Kitty - 82* (❗️WIP!)
8 Detective Conan - 81
*9. Taka no Tsume - 69*🔺
10. Love Live! - 68🔺
11. Precure - 65
12. Irodorimidori - 63
13. The iDOLM@STER - 62
14. Lupin III - 62
15. BanG Dream! - 61
16. Fate Series - 58
17. Crayon Shin-chan - 47
18. Xi Yang Yang Yu Hui Tai Lang - 44
19. Dragon Ball - 45🔺
20. Ginga Tetsudou 999 - 43
21. Wu Ren Dao Da Maoxian - 39
22. IDOLiSH7 - 38
23. Pororo - 38
24. Shimajirou - 36
25. Digimon - 36
26. Peeping Life - 36
27. Macross - 34
28. Naruto - 34
29. Ghost in the Shell - 34
30. Ensemble Stars! - 33
31. Code Geass - 33
32. Kamiusagi Rope - 33
33. Osomatsu-kun - 33🔺
34. Cardfight!! Vanguard - 32
35. Xiong Chumo - 31
36. Gegege no Kitarou - 31
37. Arknights: Reimei Zensou - 31
38. Pretty Rhythm, PriPara - 30
39. Gintama - 29
40. Tenchi Muyou! - 29
41. Mahou no Princess, Mahou no Tenshi - 29* (Mahou no Princess Minky Momo, Mahou no Tenshi Creamy Mami, Mahou no Yousei Persia, Mahou no Star Magical Emi, and Mahou no Idol Pastel Yumi were clumped together (in Chiaki) probably due to some crossovers but they're actually different franchises. Should probably be renamed to Pierrot Mahou Shoujo Series or Pierrot Magical Girls Series as per https://pierrot.jp/magicalgirls/)
42. Zhu Zhu Xia - 28
43. Duel Masters - 28
44. Tennis no Ouji-sama - 28
45. Mameshiba - 28
46. Bakemonogatari, Monogatari Series - 27
47. Hello Carbot - 27🔺
48. Sword Art Online - 26
49. Shingeki no Kyojin - 25
50. Girls & Panzer - 25

---

Slowly climbing to the top 50:
51. Tales Series - 25
52. Xin Datou Er Zi He Xiao Tou Baba - 24
*53. Keroppi - 24* (❗️WIP!)
54. Dr. Slump - 23
55. Kkoma Bus Tayo - 23
56. Inazuma Eleven - 23🔺
57. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! - 22
58. Monster Strike - 22
59. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon - 22
60. Uchuu Senkan Yamato - 22
61. Tetsuwan Atom, Astro Boy - 22
62. Boku no Hero Academia - 22
63. Hong Mao Lan Tu - 22
64. Tottoko Hamtarou - 21
65. Kuroko no Basket - 21
66. Teekyuu - 21
67. Saint Seiya - 21
68. Kaixin Baobei - 21
69. Kinnikuman - 21🔺
70. Toaru Series - 20
71. Initial D - 20🔺

---

Under 20 entries:
72. Qin Shi Ming Yue - 20
73. Persona - 19
74. Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken - 19🔺
75. Hokuto no Ken - 19
76. Sinbi Apateu - 19
77. Korasho no Kaitei Wakuwaku Daibouken! - 18
78. Dou Dou Hu Wen Zhang Zhi Mi - 18
79. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha - 18 [🔞]
80. Azur Lane - 18
81. Sai Er Hao - 18
82. Beyblade - 18
83. Nanatsu no Taizai - 18
84. Neon Genesis Evangelion - 18
85. Youkai Watch - 18
86. Oshiri Tantei - 17🔺
87. Overlord - 17
88. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica - 17
89. Haikyuu!! - 17
90. Mazinger - 17
91. AU - 17
92. Aikatsu! - 17
93. Hua Jiang Hu Zhi - 16
94. Cyborg 009 - 16
95. Natsume Yuujinchou - 16
96. Backkom - 16
97. Umi Monogatari - 16
98. .hack - 16
99. Free! - 16
100. Miniforce - 16
101. Nintama Rantarou - 16
102. Kaiketsu Zorori - 16
103. Black Jack - 16
104. Soukou Kihei Votoms - 16
105. Selected Shaonian Shiye - 15

---

Under 15 entries:
106. Huyao Xiao Hongniang - 15
107. Baki - 15🔻
108. Virtual-san wa Miteiru - 15
109. Bleach - 15
110. Yami Shibai - 15
111. Shakugan no Shana - 15
112. Chibi Maruko-chan - 15
113. Ranma ½ - 15
114. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken - 15
115. Devilman - 15
116. Rurouni Kenshin - 14

---

➡️Largest Anime Franchises (1-50): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20094
Largest Anime Franchises (51-100): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39205

For more, check out "Largest groups" on Chiaki: https://chiaki.site/?/tools/watch_order_groups/type/large
(Note: Count may not be always accurate since they mostly rely on the 'Related Entries' in anime pages and not all related entries listed are really part of some franchises.)

---

I've also included:
- "Watch order guides" by other users I find helpful and for convenience; number of entries included.
- Some clubs (mostly the ones with the most members), if you want to join one and maybe revive some.
- Anime Watching Challenges by the Anime Watching Challenges Club [AWCc] (https://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=70446); also check AWCc's Hall of Fame [HoF] (https://anime.jhiday.net/hof/).
- Live action adaptations (Ctrl + F in the [[ Live Action Adaptations ]] club (https://myanimelist.net/clubs.php?cid=5450) or use their script).

I'll be updating this from time to time so the entries will change.

*Inspired by this thread: https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2032254 (Which anime franchise has the most MAL entries?)

---

Legend:
🥇🥈🥉 - Gold, Silver, Bronze = Top 3
🔺 - Moved Up (risen in the rankings with new addition/s in the DB)
🔻 - Moved Down (something was removed in the DB)
✔️ - Description Box is up-to-date. Other stacks (number of entries, title change), challenges and clubs (status/activity) checked.
❗️WIP! - Work in progress (means I'm working on a watch order guide stack)

---

P.S. Everything would look clean if they just enable BBCode for stacks.

P.P.S. I made a second stack for 51-100. So I could just move some of the entries to the other stack instead of really deleting them.

Also, watch out for Pororo! He'll slowly climb to the top 10. Alas! The penguin is now ranked 23rd. LOL.

---

[📌 Last Updated: October 15, 2024]

Animes that first appeared on Weekly Shonen Magazine as manga and had an adaptation for TV.

This is the first part of a collection of articles where I aim to explore the evolution of anime related music. This part of the list attempts to collect a list of most iconic "Anime Songs".

The term "Anime Songs" used in this list refers to the theme songs that have a strong connection to the series demonstrated by their lyrics and the emotion invoked by the song related to the series. Essentially the song and the lyrics talk about the series or the characters in a direct manner forming a direct link between the performance and the series in question.

These types of theme songs were more common and popular before 1980s. The defining moment that can be said had influence on changing the theme songs away from this model is the popularity of the series "Urusei Yatsura" and how it used to promote a several "tie-up" songs that in contrast to "Anime Songs" by their nature don't necessarily have anything to do with the series, story or the characters.

I will write my thoughts on each of the entries on this list to further explain why I think the series and the theme songs included as a combined package have attained "iconic" status when it comes to the scene of "Anime Songs" in contrast to the "tie-up songs". I will also give a score related on how deeply intertwined I see the series and the performance related to the theme songs as a part of the experience as a whole. The series are ordered based on that score.

The term "iconic" in this list is defined by the popularity and how deeply established the meaning and the lyrical elements of the performance are in addition of them being intertwined with the series as a whole experience.

This list does not include iconic "tie-up songs" or other songs that by their lyrics or meaning do not establish a significant connection to the series, characters or the story.

More info about "Anime Songs" and "tie-up songs" and how they affect the performance from the perspective of the singer in this interview: https://www.cinra.net/article/interview-201509-horiemitsuko

Related stacks:

Chapter 1 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24451
Chapter 2 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24454
Chapter 3 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24455

The Four Kings:

Mitsuko Horie - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/9754
Ichiro Mizuki - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/15851
Kumiko Oosugi - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24461
Isao Sasaki - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24460

Yes that series has a game/ is a game. As I collect anime games I want to help people find games for series they enjoy. No this is not related to mobile games, maybe I’ll do a stack for those in the future though🤔 These are tied to Console and PC systems, I won’t list specifics though but searching “[insert series] game” will help you find it. There will be multiple parts coming out!

A collection of anime released from January 1963 to January 2000 that still have something of an appeal. For better or worse.

These are sorted from newest to oldest.

Part Two: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30490
Part Three: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30498
Part Four: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/30811

Note: Moderators had taken down the stacks before, since it was not wholly information based. I will post this as a note as to why such series are essential in order to defend them all as a blanket statement.

Most of the series featured have some sort of significance in terms of first best or darkest for their era which can be categorized by decennium or part of a decennium (early, middle, late). These are mixed around in order in order to give those who subscribed to list a challenge. While I could give an individual breakdown, I think some research is better left up to those who have subscribed to the stacks, since this allows for additional cultural insight into what was popular in Japan at the time, which is sometimes disconnected from the United States, as well as the rest of North America and Europe in many ways. For example, the Crayon Shin-Chan that aired in the United States and Canada is different to the one that aired in Europe, is different to the one that aired in Japan. By recommending to seek out Japanese versions of series, it grows understanding. I am not the first one to have thought of this. In the United States, there used to be a channel called ImaginAsian TV which had the same purpose of informing people about Japanese popular culture through anime. The San Francisco and San Diego PBS stations did the same thing and NHK World Japan carries this on through series like Little Charo and previously Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san.

I think it is agreed upon that retro is a niche, but with handicaps on subject matter like availability.

List of longest anime series by total runtime (minutes). Movies, episodes and all other specials even if they are not listed on MAL included in the runtime. Movies and other specials are counted in the number of "episodes".

Last updated: 9th May 2024

Few series listed below that are not counted as a singular series when it comes to the purpose of this list but are often grouped together or seen together and whose length is worth mentioning:

1. World Masterpiece Theater (WMT)

1490 episodes
36968 minutes


https://myanimelist.net/stacks/26291
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/32408


Anime: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/32408
Manga: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39346
Live: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39525
All: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39354

This stack lists anime that are about buddhism/shintoism or frequently reference at least one of the named religions/philosophies.

Some of the listed anime are surprisingly good and offer a insight into japanese/eastern history, traditions and mythology. Some might be unapologetic propaganda.

This series are pieces in the history of the medium, inovating or creating something new in the medium.

Descriptions in progress.

Complete list of works where Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata had some form of involvement prior to founding Studio Ghibli.

This is a companion to the Studio Ghibli list which can be found here:

Shigeru Mizuki Adaptations. It's mostly Gegege no Kitarou and a few Akuma-Kun entries. In order, for the most part.

A basic recommendation of anime classics starting from the important year 1963 when Astro Boy debuted. Only one anime per franchise allowed, and selection is partly based on watchability, so you can get right into what seems interesting.

This is the first part of five, this part covers 1963–1974

Part 2 (1975–1986): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57265
Part 3 (1987–1998): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57268
Part 4 (1999–2010): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57273
Part 5 (2011–2022): https://myanimelist.net/stacks/57279

In the first years of this part much anime was black and white. During all the years experimental and pioneering anime paved the way for franchises, companies, and the industry as a whole. 1969 was an especially strong year for anime (Sazae-san, Dororo, Tiger Mask, Attack no.1, Puss in Boots, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Moomin, The Flying Ghost Ship, Animerama 1).