50 Longest Anime of All Time (Ranked by the Number of Episodes)

Modern fans might not know it, but anime series can be very, very long. For example, the famous “Big Three” anime series had several hundred episodes, with One Piece going over the 1,000-episode mark only recently. If we go back into history, though, the number of such long anime increases, and although some are still ongoing, most started a long time ago. New viewers are used to more seasons with fewer episodes, and fillers are practically unknown. In this article, we will talk about the history of long-running anime series, as we tell you about the longest anime series of all time, ranked by the number of episodes that have aired until the time of writing this article. The list is going to be very precise and is going to contain a lot of interesting information about each of the shows.

Editor’s Note: This list was updated in December 2023 considering that some anime series are still ongoing.

50. A Penguin’s Troubles

Number of Episodes: 253
Original Run: April 5, 2008 – March 30, 2013

The series follows the quotidian adventures of the protagonist and his talking penguin, who often gets into various forms of trouble, which results in a variety of comical situations.

49. Folktales from Japan

Number of Episodes: 258
Original Run: April 1, 2012 – March 26, 2017

An anthology series that retells various stories from Japanese folklore and mythology in an anime format.

48. Hoshi no Ko Poron

Number of Episodes: 260
Original Run: April 1, 1974 – March 21, 1975

Poron, an extraterrestrial visitor, unintentionally befriends animals on Earth while overlooking humans. The mischievous animal inhabitants create chaos with their pranks, prompting Poron to use his mysterious powers to both save and discipline them.

47. Gan to Gon

Number of Episodes: 260
Original Run: April 5, 1974 – August 13, 1975

Gan and Gon are a pair of misfits on a worldwide treasure hunt. Gan is an unprepossessing, good-hearted man of justice who loves adventure but is a bit scatterbrained. Gon thinks only of sleep, but when it comes down to it, he gets some really crazy ideas.

46. Pokémon (original series)

Number of Episodes: 276
Original Run: April 1, 1997 – November 14, 2002

The Pokémon animated series follows the adventures of a young boy named Ash and his faithful Pokémon Pikachu. Ash travels the Pokémon world to obtain the supreme rank of “Pokémon Master”; to achieve this, he captures and trains Pokémon in order to earn eight badges. The duo is often accompanied by a pair made up of another young boy and a young girl.

45. Dotanba no Manners

Number of Episodes: 283
Original Run: October 3, 1984 – April 9, 1987

An introduction to etiquette through the hapless antics of Mr. Dotanba, who manages to put his foot in it in innumerable social situations.

44. Bonobono (2016)

Number of Episodes: 286
Original Run: March 7, 2016 – ongoing

The series follows the main character, a young sea otter named Bonobono, and his daily adventures with his friends from the nearby forest. These include the mischievous squirrel Shimarisu and the short-tempered raccoon Araiguma. Bonobono combines gag comics and philosophical questions.

43. Dragon Ball Z

Number of Episodes: 291
Original Run: April 26, 1989 – January 31, 1996

Dragon Ball tells the story of Son Goku, a little boy who is very good at martial arts, and who has a mysterious monkey tail. He meets a young woman named Bulma, and the two go together in search of the Dragon Balls (seven magic crystal balls that allow, if they are united, to invoke the dragon Shenron, then offering to grant the wish of the one who pronounces a specific formula in front of him), meeting many adversaries along the way (most of them being competitors in the quest for the famous balls, often with selfish or even evil intentions), some of whom later become allies, such as Yamcha or Ten Chin Han.

42. Ikkyū-san

Number of Episodes: 296
Original Run: October 15, 1975 – June 28, 1982

Ikkyu Bonze, a young monk at Ankoku-ji in Hiroshima prefecture, navigates through life’s challenges using his wit and spirit. Facing issues ranging from famine to selfish traders, Ikkyu relies on deep meditation to connect with the Buddha and find solutions

41. Hamtaro

Number of Episodes: 296
Original Run: July 7, 2000 – March 31, 2006

Hamtaro, a curious hamster owned by 10-year-old Hiroko Haruna, embarks on daily adventures with his group of hamster friends, the Ham-Hams. From exploring and making new friends to navigating romantic interests, Hamtaro’s life is filled with fun and camaraderie in the company of his adorable hamster companions.

40. Hyppo and Thomas

Number of Episodes: 300
Original Run: January 1, 1971 – September 30, 1972

Totto is a small bird that lives in the mouth of the good-natured and naive hippo Kaba. Although Totto is heavily dependent on Kaba, he constantly tries to outsmart the behemoth and take advantage of it. Despite frequent quarrels, Totto and Kaba continue living amicably together.

39. Manga Hajimete Monogatari

Number of Episodes: 305
Original Run: May 6, 1978 – March 31, 1984

Hajimete Monogatari is a manga and anime series that follows the life of Aizawa Wako, a high school student who has never experienced romantic relationships before. As she navigates the complexities of love and adolescence, the series explores the ups and downs of first love, friendships, and self-discovery in a lighthearted and relatable manner. The story goes into the challenges and joys of growing up, making it a coming-of-age tale with a focus on romance.

38. Otogi Manga Calendar

Number of Episodes: 312
Original Run: June 25, 1962 – June 25, 1964

Through more than 300 black-and-white episodes that last only a few minutes, the series retraces and explains historical events, seeking to answer the following question: “What happened on that date in history? “. In order to answer this, director Ryuichi Yokoyama uses animation, but also photographs, as well as cinematographic sequences.

37. Fairy Tail

Number of Episodes: 328
Original Run: October 12, 2009 – September 29, 2019

Fairy Tail is an anime and manga series that revolves around the adventures of a young celestial wizard named Lucy Heartfilia. Eager to join the renowned Fairy Tail guild, Lucy befriends Natsu Dragneel, a fire wizard with a special affinity for dragons, and his talking cat companion, Happy. Together with other guild members, they embark on various quests, facing powerful foes and uncovering mysteries, all while building strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie. The series is known for its magical battles, humor, and exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and personal growth.

36. Atashin’chi

Number of Episodes: 330
Original Run: April 19, 2002 – September 19, 2009

The series follows the everyday life of the fictional Japanese urban family Tachibana. The family consists of the father, an office worker, the mother, a housewife, and the adolescent siblings Mikan and Yuzuhiko.

35. Kiteretsu Daihyakka

Number of Episodes: 331
Original Run: March 27, 1988 – June 9, 1996

The series follows the adventures of Kiteretsu, a young math genius, and his companion robot Korosuke. Unlike Doraemon, the focus is on time travel using Kiteretsu’s time machine. The stories also involve Miyoko, Kiteretsu’s neighbor and love interest, as well as his love rival Tongari and neighborhood bully Buta Gorilla.

34. Keroro Gunso

Number of Episodes: 358
Original Run: April 3, 2004 – April 3, 2011

Sergeant Keroro follows the misadventures of an alien frog, Sergeant Keroro, and his team on a mission to infiltrate Earth. However, their plans go awry, and Keroro ends up as a pet to a human family. The series humorously explores the invaders’ comedic attempts at world domination, hindered by their own quirks and the antics of the Hinata family, who unwittingly disrupt their mission.

33. Charady no Joke na Mainichi

Number of Episodes: 365
Original Run: April 1, 2009 – March 30, 2010

Charady no Joke na Mainichi is a Japanese short anime series featuring Charady, a character who faces humorous daily situations. Each episode is a brief, comedic skit that highlights Charady’s interactions and reactions in various scenarios, often leading to playful and amusing outcomes. The series is known for its lighthearted humor and showcases Charady’s humorous take on ordinary situations, making it an entertaining and enjoyable watch.

32. Kirin Monoshiri Daiquiri: Manga Bushiness

Number of Episodes: 366
Original Run: August 3, 1970 – September 30, 1971

Kirin Monoshiri Daiquiri: Manga Bushiness is an anime series that revolves around a character named Kirin. The series explores the world of manga and the business aspects associated with it. Kirin is likely involved in the manga industry, and the show may depict her experiences, challenges, and interactions within this creative field. The title suggests a playful and perhaps comedic take on the manga business, and viewers can expect insights into the world of manga creation and publication.

31. Bleach

Number of Episodes: 392
Original Run: October 5, 2004 – TBC in 2024

Ichigo Kurosaki, a 15-year-old high school student with the ability to see ghosts, unexpectedly receives Shinigami powers from Rukia Kuchiki after she is injured during a hollow attack. As Rukia temporarily transfers her duties to Ichigo, they become friends, but complications arise when Rukia is forcibly returned to the spirit realm, facing severe consequences for violating Shinigami rules. Determined to save Rukia, Ichigo, along with friends Chad, Orihime, and Uryū, embarks on a perilous journey to Soul Society, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens both realms.

30. Gintama

Number of Episodes: 367
Original Run: April 4, 2006 – October 7, 2018

Gintama is set in an anachronistic Japan where aliens called Amanto have taken over and banned swords in public. Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai, refuses to give up his sword and becomes a handyman, along with his apprentice Shinpachi Shimura and the strong-willed alien girl Kagura. Together, they form Yorozuya, taking on odd jobs and encountering various characters, including former comrades and the police force Shinsengumi, in a comedic and action-packed series that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

29. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo

Number of Episodes: 373
Original Run: June 16, 1996 – December 19, 2004

Kankichi Ryotsu (referred to as “Mister Ryo”) is a 36-year-old police officer operating in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward. Immature, lazy, otaku, and always ready to make money, he experiences all kinds of misadventures. Most of the stories take place at the same police station, often with the same main characters, without the episodes being linked together, giving the anime a sitcom-like feel.

28. Cooking Idol I! My! Mine!

Number of Episodes: 400
Original Run: March 30, 2009 – March 29, 2013

Cooking Idol teaches children how to cook through the guidance of the main character MAIN. The show itself consists of an animated segment featuring MAIN and a live-action segment in which the voice actress of MAIN, Fukuhara Haruka, practices cooking herself. The live-action segment is not included in the average episode duration.

27. Morning Ninja team Gatchaman

Number of Episodes: 475
Original Run: April 18, 2011 – March 29, 2013

A series of one-minute flash shorts based on Tatsunoko Production’s classic science-fiction hero series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman aired during the NTV’s Zip! television program in the mornings.

26. Naruto: Shippuden

Number of Episodes: 500
Original Run: October 3, 2007 – March 23, 2017

Naruto Shippuden is the sequel to the original Naruto series and follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki as he matures and embarks on a journey to become the strongest ninja and protect his village, Konohagakure. The series begins with Naruto’s return to the village after two years of training with his mentor, Jiraiya. The main focus is on Naruto’s quest to retrieve his friend Sasuke Uchiha, who has defected to the villainous organization Akatsuki, and to save the world from impending threats.

25. Shimajiro no Waow

Number of Episodes: 504
Original Run: April 2, 2012 – ongoing

Shimajiro no Wow! is a Japanese children’s television series featuring a character named Shimajiro, a cute tiger cub. The show is educational and designed for preschoolers, focusing on early childhood development and learning. Shimajiro, along with his friends and family, engages in various adventures and activities that help young viewers explore the world around them and learn important life skills.

24. Obake no Q-tarō

Number of Episodes: 510
Original Run: April 1, 1985 – March 29, 1987

The story revolves around a mischievous ghost named Q-tarō (Q-chan or Oba-Q), who resides with the Ohara family. Q-tarō is known for flying, stealing food, causing mischief, and frightening people, despite having a fear of dogs himself. The narrative also includes another character, Q-tarō’s friend Doronpa, and follows the humorous and playful interactions between Q-tarō and the human world.

23. Perman

Number of Episodes: 526
Original Run: April 4, 1983 – July 2, 1985

The story follows Mitsuo Suwa, an extravagant child who receives a special helmet from the mysterious superhero Birdman, granting him incredible strength and the ability to fly. Transforming into the superhero Perman, Mitsuo is dedicated to fighting criminals and injustices. He is joined by a group of friends, each equipped with a special kit that includes a helmet for strength, a cloak for flight, and a P-shaped transceiver for communication and transformation. Together, they embark on humorous adventures, utilizing a robot to deceive their parents while maintaining their superhero activities.

22. Hanakappa

Number of Episodes: 630
Original Run: March 29, 2010 – ongoing

Hanakappa (also known as Flower Kappa) follows the story of the misadventures of a young kappa named Hanna Kappa. Unlike other Flower Kappa’s, Hanna Kappa’s flower does not stop changing.

His grandfather tells him to wait until he is older, but Hanna Kappa immediately wants his amazing adult flower. Meanwhile, the evil Kuruwaneya Chyoubee orders his servant Garizoo to steal the priceless flower on Hanna Kappa’s head. Thanks to his friends and his own abilities, Hanna Kappa manages to thwart Garizoo’s attempts and make each day more fun than the last.

21. Ninja Hattori-kun

Number of Episodes: 696
Original Run: September 28, 1981 – December 25, 1987

The story revolves around Ken’ichi Misoba, a 10-year-old boy with poor academic performance, who befriends a young ninja named Kanzo Hattori. Kanzo, along with his brother Shinzo and their dog-ninja Shishimaru, becomes a part of Ken’s family, helping him solve problems and acting as a constant companion. The narrative involves humorous interactions, competitions, and attempts to make Ken’s mother happy, all while dealing with challenges and the rivalry between Ken’ichi and another skilled ninja named Kemumaki Kemuzo.

20. Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō

Number of Episodes: 726
Original Run: December 13, 1993 – March 31, 2008

Focusing on the main character Shimajiro, the anime depicts life on Challenge Island in an omnibus format. Many of the episodes feature lessons learned from social rules and deepen ties through troubles with family and friends, and fantastic stories such as enjoying the seasons and adventuring in a dream world. Most of the characters in this work, including guest characters, are anthropomorphic animals, but occasionally fairies and witches also appear.

19. Asadayo!Kaishain

Number of Episodes: 744
Original Run: April 4, 2016 – ongoing

The series follows a variety of employed shellfish who exhibit selfish or odd personality traits.

18. Kotowaza House

Number of Episodes: 773
Original Run: April 4, 1987 – September 28, 1994

Kotowaza House portrays the life of a man named Peter who leads an unhealthy lifestyle, alternating between periods of starvation and overeating. Additionally, he tends to be lazy at home but is occasionally motivated to exercise, often resulting in pulled muscles.

17. Sekai Monoshiri Ryokō

Number of Episodes: 1,006
Original Run: October 1, 1971 – December 31, 1974

An educational documentary series that depicts a variety of real-life places around the world in short 5-minute segments.

16. One Piece

Number of Episodes: 1,088
Original Run: October 20, 1999 – ongoing

Twenty-two years after Gol D. Roger’s execution, the interest in the One Piece treasure is waning. Many have given up on it, some even wonder if it really exists. Although pirates are still a threat to the locals, the Navy has become more effective in countering their attacks on all four seas: East Blue, North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue.

However, this change did not deter Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy, from wanting to become the successor to the legendary Roger. He will thus set off on an adventure, giving himself the first objective of creating a crew in order to reach the Grand Line sea, where the fever of the “great wave of piracy” continues to rage and where many big names in the piracy are in pursuit of the One Piece, supposed to be on the last island of this great sea, Laugh Tale.

15. Detective Conan

Number of Episodes: 1,108
Original Run: January 8, 1996 – ongoing

Detective Conan follows the story of Shinichi Kudo, a high school detective who, after being poisoned by a criminal organization, regresses to the appearance of a six-year-old boy named Conan Edogawa. To conceal his true identity, Conan joins forces with his childhood friend Ran Mouri and her detective father, Kogoro Mouri, solving cases under the pseudonym Conan. While searching for clues about the mysterious organization that poisoned him, Conan forms the “Detective Boys” and uses his intelligence to solve crimes and unveil the truth behind the criminal network.

14. Crayon Shin-chan

Number of Episodes: 1,162
Original Run: April 13, 1992 – ongoing

Crayon Shin-chan follows the adventures of Shinnosuke Nohara, a mischievous five-year-old boy, and his interactions with his family, friends, and the community in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The Nohara family, consisting of Shinnosuke, his parents Misae and Hiroshi, and later his younger sister Himawari, navigates the challenges of daily life. Shinnosuke spends time with his friends Nene, Kazama, Masao, and Bo and often engages in humorous and playful antics at his kindergarten, interacting with teachers and classmates. The series incorporates Shinnosuke’s crush on his former teacher and his admiration for superheroes like Action Kamen and Cuntom Robo.

13. Doraemon (2005)

Number of Episodes: 1,159
Original Run: April 15, 2005 – ongoing

The robot Doraemon is sent from the 22nd century to the present. Nobita’s great-great-grandson tries to save the clumsy Nobita from his biggest mistakes, lead a carefree life, and not get into trouble that will affect the future. In particular, Doraemon should make sure that Nobita doesn’t get into trouble unnecessarily and marries Shizuka as planned. The stories follow predetermined patterns. Nobita comes home crying and calls loudly for Doraemon: “Doraemon, help me!”.

Together, they go through many adventures and deal with Nobita’s problems, which range from school problems to trouble with classmates to insecurities in dealing with girls. To help Nobita, Doraemon keeps conjuring up new imaginative gadgets from the future from his pocket. However, their use often gets Nobita even deeper into the mess.

12. Monoshiri Daigaku Ashita no Calendar

Number of Episodes: 1,274
Original Run: July 1, 1966 – August 2, 1970

Monoshiri Daigaku Ashita no Calendar is an educational anime series that focuses on teaching children about various topics, including science, nature, and everyday life. The title translates to “Monoshiri University: Tomorrow’s Calendar.” The show aims to make learning engaging and informative for young viewers by exploring different subjects in a fun and entertaining way. Each episode likely covers a specific theme or topic, providing educational content in an accessible format for children.

11. Chibi Maruko-chan

Number of Episodes: 1,276
Original Run: January 8, 1995 – ongoing

The story is set in the seventies. Maruko is a girl who lives in the agricultural province of Shizuoka and who has a normal family. Normal as her red and white dress, black eyes in the image of speckles of ink and her hairdo. Her adventures are normal stories of fantastic suggestions that arise and feed on simple emotions and take place in the places where an eight-year-old girl lives.

10. Hoka Hoka Kazoku

Number of Episodes: 1,428
Original Run: October 1, 1976 – March 31, 1982

Hoka Hoka Kazoku is a Japanese anime series that originally aired in 1976. The title translates to “Warm and Fuzzy Family.” The series is a family-oriented anime that revolves around the daily lives and adventures of the Hoshizaki family. The family members include the father, Tsuyoshi, the mother, Junko, and their three children.

The anime portrays the warm and humorous moments the family shares as they navigate various situations together. It often explores the dynamics of family life and the bonds between family members. The series is known for its lighthearted and heartwarming approach, making it suitable for audiences of all ages.

9. Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi

Number of Episodes: 1,494
Original Run: January 7, 1975 – January 2, 1995

An omnibus-format anime series that consists of a series of adaptations of various Japanese folk tales. The main rule of the series was that the creative staff changed from episode to episode.

8. Kirin Ashita no Calendar

Number of Episodes: 1,498
Original Run: January 1, 1980 – December 30, 1984

Kirin Ashita No Calendar follows Cathy, a cat, and a mouse, both from the predecessor Kirin Monoshiri Kan, as they teach children about historical events through a stage play format.

7. Soreike! Anpanman

Number of Episodes: 1,565
Original Run: October 3, 1988 – ongoing

In each episode, Anpanman helps the people of his village, especially the hungry, and fights against Baikinman. Over the course of all the episodes broadcast to date, more than 1m700 characters have been presented.

6. Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata

Number of Episodes: 1,565
Original Run: January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1979

Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata is about a cat named Cathy and a mouse teaching children about history while trying to get along. The two quarrel constantly, usually the mouse outwitting the cat. It is basically a Japanese version of Tom & Jerry.

5. Doraemon

Number of Episodes: 1,787
Original Run: April 2, 1979 – March 18, 2005

The robot Doraemon is sent from the 22nd century to the present. Nobita’s great-great-grandson tries to save the clumsy Nobita from his biggest mistakes, lead a carefree life and not get into trouble that will affect the future. In particular, Doraemon should make sure that Nobita doesn’t get into trouble unnecessarily and marries Shizuka as planned. The stories follow predetermined patterns. Nobita comes home crying and calls loudly for Doraemon: “Doraemon, help me!”.

Together they go through many adventures and deal with Nobita’s problems, which range from school problems to trouble with classmates to insecurities in dealing with girls. To help Nobita, Doraemon keeps conjuring up new imaginative gadgets from the future from his pocket. However, their use often gets Nobita even deeper into the mess.

4. Oyako Club

Number of Episodes: 1,818
Original Run: October 3, 1994 – March 30, 2013

Oyako Club is a Japanese anime series that aired from 1994 to 1995. The title translates to “Parent and Child Club” in English. The anime is a family-oriented series that focuses on the daily lives and interactions of a multigenerational family.

The central theme revolves around the relationships between parents and their children, as well as the dynamics within an extended family. The series often explores the joys, challenges, and humorous moments that arise from family life. Each episode typically presents a self-contained story or scenario, allowing viewers to witness various aspects of family dynamics.

3. Ojarumaru

Number of Episodes: 1,917
Original Run: October 5, 1998 – ongoing

The plot revolves around a 5-year-old prince who arrived from the Heian era in modern Japan. He is also accompanied by firefly and three Oni demons. The main character will have to adapt to a new way of life in a new society for him.

2. Nintama Rantarō

Number of Episodes: 2,321
Original Run: April 10, 1993 – ongoing

Rantarō is the son of a second-generation ninja, just like his grandparents and great-great-grandparents. His father, tired of living in a family of ordinary ninjas, decides to send Rantaro to a special school so that he can become an elite ninja and bring honor to his family. But at school not only boys learn, but there are also girls, which causes more fun situations between them.

When Rantaro and his crew start in the hard art of the ninja, they discover that it is not as easy as they thought because they have to learn a survival manual and special techniques to be the best. But, although their teachers do their best, the three of them are the clumsiest in the whole school. Due to their ninja status in the school, the school is not exempt from evil characters who will even try to bring the school down.

1. Sazae-san

Number of Episodes: 7,881
Original Run: October 5, 1969 – ongoing

The anime episodes revolve around the 27-year-old Japanese Sazae Isono. She lives in post-war Japan with her father Namihei Isono, mother Fune Isono, and her siblings Katsuo Isono and Wakame Isono. First, they live in Kyushu, later Tokyo. After marrying Masuo Fuguta, Sazae takes his surname as well. They both have a son named Tarao Fuguta.

Sazae has to help her family through the post-war period and the hunger, and later on fill the various roles in the household, as daughter, wife, and mother. She also advocates women’s rights and emancipation without disregarding tradition. The stories each deal with problems of their time. In the 1940s, for example, Sazae was annoyed by the American soldiers and the family had to fight hunger.

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