Most Influential Anime Of All Time

Okay, let's talk anime. Everyone has their faves. And everyone thinks their faves are the MOST influential. I'm about to drop some truth bombs. (Maybe controversial truth bombs.)

The Usual Suspects (and Why They're Great, But...)

We gotta mention Akira. Explosions! Motorcycles! Psychic powers! It definitely blew minds and influenced a generation of animators.

Then there's Dragon Ball Z. Screaming! Powering up! More screaming! It's the gateway drug for many anime fans.

And of course, Sailor Moon. Magical girls fighting evil in style? Groundbreaking! But, influential how? Let's dig deeper.

My Unpopular Opinion: The Real Game-Changers

Ready for it? I think influence goes beyond cool visuals and epic battles. It's about impacting storytelling, characters, and...feelings!

First up: Neon Genesis Evangelion. Giant robots? Check. Teen angst? Double-check. Existential dread? You betcha!

Seriously though, Evangelion messed with our heads in the best way. It wasn't just about fighting monsters. It was about fighting *yourself*. That's deep stuff for a cartoon, folks.

But wait, there's more!

Let's talk Cowboy Bebop. Space cowboys! Jazzy soundtrack! Philosophical musings! It wasn't your typical action anime.

The show was cool, stylish, and mature. It showed that anime could be more than just robots and screaming. It was a vibe, man.

And for a bit of tear-jerking influence, consider Clannad. Okay, maybe I'm biased. But the emotional depth! The character development!

It tackled family, loss, and the power of human connection. It proved that anime could make you ugly-cry and feel all the feels. (Don't judge me!)

The Underdog Influencers

Here's a shout-out to some shows that might not be HUGE but had a big impact. Think hidden gems.

Revolutionary Girl Utena. Gender roles? Subverted! Fairytale tropes? Twisted! It was feminist anime before feminist anime was cool.

Mushishi is a bit more mellow. Beautiful nature, gentle storytelling, spiritual undertones. Soothing and inspirational.

And let's not forget Serial Experiments Lain. This show was like the Matrix before The Matrix. Trippy, philosophical, and ahead of its time.

So, What Makes Something "Influential"?

Is it popularity? Is it groundbreaking animation? Is it merchandising power?

For me, it's about the shows that stuck with me. The ones that made me think. The ones that changed how I saw the world. And maybe, just maybe, made me a little bit more emo.

Ultimately, the most influential anime are the ones that resonate with you. So, what are your picks? (And please don't yell at me for leaving out your faves.)