entertainment

28 Japanese anime series make IMDb’s top 250 TV series list

12 Comments
By Krista Rogers, RocketNews24

Recently, the popular Internet Movies Database (IMDb) released their list of the top 250 TV series of all-time, based on user reviews. Japanese net users were curious to see which of their country’s shows would make the final cut, and as it turns out, 28 Japanese anime series were included in the list.

How did your favorite anime stack up against some the most masterful television series in the world?

Twenty-eight anime series out of a total of 250 television series (11.2%) is pretty impressive, especially considering that the animated series are going up against, well, every large-scale television production in the world.

Regarding the creation of the list, here’s what IMDb has to say about how they calculated the results:

“The Top 250 TV list only includes TV series and TV mini series.

The list is ranked by a formula which includes the number of ratings each show received from voters, and value of ratings received from regular voters. To be included on the list, a series or mini series must receive at least 5,000 votes, and a TV series must also have aired at least 5 episodes.“ On one final note, please keep in mind that the list is constantly in flux, so the rankings may be slightly different by the time you read this. Enjoy the following edited version for anime lovers that we’ve put together below!

IMDb’s Top 250 TV List [Japanese anime series only]

  1. FLCL (2000-2001)
  2. Detective Conan (1996-ongoing) 209: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (2007)
  3. Trigun (1998)
  4. Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012)
  5. Mushi-Shi (2005-2006)
  6. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002-2003)
  7. Monster (2004-2005)
  8. Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998)
  9. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
  10. YuYu Hakusho (1992-1995)
  11. Samurai Champloo (2004-2005)
  12. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003-2004)
  13. Berserk (1997-1998)
  14. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-2007)
  15. Dragon Ball Kai (2009-2011; 2014-2015)
  16. Steins;Gate (2011)
  17. Dragon Ball [North American version] (2001-2003)
  18. Dragon Ball [Japanese version] (1986-1989)
  19. Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
  20. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008)
  21. One Piece (1999-ongoing)
  22. Attack on Titan (2013)
  23. Dragon Ball Z [Japanese version] (1989-1996)
  24. Dragon Ball Z [North American version] (1996-2003)

Now, to round out the three most popular Japanese series:

  1. Death Note (2006-2007)
  2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009-2010)
  3. Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)

I certainly don’t have any problems with Cowboy Bebop taking the anime gold. If anything, it’s a shame that the series isn’t immediately recognizable in more parts of the world.

By the way, in case you’re curious, IMDb’s top five TV overall series are as follows:

  1. The Wire (U.S., 2002-2008)
  2. Game of Thrones (U.S., 2011-ongoing)
  3. Breaking Bad (U.S., 2008-2013)
  4. Planet Earth (UK, 2006)
  5. Band of Brothers (UK/U.S., 2001)

Japanese net users responded to the list with a variety of comments, including:

“I think the only time I ever cried while watching an anime was during episode 18 [“Speak Like a Child,” in which an old Betamax tape revealing Faye’s past is delivered to the crew] of Cowboy Bebop. Not that I’m getting my hopes up, but whatever happened to its live-action adaptation with Keanu Reeves?”

“If all the incarnations of Dragon Ball were combined into one listing, it would have scored even better.”

“There’s a distinct lack of moe-type anime on the list–guess they’re not as popular overseas.”

“Huh? I thought for sure that Naruto and Saint Seiya would be on the list, but they’re not…”

“I thought for sure that Friends would be number 1…it’s not even in the top ten…”

Which left-out series do you think deserved to be on the list? Which of the series didn’t even deserve to be ranked?

Sources: IMDb, Yurukuyaru

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Wear black – The 20 most memorable anime deaths, as chosen by fans -- Rock band Good Morning America performs new Dragon Ball Kai ending -- Japanese voters pick the top manga, anime, and other works they wish to see introduced abroad

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12 Comments
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Cowboy Bebop was the bomb for the 12 yo me. I had just moved back to Japan from Canada and had never really been into anime before. Saw this one and was hooked. I have all episodes on DVD and still watch it occasionally.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It always surprises me how relatively unknown Samurai Champloo is in Japan. That is one of the best anime series I've ever watched. And really glad to see my all time number one favorite FMA-B make it into the top 30!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@FullM3taL That is to show people that the image many people around the world have regarding Japan and its people is very wrong. If the anime thing is so different from what you (or another person) imagined from reality in here, you can imagine how many other things are different.

So please don't believe everything on internet and less on so many commentators here in JT.

The above statement includes me?, maybe, you be the judge of that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What, no BLEACH in the list? How disappointing.

@FullM3taL I agree. Samurai Champloo is one of my favorites as well. Personally I rate it above Cowboy Bebop. A great series that is often overlooked. And this is coming from someone who's been watching anime for decades.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

People love cartoons I guess.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Cowboy bebop is the ace, great music, great characters, great story, It is like Anime Firefly. I am also surprised that Naruto isn't on the list

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I never liked Dragon Ball...Anyway, Japanese animation is very loved around the world, and it deserves its popularity. There are some amazing series that are way better than films and telefilms.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Definitely surprised that Naruto didn't make that list considering its popularity both in Japan and abroad. Also surprised that no Kyoto Animation shows made that list like CLANNAD, Air or Kanon.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Um... yeah. Does no one see the something here. 22 of the 25 are a decade or OLDER!

They havent made a classic anime is a decade. Ghost in The Shell SAC #158. Full Metal is somewhat recent. I enjoyed it but it wasn't "classic" and death Note was the last one I really enjoyed. It ended 8 years ago! I mean come on. In the west there are more TV shows that I can watch in a life time. I drowning trying to watch all the decent shows. I WANT Japan to put out some decent anime... they just don't seen to want to.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hey Robert, do you think One Piece is a decent anime?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Watched all of the Top 5

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I don't like that it counts number of reviews, because that skews the results towards more recent shows, especially compared to pre-IMDB ones. People are more likely to review something that they're watching now as opposed to something that they watched 15 or 20 years ago.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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