How the Big Three Anime Changed the Anime Scene Forever
Explore how The Big Three Anime, One Piece, Naruto & Bleach, shaped Western anime culture—and whether new series have taken their place in today's anime world.
What are the “Big Three” anime:
Generally speaking, the Big Three anime refers to the three most popular, influential and long running shōnen anime series of the 2000s:
One Piece – A pirate adventure following Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they search for the legendary treasure, the One Piece.
Naruto – A ninja story about Naruto Uzumaki’s journey to become the strongest ninja (Hokage) while dealing with the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him.
Bleach – A supernatural action series about Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper and must protect the living and the dead from evil spirits called Hollows.
While the term Big Three Anime was not commonly used by Japanese fans, it became widespread among Western anime fans to differentiate these three series from other popular shōnen titles. The phrase was largely shaped by the anime industry's landscape in the 2000s, when these shows were constantly topping manga sales, anime viewership ratings, and merchandise sales.
Their Influence
The Big Three anime were hugely influential on the Western anime community, especially in the 2000s and early 2010s. Their impact helped transform anime from a niche interest into a major force in pop culture across North America, Europe, and beyond.
Here’s how they made their mark:
🧭 1. Mainstream Breakthrough
Naruto, in particular, became a gateway anime for millions of fans in the West. Its mix of action, character growth, and accessible storytelling helped anime go mainstream.
These shows were aired on major Western TV networks, especially on blocks like Cartoon Network’s Toonami, which introduced anime to younger audiences.
They were often dubbed early and released widely on DVDs, merchandise, and video games, making them more available than older or more niche anime.
📈 2. Commercial Powerhouses
All three series consistently topped manga and DVD sales charts in the West.
Naruto and Bleach had enormous success with their dubbed versions, helping to normalize anime as part of regular entertainment consumption.
They inspired a wave of merchandise, from headbands and action figures to cosplay and fanart, helping anime culture take root in schools, conventions, and online spaces.
🌍 3. Online Fan Culture Explosion
The Big Three helped shape early anime fandom online, with fan forums, AMVs (Anime Music Videos), fanfiction, and shipping wars.
YouTube, Fanfiction.net, and DeviantArt were full of Big Three content, and many creators in the anime space today started by making fan content for these shows.
These anime were often used to explain "what anime is" to non-fans in the 2000s.
🧬 4. Shaping Expectations
The tropes popularized by the Big Three—like training arcs, tournament arcs, power scaling, and complex rivalries—became genre-defining standards.
Many modern anime (like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen) were heavily inspired by them and clearly aim to carry on that legacy.
🏆 5. Lasting Legacy
Even after Naruto and Bleach ended, their impact continues through:
Spin-offs like Boruto.
The Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime revival.
One Piece’s ongoing global dominance.
They built the foundation for today’s anime boom, which is now fully global and accessible through streaming services.
In Short:
Without the Big Three, anime might never have reached the mainstream Western visibility it enjoys today. They were the bridge that connected Japanese animation to the broader Western pop culture world.
I myself got into anime after a friend of mine introduced me to Naruto back in mid 2000s.
The New Big Three Anime
Some people argue that in modern times, a "new Big Three" has emerged, including series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer. But the original Big Three still hold a legendary status in anime history. There’s even a bit of controversy around the idea of a “new Big Three.” The debate mainly comes from disagreements about what the Big Three originally meant and whether that kind of classification still makes sense today. Here are the main points of contention:
1. The Big Three Was a Unique Era
Many fans argue that the original Big Three (One Piece, Naruto, Bleach) were dominant in a way that can’t be replicated today. They were:
Long-running, with hundreds of episodes.
All serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Airing simultaneously and dominating the anime/manga industry.
Their overwhelming influence on the anime industry and fandom
Today, seasonal anime production has changed the industry. Most big shōnen anime (like Jujutsu Kaisen or Demon Slayer) air in seasonal formats rather than running continuously for years, making them different from the original Big Three. And although this wasn’t necessarily a must for a series to reach big three status, it's something to note that showcases the height of these shows.
2. The Influence of Streaming and Globalization
Anime distribution has changed dramatically with Crunchyroll, Netflix, and other streaming services. Back in the 2000s, anime was harder to access legally, so the Big Three had a monopoly over mainstream anime fans. Now, anime fans have a wider variety of choices, making it harder to define a new "Big Three."
3. What Qualifies a “New Big Three”?
Some argue that a new Big Three should include the most popular modern anime, with candidates like:
Jujutsu Kaisen
Demon Slayer
My Hero Academia
Attack on Titan (though not a Jump series)
Black Clover
Others say a "Big Three" should only refer to long-running shōnen anime, which is much rarer today.
There’s no definitive new Big Three, but if the term is still used, it’s more of a fan-made classification rather than an industry standard.
Final thoughts
The Big Three anime—One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach—did more than just entertain; they built the foundation for the global anime phenomenon we see today. Their characters, stories, and cultural footprints helped anime move from niche fandoms into mainstream Western pop culture. Whether you were glued to Toonami after school or binge-watching episodes online, chances are these series played a role in your anime journey.
While the debate over a “new Big Three” continues, what’s clear is that anime is now more diverse and accessible than ever. Today's titles like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen owe much to the trail blazed by their predecessors, even if the landscape has changed.
Ultimately, the Big Three aren’t just about popularity—they represent a moment in time when anime exploded across the world, uniting fans through shared experiences, unforgettable stories, and lasting community. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, their legacy is one worth remembering.
Did you get into anime through one of the Big Three?
Do you think there should be a “new Big Three” anime? Leave a comment letting me know!