Longest-Running Anime of All Time Ranked By Episode Count

Longest-Running Anime of All Time

Anime has been in existence for a significant period of time, and some of them have been around for quite a while. Several anime series have even accumulated more than a thousand episodes, making them some of the longest-running shows in history. Whether you’re searching for some good anime shows to watch or just looking to satisfy your curiosity, this is the right place to be. From classic favorites such as Doraemon to modern-day top shows like Naruto, read on to discover more about the longest-running anime series!

To begin with, what exactly is anime? Anime refers to traditional and digital animation from Japan, meaning that these are animated TV shows or movies that feature Japanese characters and culture. Typically, the industry adapts these anime series from popular manga series, which are Japanese comic books.

In contrast to Western animation, which focuses on movement, anime emphasizes detailed settings and camera effects. Character design in anime is also distinctive, with most characters having big, expressive eyes and colorful hair. Nowadays, anime is popular among a diverse range of people from various parts of the world, and there is an extensive genre selection to choose from. Additionally, Netflix makes it more accessible than ever to find the perfect show for you. In fact, you may just discover one that you’ll want to watch from the list of longest-running anime series mentioned below!

Top 10 Longest Anime Series

Here is the list of Top 10 Longest Anime Series of All time.

S.No	Program name	Started broadcasting	Finished broadcasting	Episode count
1	Sazae-san	October 5, 1969	Currently in production	2,640
2	Nintama Rantaro	April 10, 1993	Currently in production	2,321
3	Ojarumaru	October 5, 1998	Currently in production	1,947
4	Oyako Club	October 3, 1994	March 30, 2013	1,818
5	Doraemon (1979)	April 2, 1979	March 18, 2005	1,787
6	Soreike! Anpanman	October 3, 1988	Currently in production	1,572
7	Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata	January 1, 1975	December 31, 1979	1,565
8	Kirin Ashita no Calendar	January 1, 1980	December 30, 1984	1,498
9	Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi	January 7, 1975	January 2, 1995	1,494
10	Hoka Hoka Kazoku	October 1, 1976	March 31, 1982	1,428

Check out below to know the brief of the anime.

1. Sazae-san

The Anime series Sazae-san, which is based on a yonkoma manga by Machiko Hasegawa. The anime adaptation by TCJ (later renamed Eiken) holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series and has also been adapted into a radio show, theatrical plays, and songs. Sazae-san is a long-running anime series that started airing in Japan in October 1969 and is still in production today. It is based on the yonkoma manga series of the same name by Machiko Hasegawa. The anime is produced by Eiken and is known for its simple, hand-drawn animation style and its focus on daily life in Japan.

The story follows the Isono family, including the titular character Sazae, who is a strong-willed, independent woman. The show revolves around the family’s everyday life and the various situations they find themselves in. Sazae-san is known for its gentle humor and its ability to capture the essence of life in Japan, from cultural traditions to social issues.

The anime has been on the air for over 50 years and has become an institution in Japan. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series and has spawned numerous adaptations, including a radio show, theatrical plays, and songs. Despite its long run, Sazae-san remains popular and is a beloved part of Japanese culture.

2. Nintama Rantaro

Nintama Rantarō” is a long-running Japanese anime series that began airing in 1993. The show is based on a manga series by Soubee Amako, and follows the adventures of young ninja students at a ninja school called the “Ninja Academy.”

The story is set in feudal Japan, and focuses on the daily lives of Rantarō, Kirimaru, and Shinbei, three young ninja students as they learn and train to become skilled ninja warriors. The show blends comedy and action as the students face various challenges and missions, often involving rival ninja schools, evil villains, and other obstacles.

The show is known for its humorous and lighthearted tone, while also exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. It has become a popular series in Japan, with multiple seasons and spin-offs, as well as adaptations in various forms of media, including movies, video games, and manga.

3. Ojarumaru

Ojarumaru is a Japanese anime series produced by Studio Gallop. The series is about a young prince from the Heian period named Ojarumaru, who travels to modern-day Japan through a magical door in his castle. Once he arrives, he befriends a young girl named Yumeji and her family. Ojarumaru’s adventures in the modern world are usually centered around learning about modern technology, making new friends, and getting into mischief. Along the way, Ojarumaru also has to keep his true identity a secret from Yumeji’s family and friends. The series was originally released in Japan in 1998 and has since become popular with children and families.

4. Oyako Club

Oyako Club is a family-oriented anime series that depicts the daily lives and experiences of a group of families living in a suburban neighborhood. The series revolves around the relationships between parents and their children, exploring themes of family, parenting, and growing up.

The anime was produced by Sunrise studio and directed by Takashi Imanishi. It consists of 1818 episodes and was based on a manga of the same name by Yumi Tsukirino.

5. Doraemon

The anime series, Doraemon, comprises 1787 episodes with a runtime of 11 minutes per episode. The show follows the adventures of Doraemon, a robotic cat from the 22nd century, who travels back in time to assist Nobita Nobi, a young boy frequently subjected to bullying by his peers. Doraemon remains one of the most popular anime series to date and has been recognized for its cultural significance. In March 2008, the Foreign Ministry of Japan appointed Doraemon as the first “anime ambassador,” and it was also featured as the “Asian Hero” by Time Asia magazine in 2002. While the original series premiered in 1972 with only 26 episodes, a remake of the show began in 2005 and is currently ongoing.

6. Sore Ike! Anpanman

The anime series, Sore Ike! Anpanman, has a total of 1491 episodes with a runtime of 24 minutes per episode. Since its original run on October 3, 1988, the show remains ongoing and is one of the longest-running anime series to date. This comedic show is particularly well-liked by children and features a superhero character named Anpanman, whose head is shaped like an “anpan” – a type of Japanese bread filled with red bean paste. The show chronicles Anpanman’s various adventures as he battles against his arch-nemesis. Anpanman has become a cultural phenomenon in Japan and is featured in a wide variety of merchandise, such as toys, clothes, and even snacks. The character has also inspired other anime series such as One-Punch Man and was even referenced in the K-pop group BTS’s song, “Anpanman.”

7. Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata

Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata, also known as “The Giraffe’s Knowledge Mansion.” This anime is based on a Japanese children’s book of the same name and was produced by Nippon Animation. The show follows a giraffe who lives in a mansion filled with knowledge and is always eager to learn new things.

“Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata” consists of 25 episodes, with each episode having a runtime of approximately 25 minutes. The series originally aired in Japan from October 4, 1989, to March 28, 1990.

The show’s educational and informative nature makes it a popular choice for young children in Japan. It is also notable for its use of stop-motion animation, which is a technique that involves manipulating physical objects to create the illusion of movement.

Overall, “Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata” is a charming and informative anime series that teaches young viewers about various topics in an entertaining and engaging way.

8. Kirin Ashita no Calendar

Kirin Ashita no Calendar, also known as “Kirin Tomorrow’s Calendar,” is yet another long-standing anime series with a total of 1498 episodes. The original run of the show was from January 1, 1980, to October 6, 1984, with each episode having a runtime of 5 minutes. The show is unique in that it features a cat and a mouse teaching children about historical events in a stage play format. Unfortunately, the show is partially lost, and there is limited information available about it since it was never aired again by its producers. Currently, only the show’s introduction has survived, making it difficult for audiences to access its content.

9. Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi

The anime series Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi, which translates to “Japanese Folklore Tales,” spans across 1494 episodes with each episode having a runtime of 25 minutes. The original run of the show was from January 7, 1976, to September 3, 1994, making it one of Japan’s longest-running anime series. The series showcases various Japanese folk tales in each episode and features a unique creative staff behind each one.

10. Hoka Hoka Kazoku

The anime series Hoka Hoka Kazoku consists of 1428 episodes that ran from October 1, 1976, to March 31, 1982, with each episode having a runtime of 5 minutes. The show depicts the ordinary daily routines of a family residing in modern Japan. Unlike other anime shows, Hoka Hoka Kazoku does not adhere to a fixed storyline, but instead focuses on providing an educational glimpse into the slice-of-life genre.

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Which is the Longest Anime Series?

Sazae-san is a yonkoma manga series created by Machiko Hasegawa and illustrated by the same author. The manga made its first appearance in Hasegawa’s local newspaper, the Fukunichi Shinbun, on April 22, 1946. When the Asahi Shimbun expressed interest in publishing the four-panel comic in their paper, Hasegawa relocated to Tokyo in 1949, stating that the main characters had also moved from Kyūshū to Tokyo. The Asahi Shimbun published the first Sazae-san strip on November 30, 1949. The manga’s focus was on daily life and current situations in Tokyo until Hasegawa retired and ended the series, with the last comic appearing on February 21, 1974.

By 1999, the manga had sold over 86 million copies, making it one of the top-selling manga series of all time. Sazae-san won the 8th Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1962. Eiken (previously TCJ) produced an anime television adaptation of Sazae-san, which first aired in Japan in October 1969 and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series. The series has also been adapted into a radio show, theatrical plays, and songs.

Sazae-san’s plot revolved around the daily life of a large family and was presented in a lighthearted, straightforward manner, despite touching on topical issues. In the early stages, Sazae preferred spending time with her horse rather than dressing up in traditional attire to attract a potential spouse. Hasegawa was forward-thinking, believing that the Isono/Fuguta family would represent the image of the modern Japanese family after World War II. Sazae was a liberated woman who often dominated her husband, much to the disapproval of their neighbors, who believed that a man should be the head of the household. As the series progressed, Sazae became a feminist and participated in many amusing situations relating to her involvement with her local women’s liberation group. The final comic strip, published in 1974, revolved around Sazae’s joy that an egg shell cracked for her husband’s breakfast produced a double yolk, highlighting the pleasure of small things in life.

Conclusion

Anime has evolved over the years from traditional hand-drawn animation to digital animation from Japan. Some anime series have been around for a long time, with some accumulating over a thousand episodes, making them some of the longest-running shows in history. From classic favorites such as Doraemon to modern-day top shows like Naruto, anime has become popular worldwide, with an extensive genre selection to choose from. The list of the top 10 longest anime series includes Sazae-san, Nintama Rantaro, Ojarumaru, Oyako Club, Doraemon, Soreike! Anpanman, Kirin no Monoshiri Yakata, Kirin Ashita no Calendar, Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi, and Hoka Hoka Kazoku. Each of these anime series has their unique storyline and characters, and they have become a part of Japanese culture and popular entertainment globally.

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