10 Most Popular Anime on Netflix of All Time

Deku, Tanjiro, Luffy, Baki, Meliodas, Yuji and Asta
Deku, Tanjiro, Luffy, Baki, Meliodas, Yuji and Asta (Image Credits: Studio Bones, Ufotable, Toei Animation, TMS Entertainment, A-1 Pictures, MAPPA, Studio Pierrot)

In terms of entertainment, there is little that has experienced such a massive growth across the globe in popularity like anime, and Netflix has been at the forefront of making the genre as accessible as it is.

The streaming giant has continually grown its collection and provided viewers with the opportunity to watch classics as well as new releases in their regions. Of this vast library, some of these franchises are characterized by their sheer dominance as they bring in millions of viewing hours owing to their various seasons, arcs, and movies.

The catalogue of the most popular anime on Netflix presented below lists the top ten franchises of all time, taking into consideration the statistics, cultural influence, narrative, as well as availability. This has made them stand out in the history of anime.


10. My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is one of the leading franchises in the list of popular anime on Netflix due to its combination of superhero elements, well-paced character development, and frequent release of new episodes.

Despite having a lower total view hours than juggernauts, such as Naruto or Pokémon, it is ranked quite high, drawing in a total of 48.1 million views since January 2023. The show is a treat to shonen and non-shonen fans due to its visually detailed battles, ethical issues, and interesting characters.

My Hero Academia (Image Credits: Studio Bones)
My Hero Academia (Image Credits: Studio Bones)

Furthermore, the anime also owes its popularity to its extensive international licensing, with numerous Netflix territories licensing My Hero Academia, widening its scope. The cumulative totals of Netflix have been aided by the steady fandom that subscribes and engages with every new season. Other activities that keep the interest between seasons are merchandising, anime awards, and social media attention.


9. Jujutsu Kaisen

The dark fantasy, curse-based powers, incredible protagonist-villain relationships, and high production quality place Jujutsu Kaisen on the list of popular anime on Netflix. Since the beginning of 2023, it has received an approximate of 35.6 million total views. More recent than the other long-running series, its reputation for combining horror and comedy with intense battle sequences has won it a lot of popularity.

Jujutsu Kaisen (Image Credits: MAPPA)
Jujutsu Kaisen (Image Credits: MAPPA)

A new way of animation and action style is another reason why it is popular; many of its scenes are viral on the internet because of their visceral visual effect.

Netflix, in more than most cases, prefers creating a bundle and then releasing a season/catalogue, allowing for more binge-watching. Its arc and theme songs also create social discussions, which make it visible.


8. BAKI

BAKI is a more action-packed addition to the list of popular anime on Netflix. It has raked in a total of 60.8 million views since January 2023 and is distinguished by raw martial arts action, themes of bloodsport, and a large fanbase among older anime viewers.

The extreme physical combat, high stakes, and violent nature of the episodes of the franchise attract viewers who are seeking more mature, gritty programming.

Baki (Image Credits: TMS Entertainment)
Baki (Image Credits: TMS Entertainment)

The reason behind its revival on Netflix is also due to the new seasons and crossover releases that attract both old and new audiences interested in the legend of Baki. Also, the rising marketing and internationalization of the studio have helped.


7. The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai) has the advantage of being one of the earlier licensed anime series that Netflix popularized around the world. For this reason, it has been an introduction to the world of anime for many viewers.

It has attracted 114.4 million total views as of 2023. The blend of fantasy, adventure, and slightly archetypal shonen (heroes, demons, magical battles) is very wide-ranging.

The Seven Deadly Sins (Image Credits: A-1 Pictures)
The Seven Deadly Sins (Image Credits: A-1 Pictures)

Its numerous seasons can be found across the world, and the franchise has exploited new arcs, films, and spin-offs. The nostalgic effect, the popularity of knights, curses, and a fantasy world make it long-lasting.


6. Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter is one of the more timeless popular anime on Netflix, even decades later. It is also ranked 6th, along with Black Clover, with approximately 138 million total views since January 2023.

Its multifaceted narration, moral uncertainty, unusual arc construction (as with Yorknew, Chimera Ant), and its highly developed secondary characters render it worth revisiting.

Hunter x Hunter (Image Credits: Nippon)
Hunter x Hunter (Image Credits: Nippon)

Access to a big portion of its content on Netflix also helps, as does a constant stream of communal discourse, memes, and fond retrospect, attracting new audiences.


5. Black Clover

Striking its own niche among Netflix anime hits, Black Clover has been neck-and-neck with Hunter x Hunter in total views, with approximately 138 million total views as of 2023. Its combination of magical battles, the appeal of the underdog protagonist, pacing, and balancing of filler, as well as high-stakes arcs, all add to the popularity of the series.

Black Clover (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)
Black Clover (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)

Netflix opened up the franchise to many regions, making it more visible internationally. To most, Black Clover is an available contemporary shonen anime that is a mix of Naruto and Bleach, albeit with a different identity.

Its ceaseless fights, consistent world growth, and a good-natured cast fuel binge viewing, increasing the counts substantially.


4. One Piece

One Piece is placed at the top of the popular anime on Netflix because of an impressive number of episodes, a rich lore, iconic characters, and global popularity.

It has registered approximately 174.1 million cumulative views since 2023, even though it is not available in some locations. The fans adore the legendary journey of the straw-hat, the scale of world-building, and its persistent symbolism in pop culture.

One Piece (Image Credits: Netflix)
One Piece (Image Credits: Netflix)

It is also helped by the fact that its live-action version (available on Netflix) has made more people curious about the original anime. The fact that the show provides lasting payoff to storytelling (tie-ups made across arcs, battle, friendship) stimulates the binging.


3. Demon Slayer

In terms of arcs, Demon Slayer dominates popular anime on Netflix. The five main arcs/seasons all topped the Netflix top ten lists, with a total of 153.2 million views since January 2023. Some of the most prominent arcs include Entertainment District, Mugen Train, Hashira Training, Swordsmith Village, and Tanjiro Kamado / Unwavering Resolve.

Demon Slayer (Image Credits: Ufotable)
Demon Slayer (Image Credits: Ufotable)

It is popular owing to its high production (studio Ufotable), emotional interests, dramatic demon fights, and easily endearing characters. Notably, every arc tends to become viral due to its animation or music, which contributes to attracting the audience, sometimes not the typical anime-lover.


2. Pokémon

Pokémon is one of the largest brands in the whole world, and among the popular anime on Netflix, it is mainly fueled by nostalgia, an extensive episode list, films, and merchandising.

It has a total view of approximately 193.8 million by 2023. Since Pokémon is a kid-friendly and nostalgic game, it is strangely positioned.

Pokémon (Image Credits: OLM Inc.)
Pokémon (Image Credits: OLM Inc.)

Its huge library implies that someone will always find something: old classics, new season, spin-offs. The presence of old content on Netflix, as well as fresh releases, is a guarantee for constant viewership.


1. Naruto

Naruto (including Shippuden and Boruto) is the most-watched anime franchise on the platform, with 205.8 million total views since January 2023 (topped by Naruto at the head of the list of popular anime on Netflix).

The franchise is a juggernaut due to its enormous number of episodes, its popularity, frequent re-introductions through Netflix acquisitions, and its high sense of nostalgia.

Naruto (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)
Naruto (Image Credits: Studio Pierrot)

Many anime users can relate to its messages of perseverance, friendship, ambition, and the need to be stronger. Naruto equally enjoys the advantage of early international acclaim, the availability of translation, and Netflix's steady addition of the ever-expanding catalogue, including numerous seasons as well as films. Due to this fact, Naruto will still be a highly likely first name mentioned when one considers anime on Netflix.


Why do these anime dominate Netflix?

What is so outstanding about these titles in the list of popular anime on Netflix is a mixture of things:

  • Content Volume: Franchises such as Naruto, One Piece, and Pokémon boast multiple episodes or films, providing a viewer with more content to engage with.
  • Regional Availability: Netflix licensing plays a major role. When there are a lot of seasons/arcs available in numerous countries, the shows receive more stream counts.
  • Emotional or Nostalgic Appeal: Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Pokémon are all associated with a great memory or emotional investment.
  • High production quality: Good animation and music, and strong arcs that make shows such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen stand out.
  • Viral moments & social discourse: Viral anime pieces, such as memorable fight scenes, character designs, music, etc., motivate new viewers to watch these anime. Social media magnifies the impact.

Finally, Naruto is the most-watched franchise on Netflix overall, and Demon Slayer is not far behind it, particularly in terms of arcs.

The top ten list highlights both old series and recent hits such as Pokémon, One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen, in terms of the number of episodes, quality, and licensing worldwide.

Edited by IRMA