10 Mega-Popular Anime That Americans Have Never Heard Of

Anime fans love a good deep cut. Whether it is an obscure OVA from the ‘90s or a one-season wonder that never got a dub, the hunt for underrated gems has become part of the grind. But in the rush to uncover underrated gems, it is easy to forget the anime series that were, and still are, domestic hits. Long before streaming platforms arrived, Japan had its own mega-popular anime that dominated ratings, sold mountains of merch, and became culturally resonant. And yet, many of these titles never made it across the Pacific.

The phrase “never heard of” might sound dramatic, but it is surprisingly accurate. These aren’t niche art-house series or blink-and-you-miss-it releases. They are long-running, massively successful anime that most American viewers, even seasoned otaku, wouldn’t recognize. Some were aimed at kids, others at families, and a few were simply too culturally specific to translate, and that’s mainly why they stayed off Western radar.

Here are 10 mega-popular anime that Americans have never heard of.

‘Chibi Maruko-chan’ (1990 – Present)

Fuji TV

Set in 1970s suburban Japan, Chibi Maruko-chan follows the daily life of Momoko Sakura, a mischievous and relatable third-grade girl nicknamed “Maruko.” She lives with her extended family and navigates school, friendships, and minor misadventures with a mix of innocence and wit. Episodes are episodic, with recurring characters like Maruo-kun and Hanawa-kun adding flavor to Maruko’s world.

The anime’s humor is observational and character-driven, often poking fun at family dynamics and childhood awkwardness. Originally based on Momoko Sakura’s autobiographical manga, Chibi Maruko-chan premiered in 1990 and has remained a Sunday evening fixture ever since then. It is like a cultural institution in Japan, and its popularity stems from the nostalgic setting and its ability to capture the universal weirdness of growing up.

‘GeGeGe no Kitarō’ (1968 – Present)

Fuji TV

In GeGeGe no Kitarō, Kitarō is a one-eyed boy from the Ghost Tribe who protects humans from evil yōkai (Japanese folklore spirits) with the help of his eyeball father, Medama-Oyaji, and a cast of quirky allies. Blending supernatural horror with moral lessons, the anime explores themes like greed, ignorance, and the fear of the unknown.

There have been seven major anime adaptations since 1968, and each iteration of GeGeGe no Kitarō updates the setting and tone while keeping the lore intact. Created by Shigeru Mizuki, the anime is credited with popularizing yōkai culture in Japan. It’s a franchise that spans manga, anime, live-action films, and even museums. As for the characters, Kitarō himself is stoic and mysterious, and acts as a bridge between worlds.

‘Touch’ (1985 – 1987)

Fuji TV

Twin brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya Uesugi live next door to Minami Asakura, their childhood friend and the girl they both secretly love. Kazuya is the golden boy – ace pitcher, top student, and adored by all. – while Tatsuya is the laid-back underachiever who hides his true talent. When Minami’s dreams of reaching Koshien are met with tragedy, Tatsuya must step out of his brother’s shadow to carry the weight of expectation, grief, and love.

Touch was a ratings juggernaut when it aired on Fuji TV from 1985 to 1987, often pulling in over 30% viewership during key episodes. It begins as a romantic comedy but slowly deepens into a coming-of-age drama that’s got intense sports sequences and emotional nuance in equal proportion across 101 episodes. The animation by Group TAC keeps the tone grounded, and Tatsuya’s transformation from slacker to hero is powerful.

‘Pretty Cure’ (2004 – Present)

Toei Animation

The Pretty Cure franchise kicks off with Futari wa Pretty Cure, where two middle school girls, named Nagisa and Honoka, are chosen to protect Earth from the Dark Zone. With transformation sequences, magical attacks, and a strong emphasis on friendship, the anime takes traditional magical girl tropes and slams them into fast-paced action.

Each season introduces new protagonists and villains, creating a rotating cast of heroines who fight evil while dealing with the trials and tribulations of growing up. Since its debut in 2004, Pretty Cure has aired over 900 episodes across 20+ seasons and spawned more than 30 theatrical films. Produced by Toei Animation and broadcast on TV Asahi, it is a Sunday morning ritual for many and is often paired with Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. While Glitter Force attempted a Westernized version, it barely scratched the surface of the original.

‘Mazinger Z’ (1972 – 1974)

Mazinger Z

Mazinger Z follows Koji Kabuto, who inherits the super robot Mazinger Z from his late grandfather, a scientist who created it to combat the evil Dr. Hell and his army of mechanical beasts. Piloting the robot from a cockpit in his head, Koji battles bizarre and dangerous enemies, each more grotesque than the last. Mazinger Z, thus, becomes both a weapon and a symbol of human ingenuity.

Mazinger Z’s impact on the anime industry is nothing short of seismic. When it aired from 1972 to 1974, running for 92 episodes, it practically revolutionized the mecha genre. It introduced the concept of a pilot-controlled giant robot, influencing everything from Gundam to Evangelion. The animation, though dated, carries a raw energy, and the villains are simply unforgettable. Mazinger Z never received widespread U.S. localization, so it is a legendary name that most American anime fans have only heard in passing, if at all.

‘Sazae-san’ (1969 – Present)

Fuji TV

Sazae-san centers on Sazae Fuguta, a cheerful and opinionated housewife living with her extended family in Tokyo. Each episode is split into three short segments, and they showcase everyday events like shopping trips, family squabbles, and neighborhood gossip. The anime’s charm lies in its simplicity. There’s no fantasy, no action, just slice-of-life storytelling rooted in traditional Japanese values.

With over 8,000 segments aired since 1969, Sazae-san holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated TV series. It airs every Sunday night on Fuji TV and is so ingrained in people’s lives that its theme song signals the end of the weekend for many Japanese viewers. What’s interesting is Sazae herself is progressive for her time, often challenging gender norms and poking fun at societal expectations, all while preserving a warm and funny tone.

‘Slayers’ (1995)

TV Tokyo

In Slayers, Lina Inverse is a teenage sorceress with a taste for treasure and destruction. Alongside the dim-witted swordsman Gourry Gabriev, she travels a fantasy world filled with bandits, demons, and ancient magic. It’s all fun and games in the beginning, but soon, Lina is venturing into high-stakes battles against dark gods and world-ending threats.

Anime series are known for striking a tonal balance, and Slayers walks the tightrope between slapstick humor with surprisingly intense lore quite deftly. Lina, voiced by Megumi Hayashibara, became a fan favorite in Japan, and the anime was a defining one of the decade. Because the series’ Western release was fragmented and poorly timed, it never achieved mainstream recognition in the U.S.

‘Ojarumaru’ (1998 – Present)

NHK Educational TV

Ojarumaru Sakanoue is a five-year-old prince from Japan’s Heian era who steals a magical scepter from the Great King Enma and accidentally time-warps into the modern world. What follows is a whimsical, slice-of-life series as Ojarumaru adjusts to contemporary life, befriends a boy named Kazuma, and dodges three bumbling oni who want the scepter back.

Each episode of Ojarumaru is a short, self-contained story (usually ten minutes long), and it is filled with light comedy, cultural quirks, and a soft fantasy touch. The tone is imaginative, making it ideal for younger viewers but oddly soothing for adults too. Despite its low profile abroad, Ojarumaru is one of Japan’s longest-running anime, airing daily on NHK Educational TV since 1998. As of 2025, it’s surpassed 2,000 episodes and remains a staple in Japanese households.

‘Glass Mask’ (1984)

NTV

Maya Kitajima is a shy, working-class teenager with an uncanny gift for acting, where she’ll just lose herself in any role. Her life changes when she is discovered by the reclusive former actress Chigusa Tsukikage, who sees in Maya the potential to play the legendary role of “The Crimson Goddess.” Under Tsukikage’s harsh mentorship, Maya enters the competitive world of Japanese theater, where she must contend with a talented rival actress who was groomed for greatness.

The anime follows Maya’s grueling emotional and physical transformation as she sacrifices everything, from family to love and even her identity, for the stage. Glass Mask aired in 1984 as a 22-episode adaptation of Suzue Miuchi’s best-selling manga, which has sold over 50 million copies in Japan. The aesthetic is pure ‘80s shōjo, complete with expressive eyes, dramatic lighting, and sweeping inner monologues. But what makes it iconic is that every performance feels like life or death.

‘The Prince of Tennis’ (2001 – 2005)

TV Tokyo

The Prince of Tennis follows Ryoma Echizen, a 12-year-old tennis prodigy who returns to Japan after dominating the American junior circuit. He enrolls at Seishun Academy, a school known for its elite tennis team, and quickly shakes up the hierarchy with his cocky attitude and unorthodox techniques. As Ryoma battles his way through intense matches, he faces off against eccentric rivals, from Tezuka’s zero-shiki drop shot to Fuji’s counter techniques.

The Prince of Tennis aired from 2001 to 2005, spanning 178 episodes, multiple OVAs, and a theatrical film. It was a massive hit in Japan, especially among teens, and helped fuel a tennis boom in the early 2000s. The animation by Trans Arts captures the dynamic angles and exaggerated physics, turning the sport into something nearly superhuman. Additionally, Ryoma’s catchphrase – “mada mada dane” (“you still have lots more to work on”) still carries a lot of weight.