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The True Story Of 'The Big Three Anime': Why Naruto, Bleach, And One Piece Still Reign (And Who The New Contenders Are)

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The term "The Big Three Anime" is one of the most iconic and enduring phrases in the world of Japanese animation, yet its meaning is constantly debated, especially in late 2025. It is not merely a list of three popular shows; it is a historical designation for a trio of series that collectively defined an entire generation of global anime fandom, particularly in the West, and dominated the publishing landscape of their time. The original "Big Three" are unequivocally One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, a powerful triumvirate that launched the shonen genre into the global mainstream and set unprecedented benchmarks for cultural impact and commercial success.

The conversation today, however, shifts from historical definition to current dominance. While the original three remain foundational pillars of the industry, a new crop of blockbuster titles has risen to challenge their commercial and critical supremacy. This article dives deep into the legacy of the original trio, explores the explosive rise of the "New Big Three" contenders, and analyzes the criteria that truly define the biggest franchises in anime right now.

The Original Big Three: A Legendary Trio That Defined an Era

The original "Big Three" term originated in the early 2000s among fans and industry insiders to describe the three most dominant and long-running series in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Their simultaneous serialization, massive sales figures, and lengthy anime adaptations created a cultural phenomenon that was impossible to ignore. They were the undisputed kings of the shonen genre, each boasting hundreds of episodes and an immense cast of characters.

Here is a detailed look at the series that form the legendary Original Big Three:

  • One Piece (1997–Present)
    • Mangaka: Eiichiro Oda
    • Protagonist: Monkey D. Luffy
    • Synopsis: The adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece.
    • Key Facts: The best-selling manga series of all time globally, with over 500 million copies in circulation. Its longevity and consistent quality make it the undisputed leader of the original trio.
  • Naruto (1999–2014)
    • Mangaka: Masashi Kishimoto
    • Protagonist: Naruto Uzumaki
    • Synopsis: A young ninja with the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him dreams of becoming the Hokage, the leader of his village.
    • Key Facts: The second most globally recognized series of the trio, its themes of perseverance, friendship, and overcoming prejudice resonated deeply. It has over 250 million copies in circulation worldwide.
  • Bleach (2001–2016)
    • Mangaka: Tite Kubo
    • Protagonist: Ichigo Kurosaki
    • Synopsis: A high school student who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper and is tasked with protecting humans from evil spirits.
    • Key Facts: Known for its iconic character designs, stylish action, and deep lore. While the manga ended in 2016, its final arc, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, is receiving a highly successful, high-budget anime adaptation, with Part 4 expected to conclude the main story around 2026, solidifying its renewed relevance.

These three series were not just popular; they were cultural gatekeepers. Their success paved the way for the anime industry's current global boom, creating a template for long-form shonen storytelling that is still followed today.

The Fierce Debate: Who Are The 'New Big Three' Contenders?

With Naruto and Bleach having concluded their original manga runs, and the anime landscape diversifying dramatically, the term "The Big Three" has been informally resurrected to describe the current generation of shonen juggernauts. This is where the debate truly heats up, as no three series have yet matched the sheer, decade-spanning dominance of their predecessors.

The consensus for the "New Big Three" generally centers around three titles that have achieved massive global reach, record-breaking sales, and critical acclaim in a short period. These series have benefited from high-quality, seasonal anime adaptations, often produced by top-tier studios, which has accelerated their popularity far faster than the original trio's decades-long climb.

The Front-Runners for the New Shonen Crown

  • Jujutsu Kaisen
    • Mangaka: Gege Akutami
    • Key Facts: A dark fantasy series known for its complex power system and cinematic action. In a stunning display of current market dominance, Jujutsu Kaisen was the best-selling manga series overall in 2024, surpassing even the perennial powerhouse One Piece in total copies sold for the year. This commercial success, driven by its acclaimed anime, makes it a near-undeniable member of the new elite.
  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
    • Mangaka: Koyoharu Gotouge
    • Key Facts: Famous for its breathtaking animation, emotional storytelling, and cultural impact. While the manga concluded its run, its sales exploded due to the anime adaptation, with its movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train becoming one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time. Its sales surge was so unprecedented that it temporarily rivaled One Piece's all-time record, proving its massive, immediate cultural penetration.
  • My Hero Academia (Boku no Hīrō Akademia)
    • Mangaka: Kohei Horikoshi
    • Key Facts: A superhero-themed shonen that has been a consistent global seller and a staple of the genre for nearly a decade. The series is currently in its climactic Final War Arc, which is driving significant fan discussion and sales, with recent volumes even outselling its contemporaries in specific periods. Its long-term consistency solidifies its place as a key contender.

The Criteria for the 'Big Three' Title: More Than Just Popularity

The reason the debate persists is that the criteria for the "Big Three" designation are highly specific and go beyond mere popularity or high sales. The title is tied to a specific historical and cultural context.

1. Dominance in Weekly Shonen Jump

The original trio were all serialized in the same magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, and their collective success defined the publication for over a decade. The "New Big Three" contenders—while all incredibly successful—often come from different magazines or, even if from Jump (like Jujutsu Kaisen), share the spotlight with other massive hits like Chainsaw Man or Spy x Family, which complicates a clear-cut trio designation.

2. Longevity and Cultural Saturation

The original series ran for over a decade, creating an enormous body of work that allowed them to deeply embed themselves in global pop culture. They were the first major shonen exports for many fans in the West. While the New Big Three are immensely popular, only My Hero Academia has the kind of long-term serialization that rivals the original's commitment. The term Big Three implies a lasting legacy, a benchmark the new generation is still building.

3. Defining a Generation

The Original Big Three were the defining anime of the 2000s and early 2010s. They were the shows that introduced millions of people to anime, creating an entire generation of otaku. The New Big Three—Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia—are now performing a similar function for the mid-2010s and 2020s, with their high production values and rapid global distribution through streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix.

Beyond the Trio: The Evolving Anime Landscape

While the debate over the "New Big Three" is a fun and engaging way to track the industry's top performers, the truth is that the modern anime landscape is too fragmented and successful for a single, definitive trio to emerge. The massive success of series like Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, Attack on Titan, and Black Clover demonstrates that the market is no longer dominated by just three titles.

However, if one must choose the three current franchises that best represent the cultural and commercial peak of the current era, the combination of Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia makes the most compelling argument. Their collective global impact, record-breaking sales, and widespread fan discussion have made them the undeniable successors to the shonen throne, even if that throne is now shared among many worthy contenders.

The legacy of the original "Big Three" remains untouchable due to their pioneering status. They built the stadium. The "New Big Three" are simply the current champions playing on that legendary field.

The True Story of 'The Big Three Anime': Why Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece Still Reign (And Who The New Contenders Are)
what is the big three anime
what is the big three anime

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