As an avid anime fan, how far are you willing to go for your favorite shows? For some, it’s about dressing up as their beloved characters. Or cosplaying! For others, it’s about posting the anime’s image on their phone’s homepage.
However, there are fans who are open to watching animes – conquering sleepless nights and forgetting to do their household chores – that have the most number of episodes. You can’t blame the production teams, as they really want to tell the story on a deeper level. Let’s get to know the longest animes of all time. Find out if your favorites are on the list!
‘Sazae-san’ – Over 8,500 Stories, Over 2,600 Episodes
“Sazae-san” (“Mrs. Sazae”) is the longest-running anime in the world. Guinness, you better be reading. Not even “The Simpsons” is able to beat this.
With over 8,500 stories and more than 2,600 episodes, this anime began airing in 1969. Like “Doraemon,” its episodes are divided into several standalone segments, each with three stories.
This anime may test your patience, but its story is very light. It follows Mrs. Sazae, who lives with her husband, children, and parents. Watching it offers a nostalgic look into the typical Japanese family life.
‘3000 Whys Of Blue Cat’ – Over 3,000 Episodes
“3000 Whys of Blue Cat” may not have cinched the top spot, but it is among the longest-running children’s cartoon series in the world. It’s also unique. For one, it isn’t produced in Japan but in mainland China. Second, it is brave to create a story with an emphasis on science.
This series has also inspired more than 400 books, video games by Sega, and even a theme park. It is also popularly known simply as “Blue Cat” or “Lan Mao.”
‘Nintama Rantarō’ – Over 2,300 Episodes
You won’t mind watching long animes if what you’ll do is laugh at their comedy all the time, right? Well, “Nintama Rantarō” is one of them.
Long before you were introduced to “Naruto” or “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations,” your parents loved this ninja series. It started airing in 1993, telling the story of three ninja apprentices – Rantarou Inadera, Shinbei Fukutomi, and Kirimaru Settsuno – as they try to do what it takes and learn everything to be the ninjas they dream to be.
“Nintama Rantarō” is, by the way, still airing to this day, so its number of episodes is still counting.
‘Ojarumaru’ – Over 2,000 Episodes
The concept of time travel is very common in animes, and “Ojarumaru” makes sure it stands out by telling its story in a really long series.
“Ojarumaru” focuses on the titular character, Ojarumaru Sakanoue, a five-year-old prince from the Heian era (from 794 to 1185) who accidentally time-warps to modern-day Japan, taking on adventures while dodging a trio of young oni (a demon in Japanese folklore) who wants to get back a scepter he snatched from the Great King Enma.
‘Oyako Club’ – 1,818 Episodes
“Oyako Club” is not just a slice-of-life anime but a slice-of-life classic. Its story is also uncommon, following two aliens, Lun and Rompa, as they live with a family on Earth. This results in several hilarious moments and heartwarming interactions before this anime’s characters. It may be one of the animes with the most number of episodes, but each episode only lasts five minutes.
‘Doraemon’ – 1,787 Episodes
“Doraemon” is also among the longest animes of all time. Doraemon, an earless robotic cat, is somebody people want to have as their pet. This is because he has a magical, powerful pocket that brings out everything you might need in life, regardless of their size.
The original run of this anime, which has been exported to several countries worldwide, lasted more than 25 years. Its story revolves around Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to help a bespectacled boy named Nobita Nobi. The anime is filled with funny adventures and love stories.
‘Soreike! Anpanman’ – Over 3,000 Stories, Over 1,610 Episodes
If the Westerners have Superman and Batman, the Japanese have Anpanman. Anpanman has inspired a song by K-pop superstars BTS, titled “Anpanman,” and was also mentioned in the lyrics of another BTS hit, “Idol.”
This series follows the adventures of Anpanman, who is named such because he has a head that’s anpan, a famous Japanese pastry filled with red bean paste. But he protects the planet from enemies like Baikinman, an evil anthropomorphic germ. Is it a bird? No, is it a plane? No, it’s Anpanman!
‘Kirin Monoshiri Yakata’ – 1,565 Episodes
“Kirin Monoshiri Yakata” was an educational program featuring Cathy, a cat, trying to bond with a mouse while teaching children history. It aired from 1975 to 1979.
Not like its predecessor and successor, this anime is not totally lost, as some of its episodes can still be found online. If you are a history nerd and don’t mind watching a long anime, this is for you.
Here are more animes touted as the longest-running animes of all time:
- “Chibi Maruko-Chan” – Over 1,428 episodes
- “Manga Nippon Mukashibanashi” – Over 1,471 episodes
- “Hokahoka Kazoku” (“The Affectuous Family”) – 1,428 episodes
- “Kirin Ashita No Calendar” (“Kirin Tomorrow’s Calendar”) – 1,306 episodes
- “Monoshiri Daigaku Ashita No Calendar” (“Monoshiri University: Tomorrow’s Calendar” – 1,274 episodes
- “Shin Chan” – Over 1,230 episodes
These shows are for the most patient anime fans. They wouldn’t mind spending hours on their laptops or phones just to finish the series.
Long-running series may be cumbersome to watch, but they can connect viewers with the stories and characters in more profound ways than shorter series. How far are you willing to go for your favorite anime?
