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As the calendar turns to 2026, anime enthusiasts worldwide are on the hunt for the next captivating series to immerse themselves in. Given the medium’s remarkable range, there’s something for every taste, and for those eager for a year-long binge, numerous long-running anime promise to keep viewers thoroughly entertained.
Series like the enduring shonen epic One Piece and the often-overlooked gem Lupin the Third stand out as perfect examples. With their extensive episode counts, these franchises provide countless hours of viewing pleasure. In a time dominated by brief series that wrap up in just a few seasons, these lengthy narratives offer a distinctive charm that is hard to find elsewhere.
Among the stalwarts of long-running anime, Pokémon frequently flies under the radar in terms of recognition. The brand’s heavy emphasis on video games, trading cards, and merchandise tends to eclipse the fact that its anime adaptations continue to thrive, maintaining their appeal nearly three decades after Ash Ketchum first embarked on his journey.
Pokémon Is Still Alive and Well Three Decades After Its Debut
When it comes to long-running anime franchises, Pokémon doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves. The franchise’s focus on video games, trading cards, and general merchandise often overshadows the fact that the series’ anime adaptations are still alive and well almost 30 years after Ash Ketchum’s initial debut.
From 1997 to 2023, Ash Ketchum served as the star of the Pokémon franchise, and thanks to the franchise’s sequel, Pokémon Horizons, there are now over 1300 total episodes in the series. That’s plenty to keep even the most experienced anime watchers busy all of 2026, especially considering there are almost 25 Pokémon films to watch as well.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’s Finale Makes Ichigo’s Story a Must-Watch TV
Heading into 2026, arguably no anime is poised for a bigger year than Bleach. Tite Kubo’s legendary franchise is set to bring an end to the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, and if the first three parts of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War are any indication, then the final showdown between Ichigo and Yhwach will be one of the most visually spectacular sequences in anime history.
Watching all of Bleach — over 400 total episodes — before the final part of Thousand-Year Blood War airs in July is a tall order, making it a perfect choice for a year-long watchthrough. After all, Ichigo Kurosaki will need all the support he can muster if he hopes to defeat Yhwach and the other Quincy standing in his way.
Urusei Yatsura Is an Underrated Classic That Deserves More Flowers
The 1980s were a great decade for anime fans, due in large part to the bevy of iconic series that debuted during the time period. Of these beloved 1980s anime, few ran for more episodes than Urusei Yatsura, which produced 194 episodes during its syndication from 1981 to 1986.
Urusei Yatsura might be a bit dated for some anime fans, but for those able to look past its technical limitations, it’s still an incredibly charming story. The series follows Lum the Alien, an affable extraterrestrial girl who learns the customs of Earth after mistakenly becoming engaged to a man named Ataru Moroboshi.
Dragon Ball Remains the Gold Standard for Shonen Anime
No anime has meant more to the medium’s success than Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Goku and the Z Fighters have become international icons since their debut in 1984, and over the years, they’ve repeatedly pushed anime to new heights with their hype combat, iconic transformations, and inspirational character arcs.
Altogether, Dragon Ball has spawned 659 episodes between Dragon Ball (153), Dragon Ball Z (291), Dragon Ball GT (64), Dragon Ball Super (131), and Dragon Ball DAIMA (20), giving anime fans more than enough content to last them the better part of 2026. Between these anime series, Dragon Ball‘s dozens of movies, and the various spin-off projects attached to Akira Toriyama’s flagship series, even the most die-hard anime bingers would be hard-pressed to watch all that Dragon Ball has to offer in 2026.
Lupin the 3rd Set the Stage for the Anime Boom of the 1980s
Compared to other classic anime franchises like Mobile Suit Gundam and Dragon Ball, Lupin the Third isn’t as popular with younger fans. However, that doesn’t mean the adventures of notorious thief Arsene Lupin III are any less enjoyable today than they were when they debuted way back in 1971.
Lupin the Third was a massive hit thanks to its willingness to push the boundaries with its surprisingly dark themes, and in later seasons, its comedy became an equally important reason for its sustained success. At 155 episodes, the original Lupin the Third anime is one of the longest anime of its era, as well as a great choice for modern anime fans looking to use 2026 as a chance to catch up on the classics.
Naruto Is the Defining Shonen Anime of the 2000s
During the 2000s and early 2010s, it was hard to find an anime more popular than Naruto. The ninja-laden franchise was a defining part of anime’s growth at the beginning of the 20th century, and with 720 total episodes between Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, there’s more than enough content to keep fans busy throughout 2026.
Like many popular anime, Naruto has also spawned a sequel series following future generations of shinobi, giving anime fans even more content to watch in the form of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
Sailor Moon Changed Shojo Anime Forever
When Sailor Moon debuted in 1992, the shojo anime changed the landscape of Japanese animation forever. Naoko Takeuchi’s female-led series has often been treated like the shojo counterpart to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, and in many ways, this comparison is apt. Like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon played a massive role in anime’s growth in international markets in addition to its overwhelming popularity in Japan, and it laid the groundwork for generations of shojo anime that would follow in its wake.
Sailor Moon follows the story of Usagi Tsukino, a high school girl who gains the power to transform into the titular Sailor Moon — a galactic protector of Earth. By joining forces with the other Sailor Guardians, Usagi protects Earth for 200 total episodes, resulting in one of the most beloved stories in all anime.
One Piece Is the Quintessential Long Anime
One name dominates discussions regarding long-running anime, and that’s none other than Eiichiro Oda’s iconic shonen franchise, One Piece. Since debuting in 1999, the One Piece anime has produced over 1150 episodes, helping Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to become some of the most popular characters in anime history.
It would take more than three episodes per day to finish One Piece in the span of a single year, so there are plenty of pirate adventures to keep fans busy until the end of 2026. Currently, One Piece is on a production break as it transitions to a seasonal release schedule, which is why it’s the perfect time for prospective fans of the series to take the plunge into the waters of the Grand Line.
