Ranking the Contenders: Which Anime Are Ready to Be the Next Big 3?
For decades, the phrase “Big 3” has carried serious weight in the anime community. It originally referred to Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece, three shonen giants that dominated magazine sales, television ratings, and global fandom for years. These weren’t just popular series; they were cultural movements. They defined an era.
Now that two of those titans have concluded (and One Piece nears its endgame), fans naturally ask: what becomes the next Big 3?
The landscape of anime has changed dramatically. Streaming is global. Seasonal formats dominate. Movie releases break box office records worldwide. The next Big 3 won’t look exactly like the original, but the spirit of massive influence, longevity, and cultural dominance still applies.
Let’s take a deeper, more modern look at the top contenders shaping the next generation of anime dominance.
What Actually Defines a “Big 3” Today?
Before ranking contenders, it’s important to update the criteria. The original Big 3 thrived in a weekly shonen era with long-running adaptations. Today, seasonal production and global streaming have shifted the game.
A modern Big 3 must have:
- Global popularity, not just domestic success
- Long-term narrative investment or franchise longevity
- Strong manga sales and consistent adaptation success
- Cultural presence through memes, cosplay, merchandise, and film releases
- Industry impact that influences animation standards or storytelling trends
With that in mind, here are the strongest contenders.
Demon Slayer: The Box Office Titan
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has arguably been the most explosive anime success of the last decade.
Animated by Ufotable, the series didn’t just become popular, it shattered records. The Mugen Train film became one of the highest-grossing anime movies in history, outperforming many Hollywood blockbusters in Japan.
Its strengths are undeniable. The animation quality redefined expectations for television anime. The emotional storytelling resonates across age groups. The franchise’s merchandise footprint is enormous.
However, Demon Slayer’s complete manga run limits its long-term dominance. While its impact is massive, its lifespan is shorter compared to classic Big 3 runs.
Verdict: A cultural juggernaut that defined its era, even if its longevity differs from the originals.
Jujutsu Kaisen: The Modern Shonen Standard
Jujutsu Kaisen feels like the clearest spiritual successor to traditional Big 3 energy.
It blends classic shonen intensity with darker themes, layered character development, and high-stakes storytelling. Studio MAPPA’s fluid fight choreography and cinematic direction elevate it beyond standard battle anime.
The Shibuya Incident arc cemented its reputation as more than just another action series. It has consistent manga sales, explosive social media presence, and strong global streaming performance.
If consistency remains high and adaptation pacing holds steady, Jujutsu Kaisen may be the strongest long-term candidate.
Verdict: A front-runner with both narrative depth and massive cultural pull.
My Hero Academia: The Established Veteran
My Hero Academia has already carried the torch for modern shonen for years.
With its superhero premise, it bridged Western comic appeal and traditional Japanese battle storytelling. Its characters are iconic, its themes of heroism are universal, and its merchandising machine remains powerful.
However, recent seasons have faced criticism regarding pacing and adaptation consistency. While still influential, its peak cultural moment may have already passed.
Verdict: A major pillar of modern anime, though possibly past its absolute prime.
Attack on Titan: The Era-Defining Phenomenon
Attack on Titan deserves recognition even if it doesn’t fit the traditional shonen mold.
Its global influence is undeniable. It broke into mainstream Western conversation in ways few anime ever have. Its political themes, moral ambiguity, and evolving narrative elevated anime storytelling in the eyes of many skeptics.
Though its run has concluded, its impact reshaped expectations for anime as a serious narrative medium.
Verdict: Not the next Big 3, but unquestionably one of the defining series of its generation.
Chainsaw Man: The Wild Card
Chainsaw Man represents the unpredictable evolution of shonen.
Its chaotic tone, mature themes, and cinematic direction push boundaries. It feels modern, edgy, and deliberately subversive. Manga sales are strong, and its fanbase is intensely loyal.
The question is sustainability. Can it maintain long-term cultural dominance across multiple arcs? Or will it remain a cult powerhouse rather than a mainstream pillar?
Verdict: A high-ceiling contender that could redefine what Big 3 even means.
Honorable Mentions
Black Clover built a loyal fanbase and delivered consistent shonen action, though it struggled to break into elite mainstream dominance.
Spy x Family exploded in popularity thanks to its family dynamic and broad appeal, but its structure leans more episodic than epic.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations carries the Naruto legacy, but it has struggled to capture the same cultural lightning.
So Who Is the New Big 3?
If we examine current dominance, industry influence, and sustained hype, the strongest modern trio would likely be:
- Demon Slayer
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- My Hero Academia
However, anime culture is no longer centralized the way it was during the original Big 3 era. Streaming platforms diversify attention. Seasonal anime cycles shift hype quickly. The next Big 3 may rotate rather than dominate for a decade straight.
What’s clear is that we are in a new golden age of anime. Production values are higher than ever. Global accessibility is unprecedented. And the conversation is bigger than it’s ever been.
The original Big 3 defined a generation.
The next Big 3 may redefine what dominance even looks like.
