A studio nearly as old as anime itself, Toei Animation started as Japan Animated Films in 1948. Becoming a formidable powerhouse in the 1960s, the studio was responsible for classic, influential series such as Mazinger Z, Galaxy Express 999, and Sailor Moon.
As one of the most prolific animation studios, Toei Animation brought anime to the masses and shaped much of what it's become today.
As MyAnimeList can attest, many of its projects rose to the top of anime lists. For any anime fans interested in enjoying Toei's cream of the crop, there's plenty of exciting anime to enjoy.
Updated on July 4th, 2022 by Olivia Subero: With the increase of anime releases over the decades, newer titles have taken the top spot amongst Toei's best of the best. As such, this list has been updated to fix some out-of-date information and address a few other minor errors.
11 Dragon Ball (1986) 7.56/10
Dragon Ball understandably became one of Toei Animation's greatest successes. After the original Dragon Ball, its sequel Dragon Ball Z reached greater heights. It spanned hundreds of episodes and directly contributed to several sequels, a few movies, several hundred video games, merchandise beyond imagination, and an edited-down series Dragon Ball Z Kai.
Faced with the threat of Prince Vegeta, Goku and his comrades fight at all costs to prevent the Saiyans from conquering the Earth, all the while searching for the seven Dragon Balls to summon Shenron to grant a wish. Building on the excitement from this first arc, more powerful foes (Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, and others) slide in and out of the narrative and seize their own moments in the plot.
10 The Kindaichi Case Files (1997) 7.71/10
Kindaichi Case Files was an expansive series with over 130 episodes. The show's three-year run spawned a slew of sequels, reboots, OVAs, live-action adaptations, Detective Conan crossovers, and videogames, just to name a few.
Considering the first 1997 series, it's no wonder it was well-received. The brilliant protagonist Kindaichi made for an intriguing lead sleuth. The episodes were contained within smaller arcs, as Kindaichi works with police to get into the mindset of the killers and solve respective murders while trying to live as a teenager.
9 Fist of the North Star (1984) 7.75/10
Fist of the North Star is one of Toei's earlier attempts to combine martial arts with a post-apocalyptic setting. The world has been decimated by nuclear war, and survivors are few. Enter Kenshiro, a successor to the study of "Hokuto Shinken," a form of deadly martial arts that attacks from within opponents.
This causes any opponent who crosses Kenshiro's path to implode in violent of ways. As the story progresses, Kenshiro finds it more and more challenging to live in peace as he wishes. His top rival, the power-hungry traitorous Raoh, happens to be a fellow student who has learned the "Hokuto Shinken" alongside him.
8 Sailor Moon (1992) 7.76/10
Regardless of its score, Sailor Moon is a worldwide classic franchise and pioneer of the modern magical girl genre. It's hard not to recognize the guardian of love and justice with her iconic "dango" hairstyle and red, white, and blue sailor uniform.
By day, Usagi Tsukino is a hopelessly clumsy, loves to skip school, and enjoys eating junk food. But by night, she's a fearless warrior and reincarnated princess tasked to protect the world she loves. The first series aired in 1992, Toei has released a remake, Crystal, that's more faithful to the manga adaptation.
7 Welcome To Irabu's Office (2009) 7.93/10
A brilliantly inventive and overlooked title, Welcome to Irabu's Office is an 11-episode frenzy of bizarro tropes and color explosions based on the short stories by Hideo Okuda, the mastermind behind Psychiatrist Ichiro Irabu. The series consists of traditional rotoscope, live-action, and other film composites.
These cinematic tools appear as a survey of the animators' expressions and add an intriguing element to the show's plot. The patients' experiences with Dr. Irabu (who takes on three different forms, including a version with a green teddy bear head) make up the hysterical, farfetched, and telling storylines of each episode.
6 World Trigger (2014) 7.99/10
World Trigger made a name for itself as a popular sci-fi classic compared to its older counterparts. Airing in fall 2014, the concept grabbed fans' attention with its well-written and unique storylines and fun characters. It brought an idea that other shonen anime couldn't replicate at the time.
The anime has spanned three seasons and multiple video game titles. Yuma isn't like his time's more boisterous and reckless shonen protagonists. His work with the Border Defense Agency forces him to remain level-headed and alert in times of danger.
5 Lovely★Complex (2007) 8.03/10
Known as "Love Com" by fans, Lovely★Complex's synopsis consists of a tall teenage girl befriending and falling for a shorter teenage boy. Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Otani's story is hilarious and heartwarming, as the two traverse mishaps that occur in high school rom-coms.
Revered by fans as a great example of the genre, Lovely★Complex depicts the vastness of teenage emotion while placing well-developed characters in laugh-out-loud scenarios. Running for 24 episodes, this anime is a prime example of Toei Animation's ability to develop shows across various spectrums.
4 Silver Fang: Gin the Shooting Star (1986) 8.05/10
Gin the dog is loyal to Daisuke. After the two witness the evil bear Akakabuto kill Gin's father Rikki, Gin becomes fueled by revenge and leaves Daisuke's protection, determined to bring justice.
Before long, Gin joins a pack of wild dogs training to defeat the Akakabuto and bring peace to their world. Although Silver Fang's 21 episodes have aged questionably, the narrative's ability to switch perspectives between human and animal storylines make it memorable.
3 Mononoke (2007) Score: 8.43/10
A historical fiction piece, Mononoke followed the journey of a sword-wielding medicine seller during a time in Japan when samurai were the only class legally allowed to bear such weapons. Simply known as the "medicine seller," this character wandered through Japan, exorcising evil spirits that attached themselves to negative feelings and settings.
Utilizing his sword, the medicine seller can only banish a demon by recognizing its particular form, truth, and reason. Mononoke is a delight to watch due to its art style, transcending the medium beyond the confines of traditional animation into a higher class while providing a supernatural visual experience of its own.
2 Slam Dunk (1993) Score: 8.54/10
Slam Dunk presented a solid story and stood as a cult classic among sports anime fans. Based on the manga of the same name, it began airing in Japan in 1993. The story followed delinquent high schooler and unlikely basketball star Hanamichi Sakuragi and his growth from immature first-year to a full-fledged athlete.
An earlier take on the sports anime genre, Slam Dunk is as funny as it is intense. Over the anime's story, Hanamichi is joined by other basketball hopefuls and soon finds out there's more to the game than trying to impress his crush, Haruko. The life lessons Hanamichi learns along the way make his growth as a player and a person all the more rewarding.
1 One Piece (1999) Score: 8.65/10
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When fans discuss Toei Animation or "the greatest anime" in general, many find it impossible to forget the modern saga One Piece. First airing in Japan in October 1999, the 1000+ episode epic centers around Monkey D. Luffy and his gang, the Straw Hat Pirates.
One Piece soon garnered critical acclaim, several movie spinoffs, and a handful of video game titles while continuously airing new episodes to fans' delight. Following traditional modes of storytelling, One Piece seamlessly combined random comedy and serious action elements to keep the fandom entertained and influence anime for decades to come.