In recent years, anime has become a phenomenon around the world and exploded onto the mainstream scene. It went from being something that was watched almost exclusively in Japan to a household genre that can be found on translated into foreign languages on TV stations, streaming platforms, and store shelves in numerous countries around the globe.
The genre has a growing subculture, and comedy anime plays a major role in creating memorable moments, inspiring memes on the internet, and hours of enjoyment to push the platform. In this list, we'll be taking a look at five of the most popular comedy anime in Japan, as well as five of the most popular comedy anime in the west.
10 Japan: Oshiri Tantei
Oshiri Tantei, otherwise known as Butt Detective, is a children's centric anime that is gaining immense traction in Japan, appearing at the top of TV charts every week since its primer in December of 2019. Butt Detective follows a small anthropomorphic butt, along with his dog named Brown, as they solve the most baffling mysteries. Based on the popular Japanese children's book of the same name, the series has been met with rave reviews from parents and children alike. The popular series will be making its way to America, premiering in May of 2020.
9 West: Cromartie High School
Based on the popular manga which ran from the turn of the century and until 2006, Cromartie High School premiered in 2003 to uproarious laughter rave success. The story follows the daily life of Takashi Kamiyama and his unique cast of classmates at the titular Cromartie High School, an infamous school for delinquents.
The series aired in America on G4 TV on their late-night block to rave reviews, being recognized for its strange and comedic nature, and its creative blend of characters. Cromartie High School has spawned movie adaptions, as well as books and manga publications, and it was voted one of the greatest comedy anime of the last 20 years.
8 Japan: Gintama
While Gintama remains widely regarded as the greatest comedy anime of all time and found tremendous popularity in the west, it endures as one of the most beloved series in Japan specifically for its jokes on Japanese subculture.
Gintama takes place in an alternate reality of Japan where aliens have invaded and intermingled with society, and the story follows Gin as he and his team work odd jobs in hopes of paying their rent. The series has produced video games, live-action movies, films, and CDs. Gintama is must-watch series for any anime enthusiast, let alone a fan of comedies.
7 West: The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. first premiered in 2016 and is based on the popular manga series of the same name. The series follows Kusuo Saiki, a high school student who was born with psychic abilities like telepathy, psychokinesis, and teleportation. He strives to secretly use the powers in an effort to live a normal life while he faces all kinds of hilarious misfortunes.
In the relatively short time since release, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. has gone on to spawn video game series, manga, live-action films, and it was even purchased by Netflix to create its own unique content for the series.
6 Japan: Doraemon
First airing in 1973, Doraemon has gone on to be one of the longest-running and most successful anime series in Japan. The story follows Doraemon, a blue, robotic cat that has traveled back in time from the 22nd century to help a boy named Nobita, who gets poor grades and is frequently bullied at school.
The series has become so popular that is had spawned a whole franchise of video games, manga, anime, movies, books, a museum, and even musicals, generating 5 billion dollars in revenue globally each year. Doraemon remains considered by many to be the greatest children's series of all time.
5 West: The Devil Is A Part-Timer
What first premiered as a light novel series in 2011, The Devil Is A Part-Timer has gone on to spawn numerous manga adaptations, as well as an immensely successful animated series. The Devil Is A Part-Timer follows a demon king named Sadao Maou, who wants to destroy the world, but is accidentally transported to modern-day Tokyo.
In order to survive and figure out how to return to his homeworld, he gets a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant called MgRonald. Herald for its often dark comedic nature, the series remains one of the popular comedy anime series in the west.
4 Japan: Sazae-San
Originally published in 1946 as a comic strip, Sazae-San has found critical success in Japan, spawning live-action spin-offs, animated series, books, theatrical plays, radio shows, songs, and books. Sazae-san follows the daily life of a mother named Sazae-San and her adventures with her entire family.
Sazae-san was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series in the world with over 7332 episodes aired. It failed to capture much success in western markets due to its animation style, actionless plot, and distinctly Japanese feel, but it remains one of the most popular series to ever premiere in Japan.
3 West: Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 follows Shigeo Kageyama, otherwise known as Mob, a below-average middle school boy who is, in fact, a powerful esper with incredible psychic powers. When he's not in school, he works as an assistant to a psychic con artist Reigen Arataka, who helps to teach him how to control powers and suppress his emotions.
Praised for its visual style, deep and relateable character arcs, and themes of heroism, inadequacy, and perseverance Mob Psycho 100 has found critical and worldwide success, being recognized as one of the greatest animes of the decade.
2 Japan: Crayon Shinchan
First appearing as a manga strip in 1990, Crayon Shinchan has found worldwide success with manga spin-offs, movies, video games, and multiple animes. The story follows the daily life and adventures of five-year-old Shinnosuke "Shin," and his family and friends.
Crayon Shinchan has been translated into 30 languages, has been syndicated on television stations in 45 countries, has over 26 movies, and its manga has sold over 300 million copies across the globe. Not only is it one of the most popular series in Japan, but it has become a household name in communities in the west and around the world.
1 West: One-Punch Man
What began as a webcomic went viral in 2009, One-Punch Man has become an anime phenomenon in recent years. The story follows Saitama, an average man turned into a superhero after creating a daily training regiment of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-Ups, 100 squats, and a 6-mile run.
Saitama has the power to defeat any opponent with a single punch but strives to find a challenging opponent to satisfy his growing boredom in his fight against evil. Winning numerous awards and being recognized for its unique humor, superheroes, and fight scenes One-Punch Man, has grown into a household name in the west.