Toei Animation has been a renowned studio in the anime industry for generations, influencing pop culture and childhoods across the ages. They’ve provided us with some of the greatest anime of their time, leaving a mark on on audience and industry. Here are some of the best anime from Toei Animation.
If you’re an emotional journey enthusiast, an epic series fan, or a magical combat fan, Toei has something for every type of anime fan. Here are 10 of the greatest Toei Animation anime that are absolutely worth watching.
Table of Contents
10. Digimon Franchise
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 (Digimon Adventure)
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.78/10 (Digimon Adventure)
- Episodes: 54 (Digimon Adventure) + multiple sequels, reboots, and movies
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Hulu
- Status: Ongoing (franchise continues with new series and films)
Easily compared to Pokémon, Digimon Adventure really stands on its own. It’s about a group of children who get transported to the Digital World and get paired with Digimon partners to battle evil forces.
What makes it feel distinct is how much emotional resonance it has; friendship, fear, responsibility, and growth are at the forefront. The world feels alive and imaginative, and the characters grow and change. It’s full of nostalgia, but even if you’re seeing it for the first time today, it stands up as a heartwarming and adventurous tale.
9. Saint Seiya
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.76/10
- Episodes: 114 (Original series) + Movies + Multiple spin-offs and reboots
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video
- Status: Concluded (Original series); Franchise ongoing with sequels and reboots
Also referred to as Knights of the Zodiac, Saint Seiya is a shonen classic that paved the way for much of the anime that came after it. With its combination of Greek mythology, epic combat, and gleaming armor, it is the story of the Saints, fighters who defend the goddess Athena from evil.
The animation might feel old-school, but it has a certain appeal with iconic character designs and melodramatic flair. Though it is no longer as popular as it once was, Saint Seiya remains a big fan favorite in places such as Latin America and Europe, and for good reason.
8. World Trigger
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.58/10
- Episodes: 73 (Season 1), 12 (Season 2), 14 (Season 3)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Status: Ongoing (Anime on hiatus; manga continuing)
World Trigger did not necessarily create huge waves when it first premiered, but it developed a loyal following quietly. Grounded in a world fighting off interdimensional threats, the series revolves around an agency that uses advanced “Triggers” in high-tech fashion to fight back.
The real hook? The battles look smart. Strategy and teamwork take the lead over brute force. The first season bounced around with the animation, but the writing had everyone hooked. If you enjoy action that’s more brains than brawn, World Trigger is worth a look.
7. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.73/10
- Episodes: 100
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video
- Status: Concluded
Adapted from the classic RPG franchise, The Adventure of Dai is Toei’s top modern project. It depicts the tale of Dai, a boy brought up by monsters, who goes on a journey to become a hero in a world under threat. It may sound like a typical fantasy setup, but it’s a cut above the rest with superb animation, good pacing, and good emotional payoffs.
The fights are wonderfully animated, and the themes of courage and friendship resonate. It’s a trip down memory lane for RPG fans, but it’s also something new and good for today’s audience.
6. Mononoke
Here’s the list format for Mononoke:
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.41/10
- Episodes: 12
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- Status: Concluded (new movie released in 2024)
Nothing compares to Mononoke in Toei’s catalog. Visually stunning and narratively bold, it is the tale of the mysterious Medicine Seller as he exorcises vengeful spirits in feudal Japan. But it’s not just a matter of beating them up, he first has to discover their Form, Truth, and Reason.
The anime looks like a moving piece of traditional Japanese art, with trippy patterns and haunting visuals. It balances horror, mystery, and heavy themes in a manner that lingers. Mononoke may not be mainstream, but it’s a masterpiece that proves Toei can think way out of the box.
5. Slam Dunk
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.55/10
- Episodes: 101 + 4 Movies + 1 Movie (The First Slam Dunk, 2022)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Status: Concluded (Original series ended; The First Slam Dunk serves as a modern retelling)
Before sports anime’s explosion, there was Slam Dunk. This classic high school basketball story is about Hanamichi Sakuragi, a loud and awkward teenager who gets on the school basketball team.
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What begins as a joke becomes an actual journey of self-improvement for him and his team. The comedy is excellent, the characters are authentic, and the on-court drama is superb. Even years later, Slam Dunk remains a fan favorite, particularly with the recent movie (The First Slam Dunk) giving the franchise new life.
4. Sailor Moon Franchise
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.74/10
- Episodes: 200 (Original series across 5 seasons) + Movies + Remake (Sailor Moon Crystal)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Prime Video, Netflix
- Status: Concluded (Original series and Crystal completed with final films in 2023)
Sailor Moon is not only a magical girl anime, but it’s a worldwide phenomenon. The story follows Usagi Tsukino, a clumsy teen who transforms into Sailor Moon. The anime blends romance, humor, and action perfectly with the story.
What truly made it stand out was how it empowered girls while still being emotional and fun. The themes of Love, friendship, and inner courage are universal. Toei’s original run still has nostalgic appeal, and readaptations like Sailor Moon Crystal provide a more manga-faithful experience. Regardless of age, it’s an anime that still shines.
3. Galaxy Express 999
- IMDb Rating: 7.74/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.76/10
- Episodes: 113 + Movies + Specials
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Status: Concluded (Aired from 1978 to 1981; followed by movies and sequels)
An underrated Toei classic, Galaxy Express 999 is a science fiction tale with deep emotional depth. It follows the adventure of Tetsuro, a young boy riding through space on a strange train in search of a machine body.
But each planet they visit has a moral about life, death, greed, and what it truly means to be human. The animation is retro, but the message is eternal. It’s a quietly beautiful tale that reaches head and heart. If you like tales that make you think and feel, this one’s worth watching.
2. Dragon Ball Franchise
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.98/10
- Episodes: 153
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Status: Concluded (Aired from 1986 to 1989; followed by Dragon Ball Z and other sequels)
Dragon Ball Z is the reason that so many people became interested in anime in the first place. From Goku’s battles with Vegeta and Frieza to the Cell and Buu sagas, it’s just packed with classic moments.
Toei adapted Akira Toriyama’s manga and turned it into a classic that firmly solidified the shonen genre. Yes, it does have its decent amount of filler and pacing issues, but the sheer hype, dramatic changes, and emotional character arcs more than make up for it. This is one of those shows that helped create the fanbase for anime around the globe, and still gets people pumped today.
1. One Piece
- IMDb Rating: 9/10
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.73/10
- Episodes: 1074+ (ongoing)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu
- Status: Ongoing (Started in 1999 and still airing)
You can’t speak of Toei without One Piece. It’s been on the air since 1999 and is one of the longest-running and most beloved anime of all time. The show follows Luffy and his misfit crew as they sail across treacherous seas on the quest for the ultimate treasure.
With more than 1,000 episodes, the journey is long, but the emotional payoffs, wild adventures, and deep world-building make it worth the investment. Some arcs drag, but Toei has genuinely upgraded the animation in recent years, especially after the Wano arc. It’s a true epic that keeps fans coming back week after week.
Aside from these, Toei Animation is also known for animating popular anime such as Silver Fang: Gin the Shooting Star, Lovely-Complex, Fist of the North Star, The Kindaichi Case Files, and the cult classic, Yu-Gi-Oh!. Toei has shaped the childhood of many anime fans of different generations with their projects, and they will continue to do so in the future.
