Why the anime Big 3 are called the Big 3, explained

Modified Jun 29, 2024 23:30 GMT

Why the anime Big 3 are called the Big 3 (image via Shueisha) — Why the anime Big 3 are called the Big 3 (Image via Shueisha)

Despite the growing popularity of series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man in today's world, the Anime Big 3 continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many fans.

The term "Big 3" in anime refers to the immensely popular trio of One Piece, Naruto and Bleach. It is a prestigious title that was coined in the early 2000s, which continues to have some significant cultural weight among anime fans of the modern era.

While many people over the years have often tried to include their personal favorites in the Big 3 with their own justifications, it is important to note that "Big 3" isn't a title that can be used to describe some of the most popular or beloved anime. With that in mind, let us look at what earned Naruto, Bleach and One Piece, the prestigious title of "Anime Big 3" and why they continue to be relevant even today.

How Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece became the Anime Big 3

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As some longtime manga readers may recall, the late 1990s and the early 2000s were a golden age for Weekly Shonen Jump. During this particular time period, three exceptional manga series rose to the occasion. They dominated the landscape - Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto, Bleach by Tite Kubo, and One Piece by Eiichiro Oda.

While Shonen Jump certainly had no shortage of engaging manga series at the time, the three aforementioned titles stood on top of the industry, capturing the hearts of countless young readers.

Although the three series differed vastly from each other in several aspects, each one of them was characterized by well-developed characters, captivating storylines, stunning action sequences, and unique world-building.

The protagonists of the Anime Big 3 - Ichigo, Naruto, and Luffy (Image via Sportskeeda)

Apart from their unparalleled popularity, however, what truly made Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece the "Anime Big 3" was their impact on the manga industry and their profitability. Each of the three series had staggering sales numbers at the time of their serialization. To this day, One Piece remains the undisputed king of manga sales, with Naruto and Bleach following behind.

The last recorded sales figures of the three manga series showcased that One Piece had sold over 500 million copies worldwide. On the other hand, Naruto boasts an impressive 250 million copies sold, whereas Bleach holds its own with an estimated 130 million copies sold. Although Tite Kubo's magnum opus may not match the heights of One Piece and Naruto, it nevertheless signifies a massive global fanbase.

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All three series were done justice with faithful and long-running anime adaptations that further increased their popularity. They also helped generate significant revenue through DVD and Blu-ray sales.

The Anime Big 3 also fueled a global market for merchandise, ranging from action figures and clothing to video games and collectibles for the fans. As such, fan merchandise not only solidified the three series' commercial dominance but also became a popular trend among fans to show off the merchandise of their favorite anime characters.

The landscape of shonen anime has since evolved following the introduction of new series like My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man, which have now taken the center stage. Regardless, the influence of Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece remains undeniable. It goes without saying that these three series paved the way for the worldwide popularity of anime, all while inspiring countless other creators.

In fact, the three series are relevant even today, as the Bleach anime is currently airing its Thousand-Year Blood War arc, whereas the legacy of Naruto continues with the Boruto series. Meanwhile, One Piece is still dominating the anime and manga industry. As such, it can be concluded that even with the rise of new contenders, the "Anime Big 3" have managed to retain their iconic status, as their stories continue to be discovered by new generations of viewers.