These Are the 10 Anime Episodes That Changed the Industry
Japanese animation is full of unforgettable moments, transformations, and iconic scenes that became crucial for the development of their stories. These are moments that made history in the anime industry and remain in the hearts of countless fans.
And these moments go all the way back to the 1990s with Dragon Ball Z, up to more recent series that shook the internet with their exceptional storytelling. These are anime episodes that changed the industry and left their mark.
These Are the 10 Anime Episodes That Changed the Industry
Let’s start with a massive franchise—arguably the most successful one of all: Pokémon.
“Pokémon, I Choose You!” — The Birth of a Global Phenomenon
Pokémon emerged in the 1990s as a major pop culture phenomenon. Starting with Game Boy games before expanding into an anime series, the franchise truly exploded in popularity thanks to the anime adaptation, which turned Pokémon into a pop culture giant.
Dragon Ball Z – “The Legendary Super Saiyan, Son Goku” Made Transformations a Shonen Staple
Initially, Akira Toriyama only wanted to simplify production by avoiding the need to color Goku’s hair black. How did he do it? In a brilliant way—by delivering one of the most epic transformations in anime history.
After Dragon Ball Z, shonen fans became accustomed to characters with multiple transformation forms—like Naruto’s Bijuu Mode or Monkey D. Luffy’s Gears. But it was Akira Toriyama and his protagonist who set that standard.
Demon Slayer Episode 19 — “Hinokami” Marked the Evolution of Shonen Animation
Unlike Dragon Ball or Pokémon, Demon Slayer is a modern anime that made history with its incredible animation quality.
Episode 19, titled “Hinokami,” stood out as a turning point for Tanjiro, as Nezuko’s Blood Demon Art helped him awaken the Hinokami Kagura.
Since its 2019 debut, Demon Slayer has continued to “break the internet” thanks to the stunning work of studio Ufotable.
Attack on Titan – “From You, 2000 Years Ago” When Eren Became the Ultimate Antihero
This was the moment Eren crossed the line from a brutal antihero to a true apocalyptic monster. Driven by the centuries of Eldian suffering, Eren swore to end the endless wars through The Rumbling, forcing the world into peace in the most horrifying way possible.
Sailor Moon – “The Crybaby: Usagi’s Beautiful Transformation” Expanded the Magical Girl Genre
The entire Sailor Moon series is a vital part of anime history, with Usagi and her friends standing as defenders of the universe. The very first episode is especially important, marking the birth of Usagi’s transformation and the rise of the magical girl archetype.
One Piece – “Gear 5: Hit!” The Peak of Monkey D. Luffy
With Luffy’s Gear 5 transformation, One Piece returned to its cartoonish roots. Luffy played with Kaido in the most absurd and hilarious ways possible, thanks to his new powers—marking one of the most talked-about moments in anime history.
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing – “The Shooting Star She Saw” Sparked Western Interest in Mecha
Debuting in Japan in 1995 and reaching Western audiences through Toonami in 2000, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing’s first episode helped countless fans in the U.S. and beyond fall in love not only with Gundams but with mecha anime as a whole.
Bleach – “Aizen’s Horrible Ambitions” Introduced a Legendary Shonen Villain
Aizen shocked every Bleach fan with his jaw-dropping revelation. This moment redefined anime villains—elevating deceit, betrayal, and manipulation over pure theatrics. Since then, Aizen has become an internet icon, standing alongside other great villains like those from Naruto and One Piece.
Sword Art Online – “The World of Swords” Revived the Isekai Boom
The first episode of Sword Art Online immediately captivated gamers, as Kirito and others became trapped inside a fantasy MMORPG. This shocking twist defined the series and ignited the modern isekai trend in anime.
Oshi no Ko – “Mother and Children” Pushed Idol Anime Beyond Expectations
Oshi no Ko stunned audiences with its dark and emotional storytelling despite being an idol-themed series. It boldly exposed the dark sides of the idol industry and the pitfalls of fame.
The premiere episode left a huge impression, making it clear that uncertainty and unpredictability would reign supreme in this story.