Sometimes, the shows that end up taking over the anime world aren’t the ones anyone expected. A strange setup, a niche manga, or just very little buzz before airing, some anime seem like longshots from the start. But every once in a while, a series breaks through and becomes a massive success, completely catching fans and the industry off guard.
Here are 10 anime that nobody predicted would take off, but absolutely did.
10. Demon Slayer (2019)
When Demon Slayer started airing in April 2019, it wasn’t the biggest name in Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga had a solid fanbase with about 3.5 million copies in print by February of that year, but it wasn’t topping any sales charts.
Then Ufotable delivered one of the most visually stunning adaptations in recent memory. From the smooth animation to the cinematic fight scenes (like Tanjiro vs. Rui), it blew people away. The result? Manga sales exploded, reaching over 25 million copies by the end of 2019 and topping 150 million by early 2021.
Then came Mugen Train, which broke records and became the highest-grossing anime film of all time. From under-the-radar to global juggernaut, this one shocked everyone.
9. Bocchi the Rock! (2022)
This anime came out of nowhere. Bocchi the Rock! is about Hitori Gotou, a super shy high school girl who’s also a talented guitarist. She ends up joining a band with a bunch of outgoing girls and slowly learns to face her social anxiety.
The manga was a lowkey 4-koma with a very small readership, no big hype before the anime. But when CloverWorks adapted it in October 2022, they added incredibly creative visuals that turned anxiety into hilarious and relatable moments.
The show’s humor, heart, and soundtrack made it feel alive. Manga sales shot past 3 million by early 2024, and the band’s music even charted in Japan. It wasn’t just popular, it became a cultural mood.
8. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
Go Nagai’s Devilman has always had a cult following, but it never really went mainstream. That changed when Netflix dropped Devilman Crybaby in January 2018. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, this version was raw, bold, and emotionally intense.
Its animation style was wild and expressive, with themes like identity, love, violence, and humanity pushed to the edge. It definitely wasn’t for everyone, but that didn’t matter.
The show took off, especially globally (outside of Japan). Critics called it a masterpiece. It introduced a whole new wave of viewers to Devilman and proved that anime could go deep and dark and still find success.
7. Lucky Star (2007)
This one’s a bit of a throwback. Lucky Star aired in 2007 and was based on a simple 4-panel comic. It follows four high school girls having random conversations about anime, food, life, anything. There’s almost no story.
And yet, it clicked. Kyoto Animation gave it a charming, clean look, and the characters, especially Konata, became iconic. It was packed with anime references, but even casual viewers found it fun. The show sparked early anime tourism, with fans visiting real-life locations like Washinomiya Shrine. It didn’t need action or drama to win people over. Just good vibes and great timing.
6. Re:Zero (2016)
Isekai anime are everywhere, but Re:Zero managed to stand out. It starts off with Subaru getting sent to a fantasy world, but instead of getting cool powers, he gets one: every time he dies, he resets to a “save point.”
That alone made the show more intense than most isekai. Subaru constantly relives traumatic events and slowly breaks down under the weight of his memories. The emotional depth hit hard with fans.
When it premiered in April 2016, the light novels had decent numbers, but nothing huge. The anime changed that. It boosted sales into the millions and made Re:Zero one of the biggest names in the genre.
5. My Dress-Up Darling (2022)
On paper, a romance between a doll-maker and a cosplay-loving extrovert doesn’t scream mainstream hit. But My Dress-Up Darling, which aired in January 2022, turned out to be one of the sweetest and most relatable anime in years.
Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa had great chemistry, and CloverWorks nailed the animation, especially the detailed cosplay designs. Before the anime, the manga was on some industry watchlists, but after the anime aired, sales exploded.
Over 12 million copies sold by late 2023. Some people debated the amount of fanservice, but most fans loved how genuine the relationship felt.
4. Zombieland Saga (2018)
This anime is about dead girls coming back to life… to become idols. That premise alone had a lot of people thinking it would flop. Instead, Zombieland Saga became one of the funniest and most unique anime of 2018.
It embraced its absurd premise and ran with it. The characters were way more developed than expected, and the music was actually great. It pulled off heartfelt moments alongside zombie slapstick. Not only did it get a second season, but it also brought tourism to Saga Prefecture. Just goes to show: sometimes the most unexpected idea turns out to be gold.
3. The Apothecary Diaries (2023)
This one was already pretty successful before its anime adaptation, with over 40 million copies in circulation across all formats. But even then, the anime took it to the next level. The Apothecary Diaries aired in late 2023 and was instantly praised for its style and storytelling.
Set in a fictional version of Imperial China, the show follows Maomao, a clever servant with a deep knowledge of medicine who gets tangled in palace politics and conspiracies. It’s a smart, slow-burn mystery with a strong female lead, and viewers loved it. The adaptation solidified it as a must-watch in the historical mystery space.
2. Dandadan (2024)
Aliens. Ghosts. High school teens arguing about which is real. Dandadan is chaos, in the best way. Momo believes in ghosts. Okarun believes in aliens. Both are right. What follows is pure insanity, mixed with action, romance, and great comedy.
The manga already had a growing fanbase with 4 million copies in print before the anime aired. But once it hit Netflix in late 2024, it exploded. Over 90 million hours watched, manga sales doubled to 8 million, and Season 2 is already confirmed. The wild art style and fast-paced story helped make it a breakout hit.
1. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024)
This one isn’t a blockbuster hit, but it’s definitely a critical success. Orb is set in 15th-century Europe and follows Rafal, a young astronomer investigating the then-controversial idea that the Earth revolves around the sun.
It’s more philosophical and serious than most anime. There’s no action or romance, just drama, science, and tension with the Church. It had a niche following in manga form, but the anime adaptation earned strong praise. Some fans even compared it to Vinland Saga. There’s also a stage play in the works, showing that even slow-burn historical anime can find their place.
