Which anime broke the internet?

Several anime have made such a cultural impact that they’ve been described as having "broken the internet", meaning they generated massive online discussion, memes, fan engagement, and in some cases, mainstream media coverage. These shows went viral, with fans and non-fans alike talking about them on social media, forums, and news outlets. Below are some of the most significant anime that have "broken the internet" in recent years:

1. "Attack on Titan" (Shingeki no Kyojin)

• Why it broke the internet:
  "Attack on Titan" has been one of the most talked-about anime series worldwide, especially since its explosive opening in 2013. The anime's shocking plot twists, intense action scenes, and emotional character arcs have sparked widespread discussion and fan theories.
• Viral Moments:
  • The Mystery of the Titans: Early episodes generated massive speculation around the identity and origins of the Titans.
  • The Reveal of Eren's Powers: The later seasons, especially during the massive plot reveals about Eren Yeager's abilities, kept fans engaged and shared widely across social media.
  • Season 3 and 4: Major moments like the truth about the Marleyan government, the betrayal of characters, and the climax of the final seasons led to overwhelming buzz, trending hashtags, and countless discussions.
• Impact: "Attack on Titan" caused a stir across multiple platforms, from Reddit threads to Twitter memes, and has become an anime phenomenon that remains widely discussed even as it nears its conclusion.

2. "Demon Slayer" (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

• Why it broke the internet:
  "Demon Slayer" took the anime world by storm when it aired its first season in 2019, and its movie, Mugen Train, broke box office records. Its visually stunning animation (especially the fight scenes) and emotional storyline contributed to a global anime boom.
• Viral Moments:
  • The Mugen Train Movie: The 2020 movie broke records, becoming the highest-grossing anime film of all time, surpassing Spirited Away. The movie's success caused massive discussion on Twitter and other social media platforms.
  • The "Hinokami Kagura" Fight: The fight between Tanjiro and Rui, and later Tanjiro and Akaza, were key moments that exploded in popularity. Fans gushed about the animation and choreography, creating tons of fan art, memes, and theories.
  • Tanjiro and Nezuko's Relationship: The dynamic between the siblings, especially Nezuko’s popularity as a character, led to endless fan creations.
• Impact: The anime’s intense popularity not only gained a massive fanbase but also contributed to the revival of anime in the mainstream, particularly in Western media. Demon Slayer made anime more accessible to a wider audience, including people who weren’t regular anime fans.

3. "My Hero Academia" (Boku no Hero Academia)

• Why it broke the internet:
  The series is a superhero anime that appealed to fans of both Western comics and anime, creating a unique crossover fanbase. Its relatable characters, intense battles, and emotional arcs have made it a global phenomenon.
• Viral Moments:
  • All Might's Final Fight: The fight between All Might and All For One in Season 3 had a monumental impact, trending worldwide and generating thousands of fan theories and analyses.
  • The "Pro Hero" Arc and "My Villain Academia" Arc: These arcs were filled with explosive moments that fans couldn't stop talking about. Bakugo's character growth, Deku's challenges, and the reveal of the true nature of the villains captured everyone's attention.
  • Endgame Spoilers: As the series progressed, moments like the War Arc and the buildup to the final battle left fans buzzing, with huge cliffhangers and shocking developments driving conversation.
• Impact: My Hero Academia took the anime world by storm, achieving mainstream success and becoming a pop-culture icon, especially in the West. The show’s influence has even crossed over to other media, with references appearing in popular culture, and collaboration merchandise.

4. "Neon Genesis Evangelion"

• Why it broke the internet:
  "Neon Genesis Evangelion" is a masterpiece that was ahead of its time when it aired in 1995, and its resurgence in popularity in the 2020s with the release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time proved that it’s still one of the most influential anime of all time. It’s known for its deep psychological themes, religious symbolism, and controversial endings.
• Viral Moments:
  • The Netflix Release of Evangelion: When the series was released on Netflix in 2019, it generated massive discussions, both positive and negative, due to changes made in the localization.
  • End of Evangelion Movie: The final film The End of Evangelion was a cultural event that left audiences split and discussing its meaning, philosophical undertones, and surrealist visuals.
  • The Rebuild Movies: The final Rebuild movie received significant buzz, with fans eagerly discussing the conclusion of the story and the ultimate fate of the characters.
• Impact: Evangelion's influence on both anime and Western media is immeasurable. It's been referenced in countless other works and has a fervent fanbase that spans decades. Even today, it continues to "break the internet" whenever major new content is released.

5. "One Piece"

• Why it broke the internet:
  One of the longest-running and most beloved anime series in history, One Piece has a massive fanbase that spans generations. Its compelling world-building, emotional arcs, and epic adventures have made it a global sensation.
• Viral Moments:
  • Wano Arc: The current arc has garnered massive international attention, especially the battles with characters like Kaido and Big Mom, along with the numerous fan theories that flood the internet.
  • The "Final Island" Theory: The mystery of the "One Piece" and the journey to the final island, Laugh Tale, has been a hot topic of conversation among fans for years.
  • Luffy's Gear 5 Transformation: As the series progresses, major moments like Luffy's new transformations (e.g., Gear 5) have caused waves of excitement, leading to fan celebrations and online discussions.
• Impact: One Piece is not only one of the top anime in terms of sales and viewership, but it has also cemented itself as a part of global pop culture. Its meme presence, fan theories, and ongoing popularity continue to make it one of the most influential anime of all time.

6. "Jujutsu Kaisen"

• Why it broke the internet:
  "Jujutsu Kaisen" became an instant hit due to its fast-paced action, incredible fight sequences, likable characters, and strong animation quality, particularly from MAPPA studio.
• Viral Moments:
  • Gojo's Power Unleashed: Fans went wild when Satoru Gojo showed off his immense power, leading to huge discussions about his role in the anime.
  • The Shibuya Incident Arc: This arc featured breathtaking battles, intense emotional stakes, and massive character developments, generating tons of memes, fan art, and fan theories.
  • Yuji Itadori’s Growth: Fans have enjoyed following Yuji's emotional growth and his relationship with other characters, sparking a lot of discussion.
• Impact: The anime's explosive popularity, its cinematic fight scenes, and incredible animation made it a global sensation, particularly in 2020-2021. Jujutsu Kaisen quickly became a trending topic and even broke into mainstream social media culture.

7. "Pokémon"

• Why it broke the internet:
  Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon that began as a video game but expanded into anime, movies, and merchandise. The anime has remained incredibly popular across generations.
• Viral Moments:
  • Ash's First Victory at the Pokémon League: Fans celebrated Ash Ketchum’s long-awaited victory in the Alola Region, marking a major milestone for the character.
  • Pikachu's Iconic Moments: Pikachu, as the series mascot, has been at the center of countless memes, gifs, and viral moments throughout the franchise.
  • Pokémon GO: The release of Pokémon GO in 2016, combined with the anime’s continued success, caused a massive surge in interest and viral trends.
• Impact: Pokémon has created one of the most recognizable and successful franchises in entertainment history, and its anime continues to "break the internet" with every new release, game, or viral meme.

Conclusion

The anime series that have truly "broken the internet" are those that have generated viral moments, huge fan discussions, and have become part of the broader pop culture conversation. From the shocking twists in Attack on Titan to the emotional beats of Demon Slayer, these shows not only captivate audiences with their stories but also spark global interactions, memes, and fan theories across social media. The anime fandom is larger than ever, and these series continue to push boundaries in terms of popularity, influence, and cultural relevance.

Do you have a favorite anime that has made an impact on the internet for you? Let me know!