I’m old enough to what anime in the USA was like before Cartoon Network changed everything in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was a small industry that relied on a few companies to supply content on home video formats like VHS tapes and laserdiscs. Meanwhile, over in Japan, anime was going through a creative renaissance thanks to shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Revolutionary Girl Utena, but only a cult audience of early otaku was paying attention.

Cartoon Network’s Toonami and Adult Swim blocks opened the floodgates and helped to introduce an entire generation to Japanese animation that was stylish, emotional, and often far more intense than typical Western fare. These broadcasts not only entertained but helped to shape and grow fandom in the U.S. Today, we revisit ten of the most influential anime ever aired on Cartoon Network. Each series left a unique mark, expanding the boundaries of genre, storytelling, and what was possible on American television.

1 Dragon Ball Z

Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama

Originally airing in the U.S. in 1996 and later becoming Toonami’s flagship show, Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku as he protects Earth from increasingly powerful foes. Its iconic arcs, including the Saiyan Saga, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu, are legendary for their escalating stakes and planet-shattering battles. While the original manga balanced action with comedy, the anime leaned into prolonged, dramatic tension that kept viewers on the edge of their seats week after week.

Toei Animation was responsible for the original adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga, and the English dub by Funimation became a cult favorite. Thanks to its themes of “heroes who never give up, no matter the odds,” Dragon Ball Z became a cultural phenomenon in the West, with action figure lines, cosplay, and memes cementing its legacy. Its U.S. success proved that anime could thrive on cable TV, paving the way for everything that followed.

2 Naruto

Based on the Manga by Masashi Kishimoto

When Naruto first hit Cartoon Network in 2005, it sparked instant buzz among younger viewers with its ninja school setting, energetic fight scenes, and relatable lead character. Naruto Uzumaki’s journey from class clown to would-be Hokage gave fans a new hero to root for. The Chunin Exam arc, in particular, became a Toonami favorite and a gateway for many new anime fans in the West.

Animated by Studio Pierrot, Naruto featured vivid character designs and intense, hand-drawn battle sequences. The dub by Viz Media also struck a chord with American audiences. The show’s emotional core and sprawling cast kept fans engaged for years, helping it become one of the most successful shōnen properties worldwide and one of Cartoon Network’s biggest anime hits.

3 Yu Yu Hakusho

Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi

Yu Yu Hakusho debuted on Cartoon Network in 2002, quickly earning a loyal audience with its blend of supernatural action, dark humor, and emotionally complex characters. The story follows Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent teenager who dies saving a child, only to return as a Spirit Detective tasked with investigating paranormal threats. From the brutal Dark Tournament to the philosophical Chapter Black Saga, the series evolved from a ghost story into a layered martial arts epic.

Produced by Studio Pierrot and originally airing in Japan from 1992 to 1995, the anime featured dynamic fight choreography and a memorable English dub. Yu Yu Hakusho became a sleeper hit in the U.S., regularly ranking in Toonami’s top-rated shows. Its success helped solidify Togashi’s reputation as a creator and proved that smart, character-driven storytelling could thrive in after-school slots.

4 One Piece

Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda

Monkey D. Luffy’s quest to become King of the Pirates sailed into American homes via Cartoon Network in 2005. Though the 4Kids dub was heavily edited, the core of One Piece still shone through: an epic tale of adventure, friendship, and freedom on the high seas. Luffy’s crew, each with their own tragic backstory and dreams, made the show as emotionally rich as it was action-packed.

Toei Animation brought Eiichiro Oda’s sprawling world to life with bold colors and expressive characters. Despite early censorship, the anime gained traction. Even with a rocky start, One Piece remained popular enough to justify a re-dub by Funimation, eventually becoming one of the longest-running and best-selling anime of all time. It’s possible we may never have gotten the excellent live-action One Piece series on Netflix without Cartoon Network first setting sail.

5 Cowboy Bebop

Original story by Shinichiro Watanabe

Airing during Adult Swim’s early days in 2001, Cowboy Bebop was unlike any anime that mainstream audiences had seen on TV before. Set in a jazzy, melancholic future, the show follows bounty hunters Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and Ein as they drift through space and memory. The episodic structure allowed for genre-bending adventures, shifting from film noir to sci-fi western, and culminating in an unforgettable finale that left fans stunned.

Sunrise’s animation, Yoko Kanno’s score, and Watanabe’s cinematic direction created an anime that felt more like a feature film. The result was anime that transcended its form. Cowboy Bebop became a gateway show for countless Adult Swim viewers, proving anime could be serious, stylish, and heartbreakingly mature. It remains one of the most celebrated anime series ever aired on U.S. television.

6 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Based on the concept by Yoshiyuki Tomino

Gundam Wing premiered on Toonami in 2000, marking the first time many American viewers encountered the Gundam franchise. Set in the After Colony timeline, it follows five teenage pilots who wage war using high-powered mecha. Unlike more straightforward action shows, Gundam Wing delivered political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and a brooding, introspective tone that stood apart from its peers.

Produced by Sunrise in 1995, the series was a hit in Japan and a sensation in the U.S., where its sleek Gundam designs and angsty teen drama resonated with fans. Toonami aired both the original series and its sequel movie, Endless Waltz, and Gundam model kits briefly became must-have items. Gundam Wing helped set the stage for the current interest in the franchise via shows like Gundam GQuuuuuuX.

7 Inuyasha

Based on the manga by Rumiko Takahashi

A time-traveling teen girl, a half-demon warrior, a mystical jewel, and a feudal fantasy filled with monsters made Inuyasha a perfect recipe for a long-running hit. Airing on Adult Swim in 2002, the anime adapted Rumiko Takahashi’s beloved manga into an emotionally rich saga that mixed romance, action, and folklore. Fans were drawn to the love triangle between Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kikyo as much as the demon-slaying battles.

Animated by Sunrise, the series combined striking visuals with tender character moments. American fans responded with fan fiction, art, and plenty of cosplay. Inuyasha’s presence on Adult Swim introduced a slightly older audience to long-form fantasy anime and proved that romance-driven shōnen could thrive in the West.

8 FLCL

Original Story by Kazuya Tsurumaki

At just six episodes, FLCL exploded onto Adult Swim in 2003 like a pop-punk music video. The surreal coming-of-age story centers on Naota, a 12-year-old whose quiet life is disrupted when a woman on a Vespa hits him in the head with a bass guitar, which unleashes robots, weird love triangles, and puberty metaphors. Nothing makes sense, and that’s the point.

Animated by Gainax and Production I.G., FLCL was directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, who said in Animage magazine that he wanted “to capture adolescence as chaos.” Its fast edits, genre mashups, and soundtrack by The Pillows made it an instant cult hit. Despite its inscrutability, or perhaps because of it, FLCL resonated deeply with a generation of Adult Swim viewers. It became a favorite for rewatching, dissecting, and quoting endlessly.

9 Outlaw Star

Based on the Manga by Takehiko Ito

Space pirates, caster guns, catgirls, and ancient treasure all helped to make Outlaw Star a standout anime hit. Airing on Toonami in 2001, the series follows Gene Starwind and his crew aboard the Outlaw Star ship as they search for the Galactic Leyline. With colorful characters and a blend of Western sci-fi and Eastern mysticism, the show struck a chord as a more mature counterpart to Dragon Ball Z.

Produced by Sunrise in 1998, Outlaw Star featured slick animation and a distinctive steampunk-meets-space aesthetic. While Cartoon Network aired a heavily edited version, the spirit of director Mitsuru Hongo’s “romantic space opera” with heart and grit remained intact. The series remains a cult favorite and helped cement Toonami’s role as the home for genre-defying anime.

10 Rurouni Kenshin

Based on the Manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki

Set during Japan’s Meiji Restoration, Rurouni Kenshin tells the story of a wandering swordsman with a bloody past. Kenshin Himura once fought as an assassin, but now vows never to kill again. As he protects those around him with a reverse-blade sword, the series explores redemption, justice, and the price of peace.

Rurouni Kenshin debuted on Cartoon Network in 2003, capturing viewers with its historical drama and sharply choreographed sword fights. Studio Gallop and Studio Deen brought Watsuki’s manga to life with care. The show’s blend of humor, philosophy, and action struck a chord. Kenshin became a cosplay favorite, and his pacifist message gave the series surprising depth.