Gintama Dominates Best Anime Poll Across All Age Groups in Japan

Japanese anime publication Anime! Anime! has unveiled the results of its 2025 "Best Anime of Your Life" survey, revealing fascinating generational divides in anime preferences across Japan. The comprehensive poll, conducted from October 11 to October 18, 2025, gathered responses from readers spanning their teens to their 60s, painting a vivid picture of how different age groups connect with anime.

The survey results demonstrate the remarkable cross-generational appeal of certain franchises while highlighting the distinct anime that defined each generation's formative years. Gintama emerged as a dominant force, appearing in the top rankings across multiple age groups, while classic titles like Mobile Suit Gundam and contemporary hits like Demon Slayer each found their strongest followings among specific demographics.

The poll's methodology encouraged readers to reflect deeply on which anime series had the most profound impact on their lives, going beyond simple entertainment value to consider emotional resonance, life lessons, and lasting memories. This approach resulted in rankings that not only reflect popularity but also the genuine personal connections viewers have formed with these animated works over the years.

One particularly striking pattern in the results is how each generation's top choices often correspond to series that aired during their adolescence or early adulthood, suggesting that anime experienced during formative years tends to leave the most lasting impression. However, the presence of recent titles like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End in rankings across older demographics also demonstrates anime's continued ability to resonate with viewers regardless of when they first discovered the medium.

The regional and cultural significance of certain titles also became apparent through the survey. Series that addressed universal themes of friendship, perseverance, and self-discovery tended to appear across multiple age brackets, while those with more generation-specific cultural references found stronger footing within particular demographics.

## Complete Rankings by Generation

**Teens (10代)** 1. Gintama 2. Demon Slayer 3. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Teen respondents showed a strong preference for recent blockbusters that have dominated both the box office and streaming platforms in recent years. The top three represents a mix of action-packed storytelling and emotionally resonant narratives that have defined anime in the 2020s.

**20s (20代)** 1. Gintama 2. CLANNAD, Assassination Classroom, Haikyu!!, Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia (tied) 3. Gintama

The 20-something demographic demonstrated diverse tastes, with multiple series tying for second place. This generation grew up during anime's digital expansion, giving them access to a broader range of titles than previous generations.

**30s (30代)** 1. Sailor Moon 2. CLANNAD, Gintama, Crayon Shin-chan, Sailor Moon, Detective Conan, Bocchi the Rock! (tied) 3. Crayon Shin-chan, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (tied)

Respondents in their 30s gravitated toward titles from the 1990s and early 2000s, with Sailor Moon claiming the top position. This generation experienced the golden age of magical girl anime and the rise of late-night anime programming.

**40s (40代)** 1. Dragon Ball 2. Neon Genesis Evangelion (tied) 3. Neon Genesis Evangelion

The 40-something crowd showed strong loyalty to the anime that defined the late 1980s and 1990s. Dragon Ball's dominant position reflects its massive cultural impact during this generation's youth, while Evangelion's presence demonstrates its lasting philosophical and artistic influence.

**50s (50代)** 1. Mobile Suit Gundam 2. Mobile Suit Gundam, Demon Slayer, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (tied) 3. Demon Slayer

Fifty-something respondents naturally gravitated toward Mobile Suit Gundam, the franchise that revolutionized mecha anime in the late 1970s. The inclusion of recent hits like Demon Slayer and Frieren shows this generation's continued engagement with contemporary anime.

**60s (60代)** 1. Gintama 2. Galaxy Express 999, Lupin the Third (tied) 3. Mobile Suit Gundam

The oldest demographic surveyed showed appreciation for both the space opera classics of the 1970s and, surprisingly, the comedy-action series Gintama. This demonstrates the series' unusual ability to resonate with viewers across the entire age spectrum.

The survey results provide valuable insight into the evolving landscape of anime appreciation in Japan and serve as a testament to the medium's ability to create lasting emotional connections across generations. Whether through the revolutionary storytelling of classic titles or the technical excellence of modern productions, anime continues to shape the cultural consciousness of Japanese audiences from their teens through their golden years.