Alright, let’s settle this once and for all—can you be a real anime fan without ever touching the Big 3 (Naruto, One Piece,and Bleach)? Short answer: Yes, obviously. Long answer? Eh… kinda debatable.

Listen, anime is massive now. We’re in an era where every season drops like 50+ new shows, ranging from absolute peak fiction to “why did I waste my time on this?” So, if you skipped Naruto because you didn’t feel like sitting through 700+ episodes of flashbacks, I get it. If Bleach didn’t hook you because you didn’t want to memorize 500 character names, fair. And if One Piece looks like a life sentence instead of an anime? Yeah… but also, it’s peak. Watch it.

The Big 3 Aren’t the Only Animes That Matter

Despite what certain anime gatekeepers (you know the ones) might say, watching the Big 3 isn’t some official initiation into anime fandom. Anime has range.

• Not into long-running shonen? Watch Death Note or Steins;Gate.

• Want crazy action without a million episodes? Try Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, or Demon Slayer.

• Need something that’ll emotionally destroy you? Your Name, Violet Evergarden, or A Silent Voice got you.

• Prefer the weird and wild side of anime? Dandadan is waiting for you.

There are so many gems out there, and skipping the Big 3 doesn’t make you any less of a fan.