adminWhen you hear the name Toei Animation, most people would think of One Piece or Dragon Ball. And yeah, that makes sense. We mean, these two anime series have been dominating the anime charts for a long time. However, if you think that is all Toei Animation has to offer, then you are really underestimating them.
For more than five decades, Toei Animation has been cooking up some of the most influential anime series across a wide range of genres – magical girl, sports, supernatural horror, and even food-action. So if you want to explore more of what Toei Animation has to offer outside of pirate adventures or Super Saiyan action, then check out these ten anime series.
1. Sailor Moon
If you want to talk about anime that changed pop culture, then Sailor Moon definitely belongs in that conversation. The anime was first released in 1992 by Toei Animation, based on the manga by Naoko Takeuchi. The anime is one of the most successful magical girl anime of all time.
A still from the anime series Sailor Moon. | Credit: Toei Animation
The anime revolves around the story of Usagi Tsukino, a clumsy middle-school girl who discovers she is actually Sailor Moon, a magical girl whose purpose is to protect the Earth. Along with the other Sailor Guardians, she battles evil forces while navigating her life as a school student.
What made the anime so special is the blend of action, romance, comedy, and strong friendships. The team dynamic among the Sailor Guardians became iconic, and the transformation sequences are among the most memorable moments in anime history.
2. Yu-Gi-Oh! (1998)
When most fans think of Yu-Gi-Oh!, they think of the popular duel-heavy anime from the early 2000s. However, the franchise actually began with a lesser-known 1998 animated series by Toei Animation.
A still from the anime Yu-Gi-Oh!. | Credit: Toei Animation
The older anime takes a darker approach to the Yu-Gi-Oh manga. The anime follows Yugi Mutou, a shy boy who solves the Millennium Puzzle and awakens the spirit of an ancient Pharaoh inside him.
While the original Yu-Gi-Oh anime focuses on the card game, the older anime has the main character compete in a variety of “shadow games.” A “shadow game” could be anything from a gambling game to a psychological mind game where losing had terrifying consequences. The series captured the dark atmosphere of the manga’s early chapters perfectly.
3. Digimon Adventure
For many anime fans who grew up around the late 1990s or early 2000s, Digimon Adventure was a huge part of their childhood. The series begins when some kids are mysteriously transported to the Digital World during summer camp.
A still from the anime series Digimon Adventure. | Credit: Toei Animation
There, they meet creatures called Digimon who become their partners and protectors. What starts as a simple adventure soon becomes a much larger story about saving both the Digital World and Earth.
While it is often compared to Pokémon, Digimon quickly carved its own identity. The characters change and face many emotional challenges, and their relationships with their Digimon partners form the basis of their adventure. Over time, the franchise expanded into multiple sequels, films, and games, turning it into one of the biggest multimedia anime franchises of its era.
4. Slam Dunk
Sports anime would not be the same without Slam Dunk. Based on the manga created by Takehiko Inoue, the anime revolves around the life of a hot-headed troublemaker named Hanamichi Sakuragi, who joins his high school’s basketball team just to win the heart of a girl.
A still from the famous anime series Slam Dunk. | Credit: Toei Animation
However, the problem is that Sakuragi knows nothing about basketball. At first, Sakuragi treats the sport as a joke, but as the series progresses, he gradually develops real passion and skill.
The anime has the right mix of hardcore sports action and comical dialogue exchanged between the characters. In fact, the anime was such a hit in the 1990s that it even helped increase basketball’s popularity in Japan and across Asia (via Yahoo Sports).
5. Fist of the North Star
Few anime are as iconic as Fist of the North Star when it comes to classic action storytelling. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with violence. The story revolves around a wandering martial artist who possesses a deadly fighting technique known as Hokuto Shinken.
A still from the anime series Fist of the North Star. | Credit: Toei Animation
This technique allows him to strike pressure points to defeat his opponents instantly. The series was created by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara. The series was a huge success because of its intense action scenes and memorable catchphrase, “You are already dead.” Its influence can still be seen in many modern shonen heroes and action anime.
6. Lovely Complex
Not all Toei Anime is about fighting and saving the world. Lovely Complex proves the studio can also deliver a fantastic romantic comedy.
The story is about a tall girl named Risa Koizumi who is insecure because of her height. She meets a short boy named Atsushi Otani, who is also insecure because of his height. Because of their height difference, the two are often treated as a comedy duo by classmates.
However, despite the jokes, they quickly become close friends thanks to their shared frustrations and similar personalities. As the series progresses, their friendship slowly deepens. What makes this anime so enjoyable is its honest portrayal of teenage insecurity combined with genuinely funny moments.
7. Air Gear
If you ever wondered what rollerblading would look like if anime turned it into a full-blown battle sport, Air Gear is the answer.
A still from the anime series Air Gear. | Credit: Toei Animation
The series centers on Itsuki Minami, a rebellious teen who discovers Air Trecks, a type of motorized rollerblades capable of insane speeds and gravity-defying tricks. Soon, he finds himself pulled into the underground world of Storm Riders, teams that compete in extreme skating battles.
Air Gear is a manga series by Oh! great and is a mix of street culture and futuristic technology. Although only a portion of the manga is adapted into the anime series, it has managed to gain a loyal fanbase because of its beautiful fight scenes and wild concept.
8. World Trigger
Out of all the modern battle anime made by Toei Animation, World Trigger is certainly unique because it really focuses on strategy.
A still from the anime series World Trigger. | Credit: Toei Animation
The story takes place in Mikado City, where portals suddenly open and monsters known as Neighbors begin invading Earth. To fight them, an organization called Border develops special weapons known as Triggers and recruits young fighters.
Unlike many action anime series, wherein characters essentially try to overpower each other, battles in World Trigger have a lot of strategy involved. This makes every battle unique.
9. Mononoke
If there is an anime on the list that completely feels different from the others, it has to be Mononoke.
A still from the Mononoke anime series. | Credit: Toei Animation
The series follows a mysterious figure known only as the Medicine Seller, who travels across Japan hunting supernatural spirits called Mononoke. However, feating these spirits is not as simple as it sounds. Before he can use his sword, he must first uncover the spirit’s Form, Truth, and Reason.
The real reason Mononoke is different from the other shows on the list is because of the style of the artwork. It looks like it was inspired by traditional Japanese paintings, which gives the anime a different vibe.
10. Toriko
While most food-themed anime tend to revolve around cooking contests or restaurant conflicts, Toriko takes a completely different approach.
A still from the anime Toriko. | Credit: Toei Animation
The anime centers on the adventures of a young man named Toriko, who is a Gourmet Hunter and travels the world in search of the most exclusive and delicious ingredients you can find. Some of these ingredients come from gigantic monsters or dangerous locations.
Created by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro, the anime blends adventure, action, and creative cooking. Watching Toriko hunt down massive creatures just to cook them into gourmet dishes is as ridiculous as it sounds, and that is exactly what makes Toriko so fun to watch.
AnimeIMDb Rating (Out of 10)Where to WatchSailor Moon7.8HuluYu-Gi-Oh!7.4Currently, the 1998 version is not available for streaming in the United States. Digimon Adventure7.4Crunchyroll, HuluSlam Dunk8.7Netflix (select regions)Fist of the North Star8.1CrunchyrollLovely Complex7.9Crunchyroll, HuluAir Gear7.1CrunchyrollWorld Trigger7.4CrunchyrollMononoke8.1NetflixToriko7.2Crunchyroll, Hulu
Please note that the IMDb ratings mentioned above are as of March 15, 2026. Thus, it may change over time.
All in all, the above list proves how easy it is to forget just how massive Toei Animation’s catalog is. While One Piece and Dragon Ball get all the spotlight, the studio has spent decades producing anime covering just about every genre imaginable.
From the genre-defining classics like Sailor Moon and Fist of the North Star to the one-of-a-kind artistic projects like Mononoke, it is clear that Toei Animation’s influence goes far beyond just One Piece and Dragon Ball.
What are some popular Toei anime besides One Piece and Dragon Ball?
Some well-known titles from Toei Animation include Sailor Moon, Digimon Adventure, Slam Dunk, World Trigger, and Mononoke.
Which Toei anime helped popularize the magical-girl genre?
Sailor Moon, based on the manga by Naoko Takeuchi, is one of the most influential magical-girl anime ever produced by Toei Animation.
Which anime from this list is best for action fans?
For action, popular choices include Fist of the North Star, World Trigger, and Toriko.
So, which non-One Piece and Dragon Ball anime produced by Toei Animation is your favourite? Share with us in the comments section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire