The Big Three—Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece—dominated anime in the 2000s. All three have now concluded (or are concluding). How do they compare in retrospect?
Defining the Era
The Big Three weren’t just popular—they were gateway anime for an entire generation. Their simultaneous peak created the modern anime fandom’s foundation. Kids who watched Toonami grew up with these series.
Naruto: The Underdog Story
Peak: Pain Arc through Fourth War
Legacy: Defined “hard work vs. talent” theme in shonen
Problems: Excessive filler, inconsistent ending
Naruto’s emotional resonance came from its outcast protagonist. The series’ best moments (Naruto vs. Pain, Jiraiya’s death, Guy vs. Madara) remain all-time classics. The ending undermined some themes, and Boruto’s existence divides fans.
Bleach: The Style Champion
Peak: Soul Society Arc
Legacy: Iconic designs, power escalation template
Problems: Fullbring arc slump, rushed manga ending
Bleach was the coolest of the Big Three. Kubo’s character designs influenced anime aesthetics permanently. Soul Society remains one of the best arcs in shonen history. Post-Soul Society, the series struggled to maintain momentum—until TYBW’s anime revival proved there was still fire.
One Piece: The World-Builder
Peak: Marineford War (though many arcs compete)
Legacy: Longest-running quality, emotional storytelling
Problems: Length itself, anime pacing
One Piece outlasted its peers while maintaining quality. Oda’s world-building is unmatched. The series approaches its conclusion as arguably the greatest shonen ever made. Its weakness—being 1000+ chapters—is also its strength.
Comparison Chart
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| World-Building | One Piece |
| Character Designs | Bleach |
| Emotional Moments | Naruto/One Piece (tie) |
| Fight Choreography | Naruto |
| Consistency | One Piece |
| Ending | Pending (One Piece) / Bleach (TYBW) |
The Next Generation
JJK, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia are called successors, but none captured the Big Three’s simultaneous dominance. The era of three mega-series sharing spotlight may not return.
Final Verdict
One Piece for longevity and depth. Naruto for accessibility and emotion. Bleach for style and cool factor. All three shaped anime permanently. All three deserve their legendary status.