One Piece (1999)

A landmark entry in the adventure-anime genre that's been going strong for over twenty-five years, One Piece is a worldwide phenomenon for a good reason. The series, which focuses on the stretchy wannabe pirate king Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of misfit thieves, swordsmen, and cooks as they search for a fabled treasure, is constantly inventive and consistently engrossing. The wacky antics and cool fight scenes serve as a good contrast to the show's more emotional beats, helping flesh out the lovable cast in clever ways. A must-see for anime fans (and any lovers of animation in general).

Getting into a series with over 1,000 episodes is daunting, but One Piece is worth it. It's not considered the greatest anime of all time for nothing. One Piece offers some of the most intricate, sophisticated world-building and best storytelling in anime. Watching the show is like going on a globe-spanning adventure, learning about every unique culture, character, and power along the way. On top of that, viewers will come to love the characters, from charismatic, big-hearted Luffy to the stern, ambitious Zoro. The icing on top is One Piece's inspiring message about following one's dreams.