Copyright Screen Rant
For decades, Japan has been universally seen as the birthplace and ruler of anime. Its iconic art style, storytelling tropes, and industry ecosystem defined what animation should be. But today, creators around the world are taking the genre into bold new territory, sometimes surpassing the very country that invented it. From Southeast Asia to North America to China, global talents are proving they can match anime’s emotional power while adding perspectives Japan rarely explores. These international hits don’t imitate, they innovate. They merge local mythology, cinematic ambition, and daring themes with anime-inspired artistry, showing that “anime” has evolved into a worldwide creative language. The result is some of the most breathtaking, culturally rich animated narratives of the last decade. Here are 10 global anime that prove Japan no longer owns the crown, it now shares it. Trese (Philippines) Trese delivers a supernatural detective story rooted in Filipino folklore, which is something audiences rarely see represented with this level of atmosphere and cultural authenticity. Manila’s dark underbelly becomes a battleground between spirits and humans, driven by Alexandra Trese’s gritty, stoic performance as a protector caught between worlds. The show’s spooky urban mystery adds a refreshing Southeast Asian edge to an anime-inspired format. Visually, it blends crisp, graphic-novel style art with haunting Manila cityscapes, rivaling Japan’s best supernatural dramas. What makes Trese feel so groundbreaking is its unapologetic embrace of regional mythologies, from Tikbalang to Aswang, told with the polish of a top-tier global streaming production. It proves anime-style storytelling is not only exportable, it’s infinitely adaptable. The Dragon Prince (Canada/USA) Created by talent behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, this fantasy epic masterfully combines political intrigue, heartfelt character arcs, and accessible humor. The world-building is sweeping and full of dragons, elves, and humans in a tense magic-driven conflict that never feels derivative. Its character development, especially Rayla’s layered bravery and vulnerability, resonates beyond typical Western animation norms. Animation-wise, The Dragon Prince has only grown more stunning season by season. Fluid combat sequences and rich environmental storytelling give it a cinematic flair that rivals major anime franchises. By balancing inclusivity, emotional family narrative, and high fantasy, The Dragon Prince shows how global creators can craft universes just as compelling as any anime blockbuster. Mo Dao Zu Shi (China) Mo Dao Zu Shi delivers a tragic, breathtaking BL-coded saga that pushes Chinese animation into world-class territory. Centering on Wei Wuxian’s fall and redemption, the narrative weaves decades of political power struggles, mystery, and romance into a uniquely elegant martial-fantasy form. Its emotional subtlety rivals Japan’s most acclaimed drama anime. Beautiful brushstroke-inspired animation brings Chinese culture to life with grace that few productions achieve. The soundtrack of traditional instruments layered with modern scoring elevates each moment into something mythic. It offers queer-coded love and complex moral themes while staying grounded in Chinese storytelling conventions, proving donghua can match, and sometimes exceed, anime’s narrative sophistication. Castlevania (USA) Based on the iconic Japanese video game, Castlevania flips the script by delivering a Western-produced anime adaptation that surpasses many Japanese versions of game properties. Blood-drenched fight scenes, razor-sharp dialogue, and morally layered characters push it into mature storytelling territory seldom handled this deftly in mainstream anime. With powerhouse animation from Frederator Studios and Adi Shankar’s uncompromising vision, the show marries gothic horror and emotional tragedy beautifully. Dracula’s sorrow, Trevor’s reluctant heroism, and Sypha’s fiery conviction make the story feel deeply human. It’s proof that anime’s essence of style, myth, and intensity can flourish spectacularly outside Japan. Heaven Official’s Blessing (China) Another donghua masterpiece from Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s universe, this romantic fantasy reaches divine levels of beauty and narrative patience. The bond between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng is delicately layered with centuries of devotion, tragedy, and gentle humor. It brings LGBTQ-coded romance into global focus while maintaining strong cultural identity. The art direction is sumptuous with its soft lighting, intricate costume design, and spiritual landscapes that feel like moving poetry. Its pacing prioritizes emotional payoff over flashy spectacle, resulting in a quieter but more resonant storytelling approach. Heaven Official’s Blessing redefines what a slow-burn romance in animation can achieve. Link Click (China) Link Click is a genre masterclass that is time travel, psychological thriller, and slice-of-life sincerity, all seamlessly fused into a gripping emotional ride. The concept of entering photos to relive memories creates brilliant narrative twists while confronting personal guilt, trauma, and moral gray areas. Every episode hits with shocking intensity. Crafted with silky, dynamic animation and impeccable direction, action scenes feel like they belong in big-budget anime films. Yet the show’s true strength lies in its tear-jerking storytelling and deep character bonds. China’s animation industry proves it can deliver high-concept drama with artistry that rivals Japan’s most prestigious productions. To Be Hero X (China) Bold, experimental, and visually jaw-dropping, To Be Hero X reimagines the superhero genre with striking flair. It blends stylized action with a surprisingly emotional undercurrent about identity and ordinary heroism. The show constantly shifts tones, from hilarious absurdity to heartfelt poignancy, without ever losing momentum. Its animation is a hybrid marvel with fluid motion, complex camera angles, and painterly detail create some of the most innovative sequences in recent television animation. Where Japan often sticks to established styles, To Be Hero X dares to reinvent, proving fresh visual language is still being written in the anime tradition. Lord of the Mysteries (China) Based on a wildly popular web novel, Lord of the Mysteries mixes Lovecraftian dread with Victorian-esque steampunk to form a world rarely seen in animation anywhere. The narrative builds a clever supernatural system grounded in logic, mystery, and escalating cosmic forces. It’s smart genre-blending that anime often struggles to execute without chaos. Pre-release teasers and the novel’s passionate fanbase already signal major global potential. If the adaptation fulfills expectations, it could become the next flagship international series that embraces dark philosophical intrigue and cinematic scope. It represents global anime gearing up to rival Japan’s biggest cultural exports head-on. Arcane (France/USA) Arcane is a revolution in animation, plain and simple. Its painterly 3D-hybrid style delivers jaw-dropping action while grounding every scene in emotional realism. The tragic sibling dynamic between Vi and Jinx provides a raw, compelling center rarely matched even in top anime dramas. Beyond technical achievements, the show elevates character writing and political depth to new heights. Piltover’s class struggle and Zaun’s rebellion carry mature nuance, powered by world-class voice acting. Arcane isn’t just global competition, it is arguably the series that forced the entire animation industry, including Japan, to level up. Avatar: The Last Airbender (USA) A longtime example of anime influence flourishing abroad, Avatar: The Last Airbender blends Eastern philosophies, martial arts-based bending styles, and character-driven storytelling into a timeless epic. Zuko’s redemption arc alone is enough to secure its status as a narrative treasure. It tackles war, trauma, identity, and hope with a grace that resonates across generations.
