Animes beyond Pokémon: deeper stories and emotions

When it comes to Japanese animation, Pokémon is often the first image that comes to mind. Yet, beyond this global icon, there exists a universe of animes that explore deep stories and evoke intense emotions. These works stand out through more complex storytelling, multifaceted characters, and more mature themes that make them unique within otaku culture. We invite you to discover seven essential series that surpass Pokémon on several levels:

• dramatic density and emotional depth,
• character development and their dilemmas,
• the richness of worlds and narrative stakes,
• the diversity of Japanese animation styles,
• and long-term cultural impact.

Each of these series offers a different experience, allowing you to travel far beyond Ash’s adventures. We will thus explore these animes that stand out by their approach to stories, focusing on dramatic tension, the complexity of human relationships, and often much darker stakes.

Hunter x Hunter: a union between adventure and dramatic depth

Hunter x Hunter establishes itself as a model of balance between lightness and gravity, thanks to a story that gradually evolves toward more mature themes. From the start, we follow Gon Freecss, a young boy whose goal is to become a Hunter, a prestigious title allowing him to find his missing father. The series, adapted in 2011 by Madhouse, comprises 148 episodes, with each arc offering a distinct adventure rich in narrative intensity.

What sets this series apart from Pokémon is the introduction of Nen, an energy system that complicates battles by turning them into strategic puzzles where mastery and intelligence outweigh mere brute strength. This sophistication profoundly changes how confrontations are perceived, adding a very dense psychological dimension.

The characters are not stuck in classic archetypes. Killua, heir to a family of assassins, goes through an emancipation arc that reveals his internal contradictions, while Kurapika carries the weight of a family tragedy. The story does not shy away from showing flaws, losses, and the painful evolution of the protagonists, giving a palpable emotion to every change.

To illustrate this richness, let’s take the Chimera Ant arc, which marks a major dramatic turning point. The stakes grow heavier, the consequences of the characters’ actions are felt over time, showing a profound transformation both thematically and narratively. This collective effort in building a coherent and evolving universe is one of the major strengths that attract an audience eager for stories that aren’t limited to a simple linear quest.

Where Pokémon often reassures with its consistency, Hunter x Hunter dares to break its rhythm to better focus on the psychology and dark areas of its heroes, offering a more intense and thoughtful experience.

Bleach: an immersion into a world filled with duties and inner struggles

The world of Bleach offers an animated story where adventure meets strong themes such as death, sacrifice, and responsibility. With 366 initially aired episodes, followed by a notable return with the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the series spans a significant period, enriching and deepening its universe. Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager able to see spirits, becomes a Soul Reaper unwillingly, embodying a hero far from naive impetuosity.

Compared to Pokémon, Ichigo does not progress simply through successive challenges but through a gradual acceptance of his duty and losses. This creates constant dramatic tension, accentuated by a gallery of characters whose relationships oscillate between alliance and opposition. The Soul Society and Arrancar arcs are emblematic of this narrative escalation, combining epic battles with deep moral dilemmas.

Fight scenes are no longer just clashes but manifestations of internal struggles, whether around forgiveness, justice, or redemption. For example, the character Orihime, often seen as a vulnerable figure, evolves into a heroine confronted with crucial choices, illustrating the show’s emotional complexity.

Bleach offers a smooth narrative continuity, where each arc builds on the previous one, unlike Pokémon’s more segmented mechanics. This allows for prolonged immersion in the spiritual universe that Tite Kubo created, through stakes and consequences that successively influence the fate of all protagonists.

This approach creates a certain gravity and density rarely seen in mainstream animes, targeting fans ready to explore more nuanced subjects.

Dragon Ball: the pillar of battles and self-transcendence

Before its numerous sequels, Dragon Ball (1986-1989) defined the codes of shōnen with its 153 original episodes. We follow child Goku on his quest for the seven Dragon Balls, blending humor, adventures, and constant challenges. The parallel with Pokémon is natural: searching for rare objects, exploration, and progression through stages.

However, Dragon Ball places combat and the quest for self-improvement at its core. Goku, surrounded by companions like Bulma, Krillin, or Piccolo, illustrates values of training, resilience, and continuous transformation. This positive, energetic angle laid the foundation for a genre that still influences contemporary animes.

The phenomenal success of Dragon Ball worldwide is not limited to physical fighting but also touches on the emotional springs of the hero. His confrontations are not just muscular rivalries but carry the dreams and desires of his close ones. We see then a broad symbolic scope, where individual growth enables saving the world but also forging solid bonds.

It should be noted that while Pokémon appeals by its simplicity and attachment to creatures, Dragon Ball deploys a storytelling often freer, sometimes unpredictable, mixing seriousness with naivety, creating a very particular emotional dynamic.

This series is a true classic that should be considered the genesis of a generation of must-see and passionate shōnen.

Naruto: relational complexity and identity quest in ninja lands

Naruto and its sequel Naruto Shippuden total 720 episodes aired between 2002 and 2017, forming a colossus of long-form storytelling. The story of Naruto Uzumaki, an orphan bearing a fox demon, is that of a young boy destined to overcome rejection to achieve his dream of becoming Hokage.

What sets this work apart from Pokémon is the essential focus on themes such as loneliness, self-confidence, the pain of social rejection, and family bonds. The relationships between Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi evolve with rare complexity, crossing betrayals, shifting alliances, and symbolic confrontations. The series does not hesitate to develop its characters according to the psychological trajectories it proposes.

Drama intensity increases with key arcs, such as the Chunin exams, the fight against Pain, or the vast ninja war, where the notion of sacrifice takes on real meaning. Naruto also explores the consequences of choices, sometimes heavy, and invites reflection on redemption and peace after violence.

It is clear that this series, while remaining accessible, offers a subtle mix of emotions and stakes, standing out distinctly by its more ambitious treatment of characters and conflicts.

This narrative and emotional dimension guarantees it a major place in otaku culture, with a strong legacy still inspiring new visitors to Japanese animation today.

One Piece: the extraordinary epic of a long-term adventure

One Piece is a long-running work started in 1999, now exceeding 1000 episodes. Following Monkey D. Luffy and his crew in their quest to become Pirate King is a unique experience, where the journey combines with a universe of great richness.

Like Pokémon, One Piece relies on a feeling of perpetual exploration. However, the treatment of characters goes far beyond a simple group of companions. Each crew member has an in-depth past, strong motivations, and unbreakable bonds with Luffy, forming a true family. This dimension adds depth to the story, with nautical adventures accompanied by strong and varied emotional intensity.

The density of lore developed over centuries in the manga, the multiplicity of islands and adversaries encountered give vitality and credibility to this universe. Commercial success testifies to this narrative power with over 500 million copies sold, while the anime remains lively and engaged in broadcasting major arcs.

This initiatory journey stands out by its ability to mix humor, drama, and suspense, relying on a fine writing that knows how to hold revelations and advance the overall plot skillfully. Fans respond enthusiastically, loyal to this epic fresco that continues to mark otaku culture in 2026 and beyond.

This overview offers an excellent starting point for those who wish to discover must-see modern animes beyond the known realm of Pokémon.

Series	Number of episodes	Main themes	Key feature
Hunter x Hunter	148	Strategy, psychology, evolution	Complex Nen system
Bleach	366 + new arc	Loss, sacrifice, duty	Intertwined and dark narration
Dragon Ball	153	Self-improvement, humor, adventure	Central combat and power evolution
Naruto	720	Identity quest, loneliness, friendship	In-depth relational development
One Piece	1000+	Freedom, family, exploration	Expanded universe and rich mythology
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood	64	Ethics, responsibility, quest	Closed and structured story