The Big 3 Anime: A Legacy of One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach
The Big 3 Anime: A Legacy of One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach
What Are the Big 3?
The Big 3 refers to three anime giants: One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. These iconic series dominated the early 2000s and left an indelible mark on anime fans worldwide. One Piece premiered in 1997, Naruto followed in 1999, and Bleach debuted in 2002. Together, these shows not only topped popularity charts but also sold staggering volumes of manga, solidifying their place in anime history.
The Big 3’s Rise in the West:
While One Piece came out in Japan in 1999, Naruto in 2002, and Bleach in 2004, their journey to Western audiences came slightly later. In the West, One Piece arrived in 2004, followed by Naruto in 2005 and Bleach in 2006. Different studios held the licenses—Toei owned One Piece, while Studio Pierrot handled Naruto and Bleach. One Piece aired through 4Kids, Naruto found a home on Cartoon Network, and Bleach captured the late-night crowd on Adult Swim.
My Take: The First Impressions:
I watched all three as they hit the West. But I have to say, the 4Kids version of One Piece really didn’t do it justice. The heavy censorship and changes made it tough to appreciate. Once the English dub hit a roadblock, I switched to watching in Japanese and dove into the manga for Naruto and Bleach. One Piece, though, had a rocky return in English after 4Kids lost the license to FUNimation, which took forever to sort out.
Earning the “Big 3” Title:
These three anime earned their “Big 3” status not just because of their popularity but because of the sheer number of volumes they sold. Each show had its own “blow-up” moment in the early 2000s. Naruto exploded in popularity during the Land of Waves and Chunin Exams arcs. Bleach reached its peak during the Soul Society Arc, while One Piece soared to new heights with the Marineford Arc. In a unique twist, One Piece outsold both Naruto and Bleach by moving both old and new volumes at lightning speed.
My Take: The Origins of the Big 3 Title:
The term “Big 3” really took off in the West. Some say Japan had its own version of this title, but I haven’t seen solid proof of that. Fans used to constantly debate which of the three deserved the crown—until One Piece’s success made it pretty clear who came out on top in sales.
Quick Overview: The Main Characters:
Let’s take a brief look at the main characters from these legendary series:
- One Piece: Luffy dreams of becoming the Pirate King. He’s joined by his eclectic crew—Zoro (who wants to be the strongest swordsman), Nami (the navigator), Usopp (the sniper), Sanji (the cook), Chopper (the doctor), Robin (searching for the Poneglyphs), Franky (the shipwright), Brook (the skeleton musician), and Jinbe (a master of Fish-Man Karate).
- Naruto: Naruto aims to become Hokage, while his companions have their own dreams—Sasuke seeks revenge on his brother, Sakura serves as a healer with immense strength, and Kakashi, their mentor, is known for mastering over 100 jutsu.
- Bleach: Ichigo is a Substitute Soul Reaper who wants to protect his loved ones. Alongside him are Rukia (a Soul Reaper who helps keep her friends grounded), Uryu (the group’s Quincy), Chad (a Fullbringer), and Orihime (the healer).
The Online War: Fans Debating the Best:
As these shows grew in popularity, an “online war” emerged. Fans took to forums and YouTube to argue which series had the best chapters, creating weekly debates over new episodes and manga releases. Although other manga occasionally entered the conversation, it was clear that One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach dominated the space.
My Take: The Online War:
Out of the three main characters, Ichigo stands out to me as the most relatable. The online debates could get pretty toxic at times, but there were weeks when fans really came together and agreed on something. Nowadays, I don’t follow many manga discussions, preferring to watch anime instead.
The Attempt to Replace Bleach:
In 2008, Shonen Jump attempted to replace Bleach with Toriko, a series about a Gourmet Hunter searching for full-course meals. The magazine covers made it clear that Shonen Jump was pushing Toriko, but it never quite reached the heights of its predecessors.
My Take: The Toriko Experiment:
I didn’t pay much attention to Toriko, so I don’t have much to say about it other than the fact that it popped up during the tail end of the Big 3 era.
End of an Era:
The Big 3 era officially ended when both Naruto and Bleach wrapped up. Naruto went out on a high note, while Bleach’s ending felt rushed due to the author’s illness, leaving fans with unanswered questions and confusion.
A New Generation:
After Naruto and Bleach ended, Shonen Jump and fans alike wondered what would take their place. Two series rose to the occasion: My Hero Academia and Black Clover. My Hero Academia tells the story of Deku Midoriya, a quirkless kid who dreams of becoming a hero, while Black Clover follows Asta, a boy without magic, who aims to become the Wizard King. While My Hero Academia was praised for its similarities to Naruto, Black Clover faced criticism, particularly due to Asta’s constant yelling and some clichéd story elements.
My Take: The New Era:
When Naruto and Bleach ended, I didn’t feel like there was a massive gap in anime, mainly because anime had become so mainstream by then. However, the Big 3 still felt special. They came at the perfect time, filling the void left by Dragon Ball’s conclusion. Together, they became the pillars of anime during their run and ensured anime’s lasting impact on pop culture.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy Secured:
One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach will go down in history just like Dragon Ball did before them. They arrived at the right moment and carried anime fandom through the early 2000s, forever shaping the anime landscape. While new anime will surely have their own legacy, there’s something uniquely timeless about the Big 3 and the role they played in anime’s global rise.
