The term "Big 3 anime" was not created by a single entity or official body; instead, it was a fan-coined designation that emerged during a specific era of anime popularity. This unofficial term refers collectively to three highly influential shonen series: One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.
Understanding the "Big 3 Anime" Concept
During the mid-2000s, anime fans collectively bestowed the title "Big 3" upon One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach due to their immense global popularity, consistent weekly serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump, and their widespread impact on the anime and manga community. It's important to understand that this designation has no official backing from publishers, animation studios, or creators. It is purely a reflection of fan sentiment and the cultural zeitgeist of the time, rather than an indicator of specific sales figures or quality rankings.
The Visionaries Behind Each "Big 3" Series
While the collective "Big 3" concept is fan-made, each of the individual series within this popular trio was brought to life by distinct and visionary manga artists, who then saw their creations adapted into anime by various animation studios.
One Piece
- Creator: One Piece was created by Eiichiro Oda. His manga series began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in July 1997.
- Key Impact: Known for its vast world-building, intricate plot, and enduring themes of friendship and adventure, One Piece has become one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
- Anime Adaptation: The anime adaptation is produced by Toei Animation.
- Further Reading: Learn more about Eiichiro Oda on Wikipedia.
Naruto
- Creator: The ninja-themed saga of Naruto was penned by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 1999.
- Key Impact: Naruto resonated with audiences worldwide through its compelling characters, intense battles, and exploration of themes like perseverance, solitude, and the quest for recognition.
- Anime Adaptation: The anime series, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, were animated by Studio Pierrot.
- Further Reading: Discover more about Masashi Kishimoto on Wikipedia.
Bleach
- Creator: The supernatural action series Bleach was created by Tite Kubo. It began its serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in August 2001.
- Key Impact: Bleach captivated fans with its stylish character designs, dynamic action sequences, and a unique blend of urban fantasy and traditional Japanese mythology.
- Anime Adaptation: The original anime adaptation was produced by Studio Pierrot, with the recent Thousand-Year Blood War arc also by the same studio.
- Further Reading: Explore more about Tite Kubo on Wikipedia.
Summary of the "Big 3" Creators
To summarize, here are the original creators behind each of the anime series popularly known as the "Big 3":
| Series Name | Original Manga Creator | Manga Serialization Start | Primary Anime Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Piece | Eiichiro Oda | July 1997 | Toei Animation |
| Naruto | Masashi Kishimoto | September 1999 | Studio Pierrot |
| Bleach | Tite Kubo | August 2001 | Studio Pierrot |
In conclusion, while the specific anime series within the "Big 3" were created by individual manga artists and adapted by animation studios, the collective term "Big 3 anime" itself was an organic phenomenon born from the anime fan community.
[[Anime Terminology]]
