My Top 5 Favourite Japanese Anime That Made Me Fall in Love with Japan
Everyone always asks me: “What are your favourite Japanese anime?”
Closely followed by: “Why did you go to Japan?”
At first, those questions felt difficult to answer. But when I really thought about it, the answer was simple: Japanese pop culture shaped a huge part of my life growing up.
Anime wasn’t just entertainment for me. It sparked my curiosity, influenced my creativity, and ultimately played a role in my decision to live in Japan.
So in this article, I want to share the 5 anime that had the biggest impact on me growing up: the ones that turned a casual interest into a lifelong passion.
Pokemon
I still remember coming home from school, throwing my bag on the floor, grabbing a juice box, and rushing to the TV to catch the latest episode of Pokémon.
I was completely obsessed.
- I spent all my pocket money on Pokémon cards (still hurts that I didn’t keep them…)
- Bought sweets just for the Pokémon wrappers
- Rewatched Pokémon: The First Movie countless times on VHS
Those were simple times — no stress, just pure excitement.
And then there were the Game Boy games…
Let’s just say they were responsible for a few questionable academic results.
Dragon Ball Z
If Pokémon was my childhood… Dragon Ball Z was my identity.
I genuinely believed I was a Saiyan.
- Screaming to “power up”
- Checking the mirror to see if my hair turned blonde
- Re-enacting fights with friends (which did result in a broken hand…)
After that incident, my mum put me into karate — which, disappointingly, was nothing like DBZ.
This phase went deeper though.
I started:
- Drawing characters from manga
- Learning about Akira Toriyama
- Researching Japan more seriously
This is when the idea first hit me:
“One day, I’m going to live in Japan.”
Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
This one hit differently.
I was already a huge fan of the games, so when I found this in a video store (yes — those existed), I was obsessed instantly.
I even promised my mum I’d clean the house for a month just to afford it…
That didn’t quite happen. But I got the film anyway.
What made it special:
- Incredible fight scenes (Chun-Li vs Vega still holds up)
- Seeing my favourite game characters come to life
- A darker, more mature tone
To this day, I still rewatch it at least once a year.
Ninja Scroll
This was my introduction to darker, more mature anime.
A story about ninjas, demons, betrayal, and survival — it had everything.
Even watching it again recently, it’s hard to believe it was made in 1993.
It’s definitely not for everyone:
- Violent
- Intense themes
- Some controversial moments
But everything serves the story — and that’s why it remains a classic.
Berserk Trilogy
If you thought Ninja Scroll was intense… Berserk takes it to another level.
The trilogy is brutal, emotional, and unforgettable.
- Extreme violence
- Deep storytelling
- Complex characters
What stood out most to me was how immersive the story felt.
Each film flows into the next — it feels like one continuous epic.
I hadn’t read the manga before watching it, but it instantly made me a fan.
Final Thoughts
These anime didn’t just entertain me — they shaped who I am.
They:
- Sparked my interest in Japanese culture
- Influenced my creativity
- Played a role in my decision to live in Japan
And honestly… they still hold a special place in my life today.
What about you?
What are your top 5 favourite anime?
Drop them in the comments — I’d love to know.
