The expression “break the internet” hasn’t been around for a long time, especially concerning theanimeindustry. However, it has created an indelible mark in recent years among anime fans. Yet, despite the industry’s growing popularity, only some anime have managed to take over streaming platforms and gain international acclaim, appearing in the news around the world.
As anime is steadily going mainstream, more series are bound to trend on social media, with their broadcast being followed and commented on by millions of people worldwide. Whether it’s due to incredible fights or shocking developments,the following anime have broken through the barriers of the internet, demonstrating their impact on social media.
10Tanjiro Using Hinokami Kagura - Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode #19
Demon SlayerEpisode 19, titled “Hinokami,” featured the fight between Tanjiro and Rui, the Lower Moon 6. This episode is widely considered one of the best inDemon Slayer, receiving a high rating on IMDb thanks to Ufotable’s animation and the breathtaking soundtrack by Go Shiina, which later orchestrated one of Tanjiro and Nezuko’s most emotional moments in the series.
Moreover, the impact of Tanjiro’s new breathing stylecatapultedDemon Slayerto trend globally on social mediaafter its broadcast, a feat only achieved at the time by anime likeDragon BallorOne Piece. This episode contributed toDemon Slayercatching the interest of more viewers, propelling the franchise’s popularity.
9Sung Jinwoo vs. Kargalgan - Solo Leveling Season 2, Episode #6
Solo Leveling’s season 2 broke the internetduring the airing of its sixth episode, crashing Crunchyroll and several pirate anime websites. The episode featured the fight between Sung Jinwoo and the leader of the High Orcs, Kargalgan, the greatest threat the hunters faced in the series, one that even experienced A-Rank hunters couldn’t overcome on their own.
This moment gave the series a big push in popularity, withSolo Levelingbecoming the most-viewed and liked anime on Crunchyroll after surpassing popular series likeOne Piece,Chainsaw Man, andDemon Slayer. Furthermore, the magnificent work of the series generated hype with its striking animation and shocking cliffhangers, makingSolo Leveling one of the most successful modern anime.
8The Hashiras and Tanjiro Falling Into the Infinity Castle - Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode #8
“The Hashira Unite” episode finally brought together all the members of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Hashira to face Muzan. While the previous episode, which showed Muzan arriving at Ubuyashiki’s mansion, became a hot topic online, this moment was the perfect culmination of a season in which the Hashira prepared for their ultimate battle after witnessing a heartbreaking sacrifice.
WhenDemon Slayer’s season finale was released on Crunchyroll, the platform’s servers went down due to high traffic. This moment demonstrated that interest in the franchise only increased after the box office success ofDemon Slayer: Mugen Train, laying the groundwork for the global phenomenon that the first installment of thefilm trilogy set in the Infinity Castlehas become.
7Ash Wins the Alola League - Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon Episode #139
After 1,082 episodes, 22 years, and many Pokémon generations, Ash Ketchum finally lifted his long-awaited trophy after defeating Gladion and winning the Alola League.Ash officially becoming a league championand Pokémon Master caused a huge reaction. Especially since Ash had only won the Orange League up until that point, and due to his divisive defeat in the Kalos League.
DespiteSun and Moonnot being the most popular entry in thePokémonanime, thousands of people celebrated Ash’s victory on social media, with the milestone of his journey transcending the boundaries of fiction and reaching mainstream media, being reported as an important achievement by news outlets such asCNNand ESPN.
6Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 Debut - Dragon Ball Daima Episode 18
Goku’s Super Saiyan 4 debut inDragon Ball Daimawas one of the biggest surprises of the year, bringing a wave of nostalgia to fans who remember fondly the introduction of the form inDragon Ball GTand opening the debate about whether Akira Toriyama’s involvement in the series confirms the form as canon in the series' main timeline.
The revelation ofGoku’s Super Saiyan 4caused an outage on Crunchyroll’s servers due to the massive traffic of curious users wanting to see the new form. Additionally, the hype caused by therelease ofDragon Ball DaimaEpisode #18left many users unable to access pirate anime streaming sites, proving the influence of the franchise.
5Attack on Titan Ending - Attack on Titan Episodes #91-94
Attack on Titanwas an undeniable hit anime that broke the barriers of the genre and ushered many viewers into the medium. So it isn’t unexpected thatCrunchyroll crashed after jamming with millions of viewershoping to witness the conclusion of Hajime Isayama’s story during the release ofAttack on Titan Final Season: The Final Chapters Special 2in 2023.
The ending ofAttack on Titanstirred uproar among anime fans around the world and was even celebrated in aninterview with Isayama by the New York Times. Beyond its controversial ending, the impact caused by the bittersweet conclusion to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin’s story cementedAttack on Titanas one of the most popular modern anime.
4Ash Wins the Pokémon World Championship - Pokémon Journeys: The Series Episode #132
Pokémonmarked one of the most legendary moments in anime when its protagonist, Ash Ketchum, became the world champion after defeating Lionel in 2022. Ash not only faced his most powerful opponent in the series but also finally became the best “Pokémon Master” he had dreamed of since the first episode ofPokémonin 1997.
Ash’s achievement didn’t go unnoticed, asPokémon’s episode was broadcast on a giant screen in Shibuya and gathered hundreds of people to witness the outcome of the final match, which features some of the best animation in the franchise. Ash Ketchum’s historic victory was even reported by news outlets around the world, like the BBC, and madePokémontrend globally.
3Luffy’s Gear Fifth Debut - One Piece Episode #1071
The high anticipation for Monkey D. Luffy’s Gear 5, which appeared inOne Pieceepisode #1071, was more than evident on streaming platforms. Demand was so high that the episode affected pirate anime websites. EvenCrunchyroll confirmed that the high traffic crashed the platform, leaving viewers to wait forOne Piece’s episode.
While Luffy’s Gear 5 didn’t reach the level ofDragon Ball’s impact, it revolutionizedOne Piece’s story and put the series at the top of online debate, becoming one of Twitter’s (now X) trending topics within the first minutes of its premiere, and with viewers sharing thousands of tweets at an incredible speed.
This transcendent moment happened right after Luffy was defeated by Kaido and left for dead, introducing a new transformation that gave him the freedom to fight in a way that hadn’t been seen and connected him to the legend of “Sun God Nika.” As a result, Luffy’s Gear 5 became an iconic transformation known by even casual anime fans.
2Goku Awakens Ultra Instinct - Dragon Ball Super Episode #110
Goku first unleashed Ultra Instinct in episode #110 ofDragon Ball Super, crashing multiple streaming websites and becoming a sensation among fans and even among those who didn’t follow the anime. What made Ultra Instinct such a shock, beyond its impressive animation and Goku’s striking aura, was the fact thatDragon Ball Superhad surpassed the manga by that point.
Furthermore, Ultra Instinct was an unexpected form that stepped outside the Super Saiyan formula, bringing more anticipation for Goku’s battle against Jiren and a larger audience to the series. Additionally, Goku’s Ultra Instinct later sparked several scenes inDragon Ball Superthat trended worldwide until the release of the final episode of the series in 2018.
1The Ending of the Tournament of Power - Dragon Ball Super Episodes #130-131
After awakening Perfected Ultra Instinct inDragon Ball Superepisode #129, Goku continues to face Jiren in one of the franchise’s most spectacular battles. This fight generated so much excitement among fans that it brought thousands of people from all over the world together to watch the final episodes ofDragon Ball Super.
Local governments inLatin America organized mass events to screenDragon Ball Superin plazas and auditoriums, spreading a rumor that there was a cease-fire in Mexican cartels during the release of the last episodes of the series.Dragon Ball Superalso crashed streaming sites for consecutive weeks.
Such anticipation of witnessing the conclusion of the fight between Goku and Jiren, and whether Universe 7 will be the winner of the Tournament of Power, is what popularized the term “break the internet” among anime fans. This confirmed the timeless popularity ofDragon Balland why it is known as one of the greatest anime of all time.
