Sometimes people usually neglect anime just because they think it’s cheap and worthless to watch kids’ stuff. But anyone who knows even a little about animation must know how much a single episode of anime can cost. Today, I have listed the top 10 most expensive anime series of all time whose heavy budgets make sense but can drive you crazy with their numbers.
So let’s get into it and see for yourself.
10: Once Punch Man
People who have watched this show must wonder how much Saitma’s blad head and one-hit short fights could cost its production house. In reality, his facial expressions and explosive punch animations steal a lot of cash from producers’ pockets.
There are some fights, like brawling with Boros, that Saitama can’t end quickly, which costs its production house an average of $80k for each episode. And now that its new season is in production, you can expect its budget to move upward as the anime continues adapting manga.
Year: 2015
Studio: Madhouse Animation Studio
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
9: Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer was announced as the best anime of the year for its beautiful visuals. As Ufotable has to visualize each breathing style differently, it’s no wonder why they have to spend $80k per episode.
In 2022 after the roaring success of its first Demon Slayer season, Ufotable has also invested a gigantic $16 million amount on their movie “Demon Slayer; Mugen Train”. Which has collected $ 506 million at the box office.
Year: 2019
Studio: Ufotable
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
8: One piece
As One Piece is an action anime, massive numbers of battles are to blame for the $90k expense on each episode. But the crazy thing about this anime is its number of episodes, which is 1000+ and continues. It also has 14 movies.
If we count the total expense of each series, it’s clear that One Piece will stand at the top of the list of the most expensive anime series of all time due to its consistency.
Year: 1999
Studio: Toei Animation
IMDb rating: N/a
7: Naruto Shippuden
As Naruto Shippuden is the root of one of the most famous anime of all time, it’s no surprise why Naruto Shippuden has to spend at least $100k on each episode to push it a little further from its ancestral root.
Many fans consider Naruto to be a badass and well-written character. To push it a little beyond its ancestral roots, it feels right to put $100k into each episode. The show is full of main and supporting characters that make it an expensive anime series and an enjoyable piece of art that is worth every penny.
Year: 2007
Studio: Pierrot
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
6: My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is ranked in the top 5 most beloved anime around the world with its wonderful, determined heroes who have their unique flares to display.
As many characters have driven from DC, like Shazam and Raven, Studio Bones must have a gigantic budget of $110k for each episode to make them surpass their origins. I bet My Hero Academia character’s quirks are the main reason for this much money consumption.
Year: 2016
Studio: Kohei Studio
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
5: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Though people usually do hate JoJo’s creepy animations, it’s a very distinctly animated series that spends $120,000 to keep its fan base on their toes. However, people prefer this show for its bizarre tactics and plot twists.
Unique and elaborate fight scenes, along with magic and character details, make this show one of the most expensive shounen anime series of all time.
Year: 2012
Studio: David Production
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
4: Black Clover
A story of two orphans, Asta and Yuno, who both are determined to achieve the highest rank of wizard king in their magic world. TBH, for the initial two seasons of Black Clover, $140k on each episode is such an unmatchable amount, as the intensive fights lack details in animation.
But as you follow the storyline towards the latest arcs, the animation gets better and smoother. $140k makes sense to animate each character according to its unique style, just like in One Piece. This show also possesses multiple characters with deep facial expressions and magic animations.
Year: 2017
Studio: Pierrot
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
3: Jujutsu Kaisen
2020 has become a treat for anime lovers when they get to see the first season of Jujutsu Kasien, a Shonen series that contains some insanely adorable characters, a supernatural plot, and some badass characters.
If you’ve watched this, you can feel how smooth its animations were, whether it comes to simple talks, facial expressions, or intense action fights. Mappa was acing the levels of animation in this show.
The people who remembered the iconic scene of Gojo’s domain and the paired fight of Itadori Yuji with a special-grade curse will be satisfied with $150k for each episode of this anime
Year: 2020
Studio: Mappa Studio
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
2: Attack on Titan
People usually call it the best and most depressing anime of the entire anime history, with its unpredictable plot twists and the world’s best anti-hero, “Eren Yaeger.” Mark my words, if you’re new to anime and just wanted to watch AoT, its first episode will drive you nuts with its insane levels of animation and cruel storyline.
Attack on Titan could have won an award when it comes to treating its main characters like sidekicks, and once you think you finally hold some grip on this show, this will show its $150k budget power to kill its main characters beautifully without remorse.
Year: 2013
Studio: Wit Studio
IMDb rating: 9/10
1: Dragon Ball Super
The most recent Dragon Ball Super is the most expensive installment of the entire Dragon Ball saga. And non-stop fighting sequences between the world’s most skilled and powerful beings should cost a bit more than usual.
Even though the anime ended years ago, fans are still asking what’s next, as they don’t know the cost of each episode of Dragon Ball Super. Each sparkling episode of this anime has cost Toei Animation $160k, which is nuts when you have to make at least a hundred and above episodes to cover anime.
Year: 2015
Studio: Toei Animation
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
