5 Best Canadian Anime of All Time

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The notion that truly great anime can originate outside of Japan seems unlikely. However, animation projects frequently involve international teamwork. Several anime series, for example, either started as ideas in Canada and were later animated in Japan, or were created as collaborative efforts between Canada and Japan from the outset.

Japanese animation studios certainly could create shows that don’t resemble typical anime, but it’s not what’s currently trending. Anime has been incredibly popular for decades, and attaching that label to a series – even one originating outside of Japan – is often the fastest way to attract viewers. Canada, for example, has produced several successful anime-style shows, including long-running children’s programs and adaptations of popular video games.

Mega Man: Fully Charged Is A Different Take On The Blue Bomber

Given how popular Mega Man is, it’s no surprise a new animated series has arrived. The character has a long history on television, from the cartoon aimed at American audiences in the 1990s to the anime series in the 2000s. Now, with Mega Man: Fully Charged, several studios have collaborated to bring the Blue Bomber back to the small screen.

In Fully Charged, Aki Light finally gets a chance to live a normal life as the son of the brilliant Dr. Light. But his peaceful existence is constantly threatened by attacks from powerful Robot Masters, forcing him to become Mega Man and defend his town. Luckily, Mega Man can copy the abilities of his enemies and has made some friends who help him in the fight.

The new series, Mega Man: Fully Charged, features writing by the talented team Man of Action and animation from DHX Vancouver. While it doesn’t follow the established storyline, it offers a fresh take on classic Mega Man themes. Viewers might need to adjust to the 3D computer-generated animation, and the episodes are quite short, as the season is broken up into many smaller segments.

Bakugan Became A Kids’ Anime Staple For Years

First appearing in 2007, Bakugan might seem like a later attempt to capitalize on the popularity of anime like Yu-Gi-Oh and Beyblade. However, while TMS Entertainment developed the initial Bakugan series, it was always a collaborative effort. From the start, Bakugan was jointly produced with Nelvana, a studio based in Canada.

The original Bakugan anime followed a group of kids who battled each other using mysterious creatures called Bakugan, fighting across different worlds. The show was quite long, lasting four seasons and almost 200 episodes. Interestingly, seasons two and three were actually shown in Western countries before they aired in Japan, and the fourth season premiered only in America.

The Bakugan franchise has been successfully brought back several times, most recently with a 2023 reboot also titled Bakugan. This new series introduces a fresh story, set in a world where Bakugan creatures have arrived on Earth. Created through a partnership between Spin Master Entertainment and TMS Entertainment, the series aims to recapture the enthusiasm of Bakugan fans. It’s an enjoyable show for anyone who likes a bit of humor combined with a surprisingly detailed and interesting world.

Spider Riders Offered A Surprising Level Of Worldbuilding And Character Development

Not all anime-inspired shows need computer-generated imagery. Back in 2006, Bee Train and Cookie Jar Production collaborated on a series that quickly aired on Teletoon in Canada. Because it was based on a set of novels, the show boasts a surprisingly strong and well-developed story. It remains a standout example of a successful Japanese-Canadian co-production, despite not gaining much traction outside of Japan and Canada.

I’m completely hooked on this series! It’s about Hunter Steele, and get this – he actively tries to get isekai’d, like he’s searching for another world! And it actually works! He ends up transported from Earth to this place called Arachna, which is right in the middle of a war. There, he falls in with a group of warriors fighting to save humanity from these terrifying creatures called Invectids – basically, super powerful insect beings. The coolest part? Hunter manages to team up with a battle spider, these massive spiders that have been helping the warriors fight back against the Invectids. It’s a really unique take on the isekai genre!

Compared to many kids’ anime shows, Spider Riders is surprisingly well-made. It prioritizes strong characters and a good story, qualities usually found only in the very best children’s programming. The series successfully adapts the original novels, building a rich and detailed world without confusing or boring the audience. The characters grow and change throughout the show, making mistakes even when the future of their world is at stake. Anyone who enjoys all-ages entertainment should find this series just as enjoyable as its target audience.

Cybersix’s Style Is Untouchable

It’s common for Western animated series to be produced with animation work done overseas. Many classic cartoons, like Thundercats and Transformers, followed this pattern, and Cybersix is no different.

The animated series Cybersix was inspired by a comic book created by Carlos Meglia and Carlos Trillo. It was a collaborative effort between Canada’s Network of Animation and TMS-Kyokuichi, and it aired in Argentina, Japan, the United States, and Canada. The story centers on Cybersix, an android who fights against the latest creations of her maker and his son.

The show received mixed reactions, with some fans disappointed it wasn’t as mature as the original comic. However, it still boasts incredibly impressive animation for its time and maintains the dark, futuristic atmosphere of the source material, even if it’s toned down. Plus, it’s hard to find another series where the hero and their pet panther team up to fight Neo-Nazis!

Dragon Age: Absolution Might Be The Best Dragon Age Project Of The 2020s

Throughout 2022, BioWare continued developing the game originally known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, which was later changed to Dragon Age: Veilguard. But fans didn’t have to wait for the game to enjoy new Dragon Age content. After a long wait, Netflix released an animated miniseries, created with Red Dog Culture House and Netflix Animation, and with BioWare’s approval.

Set a few years after the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age: Absolution finally takes players to the Tevinter Imperium – a region long steeped in mystery within the Dragon Age universe. The story follows a group of mercenaries who journey to Tevinter seeking the Circulum Infinitus, a potent magical artifact powered by dangerous blood magic. Predictably, their attempt to steal it doesn’t go as planned, and they find themselves struggling to escape. As they try to flee, they uncover the dark side of Tevinter, including its history of slavery and the unsettling magic its mages use to control others.

I think fans of Dragon Age will really love Absolution, but even if you’re new to the series, it’s still a compelling experience. It strikes a great balance between exciting action and well-developed characters, making it easy to get invested. Honestly, my biggest complaint is that it’s a bit short, but I can definitely overlook that. Considering how disappointed some Dragon Age fans have been lately, this might be the best thing they’ve gotten in a while.

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2026-04-29 23:50