Sazae-san - The anime with the most chapters in history

When we talk about long anime, many people think of One Piece or Naruto. But the reality is that there is one title that surpasses them all, and by far: Sazae-san.

Premiered in 1969 and still airing in 2025, Sazae-san holds the Guinness World Record as the longest anime in history, with over 2700 episodes (and counting).

What is Sazae-san about?
Sazae-san is a slice-of-life series based on the manga by Machiko Hasegawa.
The story follows Sazae Fuguta, a cheerful and free-spirited woman, along with her traditional Japanese family: her husband Masuo, her young son Tarao, and her parents and siblings, with whom she lives.

Each episode shows simple but charming situations: walks around the neighborhood, family misunderstandings, traditional Japanese celebrations, or everyday dilemmas such as shopping or cooking.

The beauty of Sazae-san is precisely its simplicity: it portrays everyday life with a lot of humor, innocence and warmth.

Why has he lasted so long?
Sazae-san's longevity can be explained by several factors:

Universality: Although it reflects post-war Japanese society, the familiar themes are universal: love, respect, petty quarrels and reconciliations.

Timeless format: It does not rely on a large continuous plot; each episode is self-conclusive, so you can watch any chapter without the need for prior context.

Cultural fidelity: Sazae-san is like a capsule of traditional Japan, and for many Japanese it represents nostalgia and stability in a changing world.

Adaptation to time: Although its essence has been maintained, anime has been able to update itself discreetly, introducing technological changes (such as cell phones) in a natural way.

What is the animation like?
The animation of Sazae-san has maintained a very simple, almost minimalist style, reminiscent of the cartoons of the 70s.

Unlike modern animes that seek visual spectacularity, here the important thing is the story and the characters.
In addition, Sazae-san is famous for not using digital animation: the whole process remains traditional, which makes it a living relic of handmade animation.

Is it worth watching?
If you're looking for action, epic fights or dramatic twists, Sazae-san is not for you. But if you want something relaxing, endearing, full of family values and very different from the frenetic pace of other current anime, then yes: giving Sazae-san a chance is to peek into a very important part of Japanese culture.

Mind you, be prepared to watch episodes endlessly! Each episode usually has three short stories, and each one lasts between 6-7 minutes.

Conclusion
Sazae-san is not only the longest anime in history; it is also a cultural symbol of Japan.

It has not needed epic battles or fantasy worlds: its magic is in showing real life, with humor, warmth and a positive outlook.

A piece of history that is still alive, and will probably continue to bring joy to generations to come.