Neither Demon Slayer nor One Piece, this anime is the most watched in China

In an unexpected twist, an original anime has achieved the unthinkable: it has surpassed the popularity of giants like Demon Slayer, One Piece, and Attack on Titan, at least in China. This is Apocalypse Hotel, a production that has quickly climbed to first place in the rankings of Bilibili, the most important streaming platform in the Asian country. On June 20, 2025, the series reached number one on Bilibili's ranking as the most-watched anime of the moment, surpassing even titles that dominate global audiences. What is it about this story that has captured the hearts of millions? The answer lies not only in its unique visual style but also in its emotionally charged and symbolic narrative.

An intimate story in a world on the brink of collapse

Apocalypse Hotel (Apokaripusu Hoteru) is an anime that strays from the conventional shonen genre or epic battle plots. Instead, it focuses on delivering a melancholic story set in a world where humanity faces imminent extinction. The protagonist, Yachiyo, runs a hotel where only autonomous robots remain in operation. The series has been praised for its slow pace, meaningful silences, and ability to convey emotion without relying on heavy dialogue. Episode 11, which propelled its popularity to the top of the rankings, was particularly praised on Chinese social media platforms like Bilibili and Japanese platforms. Comments like "the best episode ever" and "the silence made me feel the loneliness of the end of the world" abound among users.

Yachiyo, China's unexpected heroine

One of the reasons Apocalypse Hotel has resonated so much with fans in China is because of the character of Yachiyo, whose presence has been compared to classic literary figures. Phrases like "Yachiyo is the light at the end of the world" and "a protagonist who heals the soul" have become popular. The empathy Yachiyo inspires seems to break down cultural barriers. She's not a warrior or a savior of the world, but rather a figure of comfort, a kind of "friendly Shinigami" who offers peace to those who have already lost everything. In the midst of a global landscape where nothing exists.

Inevitable comparisons: why has it surpassed the big boys?

Apocalypse Hotel's rise to the top of Bilibili's rankings has prompted inevitable comparisons to other anime titans. While Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan explore combat against monstrous foes and complex moral dilemmas, Apocalypse Hotel focuses on the human, the intimate, the finale. This approach has generated a wave of positive comments such as:

• “It’s the kind of anime that leaves you thinking for days.”
• “Not a hundred Nichirin swords can compare to one look from Yachiyo.”
• “When it’s all over, the only thing that matters is how we choose to remember.”

In that sense, Apocalypse Hotel (Apokaripusu Hoteru) doesn't compete with big productions with big fights; it's actually more focused on winning over viewers with emotional depth. In a country like China, where artistic sensibility and the contemplation of human destiny carry a strong cultural weight, the series has found fertile ground to flourish.

Anime went from being underrated to a phenomenon

In its early episodes, Apocalypse Hotel (Apokaripusu Hoteru) went relatively unnoticed. It wasn't among the most talked-about series on social media, nor did it receive big headlines in the West. However, in China, word of mouth and the Bilibili community began to boost its popularity into a phenomenon. Phrases like "they finally realized how good it is" or "I hope it never ends, even if the world does" show how the anime has struck a special emotional note in its audience. Some even describe it as a "work that should be shown in museums" for its visual beauty and artistic narrative.