Summary
As time goes by and new generations of anime watchers emerge, so too does the way that they judge the series they're watching. Many popular anime from past decades —specifically, the '90s — no longer entertain audiences the way that they once did. However, for every one of these outdated '90s anime titles, there are countless more that have aged like fine wine.
The '90s were a time of significant change, both within the anime genre and the world in general. As a result, many of the Japanese series released during the time period are interested in exploring topics that feel distinctly modern and pushing the conventions of animation itself. This helps them hold up, even over two decades later.
Updated on September 4th, 2023 by Kennedy King: While the anime medium is currently more popular than ever before, much of its success stems from the legacy left behind by the predecessors of modern titles. Specifically, the '90s fielded some of the most important series in anime history, and as time goes by, their impact becomes more clear than ever before.
20 Sailor Moon (1992)
Episodes: 200
Although the shonen genre is generally regarded as anime's most popular, there's no denying the influence that shojo series like Sailor Moon have exerted on the medium. The beloved series first aired in 1992, and within a decade, it became one of the most popular animated series in the world.
Sailor Moon follows the story of Usagi Tsukino, a young schoolgirl who suddenly gains the ability to transform into a superhero alter ego — Sailor Moon. With the help of her fellow Sailor Soldiers, the group embarks on a quest to defeat the forces of an evil entity known as the Dark Kingdom.
19 City Hunter '91 (1991)
Episodes: 13
Detective anime were a staple of the 1990s, but compared to its peers, the City Hunter franchise receives little attention from modern viewers. Its protagonist, Ryo Saeba, embodies the essence of the 90s, exhibiting many of the same traits that made films like Beverly Hills Cops a smash hit in the United States the decade before.
The first anime adaptation of City Hunter released in 1987; however, thanks to its warm reception, the series received several sequels and spin-offs. Its final season, City Hunter '91 is easily one of the most underappreciated anime of the decade, even if its animation quality is a bit dated.
18 Dragon Ball Z (1989)
Episodes: 291
Were it not for Dragon Ball Z, there's a strong chance that the anime medium would look much different than it does today. The series defined not only the shonen genre but an entire decade of Japanese media, introducing Goku to a brand-new generation of viewers around the world.
Technically, Dragon Ball Z debuted in 1989, but the majority of its 291 episodes, as well as most of its films, released the following decade. Minus its dated animation, the series still feels like similar to modern shonen anime, demonstrating many of the same qualities that would define the genre throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
17 Detective Conan (1996)
Episodes: 1095
Police anime released in the 1990s generally ran for a few seasons at most, regardless of how well they were received; however in the case of Detective Conan, this couldn't be further from the truth. The series is still being syndicated several decades after its release and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed in many localizations) tells the story of Shinichi Kudo, a detective who is shrunk down by a group of criminals and forced to assume the identity of an elementary school child. Under the alias Conan Edogawa, the dimunitive detective works to apprehend villains, generating legitimate laughs young detective has helped police apprehend villains for over 1,000 episodes, inspiring a lifetime of laughs along the way.
16 Pokémon (1997)
Episodes: 1254
For many anime fans around the world (and especially those born in the 1990s), the Pokémon franchise served as their introduction to the medium. Its popularity dwarfs that of any other anime franchise, and 25-plus years after its debut, the series is still regularly releasing new episodes.
Ash Ketchum, the iconic protagonist of Pokémon, may have recently retired as the show's main character, but his adventures with Pikachu will always be a major part of childhoods around the world. With over 1000 episodes documenting his journey, veteran fans of the franchise can take a trip down memory lane whenever they feel like it.
15 Hunter X Hunter (1999)
Episodes: 62
While plenty of anime fans are familiar with the Hunter x Hunter franchise, there is no doubt that the series' 2011 reboot is more popular than the original '90s anime. Released in 1999, the original Hunter x Hunter aired for 62 episodes before catching up with its source material, forcing the beloved title into a hiatus for a decade.
The 1999 version of Hunter x Hunter produces a much darker tone than the 2011 reboot, and although this might alienate fans of the latter, it helps the original series feel much more unique. Now that the Hunter x Hunter manga is back to occasionally releasing new chapters, it's the perfect time to check out the franchise's first foray into the anime scene.
14 Slam Dunk (1993)
Episodes: 101
Sports anime tend to get a bad rap among anime watchers, due in large part to the overwhelming amount of subpar series related to various athletics. However, among a sea of disappointments sits Slam Dunk, the iconic basketball series that dominated the anime scene during the mid '90s.
The Slam Dunk manga still sells thousands of copies every year, and in addition to this, the franchise released a feature-length film in late 2022. Its long-standing success should come as no surprise, as the series represents one of the first sports anime to break through into mainstream success.
13 One Piece (1999)
Episodes: 1062
With each passing year, the legacy created by Eiichiro Oda's seminal work, One Piece, grows even larger. The pirate-themed shonen debuted in 1999, and after twenty years, its future has never looked brighter. Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have officially entered One Piece's final saga, setting up what is arguably the most highly-anticipated conclusion in anime history.
While the shonen genre is no stranger to long-running series, the sustained success of One Piece stands head-and-shoulders above any of its competition. Unlike many anime released in the '90s, One Piece has done a fantastic job of adapting its art style and animation — as evidenced by the latest episodes of the Wano Country Arc.
12 You're Under Arrest (1996)
Episodes: 51
You're Under Arrest wasn't particularly popular during its initial run, but as far as '90s anime go, it has aged like fine wine. The fun seinen series first aired in 1996, and it follows the lives of two gifted police officers, Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, as they try to keep the peace in modern-day Tokyo.
In an uncommon trend for the police genre, You're Under Arrest opts for two female main characters, giving the series a unique flair absent from many of its peers. This, as well as the show's nostalgic '90s animation and jazz-inspired soundtrack, makes it a treat, even by contemporary standards.
11 Now And Then, Here And There (1999)
Episodes: 12
A great example of an anime achieving critical success without drawing from a manga as source material, Now and Then, Here and There is an original work conceived by Akitaro Daichi that explores a post-apocalyptic world through the lens of its childhood protagonist, "Shu" Matsutani. Despite the series' familiar late '90s animation, fans should be aware that Now and Then, Here and There delves into a variety of mature and challenging topics throughout its twelve episodes.
Even by modern standards, Now and Then, Here and There is an incredible piece of art. Its narrative themes and poignant commentary stand out as some of the best in anime history, and they've only become more relevant since the show's initial release.
10 Trigun (1998)
Episodes: 26
While there are countless bounty hunters spread throughout the anime medium, few are as memorable as Trigun's gunslinging protagonist, Vash the Stampede. The lively outlaw has appeared in numerous manga, television shows, and feature-length films; however, none of these works are as well-remembered as the 1998 version of the series.
Trigun ran for 26 episodes between April and September 1998, and over 25 years later, the show is still an iconic part of the anime landscape. A reimagining of the series, titled Trigun Stampede, debuted in early 2023, speaking to the long-lasting impact of the original anime.
9 Rurouni Kenshin (1996)
Episodes: 94
Anime is no stranger to samurai-centric series. However, despite the plethora of katana-wielding protagonists that decorate the medium, Rurouni Kenshin and its iconic main character, Himura Kenshin, stand head-and-shoulders above the rest.
Set in the final years of Japan's Edo period, Rurouni Kenshin captures the dying embers of the samurai system by presenting the era through the lens of Himura Kenshin. After stepping away from his life as a murderous swordsman, Himura finds value in acts of peace, resulting in a narrative that perfectly aligns with modern standards of decency.
8 Berserk (1997)
Episodes: 25
If any single anime franchise has suffered from production issues, it's almost certainly Kentaro Miura's seminal work, Berserk. The dark, demon-ridden series has never been fully adapted by an animation studio, and its 2016 reboot was as poorly received as any in recent memory.
Thankfully, there is still hope for Berserk fans. The 1997 anime adaptation of the manga is only 25 episodes long, but even by modern standards, it does a fantastic job of capturing the allure of Guts' harsh battle against the forces of evil.
7 Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Episodes: 26
In the mid '90s, the future of anime in Western markets was much less certain than it is today. The potential of the medium had been hampered by a string of uninspired mechas and low-quality localizations, but after the emergence of Neon Genesis Evangelion, this issue completely dissolved.
Neon GenesisEvangelion's avant-garde presentation, challenging themes, and existential questioning are anything but childish, which lent some much-needed maturity to the conception of anime among Western audiences. Over 25 years later, this legendary title is still as impressive as ever.
6 Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)
Episodes: 43
Great Teacher Onizuka is quickly approaching the 25th anniversary of its debut, but in spite of its age, the series and its material are as relevant as ever. Its main character, Eikichi Onizuka, is attempting to transition from a good-for-nothing gangster to a well-intentioned high school teacher, providing countless opportunities to explore adolescence and young adulthood.
For a show centered around high school antics, Great Teacher Onizuka handles a variety of mature themes with grace and precision. The dichotomy of its juvenile humor and serious themes resonates perfectly with modern-day audiences, resulting in an anime that has done a fantastic job withstanding the test of time.
5 Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Episodes: 26
At this point, Cowboy Bebop feels as though it needs little introduction. Regarded by many as the best anime series of all time, this beloved classic changed the landscape of television forever, ushering in a new wave of thought-provoking, artistically generative anime into international markets.
Cowboy Bebop tells the story of Spike Spiegel, a slick-talking bounty hunter scouring the galaxy for answers to his turbulent past. The series' animation, art style, voice acting, writing, and character relationships are all top-notch, and they help explain why it remains a massive hit with fans to this day.
4 Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Episodes: 13
The psychological thriller genre remains one of anime's best, but something about the slightly-dated '90s style seen throughout Serial Experiments Lain creates an ambiance that is hard to forget. With dark visuals, a minimalized approach to sound design, and its mind-bending plot, this series is one of the most engaging avant-garde anime ever produced.
Given Serial Experiments Lain's experimental approach to storytelling, it's a great choice for fans of other unique series like Neon Genesis Evangelion. This, coupled with the fact that Serial Experiments Lain is still fairly popular, is plenty of reason to incentivize modern anime watchers to check it out.
3 Initial D First Stage (1998)
Episodes: 26
Racing anime has played a major role in the medium's success since the 1960s, so it comes as no surprise that Initial D First Stage took audiences by storm when it debuted in 1998. The action-packed seinen follows Takumi Fujiwara, a naturally talented driver with little interest in cars, who catches the eye of an infamous team of street racers.
Initial D First Stage isn't much to look at, but its nostalgic tone and rewarding character development hold up, even by modern standards. The racing anime subgenre has run a bit dry in recent years, making this series stand out even more in hindsight.
2 Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (1992)
Episodes: 112
Since the emergence of Shonen Jump's "Big Three" — Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece — the shonen genre has dominated the list of anime's most popular titles. However, this trend started long before these three series were released, thanks in large part to Yoshihiro Togashi's work, Yu Yu Hakusho.
Yu Yu Hakusho follows the story of Yuusuke Urameshi, a talented young delinquent who finds a second chance at life as a "Spirit Detective." The show's influence on modern anime is evident in nearly every episode, making it a fun watch for dedicated fans of the shonen genre.
1 Blue Gender (1999)
Episodes: 26
The horror genre has been one of anime's best for several decades, due in no small part to underappreciated gems like the 1999 release, Blue Gender. Produced by AIC animation studio, this gritty 26-episode series follows humanity's battle against the bug-like aliens known as the "Blue."
Given the success of modern titles like Attack on Titan, it should come as no surprise that Blue Gender's man-versus-the-unknown narrative resonates with contemporary audiences. Although a reboot is likely out of the question, this series is still a fantastic watch over 20 years after its initial debut.
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