Highlights
- The anime industry has grown with an increase in the quantity of anime, making it easier for fans to find something they like.
- Fans often overlook anime from the 90s, but it produced some of the best anime of all time.
- Some must-watch 90s anime include Digimon Adventure, Initial D, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and Princess Mononoke.
The anime industry has progressed quite a lot over the years. There has been a significant jump in the quantity of anime, which makes it easier to find an anime that suits one's tastes. With so many new series being produced, it is easy to forget about the anime series that were released in the last year, let alone over a decade ago.
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Thus, it's pretty obvious that fans have a tough time remembering anime from the 90s. Yet, there are some excellent anime from the decade that every anime fan should watch. Some of the best anime of all time come from the 90s, and fans shouldn't overlook them.
Updated November 19, 2023, by Suzail Ahmad: In recent years, the anime industry has seen a massive spike in the demand for new titles. However, this wasn't always the case. At one point, the studios only produced a handful of titles, and it was due to them that the popularity of the medium started to increase. The 90s were a particularly important time for the anime industry. During this time, many new titles came out, which enhanced the growth of the industry. With that in mind, here are the best 90s anime that viewers should watch.
1 Digimon Adventure
MyAnimeList Score: 7.77
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Digimon Adventure | March 7, 1999 | Toei Animation | 54 | Adventure | N/A |
Digimon Adventure came out in 1999, and it managed to gain fame in a short period of time. The anime continued to run until March 26, 2000, and by the time it ended, Digimon had over 50 episodes.
Digimon Adventure follows the story of a group of friends who get transported inside the Digital World and meet Digimon. They also receive Digivices, which help them evolve their Digimon. The friends learn that they have been chosen to save the Digital World from a malevolent force.
2 Initial D
MyAnimeList Score: 8.34
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Initial D First Stage | April 19, 1998 | Studio Comet, Studio Gallop | 26 | Action, Sports | Shuichi Shigeno |
Initial D First Stage started to air in April 1998, and it came to an end in December 1998. The anime ran for 26 episodes, and it was followed by another season that was released in 1999.
Initial D First Stage takes a gander into the life of Takumi Fujiwara, a student who works at a gas station. His friend, Itsuki, a racing fanatic, works at the same place. Takumi takes no interest in racing, as driving reminds him of the chores that he carries out for his father.
3 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
MyAnimeList Score: 7.68
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | April 7, 1995 | Sunrise | 49 | Mecha, Science Fiction | N/A |
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing is the sixth installment in the franchise. The anime premiered in 1995, and it takes place in the "After Colony" timeline. It has a total of 49 episodes, making it one of the longer 90s anime.
The anime's run in Japan was not hugely successful, but in North America, it was a massive hit. ​​​​​It offers viewers a riveting story filled with exquisitely designed mecha weapons. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing follows the war between Earth and its colonies.
4 Ghost in the Shell
MyAnimeList Score: 8.27
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Ghost in the Shell | November 18, 1995 | Production I.G | One | Cyberpunk, Neo Noir | Masamune Shirow |
For fans who love cyberpunk anime, Ghost in the Shell is a must-watch, even if it's an animated movie rather than a series. That said, it defined the future of anime shows. The first movie was launched in 1995, and it was highly successful, marking the beginning of a rich franchise. It was well-received by the audience and critics alike. For many anime fans, Ghost in the Shell helped them start their journey into the medium.
Ghost in the Shell is quite different from Studio Ghibli movies in the sense that it is tailored toward a more mature audience. The movie is set in the year 2029 when the field of cybernetics has seen significant advancements. While technological improvement has helped many people, a notorious individual begins causing mayhem. To catch this individual, Major Motoko Kusanagi takes charge of the case.
5 Princess Mononoke
MyAnimeList Score: 8.67
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Princess Momonoke | July 12, 1997 | Studio Ghibli | One | History, Fantasy | Hayao Miyazaki |
Though not an anime series, omitting Princess Mononoke one of Hayao Miyazaki's most famous films, from this list would simply be unacceptable due to how popular it is. It was released in 1997, and it amassed over $100 million over its run. Over time, Princess Mononoke has become an all-time classic, and to this day, anime fans consider it a must-watch. The film is set in 14th-century Japan, and it adds certain fantastical elements to the story.
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Princess Mononoke follows the life of a prince named Ashitaka, who is cursed by a demon. The curse grants the prince superhuman powers, but without a cure, it would eventually bring about his death. So, he travels to the West to find a cure. After arriving at Tatara, he learns about Princess San and her strong desire to protect the environment from being destroyed by humans.
6 Trigun
MyAnimeList Score: 8.21
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Trigun | April 1, 1998 | Madhouse | 26 | Action, Post-apocalyptic | Yasuhiro Nightow |
Trigun is based on the work of Yasuhiro Nightow. At the heart of things is Vash, also known as the Human Typhoon. He is slapped with an enormous bounty of $$60 billion, causing all the bounty hunters to chase after him. Contrary to his reputation, Vash is a pacifist who tries to avoid fighting at all costs.
Trigun is different from most anime series in that it does not have a protagonist who craves to accomplish something big. The anime encapsulates the action perfectly, and it sets a nice pace that helps the audience understand Vash and the other characters better.
7 The Legend of Zorro
MyAnimeList Score: 7.22
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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The Legend of Zorro | April 5, 1996 | Ashi Productions | 52 | Historical, Adventure | N/A |
The Legend of Zorro is a historical adventure series that was written by Sukehiro Tomita. Ashi Productions helped produce the anime, and it went on to become one of their most notable works. The Legend of Zorro was released in Japan in 1996. The anime has a total of 52 episodes, each of which is filled with plenty of drama and action.
The story follows Diego Vega, a young boy who returns to his homeland only to find it under the rule of a tyrant. He decides to take matters into his own hands and fight the oppression. Diego disguises himself as Zorro and starts fighting the tyrants. Within no time, the entire country finds out about Zorro's accomplishments.
8 Sailor Moon
MyAnimeList Score: 7.73
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Sailor Moon | March 7, 1992 | Toei Animation | 200+ | Magical Girl | Naoko Takeuchi |
Based on the manga written by Naoko Takeuchi, SailorMoon is arguably the most popular shoujo series in the world. The series started to air in 1992 and finished airing in 1997. The popularity of the anime resulted in the series getting several movie adaptations.
SailorMoon follows the adventures of a middle-school girl named Usagi Tsukino. Usagi befriends a feline, Luna, who surprisingly is able to talk. Luna gives Usagi a brooch that allows her to transform into Sailor Moon.
9 Hunter x Hunter
MyAnimeList Score: 8.41
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hunter x Hunter | October 16, 1999 | Nippon Animation | 62 | Adventure, Fantasy | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Hunter x Hunter is considered to be among the best-written manga series of all time. It constantly draws comparisons to other famous anime series such as One Piece, Naruto, etc.
Hunter x Hunter follows a young boy named Gon, who suddenly finds out that his father is alive. Excited by this revelation, Gon decides to start looking for his father, but his journey is not going to be easy as his father is a Hunter.
10 City Hunter
MyAnimeList Score: 7.91
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
City Hunter | April 6, 1987 | Sunrise | 51 | Action, Comedy | Tsukasa Hojo |
The name of Tsukasa Hojo's CityHunter frequently pops up while discussing older anime series. CityHunter gained a lot of popularity throughout the world with its incredibly riveting story and action-packed scenes. It is a massive franchise that has a lot of movies and even spin-offs.
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CityHunter is set in the city of Tokyo, where a private eye Ryo Saeba ends up with the responsibility of taking care of his friend's sister. This leads to plenty of romance and laughter, and it makes City Hunter an enjoyable watch.
11 Serial Experiments Lain
MyAnimeList Score: 8.09
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Serial Experiments Lain | July 6, 1998 | Triangle Staff | 13 | Cyberpunk, Horror | N/A |
Serial Experiments Lain is an anime series that started to air in 1998. The anime has a total of 13 episodes, and it has an unorthodox imagery style. SerialExperimentsLain covers many philosophical topics, which sets it apart from the majority of anime.
​​​​​​The series revolves around a girl named Lain Iwakura, who is an introvert with a troubled family. Lain's life drastically changes when she finds out that the people from her school have been receiving emails from a dead classmate.
12 Detective Conan
MyAnimeList Score: 8.17
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Detective Conan | January 8, 1996 | TMS Entertainment | 1000+ | Mystery, Thriller | Gosho Aoyama |
Ever since it first started to air in 1996, Detective Conan has become one of the longest-running anime with over 1000 episodes. The anime is based on the manga of the same name, which has been written by Gosho Aoyama.
The anime focuses on the adventures of Shinichi Kudo, who is a high school detective. After being captured by the Black Organization, he is forcefully fed a drug that turns him into a kid.
13 Pokemon
MyAnimeList Score: 7.38
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pokemon | April 1, 1997 | OLM Team Ota | 1,200+ | Adventure, Fantasy | Satoshi Tajiri |
The original Pokemon series captured the hearts of young people worldwide. With its unique story and adorable Pokemon, the series appealed to a lot of people. Over the years, the popularity of Pokemon has only increased through games, anime, and other media.
It has grown into a major franchise that has fans all over the globe. The series follows a young boy named Ash Ketchum, who sets out on a journey to become a Pokemon Master.
14 Dragon Ball Z
MyAnimeList Score: 8.17
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dragon Ball Z | April 26, 1989 | Toei Animation | 291 | Adventure, Fantasy | Akira Toriyama |
Not many anime can boast the same level of popularity in the world as Dragon Ball Z. The anime is the continuation of Dragon Ball, following Son Goku's journey into adulthood. Throughout the series, Goku and his friends fight to protect the world against several strong villains.
Dragon Ball Z also focuses on the development of Goku's son, Gohan. It also sees Piccolo and Vegeta undergo further character development in their own stories.
15 Neon Genesis Evangelion
MyAnimeList Score: 8.35
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neon Genesis Evangelion | October 4, 1995 | Gainax, Tatsunoko | 26 | Mecha, Psychological | N/A |
Neon Genesis Evangelion takes place in the futuristic city of Tokyo. The protagonist is a young boy named Shinji, who is given the monumental task of destroying an Angel. He must accomplish this with the help of an Evangelion.
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Shinji barely manages to survive and ends up being hospitalized. This fight changes his life as he settles in Tokyo-3. Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the few sci-fi anime series that have made an impact both in Japan and throughout the rest of the world.
16 Yu Yu Hakusho
MyAnimeList Score: 8.46
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Yu Yu Hakusho | October 10, 1992 | Pierrot | 112 | Adventure, Martial Arts | Yoshihiro Togashi |
Yu Yu Hakusho is another masterpiece by the great Yoshihiro Togashi. Unlike Togashi's magnum opus, Hunter x Hunter, the author managed to finish Yu Yu Hakusho. This shonen series focuses on the adventures of Yusuke Urameshi, who is killed in a car accident.
Fortunately, Yusuke receives another shot at life from Koenma, who is the son of the ruler of the afterlife. Yusuke passes Koenma's challenges and is revived. He receives the role of a detective in his new life.
17 Rurouni Kenshin
MyAnimeList Score: 8.29
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Rurouni Kenshin | January 10, 1996 | Studio Gallop, Studio Deen | 95 | Martial Arts, Romance | Nobuhiro Watsuki |
Rurouni Kenshin is based on the manga of the same name, written by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The anime aired from 1996 to 1998. Like all the other anime on the list, Rurouni Kenshin has withstood the test of time and is popular to this day.
The anime's endurance demonstrates the quality of the story that Watsuki has written. Rurouni Kenshin follows the story of the legendary swordsman, Himura Kenshin, whose name instills fear in his opponents. However, Kenshin leaves his troubled past behind him and wanders over Japan, until he meets a young woman who is struggling with her martial arts dojo.
18 Great Teacher Onizuka
MyAnimeList Score: 8.69
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Great Teacher Onizuka | June 30, 1999 | Pierrot | 43 | Action, Comedy | Tooru Fujisawa |
Great Teacher Onizuka, or GTO, is easily among the best shonen anime series. It follows a 22-year-old delinquent, Onizuka, who decides to become a teacher after seeing a teacher sway a female student.
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Onizuka soon realizes that he has a sense of morality, and cannot commit immoral acts. He becomes an outstanding teacher who looks after his students and gives them invaluable lessons throughout the series.
19 Berserk
MyAnimeList Score: 8.57
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Berserk | October 8, 1997 | OLM Team Iguchi | 25 | Dark fantasy | Kentarou Miura |
The manga was written by the late Kentarou Miura, who passed away at a tragically young age. Despite being a seinen series, Berserk's popularity is comparable to any famous shonen series out there. Other manga authors have derived inspiration from Berserk. Miura's brilliant story received an anime adaptation in 1997.
The anime covers two arcs: the Black Swordsman arc and the Golden Age arc. It is important to note that the anime doesn't entirely cover both arcs. Despite not adapting every bit of content from the manga, the anime is still incredible.
20 Slam Dunk
MyAnimeList Score: 8.54
Anime Name | Release Date | Studio | Episode Count | Genre | Author |
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Slam Dunk | October 16, 1993 | Toei | 101 | Sports, Comedy | Takehiko Inoue |
Slam Dunk is one of the most well-known shonen series of all time, based on a manga by Takehiko Inoue. The series follows Sakuragi, who knows nothing about playing basketball. Despite that, he ends up joining the school team in order to impress a girl.
Slam Dunk has an incredible balance between solemnity and cheerfulness, which makes it a must-watch series for sports anime fans. Despite the series ending many years ago, it still has an active fanbase.