The 1990s were the golden age of anime—a decade that framed the worldwide anime boom and etched an indelible memory on popular culture. From high-octane adventure to poignant coming-of-age tales, the ’90s produced some of the most iconic shows in the genre’s history. Whether you’re a veteran anime fan or just interested in checking out the best of the old school, these classic shows show that timeless anime never goes out of style.
1. Dragon Ball Z
Few anime shows have influenced a genre as much as Dragon Ball Z. Its explosive battles, memorable power-ups, and increasingly higher stakes, the shonen behemoth an international phenomenon. Goku’s transformation—from arrogant warrior to Earth’s savior—enchanted audiences of every generation. Its impact still sets the template for action anime, making it mandatory viewing for new fans and old.
2. Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon did not merely make magical girls mainstream—it transformed them. At its core is Usagi Tsukino, a typical enough schoolgirl who commands a group of Sailor Guardians in spectacular fights that combine high school soaps with intergalactic plot twists. With their focus on love, friendship, and empowerment, Sailor Moon paved the way for a generation of anime focusing on capable, identifiable heroines and became an enduring force in global pop culture.
3. Yu Yu Hakusho
This supernatural action series from Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. From street punk to Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi’s arc is full of memorable battles, deep friendships, and one of the best tournament arcs anime has ever seen.
4. Rurouni Kenshin
Set in Japan’s Meiji Restoration era, Rurouni Kenshin is a story about an ex-assassin seeking redemption in a changing world. Its blend of drama and action swordfighting, together with the themes of redemption and justice, made it one of the classic anime series of its time.
5. Cowboy Bebop
Glamorous, existential, and coolly hip, Cowboy Bebop is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime series of all time. Tracking bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and the Bebop crew, the series combines jazz, noir, sci-fi, and heartache into a genre-bending work of art.
6. Outlaw Star
Too often overlooked in favor of its spacefaring contemporaries, Outlaw Star is a zany, action-filled romp packed with bounty hunting, space combat, and magical technology. Its fusion of sci-fi and fantasy concepts into one makes it truly special—and it’s just the ticket for fans of pulpy, planet-hopping adventures.
7. Trigun
With its desert post-apocalyptic background and philosophical overtones, Trigun is more than gunfights. Vash the Stampede is a wanted man, but his pacifist beliefs and tragic history lend the show actual emotional depth under the mayhem and humor.
8. The Vision of Escaflowne
A gem in the isekai genre, Escaflowne tracks high school student Hitomi as she’s whisked away to the planet Gaea, where she finds herself embroiled in a conflict between mechs, magic, and destiny. The show combines romance, war, and mysticism into a fantastically richly animated fantasy epic.
9. Ranma ½
Equal parts martial arts and romance comedy, Ranma ½ is a gender-bending show that tops absurd humor with surprising charm. Developed by Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha, Maison Ikkoku), it’s still a forerunner for the romantic comedy genre of anime.
10. Tenchi Muyo!
Before the ubiquity of the term “harem anime,” there was Tenchi Muyo!. Quirky group of aliens, goddesses, and misfits all competing for the affections of the same dude, this science fiction comedy laid the groundwork for imitators by the hundreds, and still stands up for its playful, frenetic energy.
11. Digimon Adventure
Whereas often compared to Pokémon, Digimon Adventure adopted a more serialized, emotionally intense approach. The adventure of the DigiDestined in the Digital World was characterized by increased dramatic tension, character development, and themes that resonated equally with both children and adults.
12. Dear Brother
One of the more serious films on this list, Dear Brother, is a look inside the lives of students at an elite girls’ school. Brushing up against issues of mental illness, peer pressure, and identity, this moving drama is a hidden gem worth learning about.
13. Crayon Shin-chan
Raw, uncouth, and always up to mischief, Crayon Shin-chan has delighted audiences for generations. With its brief, oftentimes absurd comedy, the naivety and irreverence of the show are a much-adored hit, and Shin-chan himself is an anime icon.
14. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
A send-up of retro space adventures, this series is the story of a slacker and dim bulb who somehow finds himself commanding a starship—and does okay despite himself. A spoof and good tale on its terms, Captain Taylor succeeds in balancing satire with actual sci-fi enjoyment.
15. Remi, Nobody’s Girl
Based on the French novel Sans Famille, this emotionally intense ride follows Remi, a young girl, as she searches for her family in times of poverty and heartbreak. Though lesser-known abroad, its poignant story makes it the decade’s most powerful slice-of-life drama.
Whether you’re revisiting these classics or watching them for the first time, these series remind us that great storytelling—and unforgettable characters—stand the test of time.