Sometimes modern anime trends get tiring. That’s why many anime fans try to keep things fresh by watching older series. In particular, the 90s are an important era — that’s when the amount of anime produced greatly increased, and the previously niche otaku culture began to develop rapidly.
If you enjoy the aesthetics of anime made in that period and consider yourself a retro fan, you need to watch some iconic classics. If you’re just getting into retro anime, these are good recommendations to start with so you don’t get lost.
For many, Cowboy Bebop served as an introduction to anime. It is regarded as a classic, and for good reasons: the cast consists of a bunch of well-written characters with complex relationships with each other, the animation and music are amazing, and the anime has both fun and serious moments.
While most of the anime focuses on episodic shenanigans, there is a story. The conclusion to it, while tragic, is commonly considered one of the best finales in anime.
Neon Genesis Evangelion has been talked about since it started airing. The arguments about it don’t stop even now, and many fans have their own interpretations of the series. In part, that can be attributed to the amount of content the franchise released over the years.
One thing is certain, though. Neon Genesis Evangelion has greatly influenced the anime medium — perhaps more than any other anime. Many anime fans consider it a must-watch — while it may be polarizing, it is a classic that you have to watch at some point.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is arguably the most famous magical girl anime in the west. Part of it comes from the fact that it was successfully broadcasted on television — then again, it’s good enough on its own.
While it might seem that it mostly panders to young girls, it has its fair share of older fans, many of whom are male.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho) is one of the earliest examples of a successful long-running battle shounen series.
Written by Yoshihiro Togashi (of Hunter x Hunter fame), it follows Yusuke, a delinquent thrown into the world of the supernatural. With his new job as a Spirit Detective, Yusuke becomes the world’s protector against threats that can end humanity forever.
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk has been considered one of the greatest sports manga and anime of all time. It has arguably redefined the sports genre, and the era when it ran in Weekly Shounen Jump is still considered the golden age of the magazine.
Even years after, Slam Dunk is still relevant. The First Slam Dunk movie was released in 2022 — and was a huge success in Japan. It earned many awards and was a box office hit, proving that classics are, indeed, timeless.
Kenpuu Denki Berserk is the 1997 adaptation of an iconic dark fantasy manga. While the rest of the manga never got a proper adaptation, the 90s adaptation fully adapts the first arc — and is considered a classic.
The anime is very dark, but that’s what makes it so great: you normally don’t see this genre explored in anime.
Funnily enough, the original Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) movie is completely different from the manga. The manga is more focused on comedy and fanservice, while the movie is full of philosophical themes and symbolism.
That said, we associate philosophy and existential themes with Ghost in the Shell now. Perhaps one of the best examples of the cyberpunk genre in anime, it spawned many successors and inspired countless anime.
Rurouni Kenshin
The original Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan anime (also known as Samurai X) has been considered dated by some. That said, the anime has been attracting attention once again because of the remake coming out — and it turns out that the old adaptation is still far more satisfying.
Following Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman who does not want to kill (because of his troubled past), it is still one of the most iconic samurai anime out there.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime) is the most iconic Ghibli work of the 90s. Hayao Miyazaki once again tackles the theme of ecology, showing how humans can harm nature.
The conflict is surprisingly complex, and the movie was a success with both casual fans and critics. It won many awards, and many attribute Ghibli’s rise in popularity to the success of this film.
Perhaps the most famous take on classic fantasy comedy, Slayers combines action with many gags and jokes that are very indicative of its time.
If you like 90s comedy, you will enjoy it — and even if you don’t, it’s worth watching for the protagonist alone. Lina Inverse is one of the funniest fantasy anime leads not just in the 90s, but overall.
If you want to get into older anime, try these.
Sometimes modern anime trends get tiring. That’s why many anime fans try to keep things fresh by watching older series. In particular, the 90s are an important era — that’s when the amount of anime produced greatly increased, and the previously niche otaku culture began to develop rapidly.
If you enjoy the aesthetics of anime made in that period and consider yourself a retro fan, you need to watch some iconic classics. If you’re just getting into retro anime, these are good recommendations to start with so you don’t get lost.
For many, Cowboy Bebop served as an introduction to anime. It is regarded as a classic, and for good reasons: the cast consists of a bunch of well-written characters with complex relationships with each other, the animation and music are amazing, and the anime has both fun and serious moments.
While most of the anime focuses on episodic shenanigans, there is a story. The conclusion to it, while tragic, is commonly considered one of the best finales in anime.
Neon Genesis Evangelion has been talked about since it started airing. The arguments about it don’t stop even now, and many fans have their own interpretations of the series. In part, that can be attributed to the amount of content the franchise released over the years.
One thing is certain, though. Neon Genesis Evangelion has greatly influenced the anime medium — perhaps more than any other anime. Many anime fans consider it a must-watch — while it may be polarizing, it is a classic that you have to watch at some point.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is arguably the most famous magical girl anime in the west. Part of it comes from the fact that it was successfully broadcasted on television — then again, it’s good enough on its own.
While it might seem that it mostly panders to young girls, it has its fair share of older fans, many of whom are male.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho) is one of the earliest examples of a successful long-running battle shounen series.
Written by Yoshihiro Togashi (of Hunter x Hunter fame), it follows Yusuke, a delinquent thrown into the world of the supernatural. With his new job as a Spirit Detective, Yusuke becomes the world’s protector against threats that can end humanity forever.
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk has been considered one of the greatest sports manga and anime of all time. It has arguably redefined the sports genre, and the era when it ran in Weekly Shounen Jump is still considered the golden age of the magazine.
Even years after, Slam Dunk is still relevant. The First Slam Dunk movie was released in 2022 — and was a huge success in Japan. It earned many awards and was a box office hit, proving that classics are, indeed, timeless.
Kenpuu Denki Berserk is the 1997 adaptation of an iconic dark fantasy manga. While the rest of the manga never got a proper adaptation, the 90s adaptation fully adapts the first arc — and is considered a classic.
The anime is very dark, but that’s what makes it so great: you normally don’t see this genre explored in anime.
Funnily enough, the original Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) movie is completely different from the manga. The manga is more focused on comedy and fanservice, while the movie is full of philosophical themes and symbolism.
That said, we associate philosophy and existential themes with Ghost in the Shell now. Perhaps one of the best examples of the cyberpunk genre in anime, it spawned many successors and inspired countless anime.
Rurouni Kenshin
The original Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan anime (also known as Samurai X) has been considered dated by some. That said, the anime has been attracting attention once again because of the remake coming out — and it turns out that the old adaptation is still far more satisfying.
Following Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman who does not want to kill (because of his troubled past), it is still one of the most iconic samurai anime out there.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime) is the most iconic Ghibli work of the 90s. Hayao Miyazaki once again tackles the theme of ecology, showing how humans can harm nature.
The conflict is surprisingly complex, and the movie was a success with both casual fans and critics. It won many awards, and many attribute Ghibli’s rise in popularity to the success of this film.
Perhaps the most famous take on classic fantasy comedy, Slayers combines action with many gags and jokes that are very indicative of its time.
If you like 90s comedy, you will enjoy it — and even if you don’t, it’s worth watching for the protagonist alone. Lina Inverse is one of the funniest fantasy anime leads not just in the 90s, but overall.
