8 Best Anime From The '90s (2024)

If you grew up in the '90s, you got to see some of the most influential anime shows of all time. Japan was producing non-stop hit after hit at the time, many of which became worldwide cultural icons. From adrenaline-pumping mech fights to heartwarming romances and everything in between, the '90s delivered plenty of enthralling plots and endearing characters.

But how do these shows hold up after all these years? Surprisingly well, as a matter of fact. It just goes to show that solid animation and well-written plots are timeless, and the following anime series are the best examples.

8 Pokemon

There's a reason why Pokemon is one of the longest-running anime shows. Ash Ketchum's adventures strike the perfect balance between action, comedy, and heartwrenching emotion. From Ash's tearful goodbye to Butterfree to his nail-biting gym battle against Sabrina, Pokemon continuously delivers powerful moments that warm your heart and keep you in suspense.

But above all else, the show's greatest strength is its memorable characters. Everyone from the bumbling members of Team Rocket to the hopeless romantic Brock never fails to make you smile with their cartoonish antics and endlessly quotable dialogue. Any fans of action anime should consider this show a must-watch.

7 Kodocha

Middle-schooler Sana Kurata is stuck in the world's most chaotic classroom. Each day is a fight for survival as Akito Hayama and his group of bullies tear apart the school and blackmail the teachers into looking the other way. Eager to stop the mayhem, Sana starts an all-out war with Akito, which steadily becomes a complex love-hate relationship.

While Kodocha mainly focuses on fast-paced comedy and visual gags, the show spends plenty of time exploring the effects of bullying and why certain children become bullies in the first place. Overall, Kodocha is an excellent choice if you want a hilarious slice-of-life anime with a ton of heart.

6 Serial Experiments Lain

Looking for something spooky? Serial Experiments Lain has you covered. It begins when middle school student Lain Iwakura receives an email from a dead classmate. When strange things start happening around town, like blood dripping from telephone poles and ghost sightings in the street, it's up to Lain to get to the bottom of this supernatural mystery.

Known for its macabre imagery, avant-garde animation style, and thrilling psychological horror, Serial Experiments Lain constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat while providing plenty of goosebumps.

5 Trigun

Set on a planet called No Man's Land, Trigun follows intergalactic fugitive Vash the Stampede, who has a bounty of $60 billion on his head for a crime he doesn't remember committing. Now, he must survive the never-ending onslaught of ruthless bounty hunters while piecing together his mysterious past.

Trigun has long been celebrated as the gold standard for action anime thanks to its superb writing, well-fleshed-out characters, and exciting fight scenes. While the series is tragically short, its story and many themes are fully explored and provide a gripping roller coaster ride from start to finish.

4 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is arguably the best mecha anime ever made. Set in a futuristic version of Tokyo, the plot follows a teenager named Shinji Ikari, who's thrown into the world of mech-battling after a hoard of monstrous Angels attacks the Earth.

Not only does the series offer heart-pounding fight scenes, but it also provides a cast of nuanced characters, each with their own struggles and backstories. Delivering a perfect blend of action and story, Neon Genesis Evangelion is the cream of the crop when it comes to '90s sci-fi anime.

3 Slam Dunk

High schooler Hanamichi Sakuragi can't get a girlfriend to save his life, and now, he finds himself locked in a fierce love triangle. When he joins the basketball team to win the heart of his one true love, he's horrified to discover his romantic rival is on the same team. Can the two put aside their differences long enough to win the championships?

Slam Dunk delivers a nice mix of comedy, romance, and exhilarating basketball matches. However, the best part is how the sport helps Hanamichi evolve from a shallow, dishonest punk into a noble and talented athlete. Give it a watch if you like sports anime.

2 Yu Yu Hakusho

Yusuke Urameshi isn't your average detective. First of all, he's a hot-tempered 14-year-old bully known for skipping class and getting into fights. Also, he's dead. After sacrificing his life to save a child, Yusuke is given one last chance at redemption by becoming a Spirit Detective.

Equipped with the ability to fly and shoot bullets from his fingers, Yusuke travels across Japan to solve paranormal-related crimes and catch demons. Featuring a blend of comedy and themes about death, grief, and remorse, Yu Yu Hakusho is brimming with laughs and thought-provoking messages.

1 Cowboy Bebop

Widely considered one of the greatest anime series ever, Cowboy Bebop follows Spike, a gunslinging intergalactic bounty hunter who takes on the universe's most fearsome criminals - for a price, of course. He and his team of unlikely allies just barely manage to scrape by while often being haunted by their tragic pasts.

Cowboy Bebop stands out thanks to its deep exploration of each character's motivations and traumas. Spike, in particular, becomes more and more fascinating as his mysterious backstory unravels before you. Since there are only 26 episodes, this is the perfect anime to binge-watch in a couple of sittings.