The 20 best ’90s anime that shaped a generation

Magic Knight Rayearth

While on a field trip in Tokyo, three ordinary students are suddenly spirited away to the magical world of Cephiro, where the land has fallen into disarray and despair on account of the nefarious Zagato’s kidnapping of the realm’s princess. The three protagonists are enlisted as Magic Knights and burdened with a quest to rescue the princess and restore order to Cephiro. There are also magical giant robots.

Rayearth follows a familiar isekai route, coupling action and comedy with the occasional romance subplot, Magic Knight Rayearth delivers a consistently exhilarating fantasy adventure story. The show also looks fantastic, with the adaptation successfully capturing the essence of the era’s glittery shoujo aesthetic.

4/5 Роботех

Роботех Премьера в Японии примерно в то же время, что и Вольтрон. Это было аниме 80-х, замаскированное под новое в 1998 году. Анимация была намного лучше, чем Вольтрон хотя и хорошо очищает в HD. У него была похожая тема, так как это было еще одно шоу мехов.

Самая большая разница заключалась в том, что пилоты были единственными. Самолеты и другие транспортные средства превращаются в мехов. В боях не было комбинационного аспекта. Это было что-то вроде превью для фанатов аниме. Крыло Гандама. Toonami не появлялся до 2000 года. Это был первый Гандам Премьера аниме на Toonami, но, конечно, не последнее. Роботех возможно, не имели популярности Гандам аниме на Западе, но оно было и остается классикой в ​​Японии.

Perfect Blue (1997)

Satoshi Kon’s films are groundbreaking in their own way. He has treated animation as a separate medium rather than as a genre. Almost all his movies can’t be easily turned into a live-action picture. He employs editing techniques and animated imagery in a way that only works well in the animated medium. His feature-film directorial debut Perfect Blue deals with the darker side of fan culture. It is an adaptation of a novel of the same name written by Yoshikazu Takeuchi. However, the most distinct aspect of Perfect Blue is how Kon tells his story through detailed animation and superb transitions.

The narrative revolves around Mima, a young pop idol, who decides to stop singing and pursue a career in acting. While Mima is trying to make the change, one of her obsessed fans can’t digest the fact that she is trying to shed her pop idol image. And when Mima finds a role in a murder mystery series, her life starts spiralling down.  

Rurouni Kenshin

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Originally aired 1996 to 1998

94 episodes (3 seasons)

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Rurouni Kenshin takes place during Japan’s Meiji period, a tumultuous time when Japan underwent a series of reformations. The story itself is fictional, but it’s loosely based on the life of Kawakami Gensai, a skilled samurai during this time.

In the anime, you’ll learn about Hitokiri Battousai, a ruthless assassin that vanished during the Japanese Revolution.

However, Battousai hasn’t disappeared—he’s decided to change his ways and go by a completely different name: Kenshin Himura. He promises to never kill anyone again, but how long will this last?

5 Принцесса Мононоке

Оценка MyAnimeList: 8,67

Название аниме	Дата выпуска	Студия	Количество эпизодов	Жанр	Автор
Принцесса Момоноке	12 июля 1997 г.	Студия Гибли	Один	История, Фэнтези	Хаяо Миядзаки

Хотя это и не аниме-сериал, исключить из этого списка Принцессу Мононоке, один из самых известных фильмов Хаяо Миядзаки, было бы просто недопустимо, поскольку популярно это. Он был выпущен в 1997 году и за время своего существования собрал более 100 миллионов долларов. Со временем «Принцесса Мононоке» стала классикой на все времена, и поклонники аниме по сей день считают ее обязательной к просмотру. Действие фильма происходит в Японии XIV века, что добавляет в историю некоторые фантастические элементы.

Принцесса Мононоке рассказывает о жизни принца по имени Ашитака, проклятого демоном. Проклятие наделяет принца сверхчеловеческими способностями, но без лечения оно в конечном итоге приведет к его смерти. Итак, он отправляется на Запад, чтобы найти лекарство. Прибыв в Татару, он узнает о принцессе Сан и ее сильном желании защитить окружающую среду от разрушения людьми.

Rose Of Versailles

Osamu Dezaki’s Rose of Versailles is a titan of the late ’70s, one that, despite its age, is widely regarded as one of anime’s all-time classics. A sweeping historical epic set during the build-up to the French Revolution, Versailles sets the classic shoujo love story trappings against a thrilling tale of sword fights, palace intrigue, and the limits of personal loyalty.

The dramatic irony inherent in the anime’s setting is leveraged flawlessly, and the audience can palpably feel the tension building as Paris winds itself tighter and tighter as the story goes on, delivering the high drama an audience expects from a historical epic of this caliber.

2 Initial D

MyAnimeList Score: 8.34

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.

Samurai X: The Movie (1997)

Tsuji Hajiki’s Samurai X: The Movie is based on the manga series Rurouni Kenshin, created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. A three season anime series was made between 1996 and 1999. And, five live-action movies were made between 2012 and 2021. It is a must-watch for samurai fiction fans. The anime is set in the 19th century during the Meiji era, where Japan was largely influenced by the West and their culture. Samurai X is established as a revenge flick. A samurai named Takimi Shigure has witnessed the murders of his friends and family, and subsequently vows to settle the score.

He brings together a band of rebels. However, a wanderer and ronin — former assassin named Himura Kenshin — remains a challenge to them. Kenshin’s true identity adds more suspense and intrigue to the tale. Samurai X: The Movie covers the basic storyline of the manga with enough action sequences and touching emotional moments. Anime fans interested in exploring more of this world can give the series a chance.

6 Trigun

MyAnimeList Score: 8.21

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Studio Ghibli anime often creates characters that are more relatable than any live-action ones. Yoshifumi Kondo’s Whisper of the Heart gives us endearing characters and makes it easy to emotionally invest in their story. The film revolves around a young feisty girl’s small adventures and first love. Shizuku is a voracious reader and spends the summer reading books from the library. One day, she finds out that someone named Amasawa has checked out all the books she’s read. Thus begins Shizuku’s quest to find who might just be her soulmate.

Whisper of the Heart glows with nostalgia for youth, young love, and Japanese culture. Director Kondo’s intricately detailed animation elegantly visualises the mundane everyday elements of life. Hayao Miyazaki was behind the anime’s writing, and his influence can be felt in the character sketches. The anime has a timeless feel to it. Though it’s set in the era before cell phones, the underlying themes and emotions feel very universal.

Kareshi Kanojo No Jijou

Kareshi Kanojo No Jijou, or simply Kare Kano as it is known to most fans, is a 1998 anime adaptation of a manga by the same name, serialized in the famous Hana to Yume magazine. Kare Kano is notable for a few reasons, but chiefly for being a Gainax production, and a joint vehicle from Hideaki Anno and his frequent collaborator and co-director, Kazuya Tsurumaki.

On its own, Kare Kano takes a typical shoujo manga setup and elevates it by presenting the story in a refreshingly mature and grounded way, as there’s little in the way of unnecessary misunderstandings to create conflict here. Anno and Tsurumaki bring unique surrealism to the production, as well, but viewers should be warned that the production of Kare Kano was infamously troubled, forcing the staff to cut some pretty obvious corners in the later episodes.

Cowboy Bebop

Action, Sci-Fi

Originally aired 1998 to 1999

26 episodes (1 season)

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Not only does Cowboy Bebop have one of the most legendary anime theme songs, but it’s also an icon of the 90s. The show follows Spike Spiegel, a space bounty hunter living in 2071.

During this time, earth has become inhabitable, so humans have turned to exploring the vast solar system. The Solar System Police enlists the help of «Cowboys,» or bounty hunters, to help fight crime.

The laidback Spike is accompanied by his lively friend, Jet Black, aboard the spaceship Bebop. As the two go after bounties, they get themselves involved in strange adventures and add more members to their motley crew.

Trigun (1998)

Fans of 90s anime can’t easily dismiss the nostalgic quotient that’s attached to the 26-episode Trigun. Based on a three-volume manga series by Yasuhiro Nightow, the anime series chronicles the adventures of Vash the Stampede. He is an outlaw with a great bounty on his head. At the same time, Vash is good-natured, funny, and follows his own moral code. In the first few episodes, Vash comes across as a typical optimistic hero. But his character’s nature and backstory are gradually and brilliantly fleshed out. 

Trigun also features an interesting array of supporting characters and antagonists who all fascinatingly challenge Vash’s ideals. In fact, all the major characters have a very well-developed character arc. Besides, the engaging action keeps us glued to the screens. Like most of the 90s anime, the animation style does look a bit dated. Nevertheless, Trigun remains one of the best character-centric anime which maintains comedy and optimistic sentiment, despite delving into darker themes.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Netflix

1 seasons | 26 episodes
Watch on: Netflix

Neon Genesis Evangelion (or EVA, if you’re in a hurry) snuck into the 1990s as yet another teen-mecha-monster mashup. But just as you’re warming up to ever-gloomy Shinji and space monster smackdowns, EVA plunges into a deep, dark pool of psychological drama.

“Introspection and destruction, but make it stylish!” said Studio Gainax and the distressed genius, Hideaki Anno. Probably. And what do you know—it worked! With jaw-dropping Eva-Angel battles, moody synth vibes, and a twisty psycho-philosophical narrative, EVA broke the mecha mold, became a cult classic, and sparked endless debates (that finale, right?). EVA didn’t just pass through the 1990s—it owned them.

7 The Legend of Zorro

MyAnimeList Score: 7.22

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.

Karakuri Circus

3rd in the list of 5 old school anime series receiving an anime is karakuri Circus. I know NOTHING about this series just gonna make that clear now. This is actually the first time I’ve heard of it. The only thing I know is that the same author of Ushio to Tora is the author of this series, And the fact that this was the manga the author started writing after Ushio to Tora ended. So it’s a series from the 90’s it can be classified as old school and fits on this list. But as I stated I know nothing about this series. But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell you news about the series and maybe give you a summary of at least the first chapter.

Series Summary

The Series follows Katou Narumi who suffers from a rare case of Zonapha Syndrome – that stops his breathing if he doesn’t make other people laugh. He was a trainer learning Chinese Kenpo but had to leave it all behind due to his rare situation. He needed to make people laugh or he would simply Die. So moving back to Japan he started to work as a clown to which to him was the only thing he could think of that would combat his Disease. But there was 1 major problem with his plan. Even tho he is a clown, He just isn’t funny.

Then one day he meets a boy wandering around with a massive suitcase this boy is called Saiga Masaru. Due to the MC weird nature and worrying that he will die if he can’t make anyone laugh – the boy with the suitcase started laughing at him. Which ends up saving the MC from dying. Later he finds out this little boy is an inheritor of a fortune and is being pursued by assassins. Wanting to save the boy who saved him by laughing, our MC decides to fight these assassins. But these assassins are not what they seem. After breaking one of them the MC realises that these assassins are nothing but puppets with a lot of weapons at their disposal.

One thing leads to another and the fight with these puppets leads into a Circus where they meet Shirogane. A woman standing high in the sky on some wire. She jumps down to save the boy takes his massive suitcase and summons a big puppet from the kid’s suitcase and telling him that she was asked by the kid’s late grandfather to protect him using this puppet in the suitcase.

And So the story of these 3 characters start to intertwine all revolving around a Circus.

The setting seems silly, the idea behind the story seems weird and the fact that the main focus of this series revolves around a  Circus. I can see many people avoiding this series with only a few picking it up. Not to mention the fact that it’s coming out this year. A year filled with a bunch of major popular manga and novels getting anime adaptations. I fear that this series might suffer the same fate as Ushio to Tora. A great series overshadowed by the popular stuff. Honestly, this sucks.

This is a series from the same creator of  Ushio to Tora so and despite the weird setting, this series will have a lot of action and the few people who will watch it will probably end up enjoying more than the popular stuff that will be airing. I just hope it doesn’t suffer from the same episodic problem as Ushio to Tora which I don’t think will be the case.

The studio adapting this will be Studio VOLN, The same studio that worked on Ushio to Tora, and its set to have 36 episodes. So that pretty much already confirms the adaptation will be very faithful to the manga. This is something I’m looking forward to.

Karakuri Circus Manga Cover Volume 1

5 Dragon Ball Is One Of The Most Iconic Anime Series Of All Time

There are many amazing and popular anime out there, but few can compare to the Dragon Ball franchise. This classic anime is one of the most recognizable and iconic series of all time, adored around the world by fans from every generation.

Whether it’s the original series, the beloved Dragon Ball Z, or one of the modern titles, every Dragon Ball series is someone’s favorite. Even the less popular series in the franchise are equally iconic and influential in their own ways. While plenty of other shonen anime have seen global success, Dragon Ball is in a league all its own, making it one of the top shonen series of all time.

Aim For The Ace!

1973’s Aim for the Ace! is an all-time classic sports story for the medium, following a seemingly untalented girl named Hiromi as she struggles to reach the upper echelons of her school’s tennis team hierarchy. Although she’s of unremarkable skills, the team’s intense coach takes interest in her, helping her to realize her full potential. Jealous rivals will make things difficult along the way, though.

A story of personal growth punctuated by sports drama and the occasional love story subplot, audiences can’t help but feel inspired by Aim for the Ace! Watching Hiromi’s unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity is a moving experience, and it successfully sells the theme that simply refusing to give up can help us past most obstacles in life.

6 Гигантский робот Анимация кажется свежим взглядом на механические тропы даже 30 лет спустя

Выполненный в лучших традициях олдскульного меха-сериала, Giant Robo the Animationэто ретро-футуристическая сага, в которой есть что предложить каждому фанату. Этот OVA, основанный на действиях, черпает вдохновение из всего жанра, от фильмов о кунг-фу и классического меха-аниме до историй об уся и литературных трагедий.

Многогранность культурных отсылок преображает простая история о сверхлюдях из Международной полицейской организации, противостоящих злобному синдикату, превратилась в бесконечно захватывающую, неортодоксальную эпопею, в которой за каждым кадром стоит настоящее сердце.

Fist of The North Star – 1984

In the post-nuclear apocalyptic future in 199X, the human race has regressed. Weak villagers are reduced to slavery, while genetically enhanced giants rule the world.

Gunpowder seems only a distant memory, and the martial arts is the only weapon a man can count on.Two schools face one another in the battle for dominion: Hokuto Shinken and Nanto Seiken.

The series begins when the Hokuto successor, Kenshiro, travels the desert to confront Shin, a member of the Nanto Roku Seiken, their six ruling stars, who has taken his fiancee Yulia. 

When I first started Hokuto no Ken, I did not know a thing about Fist of the North Star. I had heard the name before, and I knew it was a popular franchise with bloody exploding heads. When I started watching the series, it looked so incredibly 80s.

In fact, the Shin arc made me stop watching it for a while. The endless mooks in poorly drawn 80s style really turned me off. A few weeks later, I decided to try it again. I am so absolutely glad I did. Hokuto no Ken is a post-apocolyptic epic, and I don’t use that term lightly.

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.

8 аниме-мультсериалов, которые показывали в России в 90-е

Всем привет. Это Дима. По просьбе читателей я вспомню лучшие японские мультфильмы, которые можно было увидеть на различных российских каналах в 90-е годы.

Как и в случае с «Пчелой Майей», которую многие считали немецкой книгой, вы можете подумать, что серия «Д’Артангаве» — испанская. Но нет — это было совместное производство Испании и Японии.

Программа из 26 частей основана на книге Дюма «Три мушкетера». Главные герои — собаки. Но некоторые из персонажей — это другие животные. Миледи — кошка, Планше — медведь.

Как и в книге, сюжет сосредоточен на противостоянии Миледи и кардинала с отважными телохранителями короля.

Спиди-гонщик

Как и в случае со многими японскими мультфильмами того времени, российские зрители увидели американскую адаптацию сериала. Труднозапоминаемые японские названия были заменены на более простые. Так Mifune Go стал Speedy Racer, Fukumen Rasa — Racer X и т.д.

В начале 1960-х годов была опубликована манга о гонщике, который использует свой крутой автомобиль для борьбы с преступностью. В 1967 году была выпущена адаптация 52-й серии, которая стала более успешной и известной. В 1997 году было выпущено 34 эпизода нового мультсериала.

В России три канала показывали одно и то же аниме 1960-х годов в разное время. А в 2×2 также был показан сиквел 1997 года.

Приключения Боско

Японский аниме-сериал, основанный на книгах итальянского автора Тони Вульфа. Странно, но в СССР были показаны только последние 10 серий. Но в 2014 году энтузиасты перевели первые эпизоды с субтитрами.

Согласно сюжету, юная принцесса должна вернуться домой до наступления полного солнечного затмения. Ее похищают. В начале сериала ей удается послать сигнал бедствия трем харизматичным зверькам….. Они спасут принцессу.

Интересный факт: Сериал был популярен во многих странах, но не был показан на английском языке ни в США, ни в Великобритании.

1 Digimon Adventure

MyAnimeList Score: 7.77

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.

Ghost in the Shell

Когда мы думаем о киберпанк-аниме, «Призрак в доспехах» 1995 года всегда стоит в одном ряду с такими классическими фильмами, как «Акира» и «Алита». Это нестареющая классика, которая сегодня так же потрясающа, как и в 90-е годы, когда она только вышла на экраны.

В фильме «Призрак в доспехах» майор Мотоко Кусанаги и ее элитная команда из 9-го отдела охотятся за террористами и киберпреступниками, в частности, за неуловимым «Кукловодом». Помимо насыщенных адреналином экшн-сцен, фильм глубоко погружается в сложные и волнующие темы, связанные с политикой, искусственным интеллектом, киберпреступностью и т.д. Анимация, выполненная Production I.G, также поразительна для того времени. Это становится еще более очевидным при просмотре 4K Ultra HD-релиза сериала, который можно приобрести уже сейчас в виде эксклюзивного стилбука от Best Buy или стандартного релиза.

16 Yu Yu Hakusho

MyAnimeList Score: 8.46

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.

Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)

Image Source: whatson.bfi.org.uk

Anime filmmaker Mamoru Oshii gained international recognition after the critical acclaim of Ghost in the Shell. But it was Patlabor 2 which defined the animation style and universe of Mamoru Oshii. Moreover, he visually expanded on the idea he conceived in Patlabor 2, while getting into the world of Ghost in the Shell. This was also a rare occasion when a sequel was better than the original (Patlabor, 1989). The narrative is set in an alternate future, where robots known as ‘Labors’ have revolutionised modern industries. But robot-related crimes too escalate alongside. And a special patrol unit, known as Patrol Labor is created.

While the first Patlabor was an action-oriented cop adventure, the sequel has lots of political drama, nuanced characterizations, and philosophical discussions. The narrative starts with a terror attack on one of Tokyo’s bridges. The search for the man behind the attack uncovers a complex political plot. The animation and character designs are crisp. And the anime is impressive even by today’s anime standards.

Marmalade Boy

Marmalade Boy is, much like the modern-day Fruits Basket, is an anime tailor-made for shoujo genre enthusiasts, as it features many of the familiar tropes from other romance outings on full display. Love triangles, misunderstandings, complicated familial circumstances, and agonizingly long stretches without romantic progress are all front and center in Marmalade Boy.

While that might be a turnoff for some people without much experience with shoujo romance manga, seasoned viewers will find the show immensely rewarding. Despite the inherent twists and turns in a romantic dramedy of this length, Marmalade Boy never fails in its mission to get the audience invested in its myriad romantic plots.

5. Боевой ангел Алита дает зрителям почувствовать вкус аниме Самая влиятельная постапокалиптическая история

Боевой ангел Алита — это название знакомо большинству поклонников аниме, особенно тем, кто знаком с его не очень успешной экранизацией в реальном времени. Гораздо более достоверная и интересная интерпретация классической манги 90-х — это OVA Battle Angel Alita 1993 года, также известная как Gunnm.

OVA также не адаптирует мангу полностью, но мастерски передает суровую постапокалиптическую атмосферу истории. Любой, кто посмотрит этот великолепный научно-фантастический спектакль, гарантированно захочет большего, что он может получить, прочитав еще более увлекательную мангу.

Oniisama E…

Osamu Dezaki’s Oniisama E… remains one of the most uncompromisingly intense entries in the annals of shoujo anime, outright refusing to shy away from what are often considered to be taboo topics in a typically lighthearted genre. In what seems like a relaxed, low-key premise, the story follows a student named Nanako as she enrolls in a prestigious girls’ school, but her idyllic aspirations are quickly dispelled when she finds herself at the center of some vicious interpersonal melodrama.

Indeed, Oniisama E… is well suited to those with a taste for heady melodrama. In addition to the intense subject matter, the artwork and character designs, composed excellently by Dezaki in what is one of his most inventive directorial efforts, help bring the show’s atmosphere to life.

GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka)

GTO — это аниме 90-х годов, которое произвело на меня неизгладимое впечатление. И не только благодаря комедийному обаянию, уморительным персонажам и моментам; за всем этим смехом скрывается сильный посыл, который заставляет его выдерживать испытание временем.

Эйкити Онидзука, сердце и главный герой сериала, — загадка. От его уморительных выходок и мимики до его нестандартных поступков, он привносит чувство непредсказуемости и волнения в каждую серию. Бывший гангстер, ставший учителем, Онидзука имеет неровные края, но его яростная преданность своим ученикам вдохновляет. Он не боится нарушать все правила, чтобы достучаться до своих учеников — отвязных преступников, которых трудно научить, не говоря уже о том, чтобы угодить им. Но он действительно общается с ними на глубоком уровне и в конце концов доводит их до конца, одного за другим.

Для нас «ГТО» — это мастер-класс по рассказыванию историй. Это напоминание о том, что простота в сочетании с искренним сердцем способна произвести не меньшее впечатление, чем самые запутанные истории. Это аниме, которое заставит вас смеяться вслух, но в нем есть и большая глубина.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

I’ve seen a tonne of incredible mecha anime with complex plots, including Gundam and Code Geass.

And yet, when it comes to fusing stylish giant robots with an introspective narrative, nothing compares to Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Deeply relatable are Shinji’s troubles with relationships with women, friendships, family, and his personal trauma.

This is a result of Anno researching the psychoanalytical writings of Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung when creating the series.

At some point, we must all board the robot.

Life requires us to confront obstacles that appear greater than ourselves.

And occasionally you have to defend yourself against the real monsters by donning a beast’s hide.

Cowboy Bebop (1998)

Image Source: mubi.com

Cowboy Bebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion have stood the test of time. They still prove to be innovative entertainment for the next generation of anime fans. Created by Hajime Yatate, Cowboy Bebop is set in the year 2071, where humankind has colonised the solar system. In this futuristic timeline, planets and their moons are terraformed, space stations are established all around, and space travel is made easy through warp gates. Since humans are spread across the solar system, crime is also rampant. Therefore, bounty hunters move across space to bring fugitives to justice.

One such group of space cowboys travel around in their spaceship that’s named Bebop.  The series follows the wild adventures of the crew as they chase bounties across space. Cowboy Bebop is an anime classic that’s made with wonderful creativity and energy. Each episode is a perfect blend of action, drama, humour, and sci-fi. Another highpoint of the series is Yoko Kanno’s phenomenal musical score.

Conclusion

There you go! These are some of the best 90s anime across genres and moods. Their retro aesthetics have not only helped shape and define the many dimensions of the anime medium but leave us nostalgic every single time. Of course, there are other iconic 90s anime series that deserve a mention. Pokémon, Slam Dunk, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, and Yu Yu Hakusho.

Over to you now! What is your favourite anime from the 1990s that gets you nostalgic? Let’s talk in the comments below.

Explore our anime section for more great series and movies across genres.

The Dog of Flanders (1997)

Yoshio Kuroda’s The Dog of Flanders is based on an 1872 children’s novel by English author Marie Louise de la Ramee. She published it under her pseudonym ‘Ouida’. A comic book series was made based on the story, which gained immense popularity in Japan. In 1975, an anime series was made. The Dog of Flanders, however, isn’t a cutesy children’s tale. It tells a very tragic and heart-breaking story about a boy named Nello and his beloved dog Patrasche. The boy lives with his grandfather and grows up on a run-down farm.

Nello loves painting and befriends Aloise, a rich girl whose father disapproves of her friendship with Nello. They both find a dog which soon becomes Nello’s loyal companion. Hard times hit Nello, and the boy strives to survive in an unforgivable world with the faithful Pastrache. Kuroda’s vivid animation brilliantly brings to life this bittersweet story. It’s simple and straightforward yet very affecting.

Ghost in the Shell

Lionsgate

Film | 1h 23minWatch on: Prime Video, Tubi TV, Pluto TV

Welcome to the wild techno future where humans and machines have their wires crossed—literally! Ghost in the Shell introduces us to Major Motoko Kusanagi: part woman, part machine, and wholly badass, tackling existential questions while roundhouse-kicking her way through cyber-crime.

While the rest of the Internet boom era was terrified of the digital doom known as Y2K, this sci-fi anime was already having deep chats about the intersection of human and machine, AI’s existential angst and all. Ghost in the Shell is a killer mix of action, philosophy, and “we’re all just code, man” that didn’t just leave a mark on the 1990s; it drop-kicked anime straight into the 21st century.

Initial D

Первая и вторая части Initial D были выпущены в 90-е годы, и это одни из самых незабываемых сезонов аниме, которые я смотрел. Если говорить о гоночных аниме, то ни одно из них не сделало этого так хорошо, как Initial D. Сюжет рассказывает о Такуми Фудзивара, который неосознанно оттачивает свое гоночное мастерство, доставляя тофу на гору Акина на отцовской машине AE86

Его способности привлекают внимание известных гоночных команд, таких как Akagi RedSuns

Неповторимое очарование Initial D заключалось не только в захватывающих гоночных сценах, но и в музыке Eurobeat, которая их определяла. Когда Такуми выполнял дрифт, ритм капель идеально совпадал, что только усиливало впечатление. Конечно, гонки очень напряженные, но именно сочетание динамики персонажей, соперничества и характерного ритма Eurobeat закрепило за Initial D место одного из лучших аниме 90-х годов и последующего времени.

Kodomo No Omocha

Kodomo no Omocha, or simply Kodocha, is a lengthy 1996 shoujo anime that wastes no time setting the stage for its audience. Successful child actress Sana is fed up with the disruptive influence that is Akito, a boy who is seemingly compelled to make life miserable for her and her classmates. She decides to try and learn more about Akito in hopes of getting him to behave better, and with that, all the players are set for a classic shoujo romance plot.

Although beginners might be intimidated by the show’s hefty runtime of 102 episodes, it never feels like a chore to watch thanks to its diverting comedy and skillful pacing. It’s one of those shows that feels endlessly watchable.

Cowboy Bebop

Ковбой Бибоп — это классика научной фантастики с нотками нуара и вестерна. По сути, это фильм о команде «Бибопа»: Спайк Шпигель с его непростым прошлым, Джет Блэк — бывший офицер, Фэй Валентайн — преступница, ставшая охотницей, гений-хакер Эд и суперумный корги Эйн. Их приключения и биографии — вот что отличает этот сериал, и именно их истории делают его ярким.

Несмотря на то, что аниме веселое и насыщенное, оно не обходит стороной и более серьезные темы. Каждый персонаж борется с прошлым, которое постоянно настигает его, что придает сюжету большую глубину. А джазовый саундтрек еще больше создает настроение и атмосферу, погружая вас в этот футуристический, но в то же время ностальгический мир. Cowboy Bebop часто описывают как космический вестерн, и хотя это действительно так, это гораздо больше, чем просто вестерн.

5 Princess Mononoke

MyAnimeList Score: 8.67

Anime Name	Release Date	Studio	Episode Count	Genre	Author
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.