9 Masterpiece Anime From The 1990s We Can’t Get Enough Of

Throughout the history of animation, every period has had its standout shows, from the very beginning to today’s incredible new releases. However, many fans consider the 1990s to be a golden age. Despite not being the most productive decade for anime – the industry actually faced a slowdown at the time – the ’90s are remembered for creating some of the most beloved and influential classics of all time.

The 1990s were a golden age for anime, launching many groundbreaking series that continue to inspire and captivate audiences today. It was also when a whole generation of fans around the world first fell in love with the art form, drawn in by its depth and creativity. From classics that grew into major franchises to truly innovative titles, these anime from the ‘90s remain as popular and influential as ever.

Sailor Moon Will Forever Remain an Icon of Magical Girl Anime

Usagi Tsukino, better known as Sailor Moon, is one of the most recognizable characters from 1990s anime. The Sailor Guardians’ exciting stories and inspiring heroines captivated a whole generation, and the series appealed to fans far beyond the usual target audience. The 1992 anime adaptation of Sailor Moon revitalized the magical girl genre and became a powerful role model for kids growing up in the ‘90s, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Starting as a beloved anime and manga created by Naoko Takeuchi, Sailor Moon has grown into a huge franchise that continues to release new content. Many fans, however, still cherish the original Sailor Moon series for its nostalgic appeal. While initially aimed at younger viewers, Sailor Moon proved to be a timeless story that resonates with all ages, and it remains enjoyable to rewatch again and again.

Revolutionary Girl Utena Is Just as Groundbreaking as Its Title Suggests

Though directed by the same person who brought us Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena is a very different kind of magical girl anime. It takes the familiar tropes of the genre and playfully breaks them down in a surreal and thought-provoking way. The story starts like a classic fairytale: Utena Tenjou, a courageous but innocent girl, gets caught up in a dueling competition at Ohtori Academy to win the hand of the enigmatic Rose Bride.

Utena’s story quickly becomes a unique and thought-provoking take on growing up, exploring familiar themes in a dark and unconventional way. The series balances its striking visual style with a gritty, experimental narrative, making Revolutionary Girl Utena a rare and beloved gem that stands out from the crowd.

Ghost in the Shell Redefined Cyberpunk Anime

The 1990s were a fantastic time for science fiction anime, especially for the cyberpunk subgenre in Japan. This decade marked the beginning of the Ghost in the Shell franchise, which would become incredibly influential. The 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie was particularly impressive, blending a detailed and believable dystopian setting with smart storytelling and thrilling action.

Many viewers first encountered Major Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg head of Public Security Section 9 and a defining heroine of cyberpunk anime, in this film. Ghost in the Shell powerfully examines questions of identity and meaning in a world far beyond our everyday experience, influencing generations of artists and filmmakers. Its beautiful but unsettling vision of a futuristic, troubled world continues to inspire the look and feel of modern science fiction.

Great Teacher Onizuka Is a Rare Old-School Anime Comedy That Still Makes Fans Laugh

Comedy often doesn’t age well, but Great Teacher Onizuka remains a classic despite being a product of its time. The show follows the wild adventures of a former gang member who becomes a teacher for a group of troubled students. It’s just as outrageous and unpredictable as its famously mischievous main character.

With its edgy and often shocking humor, GTO isn’t for everyone, but fans of adult comedy will love it. Despite the raunchiness, Great Teacher Onizuka is surprisingly sweet and touching. What makes the series so enduring is its message of hope and overcoming difficulties, along with its unique approach to teaching and guidance. Importantly, the show’s deeper themes aren’t lost amidst all the crude jokes.

Perfect Blue Launched the Career of One of Anime’s Most Iconic Directors

The 1990s were a fantastic time for talented directors in anime, and Satoshi Kon was one of the biggest stars to emerge. His first film as director, Perfect Blue (1997), is a creepy and mind-bending thriller about Mima Kirigoe, a former pop singer trying to become a serious actress. But the stress of her new career, combined with a dangerous stalker, slowly causes Mima to lose her grip on what’s real and what isn’t.

Perfect Blue is a truly unsettling horror film that gets under your skin, making you question what’s real alongside the main character as the line between fantasy and reality disappears. Beyond being scary, it’s a thought-provoking movie that examines the pitfalls of fame and how we see ourselves. Even today, viewers are captivated by its complex story, and many consider it director Satoshi Kon’s greatest achievement.

Serial Experiments Lain Is Still Compelling to Analyze

In the 1990s, anime was starting to experiment with new ideas, but Serial Experiments Lain really stood out. Written by acclaimed screenwriter Chiaki J. Konaka, this unsettling techno-horror series continues to spark discussion today. It follows Lain Iwakura, a withdrawn girl who becomes fascinated by the Wired – a virtual world – after a classmate dies, and begins to question how it connects to, and potentially impacts, the real world.

Because Serial Experiments Lain tells its story in a fragmented, dreamlike way, everyone understands the plot and its meaning a little differently. However, this ambiguity is actually what makes the series so enduringly powerful, particularly now. Its themes of connection and how our sense of self can become broken apart feel especially relevant in today’s world of social media and the internet.

Everyone Recognizes Cowboy Bebop as a Must-Watch

It’s becoming harder to define truly essential anime, but Shinichiro Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop consistently stands out as a must-see. This unique space western follows a diverse team of bounty hunters, and is known for its self-contained episodes that skillfully blend different genres and moods.

At its heart, Cowboy Bebop is a deeply personal story about facing your past, and it beautifully brings together all the different parts of the show. Even though it only has 26 episodes, the adventures of Spike Spiegel remain surprising and enjoyable with each rewatch. With its timeless animation and storytelling, Cowboy Bebop is a show that longtime fans love to revisit, and new viewers quickly understand why it’s considered a classic.

Fans Are Still Excited for More Trigun Content

For many who grew up in the ’90s, the story of Vash the Stampede – a peaceful outlaw in a space Western setting – is a truly memorable adventure. The 1998 anime, Trigun, is a fast-paced and exciting series with characters you’ll love, and moments that are both happy and sad. While it wasn’t initially popular in Japan, Trigun has since become a beloved classic around the world.

Despite being released in 1998, the anime Trigun remains popular today. While the original series was well-received, it didn’t fully follow the story from the manga, which continued until 2007. Luckily, fans old and new were recently treated to a fresh take on Vash’s journey with Trigun Stampede, a 2023 reimagining of the manga and the original anime in 3DCG. And with Trigun Stargaze coming this winter, the series is proving it still resonates with audiences.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Was the Most Influential Anime of the ‘90s

Few anime series from the 1990s have had a lasting impact quite like Neon Genesis Evangelion. This groundbreaking mecha thriller continues to attract new fans even three decades after its release. Hideaki Anno’s original Evangelion series is often credited with revitalizing the anime world during a period of creative slump, offering a fresh and psychologically complex take on the ‘real robot’ genre.

The original ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion was controversial because it was open-ended and didn’t offer clear resolutions. However, this ambiguity sparked a lot of discussion and created a dedicated fanbase. Subsequent releases, like The End of Evangelion movie and the Rebuild of Evangelion films, only fueled fans’ desire to understand the series as a whole. Through all its different forms, Evangelion remains a classic and influential anime from the 1990s.

2025-11-16 03:43