The Best Anime Film From Every Year of the 1990s, Ranked

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The 1990s were a golden age for anime, not just for TV series, but also for movies. Each year brought incredible new films that pushed the boundaries of what anime could achieve. These movies came in many forms, including original stories, TV specials, and adaptations of existing series.

The 1990s were a fantastic decade for anime films, with at least one truly exceptional movie released every year. While major studios like Studio Ghibli and Gainax consistently delivered hits, popular series such as Pokémon also made impressive transitions to the big screen. Generally, these films were visually stunning for their time, boasted creative stories, and were filled with genuine emotion.

Like the Clouds, Like the Wind is Short, Sweet, and Classic

Although Like the Clouds, Like the Wind is only 80 minutes long – a bit shorter than a typical feature film – it makes the most of its runtime. Many consider it to be the best anime movie of 1990.

If you enjoy The Apothecary Diaries, you might also like Like the Clouds, Like the Wind. It’s a lesser-known film that’s just as good as, if not better than, A Wind Named Amnesia and Flight of the White Wolf.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water: The Motion Picture is a Shocking Precursor to Neon Genesis Evangelion

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is a landmark anime, and a crucial stepping stone in the career of director Hideaki Anno. Made just before his groundbreaking work, Neon Genesis Evangelion, it showcases Anno’s developing skills and remains one of the most visually stunning and captivating anime series of its time, heavily inspired by the works of Jules Verne.

Despite some issues, like using a lot of footage from the original TV show, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water: The Motion Picture remains the top anime film of 1991. It’s filled with a genuinely cheerful spirit of adventure and features characters viewers already know and love. This helps it overcome a somewhat confusing story and narrowly edges out Only Yesterday as the best of the year.

Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture Stars the Best Protagonist in Fighting Game History

The 1990s saw a surge in popularity for fighting games, which led to a number of anime movies based on them. Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture is a standout example of this trend, adapting the original, beloved Fatal Fury game. It features exciting battles and stars Terry Bogard, considered one of the best heroes in video game history.

Released in 1992, Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture is a standout anime film – many consider it even better than Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso. It’s delightfully over-the-top, faithfully recreates the feel of the original video game, and features a charming protagonist in Terry Bogard. Its quality rightfully led to a sequel in 1993.

Sailor Moon R is Easily the Most Popular Movie in the Franchise

Sailor Moon was a huge anime hit in the 1990s, and several movies were made during that time. While Sailor Moon S: The Movie and Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie are enjoyable, most fans agree that Sailor Moon R: The Movie is the strongest film and a particularly memorable part of the series.

I honestly think Sailor Moon R: The Movie is the standout anime film of 1993 – it really surpasses even Patlabor 2 and Ocean Waves in my opinion! Visually, it’s absolutely the best Sailor Moon has ever looked. What I especially love is that it’s the only ’90s anime adaptation that truly captures the romantic, dramatic heart of Naoko Takeuchi’s original manga. It takes the character development so seriously, which leads to a really powerful story and a climax that genuinely blew me away!

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie is Worth Watching For Bryan Cranston Alone

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie stands out as the most well-regarded fighting game movie from the 1990s, and for good reason. It’s rare to find an adaptation from that time that stays so true to its source material, and this movie actually expands on the characters and backstory of the Street Fighter games. Plus, the fight scenes are beautifully animated and really bring fans’ visions to life.

Considered the best anime film of 1994, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie is a step above both Pom Poko and the Samurai Showdown movie. It fully leans into the fun and over-the-top nature of the Street Fighter games, and develops its characters far beyond what the video games did. A standout feature is the excellent English dub, particularly Tom Wyner’s fantastic performance as M. Bison and a surprisingly good turn by Bryan Cranston as Fei Long.

Ghost in the Shell is One of the Greatest Sci-Fi Movies of All Time

Released in 1995, Ghost in the Shell is widely considered one of the most important and impactful anime films since Akira (1988). This cyberpunk classic wasn’t just the best anime movie of its year; it launched a long-running franchise and played a key role in bringing anime to a wider Western audience. It also inspired influential sci-fi filmmakers like James Cameron and the Wachowskis.

Even beloved films like Whisper of the Heart, Memories, and Farewell to Nostradamus don’t quite reach the level of Ghost in the Shell. Its animation and direction are exceptional for ’90s anime, and it features a gripping, intelligent story. The haunting music adds to its mature and thought-provoking look at what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world.

Black Jack Brings One of the Most Classic Manga in History to the Big Screen

Black Jack is a popular and long-running anime and manga series in Japan, though it hasn’t gained much traction in America. The 1996 film, Black Jack: The Movie, is considered a classic and demonstrates why the medical drama has captivated fans for so many years.

Black Jack: The Movie is a better film than both X, Lupin III: Dead or Alive, and Dragon Ball: The Path to Power. It expands the scope of the Black Jack story in a thrilling way, and the main character is both intriguing and enigmatic. The movie also features clever plot twists, all brought to life by the strong direction of Osamu Dezaki.

Princess Mononoke Was One of the First Anime to Explode in Popularity in America

Studio Ghibli had a lot of competition in the 1990s, but in 1997, their film Princess Mononoke was in a league of its own. While other strong anime films like Perfect Blue and The End of Evangelion were also released that year, none could match the impact of Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece.

Princess Mononoke is a truly exceptional historical fantasy film, brilliant in both its original Japanese and English versions. Made with a then-record-breaking budget for an animated movie, its stunning visuals still hold up remarkably well compared to many modern anime films. The film boasts flawless animation, direction, and music, all working together to tell a compelling and action-filled story about accepting differences and protecting the environment. At its heart is one of the most memorable and inspiring heroines ever created for the big screen.

Pokémon: The First Movie is a Nostalgic Favorite For Millennials & Younger Gen Z

While the English dub of Pokémon: The First Movie is famous for being a bit silly, the original Japanese version is actually a really good film. It perfectly captures the magic of the ’90s Pokémon TV show and is also a thoughtful science fiction story about life and what it means to be genuine.

Released in 1998, Pokémon: The First Movie stands out as the best anime film of that year, surpassing both Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team and Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. The movie is especially notable for its stunning opening sequence showing Mewtwo’s creation, a compelling villain in Mewtwo, and incredibly lively Pokémon battles that were groundbreaking for their time. The scene of Pikachu mourning Ash is truly unforgettable and has become a classic moment in anime history.

My Neighbors the Yamadas is Among the Most Underrated Studio Ghibli Films

Unlike other films from Studio Ghibli, My Neighbors the Yamadas is a collection of short, funny scenes presented like a comic strip. It’s a truly unique and consistently amusing experiment in animation.

Okay, so if you’re looking for a fantastic anime movie from 1999, I have to recommend My Neighbors the Yamadas. It’s just brilliant! While Adolescence of Utena is good too, Yamadas really shines – honestly, it’s hard to fully enjoy Utena without watching the original TV series first. What I love about Yamadas is that it’s made up of these short, funny scenes, and even though they all feature the same family, each one feels complete and focuses on a different kind of relationship. They’re all hilarious and totally relatable!

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2025-12-05 05:48