Top 10 Anime from the 90s

The ’90s had exceptionally good anime. Nothing else brings cozy vibes more than a good old show from back in the days. Many classics were born that still are valued by fans from most mediums to this day. Today, we will be putting this statement to the test and take a look at all the masterpieces that the 90s brought us. This list will comprise of the top ten anime from the 90s that have gracefully aged and have remained golden classics to date.

10. GREAT TEACHER ONIZUKA

A nightmare for any teacher would be taking over a class full of notorious kids and teaching, while the class finds several ways to get rid of you. Great teacher Onizuka; and what a great teacher he was, is a beautiful blend of action, comedic commentary on modern youth, and real issues faced by the Japanese education system. GTO manages to deliver good moral lessons all while keeping the atmosphere hilarious and throwing plot twists in the series to keep the viewers engaged. It is more than a classic masterpiece, and in my eyes. Also, I believe that Onizuka is one of the most well-written anime characters of all time!

9. SLAM DUNK

You wouldn’t expect it, but the 90s had covered a diverse range of classics from different genres, which brings our attention to the pioneer of sports anime, Slam Dunk. It’s a perfect mix of witty jokes, inspiring speeches, romance, action, and of course, sportsmanship. The plot is mainly generic, a central character who initially hates basketball, starts playing it anyway to impress his crush, and begins to love it eventually. With a big cast of characters, the anime conveniently avoids getting dull and covers not only basketball but other areas of life as well.

8. SAILOR MOON

Speaking of pioneers, how can we forget Sailor Moon, the pioneer of the magical girl genre. Sailor moon was and is, an inspiration for countless shows centered around female superheroes. The show reeks of women empowerment and despite being aired so long ago, it is still extremely enjoyable and addicting to watch. It’s a timeless series that was not just a show, but a standard and a trend followed and loved by many to this day.

7. DRAGON BALL Z

We are all aware of how much Dragon ball Z has helped us spread the fame of anime around the globe. If shounen anime could have another title, it would be DBZ. It is one of the earliest shounen anime that has had the biggest impact on this genre. Growing up, we all were aware of its insane popularity and we know how DBZ has helped define anime. This makes Dragon Ball Z a must for this list as it is one of the best shounen anime from the 90s.

6. SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN

Although, it released fairly late in the 90s, I found it extremely hard to not include a classic masterpiece of the psychological genre in this list.

There are two major ways an anime can serve us. It’s either for entertainment purposes only, or it could be used to stretch human imagination to unimaginable lengths. Serial Experiments Lain was a huge success that manage to serve us in both of these ways. Although the 90s had already brought us several other firsts of their kinds, Serial Experiments Lain gave a new image to “complex plots.” While it is safe to say it is not a show for everyone, but still earns its spot among the top ten anime from the 90s!

5. PERFECT BLUE

It would be an act of injustice to ignore one of Satoshi Kon’s best works from the 90s. Perfect Blue is already hailed as a classic that was ahead of its time. I believe that Perfect blue will forever remain a hit in every era. What could set it apart from the rest is probably its art and intricate plot. Contrary to what I have mentioned so far, Perfect blue is a chilling thriller, that has what it takes to spook your heart out of you. It is a legendary film and it would be a crime to not have seen it already if you call yourself an anime fan.

4. GHOST IN THE SHELL

Since we’re on the topic of classic thrillers, Let's bring our attention to Ghost in the shell. With gruesome violence, maturity, and cyberpunk elements included in the series, this show just had to make it this far on the list. Enriched in timeless philosophy that inspired novel ideas shown in works today, Ghost in the shell is a mountain compared to the original Matrix. It’s a highly acclaimed masterpiece till now because of its thought-provoking themes. Set in a futuristic world where brains can be hacked and actions can be controlled, it is fearful yet intriguing to see how tech can come off as a vicious entity if portrayed accordingly.

3. NEON GENESIS EVANGELION

The only series on the list that to this day remains one of the biggest debates among anime critics.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a highly influential anime from the 90s. It's an experimental and brave attempt at turning the mecha genre over its head. Some argue it’s a masterpiece while to others it’s a mediocre overrated attempt. The plot is an unorthodox storyline that leaves half of the story to its viewers to figure out. Not to mention its out-of-context scenes, which some could label as a disaster waiting to happen, or a masterfully done puzzle show. The rest is up to you to decide. Nonetheless, Neon Genesis Evangelion is and will remain a top anime from the 90s, and personally, I love it!

2. BERSERK

Although, the 2016 series came hoarding huge disappointments from fans who patiently waited for the anime to cover major portions of its source, it is safe to say that the original adaption from the 90s will always remain one of the best adaptions Berserk could get! The original Berserk anime adaption that released back in the 90s had awesome animation for its time, and it was a treat for fans everywhere.

This anime just covers a small portion of the complex story of Guts, but it is still a must-watch for every single anime fan.

1. COWBOY BEBOP

It is considered to be a 90s classic that successfully paints a good image for all the 90s anime out there. There is nothing like this masterpiece! It has a unique taste and experience of its own that you won't find in any other show. With an exciting cast of characters jumping from one misadventure to another, Cowboy Bebop manages to be a perfect package of every great thing that we see unfold in this brilliant series. Cowboy Bebop also happens to be one of those shows that gained more popularity in North America than they did in native Japan. Cowboy Bebop happens to be a classic that is almost impossible to criticize. What I really love about Cowboy Bebop is the fact that it manages to remain family friendly while tackling some pretty mature topics.

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