Anime Every 90s Kid Watched – Investment Policy

Summary

Toonami and Fox Kids introduced a new wave of anime in the 90s, such as Dragon Ball Z and Digimon.
Pokemon’s strategic marketing in North America, paired with the anime’s release, contributed to its massive success.
Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie was a hit for fans, featuring more mature content and memorable scenes.

In the ’90s, Anime was more confined compared to how it is today, but it had certainly come a long way since the 80s. During the mid-’90s, there was an expansion in the availability of anime, with platforms like Toonami on Cartoon Network, UPN airing anime instead of Disney cartoons, and Fox Kids’ Saturday Morning Cartoon block emerging, along with several other initiatives.

Back in the 90s, when there was less anime available, most kids would eagerly consume whatever bits they could find. Not every anime resonated with everyone, but certain ones were frequently discussed in classrooms and playgrounds across the board. Although some may not be as appealing now, they remain a significant part of many childhood memories.

In the 90s, I came across several anime series that initially aired in the 80s; however, it was only during this time that these shows found their way to North American screens, making the ’90s the period we’ll delve into.

7. Dragon Ball Z

The Biggest Anime Of All Time?

In the ’90s, Dragon Ball Z gained popularity, particularly after it started airing on the 1998 Toonami block. The level of action was unprecedented compared to shows of that time, or at least not what North American viewers were accustomed to in shonen anime.

Every child from that era vividly recalls the moment Goku arrived on Namek, a memory tainted by repeated episode resets before new installments eventually came. It was agonizing but ultimately rewarding as the Saiyan and Namek saga etched itself deeply into the hearts of fans, leaving an indelible mark that no other storyline has surpassed to this day.

6. Digimon

Fox’s Call To Pokemon

Back in 1998, I was absolutely captivated as the Pokémon games and anime took off like wildfire across North America, just two years after they had done the same in Japan. This explosion of popularity paved the way for Digimon to start brewing behind the scenes. The very next year, 1999, saw the debut of the Digimon anime on Fox Kids, a date that coincidentally fell close to the premiere of Pokémon’s anime series. It was an exciting time for fans like myself, as we eagerly awaited each new adventure!

Instead of adult trainers embarking on adventures to capture mythical creatures, young campers from Japan are mysteriously transported into a digital universe, each receiving their own companion Digimon. Their goal is to navigate through the monster-infested world, facing battles and humorous predicaments along the way. On numerous playgrounds in the 90s, boundaries were established as this show stood side by side with Pokemon.

5. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Let The Tape Wars Begin

In the period from the 80s through the early 2000s, many anime shows were primarily accessed by purchasing or renting tapes or DVDs. During this time, mature content such as “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” which was initially released in two-episode tapes from 1996 to 1998, circulated widely. This series was quite costly, indeed.

For those who were part of the older anime community, or had access to rental tapes, this show stood out as something extraordinary. Its exceptional animation, storytelling, and unique portrayal of child-operated mechs battling angels was not immediately grasped by everyone, particularly with Shinji as the protagonist. However, upon rewatching, its impact became more apparent, an influence that remains tangible even today.

4. Pokemon

Pika Power

The individual who scheduled the broadcast of the Pokemon anime weeks prior to the release of both Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue video games in North America was incredibly insightful. This move served as a marketing boom, captivating children with the anime, trading cards, video games, and more. Often, such daring strategies fall flat, but in the case of Pokemon, it couldn’t have been more successful.

Initially, there wasn’t just one platform where it debuted; instead, it was broadcast simultaneously across various channels. The rights to air the first season and subsequent episodes were purchased by WB Kids from 1999 onwards. Children of that era might recall seeing Batman alongside Pokemon in promos for the cartoon block, which made it an unusual yet memorable period.

3. Ronin Warriors

Ninja Turtles But Human

Directors: Masashi Ikeda, Mamoru Hamatsu
Studio: Sunrise
Released: April 30, 1988 (Japan)
Episodes: 39

In 1999, Ronin Warriors wasn’t the most popular show on Toonami, but many viewers tuned in because it was being aired. Some might have already seen it before its run on Toonami, as it had previously been broadcast on the Syfy Channel and USA Network.

In essence, Ronin Warriors resembles a fusion of characteristics from Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each warrior possesses unique armor with distinct colors, an ability to harness specific elements (such as fire), and a weapon that requires mastery. However, the English dubbing was adapted to portray these teenagers in a rebellious manner, reminiscent of New York’s turtle quartet. This was somewhat incongruous given that the story unfolded in Japan.

2. Sailor Moon

Moltar Said It Was Cool

Initially, Toonami catered primarily to a male audience consisting of children and teenagers. However, in 1998, they introduced “Sailor Moon” to broaden the spectrum. Moltar, an early host of Toonami, emphasized the planetary Sailor Scouts, possibly contributing to the show’s larger-than-anticipated popularity among viewers on Cartoon Network.

The anime made a strong return, outshining past English network launches that didn’t resonate well with audiences. Regardless of where fans tuned in from, Sailor Moon as a character emerged as an emblematic figure for anime enthusiasts across the board, despite stirring up debates among friends on occasion.

1. Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie

Just Like The Game, But More Brutal

Prior to the popularity of “Pokemon”, there was another video game-inspired phenomenon that captured fans’ hearts called “Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie”. This anime made its theater debut in 1994, but it truly gained mass appeal with its VHS release in 1995, much like “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, though on a more expansive level.

Any diehard fan of “Street Fighter 2” wouldn’t want to miss this anime due to its raw brutality and a scene featuring Chun-Li in the shower, a detail that undeniably piqued the curiosity of many teenage boys. Compared to the 1995 American-produced “Street Fighter” cartoon by USA Network or the cringe-worthy 1994 live-action film, this anime’s animation still outshines them remarkably.

2025-07-28 05:04