The Best 90s Anime, Ranked

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Anime is incredibly popular right now, with so much new content being released and easily available. Each year brings several shows that are truly outstanding, even becoming all-time classics. Despite some flaws in production, I really enjoy modern anime. However, I think I might actually love anime from the 1990s even more. I grew up watching shows like Moero! Top Striker and Sailor Moon on Italian television channels, and I can still sing the Italian opening theme of Dragon Ball Z from memory. It’s funny, I even feel nostalgic for ‘90s anime I didn’t even watch when it first came out. There’s just something special about the animation style of that decade – it feels both old-fashioned and timeless.

Let’s look back at the incredible anime of the 1990s by celebrating some of the biggest hits and now-classic shows. While some ’90s anime can be difficult to find, many popular series are now easily available on streaming services like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. This accessibility likely contributed to a recent surge in their popularity, but I believe fan-made videos on TikTok and YouTube have played an even larger role.

Criteria for an anime to qualify:

  • Only series, no movies.
  • If an anime started in 1989, it would be considered if more than 50% of its episodes aired during the 1990s.

March 2026 Update Notes:

  • Added One Piece and Case Closed. These anime were initially left out of the list due to most of their episodes airing after the ’90s; however, in hindsight, they are still technically ’90s anime.

Quick Picks: Where Should You Start With ’90s Anime?

Okay, so if you’re just getting into anime now, it can be a lot to take in! There are so many shows out there, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why I wanted to put together a little guide to some awesome starting points – the best beginner-friendly shows in all the popular genres. And the best part? You can find them all on Crunchyroll!

  • Best Action Anime From The ’90s: Yu Yu Hakusho, Dragon Ball Z, Trigun
  • Best Comedy Anime From The ’90s: Great Teacher Onizuka, Golden Boy, Excel Saga
  • Best Magical Girl Anime From The ’90s: Cardcaptor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth
  • Best Romance Anime From The ’90s: Marmalade Boy
  • Best Sci-Fi Anime From The ’90s: Cowboy Bebop, Irresponsible Captain Tylor

35. Marmalade Boy

MyAnimeList: 7.41

The 1990s were largely defined by shonen anime, but shojo also had a significant impact. While Sailor Moon is the most remembered title, it wasn’t the only successful anime aimed at young girls. Before streaming services like Crunchyroll made anime widely available, many popular shows remained largely unknown outside of Japan. Marmalade Boy is a good example – while it was quite popular, it’s probably only well-known among fans of classic shojo romance.

Toei’s anime, which includes a movie and a 76-episode series, centers on Miki and Yuu, two teens who discover their parents are planning to marry. While that sounds simple, it’s just the beginning – Miki and Yuu unexpectedly fall for each other, creating a complicated and forbidden romance. Marmalade Boy strikes a unique balance between lighthearted silliness and realistic emotions, portraying believable relationships alongside surprising plot twists. It’s a somewhat chaotic but generally enjoyable anime, though it does lose some momentum as the story progresses.

Has Marmalade Boy Aged Well?

Marmalade Boy is very much a product of the 1990s, and unfortunately, it hasn’t held up as well as many other anime from that era. I’d only suggest watching it if you’re specifically interested in classic shojo series.

34. The Vision of Escaflowne

MyAnimeList: 7.65

It feels like you can’t avoid isekai anime these days – every season has several! Surprisingly, 2025 alone saw more isekai anime released than the entire decade of the 1990s. While the idea of being transported to another world isn’t new, isekai was uncommon before the huge success of Sword Art Online. Back then, seeing a character suddenly thrust into an otherworldly adventure felt fresh and unique. Plus, most shows were trying out new ideas or borrowing from other genres, instead of just following the same old formula.

Even after all this time, The Vision of Escaflowne stands out as a remarkably engaging isekai anime – and that’s saying something, considering how many I’ve seen. It features a strong, capable female lead without making her unrealistically powerful, and cleverly mixes high fantasy, sci-fi, giant robots, and romance into a truly compelling story. The animation by Sunrise is also excellent, as you’d expect from their classic work. If the show hadn’t been cut short, losing about a third of its planned story, The Vision of Escaflowne could have easily been one of the greatest anime of the 1990s.

Has The Vision of Escaflowne Aged Well?

It’s surprising how well The Vision of Escaflowne holds up today. While many ‘isekai’ stories feel overdone now, this series feels more like a traditional fantasy adventure than most modern takes on that genre.

33. You’re Under Arrest (Season 1 & OVA)

MyAnimeList: 7.53 (Season 1)

I debated whether to include You’re Under Arrest because some of its episodes aired in the 2000s. But ultimately, I decided it really feels like a ’90s anime – that’s when it was at its peak, in my opinion, and it deserves a spot here. Plus, good cop procedural anime are rare, and this one is definitely among the best ever made.

Compared to anime like Patlabor, this series is much more relaxed and realistic in its portrayal of the job. While there are occasional moments of high stakes, they’re rare. You’re Under Arrest is primarily a lighthearted workplace comedy that happens to take place at a police station. The show’s charm comes from its endearing characters, not action, mystery, or suspense. Although the anime might run a bit long, you can still enjoy a random episode whenever you want a feel-good experience.

Has You’re Under Arrest Aged Well?

The OVAs actually hold up better than the original TV series, mainly because the animation is noticeably improved. Still, the series is generally fun to watch, particularly if you’re in the mood for a light and breezy police anime – those aren’t super common, after all.

32. Remi, Nobody’s Girl (Or Sans Family)

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Many of the shows from the classic World Masterpiece Theater series have been forgotten over the years. By the 1990s, the series had been running for about thirty years and was facing difficulties, though it still managed to create a few worthwhile adaptations. Remi, Nobody’s Girl was the final one from this era, and it was a bit of an unexpected choice since Hector Malot’s Sans Familie had already been successfully turned into an anime in the 1970s. To make this new version stand out, the creators decided to change the main character’s gender while mostly keeping the original story intact.

The anime Remi, Nobody’s Girl is a solid adaptation of the original story, and manages to cover a lot of ground in its 26 episodes. While the story can be quite serious, it also includes lighter, everyday moments. However, it’s hard to recommend wholeheartedly since it isn’t currently available on any major streaming services. If you’re a fan of the book and can find it, though, Remi, Nobody’s Girl is definitely worth checking out.

Has Remi, Nobody’s Girl Aged Well?

The story remains relevant even today. While the animation isn’t cutting-edge, it’s still perfectly enjoyable to watch.

31. Tenchi Muyo!

MyAnimeList Score: 7.61 (Ryo-Ohki Season 1)

Though it’s become less popular recently, Tenchi Muyo! was incredibly influential in the 1990s. It originally started as an OVA series called Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, and then expanded with two more series – Tenchi Universe and Tenchi in Tokyo – all during the ’90s. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Tenchi Muyo! was consistently popular and played a key role in shaping the harem anime genre.

While the series feels a bit old-fashioned now, it’s important to remember that many of the things it does – the familiar storylines and jokes – weren’t as common when it first came out in the early ’90s. The humor and animation still work well today, and even though I didn’t watch Tenchi Muyo as a kid, I actually enjoyed the original ’90s episodes more than the newer ones.

Has Tenchi Muyo! Aged Well?

It’s a bit of both. Tenchi Muyo is a definite recommendation for those who enjoy harem anime, but others might not find it as appealing. The show also has some noticeable inconsistencies, especially in its OVA episodes.

30. Digimon Adventure

MyAnimeList Score: 7.78

Digimon Adventure is about a group of friends who find themselves in a digital world filled with creatures called Digimon. They each receive a special device that allows their Digimon to grow stronger, and they discover they’re destined to protect this world from an evil threat.

Many kids growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s first experienced anime through shows like Dragon Ball, Pokemon, and Digimon Adventure. While it might not resonate as strongly with viewers discovering it today, the original 1999 Digimon Adventure series remains excellent, offering a compelling mix of action, adventure, emotional depth, and character growth. Compared to Pokemon, Digimon Adventure told a more serious and expansive story, even venturing into surprisingly dark territory.

Has Digimon Adventure Aged Well?

Digimon Adventure remains a really fun anime and is easily one of the best choices for kids. If you didn’t grow up with the original, you might not enjoy it as much, but I’d still suggest giving it a try if you’re looking for an exciting adventure.

29. Dear Brother

MyAnimeList: 7.85

Inspired by a manga by Riyoko Ikeda, Dear Brother is just as captivating as her famous work, The Rose of Versailles. This 1991 anime, set in a boarding school for girls, offers a surprisingly honest and sometimes difficult portrayal of teenage life, exploring issues like suicide, fitting in, and emotional control. Much of the story’s drama comes from the school’s powerful sorority, which has a strong and often controlling influence over the students.

Dear Brother doesn’t shy away from showing its characters at their worst, letting them make truly terrible choices driven by pride, envy, and spite. But the anime balances this with realistic, everyday moments that make the characters feel like people, not just plot devices. While it does include some romantic relationships between girls, this aspect isn’t as central as you might anticipate given the show’s setup.

Has Dear Brother Aged Well?

To be honest, Dear Brother holds up surprisingly well compared to most older anime, particularly those with lesbian or gay romance elements.

28. Ranma ½

MyAnimeList Score: 7.77

Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½ is a classic shonen manga that still holds up incredibly well today. While the original manga is fantastic, a brand new anime adaptation that premiered in Fall 2024 is a perfect way for new fans to discover the series. It features excellent animation and the same timeless humor that made Ranma ½ so beloved.

Even so, the original Ranma ½ anime remains a classic and is definitely worth checking out if you enjoyed the newer version and want to see more. The first two seasons closely follow the manga and feature the show’s best episodes – most of which originally aired in the 1980s. After that, the series starts adding a lot of filler content, with five seasons of generally funny moments but limited growth for the characters or their relationships. Aside from a few truly bad episodes, Ranma ½ is enjoyable from beginning to end.

Has Ranma ½ Aged Well?

The first two seasons of Ranma ½ are excellent, but the quality of the anime becomes uneven and sometimes disappointing after that. The new release in 2024 also makes the original series less appealing, as there’s not much reason to watch the older version when the first two seasons are so strong.

27. Crayon Shin-chan

MyAnimeList: 7.80

Crayon Shin-chan is still being made today, but it’s best remembered as a classic from the 1990s, and a big part of that decade’s pop culture. What makes it so enduring, though, is how funny it is – the humor is playfully mischievous without being offensive, which means it still holds up well over time.

Even though it has a lot of episodes, this anime from the ’90s is a great way to relax after a tough day. You can jump into any episode for a good laugh, since the stories aren’t connected. After all these years, Crayon Shin-chan remains incredibly popular, and its playful main character has become a well-known cultural icon.

Has Crayon Shin-chan Aged Well?

Yeah, Crayon Shin-chan is still great. Just pick random episodes and have a good laugh.

26. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor

MyAnimeList Score: 7.84

Ultimately, an anime just needs to be enjoyable, and The Irresponsible Captain Tylor definitely delivers. Space operas were popular in the ’80s and early ’90s, so it was inevitable that someone would create a comedy that playfully poked fun at the genre’s familiar elements. What makes The Irresponsible Captain Tylor stand out is that it works well as a standard space opera – with a very lucky main character – even while it’s parodying the genre.

Tylor unexpectedly becomes captain of the Soyokaze, a rundown ship with a rather unusual crew. Despite constantly facing serious challenges, Tylor and his team often find themselves in bizarre and comical predicaments, and somehow, Tylor manages to succeed despite his clumsiness.

Has The Irresponsible Captain Tylor Aged Well?

Despite being rooted in the mecha sci-fi comedies of the 80s and early 90s, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor remains surprisingly funny and holds up remarkably well today. It’s still a hilarious watch even if you’re not familiar with those older shows.

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2026-03-26 00:42