Since the anime boom began in earnest in the West, numerous series have left a permanent mark. In legacy series such as: dragon ball and Sailor Moon To recent heavy hitters such as: demon slayer and Chainsaw ManMany series aren't likely to disappear from the scene anytime soon, and they continue to attract fans years after their initial release. But this medium is not only shaped by big names, and many past niche releases still linger in the minds of viewers despite being largely forgotten by the community at large.
The best animation of the 90s
The 1990s were the heyday of animation, and many series from that time remain popular today. Here are the best anime of that decade.
From science fiction and fantasy to drama and slapstick comedy, these eight series may ring a bell to those who have been in anime fandom for decades, but newcomers may be in the dark about these cult classics. Nonetheless, they mostly hold up in 2026 and may be worth watching for nostalgia or a bit of classic animation education. After all, a show doesn't necessarily have to develop into a multi-million dollar franchise to be a great watch.
Livius the Infinite
Two hundred years in the future, space travel is commonplace and becoming an astronaut is a standard career path. 16-year-old Koji Aiba decides to leave Earth to study the Ribe Delta space station, along with many other young people who want to see the far reaches of the solar system. This isn't so simple, as one day a gas attack causes the station to start freefall and forces the instructors to sacrifice themselves to save their students from certain death. Now completely stranded in space and abandoned on Earth, the students must learn how to survive in the 1999 sci-fi animated series. lord of the flies vibration.
Although the series' story and characters quickly became popular among science fiction fans, it was the music that made Infinite Ryvius famous. The show's soundtrack was an effortless blend of hip-hop and J-pop, and its theme song blared through speakers at nearly every anime convention in the early 2000s. Besides, the fans Gundam SEED may recognize Livius the Infinite' Because the art style is characters and machines created by Hisashi Hirai.
mage hunter
In the world mage hunterPeople are divided into two groups: magic users called sorcerers and non-magical users called parsoners. Because those in power do not, sorcerers often use their abilities to dominate and exploit Parsoners with little resistance. The Sorceress Hunters are on a mission to stop this injustice under the leadership of a saint named 'Big Mama', the head of the Stella Church. While their goals are admirable, this group of misfits aren't exactly what people expect when it comes to heroes.
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when mage hunter Released in the mid-90s, the game immediately garnered a legion of devoted fans with memorable character designs that seemed like they were made for the cosplay community. Although some people called it outright plagiarism Urusei YatsuraThe series has carved out a niche for itself, especially with its somewhat bizarre mix of slapstick comedy and highly emotional storylines that many viewers weren't expecting after its goofy debut. If you're a fan of heroic fantasy, you should give this series a try. Especially if you like ecchi.
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kaleido star
Fans of Cirque du Soleil or the cozy shojo series will not want to miss the 2003 production. kaleido star. The colorful series follows Sora Naegino, a young girl with incredible acrobatic talents, on a mission to win a coveted spot at the Kaleido Stage, the world-famous circus she has been obsessed with since childhood. But talent isn't everything. Whether it's her bravery, competitive spirit, or something else entirely, Sora must work her way up from nothing to win the hearts of those around her. From outright acts of vandalism to performance-impairing injuries, each episode is a testament to our inspiring protagonist's work ethic and unwavering dedication to her passion.
The best slice-of-life animations of all time, ranking (2026 version)
Whether it's comedy, drama, or romance, slice-of-life animation is like a warm blanket that provides comfort on a cold night.
kaleido star It's one of those cozy anime series that will give you just the right amount of inspiration to get your life back on track. Consisting of 51 episodes over two seasons, this show is full of fun, and those who watched it when it first aired are still singing its praises 20 years later. The pacing is solid, the characters are well-rounded, and it's easy to feel like you're next to Sora as he goes through many trials and tribulations on his way to the top.
excel saga
A secret organization known as Across has called the world itself completely corrupt. In an effort to claim world domination and get things back on track, leader Il Palazzo tasks his officers Excel and Hyatt with integrating into Japanese society and changing things from within. Every day, the pair find themselves in numerous predicaments, with Excel's boundless, unchecked energy and Hyatt's near-constant nosebleeds and fainting making their work nearly impossible.
best way to explain excel saga ’s confusing and ridiculous premise, wacky characters, and paired with countless pictures from the animation industry as a whole have cemented it in the annals of history for longtime members of the community. Upon its debut in 2003, critical and commercial reception was very positive, and this has stood the test of time, even as the series declined with the advent of new comedies. goofy fan monty python It would be remiss not to give up the skit. excel saga Those who want to turn their heads off and laugh 26 times in a row need look no further.
half-dress
As seen before Livius the InfiniteThe late 90s and early 2000s were the heyday of the science fiction genre. Space opera with added comedy half-dress It tells the story of the male-only planet Tarak and the female-only planet Mezzir, who have been at war for years. When the Taraak warship is attacked and captured by female pirates, the commander decides to remotely destroy the ship with the invaders on board. However, this fails and somehow the Taraakian vessel and the woman's vessel merge to create a new vessel, the NirVana. The men and women on board must learn to coexist, which is easier said than done.
Who is that character?
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
start
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Eternal Death (2.5 seconds)
The series' clean animation style, lively soundtrack, and unique premise made it a huge hit when it launched in 2000, but it has long since disappeared from science fiction discourse. The inclusion of harem elements may be off-putting to some, but the surprising depth and fast-paced mecha action is half-dress A cult classic with a serious heart. Pan Gundam or Macross Check out this series from legendary animation studio Gonzo.
Nodame Cantabile
Some more realistic items for this list include: Nodame Cantabile It follows Shinichi Chiaki, a senior student at Momogaoka College of Music. He plays the violin but has a secret goal of becoming a composer one day. Taking a strict, no-nonsense approach to his craft, he struggles as he cannot leave Japan due to his fear of flying. Then one day he meets Nodame, a genius piano player who plays by ear. The two clash in every way, but their passion for music brings them together, and they grow closer as they strive to achieve their individual goals.
This adaptation of Tomoko Ninomiya's manga series was a huge hit in 2007, and the musical romantic comedy story has inspired several other major works. The live-action drama and anime series aired in Japan in 2006 and ran for three seasons, as well as several classical music albums and video games. As of early 2023, the manga series had nearly 40 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. It's a shame that anime is so often forgotten in lieu of more recent series focusing on music.
blue seed
Momiji believes that he is an ordinary middle school student living in rural Japan, but this is far from the truth. One day, she is attacked by a man calling herself Kushinada, an ancient princess with the power to stop a monster called Aragami. As ridiculous as it may sound, it turns out to be true, and Momiji's life takes a terrible turn when a secret government agency tasks him with saving Japan by sacrificing himself to appease these beasts. Instead of accepting her death, the middle school student chooses to fight Aragami and learn all she can from her new friends and mentor.
Full of action, drama and unexpected romance, blue seed It perfectly encapsulates the animation style of the mid-90s and is the perfect entry point for modern fans looking to take a walk through the history of the medium. Although there is some slapstick comedy, the show's story is quite heavy and violent, so be forewarned.
Weiss Kreuz
This is probably the most niche entry on this list. Weiss Kreuz The anime series that aired in 1998 has become a cult classic starring Bishonen, but the action and plot aren't bad. The series tells the story of four handsome assassins who work at a flower shop by day, fight crime by night, and take on villains that even law enforcement can't touch. Each member of the group fights for their own purpose, another classic series fans will love. SaiyukiYou can see some similarities.
Strangely enough, Weiss Kreuz was created by Koyasu Takehito, who has been working as a voice actor since 1987. Recently he played the role of Kraft in the movie. Freeren: Beyond the end of the journeyAnd he recently reprized his role as Faust VIII. Shaman King Reboot. It may be hard to track down today, but it's a show worth seeing, especially if you're a fan of the classic '90s animation aesthetic.
