popular Animation released in the 1980s It is still available on major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. Retrocrush is another platform that contains some of the most well-known classic animations such as: Key the metal idol and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Watermakes it easier for fans to access decades-old gems.
Despite this, many anime from the 80s are no longer available on streaming platforms due to declining interest and complicated licensing issues. Before you pick up any of these overlooked '80s animations on any platform, you'll be faced with the challenge of determining whether there's enough demand among viewers to justify distribution and promotion.
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8
Mr. Ajikko
Released in 1987
Before anime fans even knew Shokugeki no SomaYukihira, Boy who is a cooking expert Liu Maoxing, and RicoThere was a cooking animation called Toriko, the main character of . Mr. Ajikko. It is based on Daisuke Terasawa's manga of the same name and was released on Japanese television by Studio Sunrise in October 1987.
Mr. Ajikko Enter Yoichi Ajiyoshi, a 14-year-old cooking prodigy who defeats fellow master chefs in a fierce cooking competition. Although most adult chefs often underestimate Yoichi, Ajiko's protagonist always wins in the end with her delicious dishes.
7
Sunny Ryoko
Released in 1987
If you're a fan of Rumiko Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku, you've probably heard of Mitsuru Adachi's Sunny Ryoko series. Both classic anime share the same setting, with the female lead living with her love interest, resulting in some fun everyday interactions between the characters.
however Sunny RyokoKasumi Kishimoto lives with four male students at Aunt Chigusa's boarding house. There, she meets Yusaku Takasugi, who steadily gains Kasumi's love and affection. The only problem is that Kasumi already has a boyfriend living abroad, making their setup overly complicated.
6
kabocha wine
Released in 1982
kabocha wine is another 80s rom-com animation that is hard to watch these days. Not because of the outdated animation and tropes, but because the series isn't available anywhere on streaming platforms. Despite running for over 90 episodes, The Kabocha Wine's content remains largely inaccessible to fans.
kabocha wine This is the story of Shunsuke Aoba, a short high school student who falls in love with Natsumi, a tall and curvaceous beauty. Despite their notable height difference, Aoba and Natsumi eventually succeed and become the school's odd couple.
5
touch
Released in 1985
touch is one of the best-known '80s anime on this list, but there are currently no streaming platforms in its library. Released in March 1985, Touch aired 101 episodes about three childhood friends, particularly their love of baseball and romantic feelings for each other.
touch is not just a sports anime, it's a romance and drama series where every character develops deeply through relationships, personal struggles, and dreams that play just as important a role as the game itself.
4
charge!! boys' private school
Released in 1988
Animation featuring bullies was particularly popular in the 80s, reflecting a period when school violence and gang culture were prevalent in Japanese media. charge!! boys' private schoolOr simply Otokojuku is one of those badass anime released in the 80s, famous for its realistic fight scenes and well-drawn character expressions.
In Otokojuku, delinquents gather and undergo rigorous training to revive the spirit of Japan. Through the principal's feudal and military training, Heihachi Edaijima transforms delinquent students into figures of honor, including the protagonist Momotaro Tsurugi.
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)
3
Attacker you!
Released in 1984
Attacker you! is a sports animation based on volleyball that has gained enormous recognition from European fans despite low viewership ratings in Japan. The series delves deeper into not only the 80's anime in which protagonist Yu Hazaki is obsessed with volleyball, but also her personal relationships with her parents, as well as rivals, love interests, and teammates.
The story begins with Yu Hazaki transferring to Hikawa Middle School after spending most of his life in the countryside. The bustling city of Tokyo is a new environment for Yu, but she is determined to play volleyball again and compete against other teams while also learning about her parents' relationship.
2
Game Center Arashi
Released in 1982
Game Center Arashi was an iconic 80s anime because it was the first series to feature an avid gamer as the main character. Arashi Ishino is a competitive gamer whose goal is to conquer all the video games in the world. He has the talent to back up his grand ambitions, as his talent for the game is far superior to that of other players.
from Game Center Arashi Inspired by Arashi Ishino and his passion for games, this series naturally features iconic games such as Galaxian, Breakout, and Space Invaders, even though they are not directly referenced in the series. If you're an anime fan with a keen interest in gaming, don't miss this show.
1
glass mask
Released in 1984
Nowadays, anime viewers have an easier time watching it. glass maskInstead of an animated series, it was adapted into a live-action adaptation on the streaming platform. After all, the anime is now over 40 years old, having released 22 episodes from April to September 1984 with the help of Studio Eiken.
Pan Oshinoko Glass Mask can be a lot of fun to watch, as both animated series focus on the entertainment industry, exploring the struggles, competition, and personal sacrifices that come with chasing stardom.
In Glass Mask, the protagonist Maya Kitajima has a natural acting talent, but due to limited opportunities, she struggles to find a suitable stage to showcase her abilities until she meets Chigusa Tsukikage. Her rival Ayumi Himekawa shares the same passion for acting, but she receives more attention thanks to her popular parents.
