The 90s represented the golden age of animation, with countless beloved series making their debuts during the decade. from Sailor Moon and Neon Genesis Evangelion who Berserk and Rurouni KensinIt's hard to pick the most iconic show from this time period, and dozens still remain relevant in the cultural zeitgeist in 2026. However, many releases that drew large audiences and amassed large fanbases have faded from memory, and some newcomers to the community have never heard of them.
The best anime from the 90s
The 1990s was a great time for anime, and many series from the era are still popular today. Here are the best anime from that decade.
From comedy and high fantasy to satire and sci-fi, 90s anime releases have been lost in the never-ending flow of time. These series boast an age-old art style, and each brings something to the table, once dominating conversation at anime conventions and school lunch tables and maintaining a status in the pre-internet era. Watching them in recent years can feel like entering the gates of an easier time, and both veterans and green anime fans might consider picking them up.
Kyo Kara Ore Wa!!
Takashi Mitsuhashi and Shinji Ito, both high school students, meet at a salon one day and soon realize they are both transferring to new schools. It's the perfect opportunity to reinvent themselves, and they take the opportunity to do so, sick and tired of being average teenagers. Seeking some courage, both Takashi and Shinji decide to become the biggest criminals in Japan, with Takashi dying his hair blonde and succumbing to his selfish side, and Shinji cutting his hair and often fighting other villains to preserve his sense of justice.
With over 40 million copies in circulation as of 2018, the Kyo kara ore wa The manga inspired a 10-episode series by Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach) in the '90s, which continues to be wildly fun today. Although short, its slapstick comedy, well-written jokes, and impressive visuals never got old, and were later eclipsed by similar series. The great teacher Onizuka and GokusenThis is a show that needs a comeback.
You are under arrest!
Action body cop anime, inspired by Kosuke Fujishima's Seinen manga series You are under arrest Follows Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, female police officers working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Rather than largely lacking an overarching story and following an episodic formula, the show focuses on the duo dealing with everyday criminals while keeping the people of the Japanese capital safe. Some episodes deal with more serious topics such as suicide attempts and violence, while others are more relaxed in nature, with the girls occasionally doing innocent things like helping old women cross the street.
Best way to describe it You are under arrest It's 'catchy', the series harkens back to a time when popular anime series didn't need to be hundreds of episodes long or super over-the-top to win a large fanbase. Well-animated and brilliantly written, the show highlights the human nature of those who work in such a difficult job, and balances drama and humor without sacrificing any of the virtues.
Irresponsible Captain Tyler
There can't be enough funny space operas in the world, I mean Irresponsible Captain Tyler Need to make a comeback in 2026. The 26-episode series takes place in a super technologically advanced future, and viewers are quickly introduced to Tyler, a mysterious man who doesn't seem to have a single coherent thought or life plan. Throughout the series, he often escapes near-death situations without a care, eventually joining the United Planet Space Force and even gaining command of a powerful destroyer after solving a high-stress hostage situation. What could go wrong?
Feeling nostalgic? Here are 7 '90s anime you can stream right now on Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is home to some of the best anime the 90s had to offer. You can stream these series there right now.
Like full of allusions to sci-fi mega hits Star Trek, Irresponsible Captain Tyler It manages to pack a compelling plot, well-written characters, and perfectly executed parody into one incredible package. Note, the series was produced by many of Japan's most popular animation studios, including Tatsuno's Productions (Speed Racer, Samurai Pizza Cat) and Big West (macros).
Irresponsible Captain Tyler is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Al-Hazard: The Magnificent World
Makoto Mizuhara, Katsuhiko Jinnai and Nanami Jinnai are high school students who suddenly find themselves in the magical world of Al-Hazard along with history teacher Masamichi Fujisawa. Upon arrival, they find themselves unceremoniously thrown into the middle of a war between several human nations and the Bugrom tribes, human-sized insectoid creatures trying to establish their dominance. They are ruled by Queen Diva, and this gives the heroes a target, it seems that something dangerous is at work behind the scenes.
A classic example of the Isekai genre, Al-Hazard: The Magnificent World It boasts many sequels and is a prime example of what can happen when creators don't shy away from their own weirdness. From its beautiful fantasy world and bits of melodrama to its quirky characters and outlandish bad guys, each episode is an adventure from start to finish, and it's completely impossible to predict what happens next.
Over the years, certain anime have earned the title of 'masterpiece', and Metal Idol key There was only one such instance, although it has largely been forgotten by fans. The psychological anime series follows Tokiko Mima, nicknamed 'Kunji', who believes she is a robot created by her grandfather. Every year on her birthday, Key thinks that the scientist will make her a new body, bigger each time. Before her death, her grandfather reveals that she can only become human with the help of 30,000 friends, and the girl tries to do so by becoming a Japanese pop idol to attract more people to her cause. However, not everything is as it seems.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
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Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
It's hard to tell which part is which Metal Idol key is the most influential. Its animation is flawlessly old, and its story is quite simple, there is a complexity that only makes itself known towards the end. The characters may be where the series shines the most, as every interaction feels important and intentional. There's no denying that the series had an impact on the entire medium, even if that impact has been largely buried.
Key Metal Idol is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Otaku has no video
Those looking for an easy series to binge look no further, eg Otaku has no video Only two episodes are included – but what a journey those episodes are. Released in 1991, the Gainax-produced OVA is perhaps one of the funniest spoofs out there, poking fun at the daily lives of anime fans and serving as a time capsule of what the culture was like 30 years ago. A unique blend of real-life documentary and anime-style fiction, the short series chronicles the life of Ken Kubo, who hopes to one day become an otake, the ultimate anime and manga enthusiast.
Based on the experience of Gainax employees, Otaku has no video Anime is a proven piece of history, but not many in the community have had the pleasure of watching it. It's not hard to laugh from start to finish, and even the most die-hard anime fans won't mind botching a few jokes here and there, given their accuracy. The world may have changed, but it seems that the lives of anime and manga fans have remained largely the same.
