Over the years, anime has become incredibly popular. What was once considered a niche hobby has become something watched and appreciated by millions upon millions of people. Anime like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are at the top of streaming sites like Netflix, while legendary series like Naruto are talked about years after they finished. But anime's influence on our lives may be much older than we realize.
Back in the day, even when we didn't realize what anime was, we watched and enjoyed it. Many fans today have grown up watching popular titles from the 90s on television. Of course, everyone watched shows like Doraemon and Pokemon. However, several shonen titles were also enjoyed by children and teenagers worldwide. The following are some of the most iconic and beloved 90s shonen anime that you may have grown up with.
5 Best 90s Anime You Can Stream on Netflix
As anime continues to see a huge rise in popularity in the West, streaming platform Netflix has added some classic 90s shows to keep busy.
Amazing teacher Onizuka
Once a fearsome gang leader, Onizuka decides to change his life and become a teacher. But his motivation is neither fantastic nor mature. He simply wants to teach high school students so he can find a young wife who will still be beautiful when he gets older. On the surface, Great Teacher Onizuka doesn't seem like an impressive show. With humor now feeling over the top and problematic, GTO may not be watchable for new viewers.
But the themes that emerge from this humor are what make this a memorable anime. Onizuka is silly and funny, but he also really cares about his students. He transforms himself from a criminal to a great teacher who connects with his students. Using empathy and unconventional methods, he helps his students escape personal problems. It's a great coming-of-age story that fans remember for its iconic main character.
Trigun
Infamous throughout cities for causing immeasurable destruction, Vash the Stampede has a $60 billion dollar county over his head. But the reality is quite different. Contrary to rumors, Vash is actually a kind-hearted man who wants to stay far away from violence. As bandits, bounty hunters and insurance agents continue to pursue Vash, his true nature is revealed to others.
Set in a Western society, Trigun immediately appealed to Western fans. It begins in a very comical way and continues to do so, but also with deeper philosophical themes, making it more than just a comedy. There is plenty of action and interesting characters that complement each other perfectly.
Ranma ½
Tendou Souun eagerly awaits his good friend and son, Ranma, whom he wishes one of his daughters to marry. But when he finally meets Ranma, he is shocked to find out that Ranma is actually a girl! But a bigger shock occurs when Ranma turns into a man! Juggling between two genders, Ranma and his father are welcomed into the Tendou household.
Ranma ½ is pretty easy. It has an interesting premise, but doesn't develop much plot-wise. Its highlight is the fun and entertaining daily life of its large cast of likable characters. It largely focuses on making viewers laugh, and that's enough for some fans to remember it as a great show.
Mobile suit Gundam Wing
The massive universe of the Gundam series has been going strong so far. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing was not an exceptional series. It was fun but by no means a masterpiece. Without its sequel, it doesn't feel complete, but it had a big impact. It introduced the Gundam universe to many new eyes. Actively airing on Toonami introduced a large audience to the genre and the beloved franchise.
Case closed
Case Closed, also known as Detective Conan, is a long-running series that has over 1000 episodes. Similar to other long-running anime like Doraemon, it focuses on a group of kids working together. However, with incidents such as murders and other serious series, it is aimed at an older audience and therefore qualifies as a shonen.
Instead of following a strictly singular plot. The anime tells a series of different mysteries. The long-lasting blend of comedy and mystery makes it an anime that everyone has at least heard of.
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Guess the anime from the emojis.
Light (120s) Medium (90s) Hard (60s)
Rurouni Kenshin
Once living the life of a legendary assassin, Kenshin gave up his former life and became a wandering swordsman. One day he encounters a young woman named Kaoru who tries to stop Kenshin by claiming to be the famous assassin: Battousai. But when an impostor shows up, her suspicions are swept away. But when danger looms again, Kenshin reveals his identity and saves Kaoru.
Rurouni Kenshin is an iconic historical anime filled with action, comedy and romance. It explores the past of an evil warrior and has themes of redemption and finding a new purpose.
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk is considered a sports anime classic. Hanamichi, after having his heart broken 50 times in a row, begins to hate basketball. But this changes immediately after he meets Haruko, who asks if he likes basketball. Hoping to impress Haruko, he attempts a Slam Dunk and fails miserably. Despite his failure, Haruko is impressed and invites him to join the basketball team.
Slam Dunk is famous for its realistic sports action and has a large cast of characters. Each plays their own role well. There is plenty of comedy, personal motives, rivalries and romantic interests. It perfectly depicts high school life with sports.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yuusuke is a delinquent who is disliked by most of his classmates and teachers. Annoyed with his school life, he runs away from school and meets a young boy. Seeing the young boy in danger, he steps in to save him and dies as a consequence. When he opens his eyes, he sees the aftermath of his death. Visited by a cruel reaper named Botan, he is offered a trial to regain his life.
Yu Yu Hakusho connected with fans through a story that has it all. There is comedy and emotion, there is fantasy mixed with ordinary school life. But above all, there are characters that feel real. It explores empathy, friendship and the possibility of choice.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Fifteen years after a disaster struck the world, danger arises again when angels attack humanity. Protecting humanity are large, powerful humanoid robots called Evangelion, controlled by mere teenagers. As the fight to protect the world continues, bigger plans lie beneath.
Evangelion is often considered one of the greatest anime. It reinvented the mecha genre by moving away from the typical action-focused plots to a psychologically focused and darker theme. It is iconic and often dubbed as the show that saved anime. Although it is a shonen, it deals with many themes that seem appropriate for an older audience.
Evangelion's cultural and emotional impact is enormous. It has given fans characters that will always be cherished by fans and a complex, depressing and disturbing yet beloved story.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a name that even non-anime viewers have known for years. Without a doubt, it is the most iconic series of the 90s. It set a standard for the next generation of shonen anime with high-stakes battles, iconic character transformations, and themes of personal growth.
It has its visible flaws with fillers and a sense of repetition in themes, but there's no denying that every kid enjoyed or at least had heard of this international hit.
The animes mentioned are all responsible for shaping many fans' teenage years. Today, they have become the springboard to what has become a global phenomenon. Each holds an important place in fans' hearts, filled with nostalgia and adoration.
