Whether you started watching anime in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, or even the 2010s, there will always be a few shows that just stick with you. Every decade has its standouts, and many of them are still fondly remembered today, while some have unfortunately gone under the radar.
We all have a certain anime that defined our early viewing experiences. It doesn't matter if you grew up watching them or if you just came across them while getting into anime. Here are some great nostalgic anime to sit back and watch over the weekend.
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Mobile Suit Gundam
The first one Mobile Suit Gundam anime started what would become a hugely successful franchise. Although it didn't take off at first, Gundam found its footing thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Gunpla models, saved the franchise and allowed it to grow into what it is today.
The original series may be a bit dated in terms of its animation, but it still looks great and has that great retro anime vibe and aesthetic. Mobile Suit Gundam has one of the most compelling stories in anime, and while other entries in the franchise have strong stories, there's something about the original that's hard to beat.
Naruto
If you grew up watching shonen anime in the 2000s, chances are you were a Naruto fan. One of Weekly Shonen Jump's “Big 3”, Naruto introduced an entire generation to anime and remains a popular franchise and a great gateway to the medium.
The sequel series, Borutois currently going strong, but for some fans, the original can't be beat. Naruto's underdog journey is always one to watch, and the weekend is a good time to start that journey again if you haven't visited Konohagakure in a while.
Trigun
When you think of great 90s anime, there are a few series that immediately jump to mind. Titles like Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Neon Genesis Evangelionand Cowboy Bebop get a lot of love, but a series that has slowly gained more recognition in recent years is Trigun.
It was never an obscure anime by any means, as the series gained much of its Western popularity thanks to its airing on Adult Swim in the early 2000s. For many people, Trigun was a unique first look at what anime had to offer. It still holds up as an absolute gem and is always worth re-watching.
Dragon Ball Z
It's safe to say that Dragon Ball Z served as many anime fans' first series. Still one of the most popular anime out there, Dragon Ball Z had everything. Action, adventure, a few laughs here and there and an interesting world courtesy of the late, great Akira Toriyama.
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Dragon Ball would inspire tons of comics that came after it, with some of the tropes popularized by the series being used and expanded upon in other notable titles over the years. It can take a while to get through, but Dragon Ball is always a fun time.
Angel Beats!
One of the more modern anime on this list, Angel Beats! is nearly two decades old. It might feel a little strange to say to some, but Jun Maeda and PA Works' emotionally charged tale of a group of high school students caught up in the afterlife is approaching “retro” status.
You can definitely quit Angel Beats! in a weekend, or even in just one sitting. It's definitely a tearjerker, but don't let that scare you if you've never seen it. For anime fans who started watching in the 2010s, Angel Beats! stands out as one of the best the decade has to offer.
Samurai Champloo
Shinichiro Watanabe is often praised for his work with Cowboy Bebopand for good reason. While it would also have been a perfect nostalgic series to revisit, another Watanabe series, Samurai Champloogets the nod here.
Samurai Champloo aired on Adult Swim in the 2000s, introducing the series to many viewers in the West and giving it a following that is still going strong today. The show's incredible aesthetic, strong lead trio, and amazing soundtrack, including music by Nujabes, make Samurai Champloo one of those nostalgic anime you have to pick up again every now and then.
Dirty Pair
The 80s was a good decade for anime. Many of the best 80s anime are still fondly remembered today, with one of them Dirty Pair.
Although it is more of a niche series than e.g. Dragon Ball or Fist of the North Star, Dirty Pair has its fans and is remembered for its effect on the girls with guns genre. The series is carried by its incredible duo, Kei and Yuri, who have amazing chemistry and make every episode a blast. The series exudes 80s aesthetics but with a futuristic touch, making it as much of a visual experience as a solid storytelling experience.
