The 90s represented a golden age of anime, with countless beloved series getting their start during the decade. From Sailor Moon and Neon Genesis Evangelion to Berserk and Rurouni Kenshinit's hard to pick the most prolific show from this time period, and dozens are still relevant in the cultural zeitgeist of 2026. But plenty of releases that attracted massive audiences and amassed large fan bases at the time have all but faded from memory, and some newcomers to the community may never have heard of them at all.
Best anime from the 90s
The 1990s were a great time for anime, and several 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, a host of anime releases from the 90s have been lost to the endless flow of time. Boasting the nostalgic art style of the era, these comics each bring something to the table, once dominating the conversation at anime conventions and school lunch tables and maintaining status in a pre-internet era. Watching them in the current year can feel like walking into a door to a simpler time, and veterans and green anime fans alike might consider picking them up.
Kyo Kara Ore Wa!!
Takashi Mitsuhashi and Shinji Ito, both high school students, meet one day at a salon and soon realize that they are both transferring to a new school. This is the perfect opportunity to reinvent themselves, and they take the opportunity to do so, tired of being average teenagers. Looking for some adventure, both Takashi and Shinji decide to become the biggest criminals in all of Japan, with Takashi dying his hair blonde and leaning into his selfish side, and Shinji spiking his hair and often fighting other villains to preserve his own sense of justice.
With over 40 million copies in circulation as of 2018 Kyo Kara Ore Wa manga inspired a 10-episode series of Pierrot (Naruto, Whiten) in the 90s, which continue to be very funny today. Although short, its slapstick comedy, well-written jokes and impressive visuals have not aged, and although it was later overshadowed by series such as Amazing teacher Onizuka and Gokusenit's a show that needs a comeback.
You are under arrest!
Inspired by Kosuke Fujishima's seinen manga series, the action buddy cop anime You are under arrest follows female police officers Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, both employed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Largely lacking an overarching narrative and instead following an episodic formula, the show focuses on the couple dealing with everyday criminals while protecting the people of the Japanese capital. Some episodes deal with heavier topics, such as suicide attempts and violence, while others are more casual in nature, with the girls occasionally doing something as innocuous as helping old ladies across the street.
The best way to describe You are under arrest is “charming,” with the series harkening back to a time when popular anime series didn't need to be hundreds of episodes long or super-over-the-top to gain a large fan base. Well animated and superbly written, the show showcases the human nature of those tasked with such a difficult job, balancing drama and humor without sacrificing the quality of either.
The irresponsible Captain Tylor
The world can never have enough fun space operas, which means that The irresponsible Captain Tylor needs to make a comeback in 2026. The 26-episode series is set in a super-technologically advanced future, and audiences are quickly introduced to Tylor, 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 caring, eventually joining the United Planet's Space Force and even gaining command of a powerful fighter after solving a high-voltage hostage situation. What can 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.
Packed with allusions to sci-fi megahits like Star Trek, The irresponsible Captain Tylor manages to pack an engaging plot, well-written characters and perfectly executed parody into one incredible package. Note that the series was produced by several of Japan's most prolific animation studios, including Tatsunoko Production (Speed Racer, Samurai Pizza Cats) and Big West (Macross).
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
El-Hazard: The Magnificent World
Makoto Mizuhara, Katsuhiko Jinnai and Nanami Jinnai are high school students who suddenly find themselves transported to the magical world of El-Hazard, along with their history teacher, Masamichi Fujisawa. Upon arrival, they find themselves unceremoniously dumped in the middle of a war between several human nations and the Bugrom tribe, made up of human-sized insectoid creatures who want to assert their dominance. They are ruled by Queen Diva, and while this gives the protagonists a goal, it seems that something more dangerous is going on behind the scenes.
A classic example of the isekai genre, El-Hazard: The Magnificent World boasts multiple sequels and is a prime example of what can happen when creators don't shy away from their own weirdness. From its beautifully crafted fantasy world and bits of melodrama to its crazy characters and bizarre villains, every episode is an adventure from start to finish, and it's completely impossible to predict what will happen next.
Over the years, some anime have earned the title of “masterpiece”, and Key the Metal Idol was once just one such example, though it has been largely forgotten by fans. The psychological anime series follows Tokiko Mima, nicknamed “Key”, who believes herself to be a robot created by her grandfather. On her birthday every year, Key believes the scientist builds her a new body, bigger each time. Before his death, her grandfather reveals that Key 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, all is not as it seems.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
It's hard to put your finger on which part of Key the Metal Idol is the most impressive. Its animation is unabashedly vintage, and while its story is fairly simple, there is complexity there that makes itself known only 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 medium as a whole, even if that impact has largely been buried.
Key the Metal Idol is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Otaku no video
Those looking for an easily addictive series need look no further, as Otaku no video consists of only two episodes — but what a journey those episodes are. Released in 1991, the Gainax-produced OVA is perhaps one of the funniest parodies ever produced, poking fun at the daily lives of anime fans and serving as a time capsule of what the culture looked like 30 years ago. A strange mix of real-life documentary and anime-style fiction, the short series chronicles the life of Ken Kubo, who hopes to one day become Otaking, the ultimate anime and manga enthusiast.
Based on the experiences of Gainax employees, Otaku no video is a certified piece of anime history, but one that many in the community haven't had the pleasure of seeing. It's hard not to laugh from beginning to end, and even the most die-hard anime fans won't mind being butted by a few jokes here and there, given their accuracy. The world may have changed, but it seems the life of an anime and manga fan has largely remained the same.
