Whether you started watching anime in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, or even in 2010, there are always some series that just grab you. Every decade has its merits and many of them are fondly remembered to this day, while some have unfortunately fallen into disrepute.
We all have a certain anime that defined our first viewing experience. It doesn't matter if you grew up with them or came across them when you got into anime. Here are some awesome nostalgic anime to sit down and watch over the weekend.
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Gundam mobile suit
First Gundam mobile suit anime kicked off what would be a massively successful franchise. Although it failed at first, Gundam found its footing thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Gunpla models, saving the franchise and allowing it to grow into what it is today.
The original series may be a little dated in terms of its animation, but it still looks great and has an amazing retro anime vibe and aesthetic. Gundam mobile suit has one of the most compelling stories in anime, and while other entries in the franchise boast 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 Naruto fan. One of Weekly Shonen Jump's 'Big 3', Naruto introduced an entire generation of anime and remains a popular franchise and a great gateway to the medium.
Sequel Series, Borutoit's currently going strong, but for some fans it won't beat the original. Naruto's underdog journey is always worth watching and the weekend is a great time to start that journey again if you haven't visited Konohagakure in a while.
Trigun
When you think of great anime from the 90s, several series immediately come to mind. Titles like Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Neon Genesis Evangelionand Cowboy Bebop get a lot of love, but one series that has slowly been gaining more recognition in recent years is Trigun.
It was never an obscure anime by any means, as the series gained a lot of Western popularity thanks to its airing on Adult Swim in the early 2000s. for a lot of people Trigun was a unique first look at what anime has to offer. It still holds up as an absolute gem and is always worth a look.
Dragon Ball Z
It can be said Dragon Ball Z served as the first series for many anime fans. Still one of the most popular anime around, Dragon Ball Z he had everything. Action, adventure, a laugh here and there, and an interesting world thanks to the late great Akira Toriyama.
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Dragon Ball would inspire tons of series that came after it, with some of the tropes the series popularized being used and expanded upon in other major titles over the years. It may 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 almost two decades old. Some may find it a little weird, but Jun Maeda and PA Works' emotionally charged story about a group of high schoolers stuck in the afterlife is approaching “retro” status.
You can definitely quit Angel Beats! per weekend, or even just for one sitting. It's definitely a tearjerker, but you shouldn't let it scare you if you've never seen it. For anime fans who started watching in 2010, Angel Beats! stands out as one of the best the decade has to offer.
Samurai Champloo
Shinichiro Watanabe is often praised for his work on Cowboy Bebopand for good reason. While this would also make a perfect nostalgic series to rewatch, another Watanabe series, Samurai Champloogets the nod here.
Samurai Champloo aired on Adult Swim in 2000, it introduced the series to many viewers in the West and garnered a following that is still going strong today. The series' incredible aesthetic, strong lead trio, and amazing soundtrack, including music by Nujabes, make Samurai Champloo one of those nostalgic anime that you have to pick up every now and again.
Dirty couple
The 80s was a great decade for anime. Many of the best anime from the 80s are still fondly remembered today, being one of them Dirty couple.
Although it's more of a niche series than, say, Dragon Ball or Fist of Polaris, Dirty couple has its fans and is remembered for its influence on the girl-with-guns genre. The series is carried by its incredible duo, Kei and Yuri, who have great chemistry and make each episode a blast. The series exudes an 80s aesthetic, but with a futuristic twist, making it as much a visual treat as it is a solid storytelling experience.
