The 1990s represented the golden age of anime, with countless beloved series being created during the decade. FROM Sailor Moon and Neon Genesis Evangelion on Crazy and Rurouni Kenshinit's hard to pick the most prolific shows from that time period, and dozens still remain relevant in the cultural zeitgeist of 2026. However, tons of releases that attracted huge 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.
The best anime of the 90s
The 1990s was a great time for anime, and several series from that era remain popular to this day. Here are the best anime from this decade.
From comedy and high fantasy to satire and sci-fi, a lot of 90s anime has been lost in the endless flow of time. Boasting the nostalgic art style of the era and each bringing something to the table, these series once dominated conversation at anime conventions and school lunch tables, maintaining their pre-internet status. Watching them in the current year can feel like stepping into a simpler time, and veteran and green anime fans alike can 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 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, sick and tired of being average teenagers. Seeking a bit of adventure, both Takashi and Shinji decide to become the biggest delinquents 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 maintain 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 by Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach) in the 1990s, which is still very hilarious today. Although short, its slapstick, well-written jokes and impressive visuals have not aged well, and although it was later overshadowed by series such as The great teacher Onizuka and Gokusenit's a show that needs a comeback.
You are under arrest!
Inspired by Kosuke Fujishima's seinen manga series, an action animated police officer You are under arrest follows police officers Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, both employed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Largely lacking an overarching story and instead following an episodic formula, the show focuses on a pair dealing with everyday criminals while keeping the residents of the Japanese capital safe. Some episodes deal with heavier themes such as attempted suicide and violence, while others are more light-hearted in nature, with the girls occasionally doing something as innocuous as helping old ladies cross the street.
Best way to describe You are under arrest is “charming” and the series harkens back to a time when popular anime series didn't have to be hundreds of episodes long or super over the top to gain a large fan base. Well animated and brilliantly written, the show highlights the human nature of those tasked with such a difficult job, balancing drama and humor without sacrificing the quality of either.
Irresponsible Captain Tylor
The world can never have enough funny space operas, that is Irresponsible Captain Tylor needs a comeback in 2026. The 26-episode series is set in a technologically advanced future, and viewers 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 frequently escapes near-death situations without a care, eventually joining the United Planets space force and even gaining command of a powerful destroyer after solving a high-voltage 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.
Loaded with allusions to sci-fi mega hits like Star Trek, Irresponsible Captain Tylor manages to pack an engaging plot, brilliantly written characters and perfectly executed parody into one incredible package. It is worth noting that the series was produced by several of Japan's most prolific animation studios, including Tatsunoko Production (Speed Racer, Samurai cats on pizza) 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, together with their history teacher Masamichi Fujisawa, suddenly find themselves in the magical world of El-Hazard. Upon arrival, they unceremoniously find themselves 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, something more dangerous seems to be at work 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 outlandish villains, every episode is an adventure from start to finish and it's absolutely impossible to predict what will happen next.
Over the years, some anime have earned the title of “masterpiece” and Key the Metal Idol he was once just such an example, though largely forgotten by fans. The psychological anime series follows Tokiko Mimu, nicknamed 'Key', who believes herself to be a robot created by her grandfather. Every year on her birthday, Key thinks the scientist will build 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 attempts to do so by becoming a Japanese pop idol to attract more people to her cause. However, not everything is as it seems.
Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
Start
Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
It's hard to tell which part Key the Metal Idol is most impressive. Its animation is unashamedly vintage, and while its story is fairly simple, there's a complexity to it that makes itself known right up to the end. The characters may be where the series shines the most, as every interaction is important and intentional. There's no denying that the series had an impact on the medium as a whole, even if that impact was largely buried.
Key the Metal Idol is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Otaku no video
Those looking for an easy-to-skip series need look no further Otaku no video it's only two episodes long – but what a trip those episodes are. Released in 1991, the Gainax-produced OVA is perhaps one of the most hilarious spoofs ever made, 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 strange blend of true documentary and anime-style fiction, the short series details the life of Ken Kubo, who hopes to one day become Otaking, the ultimate anime and manga enthusiast.
Based on the experience of Gainax employees, Otaku no video is a certified piece of anime history, but many in the community haven't had the pleasure of seeing it. It's hard not to laugh from beginning to end, and even the most die-hard anime fans won't mind being the target of a few jokes here and there, given their accuracy. The world may have changed, but the life of an anime and manga fan seems to have remained largely the same.
