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 Kenshin, it's difficult to choose the most prolific show from this time period, and dozens still remain relevant in the cultural zeitgeist in 2026. However, tons of releases that pulled in huge audiences and amassed large fanbases at the time have all but disappeared from memory, and some newcomers to the community may have never heard of them at all.
Best Anime From The 90s
The 1990s were a great time for anime, and several series from the era remain popular today. Here are the best anime from that decade.
From comedy and high fantasy to satire and sci-fi, a slew of 90s anime releases have been lost to the never-ending flow of time. These series boast the nostalgic art style of the time, and each brings something to the table, once dominating conversation at anime conventions and school lunch tables and maintaining status during an era before the internet. Watching them in the current year may feel like entering a door to a simpler time, and both veteran and green anime fans may 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 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 teens. Looking for a bit of adventure, both Takashi and Shinji decide to become the greatest 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 baddies to preserve his own sense of justice.
With over 40 million copies in circulation as of 2018, the Kyo Kara Ore Wa manga inspired a 10-episode series by Pierrot (Naruto, Bleach) in the 90s, which continues to be wildly hilarious today. Though short, its slapstick comedy, well-written jokes, and impressive visuals haven't aged, and while it was later overshadowed by series like Great Teacher Onizuka and Gokusen, it's a show that needs a comeback.
You're Under Arrest!
Inspired by Kosuke Fujishima's seinen manga series, the action buddy cop anime You're Under Arrest follows the female 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 the pair dealing with everyday criminals while keeping the people of the Japanese capital safe. Some episodes deal with more heavy topics, such as attempted suicide and violence, while others are more relaxed in nature, with the girls occasionally doing something as innocuous as helping old ladies cross the street.
The best way to describe You're 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 win a large fanbase. Well animated and superbly written, the show highlights the human nature of those tasked with such a difficult job, and balances drama and humor without sacrificing the quality of either.
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
The world can never have enough funny space operas, meaning that The Irresponsible Captain Tylor needs to make a comeback in 2026. The 26-episode series takes place 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 frequently escapes from near-death situations without a care, eventually making his way into the United Planets Space Force and even gaining command of a powerful destroyer after resolving a high-tension 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 on there right now.
Packed with allusions to sci-fi mega hits like Star Trek, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor manages to pack an engaging plot, well-written characters, and perfectly executed parody into one incredible package. Of note, 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 find themselves suddenly whisked away 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 looking to assert their dominance. They are ruled by Queen Diva, and while this gives the protagonists a target, it seems that something more dangerous is at work behind the scenes.
A classic example of the isekai genre, El-Hazard: The Magnificent World boasts several sequels and is a prime example of just what can happen when creators don't shy away from their own strangeness. From its beautifully fleshed-out fantasy world and bits of melodrama to its wacky characters and bizarre bad guys, each episode is an adventure from beginning to end, and it's utterly impossible to predict what will happen next.
Key the Metal Idol
Over the years, certain anime have earned the title of 'masterpiece,' and Key the Metal Idol was once just such an 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 each year, Key thinks that the scientist builds her a new body, larger 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.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
It's difficult to pinpoint which part of Key the Metal Idol is the most impressive. Its animation is unabashedly vintage, and while its story is quite simple, there is complexity there that only makes itself known towards the end. The characters may be where the series shines the most, as each 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 been largely buried.
Key the Metal Idol is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Otaku no Video
Those looking for a series easy to binge need look no further, as Otaku no Video consists of only two episodes—but what a trip those episodes are. Released in 1991, the Gainax-produced OVA is perhaps one of the most hilarious spoofs ever produced, making fun of the daily life of anime fans and acting as a time capsule of what the culture was like 30 years ago. A strange mixture of real-life documentary and anime-style fiction, the brief series details the life of Ken Kubo, who hopes to someday 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 start to finish, and even the most die-hard anime fans won't mind being the butt of a few jokes here and there, given their accuracy. The world may have changed, but it seems that the life of an anime and manga fan has largely remained the same.