Summary
- Update classic 90s animes with modern animation for improved visuals and storytelling.
- Old gems like 'Berserk' and 'Yu Yu Hakusho' can benefit from better graphics and storytelling.
- Revive unique classics like 'Outlaw Star' and 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' with enhanced visuals and character development.
During the 1990s, action anime became popular by creating thrilling stories, unique personalities and stunning animations people were excited about. The success of today’s favorite series begins with these shows, as they mix challenging fights, interesting settings and deep emotions. Even so, with the help of current animation and story skills, some of these classics could offer even greater results.
Although these animes touched many, the technology and slow pace of their age affected their storytelling. Making these old films again could rebuild their legacies, offering improved features, sharper plots and helping new audiences enjoy great action. Have a look at these nine classic 90s action anime that we think should be updated now.
10 1990s Shojo Anime That Need Remakes
The best Shojo anime of the 1990s that deserve a remake for current, modern-day audiences.
1 Flame of Recca
The Untapped Potential of the Flame of Recca’s Fiery Battles
Flame Of Recca
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 19, 1997
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Japanese Title
- Rekka no Honoo
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Nobuyuki Anzai
- Number of Episodes
- 42
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.34
The series introduces Recca Hanabishi, a young man who finds out he is from a clan of ninja skilled in handling flames. While fighting competitors and dangerous enemies, the show keeps the story moving as everyone learns and develops friendships along the way. People like the 90s animated style of the show, but the story and its big battles never grow old.
While many fans like the original, the animation and fighting in Flame of Recca look old by today’s standards. New technology could be used to make the use of fire and ninjutsu stand out in an exciting way. Taking another look at how the story and its characters are paced would likely add strong emotions to this underrated story of ninjas.
2 Berserk
Guts’ Saga Deserves a Modern Masterpiece
Berserk
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 8, 1997
- Cast
- Marc Diraison, Kevin T. Collins, Carrie Keranen, Michelle Newman, Christopher Kromer, Jeff Ward, Mark Sebastian, J, David Brimmer, Sean Schemmel
- Directors
- Naohito Takahashi
- Writers
- Yasuhiro Imagawa
- Franchise(s)
- Berserk
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- OLM
- Japanese Title
- Kenpuu Denki Berserk
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Kentaro Miura
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.59
The story follows Guts, a mercenary who must fight against monsters and eventually suffers a tragic outcome. Because of its serious story, creative characters and violent battles, Berserk’s manga is considered a masterpiece. None of the anime adaptations have been able to show the manga’s full range or charm as much as the original 90s anime did.
With Berserk being so famous and having so much content, a new version made with up-to-date Anime and controlled pacing could write the series’ story closely to the manga. Better graphics would make the monsters and fights even scarier, whereas a close adaptation of the manga could make everyone, no matter if they are veterans or new, very happy. This is a story demanding the highest production value.
3 Yu Yu Hakusho
Spirit Detective with Heart and Action
Yu Yu Hakusho
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1992 - 1994-00-00
- Cast
- Nozomu Sasaki, Shigeru Chiba, Megumi Ogata, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Yuri Amano, Hisako Kyôda, Mayumi Tanaka, Ai Orikasa, Sanae Miyuki
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 112
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.46
- Creator(s)
- Yoshihiro Togashi
Yu Yu Hakusho is the story of Yusuke Urameshi, who, with his companions, bravely struggles to keep others from supernatural peril. The combination of humor, serious fight scenes and touching emotions make it a favorite classic which blends martial arts with fantasy stories set in the city.
Although its tale is timeless, Yu Yu Hakusho’s animation is no longer modern. Updating the series using impressive battles, new designs for favorite characters and top-notch animation can bring both loyal fans and new people back. Animation technology used now could bring both the supernatural ideas and battles with spirits to life with incredible visuals.
4 Outlaw Star
Outlaw Star: Space Opera Reborn
Outlaw Star
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1998 - 2001-00-00
- Directors
- Mitsuru Hongô
- Writers
- Katsuhiko Chiba
- Cast
- Bob Buchholz, Brianne Siddall, Emily Brown, Lenore Zann, Wendee LeeMary Elizabeth McGlynn
- Franchise(s)
- Outlaw Star
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Japanese Title
- Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Takehiko Itō
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.83
Outlaw Star is an interstellar tale with Gene Starwind leading a team aboard the Outlaw Star to travel, hunt treasures and handle dangerous threats. With a fast-paced action plot, memorable characters and its own sense of humor, the show is loved by sci-fi fans, but the design hasn’t improved since it first released.
Having more vivid graphics and better animations could make space battles just like in the original. Emphasizing the feelings and changes of the characters would give the series more character. Its uncommon blending of sci-fi and western elements would benefit from extraordinary art and visuals which would set Bounty Hunter apart.
7 Experimental Anime From The 1990s
The '90s produced some all-time great anime, some of which took quite a few risks and chances.
5 The Big O
Reviving Noir Mecha Brilliance
The Big O
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1999 - 2003
- Network
- WOWOW Prime, Tokyo MX, Chiba TV
- Directors
- Ikuro Sato, Tooru Kitahata, Kazuyoshi Katayama, Masakazu Obara, Sumio Watanabe
- Seasons
- 1
The Big O mixes action and detective mysteries against the backdrop of a city where memories have become scattered. Anime so far has featured Roger Smith, a negotiator with a huge robot, searching for truths and facing conspiracies. What makes it special is its unique style and tone, but the animation varies from film to film.
Today’s technology can make the mechas and artstyle in The Big O look more immersive and exciting. A new version of the film might help simplify and strengthen its message and the way its characters are built. Since the story is astonishing, the visuals should be even better.
6 Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revisiting Utena’s Surreal and Symbolic World
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1997 - 1997
- Directors
- Kunihiko Ikuhara
- Writers
- Yoji Enokido
- Cast
- Rachel Lillis, Sharon Becker, Amanda Goodman, Crispin Freeman, James Carter Cathcart, Roxanne Beck Raye
- Franchise(s)
- Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Japanese Title
- Shoujo Kakumei Utena
- Creator
- Be-Papas
- Number of Episodes
- 39
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, YouTube
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.22
- Creator(s)
- Yoji Enokido, Shin'ya Hasegawa, Kunihiko Ikuhara
Revolutionary Girl Utena is about a young girl who both resists traditional values and fights sword duels to defend a mysterious princess. Because of its strange story and strong subject of revolution against identity, it quickly became a cult classic.
Although the original is a masterpiece and a timeless classic on its own and its artwork is unique each time fans watch it, a remake could be quite risky, as changing anything from the main storyline could end up disastrous, but a new version might improve tie in some plots even better and help more people grasp the challenging story elements. Modern ideas could enhance the story of gender and power and the anime could reach an even broader audience.
7 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Adventure Across Oceans and Time With New Blues
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1990 - 1991-00-00
- Network
- NHK G
- Directors
- Takeshi Mori, Hiromitsu Hoshino, Shigeto Makino, Renji Kawabata, Yukio Suzuki, Hiroyuki Sasaki, Yuu Kou, Tadayuki Uda, Masayuki, Toshiyuki Kubooka, Yoshitomo Yonetani, Koji Masunari, Mahiro Maeda, Fumihiko Takayama, Jun Kamiya, Shigeki Awai, Shoichi Masuo
- Cast
- Noriko Hidaka, Nathan Parsons, James Arnold Taylor, Guy Roberts, Douglas Taylor, Nanker Phelge, Clay Towery, Talbot McKitt
- Writers
- Yasuo Tanami
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
A young character with a companion is followed by Nadia as they fight an elite group that is endangering our world. Jules Verne inspired the series, so it features exploration, steam-powered devices and personal drama.
The story and characters in Nadia are still eternal, but their animation is not. Revisiting the anime would give it the chance to redesign steampunk scenes and scenes involving action. Making the story advance and move faster, along with clearer animation, would make more people want to discover its world.
8 Crows
Bringing Gritty Street Battles to the Screen Again
|
Director |
Masamune Ochiai |
|---|---|
|
Studio |
Knack Productions |
|
Released |
January 28, 1994 |
Crows tells the story of high school gangs as they brutally compete for leadership at their school. The fights are really intense and there are many camaraderie stories, which makes this game’s action unique and connected to street fighting.
The plot of youthful spirit and loyalty could be even stronger if the animation and choreography were more realistic. A remake might tell more about the backstories of the characters and make fights seem more meaningful. With the advanced technology of animation now, Crows could be more appreciated for their rough and trendy style.
9 Blue Seed
Ancient Mythology Meets Modern Action
Blue Seed
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 5, 1994
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Production I.G, Ashi Productions
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yuzo Takada
- Number of Episodes
- 29
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, RetroCrush, Pluto TV, Plex
- MyAnimeList Score
- 6.99 (Season 1)
Blue Seed is an action series, weaving tidbits from Japanese folklore and has characters facing down dangerous beings known as Aragami. The stories mix traditions with technology and have quick and exciting fights involving hints of romance. But due to its time of release and a weak fanbase, the series did not achieve the level of greatness it initially intended to, due to having a niche storyline at the time and mostly being overshadowed by major shōnen releases.
If Blue Seed were given more visually impressive animation and effects, the battles would look even better. Growing the stories and personas in the mythology would connect the show even deeper to its background, making it more relevant and interesting now as more people are willing to try newer genres and niche storylines are gaining more attention than ever before.
The Best Anime From Each Year Of The 1990s
The 90s were a huge decade for anime. These are the best titles from each year, still captivating fans to this day.