Every decade, anime seems to become more popular, with each decade improving the production value and creative stories. But with so many great anime coming out now, fans have overlooked countless anime from older decades. The 1990s is one such time that holds many unique stories, some famous, but some unheard of or not given their fair due.
Anime has come a long way since the 1990s; however, that doesn’t mean this decade hasn’t had any great shows. In fact, many fans overlook great anime from this era simply because it is old. From Initial D to One Piece, the decade is brimming with fantastic shows, but the ones on this list consist of the underappreciated and unwatched shows which deserve a second or first chance, depending on the anime fan.
10 ‘Serial Experiments Lain’ (1998)
Studio: Triangle Staff
Serial Experiments Lain is an award-winning anime about an introverted fourteen-year-old girl named Lain. After receiving an eerie email from her deceased classmate, Lain plunges into the deep, dark world of Wired, where she uncovers haunting mysteries. As the lines of reality blur, Lain becomes all the more critical in this psychological cyberpunk thriller anime.
So,
it may be under-watched, but it does have a relatively big following
that enjoys the show.
While Serial Experiments Lain might be the best anime on this list, it only finds itself at the bottom because it has a cult following. So, it may be under-watched, but it does have a relatively big following that enjoys the show. This confusing anime portrays the horrors of the dependence on technology that eerily predicts some of the things that are now present today. This twisted and surreal show is a unique experience and one of the darkest anime ever.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
9 ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ (1997)
Studio: J.C. Staff
Directed by the legendary Kunihiko Ikuhara, Revolutionary Girl Utena is a magical girl anime similar to Sailor Moon. After receiving a ring from a mysterious prince, Utena vows to become a worthy prince like him. This brings her to Ootori Academy, where others with rings like her duel over essential matters. In order to save the objectified Anthy, Utena battles the others.
Like Serial Experiments Lain, Revolutionary Girl Utena has a decently sized fanbase and support. The only reason it’s on this list is that not enough fans watch it, considering how important and good the anime is. This anime helped define the magical girl genre, giving fans a powerful female figure that covers the topics of sexuality and gender, creating an iconic and influential show more fans should watch.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
8 ‘City Hunter ’91’ (1991)
Studio: Sunrise
Serving as the fourth season and return of the series, City Hunter ’91 starts right where the previous season left off. Ryo Saeba is a womanizer known as a “sweeper”, who takes on any underworld job, no matter how crazy. With his partner Kaori Makimura, the two continue to take on jobs, with this serving as the final season. A live-action Netflix movie adaptation aired in 2024 to positive reviews.
Although City Hunter may have been famous during its time, it is nowadays an unknown and overlooked anime. Even with its dwindling popularity, many fans consider it the worst season. However, the final season adds so much more to the show, giving fans long-awaited backstories and a pleasant focus on comedy. While it is more City Hunter, fans of the series and anime fans in general tend to underrate it.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
7 ‘Golden Boy’ (1995)
Studio: APPP
Following the traveling student Kintaro, Golden Boy is an anime about pursuing education through unique means. Despite being eligible for a law degree at Tokyo University, Kintaro dropped out to get first-hand experience, which he claims allows for easier learning. As he takes on multiple odd jobs while traveling on his trusty bike, Kintaro changes the lives of the women he meets along the way, despite always having a poor first impression.
The short format of only six episodes makes Golden Boy an easily bingeable anime that will keep fans entertained with its risky comedy. The raunchy and sexual humor isn’t for everyone and can get in the way a lot, but overall, Golden Boy is a fun, quick show. The unique cast of characters elevates the comedic moments and delivers a decent story which has that distinct 90s feel.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
6 ‘Be-Bop High School’ (1990)
Studio: Toei Animation
One of the most different things about anime from the 90s compared to now is the shift in focus on specific genres. Back then, delinquent anime was all the rage, with Be-bop High School being one of the many shows to grace the small screen. Following the adventures of the two invincible delinquents, Toru and Kato, the anime has them facing the strongest delinquents in the province as they enjoy their youth.
The characters genuinely feel like high school delinquents and not master combatants, and
the small-scale story allows for special moments of comedy and action
.
While new delinquent anime are still good, they lack a certain charm to them that Be-bop High School has. The characters genuinely feel like high school delinquents and not master combatants, and the small-scale story allows for special moments of comedy and action. Some may claim the show feels aimless, but all it’s trying to do is encapsulate the daily life of a high school delinquent, which they capture with entertaining fights and crude humor.
Be-Bop High School is currently not available for streaming or purchase
5 ‘Street Fighter II: The Animated Series’ (1995)
Studio: Group TAC
Many fans might be surprised to have never heard of Street Fighter II: The Animated Series, considering it’s based on one of the largest fighting game franchises. The anime has Ryu and Ken travel across the world to meet new people and learn new techniques to get stronger. However, they get caught up in a government conspiracy and are involved with a shady organization led by the heinous M. Bison.
With some
faithful and unique spins
, the anime has the best of both worlds and gives good insight into the main story and why characters fight in the game.
This is a must-watch anime for fans of the Street Fighter series, but it is also a good starting point for new fans to get into the franchise. With some faithful and unique spins, the anime has the best of both worlds and gives good insight into the main story and why characters fight in the game. The characters are exciting, and the fights are entertaining, creating an underappreciated Street Fighter adaptation.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
4 ‘Outlaw Star’ (1998)
Studio: Sunrise
Reminiscent of other classic sci-fi Western anime of the 1990s, Outlaw Star follows Gene Starwind and James Hawking, two friends who dream of tackling the final frontier. Their dream suddenly becomes a reality as they must protect the mysterious Melfina. This comes with more trouble than initially thought, as they encounter bounty hunters, mages, and space pirates.
Many fans decided to skip
Outlaw Star
because of its low production budget. However, that means they miss out on a unique anime of its time.
Many fans decided to skip Outlaw Star because of its low production budget. However, that means they miss out on a unique anime of its time. Its distinct style and colorful cast of characters make the show what it is, giving fans a special anime with a certain charm to it. Outlaw Star is a visual masterpiece with dazzling world-building and fascinating inspirations that too many anime fans seem to skip over.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
3 ‘Record of Lodoss War’ (1990)
Studio: Madhouse
Originally based on a tabletop role-playing game, Record of Lodoss War is a high-fantasy anime like The Lord of the Rings. After peace was finally on the horizon for the land of Lodoss, a mysterious witch suddenly emerged, causing chaos between the nations to keep them away from Lodoss Island. However, a party of six led by the young warrior Parn and Deedlit set out to defeat the ancient witch and bring the peace that was promised to Lodoss.
High fantasy is a rare commodity among anime, with most fantasy series using other gimmicks that water down the fantasy feeling. Record of Lodoss War fully leans into this feeling, delivering an extraordinary high-fantasy anime with a fun cast of characters and a magnificent world. Some fans complain about the low production value or the jumpy plot. However, the anime still delivers a beautiful journey with well-developed characters, creating a show that scratches the anime fantasy itch.
WATCH ON CRUNCHYROLL
2 ‘Master Keaton’ (1998)
Studio: Madhouse
Naoki Urasawa, known for his other masterpieces, including Pluto and Monster, created Master Keaton, one of his earlier works. Using his multidisciplinary skills, such as archeology, investigation, and survival, Taichi Keaton solves mysteries all over the world. However, these cases are always brimming with adventure and surprises as he investigates these mysteries while also uncovering the truth about an ancient civilization.
His underrated anime delivers the fun and thrilling mysteries
Urasawa is known for, instead focusing on unconnected mysteries in each episode.
Urasawa is a genius mangaka with many critically acclaimed series; however, fans fail to mention Master Keaton in the bunch. This underrated anime delivers the fun and thrilling mysteries Urasawa is known for, instead focusing on unconnected mysteries in each episode. Master Keaton is a jack-of-all-trades anime, giving fans a little bit of everything to deliver an overall wonderful experience and a genuinely good show that not enough fans watch.
Buy on Amazon
1 ‘Kyou Kara Ore Wa!!’ (1993)
Studio: Pierrot
Like Be-bop High School, Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! is another classic 1990s delinquent anime, also featuring two protagonists. This anime follows Itou and Mitsuhashi as they suddenly decide to become high school delinquents on a whim. This odd decision lands them in more trouble than they initially thought, as the duo battle the toughest challengers from rival schools. Making a notorious name for themselves, they become the kings of the district, living their high school life to the fullest with fighting and friendship.
Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! is easily one of the best delinquent anime, showing its roots in the fact that the two are actual punks looking for a fight, not mobsters or martial artists. This rough fighting style allows for more realistic battles that the comedy elevates, creating a special anime full of 90s charm. Every single character is unique, adding something different to the show that takes its time to explore, giving fans a fun slice-of-life mix with their brawls. With fans defaulting to delinquent anime like Tokyo Revengers or Wind Breaker, Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! trumps the two with its enjoyable vibe, fantastic characters, and spectacular dynamics, creating one of the most underrated anime of all time.
Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! is currently not available for streaming or purchase.
