The Best 90s Anime, Ranked

Last updated on May 27, 2026, by Mark Sammut: Besides adding another anime (Baby & Me), I've added a section with honorable mentions right at the end of the article.

In 2026, 90s anime aren't just a distant memory, but they are somehow the present and future. Along with Ranma 1/2 and Trigun's recent returns, Magic Knight Rayearth looks set to make its comeback later this year, introducing a new generation of fans to these universes. However, before diving into these modern remakes, you should track down the original shows and give them a watch, as the greatest '90s anime are bona fide masterpieces that will never become obsolete.

From the jazz-infused streets of Cowboy Bebop to the existential dread of Evangelion and the worldwide appeal of Dragon Ball Z, this decade saw the industry reach new heights in terms of both popularity and creativity. There are hundreds of anime from the 1990s that are still worth watching today, but let's just stick to the best 35 for now.

Criteria for an anime to qualify:

• Only series, no movies.
• If an anime started in 1989, it would be considered if more than 50% of its episodes aired during the 1990s.

Quick Picks: Where Should You Start With ’90s Anime?

If this decade is mostly new to you, then you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer range of choices. So, to help make things a bit simpler, I have put together a quick section highlighting the best entry-level shows in popular genres. These are all available on Crunchyroll.

• Action Anime From The '90s: Yu Yu Hakusho, Dragon Ball Z, Trigun
• Comedy Anime From The '90s: Great Teacher Onizuka, Golden Boy, Excel Saga
• Magical Girl Anime From The '90s: Cardcaptor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth
• Romance Anime From The '90s: Marmalade Boy
• Sci-Fi Anime From The '90s: Cowboy Bebop, Irresponsible Captain Tylor

39 Pokemon

Gotta Catch 'Em All

Say what you want about Pokemon, but it was one of the most important anime of the '90s. Alongside the games, the series propelled the franchise into global superstardom, a position it still holds nearly three decades later. Yes, Ash and Pikachu's adventures are incredibly repetitive, with nearly every episode following a similar routine, but, in the '90s, this familiarity was relished rather than detested.

Every week, we could rely on the gang and Team Rocket to provide 30 minutes of predictable comfort, all the while promising bigger adventures on the horizon courtesy of Mewtwo and Ash's journey to become a champion. Except for a select few, Pokemon is one of the only series that transcends anime, as it reached nearly everybody from a specific generation.

Has Pokemon Aged Well?

I mean, kind of. Pokemon is Pokemon. It belongs to no decade.

38 Baby & Me

A Somewhat Forgotten '90s Gem That Offers Family-Friendly Fun

• Japanese Title: Akachan to Boku
• Genre: Drama, Slice of Life
• Studio: Pierrot
• Based On: Manga by Marimo Ragawa

Baby & Me is a bit of an odd one, as I don't particularly love it and find its spiritual successor, School Babysitters, to be far more entertaining. However, I also think it does everything relatively well and succeeds in being the family-friendly anime that it is trying to be. When his mother dies, the 12-year-old Takuya not only finds himself having to process a huge tragedy, but he also becomes the primary caregiver for his baby brother, Minoru. That's a pretty dark premise, and Baby & Me maintains a relatively grounded tone throughout most of its run. Takuya and Minoru's dynamic takes center stage, but they are not the only siblings who receive the spotlight.

The series deserves praise for providing a surprisingly realistic look at this type of situation, along with featuring babies that, for the most part, act their ages. Baby & Me works incredibly well as an occasional watch, but when viewed in its entirety, the storytelling's repetitive nature can get exhausting after a while.

Has Baby & Me Aged Well?

Baby & Me's themes and circumstances are timeless, so the anime holds up pretty well on that level. The animation is quite rough at times, but it is hardly an anime that needs glorious visuals.

37 His and Her Circumstances

A Character-Driven Romance Anime

The '90s really were a great decade for romance anime, even if some of the best efforts have become obscure and somewhat forgotten. Although adored by fans of the genre, His and Her Circumstances isn't really talked about much nowadays, which is a shame, as it is fantastic at times. Directed by Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame, this series revolves around a romance between two academic rivals, and they get together fairly quickly by anime's standards. While playing the role of the perfect student, Yukino is really an egomaniac with low self-esteem who needs constant praise and validation; meanwhile, Soichiro isn't really much better, as this brilliant student has no problem blackmailing Yukino when he learns her secret.

Diving into both characters' psyches, His and Her Circumstances presents its protagonists as real people rather than idealized caricatures, which helps make their romance feel far more genuine and grounded. Unfortunately, the anime had production issues during its second half, resulting in a decline in quality.

Has His and Her Circumstances Aged Well?

Yes, even with the weaker second half.

36 The Vision of Escaflowne

An Isekai Mecha Anime That Still Feels Refreshing

Isekai is inescapable nowadays, with every season including at least a couple of shows that fit the bill. When everything is said and done, 2025 produced more isekai anime than the '90s in its entirety. While the concept predates Sword Art Online by decades, isekai was very much a rare treat before the adaptation of Reki Kawahara's novel exploded in popularity. Consequently, when a character found themselves on an otherworldly adventure, it was novel rather than expected. More importantly, most shows were chasing tropes from other genres (or creating their own), rather than sticking to an established formula.

Even all these years later, The Vision of Escaflowne is still a surprisingly refreshing example of an isekai anime, and this is coming from someone who has spent too much of their life watching these types of stories. Along with featuring a well-written female protagonist who is competent but not overpowered, the show incorporates high fantasy, sci-fi, mecha, and romance, creating a blend that is more than the sum of its parts. Sunrise's animation is also top-notch, as tends to always be the case with the studio's classic output. If it were not for the fact that the story was cut short by 1/3rd of its run, The Vision of Escaflowne could have been one of the absolute best anime of the '90s.

Has The Vision of Escaflowne Aged Well?

Surprisingly, The Vision of Escaflowne has aged nicely. Isekai stories are way more tired nowadays, but this series is closer to classic fantasy than that theme's modern interpretations.

35 You're Under Arrest (Season 1 & OVA)

A Rare Cop Anime, And A Fun One

I went back and forth on whether to include You're Under Arrest, as seasons 2 and 3 aired during the 2000s. Ultimately, the anime was at its best during the '90s and very much feels like a product of that era, so it seems fair to include a mention here. More importantly, there are surprisingly few cop procedural anime, and You're Under Arrest sits comfortably among the best of all time.

Unlike, say, Patlabor, this series is far more laid-back and relaxed, opting to provide a pretty grounded look at the profession. Sure, there are a couple of high-stakes situations, but they are few and far between. You're Under Arrest is very much a workplace slice of life comedy that just happens to be set in a police station, and the show is carried by its lovable characters rather than action, mystery, or tension. Lasting for arguably too many episodes, the anime does threaten to overstay its welcome after a while, but you can always throw on a random episode and have a decent time.

Has You're Under Arrest Aged Well?

Honestly, I'd say the OVAs have aged better than the TV series, just because they have better animation. That said, the series is enjoyable on the whole, especially if you are craving a lighthearted cop anime. It is not like there are plenty of those, anyway.

34 Master Keaton

The Forgotten Naoki Urasawa Anime

We don't have many adaptations of Naoki Urasawa's work, so we need to cherish every one of them. While not as decorated as Monster, Master Keaton is nevertheless a highly enjoyable mystery series that has aged pretty darn well, and its episodic nature makes it a great pick for those rainy Tuesday nights when you cannot decide what to watch. Madhouse handled the anime, and the studio's trademark high quality is on full display in nearly every episode.

Despite sharing the same author, I would advise against watching Master Keaton in the hope of finding another Monster or even Pluto, as this show is a very distinct beast that is closer to something like Case Closed. That doesn't make it worse; it's just different.

Has Master Keaton Aged Well?

Yes.

33 Remi, Nobody's Girl (Or Sans Family)

A Great Anime Twist On A Classic Tale

Nowadays, the World Masterpiece Theater's numerous shows have largely been lost to time. By the '90s, the project had been around for roughly three decades and was struggling, although it did manage to produce a couple of good shows. Remi, Nobody's Girl was the last adaptation released during this period, and it was something of a surprising pick as Hector Malot's Sans Familie had already been adapted into a highly regarded anime in the '70s. Perhaps to differentiate the new version, WMT decided to swap the protagonist's gender, while generally leaving the basic story in one piece.

Remi, Nobody's Girl is a respectable adaptation of a literary classic that accomplishes a lot in just 26 episodes. The story gets quite heavy at times, while still incorporating some much-needed moments of levity and slice of life. Is it worth seeking out today? Honestly, I would not strongly recommend it, just because it is not accessible on a streaming platform. Still, if you can find it and love the novel, Remi, Nobody's Girl is a worthwhile watch.

Has Remi, Nobody's Girl Aged Well?

Yes, as the story itself is timeless. The animation is not great by modern standards, but it is watchable.

32 Tenchi Muyo!

An Era-Defining '90s Anime

While its star faded considerably over the last few decades, Tenchi Muyo! was a huge deal during the '90s. Introduced to the world as an OVA series called Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, the franchise also spawned two '90s spin-off/reboot series in Tenchi Universe and Tenchi in Tokyo. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Tenchi Muyo! was a constant presence, helping to set the standard for harem anime moving forward.

Nowadays, the series is dated and archetypal, but it is important to remember that a lot of its clichés and tropes were not that common in the early 90s. The humor mostly holds up fine, too, and the same can be said for the animation. Even though I did not grow up with Tenchi Muyo, I still had a blast watching its '90s entries, even more so than its more modern releases.

Has Tenchi Muyo! Aged Well?

Yes and no. Tenchi Muyo is a must-watch for harem fans, but it probably will not offer that much to anybody else. The series is also wildly inconsistent, particularly the OVAs.

31 Digimon Adventure

Not Just Marketing, Digimon Adventure Is Genuinely Great

Digimon Adventure follows the story of a group of friends who get transported into the Digital World and meet Digimon. They also receive Digivices, which help them evolve their Digimon. The friends learn that they have been chosen to save the Digital World from a malevolent force.

Along with Dragon Ball and Pokemon, Digimon Adventure was an introductory anime for a lot of '90s and early 2000s kids. While it might not hit as hard with new viewers who carry no nostalgia, the 1999 series was and still is top-notch, delivering an addictive blend of action, adventure, drama, and character development. Unlike Pokemon, Digimon Adventure's story seemed more consequential and ambitious, even sprinkling in some fairly dark moments.

Has Digimon Adventure Aged Well?

Digimon Adventure is still an absolute blast and comfortably one of the best anime for kids. Now, if you don't have any nostalgia for the original season, your mileage may vary; however, I would recommend it to newcomers who are looking for a fun adventure series.

30 Dear Brother

A Mature Anime About Adolescence

Based on a manga by Riyoko Ikeda, Dear Brother is nearly as fantastic as the author's most well-known story, The Rose of Versailles. Set in an all-girl school, the 1991 anime presents a realistic and, at times, heavy look at teenage life, tackling themes like suicide, peer pressure, and manipulation. A lot of the narrative's tension is caused by the school's sorority, which exerts an oppressive hold on the student body.

Dear Brother does not pull its punches nor try to sanitize its characters, allowing them to commit genuinely awful acts born out of arrogance, jealousy, and pettiness. At the same time, the anime incorporates slice-of-life moments that help make the girls feel real rather than just moving pieces in a melodrama. Dear Brother even has some girls love elements, although arguably not as much as one might expect from this type of premise.

Has Dear Brother Aged Well?

Honestly? Dear Brother has aged better than about 95% of anime dramas from yesteryear, especially ones that incorporate some girls love (or boys love) themes.