The '90s were an iconic and nostalgic time for many of today's anime fans. While earlier decades created and built the foundation for anime today, this is the decade where distinct art styles and story structures were defined. This was also the decade when mainstream Western audiences were introduced to anime, with shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z amassing devoted American fans. Whether audiences were introduced to the shows as they were aired for the first time or were shown it years later, mention one of the titles from this list and nearly everyone has at least heard of it. Regardless of how a fan came to know these iconic titles, they know them, and this proves just how powerful they were.
While each fan has their own list of what anime from the '90s is "best," fans can be assured that at least one of their top picks will appear here. These shows were chosen for their continued popularity, contribution to the anime evolution, and their place in anime history for bringing new or re-imagined elements that are still in use today. Many are still popular franchises today, producing new content as we speak. Perhaps some have even been redone in recent years, though few of the remakes have lived up to their original counterpart's glory.
10 Dragon Ball Z
This series was so well done that, excluding the James Wong-directed Dragon Ball movie (Dragonball Evolution, 2009), the franchise has continued to create new, incredible content surrounding the characters of this show. While one can argue that Dragon Ball Z was a spinoff of the original Dragon Ball anime from the mid-80s, it still belongs on this list for shaping the genre in the '90s. A single fight scene could last three episodes or more, turning the creation and execution of the fights into an art form. It certainly raised the bar for what a fight scene in anime should look like, and it is that contribution to the anime world that puts it as a prominent member of this list.
9 Yu Yu Hakasho
Yu Yu Hakasho reinvented action anime in a way that has not found an equal since. From the effortlessly complex yet understandable story to the well-rounded characters, when it comes to Yu Yu Hakasho, few argue just how great this show is. The show, known for its incredible tournament-style action scenes and supernatural charms, started its first episode by killing the protagonist (albeit temporarily) — an unprecedented story opening at the time. It certainly set the bar high when it comes to tournament fights, and some battles are still used as a comparison tool against similar shows to this day.
8 Sailor Moon
There were more than a few times that Sailor Moon was ahead of its time. This surprisingly progressive anime helped inspire a rise in female-led shows in anime and the superhero genre, as well as giving us one of the first anime geared towards teens and young adults, rather than kids. It also showed strong, powerful women who could fight and win on their own, without a male character swooping in to save them. It introduced many progressive topics, dealt with problems that real teenagers and young adults go through, and presented a new theme of making female leads who are central to the story and not just a pretty damsel to protect.
7 One Piece
Some fans call One Piece the show that never ends, but all can agree that it has earned its place on this list. It sailed into the hearts of fans all over the globe, and as it follows the adventures in the manga, it doesn't look like it will be ending for several more years. Airing for the first time in 1999, it still carries a very nostalgic 90s feel that keeps fans interested, even as its number of aired episodes tally around 1015 at time of writing. From some of the best anime characters to a balanced mix of serious action and light-hearted comedy, this show is classic in its own right.
6 Cowboy Bebop
While the live-action version of Cowboy Bebop was recently canceled by Netflix after one season, the original anime is certainly one for the history books. The 1998 science fiction anime only had 26 episodes, but it stood out in its short run for its western and noir style. While it dealt with some darker topics, it was a success in multiple countries, winning major awards upon its release, as well as praise for everything from the style to the soundtrack. Many still call it a gateway series into anime in general, as it helped to bring Western interest into anime in the early 2000s.
5 Trigun
Another anime with a short run of only 26 episodes, Trigun received mainly positive reviews. Like Cowboy Bebop, it is a western science fiction, but with more light-hearted moments and without the neo-noir essence. The complex storyline can be confusing, but the idea of an extremely powerful being trying his best to be a pacifist while being hunted and tormented was fairly uncommon at the time. It was a nice change of pace for many, and it continues to be a staple in the nostalgic '90s collection.
4 Rurouni Kenshin
Speaking of secretly strong pacifists, Rurouni Kenshin (sometimes called Samurai X) is the story of a reformed manslayer who takes an oath of pacifism, and the struggles he faces in putting the past behind him. Set in Japan in the late 1870s, it artistically shows the dramatic change in eras of Japan's history, while also showing the damage (and healing) that one person can cause. It is one of the most beloved shows in Japan, and many fans hope that it will someday go through a remake and be revitalized. The character development of Kenshin Himura throughout its long run is astounding.
3 Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura was created for children but quickly garnered attention from older audiences for its beautiful artwork and light-hearted humor. It gained a lot of loyal fans and popularity, even though the American edit was criticized for removing several essential elements of the plot. Still, it created quite the following, and is still popular today. People quickly buy any merchandise related to it — especially the iconic Clow Cards featured throughout the franchise.
2 Yu-Gi-Oh!
To this day, you cannot go into a store that sells game cards without seeing Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise. This popular show has since had many spin-offs, games, and movies associated with it, but nothing has come close to the original series. Dealing with magic, Ancient Egyptian mythology, and a game style that could be mimicked in real life, it inspired a whole new genre of card-based gaming and the anime to accompany it. It certainly left its mark on the anime community and continues to influence new audiences over three decades later.
1 Pokémon
Last on the list, though certainly not last in place, Pokémon never dropped from popularity. The series, with its fun creatures and dueling-style action scenes, was based on the popular video game by Nintendo and has since inspired more games — both video games and card games. Each generation has added to the original creatures and story, and while the series has never had a true sequel, its legacy has left a mark that still feels fresh over 20 years later.