Summary
The 1980s gave anime fans a mountain of unforgettable material, but the 1990s truly defined the genre. As the previous decade’s economic boom faded, the resulting economy catered to underemployed young adults. While some themes changed, others flourished.
Gritty futurism seeped deeper into Japanese science fiction, while upbeat optimism and individualism permeated the increasingly popular (and stereotypically “girly”) shojo genre. Perhaps more importantly, more Japanese media — including anime — started appearing on international markets, introducing audiences to the unique worlds that dominate the modern perception of anime.
10Detective Conan
Also known by its alternate localized title, Case Closed, the Detective Conan series was one of many procedural police anime of the 1990s. It debuted in January 1996, nestled amidst a sea of similar crime-solving dramas. However, Detective Conan distinguished itself with its unique premise.
Its prime detective, Shinichi Kudo (or “Jimmy,” per some localizations), is poisoned and transformed into a child. This humorous twist gave the series its charm, and that charm propelled it into the ranks of the world’s longest-running anime series. Detective Conan still airs new episodes.
9Pokemon
Today, thePokemon franchisespans over two dozen seasons of anime and over 130 games, but everything starts somewhere! The first episode of the world’s most iconic anime series aired on Jun 16, 2025. In the West, the (perhaps infamous) 4Kids dub debuted in 1998.
4Kids’ “unique” dubbing policies were meant to increase the show’s Western appeal. Some of the brand’s most humorous dubbing decisions stem from its policy of Americanizing everything, including turning rice balls into “jelly donuts.” Similar policies, particularly an aversion to on-screen death, led to the creation of the “Shadow Realm” inYu-Gi-Oh.
As the predecessor of all modern “collect-’em-all” anime, Pokemon remains the undefeated champion of monster-snagging media. Alone, it’s spawned countless new games,trading cards, adaptations, and movies. However, Pokemon also paved the way for more beast-hunting franchises, including Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Dragon Drive, andLevel-5’s Yokai Watch.
8Trigun
The most recent addition to the Trigun saga isNetflix’s 2023 Trigun Stampede, but Vash the Stampede’s televised journey began in 1998. The Madhouse-produced series was a modest success in Japan, but most of its fame came after its international release.
Its iconic “Love and Peace” catchphrase has found a home in many works, includingAvatar: The Last AirbenderandPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Its stunning character designs and weaponry have also inspired many, with references appearing inEnter the Gungeon, Gintama, RWBY, and Voltron: Legendary Defenders.
7One Piece
With an October 1999 release date,One Pieceis one of the last smash hits of the 90s. Today, the show is still airing new episodes; as of 2024, there are over 1,100 episodes of the long-running pirate show. Its adventurous plot and lovable cast have spawned spin-off games and countless adaptations, including a live-action stage play.
Its massive appeal has also led to countless references across all genres. One Piece has even made cameos in video games, with references appearing inAssassins Creed 4: Black Flag,Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, andWorld of Warcraft.
6Cowboy Bebop
Despite a one-season run,Cowboy Bebopis one of the most iconic anime of the 1990s. Shinichiro Watanabe’s toe-tapping cultural icon originally ran from September 1997 to June 1998; its Western debut came a few years later, in 2001. Much of the series’ appeal comes from its widespread relatability.
While common in many modern anime, Cowboy Bebop’s decidedly Western setting was a rarity in the 1990s. Many of its contemporaries (understandably) imbued their worlds with Japanese culture, making them somewhat inaccessible to foreign audiences. In bucking that trend, Watanabe cemented Cowboy Bebop’s status as a “gateway” anime — something foreveryoneto enjoy.
5Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho attracted a sizable following over its two-year, 112-episode run. Yoshihiro Togashi’s supernatural adventure premiered on television in 1992, although the manga was published from 1990 to 1994. The series’ animation betrays its age, but the story’s timeless appeal has earned Yu Yu Hakusho a place in anime history.
Many stories have borrowed from Yu Yu Hakusho’s template, and even more series have paid homage to the show. You’ll find references everywhere, includingCuphead, Jujutsu Kaisen, Pop Team Epic, andSkullgirls.
4Sailor Moon
The magical girl genre existed beforeSailor Moon, and there were other magical girl anime in the 1990s. However, Naoko Takeuchi’s pastel version of contemporary Japan took the world by storm. Itspowerful cast and relatable themescaptured teenage hearts worldwide.
At the same time, its overwhelming influence propelled the magical girl genre to the forefront, inspiring many similar (and much less memorable) imitations. As for its influence, the beloved feel-good show’s themes would eventually be turned on their head, forming the basis for “edgy” magical shows, including Madoka Magica.
3Berserk
Berserk, Kentaro Miura’s gory tale of a wandering mercenary, first graced television screens in 1997. The violent epic of Guts captivated audiences immediately, effortlessly drawing them into a world of vengeance and power-hungry warriors. Its unflinching portrayal of complex topics limited Berserk’s broadcasting options, but its direct-to-video releases were met with overwhelming praise.
The mature themes and visual precision may not give the series widespread appeal, but they’ve cemented Beserk as a 90s classic. Guts’ trek has been directly cited as an inspiration for the fantasy manga Black Clover, and you’ll find Berserk references in many unexpected places — includingDoom Eternal!
2Neon Genesis Evangelion
Hideki Anno’s 1990s classic only aired for five short months — October 1995 through March 1996 — but its impact is as massive as its famed mechs.Neon Genesis Evangeliondefined modern mecha anime, although it was far from thefirstof its kind. The first widely recognized mecha media, Tetsujin-28, made its manga debut in 1952.
Nonetheless, Evangelion’s unique combination of mystical imagery, psychological drama, and social commentary still influences all genres of anime. Traces of Evangelion are apparent in countless works, including Gurren Lagann, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Serial Experiments Lain, and Xenogears.
1Dragon Ball Z
There’s no debating the influence of Dragon Ball Z. While Goku’s first televised appearance was in 1986, during the original Dragon Ball series, his most famous iteration debuted in the sequel,Dragon Ball Z. The massive 291-episode story was acquired and dubbed by Funimation in 1996.
However,Dragon Ball Z’s original Japanese broadcast began in 1989, technically disqualifying the iconic series from this list. Nonetheless, the enormous influence of Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece is worth recognition, and the series’ broadcast scheduletechnicallyspanned most of the 1990s.
