5 ’90s Anime Series That Absolutely Deserve Modern Reboots

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The 1990s were a fantastic, yet chaotic time for anime. It brought us groundbreaking shows like the thought-provoking *Evangelion*, the genre-bending *Cowboy Bebop*, and the action-packed *Rurouni Kenshin*. However, it was also a period of change for studios, as they experimented with moving from traditional hand-drawn animation to newer digital methods, with mixed results.

Despite its groundbreaking stories, much of 1990s anime contains elements that don’t hold up well today. Casual sexism often appeared as unnecessary fanservice, which weakened well-developed female characters, and harmful stereotypes weren’t questioned. The industry also had a frustrating tendency to rush the endings of anime adapted from manga. While the ’90s were essential in shaping modern anime, remaking these classics could give them the refinement, inclusive representation, and better pacing they deserve. Good ideas shouldn’t be limited by the standards of the past.

5. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a unique and imaginative coming-of-age story that blends fairy tale elements with surreal and unconventional themes. It follows Utena Tenjou, a girl who dreams of being a prince instead of a princess. She finds herself at a strange school where students fight in sword duels to win the Rose Bride, who is said to give the victor the power to change the world.

Utena really reflects the style of its era and the people who made it—its slightly unpolished feel and pacing are actually part of what makes it appealing. Director Ikuhara previously worked on Sailor Moon, and you can see how Utena both expands on and challenges the magical girl genre he helped create. A simple remake might lose the rebellious spirit that makes it so impactful. However, a fresh take on the story could be great, allowing it to explore modern ideas about gender and sexuality using current language and perspectives.

4. Outlaw Star

Outlaw Star is a fun, late-90s anime that blends space adventure with western themes. It follows Gene Starwind, a versatile handyman who unexpectedly becomes a spaceship captain and gets caught up in a quest for a legendary treasure said to hold incredible power. It shares a similar adventurous spirit to shows like Cowboy Bebop and Firefly, but has a unique and playful personality all its own.

Even today, the idea of massive spaceships battling it out is incredibly exciting and looks fantastic in high definition. The original series, with its 26 episodes, didn’t quite have enough room to fully develop its rich universe. A fresh start could improve the story’s flow and delve deeper into intriguing elements like the Galactic Leyline and the histories of supporting characters such as Suzuka and Aisha.

3. Great Teacher Onizuka

Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) is a funny and heartwarming story about Eikichi Onizuka, a former motorcycle gang leader who decides to become a teacher. Despite being a bit rough around the edges – he’s immature and doesn’t have traditional qualifications – Onizuka becomes an incredibly inspiring educator. He’s fiercely dedicated to his students and will do anything, even something outrageous, to help them succeed.

The anime *Great Teacher Onizuka*, which aired from 1999 to 2000, covered only about half of the original manga story in its 43 episodes. While *GTO* has spawned several sequels, spin-offs (like *GTO: Shonan 14 Days* and *Paradise Lost*), and live-action series, none have truly captured a modern reimagining of the story. It’s time for Onizuka to have another chance to inspire and amuse a new audience.

2. The Vision of Escaflowne

I remember watching *The Vision of Escaflowne* back in ’96 – it was a really unique show. It combined a few different things, like a story about someone transported to another world, a romantic plot, and giant robot battles. The main character, Hitomi, is just a normal high school student until she suddenly finds herself in this world called Gaea, where Earth actually appears in the sky as another moon. She quickly gets caught up in the adventures of Van Fanel, a pilot who controls this incredible robot called Escaflowne. Together, they’re fighting against the Zaibach Empire, who are trying to change the future using some seriously powerful technology that can warp reality.

Director Kazuki Akane initially planned a 39-episode series, but budget constraints forced them to shorten it to 26. This meant the ending felt rushed, and some storylines and character arcs weren’t fully developed. A reboot would allow the complete story to be told, giving more time to explore things like Hitomi’s relationships, Van’s growth as a leader, and the intricate politics of the world of Gaea.

1. Yu Yu Hakusho

A reboot of *Yu Yu Hakusho* isn’t needed because the original was unsuccessful—quite the opposite, it was a hit—but because the story’s strengths could be even better realized with modern animation. Created by Yoshihiro Togashi, the shonen series centers on Yusuke Urameshi, a rebellious teen who gets a second chance at life as a “Spirit Detective.” What starts as a series of self-contained supernatural mysteries develops into an exciting tournament and invasion storyline, blending realistic street fights with epic, mythical battles. While the 1992-1995 anime has its moments, it suffers from inconsistent pacing and fluctuating animation quality.

Even devoted fans noticed that the animation quality dipped after the Dark Tournament, with inconsistencies in the artwork, repeated scenes, and jarring cuts. It’s often forgotten that the original manga creator, Yoshihiro Togash, had to end the series prematurely because of health problems and the demanding weekly schedule. This forced him to rush the final storyline, the Three Kings arc, which could have been much more elaborate. A reboot could give this final arc the time and attention it deserved to reach its full potential.

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2025-10-12 19:42