7 Most Important Anime of the 1990s (With a Combined 955 Episodes)

Anime has become increasingly popular around the world in recent decades, and several shows from the 1990s were key to this growth. These classic series are still enjoyed today, not just because they’re nostalgic or haven’t aged poorly, but because they fundamentally shaped the anime we see now.

These anime became incredibly popular with Western fans, and many of those viewers continued enjoying them as adults. They also set trends and created familiar character types that are still used in anime today. From groundbreaking magical girl series to influential dark fantasy shows, these titles were some of the most important anime released in the 1990s.

7) Sailor Moon (200 Episodes)

While not the very first of its kind, Sailor Moon is the magical girl anime that truly shaped and popularized the genre for modern audiences. It showed how magical girl stories could be epic and action-packed, moving beyond smaller, more personal tales. Sailor Moon successfully combined both types of storytelling and pioneered the idea of a team of magical girls working together. The series was also one of the first to gain widespread popularity in Western countries. It challenged expectations by portraying girls as both feminine and strong heroes. Plus, it included LGBTQ+ representation that was remarkably progressive for its time, even though some versions were edited to remove it.

6) Dragon Ball Z (291 Episodes)

While Sailor Moon was a huge hit in the West during the 1990s, Dragon Ball Z also introduced many people to anime. The franchise’s continued success proves just how influential it remains. Though Dragon Ball did well, Dragon Ball Z exceeded all expectations and is a major reason why the series still dominates anime conversations. Dragon Ball Z also popularized many common elements found in action-packed anime, like power-ups, fighting tournaments, and intense rivalries – elements that are now staples in many popular series.

5) Pokémon Original Series (274 Episodes)

The early Pokémon anime wasn’t perfect, but it played a huge role in bringing the franchise to Western audiences. This introduction led many to discover the Pokémon video games, trading cards, and other merchandise, which often became even more popular than the show itself. Pokémon helped pave the way for anime in the West, and proved just how successful a well-marketed series could be. Its influence on both gaming and collecting was significant, and it inspired many other shows featuring characters with monster companions, all hoping to achieve similar success.

4) Cowboy Bebop (26 Episodes)

Though some anime in the ’90s first got a generation hooked, many other fantastic series were made for older teens and adults. One of the most famous was Cowboy Bebop. This 1998 sci-fi show eventually became a classic, inspiring countless stories in both animated and live-action formats. It set a new standard for visual style in anime, demonstrating how cinematic the medium could be with its strong direction and memorable music. Cowboy Bebop‘s popularity came from its thought-provoking themes, complex characters, and unique blend of genres, and it helped open the door for similar shows.

3) Neon Genesis Evangelion (26 Episodes)

Giant robot anime, or “mecha,” was hugely popular in the 70s and 80s. But in the 90s, Neon Genesis Evangelion redefined what the genre could be, becoming a truly important series. It stood out by focusing on the characters’ inner lives and emotions rather than just the action, making it remarkably innovative for its time. Evangelion proved that challenging typical anime conventions could be as successful as sticking to them, and its unique storytelling style paved the way for other experimental series.

2) Yu Yu Hakusho (112 Episodes)

Following the success of Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho was a hugely influential anime series of the 1990s, and its impact can still be felt in the genre today. The show helped make it more common to see heroes with flaws and relatable struggles, and it built on the tournament format that Dragon Ball Z had popularized. Yu Yu Hakusho also demonstrated the potential of supernatural storylines well before hits like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and even Bleach. While not quite as widely popular as Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball Z, it was an early anime experience for many Millennials and played a key role in growing anime’s fanbase in the West, paving the way for its eventual mainstream explosion.

1) Trigun (26 Episodes)

Along with classics like Cowboy Bebop, Trigun is a standout sci-fi anime from the 1990s – so popular, in fact, that it recently received a remake. Like Cowboy Bebop, it blended Western themes with science fiction, pushing the boundaries of the genre. The show’s main character, with his distinctive design and personality, became a huge fan favorite and influenced many anime heroes that followed. Trigun was another ’90s anime that gained a following in the West, contributing to the growing popularity of anime as a whole, and we appreciate its impact.

2026-06-14 03:12