8 Game-Changing 1990s Anime That Deserve More Credit

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The 1990s are often remembered as a fantastic era for anime, launching many hugely popular and influential franchises that fans still love. Shows like Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Sailor Moon from that decade are considered all-time classics, and their impact is undeniable.

I’ve noticed that even some truly groundbreaking anime from the ’90s don’t always get the recognition they deserve. These shows were incredibly innovative and really pushed boundaries, but when people talk about the most important anime of that decade, they often get overlooked. It’s a shame, because they were ahead of their time and deserve to be considered classics.

El Hazard: The Magnificent World Was Ahead of the Curve in the Isekai Fantasy Genre

While anime about being transported to another world feel like a recent trend, these kinds of stories have actually been around for much longer than the ‘isekai’ boom of the 2010s. One of the earliest examples, and a show that helped define many common elements of the genre, is El Hazard. The first El Hazard: The Magnificent World original video animation (OVA) came out in 1995.

Despite many similar shows now available, El Hazard remains a distinctive and memorable isekai series, especially considering its early role in shaping the genre. Its captivating fantasy world, drawing inspiration from the Middle East, combined with endearing and complex characters, and a strong sense of adventure, makes it incredibly enjoyable. This quality helped it grow into a large franchise, though its popularity has decreased over time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water Predated One of the Most Crucial Series of the ‘90s

Before the hugely popular anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gainax and Hideaki Anno created another excellent series called Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. Though not as well-known today, Nadia is a stunning adventure story originally conceived by Hayao Miyazaki and heavily inspired by the novels of Jules Verne.

Despite its exciting, adventurous surface, Nadia is a surprisingly complex and sometimes unsettling story, blending elements of robots and science fiction. Many of the things that make Nadia great later appeared in Anno’s work on Evangelion. However, Nadia is also a fantastic and unique series that stands on its own as a clever mix of different genres.

Cardcaptor Sakura Deserves to Be Taken More Seriously

Although Cardcaptor Sakura remains a well-loved magical girl anime from the late 90s, it deserves more recognition than it gets. Over time, people have talked less and less about how truly influential the series was, and it’s often seen as just a simple story about a girl with magic.

Like many stories from CLAMP, the creators of Cardcaptor Sakura, this series has surprising depth. It’s praised for being forward-thinking, focusing on its characters, and introducing new ideas to the magical girl genre. It remains enjoyable for viewers of all ages and genders even now.

Golden Boy Is Still One of the Best Anime Comedies Out There

The ’90s anime Golden Boy is famous for its outrageous humor, suggestive content, and focus on appealing characters, centering around a college dropout who travels the country doing jobs for women. While it might feel a little old-fashioned now, it remains one of the most hilarious and creative comedy anime ever made.

Despite some suggestive content, Golden Boy is genuinely funny, and those moments actually help define its main character, Kintaro. It’s clever, beautifully animated, and packed with hilarious gags. While it’s a product of its time, anime rarely delivers comedies as bold and captivating as Golden Boy does even now.

The Vision of Escaflowne Creates a Truly Fascinating Mixture of Genres

Combining high fantasy, giant robots, a transported-to-another-world story, and romance, The Vision of Escaflowne is a truly remarkable anime. Created by Studio Sunrise, it’s a uniquely creative and groundbreaking series, despite not receiving as much attention recently.

Despite not being a major hit in Japan, The Vision of Escaflowne gained a dedicated following internationally and even led to a follow-up movie. Its beautiful animation, compelling story, and richly detailed world have cemented its status as a memorable classic that deserves to be remembered.

Now and Then, Here and There Takes a Uniquely Dark Approach to a Familiar Trope

Often considered a groundbreaking work in the isekai genre, far ahead of many newer series, Now and Then, Here and There stands out because it avoids typical power fantasies. Unlike most isekai stories that feature exciting new worlds, this one throws its main character into a bleak, war-ravaged wasteland where they must face truly disturbing realities.

At its heart, Now and Then, Here and There uses a fantastical escape story to examine the horrors of war and oppressive governments, painting a bleak and unsettling world where there are no simple answers. Its somber mood and powerful themes continue to make it a standout and deeply impactful anime in the isekai genre.

Record of Lodoss War Remains the Best Exemplar of Anime High Fantasy

Fans of high fantasy love worlds brimming with mythical creatures, heroic adventurers, magic, and the threat of impending darkness – and Record of Lodoss War delivers all of that. This anime is considered a classic and a very traditional example of the genre. It began in the 1980s as recordings of Dungeons & Dragons game sessions, but quickly became a popular franchise of its own.

Although not groundbreaking, Record of Lodoss War was incredibly important because it successfully translated many classic fantasy elements into the world of anime. Many of the ways modern anime challenges those same fantasy ideas wouldn’t be possible without the foundation Lodoss War created.

Revolutionary Girl Utena Is One of the Most Important Anime Titles of the ‘90s

Despite being more well-known than many other shows on this list, Revolutionary Girl Utena is often overlooked when people discuss the most important anime of the 1990s. It truly deserves more recognition than many series from that era. Kunihiko Ikuhara’s unique and experimental take on the magical girl genre, combined with its themes of growing up, still feels groundbreaking today, living up to the show’s revolutionary title.

Revolutionary Girl Utena initially seems like a cheerful and simple story. However, it quickly becomes complex and thought-provoking, challenging typical narratives, especially in its portrayal of female strength and LGBTQ+ themes. While many anime series have borrowed from it since, Revolutionary Girl Utena deserves credit for being a groundbreaking work that first explored these concepts.

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2026-01-25 22:48