The 1990s were a hugely important time for anime, bringing Japanese animation and culture to audiences around the world and setting the stage for its current popularity. Before streaming was common, anime found a Western audience who were drawn in by its exciting stories, colorful visuals, and memorable music. These unique qualities helped anime become a global phenomenon, captivating viewers with its action-packed and adventurous worlds.
Many beloved anime series, like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, first aired on television and remain popular today. However, the 1990s also produced a wealth of fantastic shows that never achieved widespread international recognition. With major improvements in animation technology, these hidden gems are unfortunately being overlooked.
7) Oprhen
Orphen is a well-regarded fantasy series from the late 1990s that never quite achieved the same level of popularity as shows like Record of Lodoss War. Based on light novels and a manga by Yoshinobu Akita, the anime adaptation only ran for two seasons in the 1990s. The story takes place six years after a disastrous event at the Tower of Fang, a magic school, where a magical sword caused the sorceress Azalie to transform into a powerful dragon.
The day became known as Bloody August, and Azalie was largely left to fend for herself by the Tower of Fang, with only one exception: a kind, young magician named Krilancelo. Realizing the tower’s elders wouldn’t offer assistance, Krilancelo changed his name to Orphen and set out on a quest to restore Azalie to her former self.
6) Slayers
Despite losing some of its mainstream appeal over time, Slayers remains a beloved fantasy anime for many dedicated fans. It’s known for its great mix of humor, action, and adventure, and still feels fresh today. The story centers on Lina Inverse, a powerful sorceress who travels the world, using her magic to steal from bandits and collect treasures.
Just as Lina was preparing to target a new group of people, a swordsman named Gourry Gabriev arrived, thinking she was the one in danger. He stepped in to help, believing she needed rescuing from the bandits, and offered to accompany her to Atlas City. This unexpected pairing launched a series of wild and exciting adventures, taking them through a world brimming with magic, monsters, and ancient secrets.
5) Crest of the Stars
Even now, Crest of the Stars remains a hidden gem among sci-fi action series, highly regarded for its detailed universe, well-developed characters, and emotionally resonant stories. Rather than focusing solely on action, the series explores themes of diplomacy, identity, and survival through the characters’ personal journeys. It’s set in the far future, where the Abh Empire – a technologically superior race of genetically engineered humans – poses a threat to humanity.
Faced with the Empire’s relentless destruction, humanity formed the Four Nations Alliance to fight back. Jinto Linn, a young man burdened by his father’s betrayal – a deal made with the Empire for personal gain – lives among the Abh, the noble race that conquered his people. Soon, he finds himself caught in the middle of the conflict, alongside his friend and Princess Lafiel Abriel of the Abh.
4) Now and Then, Here and There
This anime series, originally released in 1999, is a deeply emotional and often disturbing sci-fi fantasy. It’s known for its mature themes of war and tragedy. The story centers around Shuu, a typical boy who loves kendo, and his encounter with a mysterious blue-haired girl named Lala-Ru, who wears a unique pendant. He soon finds himself witnessing a dangerous scene: a woman and two snake-like robots trying to capture Lala-Ru.
Shuu, driven by a strong sense of justice, tries to rescue someone and unexpectedly finds himself in a desolate desert world. Though this new world is harsh and fading, he remains determined to protect Lala-Ru, facing any obstacle it throws his way. Along his journey, he witnesses the brutal realities of war – including suffering and starvation – but never loses his empathy and compassion.
3) The File of Young Kindaichi
If you’re a fan of Detective Conan, you’ll likely enjoy this mystery series from the late 1990s, created by the same studio that made One Piece and Dragon Ball. While The File of Young Kindaichi didn’t become widely popular internationally, it was highly regarded as one of the best crime dramas of its time. A sequel season even aired in 2014, but it still didn’t reach a large audience. The series centers around Hajime Kindaichi, who initially seems like a typical high school student.
Despite not looking particularly remarkable, Hajime is the grandson of Japan’s most famous detective. Along with his friend Miyuki Nanase and inspector Isamu Kenmochi, he follows in his grandfather’s footsteps, solving mysteries as they journey across remote islands, spooky towns, treacherous waters, and other dangerous locations.
2) His and Her Circumstances
I remember watching this romantic comedy when it originally aired in 1998 – it only lasted one season, but it really stuck with me and a lot of other fans. His and Her Circumstances is surprisingly thoughtful and layered; it’s not just a typical fluffy romance. The characters are smart and relatable, grappling with things like self-doubt, jealousy, and their own personal issues. What’s really interesting is that it was directed by Hideaki Anno, who’s famous for Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the animation style is noticeably different from most other classic Shōjo anime – it has a really unique look.
Yukino Miyazawa is a popular and intelligent student who enjoys being the center of attention. However, Souichiro Arima constantly challenges her, and she’s surprised when he congratulates her after she outperforms him on a midterm exam. This event causes Yukino to reflect on her self-centered ways, and she begins to discover Souichiro’s genuine feelings for her.
1) Serial Experiments Lain
This highly acclaimed anime is a chilling and intelligent psychological thriller, often considered one of the most disturbing and insightful series ever made. Despite only having 13 episodes, it cleverly examines the increasingly blurred lines between the real world and the digital one, making it especially relevant today.
The story follows Lain Iwakura, a shy fourteen-year-old, after she receives a strange email from a classmate who recently died by suicide. Opening the email pulls Lain into the Wired, a digital world of communication, and she quickly finds herself caught up in a series of frightening and puzzling events.
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2025-10-28 02:11