10 Untouchable ‘80s Anime That Nobody Remembers

Each decade brings a unique vibe to anime, influencing the types of shows created. The 1980s were particularly important, launching several incredibly popular franchises that are still enjoyed today, including Urusei Yatsura, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Bubblegum Crisis, and Dragon Ball.

Certain anime from the ’80s have become hugely popular and define the decade. But there were many other excellent shows from that era that deserve recognition, even if they’ve been forgotten over time. Now is a perfect time to rediscover these fantastic, lesser-known anime classics from the ’80s.

The 1980s Produced Dallos as the First Ever OVA

Anime OVAs, or Original Video Animations, became popular in the 1980s, but Dallos is considered the very first one – the first animated movie released straight to video. It was created by Mamoru Oshii, the director known for Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor, and it reflects his interest in exploring complex, philosophical themes.

I recently discovered this incredible film, and it’s really stuck with me. It presents this wild idea – what if Earth started literally taking resources from the moon? It spirals into this tense situation with acts of terrorism aimed at the government, which is pretty intense. But then there’s Dallos, this secret colony on the moon, and it offers a glimmer of hope in a world that’s falling apart. Honestly, even big fans of the director sometimes miss this one, but it’s a really thoughtful and mature story. It uses this futuristic, dystopian setting to cleverly reflect on things happening in our own world, and it’s just brilliant.

Future Policeman Urashiman Is the Ultimate Isekai Crime Thriller

Released in 1983, Future Policeman Urashiman is a unique and groundbreaking 50-episode anime that blends action, science fiction, and elements of both cyberpunk and isekai. This often-overlooked classic follows a man and his cat who are unexpectedly transported from 1980s Japan to the year 2050. The series captures the comforting feel of other Tatsunoko Production shows, but it slowly shifts from comedy to more serious and impactful storylines as it progresses.

This anime series features a complex, ongoing crime mystery spanning 50 episodes. Interestingly, Saban Entertainment once dubbed it as Rock ‘n Cop, but it was never made available to the public. It’s possible that a wider English release could have made Future Policeman Urashiman as popular as other classic anime from Tatsunoko Production.

The Mecha Genre Has Already Forgotten Blue Comet SPT Layzner

Directed by Ryosuke Takahashi, known for Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Blue Comet SPT Layzner is a mecha anime with all the potential for widespread popularity. However, despite being well-made and ambitious, it remains a relatively unknown sci-fi series from the 1980s.

The anime Blue Comet SPT Layzner presents a compelling scenario where the Cold War hasn’t ended – it’s simply moved to space. When aliens attack, a group of young cadets are left to defend themselves on Mars while also protecting Earth. While the show features exciting robot battles and interesting alien creatures, it’s the thoughtful and mature storytelling that truly makes it memorable.

Forgotten Children Fight to Find Their Way Home in Galactic Drifter Vifam

Galactic Drifter Vifam, sometimes called Round Vernian Vifam, was created by Yoshiyuki Tomino, the mind behind Mobile Suit Gundam, and takes its cues from the stories of Jules Verne. This mecha series centers around a war involving humanity, but what makes it unique is its focus on 13 children lost in space. They’re all alone, trying to find their way back to Earth and their families.

Galactic Drifter Vifam is a good starting point for kids getting into mecha anime. It has a rougher, more energetic style of action compared to some other shows, and focuses more on realistic characters and their development. You really see the child characters mature and change throughout the series.

Igano Kabamaru Subverts Ninja Tropes With Classic Humor

There are plenty of fun ninja anime out there, but Igano Kabamaru is special. It’s primarily a comedy, with action taking a backseat, and much of its humor comes from the main character, a ninja, trying to adjust to city life. Igano Kabamaru truly excels as a fish-out-of-water comedy, and it’s easy to see how Igano influenced characters like Ranma Saotome, Recca Hanabishi, and Naruto Uzumaki.

The hilarious but often overlooked anime Igano Kabamaru would be perfect for a remake to reach a new audience. With just 24 episodes, it’s a quick and enjoyable watch – many fans discover it and finish the whole series in a single weekend! It’s full of wonderfully silly ninja adventures.

Miyazaki’s Sherlock Hound Stars a Dog Detective in a Steampunk World

Hayao Miyazaki is a legendary figure in anime, and most of his films remain well-known. However, a few of his projects have become less visible over time. One example is Sherlock Hound (also called Famous Detective Holmes), a unique series where Miyazaki reimagines the famous detective Sherlock Holmes as a dog.

Aside from its focus on dogs, the anime also has a unique steampunk style, fitting for a story inspired by Jules Verne. Unusual anime series often either become incredibly popular or are quickly forgotten, and the difference can be slight. While some anime fans may recognize the name Sherlock Hound, few have actually watched all 26 episodes of this lesser-known treasure.

An Underrated Mystery Thriller Unfolds in They Were Eleven

They Were Eleven is a science fiction anime series. Ten young cadets are sent to an old spaceship for a survival exercise, but they discover there are actually eleven people on board. This turns their mission into a tense search to find the traitor in their midst, creating suspenseful moments throughout the story.

They Were Eleven is a thought-provoking anime that really gets under your skin, making you question the connections between the characters. It expertly breaks down themes of paranoia, trust, and what defines a person, and fans of John Carpenter’s classic film, The Thing, will likely find a lot to appreciate. While it’s a fantastic story, the anime hasn’t been widely seen because its English release was stopped back in 2004.

Japan & France Unite to Create an Educational ’80s Hidden Gem

Known as Esteban: Child of the Sun in Japan, The Mysterious Cities of Gold is a cartoon created through a collaboration between French and Japanese studios. This unusual partnership resulted in a series that, while largely forgotten today, showcases a particularly creative time for anime. It’s a blend of action, adventure, historical elements, and fantasy, designed to be both fun and informative.

While the animation isn’t the most polished, the anime does a fantastic job creating its world, especially considering when it was made. The characters’ reasons for acting the way they do change a bit between versions of the show, but both versions share a similar feeling of excitement and discovery. When the magic system is at its best, it’s comparable to the most engaging parts of Dr. Stone.

Kimagure Orange Road Distills 1980s Shonen into One Anime

Kimagure Orange Road isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a great example of a series that works because it does the basics really well. It’s a charming and relatable romantic comedy with subtle supernatural touches. What makes this series enjoyable is how natural the characters feel and the engaging love triangle at its heart.

Originally popular in the ’80s and ’90s with a 48-episode anime series, plus several OVAs and films, Kimagure Orange Road has become less well-known over the years. Very little of the series has been dubbed into English, and many releases are now hard to find. It’s a shame, because Kimagure Orange Road would likely appeal to today’s viewers who enjoy romantic comedies focused on compelling characters.

Megazone 23 Stars a Magic Motorcycle in a War on the Government

While many anime from the 1980s were innovative, few had the lasting impact of Megazone 23. This franchise, consisting of two movies and an OVA, all came out in the ’80s. Megazone 23 is remarkably bold, telling the story of a troubled teen who gets a powerful, shape-shifting motorcycle and uses it to uncover secrets in a world recovering from a disaster.

Megazone 23 is an anime that constantly ups the ante, but always delivers a satisfying result. Its impressive and groundbreaking storytelling is made even better by a detailed cyberpunk world and a unique soundtrack, all of which contribute to a fresh take on science fiction and mecha genres.

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2026-02-22 06:15