The series follows the story of Yukino Miyazawa, a high-achieving student who is determined to be the best at everything she does. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets her new classmate, Soichiro Arima, who seems to be even better than her at everything. As the two compete with each other, they also begin to fall in love.

Although the show is not at all related to NGE, it is still a worthwhile watch for any fan of romance anime and the works of Hideaki Anno. The characters are relatable, the animation quality is top-notch, and despite the disappointing ending, the show manages to maintain a charming appeal that keeps you watching until the end.

Gainax Adapts a Manga

After the successful run on Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno and Gainax were the hot players in the anime industry, and they were keen to keep the animation team together and quickly set to work on adapting a shoujo romantic manga.

Production of the show was very stylized and utilized several different techniques, including montages cut with the original manga, live-action backgrounds, paper cutouts on sticks, and the use of gekimation.

Casting for the Japanese language version of the show was comprised of many first-time voice actors. This was done purposely as Hideaki Anno felt that the scale of voice actors in the industry at the time was limiting to the vision he had for the production.

The Story of His and Her Circumstances

The story follows the life of Yukino Miyazawa, a high school student who craves the admiration and affection of her fellow students so much that she develops a fake persona of the ideal and perfect student.

At home, and around her family, she lets down her guard and is even seen as lazy and immature by her sisters. This dual identity leads to a fear of exposure to her classmates that becomes a source of weakness.

Her life is turned upside down when she meets Soichiro Arima, a boy who challenges her for the position of top student at the school. Furthermore, Soichiro is good-looking, popular, and athletic, which earns him the admiration of his classmates. As Yukino and Soichiro get to know each other better, they begin to fall in love.

As their relationship develops, both Yukino and Soichiro begin to question their motives in life, and this forces deep introspection into their past.

In the case of Soichiro, he contends with being the scorn of his relatives after his loving Aunt and Uncle take him in due to an abusive mother and disgraced father. And with Yukino, she begins to question her motives for being propped up on a pedestal by her classmates and teachers.

This introspective venture leads both Soichiro and Yukino to lean on each other as they begin to display their true selves publicly. So the story is both one of romance and self-discovery.

The Characters

The characters are all very likable and the supporting cast serves to provide a contrast to the introverted and aloof personas of the two main characters in the story. As Yukino and Soichiro began to come out of their shells, their friends and family help guide them through their new-found social lives.

Many of the characters fit familiar archetypes, so they are instantly relatable and likable. And as the story progresses, much of the focus shifts to the growth in these friendships and family relationships.

The Charm of Kare Kano

The charm of the show lies in the likable characters and their relationships with their friends and family.

Beyond the romance between Soichiro and Yukino, you get a healthy dose of family fun with Yukino’s doting father, loving mother, and meddling sisters who know Yukino’s true personality and take no hesitation in calling her out for having two identities.

And as Soichiro and Yukino begin to display their true personalities at school, new friendships begin to form and this brings an extra layer of complexity to the growth of the two main characters. Beyond their budding romance, they are now balancing their newfound friendships and the social life that comes with it.

The show also touches on some dark themes, such as bullying and abuse, and demonstrates how the characters are able to persevere through these difficult situations while maintaining their composure and dignity without resorting to retaliation or holding a grudge.

In addition to a compelling story, the quality of the animation is top-tier, as expected from Gainax. The Backgrounds also have a watercolor aesthetic which lends itself to a storybook feel and perfectly represents the pinnacle of a warm analog 90s anime aesthetic.

The Disappointment of His and Her Circumstances

Production of the show was marred by a creative dispute between the author of the manga and Hideaki Anno. The root of this dispute was based on the decision by Gainax and Anno to emphasize the comedic aspects of the show, whereas the author wanted more focus on romance.

After 16 episodes, Hideaki Anno officially left the show, although it is said that he quietly continued to oversee the production of the show to the end.

The show also ran into budgetary issues, which lead to some creative use of manga still frames, paper cutouts on sticks, and two recap episodes (quite a bit for a short run). And although the series is only 26 episodes in length, it features 2 and a half recap episodes, which feels like a bit much.

While the last two episodes were still entertaining, they did nothing to further the romance between the two main characters. So the show, unfortunately, ends in an anti-climactic fashion with no storyline resolution of any kind.

Between the beautiful animation, likable characters, and Gainax storytelling, it’s hard not to be left with a feeling of what might have been.

Last Thoughts

His and Her Circumstances masterfully explores the themes of love, loss, and growing up. The story follows the lives of two teenagers, Miyazawa Yukari and Tsubaki Sawabe, as they navigate the ups and downs of young love.

Though the anime ultimately leaves you longing for what could have been, it remains a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of adolescence. This is why it continues to be a worthwhile recommendation for any fan of 90s romance anime.

The post His and Her Circumstances: A Charming Romance that Ultimately Disappoints appeared first on 90sanime.com.

And if you’re an anime fan, perhaps you’ve already seen some horror anime, or maybe your interest has at least been piqued. In any case, any fan of classic anime has some great horror options from the 90s.

What is Horror Anime?

Before we start, it might be good to have an understanding of what constitutes a horror anime.

If you look at the horror genre from a broader standpoint, it includes any movie or show that elicits fear and/or disgust in the audience.

This can include slasher films, psychological thrillers, supernatural horrors, gore, alien invaders, zombies, and the list goes on… but you get the general idea.

So if you’re looking for a bit of 90s anime fright, then continue reading.

The Best Horror Anime of the 90s

You can find horror anime as far back as the 1960s, however at the time anime was still mostly being produced for kids.

As the industry matured in the 70s, horror anime made strides in part due to the efforts of artists such as Go Nagai. And in the golden age of the 80s, horror anime became a strongly established genre and laid the path for the anime in the list below.

21. My School is Dread!

Fumio Kida just wants a girlfriend. The problem is that he is incredibly creepy and this has earned him the nickname of “Creepta.” Once Creepta develops a crush on a girl, he obsesses with her to the point that women would rather end their lives than be the object of his affection.

The show has a supernatural angle to it (like most shows on this list), so if you’re looking to be unnerved and confused, then this is a great horror anime to start with.

20. Bio Hunter

A retrovirus is plaguing mankind, and this particular virus has been dubbed the “demon” virus by two scientists who are spreading the cure throughout Japan. The virus infects humans and animals and rapidly evolves them into violent and demonic creatures.

One of the scientists was infected by the virus, however he is able to control the transformations his body goes through and uses this power to help save others who become infected. Unfortunately the virus is consuming his body, and the two scientists are in a race to eradicate the virus before he is consumed forever.

19. Doomed Megalopolis

Doomed Megalopolis is a 4 part OVA series made by Madhouse in the early 90s and was directed by Rintaro. Rintaro was a co-founder of Madhouse and you may be familiar with his other directorial works such as Galaxy Express 999, Neo Tokyo, and Metropolis.

Although Doomed Megalopolis is not Rintaro’s most famous work, it may be one of his scariest. In this adaptation of the famous dark fantasy novel, Teito Monogatari, an alternative 20th century Japan faces a demonic threat unleashed by an evil sorcerer.

18. The Curse of Kazuo Umezu

Kazuo Umezu is a famous Japanese horror author who’s works date back to the 60s, and this OVA adaptation of some of his works offers a mere glimpse into his world of horror.

The OVA is comprised of two unrelated shorts that tell the stories of young girls who toy with the occult and suffer the consequences. Take a look at this short clip if your nerves can handle it:

To be honest, this may well be the scariest entry on the list…

17. Mermaid Forest

Mermaid Forest and Mermaid’s Scar are two OVAs that were adapted from the Mermaid Saga manga series in 1991 and 1993 respectively.

The story is of a young man who has grown tired of his immortality that was gained by eating mermaid flesh. He wanders across the country looking for a mermaid who can transform him back into a regular mortal.

In 2003, the Mermaid Saga was adapted into an anime television series, so if you enjoy the two OVAs and want more, well there you go.

16. Silent Mobius

Silent Mobius is a cyberpunk horror anime about a magician’s guild’s failed attempt to open a gate to another world. The intent was to exchange the earth’s polluted air and water with clean air and water from this other world.

Unfortunately, rather than receiving clean air and water, a race of aliens used the gate to invade Earth. In response, the Attacked Mystification Police (AMP) are formed to fight off the invasion.

15. Night Walker: The Midnight Detective

Shido is a vampire who works as a private detective by day and hunts violent supernatural creatures at night. With no memory of his past, he works tirelessly in his detective agency to solve crimes with the aid of his secretary and familiar.

Of interest, the show is based on an eroge (adult erotic) PC game that was released in the early 90s, although the show differs from the game in many ways.

14. 3×3 Eyes

Much like the Mermaid Saga, 3×3 Eyes features a protagonist who is attempting to regain his mortality. This time, however, he achieved immortality when a demon absorbed his soul to save his life.

To complicate matters, the demon is a kind and sweet young girl who can also be incredibly destructive when she opens her third eye.

13. Zenki

Chiaki is a young girl who troubles herself by taking on jobs to support her and her grandma at their temple. While she and some guests are enjoying the temple hot springs, two robbers show up to steal a dark artifact that has been sealed away in the temple, the seed of evil.

The seed transforms the robbers into murderous demons, and they set themselves upon Chiaki and her companions. When things are starting to look grim, a guardian bracelet suddenly appears on Chiaki’s wrist, and this allows her to summon the fiercest temple guardian of all, Zenki.

After dispatching the demons, Chiaki is called by a mysterious voice to rid the world of more seeds of evil.

12. The Guyver: Bio-Booster Armor

If graphic violence is your forte, then The Guyver: Bio-Booster Armor is a solid option.

This is a 12-episode OVA series that is a condensed adaptation of the first five volumes of the manga series. The story is about an alien soldier suit that is being pursued by an evil corporation called Chronos.

The series’s protagonist spends his time protecting himself and his friends against the monstrous Zoanoids sent by Chronos.

Not to be confused with Guyver:The Bio-Boosted Armor from 2005.

11. Devilman: The Demon Bird

Any fan of Go Nagai is familiar with one of his most famous works, Devilman. The Devilman series dates back to the early 70s and throughout the years the series has had multiple anime adaptations.

In 1987, the series was adapted into an OVA called Devilman: The Birth, and in 1990, the sequel Devilman: The Demon Bird was released.

It’s recommended that you start with The Birth and then watch The Demon Bird. And if you can’t get enough 90s Devilman, then be sure to check out Devil Lady.

10. Petshop of Horrors

Petshop of Horrors is a 4 episode series about a mysterious Pet Shop in Chinatown. Each of the rare pets for sale comes with specific instructions that must be followed. To do otherwise will bring terrible consequences upon the new owner.

Each episode documents the peril facing the pet owners as they fail to follow the instructions and instead choose to engage in selfish and destructive behavior.

9. Genocyber

Genocyber is a violent and gory cyberpunk anime that tells the story of an evil corporation that seeks to exploit two young psychic sisters into creating the ultimate biological weapon, the Genocyber.

As is often the case, things don’t go as planned, and the result is massive destruction and violence.

8. Vampire Princess Miyu

In the 80s, there was a 4 episode Vampire Princess Miyu OVA, and this was followed up in the late 90s with a 26-episode television adaptation.

The story follows Miyu, a youthful vampire princess who must rid the world of shape-shifting monsters and vampires.

When she’s not banishing evil Shinma to the darkness, Miyu tries to live life as a normal high school student

7. Getter Robo: Armageddon

This is another show based on the works of Go Nagai. The Getter Robo series originally ran for 51 episodes in the mid-70s, and this is the show that introduced the concept of machines combining to form a super mega robot (think Voltron or Power Rangers).

In the late 90s, the series was spun off into a 13 episode OVA, and serves as a grim continuation of the series after the events of the Moon Wars.

99% of the human population is wiped out during a catastrophic explosion of Getter Rays, and this leaves humanity grasping for survival in the face of another invasion by alien forces.

6. Puppet Master Sakon

If puppets freak you out, then this is the show for you.

Sakon is the grandson of the most famous puppet master in all of Japan. Sakon’s puppet is named Ukon and it was made by a world-famous puppet master during the early 1800s.

Together, Sakon and his puppet Ukon work to solve shocking, and often gruesome, murders.

5. Memories

Memories is an anthology film featuring 3 short stories by some of the most well-respected anime creators and studios of the time (including the mind behind Akira!).

Each of the stories focuses on a different catastrophe surrounded by mysterious circumstances, and this leads to a series of events that only raise more questions.

The movie is heavy on apocalyptic sci-fi themes and makes for a good late-night watch.

4. Hell Teacher Nube

As the name implies, Nube is a teacher, and he works at Dōmori Elementary. Occasionally, one of his students is targeted by an evil spirit and he must rely on his powerful demon hand to set things right.

Hell Teacher Nube is as much a comedy anime as it is a horror anime, and it retains an episodic format throughout most of the series.

3. Ninja Scroll

Ninja Scroll is a supernatural ninja anime that was incredibly influential in popularizing anime outside of Japan. The movie was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, who had previously directed one of the greatest horror anime of the 80s, Wicked City.

The story follows a traveling mercenary who is joined by the last surviving member of a ninja clan in a quest to kill the Eight Devils of Kimon.

When it was released, Ninja Scroll was praised for its animation quality and is arguably one of the top anime movies of the 90s.

2. Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue was the directorial debut of Satoshi Kon. You may recognize his other works, Millenium Actress, Paprika, and Tokyo Godfathers; however Perfect Blue remains his most famous work.

Pop star, Mima Kirigoe, has made the difficult decision to move on to the world of acting, however, not everyone supports this decision. This leads to a downward spiral of madness and confusion as Mima begins to lose her sense of sanity.

Perfect Blue is perhaps the scariest anime movie ever made, and its influence can be felt in Hollywood Movies such as Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream. If you’re up for a scary animated masterpiece of a movie, then Perfect Blue can’t be missed.

Be sure to check out our Perfect Blue review!

1. Berserk

There’s no two ways about it; Berserk is a dark fantasy classic. The series is full of drama, betrayal, violence, gore, and disturbing moments.

This epic story is not only the best horror anime show of the 90s, but arguably the best horror anime series of all time.

Horrible Horror Anime Pick you Shouldn’t Watch

Midori

Don’t blame me if curiosity gets the best of you…

The post The Horror Anime that Kept People Up in the 90s appeared first on 90sanime.com.

Over 20 years later, it remains a “much watch” for any generation. Which is a testament to NGE and Hideaki Anno’s impact on the industry.

Anno’s signature style is slapstick/parody coupled with brooding darkness, and this is prevalent in his most famous works. Which established him as one of the most prolific names in 90s anime and carried his influence into subsequent generations.

Although his work in the 90s cemented his legacy, his rise in the industry began with some of the most famous names and studios of the 80s.

Anno’s Humble Beginnings

Hideaki Anno got his start in animation while attending the Osaka University of Arts. While there, he worked as an animator on Super Dimension Fortress Macross. He also had a hand in the Daicon III and Daicon IV opening animations for the Nipon SF Taikai sci-fi conventions.

Perhaps you’ve already seen this?

Eventually, Anno was expelled from school after he stopped paying his tuition. But by that point, he had already caught the attention of Hayao Miyazaki (you know him?). So he moved to Tokyo to work on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Miyazaki was impressed with Anno’s work and tasked him with animating some of the most complicated scenes. This includes the awakening of the God Warrior toward the end of the movie.

Anno and Miyazaki became long-time friends as a result of this experience, with Miyazaki playing the role of a mentor. Miyazaki describes Anno’s approach to filmmaking as “spilling blood,” and later hired Anno to voice the main character in The Wind Rises.

The Start of Gainax

In 1984, after completing work on Nausicaä, Anno and some of his former college classmates founded Gainax.

Initially, Gainax was a temporary corporate entity, specifically created to create Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise. Which was produced in a partnership with Bandai.

Anno worked as the animation director for Royal Space Force. Afterward, he became the premier director for the studio and oversaw some of the greatest anime ever made.

The Anime Works of Hideaki Anno

Hideaki Anno has a considerable resume. He has worked on several anime as an actor, animator, designer, and storyboard artist.

However, for the works we are about to discuss, the emphasis will be on his efforts as a director. And more specifically, the anime he directed in the 80s and 90s.

Gunbuster

Gunbuster was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno and came on the heels of Royal Space Force. Despite the warm reception to Royal Space Force, Gainax accrued significant debt due to cost overruns.

So rather than dissolve the studio, as originally intended, Gainax decided to make more anime. And Gunbuster was the follow-up to their classic movie debut.

The Gunbuster OVA starts as a light-hearted parody of movies such as Top Gun and the sports manga Aim for the Ace! (The show is called Aim for the Top! in Japan, get it?)

The show focuses on a young female protagonist named Noriko Takaya, who begins a stint at a pilot training school.

Noriko lives in the shadow of her father, a famous ship admiral who died in a battle with alien insectoids. Despite bullying over the perceived nepotism and incompetence, Noriko begins to excel as a mech pilot.

As the show progresses, it takes a decidedly darker tone, and the concept of time dilation (Urashima effect) is explored. And tragically, every space mission sees the crew returning to friends and family who have aged rapidly in their absence.

The obvious implication here is that the crew will eventually outlive everyone they love on earth.

The OVA is only 6 episodes long, so it’s easy to watch the whole series in an afternoon. The movie has also been recut into a movie if you’re looking for an easier commitment.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

Nadia is loosely based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. And interestingly enough, the origins of the show date back to the mid-70s.

At this time, Toho tasked Hayao Miyazaki to develop a new series. Initially, his plans started as a take on the classic novel, however, the show never came to fruition.

Subsequently, Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli reworked many of the concepts he developed for the show into Castle in the Sky. However, Toho retained the rights to the original story concept; which follows two orphans who team up with Captain Nemo aboard the Nautilus while being chased by villains.

Production on Nadia began during a period of internal conflict at Gainax. The end result of this power struggle was one founder withdrawing from Gainax, and Hideaki Anno taking over as director of the series.

The story of Nadia is a grand adventure full of mystery. It starts with a group of thieves pursuing Nadia and her prized jewel (the blue water), and culminates with a standoff against neo-Atlantean forces bent on world domination.

Like Anno’s other work, Nadia is not short on parodies and references to other anime. And it is said that the main character, Nadia, was shaped by Anno’s perception of women during a break-up he was going through at the time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water remains an all-time classic anime. And this series is included in our list of best anime shows of the 90s.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

It goes without saying that Neon Genesis Evangelion (NGE) is the most famous anime directed by Hideaki Anno. The show was released in 1995 and left a lasting and influential legacy on the anime industry. And NGE cemented Anno’s reputation as one of the foremost names in the anime industry.

Evangelion was originally conceived as a sequel to Nadia, however, the show had to be rewritten when the rights to Nadia could not be secured. This resulted in a story that takes place 15 years after a cataclysmic event known as the “Second Impact,” which destroyed half of the world’s population.

As humanity rebuilds, a new threat emerges in the form of invading celestial beings known as “Angels.” Three teenage mech pilots face off against the Angels in Evangelion Units, or EVAs.

Anno touches on themes of anxiety, depression, and trauma throughout the run of the series. And the show is similar to Gunbuster in the ways it parodies the genre, while also telling a gripping story with dark undertones.

In Japan, the show was controversial at the time. This was largely due to the mature and avant-garde story being broadcast in a timeslot aimed at younger audiences. So the mismatch of the demographic angered some parents.

However, the show’s popularity rapidly increased among older anime fans during late-night reruns.

The show also ran into budgetary issues, which forced Gainax to shortcut the last two episodes of the series. This angered many fans of the show as it felt like a significant letdown after the build-up of episode 24.

The popularity of the show led Anno and Gainax to work on an Evangelion movie, Death and Rebirth. This was a recap of the first 24 episodes with a new lead-in to the final events of the series.

Soon after, the second movie, End of Evangelion was released. The movie reimagined the last two episodes in a way more aligned with the original story.

The show was later retold in the Rebuild of Evangelion series with new animation and voice acting.

NGE is often credited with significantly boosting interest in animation and creating a new anime boom in the mid-90s. To this day, Neon Genesis Evangelion is firmly planted on nearly every “top anime of all time” list found on the internet. And the highly-rated show is definitely one of the top mech anime of the 90s.

His and Her Circumstances

Hideaki Anno’s last series on this list is a departure from his previous shows. Rather than a sci-fi adventure, His and Her Circumstances is a high school romance story based on a girls’ manga.

In true Hideaki Anno fashion, the show has comedic slapstick humor over the backdrop of a dark emotional exploration.

The show was launched after production finished on NGE and was the first manga adapted work by Gainax. So, much of the staff who worked on NGE also worked on His and Her Circumstances. This resulted in some artistic similarities between the two shows.

Anno expressed frustration during the series. This was partly due to artistic differences with the manga author (she was upset with the adaptation). Also, at the time, there were animation restrictions placed on the industry due to the Pokemon seizure incident.

As a result, Anno apparently withdrew from the show and is listed as a director only up until episode 16 of the series. However, many staff on the show reported that he continued to be involved until the end of production.

If you’re a fan of both romance and classic anime, then His and Her Circumstances is a worthwhile watch.

The Legacy of Hideaki Anno

Hideaki Anno firmly established himself as a force in the world of Japanese Animation. His influence has been felt in the subsequent decades through abstract storytelling, deconstruction of genres, and explorations into human emotions such as insecurity and depression.

In 1998, Anno directed his first live-action movie (Shiki-Jitsu) and subsequently worked on a few more anime and live-action movies after the 90s. However, his most respected and famous directorial efforts took place in the classic era of anime.

Neon Genesis Evangelion will forever remain his most famous anime, but any fan of the classics cannot afford to miss out on his other work.

The post Hideaki Anno Aims for the Top! appeared first on 90sanime.com.

While some studios struggled during this time, others flourished. This affected what manga was adapted into anime productions and studios increased outreach into western markets.

Thisvthattv explores how the world of anime was reshaped in their special documentary series. I’d highly recommend you give this a watch and subscribe to this channel:

The post How Japan’s Lost Decade Reshaped Anime in the 90s appeared first on 90sanime.com.

Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of some of the best seinen anime of the 90s. But before we dig into that, we should probably clarify something.

What is Seinen Anime?

Seinen is a demographic that includes young adult men. So seinen anime or manga is typically more mature when it comes to storytelling and themes and features adult or older teen protagonists. Seinen also encompasses any commonly recognized anime genre such as action, sci-fi, yuri, moe, or slice of life.

This contrasts with Shonen anime, which is often over the top with power-ups and childish slap-stick humor.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that seinen is R-rated material because it can often include anime that would be safe to watch by younger audiences. However, seinen anime likely would not be as interesting to children compared to shows like Naruto or Pokemon.

A modern example of this would be the anime March Comes in Like a Lion. Although this anime deals with complicated life issues, it would not fall in the realm of “adult content.” And this show may be boring to younger teens or children.

To further clarify, Seinen is one of the five general anime and manga demographics:

• Kodomo – children under 10
• Shoujo – teenage girls
• Shounen – teenage boys
• Josei – young adult women
• Seinen – young adult men

Side note before we move on: Some purists will lament certain entries on this list because technically “seinen anime” is adapted from “seinen manga.”

This is traditionally how the demographics in anime are defined, however for the purpose of this article, we have decided to include titles that are technically not seinen by this definition (Cowboy Bebop for example). This is to provide a broader list of quality recommendations for people who are specifically looking for this type of anime.

However, all shows/movies referenced in the section below are keeping in the general seinen demographic theme described above.

The Best Seinen Anime of the 90s

This should go without saying, but “best” is always subjective when it comes to anime. However, in my opinion, you cannot go wrong with any of the choices on this list. And I believe this represents some of the best seinen offerings of the 1990s.

You may have already seen some or all of these, so if you have, let me know what you think should have been included on this list in the comments below.

Without further ado…

This post contains affiliate links that help support this website’s endeavor to share the world of 90s anime with people like you; please read more here.

11. Now and Then Here and There

This is perhaps the most depressing isekai anime of the 90s, and maybe even of all time. This came out toward the end of the decade and is a grand adventure through melancholy and torture.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the show is a powerful watch, and if you’re looking for an emotional ride, Now and Then Here and There is definitely your pick.

The show has a lot going for it, as it was directed by Akitaro Daichi (Kodocha, Fruits Basket) and written by Hideyuki Kurata (Excel Saga, The World God Only Knows, Made in Abyss). And weighing in at a light 13 episodes, this series is an easy commitment.

You can buy the digital version of this show on prime video!

10. Master Keaton

Master Keaton gets a lot of respect out of the gate because it was produced by one of the best anime studios of the 90s, Madhouse.

Madhouse has been around since the early 70s, and during the 90s they produced an incredible number of anime, and a couple of those will show up later on this list.

But just running through some of their titles gives you an idea of the caliber of their work; Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura, Metropolis, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Paprika…

So if you’re looking for an action-oriented anime that has a bit of an Indiana Jones vibe to it, then you have a quality pick with Master Keaton.

9. Outlaw Star

If you’ve been around for a while, you may remember seeing this show when it was airing on Cartoon Network’s Toonami series in the early 2000s. If you did see this show, then you saw a heavily edited version that stripped out much of the adult content.

So regardless of whether you saw Outlaw Star on Toonami or not, you should definitely check this show out if you enjoy space westerns.

Unfortunately, Outlaw Star was overshadowed in the west at the time by another similar series, Cowboy Bebop. So it’s easy to miss this one, however, Outlaw Star is still enjoyable and deserving of a watch.

Purchase the entire series on Blu-ray at rightstufanime.com!

8. Ninja Scroll

If you are a fan of 90s samurai or ninja anime, then you have probably already seen Ninja Scroll.

Back in the 90s, Ninja Scroll was one of the hottest anime movies to make it stateside, and there was nothing like it at the time. The story of Jubei Kibagami and Kagero teaming up to battle the Devils of Kimon still holds up to this day.

So if you’re into violence and the supernatural, this is a solid option. And this is another Madhouse production, so quality is most assured.

7. Macross Plus

Macross Plus is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. First is that it’s one of the few Macross titles to make it outside of Japan, and the next reason is that it’s the directorial debut of Shinichiro Watanabe.

Watanabe has another entry on this list that you may be more familiar with, and that is Cowboy Bebop. However, we’ll get to Cowboy Bebop later on because right now we’re talking about Macross Plus.

Macross Plus is a stunning OVA with incredible dog fights, beautiful animation, and a captivating soundtrack. If you don’t have time for the entire 4 episode OVA, you can also check out Macross Plus: Movie Edition.

My recommendation is that you watch both because you can never have enough Macross in my opinion.

6. Initial D: First Stage

Initial D: First Stage came out in 1998 and is the first of many seasons in the long-running series that has also spawned some OVAs and movies.

Initial D is the story of a young man who refined his racing skills while making food deliveries for his father’s tofu restaurant in the family’s Toyota AE86. This ends up surprising some prolific street racers who struggle to keep up with the mysterious AE86.

Predictably, Initial D has drawn comparisons to the Fast and Furious series, so if 90s Sports Anime is your bag, then this is the pick!

Grab the entire first season on DVD at rightstufanime.com!

5. Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Legend of the Galactic Heroes (LOTGH) is a magnificent space opera that features epic space battles between two warring factions and unending political drama surrounding two brilliant military leaders.

The story is spread through multiple movies and hundreds of episodes. So this series is a lengthy commitment that is very well worth it.

Right now the entire run of OVAs and movies can be seen on Hidive, and they’ve even put together this handy LOTGH watch guide.

4. Cowboy Bebop

Even the most casual of anime fans are well aware of Cowboy Bebop. This is among a handful of shows that can claim responsibility for drawing a wave of new fans into the world of anime.

In fact, some would argue it’s the greatest anime series of all time! (we’ll let you decide on that one)

Cowboy Bebop is about a group of bounty hunters and is equal parts space western and action thriller and was produced by one of the greatest anime studios of all time, Sunrise (now known as Bandai Namco).

Some will argue that Cowboy Bebop is the greatest anime series of the 90s, but we’ll leave that for you to decide.

Own this classic on Blu-ray by heading to rightstufanime.com!

3. Perfect Blue

If you’re looking for a good psychological thriller, then Perfect Blue is the perfect anime for you. This is a dark movie about a pop-idol turned actress who finds that not everyone is on board with her career choices.

Perfect Blue is based on a novel and has inspired filmmakers internationally. This was the first movie directed by Satoshi Kon, and he later went on to direct Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika.

Sadly, Kon passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of incredible anime films which you should certainly watch.

You can own this classic thriller on Blu-ray by heading over to rightstufanime.com!

2. Berserk

Berserk is a heavy watch and is often considered the best dark fantasy anime of all time. The show is uber-violent and full of drama and betrayal. The series is only 25 episodes long, so it can be watched in a day or weekend, but it may be hard to track this one down (we’ll let you do a little googling on that).

This show is still very popular to this day and the manga that it’s based on is often considered the best manga of all time.

Despite your feelings on the CGI continuation of the series that came out in 2016, the original series is definitely worth a watch.

Be warned that some scenes are extremely graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.

1. Ghost in the Shell

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that arguably the best anime movie of the 90s is the top entry on the list. And Ghost in the Shell is a movie that even non-anime fans are familiar with.

This adaptation of the Masamune Shirow manga showed the lengths that big-budget cinematic production could take anime. The movie is a masterpiece of 90s cyberpunk anime, and any serious anime fan must watch this movie.

You can find this classic in 4K on amazon.com!

The post The Greatest Seinen Anime of the 1990s appeared first on 90sanime.com.

Certainly, the 90s had its fair share of anime classics, and we have written about many of these great shows and movies on this blog. But these classics do not happen without the anime boom in the 80s. So that is why it’s worth taking a look back at what led up to the 90s.

In their latest documentary, Thisvthattv explores the Japanese economy’s impact on the anime industry and how this played a large role in the 80s anime boom that is often referred to as the Golden Age of Anime.

For your convenience, we have embedded the video below, and if you enjoy anime documentaries, we highly recommend that you subscribe to this channel:

If you watched the video, you may have noticed an appearance from yours truly!

The post The Economics Behind the Golden Age of Anime appeared first on 90sanime.com.

And this is all thanks to the declining popularity of Transformers in Japan.

The Brief Rise and Fall of Transformers Anime

In the 1980s, Japan was treated to its own series of Transformers anime.

Initially, the first three seasons of the show that aired in the United States were dubbed for Japanese audiences. Rather than dub the fourth season, Takara (Japanese toy company), spun off their own Transformers series in a partnership with Toei Animation. This new story took a different direction from the American show.

This led to the creation of Transformers anime. And over the following 3 years, Japanese audiences were treated to Transformers: The Headmasters, Transformers: Super-God Masterforce, and Transformers: Victory.

The Transformers anime feature familiar characters and many new characters not seen in the American show.

Eventually, the popularity of the series waned. Then things soured between Takara and Toei and the series was canceled.

The Start of a Super Robot Franchise

The cancellation of the Transformers anime led to a collaboration between Takara and Sunrise Studio. The aim was to create a new super robot anime series and toy line. This is what would be known as the Brave, or Yuusha, Series.

Not surprisingly, this new series was very similar to Transformers in that it features robots who transformed into vehicles.

A recurring theme throughout the series is that there is one main “hero” robot who teams up with children to thwart evil robot invaders.

The Brave Series in Chronological Order

With the exception of the first two, the seasons are not interlinked. So there is really no “right” way to watch the series. So that means you can either watch it all or pick and choose based on what grabs your attention.

To expand further, the second season takes place 9 years after the first season. And while there are references to the first season, they do not serve as the backbone to the main storyline of the 2nd season. So it is still possible to watch the 2nd season without seeing the first season.

But if you decide to watch the whole Brave series, you may as well watch it in the order of release.

1. Brave Exkaiser

Brave Exkaiser was the first anime of the Yuusha series. And it’s obvious early on that this series borrows heavily from the Transformers concept.

The show starts with alien orbs circling the planet and discussing their intent to loot the planet. Fortunately for Earth, intergalactic space cop Exkaiser is an ally of the humans and is dead set on stopping the Geisters.

Exkaiser settles on the planet as a family commuter car. Not long after, he intervenes in an evil dinobot’s attempt to steal a family camera. This is the start of a close bond that he forms with the young child protagonist.

2. The Brave of Sun Fighbird

Of the main series entries, The Brave of Sun Fighbird is the only continuation of a previous season. Fighbird picks up 9 years after the end of the first season. However, this season can still be watched independently of the first season.

The Brave of Sun Fighbird takes place in 2010. In this story, the “hero” robot inhabits an android body to mask his appearance from a wicked alien energy being and an evil scientist accomplice.

Side note, this is the anime from which the “is this a pigeon?” meme originates.

3. The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn

In the third season of the Yuusha series, 6th-grade boy Seiji Takasugi travels the world searching for the “Brave Stones.” These stones are Brave Robots who must awaken and fuse with people and machines to unleash their true power.

In all, there are 8 Brave Robots, and Seiji must free them all in order to have any chance at saving the world from devastation.

4. The Brave Express Might Gaine

Do you like trains?

Senpuuji Maito is a teenage billionaire CEO of his late father’s railroad company. He uses his position to command the Brave Express robots in his war against crime.

The show takes place in the 1950s and has a monster of the week approach. This gives the show a feel likeof a throwback to an older era of anime.

The ending of this series was somewhat controversial at the time. And was seen as a sign of growing tensions between Sunrise and Takara.

5. Brave Police J-Decker

In the year 2020, the Brave Police construct a new Super Robot with advanced AI. This Super Robot is named Deckerd and his purpose is to counter high-tech crimes.

After becoming lost in a manufacturing facility, grade-schooler Yuuta Tomonaga discovers Deckerd. Yuta and Deckerd develop a bond which leads to Deckerd taking on a human-like personality. This newfound personality has the side effect of an increase in performance capabilities.

This connection leads to Yuta’s appointment as the boss of the Brave Police.

6. The Brave of Gold Goldran

The Brave of Gold Goldran feels like a departure from the more serious approach behind the previous two seasons. By comparison, Gold Goldran feels more childish and silly in its presentation. However, this should not dissuade anyone from watching this season.

In The Brave of Gol Goldron, three elementary school boys are on a global hunt for eight power crystals. These power crystals contain sleeping Brave robot fighters.

7. Brave Command Dagwon

Brave Command Dagwon took the concept of the Brave series in a different direction. In this season, rather than young boys teaming up with robots, the young boys became robots through the use of power suits. This gives the show a vibe similar to Ronin Warriors.

With that said, the premise of the show is fairly similar to other entries in the series. And in this season, five high school protagonists do battle against alien invaders.

This season was followed up with two OVA episodes that are a follow-up to the series and show the team enjoying a newfound period of peace while also squaring off in a new battle.

8. The King of Braves GaoGaiGar

The last season of the series is arguably the most popular as well.

This season released hot on the heels of Neon Genesis Evangelion. However, in stark contrast to the more serious undertones of anxiety and depression found in NGE, GaoGaiGar (GGG) is more cartoonish and focuses on themes of hope and redemption.

GGG starts with a Golden Mech Lion delivering a mysterious orphan baby to a couple. This couple raises the child as their own. As the child grows, the mysteries of his origin are revealed as he works in cooperation with the cyborg Kai to fight off the invading force of Zonders.

The King of Braves GaoGaiGar is also one of our top anime picks of the 90s!

GaoGaiGar’s Spinoff and Sequels

Due to the popularity of GaoGaiGar, this season was treated to a spinoff and sequel series.

The sequel was first released as an OVA, and then later on this OVA was adapted into a television series. So you can watch the OVA and the tv series, but the tv series does capture the events from the OVA.

Betterman

Betterman is a spin-off that takes place in the same world as GaoGaiGar. However, the show contrasts with GaoGaiGar by taking a dark step into the realm of the occult and horror.

In Betterman, a strange virus called “Algernon” is causing mass suicide and murder on a worldwide scale. This sets off an investigation by research institute, Modi Warp, to discover the truth behind this disturbing virus.

The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final

This was an eight-episode OVA sequel taking place two years after the events depicted in the last season of the Yuusha series.

This sequel has new characters and familiar faces squaring off against a new global threat with the aid of a new mech fighter.

The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final – Grand Glorious Gathering

The GaoGaiGar Final OVA was recut into a 12 episode series for television 2 years after release. Some parts were censored for tv audiences, and additional animation and story elements were added to tie the series to Betterman.

End of the Yuusha Series

The relationship between Sunrise and Takara eventually soured and much of this can be attributed to a difference in priorities. Takara sought to cram as many characters and character variants into the stories as possible to create additional opportunities for toy sales. On the other hand, Sunrise sought to create character-driven stories with complicated plot points.

This eventually led to a parting of ways. But the end result of this relationship was a decade of solid super robot anime. And for that, we are thankful.

If you love mech anime, be sure to check out our post on the best mech and super robot anime of the 90s!

The post The Brave (Yuusha) Series Ultimate Watch Guide appeared first on 90sanime.com.

To that effect, anime is no exception. And hentai anime has been around for as long as the industry has existed.

In the 1990s, hentai saw a significant uptick in production in the form of OVAs, and this was largely due to the increased accessibility of physical media such as VHS and DVD.

So if you’re looking to dive into the indecent side of 90s anime, then this is your starting place.

A Quick Warning

Now, this is technically a safe-for-work (SFW) post, and there won’t be any lewd pictures or overtly graphic discussion. However, some of the things discussed herein may make for awkward over-the-shoulder reading by unwitting busybodies who steal a glance at your screen.

Ultimately, this is a post about 90s hentai anime, and the content is adult in nature regardless of how sanitized and toned down the language is. So use your discretion and read the room.

With that said, let’s get one question out of the way…

What is Hentai?

The simplest way to put it; hentai is anime porn.

Taking it a step further, hentai is a subgenre within anime. So you can have sci-fi hentai, fantasy hentai, comedy hentai, and etc… (this should not be confused with fan service or ecchi)

Generally speaking, hentai is low budget and any story is usually just a plot device to set up the sexual fantasy portion of the anime. As such, you’ll generally find that the majority of hentai anime has low-quality animation, poor voice acting, and a very basic plot.

There are obviously a handful of exceptions to this generalization, and some hentai have gained a level of notoriety that is often reserved for only the finest of classics. And some of these hentai will be discussed in the list below.

Most Notorious Hentai Picks of the 90s

If you are looking for some of the top hentai titles of the 90s, then the list below represents the seven most popular and highest rated options of the era.

Anyone who is unfamiliar with hentai should be further warned. Hentai is often shocking and graphic with depictions of sexual violence. So if you are sensitive to this type of content but still want to dive into some 90s anime, then please see our lists of best anime movies and best anime shows to get you started.

1. Words Worth

The Words Worth tablet was created by God to separate the tribes of shadow and light. This tablet was mysteriously destroyed which sets off a war between the two tribes as they track down the missing pieces of the tablet.

Astral is the heir to the Shadow throne, and his greatest desire is to battle the forces of light. Despite his swordsmanship abilities, his father refuses to grant him the swordsman’s seal, which would grant him the right to join in battle.

One day, Astral is able to procure a seal, which sets off a grand fantasy adventure.

2. Kite

After Sawa’s parents were brutally murdered, she was taken in by the two detectives assigned to her case, Akai and Kanie.

Under the guise of giving Sawa an opportunity for vengeance, the two detectives mold Sawa into a ruthless assassin who murders politicians and celebrities without remorse. Eventually, Sawa becomes jaded by her lot in life and dreams of a life free of murder and violence.

Sawa’s desire to leave puts her life in danger, and she soon discovers the true motives of her abusive guardians.

A quick note, there are various versions of this show with differing levels of censorship. The “uncut” version is the uncensored hentai.

3. Spaceship Agga Ruter

Kei is the guardian android of the Agga Ruter, and adopted and raised a young orphan boy named Taiyo. Together they travel through space seeking out a missing ship called the Virginia along with other special components.

Hot on their trail are a group of space pirates who seek to obtain the powerful ship for themselves.

This hentai OVA is noteworthy for taking place in the same universe as Tenchi Muyo. For more on this, be sure to check out our Tenchi Muyo watch order guide.

4. Rance: The Desert Guardian

Rance is the self-proclaimed “strongest and most handsome fighter in history.” Which provides some insight into the level of his narcissism.

Despite Rance’s selfish and abusive behavior, his faithful slave is completely enamored with him and follows him everywhere on his adventures. On one of these adventures, he is hired to save a village from an evil sorceress intent on resurrecting an ancient demon.

5. New Angel

Kosuke and Shizuka were childhood friends who separated when Shizuka’s family moved away. Years later, Kosuke and Shizuka are reunited in high school.

The reunion isn’t entirely smooth, and throughout the 6 episode OVA series, the Shizuka and Kosuke slowly grow closer and become more than friends.

6. Cool Devices

Cool Devices is an 11-episode series of short stories that are independent of each other. The series is rather twisted and graphically depicts a number of different fetishes.

Episode 7 of the series featured character design by Yasuomi Umetsu, who directed Kite and Mezzo Forte.

7. La Blue Girl

After Urotsukidōji: The Legend of the Overfiend, perhaps the most famous 90s hentai is La Blue Girl. And both hentai anime are based on the erotic manga of Toshio Maeda.

La Blue Girl follows Miko Mido, the heir apparent of the Miroku ninja clan. This ninja clan oversees the demon clan known as the Shikima.

Unfortunately, Miko Mido finds herself in a battle against the Shikima and must travel to the Shikima Realm to do battle for the sake of humankind.

There are also a lot of tentacles in this one.

Bonus 1980s Hentai Pick

Urotsukidōji: The Legend of the Overfiend

The most famous hentai OVA of all time, Urotsukidōji: The Legend of the Overfiend, was released from 1987 to 1989, so it’s not technically a 90s hentai. However, it did release stateside in 1993 and is worth mentioning.

As stated earlier, this hentai is based on a manga created by Toshio Maeda and depicts the events leading up to the revival of a super god who will join the realms of humans, demons, and man-beasts together.

It cannot be understated how influential the OVA was in popularizing hentai worldwide, and it certainly set the stage for the wave of 90s hentai that came after.

If you want to visit the opposite side of the spectrum, be sure to read up on the best bible anime of all time!

The post Your SFW Guide to 90s Hentai appeared first on 90sanime.com.

In the Beginning: The Bible Stories was conceptualized by non-other than the legendary Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy) in a partnership with the Italian television network RAI. The biblical anime series was broadcast in the late 90s and to date, it remains the best anime adaptation of the bible in all creation.

In the Beginning

In 1984, the Italian government broadcast channel, Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), reached out to Tezuka Productions on behalf of the Vatican to adapt the Bible into an animated series.

Believe it or not, this was not the first time the Bible was adapted into an anime series!

Prior to this, Tatsunoko Productions created Superbook and The Flying House. These shows aired on the Christian Broadcast Network in the United States between 1981 and 1983. They featured modern children who traveled back in time and relived the stories from the Old and New Testaments.

However, RAI and Tezuka Productions would take a much different approach to their adaptation of the Bible.

Osamu Tezuka’s Old Testament Stories

Osamu Tezuka accepted the request from RAI and worked out a deal where Tezuka Productions would adapt the stories of the Old Testament into an animated series. This adaptation would also be decidedly more mature and less kid-friendly than the two bible anime created by Tatsunoko Productions.

After securing the necessary funding, Tezuka started work on a pilot film based on the story of Noah’s Ark in 1987.

Tezuka would work on the film for two years, even animating some parts himself, before tragically succumbing to stomach cancer at the age of 60 in 1989. This left his pilot film unfinished and the future of the Bible anime in question.

Osamu Dezaki Picks up the Torch

After the passing of Tezuka, Osamu Dezaki would take over as director of the series.

Dezaki was one of the co-founders of the legendary Madhouse Studio. His other works include Tomorrow’s Joe, The Rose of Versailles, Space Adventure Cobra, Dear Brother, and Clannad.

Dezaki would continue Tezuka’s vision and complete the series.

With the intent of worldwide distribution and the partnership with RAI, this bible anime benefited from an animation budget that was 4 to 5 times the average at the time. And this generous budget explains the show’s cinematic feel. And the quality of the animation feels a step above most other offerings of the era.

Tezuka’s Bible Anime Releases Globally

It took several years to air Tezuka’s bible anime from the initial concept. This was largely due to funding and differing opinions on how the series would depict stories from the bible in a way that aligned with Catholic church doctrine.

The following is a rough timeline of the show’s international airing:

• 1992 – The show aired in Italy on the RAI network
• 1995 – The show was released on VHS in the United States with an English dub
• 1997 – A Japanese dub aired on the WOWOW Satellite Channel
• 1997 – The English dub aired on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)

As you can imagine, the show was not exactly an international sensation. It enjoyed a quiet release with little fanfare and ultimately faded into obscurity. However, in retrospect, the show is significant as one of Osamu Tezuka’s final works, and you can count yourself lucky if you find a copy of the show in the wild.

The Anime Story of the Old Testament

In the Beginning: The Bible Stories covers the Old Testament from earth’s creation to the birth of Christ.

In between, the 26-episode animated bible series covers many of the most famous stories of the Old Testament. These stories include Noah’s Ark, The Tower of Babel, and Moses and the Pharoah.

The series has a decidedly serious tone to it with some mild comic relief in the form of a cartoonish fox who appears throughout the stories.

The show does not shy away from violence and mild nudity, which makes for a less kid-friendly bible series. However, it is still enjoyable for young adults and teens.

Where Can you Watch Tezuka’s Bible Anime?

At the time of this post, the show is only available on out-of-print VHS and DVDs. So finding the show in a physical format is not easy and may cost a pretty penny.

Fortunately, the show is available in its unedited form on YouTube. And we’ve conveniently embedded the first episode below for your viewing pleasure!

The post The Greatest Bible Anime Ever Made appeared first on 90sanime.com.

Though the series changed names and sponsors throughout the decades, the core theme remained the same; a young orphaned, or soon to be orphaned, protagonist struggling to get by in the 19th to the early 20th-century world.

The seemingly light-hearted stories are often marred by tragedy and dive into the darker sides of society. And this is why the World Masterpiece Theater continues to have a long-lasting appeal to adults and children.

The Calpis Comic Theater – 1969 to 1974

World Masterpiece Theater has its roots in the Calpis Comic Theater, which aired on Fuji TV in Japan. This was a 5-year running series of shows starting with Dororo in 1969.

In all, there were six shows spanning 5 years. And although these anime did not necessarily fit the theme of adapting classic literature, this was the precursor to the popular series.

Side note: Calpis is a popular Japanese soft drink company that sponsored the series.

Dororo (Dororo and Hyakkimaru) – 1969

26 Episodes

The first show in the series was an adaptation of a manga authored by the legendary Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy). The series follows a ronin and a young orphan as they seek to recover the ronin’s body parts that his father bartered away to demons in exchange for power.

This is the only black-and-white show in the series, and many modern anime fans are familiar with the re-adapted anime released in 2019.

Dororo is also unique in that it is not an adaptation of a classic book, and the show was toned down by Fuji TV as they felt the source material was too violent for a family-viewing audience.

Moomin – 1969 to 1970

65 Episodes

Moomin was released in late 1969 and was adapted from a series of books and comics by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson.

The Moomin are round trolls who are often mistaken for hippos. They enjoy their peaceful lives in Moominvalley and embark upon many adventures to faraway places.

Even if you’ve never seen the series, the characters are familiar. And perhaps most notable is the involvement of Hayao Miyazaki, who did key animation for the series.

Andersen Stories – 1971

52 Episodes

Andersen Stories, or Andersen Monogatari, depicts the many stories of Hans Christian Andersen in an episodic format. Tying the episodes together are the two pixie mascots, Sukko and Candy.

The show has a similar aesthetic to the 1969 Frosty the Snowman movie, and that’s because both were animated by Mushi Production, with Osamu Dezaki overseeing animation on the two productions.

This series is not to be confused with the movie released by Toei Animation, with a similar premise, in 1968.

New Moomin – 1972

52 Episodes

After the original series was canceled due to creative differences with the author, Moomin was rebooted as a more faithful adaption of the books.

The author ultimately compromised on the show so long as it was never broadcast outside of Japan.

Fables of the Green Forest – 1973

52 Episodes

This anime is based on a series of children’s books authored by Thornton Burgess in the early 20th century. These stories feature animal characters dealing with adversity and making friends with their neighbors.

This show takes place in a North American forest where a woodchuck and his friend set out for the distant Green Forest. Along the way, they make friends and face off against the threat of predators and man.

The show was produced by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who famously co-created Space Battleship Yamato with Leiji Matsumoto.

Heidi, Girl of the Alps – 1974

52 Episodes

Heidi is the story of a 5-year-old girl who moves in with her grandfather in the Bavarian Alps. From there, the relationship with her grandfather grows until she finds herself uprooted once more.

Heidi, Girl of the Alps, became immensely popular on an international level after it was translated for syndication in over 10 languages. And when you look at the people involved, it’s not hard to see why:

• Isao Takahata (co-founder of Studio Ghibli)
• Hayao Miyazaki (co-founder of Studio Ghibli)
• Yoichi Kotabe (animator on Nausicaa and game development advisor for Nintendo)
• Toyoo Ashida (director of Vampire Hunter D)

The World Masterpiece Theater

After the airing of Heidi, the series was rebranded to the Calpis Children’s Theater, and the show continued the trend of adapting classical children’s literature.

This transition is the line that defines the official start of the series that is now collectively referred to as the World Masterpiece Theater.

Under the production of Nippon Animation, the series changed names and sponsors several times:

• 1975 to 1977 – Calpis Children’s Theater
• 1978 – Calpis Family Theater
• 1979 to 1985 – World Masterpiece Theater (no sponsor)
• 1986 to 1993 – House Foods World Masterpiece Theater
• 1994 to 1997 – World Masterpiece Theater (no sponsor)
• 2007 to 2009 – House Foods World Masterpiece Theater

The series was canceled in 1997 and restarted in 2007 before being canceled again 2 years later. Since then, Nippon Animation has not created another show in the series.

In all, there were 26 shows in the World Masterpiece Theater, and each is a good option for anyone looking for family-friendly anime entertainment.

A Dog of Flanders – 1975

52 Episodes

This is the story of a boy and his dog in 19th-century Holland. After the boy’s grandfather dies, he is left with only his dog and a struggle to survive while pursuing his passion as a painter.

A Dog of Flanders is noteworthy for being the first official anime entry in the World Masterpiece Theater.

Marco, 3000 Leagues in Search for Mother – 1976

52 Episodes

Marco is a young boy in depression-era Italy who embarks upon a journey to find his mother, who has gone missing in Brazil.

This is another series directed by Isao Takahata prior to his co-founding Studio Ghibli. And in the 80s, the series was recut into a feature-length movie and then later re-animated in 1999.

Rascal the Raccoon – 1977

52 Episodes

Rascal is a baby raccoon discovered by a young boy after his mother is shot.

The young boy takes in the raccoon and attempts to domesticate and care for his new pet. This proves to be difficult as raccoons are not suited for life as a pet.

The show was later blamed for a surge of raccoons in Japan, which were imported for pets. Many of these pets were released into the wild, which had a devastating impact on the native wildlife and ecosystem.

The Story of Perrine – 1978

53 Episodes

Perrine is based on the French novel En Famille by Hector Malot.

Her father dies in Bosnia early in the show, and his last request is that Perrine and her mother travel to his hometown to live with his grandfather. Along the way, Perrine’s mother succumbs to an illness, and she must continue the journey alone.

Anne of Green Gables – 1979

50 Episodes

Anne is an orphan who is accidentally sent to a family that requested a boy. After the initial shock, the family learns to love Anne as she settles into her new life.

In addition to the direction of Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki also played a role in the scene setting and layout. It was during this series that Miyazaki left Nippon Animation for TMS Entertainment to direct his first feature film.

If you’re wondering, it was Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – 1980

49 Episodes

Based on the popular book by Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer was the 2nd adaptation of an American story (Rascal the Raccoon was the first).

The show was later dubbed into English and broadcast on HBO in the late 80s.

The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island – 1981

50 Episodes

This show is loosely based on the Swiss Family Robinson Novel. The main character, Flone, was not present in the original novel, and it is believed that she was added so the show could appeal to a young female audience.

Otherwise, the premise of a shipwreck on a deserted island is maintained, and the show is one of the few that was dubbed into English for the American market.

Lucy-May of the Southern Rainbow – 1982

50 Episodes

In 1982, World Masterpiece Theater saw the first adaptation of an Australian novel, Southern Rainbow.

Even more unique to this situation is that the author was still alive, and the book had not yet been published when the anime aired. This resulted in some portions of the story being invented by the production team in the midst of creating the show.

Lucy-May and her family have ventured from England to Australia in search of their own piece of land to start a farm. However, upon arrival, they find that things are not going to be as straightforward as expected.

Story of the Alps: My Annette – 1983

48 Episodes

Based on Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John, Story of the Alps takes place in the Swiss Alps (as opposed to the Bavarian Alps in Heidi) village of Rossiniere.

Annette finds herself seeking vengeance against her former friend, Lucien after he injures her younger brother in retaliation for getting in trouble at school.

Annette is unwilling to forgive Lucien despite his attempts to reconcile, and this sets off a story where the values of forgiveness and understanding are learned.

Katri, Girl of the Meadows – 1984

49 Episodes

Katri, Girl of the Meadows, was adapted from the Finnish novel, The Shepherd, the Servant Girl, and the Hostess, authored by Auni Nuolivaara.

Young Katri has been left behind with her grandparents while her mother ventures to Germany. Unfortunately, Finland is under the rule of Russia, and her family farm is facing tough circumstances.

Katri works on a neighboring farm to help support her family, but the 9-year-old finds her days of working to be daunting and grueling.

Princess Sara – 1985

46 Episodes

Princess Sara is based on the children’s novel, A Little Princess.

Despite being well-liked by her classmates, the school’s headmistress seeks to make her life a living hell. Fortunately for Sara, an old friend of her father enters the picture with the aim of paying back her father (in a good way).

This anime explores themes of poverty and child abuse and was selected as one of the best 100 Japanese anime series of all time by viewers of the tv network TV Asahi.

The Story of Pollyanna, Girl of Love – 1986

51 Episodes

The Story of Pollyanna adapts the original 1913 novel Pollyanna and its 1915 sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up, by Eleanor H. Porter.

After Pollyana’s father suddenly passes in a car accident, she moves in with an aunt who she has never met. Initially, her Aunt is disgusted by Pollyana and her childish behavior. However, their relationship grows over time into a strong bond.

Tales of Little Women – 1987

48 Episodes

This series is loosely based on the novel Little Women and takes place near Gettysburg during the American Civil War.

After Union forces arrive and destroy their home, the March family has no choice but to move to Newcord to live with an estranged aunt and hopefully rebuild their lives.

The daughters take up odd jobs to help make ends meet while dealing with the antagonisms of their aunt and cousin.

Little Prince Cedie – 1988

43 Episodes

Cedric, or “Cedie” as he is called, lives in Brooklyn, New York, and enjoys a happy life with his parents and friends. Unfortunately, his father suddenly dies of a heart attack, and Cedric is whisked away to live in England.

It turns out that Cedric is the heir to the Earl of Dorincourt, his grandfather.

His grandfather is cold and distant but has the intention of turning Cedric into a proper aristocrat. After some time, he convinces his grandfather to allow his mother to move in, and the two eventually soften the Earl’s heart.

The Adventures of Peter Pan – 1989

41 Episodes

The story centers around Wendy and Peter Pan’s adventures in Neverland and focuses on the romance that develops between the two main characters.

Peter Pan is the only anime in the World Masterpiece Theater that is set in a world of magical fantasy.

My Daddy Long Legs – 1990

40 Episodes

Judy Abbot receives the opportunity to attend a prestigious High School from a mysterious benefactor under the condition that she writes him a letter every month detailing her experiences at the school.

Given her background, Judy initially struggles with her insecurities around the wealthier children, yet she impresses her classmates with her kind demeanor and makes friends.

Trapp Family Story – 1991

40 Episodes

This entry in the series is an adaptation of The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, which you may recognize from The Sound of Music.

Maria lost her parents when she was young and decides to become a nun after graduating from school. However, she finds herself at odds with the conventions and traditions of the monastery and is sent to tutor the children of an Austrian aristocrat.

Maria falls in love with the children and soon finds herself in a romance with their father.

Bush Baby, Little Angel of the Grasslands – 1992

40 Episodes

This anime takes place in the 1960s, making it the first show in the series to take place after World War II.

13-year-old Jacqueline Rhodes is a British girl who is fascinated with her life in Africa. One day, she takes in an injured bushbaby and names him Murphy.

Much like Rascal the Raccoon, this anime depicts the challenges of domesticating a wild animal and that it’s not always in the best interest of the animal to live a human life.

Little Women II: Jo’s Boys – 1993

40 Episodes

This is the only sequel on the list (there is a prequel, however!), and it is the follow-up to 1987’s Tales of Little Women.

10 years later, Josephine March is married to a German professor and has started a new school for children. Annie “Nan” Harding is one of the students at this new school and wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

Jo’s Boys was written by Michiru Shimada, whose anime credits include Urusei Yatsura, Rurouni Kenshin, One Piece, and Little Witch Academia.

Tico of the Seven Seas – 1994

39 Episodes

Free Willy was a cultural phenomenon in 1993 that scored big at the box office. So perhaps it’s no surprise that an anime about a kid and her faithful killer whale sidekick would release in the following year.

Tico of the Seven Seas is about young Nanami and her orca friend, Tico. The two have a strong bond of friendship, and together they seek to save a rare Luminous Whale from greedy poachers.

This is the only anime in the World Masterpiece Theater that is a completely original story and was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series. The show also takes place in the year it was created, making it the most “modern” entry in the series.

Romeo’s Blue Skies – 1995

33 Episodes

Romeo’s Blue Skies is adapted from the 1941 Swiss novel, The Black Brothers. This is a sad story about human trafficking and child labor in 19th-century Switzerland.

Romeo sells himself to a child trafficker after his father falls ill so that he can afford to pay a doctor to save his dad. From there, Romeo is sent to Milan to work as a chimney sweep.

Life is harsh for Romeo and his new friends, so they form an alliance called the “Black Brothers” to protect themselves from a street gang while working out the remainder of their contract.

Famous Dog Lassie – 1996

26 Episodes

The world-renowned border collie is the best friend of 9-year-old John, and together they enjoy a peaceful life in England. After John’s father loses his job, Lassie ends up with a new owner in Scotland.

After Lassie escapes, she begins a journey to reconnect with John.

Famous Dog Lassie was the directorial debut of Sunao Katabuchi, who worked under Hayao Miyazaki on Kiki’s Delivery Service and later directed Black Lagoon, Mai Mai Miracle, and In This Corner of the World.

Remi, Nobody’s Girl – 1996 to 1997

26 Episodes

Remi is a cheerful and kind 10-year-old who enjoys an easy life with her mother and sister. Unfortunately for Remi, her father returns injured from a lengthy stint working in Paris and reveals that Remi was found as an abandoned orphan.

Remi’s father is furious that Remi was not sent to a workhouse and sells her to a slave trader, which is where Remy’s new life of loss and sorrow begins.

Remi, Nobody’s Girl is the last show in the series to use traditional hand-drawn cel animation, and the last episode would bring an end to a 22-year run of the World Masterpiece Theater.

Les Misérables: Little Girl Cosette – 2007

52 Episodes

10 years after Remi, Nippon Animation revived the series with their take on Les Miserable, a tragic story taking place in 19th-century France.

In this adaptation, the story is focused on Cosette, a young girl who is placed in the care of a corrupt man who indentures her and treats her like his slave. After 5 years, Cosette goes on the run in search of her mother.

Unfortunately, she eventually discovers that things did not go well for her mother.

This series was directed by Hiroaki Sakurai, who also directed Cromartie High School and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

The Long Journey of Porphy – 2008

52 Episodes

Porphyrus and his sister are orphaned after an earthquake in Greece destroyed their home. Rather than split up in foster care, the two decided to find a new home in Europe to stay together.

Unfortunately, the two are still separated, and Porphy endures a long journey in search of his missing sister.

This anime is based on the French children’s novel, Orphans of Simitra.

On a side note, in celebration of the 25th season of the series, many of the Japanese voice actors from past shows in the series returned for cameo appearances.

Hello Anne: Before Green Gables – 2009

39 Episodes

As the name implies, Hello Anne is a prequel to Anne of Green Gables and chronicles the life of 6-year-old Anne Shirley and her struggles with being an orphan. This includes the loss of her parents, shifting between families, and living in an orphanage.

This anime was a celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the original novel’s release in 1908 and the 30th anniversary of the World Masterpiece Theater adaptation. This was also the final show to air in the long-running series.

Legacy of the World Masterpiece Theater

Shows from the World Masterpiece Theater remain in syndication throughout the world. And the family-friendly accessibility of the series creates a gateway for many fans into the world of anime.

For this reason, the series is historically significant and serves as a good starting point for anyone trying to get their children or younger siblings into anime.

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