With so many great anime coming out year after year, it can be easy to overlook some absolute gems from the past. We've had some great and some not-so-great series come out in recent years, but when looking back at some of the best years for anime, one decade that really stands out is the '80s.

With titles like Dragon Ball, Fist of the North Star, and plenty more memorable series airing throughout the decade, the '80s had a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you're looking to take a trip down memory lane or you're just interested in checking out some classic series, Crunchyroll has you covered with these awesome '80s anime.

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By Carley Garcia

Dragon Ball

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There's no denying that out of all the anime to come out of the '80s, Dragon Ball has enjoyed the most success. Most anime fans are familiar with the latter half of the series, Dragon Ball Z, which premiered in 1989 and aired until the late '90s. But the original Dragon Ball is just as good as any of its contemporaries.

There's a lot more slapstick humor to be found in the original, with more of a focus on adventuring early on in the series. This is still Dragon Ball we're talking about, so there's plenty of action to go around. At 153 episodes, it'll take you a while to get through, but it's such a fun series that the hours absolutely fly by.

City Hunter

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City Hunter is an '80s classic, with four seasons to go along with a handful of theatrical and TV movie releases. The series follows Ryou Saeba, who works to rid Tokyo of crime alongside his partner, Kaori Makimura.

Aside from the classic '80s aesthetic and vibe, City Hunter is a great hard-boiled detective series with great action sequences. There are tons of more light-hearted moments to balance things out, and watching Ryou and Kaori's dynamic develop is a highlight of the series.

Urusei Yatsura

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Rumiko Takahashi absolutely dominated the '80s, with series like Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, and Urusei Yatsura among others. The latter was her first major series, and while she went on to create many iconic manga following and even during Urusei Yatsura's run, it still stands as one of the best romance series of the '80s.

Urusei Yatsura is one of the most well-known early examples of the harem love-triangle trope in anime. The series focuses on the incredibly lustful Ataru Moroboshi, who ends up saving the world from alien invaders when he defeats the invader princess, Lum, in a game of tag. A misunderstanding causes Lum to think Ataru wants to marry her, despite him already having a girlfriend, Shinobu. Now with Lum living at his home, Ataru tries to get back into Shinobu's good graces while navigating Lum's electric affections.

Fist of the North Star

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If you've never watched or read Fist of the North Star, then you've still probably seen some of the series thanks to the popular "Omae wa mou shindeiru" meme. But unlike other popular internet memes that stem from less-than-stellar series and films, Fist of the North Star still holds up as one of the greats today.

When you think of the classic '80s anime aesthetic, Fist of the North Star has it all. The action-heavy sequences, post-apocalyptic setting, and memorable style check all the right boxes. If you've never watched it, now might be the perfect time to see what it's all about.

Kimagure Orange Road

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While Dragon Ball might be one of the most important anime in terms of popularizing the medium worldwide, one series that often goes overlooked is Kimagure Orange Road. Though it might seem like a pretty standard romantic comedy, the series was actually one of the most influential shonen rom-coms ever.

Kimagure Orange Road follows Kyousuke Kasuga, who has had to move around multiple times due to his family's supernatural powers being noticed. On his first day of school, Kyousuke meets the local delinquent, Madoka Ayukawa, and immediately becomes interested in her. The only problem is that Madoka's best friend Hikaru takes an immediate liking to Kyousuke. Now trying to manage his relationship with Hikaru while also trying to get closer to Madoka, Kyousuke finds himself struggling to navigate his romantic life while also trying to keep his family's secret from getting out.

The series mixes in typical rom-com tropes like love triangles with supernatural elements, and was one of the earliest anime to ever make use of time loops in its narrative. Madoka herself is an early example of the now incredibly popular "tsundere" archetype. Whether you're interested in the love-triangle drama or just appreciate the history and impact of the series, Kimagure Orange Road is a great '80s anime to check out.

Dirty Pair

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The girls with guns subgenre might not be the most well-known out there, but modern anime fans have definitely encountered it with titles like Lycoris Recoil, Black Lagoon, and Akiba Maid War. But one of the most overlooked early examples is Dirty Pair.

Dirty Pair follows Kein and Yuri, members of the World Welfare Work Association. Under the moniker "Dirty Pair", the duo goes about taking on various jobs, often leaving a trail of collateral damage in their wake. The anime is a great mix of action and comedy, perfect for those who are already fans of the girls with guns subgenre or anyone interested in getting into it.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

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One of the most popular franchises out there, you can't make a list of great '80s anime without mentioning Gundam. Though the original series aired during the '70s, the '80s saw tons of great Gundam anime released. One of the most notable was 1985's Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.

Zeta takes place eight years after the events of the original series, focusing on amateur Gundam pilot Kamille Bidan, who, after assaulting a member of the power-hungry Earth Federation task force, Titan, joins up with the Anti-Earth Union Group and finds himself caught up in the conflict between both sides. Zeta is a great follow-up to the original series, featuring great characters and an incredible story told throughout 50 episodes.

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