Summary
- Diverse '90s anime genres and stories impact pop culture, establishing cliches as pioneers.
- Best '90s anime stories go beyond the hero's journey, connecting via layered, relatable narratives.
- Great '90s anime stories include Sailor Moon, Trigun, Rurouni Kenshin, & more, exploring various genres.
Anime achieved success by exploring a diversity of genres that stand out both for their stylized visuals and the depth of their stories. Through this, in the 90s, a series of anime deeply impacted pop culture by establishing the cliches of contemporary genres as they presented themselves as pioneers.
The ’90s anime with the best stories offer narratives that go beyond the classic hero’s journey. In addition to innovating in their proposals, they aim to connect with the audience through deep and complex narratives, divided into so many layers that they continue to be debated, thus gaining the status of lasting works.
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10 Great Teacher Onizuka
With Real Drama, The Anime Stands Out As One Of The Best Of The ’90s
Great Teacher Onizuka
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1999 - 2000
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Tooru Fujisawa
- Number of Episodes
- 43
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix
Becoming a teacher for the wrong reasons, Great Teacher Onizuka is one of the ’90s anime with the best story. The plot follows Eikichi Onizuka, a former delinquent who decides to become a teacher to win over schoolgirls. However, by getting involved with education and falling in love with the field, he becomes determined to become the best teacher in Japan.
Each episode focuses on a student’s story, with the hero acting as a mentor to solve real problems. Addressing real issues makes its story powerful and relatable, and it mixes in humor without overdoing the melancholy.
9 Hunter x Hunter
Big Battles Share Space With The Emotional Exploration Of Its Characters
Hunter x Hunter
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1999 - 2001-00-00
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Yoshihiro Togashi
Searching for his father, Hunter x Hunter presents one of the best stories in ’90s anime. The story follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who wants to become a Hunter to find his father. Thus, the character embarks on a journey of growth and surprising twists, resulting in a transformation that is more than physical, but also internal.
The anime stands out with its journey that goes beyond the classic hero narrative, where moral dilemmas are present as well as its world-building, which, in addition to being rich, has its own mythology. Additionally, Hunter x Hunter stands out with its memorable arcs, where growth becomes slow as its characters advance in their quest.
8 Sailor Moon
Magical Girls Star In One Of The Best ’90s Anime
Sailor Moon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1992 - 1997
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 5
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Naoko Takeuchi
- Number of Episodes
- 200
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Pluto TV
With a group of young magical warriors fighting evil, Sailor Moon is one of the biggest ’90s anime with the best story. Featuring Usagi, a socially awkward girl with poor grades, she becomes the heroine Sailor Moon after meeting Luna, a magical cat. Along with her friends, they seek to protect Princess Serenity from evil forces.
Although it follows the classic monster-of-the-week formula, each episode builds its narrative into a deeper mythology that directly impacts the plot. The work also innovates by putting a shoujo, typically aimed at girls, at the top, mixing everyday drama with big battles. Thus, Sailor Moon establishes itself as one of the best anime.
7 Trigun
Its Protagonist Makes This One Of The Best Stories In Anime
Trigun
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- 1998 - 1998
- Directors
- Satoshi Nishimura
- Writers
- Yôsuke Kuroda
- Seasons
- 1
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Creator(s)
- Yasuhiro Nightow
In its slow genre shift, Trigun is one of the ’90s anime with the best stories. By presenting a provocative and comedic protagonist, its plot becomes darker as Vash reveals more about his past. Facing elaborate battles, the anime adopts a more serious and thoughtful tone through the dilemmas presented by its characters.
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The ’90s anime explores the protagonist’s relationship amid danger, as he is unwilling to take anyone’s life, not even his enemies, due to his strict philosophy. Thus, Vash becomes one of the most tragic protagonists in anime, considering the violent context in which he finds himself and his past with multiple layers of suffering.
6 Rurouni Kenshin
The Medieval Anime Stands Out With Its Story Of Overcoming
Rurouni Kenshin
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1996 - 1998-00-00
- Studio
- Studio Gallop, Studio Deen
- Creator
- Nobuhiro Watsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 95
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Blending historical drama and shonen action, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the ’90s anime with the best story. It follows Kenshin Himura, a legendary assassin who vows never to take another life. The story explores a character finding strength in doing good and staying true to it when his dark past returns.
The central theme elevates the work above others, as the protagonist’s search for redemption reflects in other characters. This deepens the narrative, discouraging revenge and framing it as destructive, encouraging kindness instead. This stands as the bravest message given the anime’s chaotic universe.
5 Berserk
Its Chaotic World Makes It One Of The Best ’90s Anime
Berserk
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 8, 1997
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- OLM
- Creator
- Kentaro Miura
- Number of Episodes
- 25
In a brutal universe, Berserk presents one of the best stories in ’90s anime. The story follows Guts, the black swordsman seeking revenge against the Band of the Hawk. The anime builds its characters slowly, exploring their past and relationships before reaching the peak of their adventure marked by loss and trauma.
The tragic relationship between Guts and Griffith sets the anime apart, representing two sides of a coin driven by survival and ambition. Alongside this dynamic, the dense and powerful mythology makes the anime compelling, increasing tension as viewers await its conclusion.
4 Yu Yu Hakusho
The Spirit World Forms The Backdrop Of One Of The Best Anime Stories
Yu Yu Hakusho
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1992 - 1994-00-00
- Seasons
- 4
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 112
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
The protagonist’s sacrifice makes Yu Yu Hakusho one of the ’90s anime with the best story. The plot follows Yusuke, who dies after saving a child from a car accident. Returning as a ghost detective, he embarks on a journey for purpose while building important relationships.
Yu Yu Hakusho masterfully explores its universe and characters, becoming one of the era’s biggest shonen and influencing many contemporary works. The standout arc is Dark Tournament, where big battles serve as the backdrop for physical and emotional exploration connecting with audiences.
3 Cowboy Bebop
The Characters’ Emotions Make It One Of The Best Anime Stories
Cowboy Bebop
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1998 - 1999
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Even with standalone episodes, Cowboy Bebop is one of the ’90s anime with the best story. Mixing genres and styles, it establishes itself as a masterpiece by skillfully exploring its characters, weaving isolated events into a deep tapestry culminating in a powerful, memorable ending.
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Each character is haunted by their past, and their search for happiness makes the journey special. The anime focuses on internal struggles instead of big battles with invincible villains. Its beauty lies in delving into these minds, prompting viewers to reflect on and understand their conflicts.
2 Serial Experiments Lain
Technology Is The Central Theme Of One Of The Best Anime Stories
Serial Experiments Lain
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1998 - 1998
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Triangle Staff
- Creator
- Yasuyuki Ueda
- Number of Episodes
- 13
Avoiding easy answers, Serial Experiments Lain delivers one of the best stories in ’90s anime. The story follows Lain Iwakura, who begins visiting a site called Wired after a classmate’s suicide. The character enters a journey of self-discovery and growth in a plot wrapped in mystery and unique approach.
Its non-linear structure challenges viewers to piece together the narrative’s mystery. With chaotic, dark editing, it dives into deep dilemmas. As Lain splits into versions of herself, the anime deeply examines her psyche, caught between real and digital worlds.
1 Neon Genesis Evangelion
The Deconstruction Of The Mecha Genre Makes It An Anime Masterpiece
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1995 - 1996
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Gainax, Tatsunoko
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Creator(s)
- Hideaki Anno
With humanity on the brink of extinction, Neon Genesis Evangelion is the ’90s anime with the best story. The plot follows Shinji Ikari, a lonely teenager called by his father to pilot Evangelion Unit-01 against angels. By deconstructing the mecha genre, the anime became one of the most analyzed and debated since its release, influencing pop culture.
Its story splits into two threads, one focused on big mecha battles and the other on emotional depth. The highlight is its ending, which despite budget issues, became iconic through artistic brilliance, offering an abstract therapy for the protagonist, solidifying it as one of the greatest anime.
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