10 Best Anime Series From The 20th Century That Are Still Hard To Live Up To

The 21st century has seen a huge increase in the amount and types of anime available for fans worldwide. While today’s anime offers many exciting series with great characters and animation, these new shows are always measured against the classics from the 20th century. Starting in the mid-1900s, Japan began creating remarkable anime for television, and many of these older titles remain impressive, setting a high standard that modern series strive to meet.

While anime made today often has improved animation and a faster pace, it still struggles to reach the same heights as classics from the 20th century. These older shows are highly regarded, often because they were groundbreaking series that defined genres, introduced common themes, and even helped build the anime industry as we know it. That legacy is significant, and it’s why these 20th-century anime remain the standard by which we judge new releases.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Set the Standard For Mecha, Deconstruction & Animation

Few anime are as influential as Neon Genesis Evangelion, a landmark series from 1995. While both it and Gurren Lagann playfully deconstruct the giant robot genre, they do so with very different approaches. Gurren Lagann is a fun, over-the-top celebration of mecha, whereas Neon Genesis Evangelion delves into the human experience.

This anime stands out for its realistic portrayal of teenagers piloting giant robots and battling terrifying monsters. It doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll this would take, showing characters like Shinji Ikari struggling with the pressure and highlighting the imperfections of these young heroes who are thrown into incredibly difficult situations. Beyond the action, the series explores deeper philosophical themes, offering more food for thought than similar anime like Oshi no Ko and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead.

Anime Fans Can Thank Yu Yu Hakusho For Bleach & Jujutsu Kaisen

Many of the most beloved anime from the 1990s are action-packed, and they remain incredibly popular today. Action anime have consistently appealed to a wide range of viewers, which is a big reason why Yu Yu Hakusho (1992) became so iconic. While the animation might look a little old-fashioned now, the show’s characters and overall style still stand out even compared to modern anime.

It’s very likely that Yu Yu Hakusho influenced both Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen. While those later anime expanded on many ideas, they still haven’t matched the unique energy and style of Yu Yu Hakusho. This isn’t a coincidence, considering Yu Yu Hakusho was created by Yoshihiro Togashi, who also created Hunter x Hunter.

Trigun’s Dark Western Adventure Still Stands Out

Some anime from the late 1990s are still incredibly well-remembered and represent the best of 20th-century animation, with Trigun from 1998 being a prime example. Its enduring popularity is clear with the recent release of Trigun Stampede in 2023. Even though it’s an older show, Trigun still holds up visually and remains enjoyable to watch.

Despite being an older anime with visuals that haven’t aged perfectly, Trigun remains impressive thanks to its imaginative storytelling, unique style, and originality – qualities that actually improve with time. Few modern anime can match Trigun‘s strengths, whether it’s the blend of humor and overwhelming power in its protagonist, its Wild West-inspired world, or its sci-fi adventures with a serious side. Vash the Stampede, in particular, still stands out as a funnier and more casually powerful hero than even popular characters like Satoru Gojo.

Slam Dunk is What Every Sports Anime Wishes It Was

Sports anime is a really engaging way to see characters work hard and improve at a physical activity. It’s similar to action or adventure anime, especially within the popular ‘shonen’ and ‘seinen’ categories, and Slam Dunk from 1993 is one of the best examples. It remains a beloved classic with a huge fanbase, which likely explains the recent release of The First Slam Dunk in 2022.

Takehiko Inoue clearly drew from his own basketball background when creating Slam Dunk, and that authenticity shines through. There’s nothing quite like personal experience and genuine enthusiasm, and Slam Dunk successfully sparked a love for basketball in many Japanese manga and anime fans. While newer sports anime like Haikyuu!! and Blue Lock feel like they follow in Slam Dunk‘s footsteps, they haven’t quite reached the same level of impact.

Berserk’s 1997 Anime May Be the Only Good Berserk Adaptation Anyone Gets

Most fans believe the original Berserk manga by Kentaro Miura is unmatched, but the 1997 anime adaptation came closest to capturing its spirit. It was a strong effort to bring Guts’ story to television, and it’s widely considered superior to the 2016 anime. For now, the 1997 version remains the only Berserk anime truly worth watching.

The 1997 Berserk anime doesn’t include all the scenes from the original manga, which is a drawback. However, it still tells a compelling story, specifically covering the Golden Age Arc. Even today, it remains a high standard for medieval and dark fantasy anime, with Vinland Saga being one of the few series that truly surpasses it.

Detective Conan Sets a High Bar For Genius Anime Characters

1996 saw the debut of the fantastic anime series Detective Conan, known as Case Closed in many Western countries. The franchise continues to thrive with new releases and remains incredibly popular. It’s amazing that creator Gosho Aoyama consistently develops clever and intricate mysteries for the main character, Shinichi Kudo, to unravel—it’s like an endless, captivating Sherlock Holmes adventure, and perhaps one we’d never want to see conclude.

Detective Conan is a standout anime when it comes to detective stories and puzzles. One of the few anime that rivals it today is one that truly develops its main character, Maomao, as a skilled detective, specifically in the area of poisons. It also offers a fresh perspective by exploring the challenges and opportunities for women in a traditional, China-inspired world – something Detective Conan doesn’t cover. This unique approach adds a valuable new dimension to anime mysteries.

Fist of the North Star Expertly Blends Mad Max With Martial Arts

Fans first met the incredibly powerful martial artist Kenshiro in the 1984 anime Fist of the North Star. Both the anime and the original 1983 manga it’s based on perfectly capture the over-the-top, muscular style of 1980s action stories, where heroes like Kenshiro looked great in leather. Similar to characters like Son Goku, Kenshiro helped define a new generation of action anime, raising the bar for action heroes and their abilities.

While the anime version of Fist of the North Star shows its age, the original manga’s artwork still looks fantastic. For serious manga and anime fans, the story is what truly counts, and Fist of the North Star remains a benchmark for modern action anime, especially those blending martial arts with a *Mad Maxstyle world. Few anime today even try to achieve this same blend, and even fewer succeed.

Dragon Ball is the Most Legendary Anime of All Time For a Reason

Any conversation about classic anime has to include Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball is famous for its incredible transformations, comedic characters, and exciting battles, and it continues to inspire anime today. Most modern action anime owe a lot to what Dragon Ball first did on television starting in 1986.

A big reason fans love Dragon Ball is its unique and charming personality. It successfully combines action-packed martial arts with elements of Chinese mythology, science fiction, comedy, and even dinosaurs, creating a truly memorable experience. Many modern anime borrow pieces of what Dragon Ball does, but few capture the same creative energy. While some aspects might seem a little old-fashioned now, the show’s refreshing spirit still feels completely current.

Sailor Moon Made the Magical Girl Genre a Force to Be Reckoned With

Sailor Moon is a classic anime from the 20th century that remains a benchmark for shows in its genre. Some fans compare it to Dragon Ball, but Sailor Moon’s impact and importance stand on their own. It was a significant advancement for shojo anime and played a key role in shaping the magical girl genre, even without considering other popular series.

Magical girls have been a part of manga and anime since the work of Osamu Tezuka, but it was the 1992 anime Sailor Moon that truly defined the genre and made it popular. Almost every magical girl anime since then has tried to replicate Sailor Moon‘s success, and even today’s most innovative series haven’t quite matched its lasting influence.

No One Can Beat Cowboy Bebop’s Moody Jazz Vibe

Both Cowboy Bebop (1998) and Trigun are celebrated anime that powerfully concluded the 90s and the 20th century. These shows are concise yet impactful, offering unique and emotionally resonant science fiction stories. While they feature spaceships and futuristic settings, Cowboy Bebop focuses less on typical sci-fi elements like aliens or robots, and more on universal human experiences. The complex character of Spike Spiegel is far more engaging than a simple story about space battles.

Cowboy Bebop is still considered one of the best anime series ever made, and few shows from the 21st century have matched its quality. It’s a unique mix of exciting action, humor, heartfelt stories about people struggling with loneliness, and a cool jazz soundtrack. While series like Samurai Champloo and Psycho-Pass are also excellent, they don’t quite reach the same level of impact as Cowboy Bebop.

2025-10-25 05:44