7 Forgotten ’80s Anime That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

There’s a unique appeal to anime from the 1980s, stemming from the detailed, hand-drawn animation and its distinctive, slightly grainy look. It can evoke a sense of nostalgia even in viewers who didn’t experience the decade firsthand. The popularity of ’80s anime continues to grow, fueled by influential series like Akira, Dragon Ball, and Ranma 1/2, which are still widely discussed and re-released online.

I’m a huge anime fan, and it’s honestly a little heartbreaking that so many amazing ’80s shows and movies are fading from memory! Even with all the streaming options we have now, there’s a real risk of losing these classics. Sometimes they just didn’t get the recognition they deserved, or they got tangled up in licensing issues, and now they’re in danger of being completely forgotten. But honestly? These ’80s gems still hold up incredibly well – they’re true cult classics that have influenced so much of the anime we enjoy today!

They Were Eleven’s Spaceship Mystery Feels Eerily Familiar

The 1985 film version of They Were Eleven initially came out on VHS and later DVD. However, after the anime’s rights were sold off in 2009, the movie has become difficult to find. This sci-fi mystery is worth revisiting because of its unique but relatable premise – it’s actually quite similar to the game Among Us. The anime also notably features a forward-thinking look at gender, with compelling female and intersex characters.

In the novel They Were Eleven, ten young space cadets embark on a final test: a spaceship voyage before they can join society. Unbeknownst to them, there’s an eleventh person on board, a hidden impostor with unknown motives. As the ship drifts near a dying star, the crew becomes increasingly anxious and suspicious. Rising temperatures and growing fears – both about the impostor and the discrimination they’ll face back home – create a tense and paranoid atmosphere.

Touch is a Heart Wrenching Tale of Two Brothers

The anime series Touch is beloved by many, consistently ranking among the highest-rated ever, thanks to the complex relationships between brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya Uesagi, and their friend Minami Asakura. Beyond its focus on baseball, Touch beautifully portrays the emotional struggles of two brothers trying to discover who they are as individuals, separate from each other.

Tatsuya is a naturally talented baseball player, but he lets his dedicated brother, Kazuya, become the star, especially as he develops feelings for Minami. When they start high school, Tatsuya decides he wants to pursue his own dreams and not let Kazuya overshadow him. After Kazuya is seriously injured in an accident, the story follows Tatsuya as he emotionally rediscovers his passion for baseball and his feelings for Minami.

Sherlock Hound Playfully Reimagines a Classic Story

While Hayao Miyazaki is best known for his work with Studio Ghibli in the 1980s, one of his first projects, Sherlock Hound, is often overlooked. Similar to Disney’s Robin Hood from 1973, Sherlock Hound retells the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, but with all the characters as charming, human-like dogs.

While definitely a bit goofy, Sherlock Hound is a really endearing take on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, made for kids. This version features a dog as Sherlock, complete with his signature pipe, and shows him working with Doctor Watson and having a crush on his landlady, Mrs. Hudson, who is portrayed as a younger woman. Familiar faces like Moriarty and Lestrade also show up in a cool, steampunk world.

Gunbuster is the Mecha Precursor to Neon Genesis Evangelion

While many think of the 1990s when they hear ‘space opera’ – often thanks to shows like Cowboy Bebop – Gunbuster actually feels more modern, even though it doesn’t get as much attention. The story follows Noriko Takaya, who dreams of becoming a skilled mecha pilot like her role model, Kazumi Amano, and protecting Earth from alien creatures. To achieve this, Noriko enrolls in a special space academy for girls, where she’ll train to pilot the powerful mecha robot known as Gunbuster.

Unlike many mecha anime, Gunbuster tackles unusual themes for science fiction. A central conflict revolves around the effects of light-speed travel, where Noriko faces the heartbreaking possibility of outliving her friends as time slows down for her. The anime beautifully portrays human strength and the bonds between people, reminiscent of , and is enhanced by the incredible animation from Gainax.

Yawara! Is a Little-Known Classic By a Famous Manga Author

Fans often enjoy discovering early works by their favorite creators, and Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl! is a hidden treasure from the 1980s anime scene. It’s a manga by Naoki Urasawa – the creator of popular titles like Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto – but it’s not as well-known as his later work. Yawara! was actually his first big success to be adapted into an anime series, premiering in 1989.

Yawara Inokuma simply wants a normal life, but she feels pressured to excel at judo to fulfill her grandfather’s Olympic dream – he hopes she’ll compete in the 1992 Barcelona games. Throughout the series Yawara!, her dedication to judo often clashes with her desire for romance. However, like many others, Yawara eventually grows to love judo and understand how important it is to her grandfather.

Barefoot Gen Tells an Important War Story That Should Always Be Remembered

As time passes, it’s increasingly crucial to remember the tragedy of the Hiroshima bombing, and the graphic novel Barefoot Gen deserves wider recognition. Based on Keiji Nakazawa’s personal experiences, the story follows a young boy and his mother as they fight for survival amidst the devastation, hunger, and sickness following the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Barefoot Gen is a difficult but powerful story about a young boy named Gen who experiences the devastation of his city, encounters the suffering caused by radiation, and witnesses the desperation that comes with extreme poverty. While harrowing, it remains a realistic portrayal of the time, and even manages to find moments of hope and humor within its dark setting.

Modern Dark Fantasy Should Take Inspiration From Vampire Hunter D

Despite several remakes, the original 1985 anime film Vampire Hunter D remains a beloved classic for many fans. It’s hard to replicate the dark, Gothic mood of this ’80s film, which still feels special after over 40 years. Vampire Hunter D blended Lovecraftian horror and science fiction elements, paving the way for more recent vampire anime like Hellsing Ultimate and Castlevania.

While driving in the countryside one night, Doris Lang is attacked and bitten by the vampire Count Magnus Lee. Desperate to avoid becoming a vampire herself, she hires the enigmatic vampire hunter known only as D to eliminate him. D is uniquely suited for the task – he’s part human, part vampire, giving him an edge against other vampires, and he has a magical, intelligent homunculus living in his hand. This makes him the ideal person to take on the job.

2026-05-12 03:54