There’s no denying that the 1990s were a revolutionary era for the anime industry, but unfortunately, many of the classics couldn’t stand the test of time. The decade completely shifted the global market since several shows became popular in the West due to television broadcasts. As the demand grew, the anime industry quickly began to evolve, especially throughout the 1990s. Anime released during that era were a lot more experimental since they allowed directors and animators more artistic freedom. Compared to now, when the industry is oversaturated with anime shows and films, the 1990s released fewer but iconic shows that are loved even to this day.
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However, the reason many of them were more or less forgotten by the world was because of their limited availability. It became increasingly difficult to watch those shows over the years since the streaming platforms never picked them up for international fans. Even if these platforms did manage to somehow make them available, they were eventually removed and never to be seen again. Despite having critical acclaim and some of the best stories of all time, you can’t stream these 1990s classics anywhere in the U.S.
5) Hunter x Hunter(1999)
Image Courtesy of Nippon Animation
While there’s no denying that the 2011 reboot version is a more popular and polished version of the story, the original anime had a different kind of charm. It featured the classic 1990s grainy visuals that can’t be replicated today. The story is set in a world where Hunters specialize in a variety of fields, including treasure hunting, cooking, and more, as they continue to pursue their dreams and interests. The original TV run was for two years until 2001, when the anime ended halfway through the Yorknew City Arc. Later on, the Original Net Animation version of the anime adapted the story up until the Greed Island Arc before it fully caught up with the manga. Due to the manga hiatuses, the anime never returned with the Chimera Ant Arc. Instead, studio Madhouse took over the anime and retold the story with modern animation. The hype was so great that the original version was eventually forgotten, despite being an incredible adaptation with stunning visuals.
4) Slayers
Image Courtesy of J.C. Staff
Slayers is another one of those series whose popularity diminished over the years, but among avid anime fans, it’s still considered one of the best fantasy Shonen series. The story strikes a perfect blend of comedy, action, and adventure, which is rarely seen in the industry anymore. Following the classic tropes that are enjoyable to this day, the story follows sorceress Lina Inverse, who travels all across the world stealing treasures from bandits using her immense powers. However, just when she is about to attack her new group of victims, swordsman Gourry Gabriev enters the scene since he believes Lina is in trouble. While naively trying to help a girl in need, he confronts the brigands and is determined to escort her to Atlas City, her next destination. As the story continues, the duo’s unlikely partnership sets off a chain of chaotic yet thrilling adventures across a world filled with magic, monsters, and mysterious artifacts.
3) Serial Experiments Lain
Image Courtesy of Triangle Staff
Serial Experiments Lain remains one of the most mind-bending psychological thrillers of all time and became a cult classic after it was premiered in 1998. Known for its gruesome, thought-provoking elements, this award-winning anime series leaves a lasting impact on viewers in just 13 episodes. Based on an original story, the anime reached one of the most satisfying conclusions of all time. Since the story never needed a sequel to tie up the loose ends, it makes the show a perfect binge-worthy watch for viewers. This exceptionally well-written story blurs the line between reality and the virtual world as it explores relevant themes of the age of digital life that was way ahead of its time. Unfortunately, modern anime fans might never be able to experience the brilliance of this masterpiece since none of the major streaming platforms have any plans for bringing it back to fans across the world.
2) Outlaw Star
Image Courtesy of Sunrise Studios
Space western anime shows centering around adventure were all the rage in the 1990s, and there’s no doubt that this theme is appreciated even to this day, as witnessed by the huge popularity of Cowboy Bebop. When this theme was at the height of its popularity, Outlaw Star was released, and it became a massive hit. Unfortunately, the anime didn’t stand the test of time, unlike Cowboy Bebop, even though both series were released in the same year. While Outlaw Star is more or less forgotten among new anime fans, it still has a small but dedicated fanbase. However, this underrated gem was once one of the most popular space anime, praised for its intriguing adventure with a blend of fun and space exploration. The major reason why this anime was forgotten is that fans in the U.S. have no means to watch this anywhere, due to licensing issues.
1) The File of Young Kindaichi
Image Courtesy of Toei Animation
Fans of Detective Conan would have easily fallen in love with this late 1990s mystery series adapted by Toei Animation, the same studio behind classics such as One Piece and Dragon Ball. That is, considering that it wasn’t removed from Crunchyroll several years ago. Although The File of Young Kindaichi never got the global recognition it deserved, it was considered one of the best long-running crime dramas during that era. The anime even released a sequel season in 2014, which again failed to attract a wider audience in the West. The story centers around Hajime Kindaichi, who appears to be an average high school student at first glance. Although his appearance isn’t striking, he is actually the grandson of someone who was once the greatest detective in Japan, as he continues his grandfather’s legacy by solving mysteries by travelling through remote islands, eerie towns, dangerous seas, and all kinds of hostile places.
Which 1990s anime classic do you wish were available to stream on major platforms? Do you think these forgotten gems deserve a wider audience? Let us know your picks in the comments!
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