In the '90s, anime saw a huge boom of popularity in the West, especially in America. Once anime hit the States, it became extremely popular to the point where even TV stations started airing them. Even today, we can still see anime being played on TV, mainly on the channel Adult Swim.
All this popularity is thanks to hit anime shows like Sailor Moon and Pokémon. This boom in popularity also caused anime to start being officially dubbed and subbed, which used to be unheard of, starting the dub versus sub debate that still goes on to this day. '90s anime holds such a big nostalgia factor for anime fans as many of these anime were their introduction to the genre.
10 Ocean Waves Tells A Story About The Past
Ocean Waves is a classic romance anime film staring Taku Morisaki and his journey back to Tokyo for a high school reunion. While on this journey, Taku starts to remember his high school days, especially this one memory of a love triangle that happened between him and his friends. Set in 1993, this film is great for nostalgia watchers with its '90s animation style thanks to Studio Ghibli animating the film for the Nippon Television Network.
9 Earwig And The Witch Follows The Life Of An Orphaned Girl
Produced by the son of Hayao Miyazaki, Earwig And The Witch is the first 3D animated film of Studio Ghibli. This film tells the story of a strong orphan girl who discovers a love for potions and spells after being adopted by a mean witch.
Despite this film being about witches and the supernatural, fans might be surprised to hear that it is actually set in the early '90s. This observation might have slipped past fans' minds since the 3D animation and the fantasy aspect of the film make it appear more timeless.
8 Hi-Score Girl Is An Anime About A Gamer Boy and A Gamer Girl
Hi-Score Girl tells the story of a gamer boy who couldn't care less for sports and academics. One day, however, he finally meets someone who is at his level of gaming and, to his surprise, it's his own classmate Akira. This anime is a great one for nostalgia watchers since it focuses on the boom of gaming in the late '80s and early '90s. However, this anime is missing the classic '90s animation style despite being set in the early '90s.
7 Nana Follows An Unlikely Friendship
Nana stars Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki, two very different girls who find a wonderful friendship with each other. Nana Komatsu is from a small town and decides that she wants to go to Tokyo where her boyfriend and friends reside. On the other side, Nana Osaki was in a popular punk band in her hometown and moves to Tokyo with the dream of becoming a famous singer. Barley making it into the '90s category, Nana is set in the year 1999. However, Nana is still a great '90s anime with its animation style resembling classic '90s shojo manga.
6 Black Lagoon Is A Series About A Businessman Gone Bad
Black Lagoon is an anime series about Rokurou Okajima, who takes a business trip to Southeast Asia. However, his trip doesn't go as planned when he gets kidnapped and held for ransom by a group called Black Lagoon. In a turn of events, Rokurou's ransom gets turned down by his business, and he is left stranded. Feeling hurt and abandoned, he decides to join the group that kidnapped him. Released in 2006, this action-packed anime is set in the mid-'90s.
5 Fruits Basket Stars A Homeless 16-Year-Old Tooru Honda
Fruits Basket stars 16-year-old Tooru, who recently lost her mother and became homeless. One day, when Tooru is returning home to her tent, she discovers that it has been destroyed by a landslide. Fortunately, Yui Souma, a popular boy at her school, discovers her predicament and decides to let her stay with him.
Things aren't always what they seem though, and Tooru discovers that the Souma family all turn into zodiac animals with they are hugged by the opposite gender. Set in the year 1999, Fruits Basket is another anime that barely made it into the decade.
4 Marmalade Boy Follows The Story Of A Divorced Couple
Marmalade Boy follows the story of Miki Koishikawa, whose life is about to get turned upside down. After a family trip to Hawaii, Miki's parents decided to get a divorce, and that's not the only problem. After the divorce, Miki's parents also plan on remarrying different people. In order to help Miki through this change, her new parents decide to host a family dinner. There, she meets Matsuura Yuu, her soon-to-be stepbrother who she develops a crush on. Set in1995, Marmalade boy is a wonderful '90s nostalgic anime with a classic '90s animation style.
3 Whisper Of The Heart Is A Romantic '90s Film
Another Studio Ghibli film, Whisper Of The Heart is an anime that follows the story of 14-year-old Shizuku Tsukishima. One day, Shizuku discovers that every book she checks out has been checked out by Seiji Amasawa. Curious about this boy, she is determined to discover his identity. However, after discovering his identity, Shizuku gets more than she bargains for. Set in 1994, this classic Studio Ghibli romance film is filled with '90s school nostalgia
2 His and Her Circumstances Follows the Story of an Overachiever
His and Her Circumstances revolves around the story of Yukino Miyazawa, the female representative of her class. Known as the most popular girl in school, Yukino is good at both school and sports. However, deep inside, Yukino is anything but nice and always wants to be on top.
She despises her fellow class representative, Soichiro Arima, who is exactly like her and always at the top. His and Her Circumstances is set in the year 1998 and tells the story of a complicated relationship.
1 Sailor Moon Is The Magical Girl Anime
It goes without saying that when '90s anime is mentioned, Sailor Moon has to be brought up. Sailor Moon is an extremely popular anime series about Usagi Tsukino, a clumsy middle school girl who suddenly becomes a magical girl and is entrusted to protect the city. Taking place in 1992, Sailor Moon is the perfect '90s anime with its classic animation style that has become a staple of the medium. In addition, the iconic '90s fashion has given many fans inspiration for their own outfits.