22 Old Anime Series and Movies That Set a High Bar

"Old" is a relative term; not everything millennials and previous generations hold sacred should be considered ancient just yet.

However, with the speed of technological advancement in TV and film, it's a fair critique that anything made more than a decade ago has gathered a thin layer of dust on the vintage shelf. This is not to say that old anime isn't beautifully crafted and highly entertaining for contemporary fans of Japanese animation.

Whether you're new to the scene or a manga maniac looking to rewatch some of your classic favorites, read on to learn about some of the best anime made 20 years ago and beyond.

8 of the Best Old Anime Movies

You can find many of these manga-maniac-approved old anime movies on some of your favorite streaming services and websites.

1. 'Vampire Hunter D' (1985)

"Vampire Hunter D" is a dark-fantasy western filled to the brim with blood-curdling baddies, including demons, mutants and (of course) vampires. The anime film was based on the popular four-volume graphic novel series that sold over 17 million copies worldwide.

2. 'Gall Force: Eternal Story' (1986)

With a sci-fi-heavy plot that likely inspired mechanical themes found in "Dominion Tank Police" (1988-1989) and "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (1995-1996), "Gall Force" highlights the battle between two advanced civilizations entrenched in a centuries-long war for galactic supremacy.

3. 'Wicked City' (1987)

Many critics consider the English-dubbed version of this dystopian anime classic to be one of the first popular introductions of the medium for Western audiences. Sexy themes in Gothic settings feel like they belong in a rated-R DC universe, and the plot will keep you guessing until the very end.

4. 'Akira' (1988)

Few anime films have had such a lasting impression on the art form as this cyberpunk sci-fi masterpiece. Akira is set in postwar dystopian Tokyo, torn further apart by gang violence, terrorism and sociopolitical dissent.

5. 'My Neighbor Totoro' (1988)

Arguably the best anime studio in history, Studio Ghibli established itself as a pioneer in the medium with this early work of masterful storytelling. This fantastical tale of friendship tells the story of two sisters who meet a wondrous group of woodland spirits in the quiet countryside of postwar Japan.

6. 'Ninja Scroll' (1993)

This Ronin classic is an absolute sweat fest of bone-breaking fight scenes and heart-pumping action set in the tranquil scenery of Edo-era Japan. "Ninja Scroll" is a violent and visceral departure from sci-fi themes of giant robots and galactic heroes that feel true-to-form for traditional manga.

7. 'Ghost in the Shell' (1995)

"Ghost in the Shell" is a psychological sci-fi thriller that follows members of the counterterrorism unit Public Security Section 9 in their fight to maintain law and order in a cyberpunk world fraught with criminals, corrupt officials and diabolical corporations.

8. 'Spirited Away' (2001)

This Studio Ghibli masterpiece was written and directed by visionary Hayao Miyazaki. Although "Spirited Away" premiered more recently than other classic anime movies on this list, no collection of top anime would be complete without mentioning this fan favorite that became the first hand-drawn Japanese film to win an Academy Award.

14 of the Best Old Anime Series

You will find no shortage of exceptional old anime series on this list — many of which are available now on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll.

1. 'Astro Boy' (1963)

"Astro Boy," the first anime series based on the beloved manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka, is considered the foundational iteration of pure Japanese illustration in television history. Although the animation may seem dated, the show was a giant leap forward in its own right, inspiring modern anime artists.

2. 'Speed Racer' (1967)

This Japanese animation classic, also known as Mach GoGoGo, tells the story of a brave young boy who loves racing and family above everything else. The series was an absolute boom for the anime industry as the series caught fire across the globe, even surpassing the overwhelming success of the comic books.

3. 'Space Battleship Yamato' (1974-1975)

"Space Battleship Yamato" is a sci-fi manga and anime series set in the distant future during an intergalactic war that has left Earth's surface an uninhabitable radioactive wasteland. Survivors have retreated to subterranean colonies as they fight to hold out hope.

4. 'Mobile Suit Gundam' (1979)

It might be pretty obvious from the series title, but this original series is packed with hours of mech suit action and space station drama.

5. 'The Rose of Versailles' (1979-1980)

"The Rose of Versailles" is a beautifully crafted peek into the years leading to the French Revolution. Viewers witness this tumultuous time period through the eyes of Marie Antoinette and the Dauphine, who provide an alternative historical perspective.

6. 'Fist of the North Star' (1987-1988)

With story arcs that mirror other apocalyptic films and TV series, "Fist of the North Star" follows the epic quest of Kenshiro, a martial artist with a special set of skills that help him navigate this dystopian landscape.

7. 'Legend of the Galactic Heroes' (1988-1997)

"Legend of the Galactic Heroes" is a futuristic anime series about political players navigating interstellar conflict. Like "Cowboy Bebop" and "Dragon Ball Z," the expansive setting forces protagonists to save Earth and many other planets in the galaxy.

This massive world-building lends itself to occasional filler episodes for exposition, though these are few and far between some of the best anime storylines.

8. 'Dragon Ball Z' (1989-1996)

This beloved franchise is still one of the most popular anime found on primary streaming services. With the protagonist of Goku, a star-studded cast of memorable characters and no shortage of fun and dramatic side stories that each feel like an epic quest through a fictional version of Japan, what's not to love?

9. 'Yu Yu Hakusho' (1990-1994)

"YuYu Hakusho" follows the adventures of a teenage delinquent who becomes a spirit detective, charged with maintaining a balance between dimensions and saving the innocent from evil forces.

10. 'Sailor Moon' (1992-1997)

"Sailor Moon" and her magical girl gang make up one of the most popular manga and anime series to ever come out of Japan. Similar to "Ghost in the Shell," it provided balance to a male-protagonist-dominated medium, although without the graphic content of an adult series.

11. 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' (1995-1996)

Watch one episode of this sci-fi series (or read one installment of the manga of the same name), and it will change your thoughts about the art form. The illustrations are beautifully crafted, the fight scenes are fast-paced and the franchise offers several movies that complete the manga story sufficiently.

12. 'Rurouni Kenshin' (1996-1998)

This modern anime series is set in the distant past and primarily focuses on the adventures of Himura Kenshin, a masterless swordsman who wanders Meiji-era Japan in search of redemption. Many fans of the samurai genre point to this series as the first anime experience that hooked them on the popular medium.

13. 'Serial Experiments Lain' (1998)

"Serial Experiments Lain" is one of those anime that will pull you in from the first episode and drag you down into dark places of your consciousness.

14. 'Cowboy Bebop' (1998)

"Cowboy Bebop" is a beloved manga and anime series about a ragtag band of bounty hunters that embarks on several exciting missions and misadventures. It is one of the more modern anime series on this list, but its visionary neo-space Western animation style and well-developed characters made it an instant classic.

History's First Anime?

Anime stems from the popular manga comic book tradition in Japan, but it was a long road to get the art form to its modern global success.

As any great journey begins with a single step, many historians point to a hand-drawn short from 1917 titled "Namakura Gatana" ("Blunt Sword") as the pioneering anime that paved the way.

Original article: 22 Old Anime Series and Movies That Set a High Bar

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