The Most Popular Old-school Anime, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the old-school anime you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:46
Old-school anime holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, serving as a cornerstone for today's animated storytelling marvels. These classics paved the way for various genres and styles that continue to influence modern animation. Yet, determining which of these groundbreaking series resonates most with audiences today can be a complex endeavor.
By participating in rankings, fans contribute to a collective appreciation of these timeless works, providing insights that are valuable for both new and veteran enthusiasts of the genre. This voting-driven ranking not only highlights the enduring popularity of certain titles but also sparks discussions and deeper engagement within the community.
What Is the Most Popular Old-school Anime?
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153votes
Toei Animation · Public domainDragon Ball Z
Akira ToriyamaThis action-packed series, which first aired in 1989, follows the adventures of Goku and his friends as they battle powerful villains and defend the Earth. It has become a cultural phenomenon and is considered a classic of the shonen genre.Dragon Ball Z is a popular anime series that follows the adventures of Goku, a Saiyan warrior, as he defends Earth against various villains. The story continues from the original Dragon Ball series and features intense battles, epic transformations, and a focus on friendship and personal growth.- Dragon Balls: Seven magical spheres that, when gathered, grant a wish
- Continuations/Sequels: Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super
- Number of Episodes: 291
- Original Run: April 26, 1989 – January 31, 1996
- Genre: Action, Adventure
Dragon Ball Z in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Dragon Ball series
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular anime list
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular animes
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular AMV
- Position 10 of 10 in Most beloved cartoon
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227votes
Sailor Moon
Naoko TakeuchiThis magical girl anime, which debuted in 1992, tells the story of a young girl named Usagi who transforms into the titular hero to fight evil forces threatening the world. It has a strong female lead and themes of friendship that have resonated with audiences for decades.Sailor Moon is a popular anime and manga series that follows the adventures of a young middle school student named Usagi Tsukino, who transforms into the superhero Sailor Moon to battle against the forces of evil. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians, Usagi protects the Earth and the galaxy from various villains while also dealing with everyday school life and personal relationships.- Genre: Magical girl, action, romance
- Original run: March 7, 1992 – February 8, 1997
- Episodes: 200 (including specials)
- Manga volumes: 18
- Main protagonist: Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular magical girl anime
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular cosplay
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Nendoroid
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beautiful character in Sailor Moon
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular anime character in Japan
- Position 8 of 10 in Most loved anime in Japan
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328votes
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Hideaki AnnoThis 1995 series is a seminal work in the mecha genre, featuring complex characters and themes of existentialism, mental illness, and trauma. It has been praised for its unique storytelling and visual style.Neon Genesis Evangelion is a groundbreaking mecha anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world. It follows the story of teenagers piloting giant humanoid mechas, known as Evangelions, to protect Earth from mysterious beings called Angels. The series delves into themes of existentialism, identity, and the psychological struggles of the main characters.- Original release: October 4, 1995 – March 27, 1996
- Genre: Science Fiction, Mecha, Psychological Drama
- Episodes: 26
- Running time: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
- Studio: Gainax, Tatsunoko Production
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416votesThis 1988 film is a landmark in Japanese animation, with its stunning visuals and mature themes. It tells the story of a biker gang member who gains psychic powers and becomes embroiled in a government conspiracy. It has been cited as a major influence on Western media.Akira is a renowned old-school anime film that was released in 1988. It is set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo and follows the story of Kaneda and his motorcycle gang as they get entangled in a government conspiracy involving psychic powers. The film is celebrated for its groundbreaking animation, intense action sequences, and philosophical themes.
- Release Year: 1988
- Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk
- Running Time: 124 minutes
- Animation Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
- Based on: Manga 'Akira' by Katsuhiro Otomo
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512votes
Sunrise · Public domainCowboy Bebop
Shinichirō WatanabeThis 1998 series follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters in space, blending elements of westerns, film noir, and jazz music. It is known for its stylish visuals, memorable characters, and emotionally resonant storytelling.Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime series that follows the adventures of a group of bounty hunters in space. Set in the year 2071, the show combines elements of science fiction, westerns, and film noir to create a unique and captivating story. The series explores themes of existentialism, loneliness, and the search for purpose, all set against a backdrop of jazz music.- Number of Episodes: 26
- Original Network: TV Tokyo
- Original Run: April 3, 1998 – April 24, 1999
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Western
- Animation Studio: Sunrise
Cowboy Bebop in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular animes
- Position 8 of 10 in Most entertaining anime
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular anime list
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610votesThis 1995 film is a cyberpunk classic, exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and technology in a future where humans can merge with machines. It features stunning animation and a complex plot that has inspired numerous adaptations and imitators.Ghost in the Shell is a classic cyberpunk anime that explores the themes of consciousness, identity, and the relationship between humans and technology. Set in a futuristic world, it follows the elite cybernetic law enforcement unit called Public Security Section 9, led by Major Motoko Kusanagi, as they investigate cybercrime and political intrigue.
- Genre: Cyberpunk, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Episodes: 1 Film, 1 TV Series, and several sequel films
- Release Year: 1989 (film), 1995 (TV series)
- Animation Studio: Production I.G.
- Directed By: Mamoru Oshii (film), Kenji Kamiyama (TV series)
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717votes
Fist of the North Star
Buronson and Tetsuo HaraThis 1984 series is a classic of the martial arts genre, featuring a post-apocalyptic world where the strong survive and the weak perish. The protagonist, Kenshiro, uses his deadly martial arts skills to protect the innocent and seek revenge against his enemies.Fist of the North Star, also known as Hokuto no Ken, is a popular old-school anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world. It was created by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara. The story follows the journey of Kenshiro, a martial artist trained in the deadly Hokuto Shinken style, as he fights against various gangs and warlords to protect the innocent and reunite with his lost love. The series is renowned for its intense action, dramatic storytelling, and iconic characters.- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Martial Arts
- Original run: October 4, 1984 – March 5, 1987
- Number of episodes: 109
- Manga adaptation: Yes
- Anime film adaptations: 3
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84votes
Saint Seiya
Masami KurumadaThis 1986 series is a popular example of the shonen genre, featuring a team of warriors who wear armor based on the constellations and fight to protect the goddess Athena. It has a large following in Latin America and Europe, where it was dubbed into multiple languages.Saint Seiya, also known as Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Masami Kurumada. It tells the story of a group of young warriors known as the Saints, who are the champions of the Greek goddess Athena and wear mystical armors known as Cloths. The Saints fight to protect the Earth from various mythical threats and to prevent the resurrection of the malevolent god, Hades.- Genre:: Action, Fantasy
- Original run:: 1986-1989
- Number of episodes:: 114
- Manga volumes:: 28
- Main characters:: Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki
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91votes
Ranma 1/2
Rumiko TakahashiThis 1989 series is a comedic romance about a teenage boy named Ranma who transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water. It explores gender roles and relationships in a lighthearted and entertaining way, and has a devoted fanbase to this day.Ranma 1/2 is a popular old-school anime series that combines comedy, romance, and martial arts. It follows the story of Ranma Saotome, a teenage martial artist who becomes cursed when he falls into a magical spring. Whenever he is splashed with cold water, he transforms into a girl, while hot water reverses the transformation.- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Martial Arts
- Original Run: 1989-1992
- Episodes: 161
- Manga Adaptation: Yes
- Animated Adaptation: Yes
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104votes
Mobile Suit Gundam
Yoshiyuki TominoThis 1979 series is a pioneering work in the mecha genre, featuring a war between Earth and its space colonies, and the young pilot Amuro Ray who must fight to save his friends and loved ones. It has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise, and has become a cultural icon in Japan.Mobile Suit Gundam is a Japanese mecha anime series that originally aired from 1979 to 1980. It is set in a futuristic universe where humanity has colonized space and is engaged in a war between Earth and its space colonies. The story revolves around the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, with the use of giant robotic suits known as mobile suits.- Original Air Date: April 7, 1979
- Episodes: 43
- Studio: Sunrise
- Genre: Mecha, Military, Sci-Fi
- Running Time: 24 minutes per episode
Missing your favorite old-school anime?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular old-school anime
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Release DateConsider the release date of the anime series or film, which should typically fall between the 1960s to 1990s to be considered "old-school."
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Influence on the mediumEvaluate the impact of the anime on the industry, such as its pioneering storytelling methods, animation techniques, or influence on other popular anime works.
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PopularityExamine the anime's success during its original run, including TV ratings, merchandise sales, box office returns, and cultural impact.
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Fan following and nostalgiaDetermine the present-day fan following and how much nostalgia the anime evokes in its viewers. This can be a significant factor in highlighting its popularity as an old-school classic.
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Critical acclaimInvestigate the reception of the anime by critics and industry professionals, including any awards or accolades received.
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Art style and animationAnalyze the anime's distinct art style and animation techniques that characterize old-school anime - such as hand-drawn cel animation, particular character designs, or backgrounds.
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Genre and themesObserve the anime's genre and themes that were prevalent during the old-school era, such as space opera, mecha, martial arts, cyberpunk, or magical girl series.
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Iconic charactersEvaluate the popularity of the anime's characters, contributing significantly to their impact and longevity in viewers' memories.
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Memorable soundtracksConsider the soundtrack's importance, including opening and closing theme songs and background music, which often contributes to an anime's enduring popularity.
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Legacy and adaptabilityAssess the anime's ability to retain relevance over time, such as having a successful comeback through remakes, reboots, or sequels.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular old-school anime. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or old-school anime is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1867 views
- 171 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each old-school anime once every 24 hours. The rank of each old-school anime is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular old-school anime
Anime has been a popular form of entertainment for decades, with its roots tracing back to the early 1900s in Japan. Old-school anime refers to the classic anime shows that were produced between the 1960s and 1990s. These shows are known for their distinctive animation style, rich storytelling, and memorable characters. Many fans of anime view old-school anime as a nostalgic reminder of their childhood and a testament to the enduring appeal of the medium. Some of the most popular old-school anime series include Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Gundam. These shows remain beloved by fans around the world and continue to inspire new generations of anime enthusiasts.
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