In the 1980s, Western audiences were barely aware of anime’s existence. It wasn’t until the ’90s that fans started picking up some of the most popular series from the ’80s, and then by the 2000s the focus was almost entirely on modern anime. As a result, Western fans missed the majority of the anime’s core story elements.
Of course, not all shows age well. Gundam Mobile Suit there is also a Ron’s Warriors. That being said, some anime from the 80s don’t get the respect they deserve, even if they’re still worth checking out today. Although they can be a little harder to track down, it makes it more rewarding for the people who finally get the chance to see them.
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10 Vampire Hunter D has helped many people get into anime
Available on DVD
Vampire Hunter D has taken a back seat in the modern era, even though at one point it was responsible for bringing a ton of people to anime. Set thousands of years in the future, Vampire Hunter D takes place in a world where monsters are numerous and vampires rule over humanity. In the first film, D is hired by a young woman from a small town who wants him to exterminate the vampire Magnus Lee before his power turns her into a full-fledged vampire..
While Vampire Hunter D the animation may be slightly dated, the art style remains timeless thanks to the talented efforts of Yoshitaka Amano. Its unique world is captivating, filled with tons of backstory that always leaves the viewer wanting to know more. Meanwhile, D might be one of the coolest anime characters of the ’80s, and definitely one of the most eligible vampire husbands.
When Doris Lang is chosen as the next wife of vampire Count Magnus Lee, she will hire a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D to try to escape her ill-gotten fate.
- Director
- Toyoo Ashida
- Release date
- December 21, 1985
- Runtime
- 1 hour 20 minutes
- Characters by
- Kaneto Shiozawa, Michie Tomizawa, Seizô Katô
- Producer
- David Del Rio, Hiroshi Katô, Mitsuhisa Koeda, Carl Macek, Yukio Nagasaki
- Production company
- Company Ashi Productions, CBS Sony Group Inc., Epic/Sony, Movic
9 Riding Bean is a classic 80s action movie as an anime
Available on Pipes
Just after working on the much-loved Chewing gum crisisartist and character designer Kenichi Sonoda released the little-known OVA Riding bean. Riding bean is the prototype of the most popular Gunsmith Catseven going so far as to include one of its protagonists in its main cast. The OVA focuses on courier Bean Bandit and his partner Rally Vincent after they are accused of kidnapping the daughter of the president of a large conglomerate. While on the run from the cops, Rally and Bean are forced to find the girl who was kidnapped. And stop the real kidnapper before it’s too late.
Riding bean is a perfect action film in the style of the 80s; It is light on plot, but heavy on incredible chase and fight scenes. The attention to detail in the set design is impeccable, making Riding beanThe city of Los Angeles seems as true to ’80s American cities as watching a live-action movie. Not only does it still hold up, but with a running time of 48 minutes, it’s a perfect way to spend part of an afternoon for those craving some ’80s nostalgia.
8 Legend of the Galactic Heroes features anime’s most epic sci-fi story
Available on Blu-ray
Long before the current Legend of the Galactic Heroesthere was another one that started in the late 80s. Produced entirely in OVA format, this version ran for 110 episodes and lasted for almost a decade. Still, the series has been highly regarded for years by those who sat down to watch it. The problem was that the series was almost impossible to watch legally in English until 2015. At that point, modern fans had little interest in going back that far.
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However, the series is just as good today as it was when it began in 1988. Yoshiki Tanaka’s story of the Free Planets Alliance’s conflict with the Galactic Empire is timeless, as evidenced by the 2018 remake of the series. While the remake is still good, it may never be finished, meaning the ’80s series remains the best way to enjoy the series.
7 Cat’s Eye shows art thieves living double lives
Available on Amazon Prime Video
Cat’s eye was a popular manga from Weekly Shonen Jump which was adapted into anime form in the early 80s. The series follows three sisters who run the Cat’s Eye cafe during the day. However, at night, the women embark on their second career as thieves, stealing works of art that belonged to their missing father. Although it’s a slim chance, the women hope that by recovering the art, they can find out what really happened to their father.
Cat’s eye we have a bit of the impression Lupine III with a stronger family element. Although the series is largely episodic, it’s still fascinating to watch the women figure out how to accomplish each job. Cops and underworld elements start to get in their way, which means they have to be that much smarter to avoid getting caught. Or blow up their secret identities. At the very least, the jazzy soundtrack alone is worth giving this series a chance.
It follows three sisters – Hitomi, Rui and Ai Kisugi – who run a cafe by day and become the trio of art thieves “Cat’s Eye” by night. They steal works of art that belonged to their missing father, leaving behind clues for the police, all while staying one step ahead of the law.
- Release date
- April 11, 1983
- Cast
- Keiko Toda, Toshiko Fujita, Chika Sakamoto, Yoshito Yasuhara, Kenji Utsumi, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Tamio Ôki, Yûji Mikimoto
- Seasons
- 2
- Network
- Japanese television
- Directors
- Kenji Kodama
- Character(s)
- Hitomi Kisugi, Rui Kisugi, Ai Kisugi, Toshio Utsumi, chef, Mitsuko ASatani, Mr. Nagaishi, casino manager
6 Space Runaway Ideon is one of the great greats of Mecha anime
Available on Blu-Ray
Space escape idea probably doesn’t seem underrated by many mecha fans. Yet outside of the genre, it is a largely unknown animated series… which is particularly unfortunate because anyone who looks at it can see how it influenced Evangelion. One of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s previous series, Space escape idea takes place in the distant future, after humanity has attempted to colonize space. However, as they build their colony, they come into contact with the alien Buff Clan, who declare war on humanity. Ultimately, humanity’s only chance comes from the giant robot they discover Ideon… but even that may not be the hope they need.
Space escape idea is unlike anything most anime fans have ever seen. While viewers may be expecting a stereotypical mecha show with hot-blooded heroes and cool mecha fights, an idea most of the time it doesn’t involve either of those things. Instead, the show is bleak, as the war continues to take on both the humans and the Buff clan. Both sides become too entrenched to seek peace, leading to a conclusion that has to be seen to be believed. There’s a reason why an idea features one of the most powerful mecha villains of all time.
Space escape idea
The apocalyptic and dark chronicles of the ship Solo as it navigates the cosmos and wages war against the alien Buff clan for a celestial robot known as Ideon.
- Release date
- May 8, 1980
- Cast
- Hideyuki Tanaka
- Creator
- Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate
- Number of episodes
- 39
5 Sherlock Hound presents a child-friendly version of Sherlock Holmes
Available on Hulu
In the 80s and 90s, anime had a close relationship with classic literature. It was not uncommon to see series based on classic novels like Anne of Green Gables Or The Adventures of Tom Sawyerso perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that in 1984, Tokyo Movie Shinsa made a series about the popular detective Sherlock Holmes. Nonetheless, they took a bit of creative liberty with the project, turning everyone into anthropomorphic dogs and renaming the show. Sherlock Dog.
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Sherlock Dog is still an enjoyable series even decades after its end. Part of this comes from the early parts of the series directed by Hayao Miyazaki, when he was still working in television. His early creations and direction give the series a proto-Studio Ghibli vibe, making it accessible to audiences of all ages. This cuts down on the actual detective work in favor of chase scenes with Moriarty, however, so longtime Sherlock Holmes fans should be wary.
Sherlock Dog
The adventures of canine detective Sherlock Hound and his faithful companions, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade.
- Release date
- November 6, 1986
- Cast
- Taichirô Hirokawa, Yôko Asagami, Chikao Ôtsuka, Hiroshi Masuoka
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- RAI, Tokyo Film Shinsha
- Creator
- Arthur Conan Doyle
- Number of episodes
- 26
4 Urusei Yatsura Introduces One of Anime’s Best Waifus
Available on Crunchy roll
That of Rumiko Takahashi Urusei Yatsura was one of the first notable hits of the 1980s. The series follows Ataru Moroboshi, a high school student who has the misfortune of being chosen by aliens to represent planet Earth in a competition against alien invaders who decide whether Earth can remain a free planet. While Ataru initially believes he can win a simple game of tag, he discovers it’s much harder than it seems when he meets the alien princess Lum, who can fly. However, Ataru wins on the last day by taking Lum by surprise and saving the planet. Her problems aren’t over, however, as Lum misinterprets his excitement about getting married because he won a marriage proposal, leading her to choose to move in with him and marry .
Urusei Yatsura‘s legacy extends far beyond the original series, even if younger anime fans haven’t seen it. Lum is one of anime’s first and arguably best waifu characters, a girl who somehow manages to be innocent while not putting up with any of Ataru’s nonsense. It is also introduces and defines many of the tropes and concepts that romcom series still rely on today.
A young man cursed by misfortune finds himself linked to an alien bride.
- Release date
- October 14, 2022
- Cast
- Jade Kelly, Jack Stansbury
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Production company
- David Productions
- Number of episodes
- 23
3 Super Dimensional Fortress Macross has one of the best love triangles in anime
Available on DVD
That’s right, older anime fans might not think so Macro is underrated at all. He played a vital role in the growth of anime in America as the series Roboticsnot to mention the film Do you remember love? Yet these days the biggest news Macro is that Disney+ finally got the rights to bring it to America, and it’s been decades since young fans had easy access to the franchise.
Always, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross is just as good now as it was when it aired decades ago. Although some of the animation may be dated, the story still easily draws the viewer in. First it’s the budding romance between Hikaru Ichijo and Lynn Minmay, then the war between humanity and the Zentraedi, and finally watching Lynn grow up and become a girl next door. to the last idol of humanity. It’s all compelling and it should be worth watching the original. Macro before moving on to the others.
In a world where humanity is on the verge of being wiped out by an alien invasion, the people of Earth find hope in a massive alien spaceship that crashes on their planet. Refitted for combat, the spaceship becomes humanity’s last defense as it launches into space to fight a series of epic battles against a formidable alien force.
- Release date
- October 3, 1982
- Creator(s)
- Shōji Kawamori, Ken’ichi Matsuzaki
- Cast
- Arihiro Hase, Mari Lijima, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, John Swasey, Show Hayami, Junie Hoang, Chris Patton
- Seasons
- 1
2 Space Cobra offers excellent Space Pulp adventures
Available on YouTube
Space Adventure Cobra represents the pinnacle of pulp science fiction adventures. While the manga debuted in the late 70s, the series was adapted into an anime in the early 80s to great success. The series begins with a simple salaryman named Johnson, who dreams of the adventures of a swashbuckling space pirate named Cobra. However, when Johnson encounters an enemy from his dreams in real life, he begins to suspect that he hasn’t been dreaming at all.
Space Cobra comes from a time when anime wasn’t afraid to embrace space opera as its primary genre. Sure, the series has some dated aspects, but it remains It’s hard not to have fun watching a guy who’s half James Bond and half Lupine III travel through space to fight criminals and protect the planet.. Not only does the narrative hold up, but the Heavy metal the sci-fi aesthetic does this as well, making it feel like a pleasant blast from the past.
1 VOTOM Armored Troopers feature intense, realistic mecha action
Available on DVD
At least at the beginning, VOTOMS Armored Soldier represents some of the best science fiction of the Real Robot genre ever obtained. In this universe, giant robots are treated more like walking, disposable tanks in a war that has gone on for so long that both sides have forgotten what they are fighting for. The series focuses on Chirico Cuvie, a VOTOM pilot who goes on a secret mission that is later revealed to involve the theft of military secrets. After being betrayed, Chirico is arrested as a traitor, forcing him to escape and discover the truth about the mission he was sent on.
FOR THE VOTES“The realistic sci-fi storytelling works in any era. The series’ battlefield scenes are reminiscent of real wars, with a main protagonist who wouldn’t feel out of place in many popular ’80s action films. One of the best mecha anime series of all time, any giant robot fan is doing themselves a disservice if they don’t come back and watch this series.