When discussing dark fantasy in the world of anime and manga, one title consistently stands as the ultimate gold standard. The 1997 adaptation of Kentaro Miuras legendary manga, Berserk remains a towering achievement in psychological storytelling and gritty world building.
When we explore the classical foundation of global anime culture, we have to look back at the transformative decade of the 1990s. This era shifted hand-drawn animation into new territory, introducing darker narratives, epic fantasies, and timeless comedies that still set a benchmark for storytelling. If you want to experience the true vintage roots of the medium, these five masterpieces from the 90s must be added to your radar.
When we discuss the golden era of the global anime boom, we inevitably look back at the years between 2000 and 2009. During this time, the foundation for the worldwide mainstream success of anime was built, and several masterpieces were created that remain unmatched to this day. Whether you are a long-time otaku or just starting your journey, these five milestones from the 2000s belong on your watchlist.
Can you really call yourself an anime fans without knowing the behemoth that is Naruto? When examining the massive global expansion of anime outside of Japan during the early 2000s, Naruto alongside its sequel series Naruto Shippuden stands as an undeniable cultural cornerstone. Based on Masashi Kishimoto's highly celebrated manga, this massive ninja epic captured the hearts of millions. It delivers an unforgettable journey built on an incredible world-building foundation, intricate martial arts choreography, and deeply resonant themes of loneliness and acceptance.
The classic Ranma ½ anime adapted from Rumiko Takahashi's popular manga, is a quirky and delightful series that blends martial arts, comedy, and romance (sometimes ecchi) in a unique and entertaining way. The story revolves around cursed Ranma Saotome, a martial artist who, due to a mishap during training, transforms into a girl whenever he comes into contact with cold water and reverts back to a boy with hot water. This bizarre condition sets the stage for a plethora of comedic scenarios and misunderstandings with one of the best side characters you'll ever meet.
"Tengoku Daimakyou" or "Heavenly Delusion" is a captivating anime that blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery into a compelling narrative. Set in an apocalyptic world, the series follows the journey of its protagonists Kiruko and Maru as they navigate through various trials and tribulations.
"Ping Pong The Animation" is an exceptional show and of my all-time favorites. You don't have to be a fan of sports anime or Ping-Pong - this series takes you on a ride you weren't ready for. It's a coming of age story for several young aspiring athletes who come to the realization, that they probably never will be the best in the sport they love so dearly. And while that part of shattered dreams is heartbreaking, how you move on and make the best out of your life regardless, is beautiful.
"Ajin" is a dark and thought-provoking anime that explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of scientific experimentation. Set in a world where a small percentage of the population are immortal beings known as "Ajin," the series follows the journey of Kei Nagai, a high school student who discovers he is one of these mysterious creatures after surviving a fatal accident.
Aiura is an older short format anime I had big hopes for, but ultimately had to settle for mediocrity, although the character design is really nice. The series follows Kanaka, Saki, and Ayuko as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, from mundane school activities to humorous misadventures.
"Air Gear" is a fun, high-energy anime that combines the thrill of extreme sports with a touch of the supernatural. The art style, fashion, and music are all great - even more so in the manga. But as usual, after rewatching the show in 2024 - it has not aged that well. The premise of roller skating gangs sounds pretty cool, but is executed rather blandly. Our male protagonist living with hot sisterly female characters and over the top ecchi scenes almost make you chuckle.
"91 Days" is a gripping anime that takes viewers on a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of the Prohibition era. Set in the fictional town of Lawless, the story follows Angelo Lagusa, a young man seeking vengeance against the mafia family that brutally murdered his parents and younger brother.
"12-sai." aka "Age 12" is the story of innocent Hanabi, a sixth-grade girl who is neither an adult nor a child. She deals with youth issues, physiological changes, her first love, and all the other adolescent topics you can think of. I was pleasantly surprised how mature the anime ended up being and enjoyed this coming of age seriesa lot.
There were two shoujo anime in the 90's I couldn't get enough of when I was a kid, one was Sailor Moon and the other the more obscure Wedding Peach. While SM is a beloved classic, WP has been forgotten, so I rewatched it to figure out, whether it holds up as well as the OG magical girl anime or whether people were right for ignoring WP.
Did you watch the great fantasy anime Sousou no Frieren already? You can read my review of the anime here.
You will notice that all the names of the characters, and sometimes cities etc., are German words - since I speak German I made a list with translation of those names, which often describe the characteristics of the person well.
Frieren means being cold, freezing
Himmel means heaven
Heiter means cheery
Eisen means iron
Stark means strong
Fern means far away
"Sousou no Frieren" is a breathtaking anime that delves into the profound themes of friendship, mortality, and the passage of time with grace and poignancy. Adapted from the manga series written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe, this anime captures the essence of its source material while adding its own layer of visual and emotional depth.
"Migi to Dali" is an absurd and fun anime, the smart and very stretchy identical twin brothers are its biggest strength, however, as soon as the story gets too serious, the charm is lost, and that's its undoing. As much as I enjoyed the first 8 episodes, the show didn't stick the landing.
If you were to mix Naruto, Bleach and Hunter x Hunter, you'd get Jujutsu Kaisen. A fun shōnen manga/anime that perfectly blends dark fantasy, intense action, and intricate character development. I enjoyed the show a lot, but it's not without flaws.
Fun fact, "Yu Yu Hakusho" is one of the classic 90's anime I never watched as a kid, but then later found out about when I was in my 20's. I recently sat down and re-watched the whole series, so I could write a proper review for my blog.
"Plastic Neesan" is a short-form gag anime series that was released in 2011. It consists of 12 hilarious episodes, each lasting only a few minutes, so you can watch the whole show in like 30 minutes. It was adapted from the manga and stayed true to the fast-paced comedy that focuses on the daily lives of three high school girls: Iroe Genma, Makina Sakamaki, and Hazuki Okamoto, as well as their classmates.
If you haven't heard of One Piece, you really don't care about manga or anime. It's rather difficult to review a series, that's been around for over 20 years, and will probably still be around for another 10 years. I will say though, the hype is well deserved for One Piece, we got some of the best world building and power system in manga history. While I detest what the anime has become, the manga is still top-notch reading material. Plus, the live action adaption is promising as well!
"Sousou no Frieren" is a breathtaking anime that delves into the profound themes of friendship, mortality, and the passage of tim...
