It’s hard to believe that anime as a form of entertainment has been around for more than a century now. But despite the fact that Japanese animation has existed since 1917, it didn’t really take off on a global scale until the 1980s.
In the 80s, the Japanese economy and export market grew, production methods improved rapidly, VHS tapes became popular, and new animation studios like Studio Ghibli, Gainax, and Kyoto Animation popped up. All of these factors played a role in anime’s first forays outside of Japan.
Looking back on the 1980s anime legacy, we can see that it was a golden era in many ways. So, without further ado, here are some of the best anime from that glorious decade.
And if you’re still on the nostalgia kick after that, check out my list of the best anime from the 1990s.
10 BEST ANIME OF THE 80s
10. Wicked City (1987)
Joy Pack Films
MyAnimeList: 6,4
Movie | 1h 22min
Available on: Prime Video, HIDIVE
Wicked City is an OVA film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, a legend known for the Ninja Scroll. It was released in 1987 by Video Art and Madhouse. The dark anime from the 80s is based on Black Guard, the first installment of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Wicked City novel series, and it wasn’t afraid to take risks.
If you were ever into the gritty side of Japanese animation, you’ve probably seen or heard of this fantasy horror drama. It’s easily one of the most messed up anime ever, packed with gore, mayhem, and disturbing imagery bordering on hentai. It’s not for the faint of heart, but Ninja Scroll and horror fans will love it. Oh, and any hardcore trash enthusiasts here? This is your perfect late-night watch, folks.
Wicked City’s story takes place in two worlds: the Earth and the Black World, which is inhabited by demons. For centuries, a pact has existed between these worlds, and the time has come to renew it. A faction, however, is attempting to stop it, and it is now up to the Black Guards to protect the treaty and maintain peace between humans and demons.
The flashy visuals hold up well, the character designs are phenomenal, and the story is weird but never boring. I won’t go into detail, but suffice it to say that this is one of those stories that could never be told today. And as I said, it’s not for everyone, so only watch it if you can handle the ultraviolence and body horror.
9. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985-1986)
Sunrise
MAL: 7,9
1 season| 50 episodes
Available on: Netflix
If you’ve been an anime fan for more than nine nanoseconds, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the Gundam franchise. You know, one of the highest-grossing media franchises, worth an estimated $26.9 billion? Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is the second installment of the 1985 animated series produced by Sunrise, a studio known for sci-fi heavyweights like Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, Gintama, and romance anime InuYasha.
Zeta Gundam takes place seven years after the original and depicts the aftermath of the One Year War between the Earth Federation and Zeon. The Earth Federation triumphed and formed the Titans, a militant group tasked with tracking down and eliminating the remaining Zeon forces. However, the Titans prove to be even worse than Zeon, causing outrage and the formation of the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG). Enter Kamille Bidan, a kid who finds himself smack dab in the middle of the conflict between the Titans and the AEUG after the latter attack his village.
The sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam is generally viewed as far superior to its predecessor, and with good reason: the story is darker and more mature, full of drama and political intrigue. It was already a groundbreaking anime series, but the emphasis on thematic relevance elevated it to new heights. It paved the way from the 1970s’ “super robot” to the 1980s’ “real robot” mecha subgenre.
The six-year difference between the releases also did wonders for the production values. Even by today’s standards, the artwork for Zeta Gundam is outstanding. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this Japanese space opera is thought to be the best of the Gundam series.
8. Captain Tsubasa (1983-1995)
Enoki Films
MAL: 7,3
6 seasons| 175 episodes
Available on: Netflix
Any decent list of the ’80s anime would be incomplete without the sports anime Captain Tsubasa. There were some decent genre efforts before Tsubasa’s release, such as Speed Racer, but none had the same impact as the Spokon (sports + konjō – transl. “determination”) series, which sparked Japan’s soccer craze.
Captain Tsubasa was released in 1983 as an adaptation of Yoichi Takahashi’s eponymous manga by the now-defunct Tsuchida Productions. Soccer (or association football, if you must) was a little-known sport with a small following in Japan when Takahashi began working on the manga. In fact, the baseball-crazed country didn’t even have a professional soccer league until 1992. Because of the subject’s lack of popularity, it took our mangaka three years to get his manga published.
The now-legendary anime follows Oozora Tsubasa, a young boy on his quest to fulfill his dream of winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. Oozora and his mother move to a new town so that the talented 11-year-old can improve his soccer skills. His adventure begins at his new school, where he meets both rivals and friends who inspire him to improve and make the Japanese national team.
While Captain Tsubasa’s art suffers by today’s standards, the storyline and memorable characters remain compelling and inspiring. This wholesome 80s sports anime is credited with inspiring generations of soccer players in Japan and around the world, including THE soccer player Lionel Messi, who grew up watching the Spanish dub. Now, how cool is that?
7. Fist of the North Star (1984-1988)
Discotek Media
MAL: 8
6 seasons | 152 episodes
Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Prime Video
Fist of the North Star is one of the most iconic Shonen Jump titles, ushering in a new era of violent animated action. It had a significant impact on the rise of Shonen until Dragon Ball came along around and left everyone in the dust.
Buronson and Tetsuo Hara created the manga in 1983, and it was adapted into a TV series in 1984. Toei Animation developed the project, which was directed by the late Toyoo Ashida. He also helmed the Vampire Hunter D, another great 80s anime you’ll see a little higher up on this list.
The story of The Fist follows a simple monster of the week format with some overarching plot, but not much of it. Kenshiro, the protagonist, is a Hokuto Shinken master, a lethal martial art that allows him to kill anyone by striking them in the vital points. In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the Bruce Lee-inspired hero must protect the weak from lawless scum while on the lookout for his kidnapped girlfriend.
The 1980s animation is beginning to show its age, but it still works thanks to the Mad-Max-meets-Violence-Jack setting, insane action sequences, and a badass soundtrack. Kenshiro’s almighty punch and the catchphrase “Omae wa mou shindeiru” (“You are already dead”) also inspired a fun viral moment, with anime fans all over the world meming it to hell and back.
6. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Toho
MAL: 8,5
Movie | 1h 29min
Watch on: Netflix, Prime Video
The Grave of the Fireflies is Studio Ghibli’s second film and is widely regarded as a classic and, without a doubt, one of the best anime of the 80s. It was released in 1988 and directed by Isao Takahata, one of the three founders of Studio Ghibli (the other two being Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation).
The animated classic is based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s semi-autobiographical book of the same name, published in 1967. Nosaka’s heartbreaking story is not your typical source material, but the haunting short story is one of my favorite reads, and I still flinch when I think of it.
The story follows siblings Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to survive in Kobe at the end of World War II. The American carpet-bombing has destroyed the city of Kobe, and their mother has been killed while their father is away.
The hand-drawn animation in Grave of the Fireflies, a relic by today’s standards, is simply captivating and adds to the powerful emotional experience. The 80s masterpiece is one of the saddest anime ever made, reminding us that the greatest victims of any war are often the people whose stories are never told. Despite the fact that I frequently revisit my anime favorites, this is the one anime that, despite my love for it, I could not watch more than once.
5. Vampire Hunter D (1985)
Toho
MAL: 7,1
Movie | 1h 20min
Available on: Prime Video, HIDIVE
Vampire Hunter D came to life in 1985 as original video animation, adapting the first in a successful (and long-running) series of novels written by Kikuchi Hideyuki and illustrated by Amano Yoshitaka. Production Reed developed it, and they did such an excellent job that it became one of the first anime films to hit the US market in the early ’90s.
The story takes place 10,000 years in the future when humanity has regressed both technologically and spiritually. Monsters have taken over the world, and vampires known as the Nobility rule it. One of them, Count Magnus Lee, bites a little girl named Doris and begins the ritual of making her his bride. Trying to stop her soon-to-become master, the girl seeks help from a stranger, a vampire hunter known only as D. The mysterious D takes it upon himself to destroy the Count and to put an end to his evil rule.
The 80s animation made on a stretched budget is rough at times, but the campy and violent gothic horror western is still a fun experience. Sure, the VHD is no match for the anime classics, but it’s a fun and atmospheric 80s carnage-fest if you take it on its own terms and don’t dig for some deeper meaning. It deserves far more recognition than the notoriety it garnered from the cringe-inducing English dub, so I encourage you to watch it (again) the right way, with subtitles.
4. My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
Toho
MAL: 8,3
Movie | 1h 26min
Watch on: Netflix, Prime Video
The second Ghibli big-screen outing on this list, My Neighbour Totoro, is an undeniable classic. If you want to talk numbers, My Neighbour Totoro grossed approximately $1.46 billion and was ranked 41st in the “The 100 Best Films of World Cinema”. It was also the anime that catapulted Studio Ghibli to fame.
The beloved anime was made in 1988 by the one and only Hayao Miyazaki, the animation visionary who doesn’t play the game; he IS the game. If you’re one of the four people who still don’t know who Miyazaki is, let me introduce him to you quickly: the Japanese cult animator, director, producer, screenwriter, author, and manga artist.
Okay, okay, back to My Neighbor Totoro. Its plot begins with Professor Kusakabe Tatsuo and his two daughters, Mei and Satsuki, moving to the countryside. The family relocated to be closer to the girls’ mother, who is undergoing treatment for a terminal illness. The sisters are enchanted by their new surroundings, and they quickly make forest playmates, bunnies that their parents can’t see.
My Neighbor Totoro is a whimsical children’s adventure with an emphasis on environmental issues. It’s devoid of villains and conflict. But don’t dismiss it as a children’s story; it’s a true classic for all ages, a cultural touchstone in Japan that is also appreciated globally. It’s not only one of the best anime films of the 80s, but it’s also one of the greatest animated films of all time.
3. Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
Madman Entertainment
MAL: 8
1 season | 153 episodes
Watch on: Funimation, Prime Video
Dragon Ball is another title on the list of the highest-grossing media franchises, just edging out Gundam with a value of $27 billion. This is not surprising given that Dragon Ball is one of the most influential anime series… well, ever.
Toei developed the anime adaptation in 1986, and they did a brilliant job. Akira Toriyama created the manga for the series, which forever changed the face of Shonen Jump. And the Dragon Ball series did the same for the anime industry. Even though its follow-up, Dragon Ball Z, has received far more critical acclaim, the original laid the groundwork for all good things to come. Well, except for Dragon Ball GT, which was a sequel we could live without.
The story starts when a young boy called Son Goku encounters a blue-haired girl named Bulma. The young lady is on a quest to find all seven Dragon Balls, which are magical orbs that, when collected, grant any wish you have. Goku has one of the orbs, but he is not willing to give it up unless he can join Bulma on her journey. Of course, they aren’t the only ones after the Dragon Balls, and the narrative follows their adventures, friendships, and rivalries along the journey.
Dragon Ball’s mid-80s production holds up quite well today. It’s not as action-oriented as its successor, DBZ; Goku’s first adventures are more concerned with the story, comedy, and character development. Dragon Ball is not only one of the best anime of the 1980s; it is also the reigning anime king. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend that you do. This is a hilarious show that doesn’t suffer from awkward fillers like some of its successors do.
2. Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988 -1997)
Sentai Filmworks
MAL: 9,1
4 seasons | 110 episodes
Available on: HIDIVE
The word in the anime community is that you are officially an elitist once you’ve seen the Legend of the Galactic Heroes. The community is pretty divided on it, with many dropping the show in the first few episodes, while others go all the way through it and usually give it a 10/10. But we’ll get to that later.
The 1988 offering is based on Yoshiki Tanaka’s hard science fiction novel of the same name. Studio Artland, known for iyashikei classic Mushishi and action-comedy Katekyo Hitman Reborn, was in charge of the adaptation.
The story is set in the distant future, and the galactic war between the monarchical Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance is at its center. The two opposites in its thick are Reinhard von Lohengram, a military genius, and Admiral Yang Wen-li, a reserved historian. Each hero is burdened with his own struggles and life story, making the clash between their ideologies much better.
The 110-episode space opera features hundreds of characters and their allegiances, as well as a complex plot that requires your full attention to keep up. The LOGH’s music score is all classical, there is no brainless action, and the complex dialogue digs deep into politics, military tactics, philosophy, and other thought-provoking topics. Does the “elitist” thing make any sense now? Nonetheless, don’t let that deter you from watching because you won’t want to miss out on this timeless story and one of the best anime that came from the 80s.
1. Akira (1988)
Toho
MAL: 8,2
Movie | 2h 4min
Watch on: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Prime Video
Here it is, ladies and gents, the best anime of the 80s and the film that paved the way for the medium into the West. Akira is considered a landmark in Japanese-produced animation, particularly the adult one (not that kind, you pervert) and more mature storytelling. It was the first anime to gain widespread recognition in the West, making Hollywood sit down and pay attention.
Tokyo Movie Shinsha, known for Kenpachi and Lupin III, adapted the story in 1988. The director was Katsuhiro Otomo, who also created the manga, and his futuristic vision inspired countless Japanese artists and Hollywood film directors in the years to come.
Set in the neon-lit Neo-Tokyo of the future, rebuilt from the ashes of World War 3, where a secret government project is researching a paranormal psychic power. Meanwhile, thrill-seeking biker gangs rule the streets, wreaking havoc every night. Shotaro Kaneda, the leader of one of these gangs, is involved in an accident in which his best friend, Tetsuo Shima, develops incredible telekinetic abilities and awakens a government secret known only as “Akira.”
The R-rated, cult cyberpunk extravaganza is a must-see for every anime fan. Insane and hyper-detailed visuals coupled with a masterful use of sound and music make Akira a gratifying and trippy experience. Truly a science fiction anime masterpiece, Akira simply refuses to become dated, even thirty years on. Whether you see it as a parable about technological progress or a coming-of-age story of a teenager’s angry retribution against authority figures, it still is and always will be a spectacle to watch.
The 1980s, the golden age of anime, were sure crowded with great titles. However, these ten greats managed to strike a chord with both Japanese and Western audiences.
Whether it was for starting a massive franchise (such as Dragon Ball) or popularizing the genre in the West (Akira), all of the entries on the list contributed to the medium’s popularity and earned their place in anime history.
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