While modern anime shows are driven by quality animation and visually stunning action sequences, 90s anime are nostalgic and many prefer to watch them over modern ones. There’s an apparent reason for this: most modern anime shows rely too much on elevating the experience rather than addressing the plot and paying attention to the details of aesthetics.

That being said, the development is not all bad as many also prefer to watch modern anime series as they are not comfortable with the old ones. If you are one of the few anime viewers who enjoy watching aesthetic anime from the 90s, here are some of the best recommendations for you.

13. Bubblegum Crisis

Despite being an anime released in the late 1980s and having the aesthetics of 90s anime, it is far ahead of its time in terms of both concept and execution. The story is set in 2032, and Tokyo has transformed into Mega Tokyo filled with android servants known as “Boomers.”

With humanity's new servants becoming too strong to control, even the military and police have been unable to completely stop them. Just when the world is on the brink of these Boomers' control, four girls wearing powerful suits represent humanity's last hope. Who are they, and what purpose do they have in going against these powerful androids?

12. Magic Knight Rayearth

Isekai anime shows were already quite popular in the 90s, thanks to anime like Magic Knight Rayearth. The story follows three girls, Shidou, Ryuuzaki, and Hououji, three complete strangers who are brought together by fate and transported to a mysterious world where they meet Master Magician Clef.

Apparently, the world is in chaos, and Clef has summoned them to save it from High Priest Zagato. Reluctantly accepting the mission set before them, the girls embark on a journey to save the world of Cephiro. The anime is a perfect binge if you enjoy the retro aesthetics of the early 90s and some excellent mecha action scenes.

11. Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon is the epitome of the 90s anime aesthetic, not only because of its seemingly nostalgic fantasy theme, but also because the animation and character goals play a significant role in it. The story revolves around a young girl named Usagi Tsukino, whose life is turned upside down when she saves a cat from danger.

However, it was a fated meeting, and Usagi discovers that she is Sailor Moon, a planetary guardian tasked with protecting the Earth from Queen Beryl and her minions from the Dark Kingdom. Will she be able to fulfill her duties without fail?

10. Fushigi no umi no Nadia

Nadia: Secret of Bluewater is a complicated anime that doesn't feature a futuristic world or a nostalgic 90s feel. Instead, it features a historical theme with a mix of adventure and science fiction, and can easily be considered one of the few underrated classics that go unnoticed by many anime fans.

The story takes place in 1889, a time when technological discoveries are taking great strides, but a sinister enemy known as the Gargoyle is obsessed with restoring the ruined Atlantean empire. However, Nadia, Jean Roque Lartigue and Captain Nemo stand in their way as saviors of humanity, but it will not be easy to defeat this terrible enemy who will use any means to achieve his ambitions.

9. Taiho Shichauzo

You're Under Arrest is one of the best 90s anime we've ever seen, offering everything a viewer needs, whether it's brilliant aquatic animation that adds to the old-school aesthetic or incredibly well-written characters.

The story follows two police officers, Miyuki and Natsumi, who get off to a bad start when the latter is arrested by the former for reckless driving. However, it turns out that Natsumi broke the rules to get to work faster, and they eventually learn about each other's personalities, growing closer and pursuing the perpetrators together.

8. Record of Loss of War

While it may not be one of those quality anime shows from the 90s, Record of Loss War presents exceptional content that will keep you hooked in one way or another. The anime's strongest points lie in the development of the characters, the chemistry between them, and the sinister atmosphere.

Lodoss and its kingdoms have been at war for thousands of years due to various evil beings who seek to plunge the world into darkness. Although peace has finally been achieved, unifying the lands of the entire country to create a world free from conflict, war once again arrives in the form of an ancient witch who hopes to bring only destruction. We follow a group of determined young warriors led by Parn as they attempt to save their country.

7. Tenku no Escaflowne

The 90s were truly a great time for mecha anime series because we have many masterpieces released in that decade, and The Vision of Escaflowne is certainly one of them in our eyes. While it gives a sense of 90s aesthetics, it also delivers in other aspects, which is exactly why it is a favorite anime of many anime enthusiasts.

The story follows Hitomi, who is unexpectedly transported to a different world where mechanized battle suits are a common sight, and with her unique talent of fortune-telling, she accompanies a boy named Van Fanel, who unfortunately failed to save his kingdom from the evil empire of Zaibach. With some new allies along the way, the duelists attempt to stop Zaibach from reviving the ancient empire.

6. Serial Experiments Lain

There are anime series that exist simply to entertain viewers, and there are others that push the limits of human imagination, and Serial Experiments Lain falls into the latter category.

When Lain Iwakura, a technophobe, receives an email from her recently deceased friend, she opens it out of curiosity, only to be thrust into a virtual world that turns her life upside down. Can she make the right choices that influence both the virtual and real worlds?

5. Shoujo Kakumei Utena

Fantasy anime series from the 90s are nothing like they are today because they are filled with three-dimensional characters that show people's lives in a different light, and that's the kind of aesthetic we love about that decade.

Revolutionary Girl Utena is the perfect example of this, following the story of Utena, who, after losing her parents, is comforted by a mysterious prince. The interaction leaves a deep impression on her and, following her promise, she attends Ootori Academy, where she unexpectedly enters the world of the Duelists, who fight to become the Rose Bride. Despite its somewhat complex plot, it is a beautiful anime that you should watch.

4. Akira

Akira is a controversial retro anime from the 90s that is beloved by many viewers, and its animation is surprisingly impressive for its time. Unless you’re very picky about your anime choices, Akira is definitely one of the best aesthetic anime shows from the 90s.

After a devastating catastrophe struck Tokyo due to the outburst of an individual who could not control his psychic powers, the city slowly transformed into Neo-Tokyo. Almost 30 years later, the city is no longer the same, with gangs and terrorism springing up around every corner, but when another psychic individual reappears, everything becomes the least of their worries.

3. Yu Yu Hakusho

Until today, Yu Yu Hakusho remains the greatest shonen battle anime of the 90s, and it doesn't lose out even when compared to modern anime shows. It has a typical 90s atmosphere with a dark setting and lots of exciting battles.

Yusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old delinquent, never expected to sacrifice himself for others, but he died while saving a boy from a car accident. Moved by his selfless personality, the heir to the Spirit Realm, Koenma, gave him another life, but Yusuke had to work as a Spirit Detective. Joining him are his former rival Kuwabara and two criminal demons, Hiei and Kurama, and they attempt to stop the forces of evil with their new powers.

2. Princess Mononoke

When it comes to Hayao Miyazaki, an anime must either become a masterpiece or an underrated masterpiece, and Princess Mononoke falls into the former category because it is so popular. The anime is a landmark in Japanese cinema and its beautiful visuals, despite being released in the late 1990s, are truly mesmerizing to watch.

When an evil boar attacks the Emishi village, young prince Ashitaka risks his life to kill it. But before he dies, the boar places a curse on Ashitaka's arm, slowly eating away at his life. With the instruction of the village elders, he travels west in search of a cure. What follows is fate as he battles humans who seek the destruction of a sacred forest that is home to many incredible beings.

1. Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell has always been the pinnacle of futuristic stories in the anime medium, and no matter how many years pass, it continues to be. The reason is that it has a unique dark sci-fi aesthetic that immediately puts viewers in a trance, as if they were transported to the setting, and everything you've heard about the anime is true.

Set in 2029, the story follows Major Kusanagi, who tracks down a notorious hacker called the Puppet Master, who has been hacking into the brains of cybernetic humans and confidential networks, leaving a trail of bodies wherever he goes. The story unfolds in the past, and the answers can only be found with the Puppet Master.