Last updated on May 31st, 2023 at 10:20 am
The saying “old is gold” holds true when it comes to the aesthetics and visual style of 90s anime movies. There is a unique vibe that these films carry, which has captivated anime enthusiasts for decades. The hand-drawn animation, distinct character designs, and attention to detail in the backgrounds all contribute to an unforgettable visual experience. While newer anime productions have advanced technologically but we still want that 90s anime art style. Let’s look at the world of the best retro 90s anime and explore why their aesthetic is still so sought after today.
Top 10 Best 90s Anime Movies
In the 90s, anime movies had a huge impact, retro anime movies became increasingly popular during these years, both in Japan and globally. These films contributed to anime’s growing appeal to Western audiences. Overall, the importance of anime films in the 1990s cannot be understated because they served to establish anime as a respectable and genuine art form and laid the foundation for the anime industry’s future success.
Grave of the Fireflies
This anime is the most beautiful and heart-wrenching movie to watch. Grave of the Fireflies is released in 1988. The story is about two brothers who try to live after a battle in Japan during World War II.
Although Grave of the Fireflies was not a commercial success upon its initial release, it has since become a beloved best 90s anime film now. Its influence on subsequent anime productions is significant, particularly in how it dealt with serious and mature themes.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is the most popular 90s anime and hands down one of my favorite r-rated anime movies. The story is about a prince named Ashitaka, who gets cursed while defending his village from a demon. In his search for a cure, he gets caught in a battle between humans and forest spirits.
This movie shows issues including the environment, industrialization, and our relationship with the natural world. One of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest movies. Princess Mononoke’s art style is extremely amazing, with beautifully drawn settings with excellent character animation, and I highly recommend you watch it!
Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
Gamer boys and girls, we’re all familiar with Street Fighter as a retro 90s anime. Once upon a time, we used to play this game, but now as an otaku. This 90 retro anime movie’s plot is about the Street Fighter warriors as they face off against the evil M. Bison and his Shadaloo organization. With intense fight scenes and classic characters we played as a teenager, this movie will take you on a trip down memory lane. If you want to watch more there are five movies out there.
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Porco Rosso
Porco Rosso is one of the best 90s anime movies, with its retro aesthetic art style. Director Hayao Miyazaki’s love of aviation shines through in the film This 90s anime film tells the story of a former Italian World War I fighter pilot, Marco Pagot, who has been transformed into a pig as a result of a curse. Now known as Porco Rosso, he lives as a bounty hunter, chasing down air pirates in his red seaplane. Overall, “Porco Rosso” is a must-watch for anyone looking for a classic anime film that combines adventure, romance, and a touch of magic.
Samurai X: The Movie
Samurai X or Rurouni Kenshin this movie holds a special place in my list and there are live adaptation movies too I loved each and every one of them, the character Kenshin Himura has vowed that he will never kill again and now he travels the countryside as an adventurer. The theme of redemption, justice, and friendship provide depth to the story, while the animation and fight scenes are amazing. The movie is a perfect expression of the “Rurouni Kenshin” series and will certainly entertain both veterans and newcomers to the series. It is a must-see for everyone looking for the top anime films from the retro 90s animes.
Ushiro No Shoumen Daare
Here we go another sad 90s war anime movie about a young first-grade girl named Kayoko family. The movie’s first half appears to be a slice-of-life anime that shows the daily activities of a normal Japanese home.
When the story becomes more and more focused on what is going to occur and how soon their peace will be disturbed, the sense of suspense increases. This is the time when you start to connect with the characters. The atmosphere then gradually begins to become darker. And yes there will be death but it never becomes overly graphic. This is one of the most underrated anime movies in my opinion.
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Spriggan (1998)
Spriggan is the best 90s action anime movie created by Hiroshi Takashige and Ryoji Minagawa. The story follows the adventures of Yu Ominae, a young Spriggan agent who works for the ARCAM Corporation, a secret organization dedicated to protecting ancient artifacts from falling into the wrong hands. For me, the story is kinda mid but the fighting scenes and the art style are what carried this R-rated movie it is worth watching for one time.
Jungle Emperor Leo
Is this movie like Lion King? Yes, this is a family-friendly Japanese version of Lion King, Jungle Emperor Leo is a children’s movie if you are looking for some kind of action then this one is not for you, but it is a good 90s anime movie that you can enjoy.
Leo is a white lion cub, the son of the jungle emperor Panja. Leo is kind to other animals, a bad hunter, and afraid of jumping over crevices. This causes the prey and other animals to ridicule him and his father who likes humans. Koko, a female bird, is the only one who believes in Leo. Leo and all the other animals live on a fake island created by humans to save nature.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
One of the most popular 90s anime movies is a masterpiece that shows why it is one of the best. The film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and her crew as they look into a legendary hacker known as the Puppet Master in a future world where cyborgs and hackers are common. It is a must-watch for any anime lover because of its art style, animation which is too good, and iconic music. It is a classic that shaped the Sci-Fi genre.
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Prince Of Light – The Legend Of Ramayana
This movie holds a special place because I am from a Hindu family living in India so when I was young I used to watch this movie on the tv channel, Prince of Light based on Indian history captures the heart of each and every character and the lovely bond of every character like Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana brotherhood and the devotion of Hanuman ji for Rama, and the pure love and bonding between mother Sita and Rama is just perfect. It captures the saga beautifully and still no new generation animated movie matched the animation the connection and the simplicity of this movie. I highly suggest you watch this best 90s anime movie once.
The creative thinking, effect, and cultural significance of 90s anime films and their lasting legacy. These films explored important topics that are still relevant today, improved anime as an art form, and introduced it to new audiences.
