Whether you started watching anime in the ’80s, 90’s, 2000s, or even the 2010s, there are always going to be some series that just stick with you. Every decade has its standouts, and many of them are still fondly remembered today, while some have sadly gone under the radar.
We all have certain anime that defined our early viewing experiences. It doesn’t matter if you grew up watching them or if you just came across them while you were getting into anime. Here are some amazing nostalgic anime you can sit back and watch over the weekend.
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Mobile Suit Gundam
The first Mobile Suit Gundam anime kicked off what would be a massively successful franchise. Though it didn’t take off at first, Gundam found its footing thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Gunpla models, saving the franchise and allowing it to grow into what it is today.
The original series might be a little dated in terms of its animation, but it still looks great and has that amazing retro anime vibe and aesthetic. Mobile Suit Gundam has one of the most compelling stories in anime, and while other entries in the franchise boast strong narratives, there’s something about the original that’s tough to beat.
Naruto
If you grew up watching shonen anime in the 2000s, then chances are you were a Naruto fan. One of Weekly Shonen Jump’s ‘Big 3’, Naruto introduced an entire generation to anime and remains a popular franchise and great gateway to the medium.
The sequel series, Boruto, is currently going strong, but for some fans, there’s no beating the original. Naruto’s underdog journey is always a worthwhile watch, and the weekend is a great time to start that journey over again if you haven’t visited Konohagakure in a while.
Trigun
When you think of great ’90s anime, there are a few series that immediately jump to mind. Titles like Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Cowboy Bebop get a lot of love, but one series that’s slowly been getting more recognition in recent years is Trigun.
It was never an obscure anime by any means, as the series earned a lot of its Western popularity thanks to its airing on Adult Swim in the early 2000s. For a lot of people, Trigun was a unique first look at what anime had to offer. It still holds up as an absolute gem and is always worth a rewatch.
Dragon Ball Z
It’s safe to say that Dragon Ball Z served as many anime fans’ first series. Still one of the most popular anime around, Dragon Ball Z had it all. Action, adventure, some laughs here and there, and an interesting world courtesy of the late, great Akira Toriyama.
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Dragon Ball would inspire tons of series that came after it, with some of the tropes popularized by the series being used and expanded upon in other notable titles over the years. It can take a while to get through, but Dragon Ball is always a fun time.
Angel Beats!
One of the more modern anime on this list, Angel Beats! is almost two decades old. That might feel a little weird to say for some, but Jun Maeda and P.A. Works’ emotionally-charged story about a group of high schoolers who find themselves stuck in the afterlife is nearing “retro” status.
You can definitely finish Angel Beats! in a weekend, or even in just one sitting. It’s definitely a tear-jerker, but you shouldn’t let that scare you off if you’ve never seen it. For anime fans who started watching during the 2010s, Angel Beats! stands out as one of the best the decade has to offer.
Samurai Champloo
Shinichiro Watanabe is often praised for his work on Cowboy Bebop, and for good reason. While that would’ve also been a perfect nostalgic series to revisit, another Watanabe series, Samurai Champloo, gets the nod here.
Samurai Champloo aired on Adult Swim in the 2000s, introducing the series to many viewers in the West and earning it a following that’s still going strong today. The incredible aesthetics of the series, strong main trio, and amazing soundtrack, including music by Nujabes, make Samurai Champloo one of those nostalgic anime you have to pick up again every now and then.
Dirty Pair
The ’80s were a great decade for anime. Many of the best ’80s anime are still fondly remembered today, with one of those being Dirty Pair.
Though it’s more of a niche series than, say, Dragon Ball or Fist of the North Star, Dirty Pair has its fans and is remembered for its effect on the girls with guns genre. The series is carried by its incredible duo, Kei and Yuri, who have great chemistry and make every episode a blast. The series oozes ’80s aesthetics but with a futuristic touch, making it just as much of a visual treat as it is a solid narrative experience.
