Calling all thirty-somethings! Nostalgic anime (based on the 1990s)
Anime, a cultural treasure Japan has long been proud of and beloved for many years.
It’s not unusual for massive hits to emerge every year, and sometimes we see booms that come to symbolize an era.
Perhaps some of you even started something new because you were inspired by anime.
In this article, we’re highlighting classic anime that people in their 30s will likely find nostalgic!
Our focus spans the 1990s, with picks from the late ’80s through the mid-2000s.
Some of these titles are available on YouTube, so take your time and enjoy watching them.
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Calling all thirty-somethings! Nostalgic anime (1990s-based) (31–40)
DRAGON QUEST - The Adventure of Dai -
It’s a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump based on the world and setting of the game Dragon Quest.
The anime aired from 1991 to 1992 and has continued to be beloved not only in Japan but around the world.
A key point of interest was how battles in Dragon Quest were depicted, bringing realism to game systems whose movements had previously been unclear.
A new anime adaptation was produced in 2020, and combined with the work’s high quality, it drew significant attention.
Ranma 1/2
An anime that began airing in 1989, based on Rumiko Takahashi’s manga.
Centered on the relationship between high school martial artist Ranma Saotome and his fiancée Akane Tendo, it depicts the daily uproars surrounding their families and the people around them.
A standout point is Ranma Saotome’s premise of turning into a girl when splashed with water, and the gags that make full use of this setup add lively color to the story.
While its distinctive characters—strongly imbued with romantic comedy elements—are a major draw, since they’re all martial artists, the fight scenes are also a key highlight to watch.
D·N·A² ~That Someone’s Something I Lost Somewhere~
The anime “D·N·A²: Dokoka de Nakushita Aitsu no Aitsu” is based on Masakazu Katsura’s manga and aired in 1994.
It has a strong sci-fi storyline in which Karin Aoi, a DNA operator, travels from the future to modify the DNA of the protagonist, Junta Momonari.
Despite its sci-fi elements, it also unfolds as a romantic comedy, and that contrast drew attention.
It’s also remembered for detailed tidbits, such as having theme songs performed by L’Arc~en~Ciel and Sharan Q just before their big break.
Mashin Hero Wataru
This is the first installment in the long-running series Mashin Hero Wataru, a story that portrays the battles of the fourth-grade protagonist, Wataru Ikusabe.
It incorporates a variety of elements, including isekai fantasy and robot anime, and went on to have a major influence on later animation.
Created under the concept of “an anime that children can purely enjoy,” its narrative structure was modeled after RPG games.
It’s an anime packed with charm—from snappy gags to the protagonist’s growth through adventure.
Charge! Men's Private School
This is an anime based on Akira Miyashita’s manga that aired starting in 1988.
It depicts the friendship and battles of delinquent boys from all over the country who undergo Spartan training at Otokojuku, highlighting its raw power and wildly over-the-top content.
With elements like Minmei Publishing—a fictitious publisher—and the school’s famously peculiar classes, there’s a lot that piques interest.
The characters’ unique personalities and lines, as well as the signature Otokojuku gags, have been parodied in later works, making it a series that could be called a legend passed down through the years.
Calling all thirty-somethings! Nostalgic anime (1990s-based) (41–50)
Tropical Boy Papuwa-kun
Nangoku Shōnen Papuwa-kun, which began serialization in Monthly Shōnen Gangan in 1991 and started airing as an anime in 1992.
The characters are so emblematic of that era—Papuwa-kun, the dog Chappi, and the friends living on the island are adorably chibi-styled.
While the story follows a classic shōnen pattern, with the assassin organization Gamma Squad showing up one after another to fight, it leans heavily into comedy, making it popular not just with boys but with girls as well.
The theme song—and the ‘Nbaba Dance’—really captured kids’ hearts!
Captain Tsubasa
When it comes to soccer anime, many people probably think of Captain Tsubasa.
This anime series, which began airing in 1983, follows the protagonist, Tsubasa Ozora, as he aims to become a professional soccer player.
By the way, the season that many people in their 30s likely watched is the second season.
That said, it was designed to be accessible even to first-time viewers, so you could probably enjoy it without feeling out of place.
This is a great opportunity to rewatch from the beginning or to jump in from the memorable second season.
In conclusion
We’ve put together a feature on anime that people in their 30s will find nostalgic.
Were you able to find the shows you remember or the titles you were looking for? Personally, I felt there were many masterpieces I grew up with not only through anime but also through manga.
If you notice something missing, please feel free to send us a request!