Masterpiece anime that Heisei-born people feel nostalgic about
Japan’s great culture: anime.
Over the years, many masterpieces have emerged, but the Heisei era was a golden age for anime, with numerous works still talked about today.
This time, we’ve picked out anime from that very Heisei era.
What’s more, we’ve focused on titles that people born in the Heisei era will find nostalgic.
As a result, you’ll see a steady stream of classics from the early to mid-Heisei period!
From mainstream Jump series to Kyoto Animation works, and even bishoujo-style titles, we’ve selected from all kinds of genres—sure to bring back memories of those days.
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Classic Anime That Millennials (Heisei Generation) Feel Nostalgic About (11–20)
Sgt. Frog
It’s a work that depicts the secret maneuvers of alien invaders from the planet Keron, led by Sergeant Keroro, who are plotting to conquer Earth.
The story begins when Sergeant Keroro is captured by the Hinata family and ends up living with them, unfolding into a gag-filled portrayal of their everyday lives.
It’s also well-known for its frequent parodies of other works; in the anime, references to roles previously played by the voice actors were incorporated as well.
The charm lies in its cute character designs, breezy comedic tone, and the occasional streaks of dark humor that seep through.
Macross 7
Macross 7 is a work produced as a sequel to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
It is set 35 years after the previous series and includes connections such as the appearance of older versions of characters from the original.
The protagonist, Basara Nekki, is striking for his stance of flying his fighter straight into invading aliens and trying to deliver his songs without ever fighting.
The story gives the impression of emphasizing “song,” a key concept of the Macross series.
The music of Fire Bomber, for which Basara Nekki serves as vocalist, is also a major draw of the work, with its bright, powerful sound leaving a strong impression.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders
The anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders has maintained strong popularity thanks to its stylish depiction and fiery storytelling.
Released as the third installment in the series, it features numerous compelling characters such as Jotaro Kujo, Noriaki Kakyoin, and Polnareff, and its introduction of the previously unseen concept of Stands sparked a massive hit.
It also pioneered innovative techniques as an anime, with rapidly shifting color schemes for characters and backgrounds being one of its hallmarks.
D.Gray-man
The manga D.
Gray-man, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump for about five years.
At the time, dark fantasy was a popular category in Jump, and among them, D.
Gray-man and Fullmetal Alchemist were overwhelmingly popular.
Set in 19th-century Europe, the work features demons and exorcists as motifs throughout both the manga and the anime.
It’s an anime whose appeal lies in its serious, melancholic characters and storyline.
Gintama
For those born in the Heisei era, Gintama is an incredibly familiar work.
It’s one of the most popular comedy manga in Jump, and its anime was hugely popular as well.
The anime-original episodes were especially wild—pushing boundaries to the brink, to the point of genuinely angering other publishers.
That said, it’s not all about laughs.
Some episodes are deeply serious and can really tug at your heartstrings.
Many people were likely captivated by its style, which strikes such a sharp balance between humor and gravity.
Full Metal Panic!
A hidden gem among mecha anime, Full Metal Panic.
It’s a work that mixes romantic comedy, robots, school life, and mercenaries, and it originally became a huge hit as a light novel.
From there it was adapted into a manga and then an anime, with the second season, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, becoming especially popular.
It was produced by Kyoto Animation, and it showcased KyoAni’s trademark snappy comedic timing in full force.
The series currently stops at season 4, but there’s still a possibility it will be animated through to the final chapter, so be sure to check it out.
Classic Anime That Millennials Find Nostalgic (21–30)
Fruits Basket
Based on the manga by Natsuki Takaya, Fruits Basket is a work whose popularity is clear from the fact that it was adapted into an anime in 2001 and then remade in 2019.
The story follows the protagonist Tohru Honda, who ends up living in the home of her classmate Yuki Sohma due to an unexpected turn of events, and gradually learns the secrets of the Sohma family through their daily life.
The unique characters themed around the Chinese zodiac, as well as the way each one confronts their personal struggles, are key points of interest.
Its touching portrayal of family bonds and personal growth resonated with a wide audience and earned broad support.