The 80s were one of the best decades for anime. This was the period when some of the most famous series in history began airing. Dragon Ball, for example, reigned supreme in the 80s, and many other anime series emerged around it. Furthermore, it wasn’t all shonen as quality series from all genres premiered.
Although these series are difficult to find on streaming services, you can still locate some of them and enjoy them, allowing you to relive the golden age of anime. Also, keep in mind that we haven’t included any anime that began airing before 1980, even if they continued to be broadcast in later years. Ready for a big dose of nostalgia?
1980 – Tomorrow’s Joe 2
The adaptation of the boxing classic that reaches its epic conclusion
Ashita no Joe 2, also known as Champion Joe 2 or Tomorrow’s Joe 2, is a boxing anime that made history and left fans of good stories completely satisfied. It arrived quite late, since the first series aired between 1970 and 1971, but it was necessary for the manga publication to be completed. The second anime adapted the entire remaining story up to that unforgettable ending.
In this second series, Joe returns to the ring trying to overcome his traumas and the difficult incidents he has left behind. His goal of becoming champion will transcend all logic, something he will try to achieve until the very end, whatever the consequences. Ashita no Joe 2 remains a great classic sports anime.
Other notable anime from 1980:
Astro Boy: a 1980 anime based on Osamu Tezuka’s famous manga.
New Tetsujin-28: the second adaptation of the robot manga, this time in color. A classic that also deserves to be remembered. It was adapted in the United States under the title The New Adventures of Gigantor.
1981 – Dr. Slump: Arale-chan
The first anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s legendary work, with 243 episodes
The year 1981 saw the release of a good quantity of famous anime that have gone down in history. However, Akira Toriyama went into action with Dr. Slump: Arale-chan, and it became a social phenomenon. Although Arale has never achieved widespread fame in the West, in Japan she made her creator a star even before Goku took his first steps.
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan also aired in other countries and was known for its wacky humor. The stories feature Arale, a humanoid robot created by scientist Senbei Norimaki, experiencing all sorts of adventures surrounded by the quirky residents of Penguin Village. Toriyama brought humor to a concept reminiscent of Astro Boy, ensuring viewers had a great time with Arale and her eccentricities. Arale’s fame would grow to such an extent that she would even have a crossover with Dragon Ball in the future.
Other notable anime from 1981:
Shin Dokonjou Gaeru: The boy with the frog living inside his t-shirt. A classic character who still stars in television commercials in Japan today.
Dash! Kappei: A comedy basketball anime about a very short boy who is madly in love with a classmate. It hasn’t aged well, but it was very popular in its day, even in the West.
Urusei Yatsura: Featuring Lum, one of Rumiko Takahashi’s most famous characters, the alien in love with an ordinary human boy.
1982 – Super Dimension Fortress Macross
A Love Triangle During a Great Space Battle
Just when it seemed that Mobile Suit Gundam would become the greatest science fiction classic in anime, Super Dimension Fortress Macross premiered in 1982. This anime launched a franchise that remains very active today and has told stories set in different eras. You might recognize it because it received its first adaptation under the name Robotech.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5)
Medium (7)
Hard (10)
Start
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)Start
The first Macross anime was groundbreaking in its concept. On one hand, it depicted the great war being waged between humans and aliens. On the other hand, there was a love triangle that kept viewers on the edge of their seats for months. And, as if all that weren’t enough, Macross also introduced the presence of an idol amidst this space-faring concept. She was Lynn Minmay, whose presence gave Macross enormous importance in terms of music. The legendary Haruhiko Mikimoto handled character design, but it was the mechanical design featuring transforming robots that truly captivated viewers.
Other notable anime from 1982:
Space Cobra: Another science fiction and space anime, featuring an adventurous protagonist who also triumphed with audiences.
Magical Princess Minky Momo: One of the most famous magical girl anime of the 80s. It began airing to sell toys to kids, but eventually became a hit among adults.
1983 – Captain Tsubasa
The number one soccer anime that has inspired many professional players
In 1983, many anime series aired successfully. But all of them were eclipsed by Captain Tsubasa, the adaptation of Yoichi Takahashi’s manga. It sparked interest in soccer among the Japanese when baseball was the national sport, and it achieved the same effect among viewers in other countries.
Captain Tsubasa tells the story of Tsubasa Ozora from his childhood until he overcomes all imaginable challenges and even represents the Japanese national team. His passion for soccer and the other characters around him, such as goalkeeper Genzo Wakabayashi or Kojiro Hyuga with his Tiger Shot, took Captain Tsubasa to the top. Today, it remains a classic for those who love soccer.
Other notable anime from 1983:
Aishite Knight: A 42-episode shojo anime that blends romance with the world of music and 80s bands. The soundtrack was perfect.
Kinnikuman: Professional wrestling transformed into an anime full of humor and crazy fights. It was more popular in Japan than in the West.
Creamy Mami, The Magic Angel: The beginning of Studio Pierrot’s legendary magical girl anime series. It combines elements of idol anime with a high-quality soundtrack.
Cat’s Eye: The story of three female thieves, adapted from Tsukasa Hojo’s manga, which recently received a remake.
1984 – Sherlock Hound
Hayao Miyazaki adapted the Sherlock Holmes story in a completely different way
We must always be grateful for his work in film, but what Hayao Miyazaki achieved in 1984 with the anime Sherlock Hound was spectacular. The series, set in a world where the characters are anthropomorphic dogs, boasts an incredible pace of action. Its chases are still famous today and feature some of the best animated scenes of the decade.
The most interesting thing about Sherlock Hound is that it personalizes the setting in a very special way. It does so by developing the story in the 19th century, but with science fiction elements. It has action, romance, investigation, and mystery, making it one of the most curious versions of Sherlock Holmes ever seen.
Other notable anime from 1984:
Fist of the North Star: An action anime that broke the mold with its extreme violence and intensity. It had 109 episodes and soon received a sequel.
Attacker You!: A volleyball anime that didn’t achieve the same success as Haikyu!!, at least not in Japan. But it was a hit in Europe and became a classic of sports anime.
Lupin III: Part III: The adventures of the gentleman thief Lupin, which began in the 1970s.
1985 – Touch
Baseball games and a love triangle with an unexpected twist
Sports anime was huge in the 80s, and Touch brought baseball to the forefront. Adapting Mitsuru Adachi’s manga, the anime remained faithful even in the decision to kill off one of its three main characters. This was necessary for the tragedy to fuel the romantic relationship between the other two protagonists and motivate his brother to strive to be better.
Touch aired outside of Japan at a time when baseball wasn’t a well-known sport in Europe. Beyond seeing Charlie Brown playing, there weren’t many references to the sport on television. But Touch triumphed and, especially in Japan, became an anime classic. The series perfectly blends comedy, romance, and sports.
Other notable anime from 1985:
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: It didn’t quite reach the quality of the previous Gundam anime, but it stood out with a good story.
Magical Emi, the Magic Star: Another magical girl anime from Studio Pierrot where, like in Creamy Mami, music played a significant role.
Dirty Pair: A classic with plenty of action and a great futuristic design, featuring two very charismatic protagonists.
1986 – Dragon Ball
Goku’s adventure began with the search for the dragon balls
A lot of fantastic anime from 1986 could have become the best anime of the year if it weren’t for the premiere of Dragon Ball. And the anime based on Akira Toriyama’s manga achieved an incredible impact that is still felt today. It was the beginning of the adventure, the first time Goku and Bulma went in search of the dragon balls.
Today, some fans prefer to forget Dragon Ball, but the anime has essential episodes, and some parts of it are unrivaled. The way Akira Toriyama laid out the groundwork for the universe that would later showcase spectacular battles was truly effective. There’s nothing stopping Dragon Ball from being the best anime of 1986.
Other notable anime from 1986:
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac is another symbol of the 80s. The story of Seiya and the other knights, their battles against the Gold Saints and other rivals are unforgettable. Their toys also shaped the childhoods of thousands of children.
Maison Ikkoku: One of the most famous romance and comedy anime series in history. Rumiko Takahashi crafted an emotional, profound, and unique story that made viewers laugh and cry in equal measure.
Ganbare, Kickers!: Overshadowed by Captain Tsubasa, but with enough quality to be another very entertaining soccer anime.
1987 – Kimagure Orange Road
The most dramatic love triangle of the ’80s, and with superpowers
On April 6, 1987, many Japanese teenagers were introduced to the girl who would become their dream date. It was Madoka Ayukawa, one of the protagonists of Kimagure Orange Road, the anime based on the romance manga by Izumi Matsumoto.
The scene in which the protagonist, Kyosuke, meets Madoka, counting the steps on the stairs, became a symbol of ’80s romance. Shortly after, Kyosuke met Hikaru, Madoka’s friend, who would fall madly in love with him. But Kyosuke, in love with Madoka, tries to live his youth as best he can while hiding his special powers. The anime had it all.
Other notable anime from 1987:
City Hunter: Tsukasa Hojo was very active in the adaptation of his classic manga, which tells the story of Ryo Saeba, a private detective who solves the most difficult cases. His unique personality made him a very famous character.
Zillion: A science fiction anime with 31 episodes produced by Tatsunoko. Three young people fight against an alien civilization that wants to wipe out humanity.
1988 – City Hunter 2
Ryo Saeba experiences more adventures under the close supervision of his author
The second anime based on Tsukasa Hojo’s manga continued the legend of Ryo Saeba. It introduced stories that hadn’t appeared in the manga and that the author had kept in discarded drafts he hadn’t been able to finish due to lack of time.
Tsukasa Hojo worked closely with the anime’s production team to ensure its quality. Great care was also taken with the smallest details to create a respectful production suitable for a youth-oriented viewing schedule. Some elements from the manga were removed, and it became a success. For many fans, this series was the best and longest-running City Hunter anime. Its soundtrack, featuring the opening song “Angel Night” by Psy-S, was a huge hit.
Other notable anime from 1988:
Ronin Warriors: Armored warriors in a science fiction setting. It arrived on Western television in the 1990s.
What’s Michael?: Against all odds, this cat’s hilarious anime was broadcast in the West. It was a completely different kind of anime and helped demonstrate that anime series were not only about sports or action.
1989 – Dragon Ball Z
Goku and his friends faced some of the greatest dangers the anime world has ever seen
If Dragon Ball reigned in 1986, Dragon Ball Z did it in 1989. It was a year of stiff competition, as other essential series premiered. But Dragon Ball Z surpassed the original Dragon Ball series with battles, drama, and action that still entertains viewers today.
The arrival of Vegeta, the battles on Namek, and the Cell battles, among other storylines, made Dragon Ball Z an event that united millions of people in front of their televisions. Akira Toriyama ensured that the entire world eagerly followed each episode to find out if Goku and the other Z Fighters would defeat all their powerful rivals.
Other notable anime from 1989:
Ranma ½: The boy who transforms into a girl upon contact with water and who has many girls around trying to win his heart. Equal parts combat and humor in Rumiko Takahashi’s classic.
Yawara!: An anime that made judo famous worldwide. A slice-of-life story with fast-paced action in its fights.
Idol Densetsu Eriko: a social phenomenon that thrilled audiences with the best idol music and a dramatic storyline on par with the best soap operas. It was based on the life of real-life idol Eriko Tamura, who also voiced the character and sang her songs.
