There are so many anime shows to choose from and can anyone go wrong with the all the classics? Here’s an article that will suggest you some of the best classic collections to watch.
Dragon Ball (1986)
The high-spirited adventure of Goku and friends has entranced anime enthusiasts for decades, and there’s something here for everyone. It’s got martial arts action, cheeky comedy, a wholesome dose of mystery, and a leering old man in a turtle shell. It is jollification from start to finish, and there’s plenty of content for you to enjoy. Countless story arcs, multiple iterations, and hundreds of episodes overflowing with goodness.
Wicked City (1992)
It explores ideas and nervous truths that we’re still talking about to this day, and could well have been made just yesterday. True to its title, it is spooky and unnerving, with confronting visuals taken straight from your most vivid nightmares. It subverts the notion of genre, ostensibly presenting itself as an action film while displaying traits of body horror, film noir, and even buddy cop here and there.
On an aesthetic front, Wicked City is a delight to the eyes, seamlessly using colors and lighting as its playthings to help emphasize the urgency of its scenes. Every grim moment just hits you, holds you, and haunts you, and it’s no fantasy to say that it is an essential part of any otaku’s anime diet.
Berserk (1997)
Gory and gratifying, Berserk is deliberate in its performance. It hits you with gory images of intense, brutal violence set upon an often subdued soundtrack, and when it treats you to moments of giddiness, you know that it won’t last for long.
Astro Boy (1980)
They’re admirable suggestions (especially Youto-kun), but they were all preceded by the famous Astro Boy. Despite its cheerful exterior, this anime has one of the more tragic backstories behind its hero’s origin, and it readily confronts questions of morality in technology.
Astro Boy can quickly bring tears to your eyes in surprising ways. The endearing cast may live in a fantastical, futuristic world, but they’re undeniably rooted in their human characteristics. Its creator, shaped manga, anime, and animation in general with his innovations, and this is his most enduring work for a reason.
Speed Racer (1967)
For all of your favorite modern anime to walk, its predecessors like Speed Racers had to drive.
This is truly the definition of an anime classic. It is more qualifiers for an anime to be considered classic than simply being old. It has to be enduring, symbolic, and engrained within a generation.
The era in which Speed Racer came from was a much different time, rife with its own prejudices. The way it was able to transform such tensions is unfathomably significant. It is uniquely unique, rarely letting up with its quirky characters and high octane action. It caters to those seeking frequent thrills, and its fight scenes are something to behold.
Basically, Speed Racer knows exactly what it wants to be, and it leans into that concept with the same confidence Speed takes a hairpin turn. It’s not afraid to be unabashedly mysterious or loony, and in a lot of ways, it defies definition. It simply oozes style in the grooviest way.
Sailor Moon (1992)
If you grew up in the 90s, Sailor Moon was undoubtedly a part of your childhood. It’s an anime staple, and among the most notable ones to make an impact in the western market before the medium became a worldwide sensation. Maybe you kept watching it to this day, in which case you’ll already know why it was so popular, but maybe you stopped? If so, you’re really missing out, because this holds up just as well nearly three decades later…
Usagi is the character within us all. She’s emotional, impulsive, and rash, prone to outbursts, and with an attention span shorter than the next sentence.
The thing is, she’s really just a kid who’s been thrown into a quite bizarre situation, and her character arc is something to behold, transitioning over time from a panicky, inept klutz to a confident, daring leader, who’s still a klutz.
It is a must-watch for any fan of bishoujo anime. And even if bishoujo isn’t your jam, you should watch it anyway.