The best old anime from the last century

Animes have been successful since the 1960s, but most people do not know the old works. Today we will see which are the best old animes from the last century that had a great influence on the Japanese animation industry.

Many of the animes mentioned in this list had a significant influence in Japan and around the world, affecting everything in some way. These old works can also be appreciated and may even surpass the current ones, even in animation.

Astro Boy – The first anime

There were already some animated films and even Japanese cartoons at the time, but Astro Boy was the first manga to gain a TV adaptation that defined and segmented the Japanese animation market.

This anime is the work of the mangaka nicknamed the god of manga Osamu Tezuka. Its original debut on Japanese TV began in 1963, and its character is as well-known and iconic in Japan as Mickey Mouse is in the Americas.

The anime takes place in a world where robots live alongside humans. In the story, Dr. Tenma creates a humanoid robot named Astro with the aim of replacing his son Tobio, who had died in a car accident.

Jungle Taitei – Kimba, the White Lion

Another anime based on a manga created by Osamu Tezuka, and produced by his own company Tezuka Productions. Kimba is one of the first animes on television to be shown in color. The series aired between 1965 and 1966 and had a movie in 1966.

The anime tells the story of a lion cub on a journey of self-discovery after the loss of his parents. Does this remind you of any Disney movie? Yes, there are claims that Disney was inspired by Kimba to create Simba.

There are other successful old animes by the same author Osamu Tezuka. We can mention The Princess and the Knight, but we don’t want to go into too much detail; let’s give a chance to other authors in this article.

Sazae-San – The Infinite Anime

We have already written about Japan’s biggest success Sazae-san in another article. It is a children’s anime for families with simple traits that aired in 1969 and is still ongoing with over 7,000 episodes.

Sazae-san describes the ordinary life of wife and mother Sazae Fugata, and her family. It is probably the oldest and historically significant example of the “slice of life” genre in the anime world. Unfortunately, Westerners do not pay attention to it.

Space Battleship Yamato

Also known as Star Blazers, Cosmoship Yamato, and Space Cruiser Yamato, this epic and psychedelic space adventure was created by the animator and respected mangaka Leiji Matsumoto.

This anime occurs in the same universe as the popular series Space Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999. Matsumoto almost single-handedly popularized the “space opera” genre in anime.

Moreover, Yamamoto was the first anime series to be broadcast in its intended episode order when translated for the English-speaking audience due to its comprehensive plot.

Detective Conan – Meitantei Conan

Without a doubt, my favorite anime! It premiered on Japanese TV in 1996 and is still ongoing with over 900 episodes. It is a criminal investigation anime in the style of CSI and Sherlock Holmes.

The story follows a high school detective who has his body transformed into a child by a secret organization. He must keep his true identity a secret, so he lives as a child alongside a childhood friend with a detective father.

The anime is perfect for the whole family; even my mom watches and enjoys this anime. Besides the 900 episodes, the famous series throughout Japan has already received more than 20 movies, has various arcs and charismatic characters, and a lot of action and suspense.

Ghost In The Shell

Ghost in the Shell propelled the wave of anime popularity that swept the West during the 90s. Mamoru Oshii’s film adaptation of Shirow Masamune’s classic manga remains one of the most celebrated and influential animes ever made.

Set in a futuristic and cyberpunk version of Japan, the story revolves around cyborg police officer Motoko Kurasangi as she struggles with her own sense of identity in an artificial body.

Its powerful imagery, impressive animation quality, and philosophical depth have profoundly influenced many prominent Western filmmakers, such as James Cameron and Stephen Spielberg. The Wachowski brothers credit Ghost in the Shell as the “spiritual predecessor” of the Matrix trilogy.

Honorable Mentions of Old Animes

In addition to the almost complete list of old animes that aired in the last century, I will also mention another list of what I believe to be the best animes of the last century. It is not possible to talk in detail about each anime in this article.

• Star Of The Giants;
• Neon Genesis Evangelion;
• Daicon III & IV;
• Kinnikuman;
• Akira;
• Dragon Ball;
• Tetsujin 28-Go;
• Pokemon;
• Sally The Witch;
• Rurouni Kenshin;
• Hunter x Hunter;
• Trigun;

List of Old Mangas

Unfortunately, we cannot list all the mangas before the year 2000, as the list would be gigantic because there are thousands of mangas. Fortunately, we can highlight some that are available for purchase in Brazil, if you are interested.

List of Old Animes

• The Legend of Snow White (co-production with Mondo TV) – 1992
• Hutch the Honeybee – 1969
• Ai Shite Night [1983-1984]
• Akuma-kun [1989-1990]
• Angel Links (1999)
• Aoki Densetsu Shoot! [1990-1991]
• Apacchi Yakyuugun [1971-1972]
• Arion (1986)
• Armored Police Metal Jack (1991)
• Armored Trooper Votoms (1983)
• Arrow Emblem Grand Prix Taka [1977-1978]
• Asari-chan [1982-1983]
• Aura Battler Dunbine (1983)
• Bats & Terry (1987)
• Betterman (1999)
• Bikkuriman [1987-1989]
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon [1992 – 1993]
• Blue Comet SPT Layzner (1985) (1998)
• Brave Command Dagwon (1996)
• Brave Exkaiser (1990)
• Brave Police J-Decker (1994)
• Brave Raideen (1975)
• Calimero [1974-1994]
• Candy Candy [1976 – 1979]
• Captain Future [1978 – 1979]
• Captain Harlock [1978 – 1979]
• Captain Harlock Endless Road SSX [1982 – 1983]
• Captain Tsubasa [1983-1986]
• Captain Tsubasa J [1994-1995]
• Cardcaptor Sakura – 1998 and 1999
• Casshern – 1973
• Cho Denjin Machine Voltes v [1977-1978]
• Choriki Robo Galatt (1984)
• Choro-Q Dougram (1983)
• Chou Denjin Robo Combattler V [1976-1977]
• Choujin Sentai Baratack [1977-1978]
• Chōdenji Robo Combattler V (1976)
• Cinderella (co-production with Mondo TV) – 1996
• City Hunter ’91 (1991)
• City Hunter: 357 Magnum (1989)
• Colorful (2010) (1982)
• Cowboy Bebop (1998)
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) (1999)
• Crusher Joe (1983)
• Cutey Honey [1973 – 1974]
• Cutey Honey Flash [1997-1998]
• Cyborg 009 (1979)
• Cyborg 009 [1979-1980]
• Daikuu Maryuu Gaiking [1976-1977]
• Devilman [1972-1973]
• Di Gi Charat – 1999
• Digimon (All) [1996-Present]
• Dinosaur Expedition Born Free (1976)
• Dirty Pair (1985) (1987)
• Document Dougram (1983)
• Dororon Enma-kun [1973-1974]
• Dr. Slump [2] [1997-1999]
• Dr. Slump and Arale-chan [1981 – 1986]
• Dragon Ball (All) [1986-Present]
• Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibōken [1992-1993]
• DT Eightron (1998) (2000) (1981)
• Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M (1999)
• Galaxy Express 999 [1978-1981]
• Galaxy Express 999 [1981]
• Ganbare Genki [1985-1988]
• Gasaraki (1998)
• Gatchaman – 1972
• Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro [1968-1969]
• Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro [1993-1995]
• Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger (1992)
• Genshi Shonen Ryu [1971 – 1972]
• Getter Robo [1974-1975]
• Getter Robo G [1975-1976]
• Getter Robo Gou [1991-1992]
• Ghost Sweeper Mikami [1993-1994]
• Giant Gorg (1984)
• Gokinjo Monogatari [1995-1996]
• Goldfish Warning! [1991-1992]
• Gowappa 5 Gōdam (1976)
• Great Mazinger [1974-1975]
• GU-GU Ganmu [1984-1985]
• Gunhed (1989)
• Guzula/Binsky – 1967
• Crazy Genius – 1969
• Hana no Ko Lunlun [1979-1980]
• Hana Yori Dango [1996-1997]
• Hanitarou Desu [1997-1998]
• Hazedon (1972) (1994)
• Heavy Metal L-Gaim (1984)
• Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko – 1994
• Hello! Lady Lin [1988-1989]
• Himitsu no Akko-chan [1969-1970, 1988-1989, 1998-1999]
• Hokuto no Ken [1984-1988]
• Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere (1999)
• Horus: Prince of the Sun [1968]
• Hotaru no Haka – 1988
• Hurricane Polymar – 1974
• Hustle Punch [1965-1966]
• Hyakujuo Golion [1981 – 1982]
• Hāi! Step Jun [1985-1986]
• Hōhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun – 1999
• Ikyuu-san [1975-1982]
• Inuyasha: The Final Act (2009) (1980)
• Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3 (1978)
• Invincible Super Man Zambot 3 (1977)
• Iron Leaguer (1993)
• Jigoku Sensei Nube [1996-1997]
• Jushin Liger (1989)
• Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger – 1995
• Kamen no Ninja Aka Kage [1987-1988]
• Karioge-kun [1989-1990]
• Kick no Oni [1970-1971]
• Kiko Kantai Dairugger XV [1982 – 1983]
• Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo [1997-2000]
• Kinnikuman [1983-1986]
• Kinnikuman: Kinnikusei Oui Zoudatsu Hen [1991-1992]
• Kosoku Denjin Albegas [1983 – 1984]
• Koutetsu Jiigu [1975-1976]
• Kurenai no buta – 1992
• La Seine no Hoshi (1975)
• Lady Lady!! [1987-1988]
• Macross – 1982
• Magical Taruruuto-kun [1990-1992]
• Magne-Robo Ga-kin [1976-1977]
• Mahou no Mako-chan [1970-1971]
• Mahou Shoujo Lalabel [1980-1981]
• Mahoutsukai Sally [1] [1966 – 1968]
• Mahoutsukai Sally [2] [1989-1991]
• Majo no Takkyūbin – 1989
• Majokko megu chan [1974-1975]
• Mom is a 4th Grader (1992)
• Maple Town Monogatari [1986-1987]
• Marmalade Boy [1994-1995]
• Mazinger Z [1972-1974]
• Metal Armor Dragonar (1987)
• Mimi wo sumaseba – 1995
• Miracle Shoujo Limit-chan [1973-1974]
• Mirai Robo Dartanius [1979-1980]
• Miss Hokusai (9, 2015) (1987)
• Mobile Police Patlabor (1989)
• Mohretsu Atarou [1] [1969-1970]
• Mononoke-hime – 1997
• Nekketsu Saikyō Go-Saurer (1993)
• Neon Genesis Evangelion (co-production with Gainax) – 1995
• Night Raid 1931 – 2010
• Ninja Scroll – 1993
• The Judoka – 1968
• Omohide Poro Poro – 1991
• One Piece [1999-present]
• Ookami Shounen Ken [1963-1965]
• Orbital Era (1998)
• Pataliro [1982-1983]
• Perfect Blue – 1997
• Pinocchio – 1972
• Pokémon [1997-present]
• Rainbow Sentai Robin [1966-1967]
• Robin Hood (co-production with Mondo TV) – 1990
• Robot Child Beeton (1976)
• Ronin Warriors (1988)
• Round Vernian Vifam (1983)
• Round Vernian Vifam 13 (1998)
• Sailor Moon (all) [1992-2014]
• Saint Seiya [1986 – 1989]
• Samurai Pizza Cats – 1989
• Sarutobi Ecchan [1971-1972]
• Scientific Adventure Team Tansar 5 (1979)
• Seraphim Call (1999)
• SF Saiyuki Starzinger [1978-1979]
• Shin Bikkuriman [1989-1990]
• Shin Captain Tsubasa [1989-1990]
• Shin Taketo Monogatari: Sen Nen Jo Ou [1981-1982]
• Shounen Ninja Kage no Fujimaru [1964-1965]
• Shurato – 1989
• Slam Dunk [1993-1996]
• Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (2013)
• Speed Racer – 1966
• Steamboy (2004) Strongest Robo Daiohja (1981)
• Stop!! Hibari-kun! [1983-1984]
• Super Bikkuriman [1992-1993]
• Superbook – 1983
• Taro the Dragon Boy [1979]
• Tekkaman Blade – 1993
• Tekkaman – 1976
• Tenkû no Shiro Rapyuta – 1986
• The Big O (1999)
• The Brave Express Might Gaine (1993)
• The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn (1992)
• The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird (1991)
• The Brave of Gold Goldran (1995)
• The Five Star Stories (1989)
• The Ideon: A Contact (1982)
• The Ideon; Be invoked (1982)
• The Kabocha Wine [1982-1984]
• The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (1997)
• The Little Mermaid [1975]
• The Transformers [1984-1986]
• The Ultraman (1979)
• The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)
• Tiger Mask [1969-1971]
• Tiger Mask Ni-Sei [1981-1982]
• Tonari no Totoro – 1988
• Toushou Daimos [1978-1979]
• Trigun – 1998
• Tōshō Daimos (1978)
• UFO Robo Grendizer [1975-1977]
• Ultra Mashin Hero Wataru (1997)
• Umi ga Kikoeru – 1993
• Unico – 1981
• Video Senshi Laserian [1984-1985]
• Voltron series [1984-1989]
• Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace [1977-1978]
• Wild Knights Gulkeeva (1995)
• X – 1996
• Xabungle Graffiti (1983)
• Yatterman – 1977
• Yu-Gi-Oh! [1998]
• Yume no Crayon Oukoku [1997-1999]
• Yume Senshi Wingman [1984-1985]
• Zero Tester (1973) (2012)
• Zillion – 1986
• Space Ace – 1965