The1980swere a fertile era foranime, sometimes referred to asthe medium’s “Golden Age”.
This was the era of films likeAkira,Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, andBarefoot Gen. Those curious about whatthe decadehas to offer could do worse than to start with the following titles.
Butthey all left a big imprint on anime.Many of them continue to be referenced and imitated today.
Image via Federico Napoli
Long before shows likeBlue LockandKuroko’s Basketball,Captain Tsubasaproved that sport could make for great anime subject matter.
This approach spices up the sport with elements reminiscent of kung fu and other Japanese martial arts.
As a result, the show is a true gem for both soccer enthusiasts and anime fans alike.
Image via SYFY
Its DNA lives on in countless sports anime,as well as filmslikeShaolin Soccer.
Ryo is an intriguing character, though an admittedly flawed one, sometimes behaving poorly.
Their dynamic is the heart of the show, filled with banter and a surprising amount of emotional depth.
Overall,City Huntershould appeal to fans of franchises likeLupin the Third.
It, in turn, would influence the likes ofGhost in the ShellandThe Matrix.
Directed byNeon Genesis EvangelioncreatorHideaki Anno,Gunbusteris a space opera boasting good old-fashioned high-stakes mecha battles.
The character designs are appealing, and the action sequences remain well-animated.
It’s pure, high-energy escapism, throwing elements of various genres together into one big, flashy spectacle.
The storyline involving Norse mythology is especially fun.
Image via Studio Deen
The show was fairly influential, lending ideas to subsequent anime likeNarutoandBleach.
You have to create that need.
There’s a reason thatAkira Toriyama’s vision would go on to conquer the globe.
GO TO HELL!"
The Gundam Mk-II is probably the most notable example.
For this reason, the fandom generally ratesZeta Gundamas one of the franchise’s strongest entries.
Image via Netflix
It culminates in a fittingly epic and satisfying finale, rewarding viewers for sticking with it.
“Super Dimension Fortress Macrossis a pioneering entryin the mecha genre.
Music plays a big role in the series, giving it a bit of a unique flavor.
The show is overlong and padded with some filler, but there’s no denying its creativity and impact.
Dragon Ball Zexerted a massive, almost gravitational pull over the medium, spawning countless copycats.
Keep Reading:The 10 Best Anime Movies of the 1980s, Ranked
Image via Toei Animation
Image via tv asahi
Image via Toei Animation
