5 Best Retro Anime You Must Watch
Anime today is flashier than ever, but there’s something special about the classics. Whether it’s the hand-drawn charm, gripping stories, or unforgettable characters, retro anime still holds a strong place in the hearts of fans.
Some series paved the way for modern hits, while others remain cult favorites. If you’re in the mood for some nostalgia or want to see where many anime tropes began, these five titles are must-watches. Ranked by popularity, here are the best retro anime that have stood the test of time.
5. Fist of the North Star (1984)
In a world shattered by nuclear war, chaos reigns, and only the strong survive. Kenshiro, a wandering martial artist, searches for his kidnapped fiancée, Yuria, while battling ruthless warlords. As the successor of the deadly Hokuto Shinken technique, he can destroy enemies with precise pressure point strikes.
His journey takes him across desolate wastelands where he faces brutal foes like Shin, Jagi, and Raoh. With each fight, Kenshiro leaves behind his iconic words—“You are already dead”—as he avenges the weak and fights for justice in a lawless land.
4. Urusei Yatsura (1981)
Ataru Moroboshi is the luckiest—and unluckiest—guy in Japan. When alien princess Lum arrives to invade Earth, he accidentally wins a game of tag against her, unknowingly making her believe they’re engaged.
Lum, sporting her tiger-striped bikini and electric powers, moves into his house, much to the dismay of his actual crush, Shinobu. Chaos follows as Ataru’s relentless womanizing and Lum’s jealousy cause endless misunderstandings. Add in eccentric classmates, bizarre alien visitors, and nonstop slapstick humor, and you get one of the wildest romantic comedies anime has ever seen.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, war erupts between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. When the Federation’s new mobile suit, the RX-78-2 Gundam, falls into the hands of teenage mechanic Amuro Ray, he’s thrust into battle against Zeon’s elite forces.
As he pilots the powerful machine aboard the White Base, he faces enemies like Char Aznable, the masked ace pilot seeking revenge. With space colonies in turmoil and countless lives at stake, Amuro struggles with his new role as a soldier while the war escalates around him.
2. Dragon Ball (1986)
Long before Super Saiyans and galaxy-shattering battles, Goku was just a curious boy with a monkey tail and a love for adventure. Living alone in the mountains, his life changes when he meets Bulma, a genius inventor searching for the legendary Dragon Balls.
Together, they travel across strange lands, encountering bandits, shape-shifting pig Oolong, desert thief Yamcha, and martial arts master Roshi. Goku hones his skills, competes in the World Martial Arts Tournament, and faces powerful enemies like the Red Ribbon Army.
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
But piloting an Eva is more than just a battle—it’s a mental and emotional struggle that pushes the pilots to their limits. As secrets about NERV, the Evas, and the true nature of the Angels unravel, Shinji is faced with terrifying choices that could determine humanity’s fate.
