A must-see for those born in the 1980s! | A nostalgic anime special

DRAGON QUEST - The Adventure of Dai -

Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai Opening (OP) (1991 Anime)

It’s a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump based on the world and setting of the game Dragon Quest.

The anime aired from 1991 to 1992 and has continued to be beloved not only in Japan but around the world.

A key point of interest was how battles in Dragon Quest were depicted, bringing realism to game systems whose movements had previously been unclear.

A new anime adaptation was produced in 2020, and combined with the work’s high quality, it drew significant attention.

Fushigi Yûgi

For My Beloved (TV SIZE)

The anime Fushigi Yûgi tells the story of Miaka Yūki, the protagonist who is drawn into a book set in ancient China called The Universe of the Four Gods, where she carves out her destiny as the Priestess of Suzaku.

Its unique world, reminiscent of ancient China, and the plot that sweeps her up in the duties of a priestess are especially compelling.

The interactions with a cast of distinctive characters are another highlight, and viewers are drawn in by the romances that unfold.

While featuring themes like the Four Symbols and the Twenty-Eight Mansions of ancient China, it also incorporates elements of the Five Phases theory and Nansō Satomi Hakkenden, so many people may have learned these terms through the series.

Magic Knight Rayearth

[Episodes 1–3 Pack] Magic Knight Rayearth: “Legendary Magic Knights Activate,” “Presea, Creator of the Silent Forest,” and “The Mysterious Handsome Swordsman, Ferio” (1994)

The anime Magic Knight Rayearth is a fantasy series based on CLAMP’s manga.

It depicts three girls who are summoned to an alternate world called Cephiro and set out on a journey as Magic Knights to save it from crisis.

Set in a realm of swords and sorcery, the story’s appeal lies in how the girls fight and grow.

Another highlight is the beautiful artwork characteristic of CLAMP’s works; the delicate designs further accentuate the worldbuilding.

Along with its theme song, “Yuzurenai Negai” (Unyielding Wish), it’s a title that has surely left its mark on anime history.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story

TV anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - First Teaser PV

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story is a work that portrays how a swordsman said to be the strongest at the end of the Edo period lived on in the Meiji era.

It depicts the protagonist, Kenshin Himura—once feared as the manslayer Battōsai—taking a vow never to kill and helping those in need.

The story is compelling, from Kenshin’s past and inner turmoil to his interactions with a cast of fascinating allies and his ferocious battles with arch-enemies.

The intense action set in a world like a period drama stirred the hearts of viewers.

It is a long‑loved series that helped support Shonen Jump’s golden age.

Detective Conan

[Official] Detective Conan “Roller Coaster Murder Case” | Season 1, Episode 1

Detective Conan is a mystery anime about Shinichi Kudo, a high school detective who is forced into a child’s body by a mysterious organization and solves numerous difficult cases as elementary schooler Conan Edogawa.

Since its debut in 1996, it has been loved by audiences of all ages as a nationally beloved series.

In addition to its authentic mystery elements with intricate tricks, its distinctive characters are a major draw, and the story’s shifts from comedic to serious keep viewers engrossed.

Not only the TV anime but also the feature films attract attention, giving the impression of a franchise whose momentum shows no sign of slowing.

Pocket Monsters

[Official] Anime “Pokémon” Episode 1: “Pokémon! I Choose You!” (Anipoke Selection)

It feels like the Pokémon franchise, which began as a Nintendo game, became a social phenomenon in large part thanks to the anime that started airing in 1997.

The story of the protagonist, Satoshi (Ash), journeying with his partner Pikachu to become a Pokémon Master sparked a spirit of adventure in many children.

The encounters with unique Pokémon, the heated battles, and the bonds with friends are the kind of elements that stir the heart no matter the era.

With each new game release, the anime weaves in fresh elements, and at times looks back on the past—storytelling made possible by its long-running history, which is a big part of its appeal.

Hell Teacher Nūbē

Hell Teacher Nūbē Official PV Teaser 1

The anime Hell Teacher Nūbē is a horror-comedy set in an elementary school that aired in 1996.

The protagonist, Meisuke Nueno, is a clumsy, easygoing teacher on the surface, but in reality he’s the most powerful psychic, endowed with the power of an oni.

He exorcises the yokai and evil spirits that attack his students using the “Oni Hand” in his left arm.

It’s compelling to see the distinctive characters deepen their bonds through the troubles caused by these yokai and spirits.

The depictions that convey the terror of the supernatural, combined with moments of humor and tears, create a dynamic rhythm in the story that captivated viewers’ hearts.