Calling all thirty-somethings! Nostalgic anime (based on the 1990s)
Anime, a cultural treasure Japan has long been proud of and beloved for many years.
It’s not unusual for massive hits to emerge every year, and sometimes we see booms that come to symbolize an era.
Perhaps some of you even started something new because you were inspired by anime.
In this article, we’re highlighting classic anime that people in their 30s will likely find nostalgic!
Our focus spans the 1990s, with picks from the late ’80s through the mid-2000s.
Some of these titles are available on YouTube, so take your time and enjoy watching them.
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- [Anime Songs] Anime tracks recommended for men in their 30s to sing at karaoke
- Masterpiece anime that Heisei-born people feel nostalgic about
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s, from nostalgic classics to the latest hits.
- For men in their 30s: Nostalgic music. Recommended popular songs
- Recommended popular anime from the 2000s
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- A roundup of songs for men in their 30s to sing [’90s–’00s tracks]
- Calling all 20-somethings! A roundup of nostalgic anime from the 2000s to the 2010s
- Recommended anime songs for people in their 50s. Classic and popular anime theme songs.
- [Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s
Calling all thirty-somethings! Nostalgic Anime Memories (1990s-based) (21–30)
Fruits Basket
Based on the manga by Natsuki Takaya, Fruits Basket is a work whose popularity is clear from the fact that it was adapted into an anime in 2001 and then remade in 2019.
The story follows the protagonist Tohru Honda, who ends up living in the home of her classmate Yuki Sohma due to an unexpected turn of events, and gradually learns the secrets of the Sohma family through their daily life.
The unique characters themed around the Chinese zodiac, as well as the way each one confronts their personal struggles, are key points of interest.
Its touching portrayal of family bonds and personal growth resonated with a wide audience and earned broad support.
Hikaru no Go
I bet a lot of people started playing Go because of its influence.
The anime Hikaru no Go, based on a manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, aired on the TV Tokyo network from 2001 to 2003.
Go has long been considered a difficult subject for anime and manga, but Hikaru no Go completely changed that image and became a big hit.
The story begins when the protagonist, Hikaru, meets Sai, the ghost of a genius Go player.
There are so many highlights, like Hikaru’s relationship with his rival Akira and his personal growth!
The Racing Brothers Let's & Go!!
Mini 4WD sparked a huge craze thanks to the manga Dash! Yonkuro, serialized in Monthly CoroCoro Comic starting in 1987, but for those in their 30s, it’s likely Bakusō Kyōdai Let’s & Go!! that brings back the fondest memories! This series kicked off what’s known as the “second Mini 4WD boom.” The cool Mini 4WD cars that thrilled every kid’s heart, and the characters racing passionately around the tracks with their beloved machines.
We all found ourselves shouting together, “Go for it!” didn’t we?
Little Rich Boy
This work, which began airing in 1989, is based on a gag manga serialized in Monthly CoroCoro Comic by Yoshinori Kobayashi.
It’s a series that has been talked about for years for its exaggerated portrayal of the wealthy and for its many risqué jokes—some of which were even banned from broadcast.
The protagonist, Obocchama-kun, stands out with his striking appearance and outrageous behavior, which bring a lively flair to the show.
Centered around gag humor with adult jokes, it also became legendary for things like struggling to secure sponsors.
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Based on Jules Verne’s novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island, this work was broadcast on NHK starting in 1990.
It is a project in which Hideaki Anno served as the overall director and is remembered as one of his signature masterpieces.
Packed with a variety of science fiction elements—from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament to the legend of Atlantis—it is said to have had a major influence on later anime.
Not only are the characters compelling, but the incorporation of various legends in the background offers multiple angles of enjoyment.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is known as one of Japan’s representative anime works, even having been adapted into a Hollywood film.
Compared to the early days, the battle elements grew stronger, and the introduction of compelling allies and rivals captivated many fans.
The development where a rival is defeated, then becomes an ally to face an even more powerful enemy continues to live on as a classic formula in many shonen manga to this day.
It’s no exaggeration to say the series established a format for later Japanese anime, and it remains an enduringly popular work even now.
China's Number One!
Cooking Master Boy depicts Mao, a young chef and the protagonist, as he travels across China, growing through a series of culinary duels with his rivals.
As a cooking anime focused specifically on Chinese cuisine, it offered viewers the joy of discovering new dishes.
Its appeal lies not only in its inventive culinary ideas but also in its distinctive cast of characters—like martial artist–type figures who create delicate dishes, a contrast that adds excitement to the story.
The blend of passion for cooking and action-like cooking scenes draws you deeply into its unique world.