Just because they hail from the 70s and 80s doesn’t mean they don’t hold up by today’s standards. Whether for their characterisation, unique approach to their respective genre or entertaining narratives, you owe it to yourself to check out these ten golden oldies. Who knows, you might just find yourself with a true diamond in the rough that you can’t help but adore.
#10: “Rose of Versailles†(1979-80)
You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this take on the French Revolution, this time spearheaded by a female protagonist whose gender does nothing to diminish her skill with the sword.
#9: “Tomorrow’s Joe†(1970-81)
An underdog story about a wannabe boxer? Might sound like something you’ve seen a million times before, but this classic still manages to hold its own weight amidst other sporting anime thanks to its driven lead.
#8: “Kimagure Orange Road†(1987-88)
Ah, love triangles. Though in the case of this series, we get a mixture of psychic powers, sweet friendships and unspoken affection culminating together in a lighthearted experience that will give you the feels before you know it.
#7: “Saint Seiya†(1986-89)
Tournament arcs, superpowers, shonen tropes, all of these can be found throughout the galactic escapades of the Pegasus Saint, and boy does he pack a hell of a swing.
#6: “Macross†series (1982-)
A vast franchise spanning numerous decades, containing everything from giant mecha all the way to idol pop songs. Honestly there’s so much content here that there’s a Macross to fit everyone’s needs!
#5: “Fist of the North Star†(1984-88)
You haven’t seen manly until you’ve watched Kenshiro poke wasteland raiders with such force that their entire bodies explode. Macho doesn’t even begin to cover it.
#4: “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind†(1984)
With its sweeping visuals and typical Miyazaki magic, Nausicaa’s mission to save her people and the inhabitants of the forest against a fearsome regime is just as engrossing as any other Ghibli property.
#3: “Gunbuster†(1988-89)
You’ll fall into this series thanks to its proto-Evangelion mecha, but by the time it ends all you’ll be able to think about is its female cast and their struggle to cope with the drastic effects of spacetime.
#2: “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam†(1985-86)
Not only did this series manage to live up to the legacy of the original, but it offered an even darker story that encapsulated how war makes victims of everyone. Also, the Mobile Suits in this show are off the chain!
#1: “Legend of the Galactic Heroes†(1988-97)
Who knew that the politics of interstellar warfare would make for such a compelling story? Exploring conflict, humanity, tactics and contrasting ideologies like few series can, the ongoing battle between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance will enrapture you from the very first frame.
Do you agree with our list? What older anime do you think people need to watch? With new top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo!
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