Anime Codex
← All decades

Best 1990s anime, ranked

Every 1990s anime in the Codex, scored on six things that actually matter and ranked by weighted score (1990–1999). 26 titles, led by Neon Genesis Evangelion (8.83). Re-ranked automatically as scores change — no stale lists.

The short answer

The best 1990s anime is Neon Genesis Evangelion — 8.83 out of 10 on the Anime Codex six-criterion rubric — scored, not voted. All 26 ranked below.

Neon Genesis Evangelion
8.83
Neon Genesis Evangelion
1995Top: Cultural 10.0
Cowboy Bebop
8.71
Cowboy Bebop
1998Top: Cultural 9.5
One Piece
8.58
One Piece
1999Top: Cultural 10.0
Berserk
8.53
Berserk
1997Top: Cultural 9.5
Cardcaptor Sakura
8.30
Cardcaptor Sakura
1998Top: Cultural 9.5
Slam Dunk
8.12
Slam Dunk
1993Top: Cultural 9.5
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
8.03
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
1999Top: Character 9.0
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (His and Her Circumstances)
7.83
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (His and Her Circumstances)
1998Top: Character 8.5
Master Keaton
7.77
Master Keaton
1998Top: World 8.2
Rurouni Kenshin
7.77
Rurouni Kenshin
1996Top: Cultural 8.5
Yu Yu Hakusho
7.70
Yu Yu Hakusho
1992Top: Character 8.5
Ojamajo Doremi
7.68
Ojamajo Doremi
1999Top: Character 8.5
Digimon Adventure
7.60
Digimon Adventure
1999Top: Cultural 9.0
Trigun
7.53
Trigun
1998Top: Cultural 8.5
Chibi Maruko-chan
7.51
Chibi Maruko-chan
1990Top: Cultural 9.5
Crayon Shin-chan
7.36
Crayon Shin-chan
1992Top: Cultural 9.5
Sailor Moon
7.15
Sailor Moon
1992Top: Cultural 9.5
The Kindaichi Case Files
7.10
The Kindaichi Case Files
1997Top: Story 8.0
Pokémon
7.02
Pokémon
1997Top: Cultural 9.8
Ojarumaru
6.95
Ojarumaru
1998Top: World 7.5
Fushigi Yûgi
6.83
Fushigi Yûgi
1995Top: Cultural 7.5
Initial D
6.83
Initial D
1998Top: Cultural 9.0
KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
6.70
KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
1996Top: Cultural 8.0
Detective Conan (Case Closed)
6.55
Detective Conan (Case Closed)
1996Top: Cultural 9.0
Marmalade Boy
6.41
Marmalade Boy
1994Top: Cultural 7.0
Gunsmith Cats
6.12
Gunsmith Cats
1995Top: Animation 7.5

Related rankings

Best 2020s animeBest 2010s animeBest 2000s animeBest 1980s anime

FAQ

What is the best 1990s anime?
Neon Genesis Evangelion (8.83) ranks #1 among 1990s anime on the Anime Codex rubric, which scores each show on story, characters, themes, world, animation and cultural impact.
How are these 26 1990s anime ranked?
Each show is scored 1–10 on six criteria, weighted by demographic, into a single Codex score. This page lists every qualifying 1990s anime by that score and updates as the catalogue grows.