The 80s are but a distant memory to some, and to others a bygone era only seen through TV shows and clothing brands. Regardless, the 80s was a pioneering decade for music, personal style, subculture, and anime. However, over three decades have passed. Some of the decade’s anime have fallen to the wayside due to the overwhelming choices available online, or for the simple fact that the animation looks dated.
There are plenty of anime with interesting premises though. They are forefathers of narratives so grand and unique that their inspiration is felt in the anime of today. Some 80s anime are still ongoing, likeDragonballby Akira Toriyama, which still has sequels and films in production. But what other anime deserve to see the light of day again, or may find new homes with fresh eyes once modernized?
10Akira
This cult classic film captures the zeitgeist of 80s anime perfectly. Based on the manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, the story starts in 1988 Japan. A boy withpsychic powerscauses a calamity within Tokyo, inadvertently starting World War 3 only to be captured and never heard from again.
The rest of the film is set in Neo-Tokyo, 2019. Agroup of misfit bikersknown as The Capsules are embroiled in a turf war with The Clowns. In the midst of the confrontation, an esper escapes, and the protagonist, Tetsuo Shima, is caught up in the fallout. He develops psychic powers of his own and the government seeks to find him to stop his destructive powers from causing havoc as the other esper did years ago.
There are half-confirmed mutterings that an anime is in the works (Akira Shin) and many fans hope this to be true. The film’s narrative has held up all these years; however, the manga had much more to offer beyond the film’s two-hour run time.
9Sherlock Hound
Sherlock Hound is a Japanese take on Arthur Conan Doyle’sSherlock Holmes.Loosely based on the original anthology of books, this anthropomorphic canine version of theeccentric detectivefollows the classic formula of solving cases with villainous culprits committing crimes with wacky contraptions.
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Returning to this anime’s ridiculous antics would capitalize greatly on the Saturday morning cartoon feeling that so many westerners know and love. It may be more fitting to release a stand-alone movie, akin to when Miyazaki directed a double feature of two episodes into a movie.
8Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind
Nausicaa of The Valley of The Windwas Miyazaki’s true beginning in his legendary career. Released in 1984, it is considered one of his early masterpieces. It tells the story of Nausicaä, the princess of the Valley of the Wind, as she protects her home from an invading force, The Tolmekians. A Tolmekian airship crash-lans inside Nausicaä’s homeland. They then try to salvage it to reclaim a weapon from the days of The Seven Days Of Fire, the war that led to the overgrowing poisonous jungles that threaten the lives of most living beings.
Hayao Miyazaki is the original creator of the manga; however, he only adapted 210 of the 865 pages into the film. Considering the popularity of his works, revisiting and expanding upon this film would be incredible.
7Fist Of The North Star
Kenshirou wanders through apost-apocalyptic wastelandin search of his fiancé, Yuria, who has been kidnaped by his rival, Shin. Along the way he harnesses his deadly fighting style, the Hokuto Shinmken, to protect the helpless from thestrong, bloodthirsty warriors. As his reputation grows, so does the attention he receives from vicious warlords and the other dangers that riddle battle scape.
TheFist Of The North Staris full of the pizzazz and over-the-top action of the 80s. It may be cheesy in some places, and it has been ‘meme-ified’ to the nth degree with its showcase of manliness and masculinity. However, a remake would expand upon the great combat sections with new animation techniques and more fluid movements.
6The Rose Of Versailles
Set during the 18th century, this anime depicts class divides, tensions between social strata, and the political marriages between Princess Marie Antoinette and Crown Prince Louis 16th. Upon her arrival into the country, Marie meets Oscar, who commands the Royal Guard. Oscar has been raised as a boy all his life (in the image that his father wants); however, he can’t help but live his life as he was intended, as a woman. Oscar serves the repugnant Queen, who resents the suffering of the poor she is faced with, when she so flagrantly spends her wealth.
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Created by Riyoko Ikeda, this anime takesa revisionist spinon French history. It inserts gender nonconformity, fluidity, and caste issues into a story about revolting citizens, political unrest, and purpose versus duty. This anime was ahead of its time with social commentary, and could be even more fitting today.
5Saint Seiya
Saints, a retinue of men service to the goddess Athena, were tasked to protect her from the evils of the universe. They were imbued with great powers that call upon the might of the cosmos itself. In the present day, a new league of fighters, including protagonist Seiya, battle for the Sacred Armor of Pegasus. Eventually, Seiyawins, becoming a Saint. In doing so, he must face powerful entities threatening the goddess.
Initially, this anime was not received very well. However, over the years it has garnered a dedicated fan base, multiple sequels, and spin-offs. Some may find it difficult to enjoy with the amount of material there is; however, a good jumping-off point would be an updated version of the original series.
4Maison Ikkoku
From the creator ofRanma 1/2,Rumiko Takahashi, comesa slice-of-life, romance, and drama set in the titular boarding house, Maison Ikkoku. IIt boasts a cast of eccentric characters including the student Yuusaku and the beautiful, widowed manager Kyouko. The story follows Yuusaku as he tries to win Kyouko’s affection; however, he comes across great difficulty when the tenants interfere.
It’s a refined piece of adult-centered anime with themes around love, taxes, and running a business. This is an anime that many might not love, but is a great experience nevertheless.
3Ashita No Joe
The first series was released back in 1970; however, the sequel aired during the 80s. Joe Yabuki is a troubled youth who approaches his problems with his teeth and fist clenched. During a confrontation in the slums, he beats a gang of ruffians. This earns the attention of Danpei Tange, a disgraced, alcoholic boxing coach. In their adventure to forge Joe into a boxing champion, they must let go of their pariah attitudes to make a better future.
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Sports anime are in popular demand. With the success of other franchises, includingHajime no IppoandMegala Box,it might be time for one of the original boxing animes to get a remake or an updated sequel.
2Vampire Hunter D
This series may have had a film in 2000; however, it originally aired in 1985 and the interest in vampires has only grown over the years.Set 10,000 years in the future,Vampire Hunter Dmixes the supernatural with the futuristic. The story takes place in a small hamlet assaulted by monster attacks and ruled by a vampire, Count Magnus Lee. On a fated occasion, a young girl (the lord’s new captive) meets D. D is one of the world’s best vampire hunters, and he decides to kill the Count and rid this part of the world of his maleficence.
From the original novels to the manga and finally, theVampire Hunter D1985 anime classic, this story was one of the first to truly have an impact on western audiences. Now, with the ever-growing obsession with the supernatural, there may be more success to be had.
1Angel’s Egg
Unlike the rest of the animes on this list,Angel’s Egg(Tenshi no Tamago) had a limited run with a single OVA. The surrealist, desolate world of this anime is filled with phenomena separated from the real world. Monsters run rampant, vestiges of an old civilization lay dormant, and a little girl is tasked with caring for an egg while scavenging the world for sustenance. She meets a man with a cross on his shoulder who becomes interested in the egg she carries, and they journey together.
This anime is unlike any other, clearly checking the esoteric box of the series. Audiences must question faith, the purpose of the world, the origin of life, and the metaphysics of the ravaged landscape. This OVA may not be for everyone, but a polished rerelease could be popular with modern audiences.
