The 1990s marked a golden era for anime, with numerous franchises debuting during this period that continue to resonate with fans worldwide. Recently, ABEMA, a leading Japanese streaming platform, unveiled its rankings for the most popular ’90s anime among Japanese viewers for the first half of 2024.
According to data published on PR Times, ABEMA’s “Nostalgic Anime ’90s” channel revealed the top five most-viewed anime titles from the 1990s, based on total views from both real-time broadcasts and on-demand streaming. Topping the list is KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops, a comedy series produced by Studio Gallop. Following closely in second place is the mystery series The Kindaichi Case Files, a 1997 anime co-produced by Toei Animation, Dentsu, and YTV. Two globally recognized shonen hits, Slam Dunk and Yu Yu Hakusho, secured the third and fourth spots, respectively, while Cooking Papa rounded out the top five.
The Nostalgic Appeal of ’90s Anime
KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops, based on Osamu Akimoto’s long-running manga, stands as Japan’s most beloved ’90s anime of 2024. The series chronicles the humorous escapades of KanKichi “Ryo-san” Ryotsu, a middle-aged beat cop with a penchant for get-rich-quick schemes. Despite his questionable methods, Ryo-san’s misadventures, often involving his wealthy co-worker Keiichi Nakagawa, have endeared him to audiences since the manga first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1976. The anime adaptation, which began in 1996, continues to attract viewers nearly three decades later.
Global Phenomena: Yu Yu Hakusho and Slam Dunk
Yu Yu Hakusho, created by Yoshihiro Togashi, is another iconic shonen franchise from the ’90s that continues to captivate fans. The series follows Yusuke Urameshi, a high school delinquent who dies unexpectedly while saving a child from an accident. Revived as a Spirit Detective by the ruler of the Underworld, Yusuke battles rogue demons in the human realm. Originally airing from 1992 to 1995, Yu Yu Hakusho spanned 112 episodes and inspired two feature-length films. Its enduring popularity is reflected in its continued availability on streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll.
Similarly, Slam Dunk, which also follows a high school delinquent, Sakuragi Hanamichi, who discovers his talent for basketball, remains a fan favorite. Initially airing from 1993 to 1996, the anime has experienced a resurgence thanks to the 2022 film The First Slam Dunk, which has grossed over $279 million globally, solidifying its status as one of the highest-grossing anime films ever.
Accessing the Classics
While some of these beloved series, such as The Kindaichi Case Files, KochiKame, and Cooking Papa, are currently only available for streaming in Japan, international fans can still enjoy Yu Yu Hakusho on multiple platforms, including Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. Slam Dunk is accessible on Crunchyroll in most regions, with The First Slam Dunk available on Netflix.
As the love for ’90s anime continues to thrive, these classic series remain as relevant and beloved as ever, offering a nostalgic journey for both long-time fans and new viewers alike.