The 1990s were a distinct era for anime — a transitional cultural space between traditionalism and contemporary art. Even today, most ’90s anime stand strong for their farsightedness and storytelling, which have elegantly withstood the test of time. However, not all unconventional themes and narratives were openly accepted or appreciated during the 1990s. Many classic gems have been overshadowed by mainstream successes and deprived of the acknowledgment they deserve for making bold choices.

These forgotten anime masterpieces may have been brilliantly complex for casual viewers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve applause for depicting grief, romance, science fiction, and other popular themes in a compelling light. From nonlinear urban horrors to tales deconstructing gender roles, some misunderstood ’90s masterpieces deserve more recognition than they generally get.

Revolutionary Girl Utena Portrayed A Visionary Aspect of Gender and Identity

During a time when straightforward titles dominated the scene, Revolutionary Girl Utena broke the norm by giving viewers a healthy dose of layered deconstruction of gender and identity. For an anime released in the 90s, Revolutionary Girl Utena was a complete package, offering fans a little bit of everything from celebrating classic shojo elements to featuring an unorthodox yuri couple, which went on to become iconic.

The anime features the chivalrous adventures of a not-so-typical girl as she navigates her life at a prestigious academy. Ironically, the anime has now become a visionary title in depicting gender-bending stories with a strong female representation – something that wasn’t as pronounced or appreciated back in the 90s. Revolutionary Girl Utena was ahead of its time, soaring on surreal symbolism and emotional themes.

Perfect Blue’s Visual and Thematic Darkness Was Revolutionary

Despite its brutally honest portrayal of the hazards of the entertainment industry and the toll it has on struggling minds, Perfect Blue remained misunderstood for the longest time. Dubbed as extremely graphic and violent, the 1997 movie was overlooked for being too intense and thematically fractured. The story of a retired pop star turned actress is dangerously close to reality and depicts events that would become the norm in the coming decade.

Perfect Blue showcased events and themes that would feel like walking into a time portal when watched today. It was painfully accurate about the cyberbullying and social media culture that has destroyed the careers of many in the modern world. The anime so beautifully blurred the lines between reality and deliberate artistry that it disturbed the soul with its surrealism.

Eat-Man’s Strangeness Is Its Most Unique Quality

Eat-Man was too unconventional for an anime released in the 90s; therefore, it inevitably became a misunderstood masterpiece. The anime followed the bizarre adventures of a mercenary named Bolt Crank, who possessed the unusual ability to consume almost anything and then produce items from his body.

With such an interesting power dynamic, Eat-Man only needed over-the-top action and grittiness to make it a mainstream success. Instead, it employed atmospheric storytelling that may seem slow at times, but it allowed other characters to shine and let things unfold at a natural pace. The anime refrained from stereotyping characters and structured a thoughtful exploration of themes like morality, ultimately preventing the series from falling into the loud antics of its contemporaries.

Armitage III Could Have Been A Cyberpunk Classic

In an era of cyberpunk masterpieces like Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner, underrated gems like Armitage III never stood a chance despite featuring similar themes and premises. The anime was largely overlooked, but it had all the ingredients to become a classic and more. Armitage III focuses on a futuristic world where humanity and artificial intelligence coexist in a fragile balance, and at its centre is a highly advanced android named Naomi, who is dealing with an identity crisis.

Naomi teams up with her partner to track a killer, but the case leads her to question their crumbling society that nearly threatens her very existence. Understandably, some viewers might feel confused watching Armitage III‘s intense blend of cyberpunk elements and social commentary, but it definitely deserves reevaluation. The anime is thought-provoking, telling an intimate story about humanity and the long-term effects of its inventions.

Now and Then, Here and There Subverts All Modern Isekai Tropes

At a time when the isekai genre mostly deals with protagonists transported to magical worlds as overpowered characters, Now and Then, Here and There dared to do something out of the box. The ’90s anime is perhaps one of the most stomach-churning and brutal attempts at an isekai story, which is not about a typical adventure.

The anime follows the story of a boy who is transported to a dystopian future where water is scarce and a violent military force rules the land after he saves a mysterious girl. He is forced to confront the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world and the undeniable consequences of war. It’s safe to say that Now and Then, Here and There is incredibly overlooked, as it offers far more than lighthearted escapism; rather, it’s unflinching in its depiction of human survival and cruelty.

Serial Experiments Lain Deals With Identity Crises

Many initially disregard Serial Experiments Lain for its angst and overwhelmingly complicated storytelling. However, beneath the bleakness is an eye-opening story that has been misunderstood by the viewers. The anime focuses on the story of a withdrawn teen who becomes interested in exploring a virtually connected realm called The Wired after one of her classmates commits suicide.

For casual viewers, the anime may seem a bit weird and dark, but beneath all the cryptic dialogues and edginess, there’s a genuine exploration of identity and the collapse of reality. For an anime in the 90s, Serial Experiments Lain’s depiction of technology and its consequential dependency were ahead of its time – a chillingly accurate portrayal of today’s mediation on technology.

Great Teacher Onizuka Proves It’s More Than Just Crude Comedy

Before yakuza members turned househusbands in anime like The Way of the Househusband, there was the Great Teacher Onizuka, who might have sensationalized the quirky encounters between gang members and everyday occupations in the 90s. Understandably, 90s humor isn’t for anyone, and most comedic aspects of such stories may seem offensive today, but then again, one must look beneath the surface.

At first glance, Great Teacher Onizuka appears to be a humorous take on a street-smart teacher teaching delinquents some manners, but beneath the slapstick antics, there are themes of abuse, bullying, and suicide. Great Teacher Onizuka might be the most misunderstood anime out there, but once anyone gets into watching it, they can see how the anime drives the story with the unmatched power of empathy and kindness, and how it changes lives.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water Is A Charming Combination of Adventure and Sci-Fi

Hideaki Anno’s Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is often unheralded and misunderstood as a kids’ anime. However, underneath the youthful energy, there are themes of human greed that often go unappreciated for their relevance today. The anime features likable characters, a strong heroine, and a setting that sets the stage for an entertaining blend of adventure and sci-fi elements.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water primarily revolves around two youngsters: Nadia, a former circus performer, and Jean, an inventor, who become entangled in a wild adventure when they uncover secrets hidden in Nadia’s pendant. The only reason why the anime isn’t talked about enough may be because the representation surrounding its female lead might be a controversial topic in the modern context. Yet, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water remains an underrated gem, thanks to its boldly imaginative story and vibrant ’90s energy.

A Wind Named Amnesia Is A Slow, Philosophical Exploration Of Humanity

The only reason viewers might have misunderstood A Wind Named Amnesia is its lack of conventional sci-fi elements and a less flashy plot. The anime is a slow yet intriguingly brilliant descent into the philosophical exploration of what it really means to be a human. A Wind Named Amnesia takes place in a world where a strange wind has caused humanity to slip back to its primal instincts. The people have forgotten who and what they are, plunging the world back to its civilizational roots.

However, there’s one who dares to relearn the basic traits and to rewrite history once more. The story of A Wind Named Amnesia may sound bleak, but for someone who appreciates speculative and analytical storytelling, this anime is a misunderstood masterpiece. Its hauntingly somber atmosphere is intoxicating, plunging the audience into a rare new world.

Master Keaton Is A Blast of Colorful Drama, Mystery, and Adventure

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Master Keaton doesn’t get the recognition it deserves as a ’90s gem with all the classic flavors of the bygone era’s energy and dramatic storytelling. One can consider Master Keaton a Japanese version of Indiana Jones, even though the latter wasn’t even a thing at the time. The anime follows the adventurous life of an archaeology professor and former SAS operative as he travels the world solving mysteries and cracking open cold cases.

It may initially be mistaken for a flashy episodic show with little character development, but Master Keaton gradually wins over its audience. While celebrating the spirit of adventure, the anime also thoughtfully explores themes of survival, war, and humanity. There’s always something to learn from the cases, and that’s the anime’s strongest quality.