10 Best Toonami Anime From The 90s & 00s That Still Hold Up Today

For most American anime fans who grew up during the 2000s, Toonami was a major part of childhood. This Cartoon Network segment introduced countless viewers to the world of anime, bringing a wide selection of some of the best anime ever created to audiences outside of Japan.

Despite its brief cancellation in 2008, the segment has largely withstood the test of time, allowing fans easy access to beloved modern classics such as Dandadan and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. Yet, even though Toonami has not stopped shaking up its catalog, some of its more classic series that aired in the 90s and 2000s remain strong contenders for its best-ever entries.

10

Sailor Moon Inspired Countless Girls to Believe in Their Power

Serena is a clumsy and friendly girl who, at first glance, does not look out of the ordinary. When intergalactic threats wreak havoc, however, she transforms into the cosmic warrior Sailor Moon. Alongside the powerful and stylish Sailor Scouts, she protects the universe while uncovering the secrets that come with her new identity.

A true classic and a series that demonstrated that girls could also be incredible action heroes, Sailor Moon has been an icon of the industry for decades. While the show got a remake in 2014, much of its popularity still comes from the original 90s iteration. This colorful, energetic, and emotive anime has more than succeeded at enchanting and entertaining generations of fans, and will likely keep doing it for years to come.

9

Dragon Ball Z Is the Epitome of Success

Four years after saving the world from the tyrannical King Piccolo, Goku lives a normal life with his loving wife Chi-Chi and his son Gohan. This peaceful era comes to an end when a mysterious and imposing enemy named Raditz arrives, revealing that not only is Earth being targeted by a race of proud warriors known as Saiyans, but that the protagonist himself is one of these aliens.

The show that would forever change the way in which anime is perceived and enjoyed by the world at large, Dragon Ball Z is a sequel that took everything that made its predecessor a success and improved on it immensely. Goku’s adventures as an adult might have lost a tad of the humor that made the original so iconic, but this was replaced with rich lore and impactful scenes that would go on to inspire countless other anime.

8

Naruto Imparted Life-Long Lessons That Are Still Relevant

Twelve years ago, the village of Konoha was attacked by the sinister Nine-Tails Fox, a beast filled with nothing but hatred and rage against humanity. The Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to seal the beast inside a newborn baby, saving his people. Now, this child has grown and is ready to graduate as a ninja and begin his road to becoming the next Hokage, hoping to earn the respect and admiration of a village that hates him.

Electrifying, emotive, and ready to surprise fans with its noteworthy lessons about cooperation, acceptance, and hard work, Naruto is a true classic of the shonen genre. This series inspired entire generations of fans to fight for their dreams no matter the obstacles, and it continues to do so, without neglecting its awe-inspiring story and unparalleled power system.

7

Pokémon: Indigo League Began a Journey That Changed the Lives of Millions

Ready to set out on his journey and become the best trainer of all time, Ash wakes up excited to select his Pokemon partner. Lamentably, he slept in, resulting in him receiving an ill-behaved Pikachu who refuses to obey his orders. With no other choice and determined to make his dream a reality, the boy leaves his home, starting an adventure that would take him across the world.

Inspired by one of the most beloved and successful video game franchises of all time, Pokemon: Indigo League is as iconic as an anime series can get. Ash’s original adventure introduced millions of fans to a world full of fantastical and powerful creatures, and it’s a series that has it all, from amazing battles to a lovable cast that inspired a generation.

Find all 10 pairs

Start

Restart
Back

6

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Tackles Many Important Issues

Although it was created to oversee humanity’s expansion into the stars, the United Earth Sphere Alliance has become an oppressive force that terrorizes its colonies. The Organization of the Zodiac, a resistance movement led by a pacifist named Heero Yuy, attempts to establish a peace treaty, only to be met with violence and the death of their leader. Wanting nothing more than to topple the tyrannical government, OZ sends a group of five teenagers to pilot their ultimate weapons, known as Gundams, to achieve their dream.

An incredible entry in what many consider the most iconic of all mecha anime franchises in history, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing is an excellent example of what makes these stories so beloved. It is a brilliantly written show that perfectly blends the excitement of battle between gigantic robots and deep political and anti-war themes. The result is an incredible and unforgettable story that audiences will not regret watching.

5

Yu Yu Hakusho Greatly Improved Several Shonen Tropes

Although best known for being a violent and rude delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi dies while trying to save a child from an oncoming car. This selfless action, as well as his noble heart, caught the attention of Koenma, the ruler of the Spirit World. He decides to give the boy another chance at life, as long as he agrees to work as a Spirit Detective, special humans in charge of finding and containing supernatural anomalies.

Regarded by many as one of the best shonen series ever written, Yu Yu Hakusho is a simple yet moving story about maturing and atonement, hidden behind outstanding battle scenes. This show is popular for perfecting several of the most beloved tropes of the genre, such as the Tournament Arc and the rebellious yet noble hero, resulting in a remarkable adventure that fans love to this day.

4

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Is Still as Exciting as the Day It First Aired

Yugi Muto is a shy and kind high school student who loves games, especially his favorite card game: Duel Monsters. When forces of darkness and evil threaten his family and friends, the boy will utilize his outstanding skills and the spirit residing inside his legendary Millennium Puzzle to defeat them in intense duels where any mistake could mean destruction.

The series takes a concept that might not appeal to many at first glance and transforms it into an epic battle between the forces of light and darkness. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters is a gem of the 00s era that has not lost its shine, even almost three decades after it first began airing.

3

Cowboy Bebop Is a True Anime Masterpiece

In the Year 2071, once humanity has established itself among the stars after leaving a planet they could no longer live on, there are tales about a group of bounty hunters who travel together in a ship named the Bebop. These charming but dangerous characters travel across several space colonies looking for their next job, all while hiding from their past and the trauma they carry.

Praised since its first release for its unique and remarkable story and world-building, Cowboy Bebop is a series that requires no introduction. Spike and his friends are among the most popular characters ever, and with good reason, due to their thrilling and philosophically complex adventures. The series will leave audiences asking questions about the self, the nature of humanity, and morality itself, all while enchanting them with outstanding visuals.

2

Outlaw Star Is a Lesser-Known Gem

The sudden arrival of an asteroid containing a fantastical material known as dragonite allowed humanity to breach the limits of the sky and travel across galaxies. To keep order across the new colonies established, the Earth Federation decides to grant control of its territory to four Empires. Gene and his best friend Jim, the protagonists, are hired as bodyguards for a mysterious woman, forcing them into a conflict neither of them could have ever imagined.

Set in a universe where every corner and new planet hides dangers and enemies, Outlaw Star is a series that manages to embody the feeling of western movies and translate them into the space epic genre. Despite its sci-fi setting, the series blends several genres to create a rich and unique world, one in which fans can immerse themselves and be excited to learn more about.

1

One Piece Forever Changed the Industry

Luffy’s dream has always been to set sail across the sea and find the coveted One Piece, the treasure left behind by the late King of the Pirates. Armed with the powers of the Gum-Gum Fruit, an ancient treasure that turned his body into rubber, and a powerful crew, the boy will fight against whatever obstacle stands in his way to achieve his goal and become the next ruler of the sea.

One Piece is a series that has not only become emblematic of the shonen genre, but of the anime industry as a whole. The success and the popularity of this incredible show are more than deserved, as it is undoubtedly one of the best-written and most complex stories of all time. The show is as entertaining as it is profound, utilizing an epic adventure to touch upon several important themes such as discrimination, oppression, and the meaning of freedom.