Over the past decade, Crunchyroll has established itself as one of the premier worldwide anime streaming services. Each season, fans turn to Crunchyroll in droves to catch shows at the same time they air in Japan, a luxury other streaming services do not so often offer to users.
However, while the majority of users are interested in what’s hot and new, the service also offers an extended catalog of classic shows from several different eras of anime. Whether fans are looking for the muscle-bound heroes of the ’80s, the cyberpunk stylings which defined the ’90s, or the more modern nostalgia associated with the 2000s, Crunchyroll features classics that are must-watches.
Fist of the North Star
Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara
There are few more influential stories in the anime and manga sphere than Fist of the North Star. The series boasts all the edge and style that’s become associated with the era, while protagonist Kenshiro embodies the overly cool, masculine, and shredded one-man army type of character that defined ’80s action.
Among series that have taken inspiration from Fist of the North Star are Dragon Ball, Jojo‘s Bizarre Adventure, and Berserk. The latter’s creator, Kentaro Miura, never failed to credit the series for being foundational to his own legendary dark fantasy masterpiece. Fist of the North Star is being rebooted in 2026, so there’s no better time to dive into the original series.
Akira
Animated by TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by Katsuhiro Otomo
Like Fist of the North Star, 1988’s Akira is another one of the most influential anime productions in history. The number of “Akira bike slides” that find their way into today’s biggest shows and movies alone are enough to display the sort of impact the movie has had on film and animation.
The post-apocalyptic cyberpunk classic tinged with rather intense body horror elements may not be for everyone, but no one can deny the spectacle that is Akira‘s visual quality. Animated at a high frame rate, featuring a mix of 24 and 12 frames per second, Akira remains one of the best looking anime films in history nearly 40 years on from its premiere.
Dragon Ball
Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama
Though it may not quite match the visual quality of something like Akira, and it can very well be argued that several aspects of the series haven’t aged all too gracefully, Dragon Ball and its follow-up, Dragon Ball Z, are still must-watches for all anime fans. In the West, it’s possible anime would never have become as popular as it has without Goku and company.
Dragon Ball leans into comedy throughout its martial arts hijinks, while Dragon Ball Z kicks up the action and excitement, though it’s likely most fans already know what the series is all about. Both shows, and all of Dragon Ball‘s 24 movies, are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Cowboy Bebop
Animated by Sunrise, Original Anime Series
Like Dragon Ball, 1998’s Cowboy Bebop is one of those rare anime series that may very well be more popular in the West than it is in Japan. Cited as an influence by major filmmakers and artists around the world, Cowboy Bebop has frequented ‘greatest of all-time’ lists around the internet for nearly 30 years.
The Space Western saga following Spike Spiegel and the Bebop crew is endlessly entertaining while it takes its audience on what can largely be described as an emotional roller coaster. The first episode, “Asteroid Blues”, wastes no time introducing the cruelty of the show’s setting, and is near guaranteed to hook viewers instantly.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Animated by J.C.Staff, Original Anime Series
Though magical girl anime was dominated by Sailor Moon during the 1990s, Revolutionary Girl Utena arrived in the latter half of the decade and did what its title suggests—revolutionized the genre. Sailor Moon‘s director, Kunihiko Ikuhara, left Toei Animation and set his eyes on something new after becoming disillusioned with his work, and Revolutionary Girl Utena was the result.
Often taking on a surrealist tone, the series flipped the magical genre on its head, taking a look inward to tackle themes surrounding gender, sexuality, and living with trauma. Revolutionary Girl Utena has received endless praise from critics and fans throughout the years, and laid the groundwork for shows like Puella Magi Madoka Magica in the years to come.
GTO
Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Tooru Fujisawa
As the years pass since its initial airing, it seems Great Teacher Onizuka is fading somewhat among newer generations of anime fans, and that’s a shame. The series has been adapted a number of times, into live-action TV and film, as well as animation, yet it seems younger audiences are largely leaving it behind.
If any anime series might benefit from a modern remake, it’s GTO. Its visual quality shows its age, and some of the humor is certainly from a different time. Nevertheless, the series is still incredibly enjoyable today, despite its shortcomings, and it cannot be denied that its protagonist is one of the most entertaining teachers in TV history.
Samurai Champloo
Animated by Manglobe, Original Anime Series
Samurai Champloo is another certified classic from Cowboy Bebop director, Shinichiro Watanabe. The 2004 anime series takes place in a fictionalized Edo period Japan, but blends its action with modern styles, behavior, and dialogue, while incorporating a heavy hip-hop influence and feel.
Elevating the series’ masterful visuals and storytelling is one of the greatest soundtracks in anime history, which pulls from a number of musical trends and includes quite a few stand-out acts. While Cowboy Bebop may be Watanabe’s most iconic work, it seems Samurai Champloo is only growing more popular with time.
Paranoia Agent
Animated by Madhouse, Original Anime Series
The legendary late director Satoshi Kon is likely better known for his timeless films, which include the likes of Perfect Blue, Milennium Actress, and more. However, his one and only TV anime series might just be his most underappreciated work. 2004’s Paranoia Agent is a mind-bending psychological roller coaster that is wildly underrated.
The series follows a non-linear structure, and takes viewers on a number of journeys with characters affected by a boy wielding a baseball bat and wearing golden roller skates, affectionately dubbed Lil’ Slugger. Tackling topics like mass hysteria, escapism, and societal pressure, Paranoia Agent is a must-watch for fans of Kon’s work.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Animated by Kyoto Animation, Based on the Light Novel by Nagaru Tanigawa
It can be argued that no name was bigger in the anime sphere during the 2000s than Haruhi Suzumiya. Playing a major role in delivering otaku culture to the West following the Toonami explosion in the United States, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya helped turn budding anime fans into hardcore followers.
These days, Haruhiism isn’t quite as popular as it was nearly two decades ago, though the series holds up as a can’t-miss piece of anime history. The series has been incredibly influential on a number of artists, including Chainsaw Man‘s Tatsuki Fujimoto, who admitted that it was Haruhi who turned him into an anime fan.
Toradora!
Animated by J.C.Staff, Based on the Light Novel by Yuyuko Takemiya
Though it only aired during the latter half of the 2000s, Toradora! comes off as something of a relic, embodying an era of anime that has since long passed. Such romantic comedies are typically packed into neat 13-episode single seasons today, while Toradora! uses its lengthy 25-episode runtime to meander in a way that’s both charming and effective in allowing viewers to buy-in.
There isn’t a whole lot that the series does better or worse than its contemporaries, making use of a rather simple enemies-to-lovers plot. However, Toradora! is worth the watch simply because it showcases anime as it once was and likely will never be again. The romance is pretty heartwarming too.
- Release Date
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2008 – 2009
- Directors
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Tatsuyuki Nagai
- Writers
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Mari Okada
