It’s hard not to notice the hold that shōnen anime has on fandom, and for good reason. Series like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, along with older hits like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto, follow a winning formula of fierce battles, loyal friendships, and perseverance that has captured audiences around the world. But while shōnen dominates much of the global conversation, it represents only one part of what anime has to offer.

Beyond the high-octane fights and power-ups lies a wide range of stories that explore different genres, styles, and emotional depths. The following ten classic series, spanning from the early 1970s to the mid-2000s and listed in chronological order, are perfect for viewers looking to experience anime from a different angle.

10 Space Battleship Yamato

Produced by Academy Productions and Group TAC, Created by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto

Japan’s first serious attempt at creating a science fiction anime for audiences beyond elementary school-aged children remains a landmark in animation history. Space Battleship Yamato set the stage for adult-themed anime with its compelling storytelling, inventive mecha designs, and imaginative world-building. Set in the year 2199, the series follows the crew of the Yamato as they embark on a perilous journey to the distant planet Iscandar, hoping to save Earth from destruction.

The show was driven by a ionate team, including producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki and artist Leiji Matsumoto, and would inspire later creators like Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion). For those unfamiliar with the 148,000 light-year trek to Iscandar, skip the 2012 Yamato 2199 remake and watch the original for a true classic.

9 The Rose of Versailles

Produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Based on the Manga by Riyoko Ikeda

Set during the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles tells the story of Marie Antoinette and the fictional, gender-bending Lady Oscar. Originally aired in 1979 and based on Riyoko Ikeda’s manga, the series helped redefine shojo anime by blending historical drama with emotional depth and political intrigue. Oscar’s intense loyalty, moral conflict, and personal sacrifice struck a chord with audiences, making her one of anime’s most enduring heroines.

Directed by Tadao Nagahama and Osamu Dezaki, the anime’s visual style, including split screens and pastel freeze-frames, became iconic. While MAPPA’s 2024 remake revived interest in the series, many fans and critics in Japan still view the original as definitive. Its 40-episode run offers a fuller, more emotionally satisfying narrative that allows each character’s fate to resonate in ways the remake cannot fully match.

8 Super Dimension Fortress Macross

Produced by Tatsunoko Production and Studio Nue, Created by Shoji Kawamori and Studio Nue

Along with Yamato and Gundam, the original Macross series played a crucial role in shaping modern anime. Originally intended as a simple mecha show to sell transforming robots, the staff, many of whom had grown up as anime fans, used the opportunity to elevate the medium. Set in the year 2009, Macross blends action with an epic narrative, showing the impact of war on both soldiers and civilians.

While the spectacular space battles drew in viewers, it was the central love triangle between pilot Hikaru, military commander Misa, and idol singer Minmay that helped the series resonate with a broad audience. Though adapted into the Robotech saga for U.S. audiences, the original Macross remains the definitive experience for true fans of the genre.

7 Armored Trooper Votoms

Produced by Sunrise, Created by Ryosuke Takahashi

While Mobile Suit Gundam introduced the concept of "real robots" to anime, Armored Trooper Votoms took the idea to new heights. The series, set in a gritty, war-torn future, centers on the Scopedogs, mecha designed for brutal realism rather than flashy combat. The story follows Chirico Cuvie, even today one of anime’s coolest protagonists, whose personal journey through betrayal and warfare remains iconic.

With its blend of sci-fi drama and intense action, Votoms explores themes of soldier life, survival, and the horrors of war. For fans of military sci-fi like Warhammer, the series’ detailed world-building and grounded approach to mecha make it a must-watch. Unlike the idealized mecha of other series, Votoms offers a raw, realistic take on futuristic warfare.

6 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

Produced by NHK and Gainax, Directed by Hideaki Anno

In between Hideaki Anno’s directorial debut with Gunbuster and his breakthrough with Evangelion came this unusual submarine-based science fiction story. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water follows a young inventor named Jean and a mysterious girl named Nadia as they are pulled into a global conflict involving ancient technology, sea monsters, and a secret society. Loosely inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the series blends adventure, romance, and social commentary.

Originally planned as a project for Hayao Miyazaki, Nadia was eventually produced by NHK and Gainax with Anno at the helm. While it occasionally veers off course due to production issues, the heart of the story remains intact. With vivid characters and a strong emotional core, the series stands as one of the most ambitious and imaginative anime of the early 1990s.

5 Revolutionary Girl Utena

Produced by J.C. Staff, Based on the Manga by Be-Papas and Chiho Saito

Just as Neon Genesis Evangelion helped revolutionize the mecha genre, Revolutionary Girl Utena did the same for shojo anime. It follows Utena Tenjou, a student who defies gender norms and duels to protect her mysterious classmate Anthy. Beneath its fairy tale surface lies a layered story about identity, trauma, and adolescence. The series questions traditional romance and power structures while embracing symbolism and metaphor.

Director Kunihiko Ikuhara brought a bold experimental style to Utena, shaped by his earlier work on Sailor Moon. The show’s visual motifs, such as rose imagery, shadow puppets, and looping architecture became iconic. Despite the surreal setting, the emotional arcs stayed grounded. Even decades later, Japanese critics and fans still recognize Utena as a landmark of 1990s anime, blending avant-garde storytelling with sincere emotional weight.

4 Serial Experiments Lain

Produced by Triangle Staff, Created by Yasuyuki Ueda and Chiaki J. Konaka

About as unconventional as TV anime can get, Serial Experiments Lain arrived with a cryptic story about identity, consciousness, and the early internet. It follows Lain Iwakura, a quiet schoolgirl who slowly becomes immersed in the Wired, a digital network that mirrors and distorts the real world. As Lain drifts further from reality, the series explores deep questions about memory, perception, and what it means to exist in a hyper-connected age.

Writer Chiaki J. Konaka and director Ryutaro Nakamura tapped into late 1990s tech culture and eerily predicted the digital landscape to come. The show’s haunting aesthetic, ambient soundtrack, and philosophical tone made it unlike anything else at the time. Though often imitated, remains one of a kind. In a perfect world, we would get a new series like this every few years: visionary, unsettling, and unforgettable.

3 Witch Hunter Robin

Produced by Sunrise, Original Concept by Hajime Yatate

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Witch Hunter Robin

Drama

Action

Adventure

Anime

Fantasy

Release Date

2002 - 2003-00-00

Network

TV Tokyo

Directors

Shuko Murase, Yoshimitsu Ohashi, Tatsuyuki Nagai, Akira Toba, Hiroshi Ishiodori, Masato Miyoshi, Ryo Miyata

Cast

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  Akeno Watanabe

  Robin Sena
• 
  Jin Yamanoi

  Shunji Nagira (voice)
• 
  Takuma Takewaka

  Amon
• 
  Jun Fukuyama

  Haruto Sakaki

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Writers

Toru Nozaki, Aya Yoshinaga, Shin Yoshida, Hiroaki Kitajima

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Airing in 2002, Witch Hunter Robin blended urban fantasy and slow-burn mystery into one of the most stylish supernatural anime of its time. The story followed Robin Sena, a young woman sent to Tokyo to work for STN-J, a secret organization that tracked down witches, humans awakened to dangerous psychic powers. At first, a loyal hunter, Robin gradually uncovered secrets that forced her to question the nature of justice and her own identity.

Directed by Shuko Murase and produced by Sunrise, the series stood out in Japan for its gothic visuals, restrained storytelling, and mature atmosphere. Character designer Kumiko Takahashi created Robin’s iconic look, while composer Taku Iwasaki provided a haunting, layered soundtrack. Though never a breakout hit, Witch Hunter Robin developed a lasting following for its moody aesthetic and quietly powerful heroine.

2 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Produced by Production I.G, Based on the Manga by Masamune Shirow

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

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Released

October 25, 2005

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

G-Artists

Publisher(s)

Sony Computer Entertainment, Bandai

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As great as the original Ghost in the Shell films by Mamoru Oshii are, Stand Alone Complex takes a more grounded and episodic approach to cyberpunk storytelling. The series follows Major Kusanagi, Batou, and the rest of Public Security Section 9 as they investigate cyber crimes and political conspiracies in a hyper-connected future. Its thoughtful mix of action and social commentary helped expand the franchise beyond its philosophical film roots.

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The new Ghost in the Shell anime, as well as a first-of-its-kind exhibition chronicling the franchise's history, arrive in 2026.

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Written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the series ran from 2002 to 2005 and carved out its own path separate from Masamune Shirow’s manga or Oshii’s movies. It tackled themes like digital identity, surveillance, and political corruption with sharp writing and dense world-building. With a new Ghost in the Shell anime slated for 2026, now is the perfect time to revisit one of the franchise’s most acclaimed entries.

1 Last Exile

Produced by Gonzo, Original Concept by Range Murata and Koichi Chigira

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Last Exile

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Animation

Release Date

2003 - 2003-00-00

Directors

Koichi Chigira

Writers

Koichi Chigira, Gonzo

Cast

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  Johnny Yong Bosch
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  Kari Wahlgren
• 
  Michelle Ruff

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Last Exile

Creator(s)

Gonzo

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First airing in 2003, Last Exile is a steampunk-inspired aerial adventure from studio Gonzo. Set in a skybound world divided by war and strict class systems, the story follows teenage vanship couriers Claus and Lavie as they are swept into a conflict involving rival nations and a powerful neutral force called the Guild. The duo’s journey takes them from carefree deliveries to large-scale battles in the clouds, with sleek aircraft designs and high-stakes drama at every turn.

Directed by Koichi Chigira and featuring mechanical designs by visionary Range Murata, the series earned praise for its distinctive art style and strong world-building. Its dieselpunk visuals, sweeping score, and international tone helped it find crossover success abroad as well. Blending action, mystery, and coming-of-age themes, Last Exile remains one of the most accessible and beautifully crafted anime of the early 2000s.