The Best Action Anime/Animated shows from the 90s/2000s
These shows are what I grew up on. I think I gravitate for the most parts to show that have clear lines of good and evil. The most common theme though I see in these shows is Hope. It helps us believe that things can change for the better and that you have the power to keep fighting for what you believe.
List activity
11K views
• 26 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
30 titles
- CreatorMasashi KishimotoStarsAlexandre CrepetJunko TakeuchiMaile FlanaganNaruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, adolescent ninja who constantly searches for approval and recognition, as well as to become Hokage, who is acknowledged as the leader and strongest of all ninja in the village.Naruto simply has the best storytelling of all anime. I think its mainly because of the complex web they spun, that really has no holes in it. Its truly amazing. Sometimes I'll sit back from an episode and just think about the show up to that point and be blown away. People always say in the real world it takes a village to raise a kid the right way. Naruto is the perfect example of this and it makes you proud that even when doubted, you can't help but like his enthusiasm, because its the hope that keeps us all going and what makes us believe we can do anything in this world. I love it, I absolutely love this show. On a lighter note most of the filler it really gets in the way of the storytelling
- StarsDoc HarrisChristopher SabatScott McNeilWith the help of the powerful Dragonballs, a team of fighters led by the saiyan warrior Goku defend the planet earth from extraterrestrial enemies.The quintessential show for action anime. The only reason I rate it above dragon ball is because its a sequel/continuation that was able to succeed beyond belief. Just like most kids watching in the early 2000s, I couldn't think anything could be better than this. 17 years later I still feel the same. To capture my favorite part of the show would have to be the intensity of emotions captured when fighting. Many of these shows have long speeches when in a great battle, but DBZ does it best. I think it starts with Vegeta. You can feel the anger, the intensity he portrays when fighting his way up on Namek. Continue on to the Android and Perfect Cell Saga where he shines. Not on the battlefield per say. His overconfidence, his pride, his obsession. This is what makes the show great. It breaks down its champions countless times, you see their pain(mental and physical) and you relate it to your own life. Sure is the fighting absolutely phenomenal, with camera angles people had never seen before? Yes of course. Learning how to overcome, that is the greatest lesson ever taught from this show.
- StarsBrice ArmstrongSteve OlsonStephanie NadolnyDragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.I think overall Dragon Ball has the best fictional world I have ever seen. It has just the right balance of Simplicity, Complexity, and Mystery. So much goes unanswered, yet so much does not need to be, it just needs to be enjoyed. Somewhat like a dream, its there to be whatever I need it to be in my life at any given time. I believe thats why people re-watch it countless times. Its not about the action being the best, or the character development being smart and unique. Dragon Ball makes you feel a certain way that you can't always put your finger on, and that is what people love.
- CreatorYoshihiro TogashiStarsNozomu SasakiJustin CookChristopher SabatAfter a teenage delinquent is killed while saving a child's life from an approaching car, the rulers of the underworld send him back to become an "Underworld Detective" investigating demons apparitions in the human world.Yu Yu Hakusho came out of left field for me. Like Digimon, its one of the first shows I watched set in modern day Japan. What makes this show great is primarily nostalgia to an era of great anime. This show has great action, it has a tournament just like DBZ, but it does something different. It takes a young troubled pissed off kid, and gives him a way to express his anger in a positive manor. It just so happens it translates to helping him mature into an adult. The key for me with this show is the English dub. Each character has the perfect voice actor, bar none. However unlike DBZ, this took to a world where problems could not always be corrected with the dragon balls and it put a lot on the line. This gave more meaning to the battles and the detective work of Yuske. Give it a watch it will surprise.
- CreatorMasashi KishimotoStarsJunko TakeuchiMaile FlanaganKate HigginsNaruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village's leader and strongest ninja.
- StarsMayo SuzukazeDorothy Elias-FahnRichard CansinoThe adventures of a young wandering swordsman who stumbles upon a struggling martial arts school in Meiji era Japan.The most beautiful anime until Avatar the last airbender came along
- CreatorEdward KayRoberto SantiagoStarsSteve BlumMona MarshallTifanie ChristunA group of young teens is unexpectedly sent to the mysterious Digital World and paired up with their own powerful, morphing monster called the Digimon. Together the entire group set out on an adventure to fight evil and save the world.blend between childrens animation and a mature portrayal when the story moves to Japan truly makes this show unique. This show has one of the best imaginations I have ever seen and truly was a great way of educating westerners that Japanese kids have the same problems we do.
- CreatorHiromu ArakawaStarsKent WilliamsIemasa KayumiMatthew LeonhartTwo brothers search for a Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their deceased mother goes awry and leaves them in damaged physical forms.Should anyone be allowed to live forever? Are life and death sacred? This show answers many of life's questions better than anything you will ever come across, while dishing up a very unique action anime set in a 40s Alternate world European Landscape.
- CreatorYoshiyuki TominoStarsTroy BakerYuri LowenthalColleen O'ShaughnesseyA conspiracy around Laplace's Box is potentially going to start another war between the Earth Federation and Neo Zeon. Chosen by fate, Banagher Links gets the key to the box, and must follow his heart to decide what to do with it.
- CreatorMichael Dante DiMartinoBryan KonietzkoStarsDee Bradley BakerZach Tyler EisenMae WhitmanIn a war-torn world of elemental powers, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.This show should be required in Schools all around the world. It teaches how to be a good person, but also understand someone who might have grown up less fortunate or in a difficult situaton. It also teaches how to forgive, which is hands down the best example ever portrayed on an animated show. Basically its unfortunate to go through life without seeing this show because the ideals portrayed are what many genuine people in this world today seek to achieve
- StarsPhil LaMarrMakoKevin Michael RichardsonA samurai, sent through time, fights to return home and save the world.
- CreatorBob KaneWilliam Moulton MarstonJoe ShusterStarsCarl LumblyPhil LaMarrMichael RosenbaumSeven of the most formidable heroes form arguably the most powerful team ever.
- CreatorGreg WeismanBrandon ViettiGeoff JohnsStarsNolan NorthDanica McKellarJesse McCartneyTeenage superheroes strive to prove themselves as members of the Justice League.the best DC comics animated show and its actually funny.
- CreatorShin'ichirô WatanabeStarsKôichi YamaderaUnshô IshizukaMegumi HayashibaraThe futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.the music is simply amazing
- CreatorReki KawaharaStarsYoshitsugu MatsuokaHaruka TomatsuBryce PapenbrookIn the year 2022, thousands of people get trapped in a new virtual MMORPG and the lone wolf player, Kirito, works to escape.super creative idea for a show and great animation. Ultimately too much fan service is what brings down this show in the long run.
- CreatorGen UrobuchiStarsKana HanazawaMiyuki SawashiroNoriko HidakaBelieving in humanity and order, policewoman Akane Tsunemori obeys the ruling, computerized, precognitive Sibyl System. But when she faces a criminal mastermind who can elude this perfect system, she questions both Sibyl and herself.
- CreatorYoshiyuki TominoHajime YatateStarsHirotaka SuzuokiTôru FuruyaToshio FurukawaIn the war between the Earth Federation and Zeon, a young and inexperienced crew find themselves on a new spaceship. Their best hope of making it through the conflict is the Gundam, a giant humanoid robot, and its gifted teenage pilot.not from the 90s but thats when I saw it and had major popularity in U.S.
- CreatorBob KaneEric RadomskiBruce TimmStarsKevin ConroyLoren LesterEfrem Zimbalist Jr.The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.
- CreatorAlan BurnettBob KaneGerry ConwayStarsWill FriedleKevin ConroyLauren TomFuelled by remorse and vengeance, a high schooler named Terry McGinnis revives the role of Batman. Under supervision of an elderly Bruce Wayne, he fights crime in a harsh, futuristic Gotham.
- CreatorStan LeeSteve DitkoStarsChristopher Daniel BarnesSara BallantineEdward AsnerA young man with spider-like abilities fights crime as a superhero in New York City while trying to have a normal personal life.
- CreatorTodd McFarlaneDavid MichelinieBill MantloStarsDrake BellOgie BanksChi McBrideSpider-Man battles evil with a new team of teen colleagues and training from S.H.I.E.L.D.
- CreatorDavid SlackBob HaneyBruno PremianiStarsHynden WalchGreg CipesScott MenvilleA team of five teenaged superheroes save the world from many villains around their city while experiencing things normal teens face today.
- CreatorMark Edward EdensSidney IwanterEric LewaldStarsCedric SmithCal DoddLenore ZannA team of mutant superheroes fight for justice and human acceptance in the Marvel Comics universe.
- StarsSteve BlumJim WardNolan NorthAfter an explosion at the school, the X-Men went their separate ways. But they must unite once again under the leadership of Wolverine to prevent an inevitable war while also dealing with present problems.
- CreatorAl JeanGeorge MeyerMike ReissStarsScott McNeilMeghan BlackChristopher JudgeThis rendition of X-Men features Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat and Spike as teenagers as they fight for a world that fears and hates them.