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While modern studios definitely cannot be discredited for their contributions to anime over the last decade or so, there are quite a few older companies whose works might not be as recent in the mainstream. Toei Animation is, without a doubt, one of the most influential anime production studios to ever exist, often credited for revamping anime during the 1980s and 1990s. It had a hand in molding some of the most iconic anime of their individual decades, but also of all time; so many Toei Animation originals are the blueprint for the shonen series of recent years. To commemorate this amazing studio, we’re going to take a look at several amazing anime produced by Toei Animation that you should absolutely watch if you haven’t already.
7) Slam Dunk
Plenty of anime fans are familiar with sports anime as a genre, but not too many new fans will recognize Slam Dunk as the predecessor to popular sports series. The show was released back in 1993 and had just over 100 episodes in its single, continuous season; recently, a movie titled The First Slam Dunk was released on Netflix, acting as a soft reboot for both old and new audiences alike. There are plenty of reasons to give Slam Dunk a try, but most importantly is the show’s ability to blend high-stakes basketball sequences with compelling character development.
The plot of Slam Dunk follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school delinquent who decides to try out for the school basketball team to impress the girl he likes. Subsequently, Hanamichi discovers an innate talent for sports, along with a genuine love of basketball that sends him on a journey towards winning future championships alongside his new team. Themes such as teamwork, personal growth, redemption, and the possibility of change are explored heavily throughout the show’s narrative, making it a great option for those searching for a more realistic anime series that doesn’t rely on battles or powers to entertain.
6) Digimon Adventure
Digimon Adventure is a beloved series that managed to kick off many fans’ childhood obsession with adventure anime. It’s a unique blend of isekai, fantasy, action, and comedy that comes together into a whirlwind show with no shortage of entertaining fight scenes or fun team-building moments. The anime was released back in 1999 with a single season, though its immediate popularity spawned a massive franchise of sequels, games, and reboots. Though its concept might seem juvenile, Digimon Adventure managed to navigate a lot of mature themes that tied back to childhood problems and challenges that the main characters must work through.
In Digimon Adventure, the story begins when seven ordinary children are taken from their summer camp to the Digital World, an alternate fantasy reality where fantastical creatures called Digimon exist. They are told that each of them is DigiDestined, chosen to defend and protect the Digital World, along with the real one they left behind; to accomplish this goal, they’re all given a companion Digimon and a DigiDevice to begin their journey. It’s a fun, heartfelt series that emphasizes personal growth, determination, teamwork, and the power of friendship.
5) Saint Seiya
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac is an anime series with one of the most dedicated fandoms due to its influence in the anime community, though it doesn’t get as much attention from modern audiences as it deserves. The anime came out back in 1986, which makes it one of the older offers on this list, but its age doesn’t hold it back from having a striking art style, a good music score, and interesting character arcs. It also managed to spawn a massive franchise after its initial release, including a number of films, anime sequel series, and manga spin-offs.
The narrative of Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac is centered around pieces of Greek mythology, which made it stand out among other titles of the time. The series follows the Saints, mystical warriors who are headed by Pegasus Seiya to protect the universe and the goddess Athena from increasingly powerful threats. It explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, good versus evil, and the ability to influence fate. This series feels like an epic in mythology, borrowing fantastical elements from the legends of old to create a timeless anime with a unique concept.
4) Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh! remains one of the original anime series that inspired a hit trading card game due to how popular the show’s in-series game became among fans. The series first debuted back in 1998 under Toei Animation; however, it became known internationally when Studio Gallop produced Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters in 2000, sparking a worldwide craze around the series, especially among younger audiences. The second adaptation would go on to inspire a large franchise of spin-offs and reboots, along with the trading card game, solidifying Yu-Gi-Oh! as a cultural reset in anime.
The original Yu-Gi-Oh! series isn’t the most well-known out of the franchise, but it’s still important for creating and developing the look, tone, and style of the anime that would carry on. The general plot of Yu-Gi-Oh! follows Yugi Muto, a teenager who manages to solve the Millennium Puzzle, which unleashes an ancient spirit that assists Yugi in Shadow Games, battles used to stop or punish evil forces in the world, through the means of a card game. This series manages to explore themes of destiny and overcoming obstacles while delivering some of the best late 1990s stylistic battles in anime.
