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It is an undeniable fact that the 90s were a golden era for martial arts anime series. From the cult classic Dragon Ball to the shonen hit Yuu Yuu Hakusho, all of the best titles in the genre were released in the 1990s.
In today’s article, we will take a look at ten amazing anime from the 1990s that have a martial arts theme.
Titles are ranked by their MyAnimeList rank, from lowest to highest. However, rest assured that each and every show on this list is definitely worth watching. So without further ado, here is a list of the best martial arts anime of the 90s:
10. Shadow Skill: None
Shadow Skill is one of the best martial arts anime of the 90s with a female protagonist. The show is about our girl named Elle Ragu, who becomes Sevaar in the land of Kuruda, and her stepbrother Gau.
The title of Sevaar is the highest honor any warrior could have, as it symbolizes the strongest fighter in all of Kuruda.
However, his life was not easy after obtaining the title. In fact, everything became more worrying for her. He has to fight assassins from other countries and pass on his martial arts skills to his adopted younger brother.
9. Tekken Chinmi
Tekken Chinmi is a 90s action-adventure anime series full of martial arts goodness. The show is about Chinmi, a young man known for his fighting skills.
One day, he receives an invitation from the temple’s Kung-fu masters, asking him to become their apprentice.
Chinmi joins the temple and soon becomes the best student they have ever had. After completing his basic training, he was tasked with undertaking a pilgrimage, where his adventures truly began.
He meets various people, both good and bad, and experiences the world. However, upon his return to the temple, he learns that the Mongols are about to attack and he must use everything he has learned to defend them.
Note: The anime itself was released in the late ’80s, but the manga ran into the ’90s, so it was included because it’s too good to pass up.
8. Recca no Honoo
Recca no Honoo is an action-packed 90s martial arts anime starring ninjas.
The anime tells the story of Recca, a boy who aspires to become a ninja.
However, in modern times, ninjas are a thing of the past. They no longer exist.
Still, that doesn’t stop Recca.
He begins to fight everyone, stating that he will become their slave if anyone can defeat him. This shows how serious he really is.
But the real twist begins when he meets a girl with a supernatural ability to heal any wound.
Together, they discover that Recca actually comes from a legendary ninja family.
Things get even more tense when he discovers that he has the ability to manipulate fire. With his new powers, he has to defend himself from mysterious people who are after him.
7. Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken
The hero of this anime is a boy named Dai who was raised by a monster. In fact, the island where he grew up had no other humans than him. Therefore, all he knew were the monsters.
However, he aspires to become a great hero and embarks on an adventure to make his dream come true. That’s when the previous hero, Avan, notices Dai and takes him on as his apprentice.
While things seem to be going well, the previous demon lord is resurrected and gets into a fight with Avan. This ends with Avan’s defeat and his students Dai and Pop finding themselves in a desperate situation.
This is when Dai unlocks a superpower and defends the demon lord. Now, the duo has to travel across lands and defeat the demon lord for good.
6. Fushigi Yuugi
Fushigi Yuugi stands out from the rest of the anime on this list because it is a shoujo anime that mixes martial arts, romance, and isekai themes.
This anime has a main female protagonist, Miaka Yuuki, who, along with her friend, is teleported to a fantasy world when they come across an ancient book in a library.
In the unknown land, the duo instantly get into trouble when some slave traders try to capture them. However, thanks to a mysterious young martial artist, they manage to escape from the slave traders.
But their joy doesn’t last long as Miaka’s friend is transported once again to his original world. Together with the young martial artist, Miaka has to find a way to return to her world, while participating in the exciting events of the fantasy world.
5. Fist of the North Star
While Fist of the North Star is from the ’80s and not the ’90s, it’s still easily one of the most popular martial arts anime series on this list.
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world and focuses on our hero, Kenshirou.
Kenshiro was stabbed in the back and abandoned in the wasteland, while his rival Shin had kidnapped Ken’s fiancee.
To rescue her, Kenshiro has to venture through harsh lands, full of gangsters and other evil people.
But fortunately, Kenshiro is the successor to the Hokuto Shinken, a deadly martial arts technique.
The show is about how our hero defeats several bad guys who were tormenting innocent people and how he saves his own fiancée.
4. Rurouni Kenshin
At number 4, we have the best anime series out there with themes of katanas and sword fighting.
This anime follows the story of Kenshin Himura, a nomadic samurai with a blunt sword. Ten years ago, he was a feared warrior who had killed hundreds of people in war, earning him the title “Hitokiri Battousai”.
However, he grew tired of that bloody lifestyle and now lives as a simple man, atoning for his sins.
But when his enemies from the past find him and endanger the people he loves, he has no choice but to fight again.
Rurouni Kenshin tells the epic story of this legendary samurai who fights to protect the people he loves.
3. Ranma ½
Ranma 1/2 is one of the most unique anime of the 90s with a martial arts theme, where the main character becomes a girl.
One day, Ranma, the main character of this series, falls into a cursed hot spring and is cursed that the cold water will turn him into a woman.
The only way to reverse it is to splash yourself with hot water. With such a disposition, Ranma, a well-trained martial artist, has to navigate his life.
To make things even more interesting, he’s also about to marry a girl who hates men.
With these two interesting characters in play, Ranma 1/2 is easily the most entertaining series on this list.
2. Yuu Yuu Hakusho
Next up at number 2, we have Yuu Yuu Hakusho. This is a legendary shonen anime series that mixes martial arts and fantasy and creates a fun world.
The main character of the series, Yuusuke, sacrifices his life to save the life of a child. Due to his untimely but heroic death, he is given a second chance at life after going through a trial.
But there is a problem. He has to become the spiritual detective and deal with any supernatural threat that harms the world.
One thing leads to another, and the MC has to participate in a deadly tournament and fight demons and ghouls to save the world.
1. Dragon Ball
It should come as no surprise that the number one spot on this list of the best martial arts anime of the ’90s goes to the legendary Dragon Ball series.
Dragon Ball is a perfect anime full of action, comedy, and adventure, making it an unforgettable experience.
The story follows a young man named Son Goku, who lives alone in a forest after the death of his grandfather. The only thing his grandfather left behind is an orange ball with stars.
However, an ambitious girl named Bulma arrives at Goku’s house looking to take the orange ball. Apparently, it is one of the legendary dragon balls that will grant any wish to the person who collects all seven balls.
Thus begin the fun adventures of Goku and Bulma, who eventually meet other martial artists, fight in tournaments and, at one point, fight to save the world.
That’s all for this post. These were the 10 best martial arts anime of the 90s. Thanks for reading and see you in the next article!