NHK Anime from The 1990s - (Save these illustrations!) It all started here.
Do you remember the 1990s as a period of time where NHK released its first original anime, gained so much support from the audience, and subsequently created a boom? You might remember sitting in a large group, comprised of both children and adults, during a peaceful tea time to watch an NHK anime series on TV. While some of you might have gotten inspired by the "TV Warriors", who were children from the same generation as you.
The anime from the 1990s were there to grow together with the children of the era. Now, how about a trip that will revoke the same passion you felt back then? This time, we are featuring some anime series that aired back in the 1990s. Enjoy!
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990)
Based on the sci-fi novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island. The series depicts the adventure of Nadia, a girl who owns a mysterious gem, and Jean, a boy who likes to invent, as they get involved in various battles across an ancient civilization.
Holly the Ghost (1991)
Inspired by the children's book Yowamushi Obake.
The story is about Majoline, a witch, and the ghosts that she created.
Oi! Ryoma (1992)
Based on the manga Oi! Ryoma.
Due to some circumstances related to the manga serialization, the fiction ratio of the anime series is fairly high. However, since the connections between episodes are smooth, people tend to take the fictional parts of the series for facts.
Yadamon (1992)
The story tells us about Yadamon, a witch who came to the human world to train, her friends, her growth, and their battle against the evil schemes of Kira the witch.
The series has been adapted into other forms, including a novel and manga.
Pokonyan! (1993)
Based on the manga Pokonyan by Fujio A. Fujiko.
Since the manga's plot is similar to that of Doraemon, the anime adopts different settings.
Nintama Rantaro (1993)
An anime adaptation of the comedy manga Rakudai Ninja Rantaro.
The anime series celebrated its 25th broadcast anniversary in 2017 and it continues to be adored and loved by many as NHK's longest-running anime.
Kyoryu Wakusei (1993)
The anime was aired on the NHK program Tensai TV-kun.
The series depicts the battles faced by TV Warriors, who were played by children actors, as they enter a virtual world in which dinosaurs become their enemies. The series is a mixture of live-action and animation.
Ultraman Kids: Haha wo Tazunete 3000-man Kounen (1994)
An anime adaptation of a work that features characters from the Ultraman series as their chibi selves.
The original work was a smash-hit that encouraged the release of various merch and this very anime adaptation.
Gene Diver (1994)
The anime was aired on the NHK program Tensai TV-kun.
Our protagonist enters the virtual world to collect DNA of extinct animals, but when the system fails, she gets thrown into an alternate world where a war that decides the life and death of humankind is taking place.
The series is a mixture of live-action and animation.
Soar High! Isami (1995)
NHK's first original anime.
Our protagonists are descendants of Shinsengumi members. Using the items left behind by their ancestors, they set out to overthrow a mysterious organization.
Omakase Scrappers (1995)
Based on the work Robotto Kyudan Garakutazu by Monkey Punch.
Set in a world where robots are common sights, the story tells us about events that surround a group of old-type robots and jack-of-all-trades that the protagonist leads.
Alice Tantei Kyoku (1995)
The anime was aired on the NHK program Tensai TV-kun.
The series was meant to be a comedy anime that features characters from fairy tales and folklore and a dramatic take on the detective genre.
Azuki-chan (1996)
Based on the manga Azuki-chan.
The story focuses on different sides of the protagonist's love story.
Harley Spiny (1996)
An NHK original anime.
The series depicts the life of Harley, an anteater who dreams of encountering humans one day, and his comrades.
YAT Anshin! Uchu Ryoko (1996)
An NHK original anime.
Set in a world where it's common for people to go on a space trip, the slapstick comedy series revolves around our protagonist, who works at a space tour agency, as he searches the universe for his missing father.
Kyumei Senshi Nanosaver (1997)
The anime was aired on the NHK program Tensai TV-kun.
The series portrays the growth of children doctors, who are known as the Nanosavers, and is a mixture of live-action and animation.
Ojarumaru (1998)
An NHK original anime.
Ojarumaru comes from the Fairy World in the Heian period and this anime portrays his happy-go-lucky and dynamic days with the townspeople. Ojarumaru is the next long-running anime after Nintama Rantaro.
Alice SOS (1998)
The anime was aired on the NHK program Tensai TV-kun.
Takashi is a boy who loves reading, particularly Alice in Wonderland. The series depicts his adventure with his friends in an alternate dimension as they strive to rescue Alice who has been kidnapped by the underlings of the devil.
So how was it?
To some of you, the works we just introduced might have been more than something you adored--they were the very things that made you who you are today.
Some of the works listed above have just a handful of fan-art, so what are you waiting for? Post your illustrations on pixiv now!
