In the 80s, the anime form was undergoing a drastic transformation. Anime production technology began to be updated to create more exciting and bold creations for anime. During this period, Japan released numerous shounen anime as well as standard shoujo anime, but interspersed with significant innovations. Typically, the anime Akira (Vietnamese title: Lord Akira) released in 1988 from director Katsuhiro Otomo, has formed a primitive foundation for other anime later. While some 80s anime are so familiar to the audience, deeply imprinted on the fan's mind, there are still some anime from that time period that unfortunately gradually fade over the years or are forgotten by viewers. , even though they're awesome. Through the article below, topshare wants to share about the top famous 80s anime that today's audience may not have known about. Let's topshare list these anime right now!
1 Gunbuster

Gunbuster, the famous 80s anime you probably didn't know. Source: forums.fuwanovel.net
80s anime theme music, Gunbuster
A Japanese OVA series produced by studio Gainax from 1988 to 1989, directed by future popular Neon Genesis Evangelion creator, Hideaki Anno. Inspired by Top Gun, the Gunbuster anime is set in the future in 2023, where humanity is fighting against an alien race known as the Uchuu Kaiju using giant machines.
For about 6 episodes, the '80s anime Gunbuster was considered the 'spiritual precursor' of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Share elements like young teenage characters or giant robots fighting an extraterrestrial threat.
2 Appleseed (1988)

Appleseed 1988 (Apple Seed), the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: moriareviews.com
80s anime intro video Appleseed 1988 (Apple Seed)
Another creation in the works of Masamune Shirow, along with Ghost in the Shell, studio Gainax's 1988 OVA adaptation that takes place in post-World War III Japan. Set in the fictional city of Olympus, the city's inhabitants are humans, cyborgs, and biological artificial creatures known as Bioroids. Sharing elements related to post-humanism, the concept of the utopia is at the same time an overall mystery cybercrime drama. Although not as famous as Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed 1988 is still said to be a solid companion for familiar Shirow fans.
3 Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D (Vampire Hunter), the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: letterboxd
80s anime trailer, Vampire Hunter D (Vampire Hunter)
The original 80s anime series Vampire Hunter D, produced in 1985, is a dark sci-fi anime about vampire hunters known simply as "D". Taking place in the distant future in 12,090 AD, D is hired by a girl named Doris Lang to protect her from the powerful vampire lord known as Count Lee.
Originally a novel with illustrations from Final Fantasy's Yoshitaka Amano, Vampire Hunter D has since gained a large fan base in the US and is the first of many media adaptations. of franchises.
4 Wicked City

Wicked City, the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: reddit
Some scenes from the 80s anime, Wicked City
A Japanese OVA, the 80s anime with elements of dark fantasy Wicked City takes place near the end of the twentieth century. Here, humanity is secretly co-existing with the demon world and the Black Guard police force is the bridge. Extremely erotic, violent, the work is the debut of director Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Best known for future anime such as Ninja Scroll and the second part of Vampire Hunter D is Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. The film was later adapted into a live-action film in Hong Kong as Wicked City, although it changed aspects from the anime such as the demons replacing it with "Rapter" and the overall creative freedom in the plot. story.
5 Patlabor: The Movie

Patlabor: The Movie, the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: amazon
80s anime trailer, Patlabor: The Movie
Based on the manga created by Masami Yuki, Patlabor: The Movie is a science fiction anime series directed by Mamoru Oshii, written by Kazunori Ito - the 'research' team behind the success of Ghost in the Shell. Similar to Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor: The Movie is set in technologically advanced Japan in 1999. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is ordered to destroy rogue robotic units known as Labor, after they work fine even when closed. One of the first works by studio Production IG, this '80s anime is part of a franchise that includes several OVAs, light novels, and various sequels.
6 Ranma ½

Ranma 1/2 (Half Ranma), the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: cbr
80s anime theme music, Ranma 1/2 (Half Ranma)
Another Takahashi creation, Ranma 1/2 (Half Ranma) is an 80s anime adaptation produced by studio Deen, set in Qinghai province, China. After falling into the cursed springs of Jusenkyo, Ranma and his father learn that they can transform into another being. Ranma easily changes gender while his father transforms into a scary panda. Anime contains the relationship between the main characters and the supporting characters, helping to guide the plot of the story. Combined with Ranma's arranged marriage - Akane makes for one of Takahashi's best anime series.
7 Urusei Yatsura

Urusei Yatsura, the famous 80s anime you probably didn't know. Source: animetvn.com
The 1st theme of the 80s anime, Urusei Yatsura
Produced by Kitty Films, Urusei Yatsura that aired from 1981 to 1986, this '80s anime follows Ataru Moroboshi, a perverted high school student who is chosen to be cast by an alien race called the Oni. into their game. By touching the horns of an opposing Oni, humanity can retain its right to life on Earth.
After touching the horns of Oni named Princess Lum Invader, the anime shifts focus to a part of the daily lives of both Ataru and Lum, and the people around them, after Ataru accidentally proposed to her. With twelve OVAs, six films, over 195 episodes, the series helped launch Rumiko Takahashi's career. This famous author eventually created a series called Inuyasha.
8 Space Adventure Cobra

Space Adventure Cobra (Space Adventure Cobra), the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: youtube
80s anime trailer, Space Adventure Cobra
Based on the 1978 manga simply titled Cobra, the Space Adventure Cobra anime was released in 1982 and directed by Osamu Dezaki. This sci-fi anime follows Cobra as he is asked by the beautiful Jane Royal to stop the pirates and Crystal Bowie, Cobra's arch-nemesis. Cobra is equipped with a special weapon called "Psychogun" that is implanted in his left hand.
The '80s anime Space Adventure Cobra created a huge following and inspired Hideki Kamiya as he developed the character Dante in the legendary Devil May Cry franchise. Notable by the behavior and personality of the character.
9 Angel's Egg

Angel's Egg, the famous 80s anime you probably didn't know. Source: eigageijutsu.blogspot.com
80s anime trailer, Angel's Egg
Angel's Egg was released in 1985 directed by Mamoru Oshii and designed by Yoshitaka Amano of the famous Final Fantasy, this 71-minute 80s anime is more like visual art than a retelling of a story. appropriate story. The sci-fi-themed anime narrates the story of an unnamed girl living in an abandoned city looking for food and caring for a mysterious egg. The film was fiercely criticized by critics for its often sparse structure, but despite being unable to find work for many years, Mamoru Oshii still considers it one of the bright spots in her career. Since then, the director has created many critically acclaimed films including 1995's Ghost in the Shell.
10 Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise

Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise (Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise), the famous 80s anime you probably never knew. Source: youtube
80s anime trailer, Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise
Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise (roughly translated as Royal Space Force: Wings of Honneamise) is a science fiction anime released in 1987, about Shirotugh, who after being inspired by a human woman named Riquinni, became the first astronaut in an alternate world. Directed and written by director and screenwriter Hiroyuki Yamaga, and written by award winner Ryuichi Sakamoto, have combined to create a coming-of-age anime story filled with personal conflict.
An interesting fact about Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise as it was the first work by studio Gainax, the same studio that created the super popular Neon Genesis Evangelion, then Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.