The world of anime is expansive and offers many unique stories with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver unique and memorable experiences. Those types of anime typically contain well-written storylines and characters.
Today, we want to highlight 10 retro anime that should be remade for a modern audience. From tales with dated visuals to those with great potential, we’ve gathered a great selection of retro anime that’d be great to see released alongside newer works.
Feel free to leave your comments about our choices below.
Berserk
When it comes to hardcore action and brutal storytelling, Berserk is one of the best. While the original 90’s anime is loved by many, others feel differently about this version and its sequels that followed. Therefore, a remake could rewrite the wrongs plagued by Berserk’s prior adaptations, giving fans an experience that honors them and the series’s author, Kentarou Miura.
Additionally, remaking Berserk with modern animation techniques could bring Miura’s world to life. Also, this remake can introduce newer anime fans to Berserk, especially those who like games such as Dark Souls, Elden Ring, etc. Therefore, it’d be in a Studio’s best interest to tackle a remake project for Berserk.
Yokohama’s Shopping Log
Yokohama’s Shopping Log only received two OVAs. Its source material was cherished by many for its lovely illustrations, serene atmosphere, and meditative storytelling. With the numerous relaxing anime we have in today’s climate from Laid-Back Camp to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, a remake of Yokohama’s Shopping Log would be great to see.
Like Berserk, it’d be lovely to see Yokohama’s Shopping Log’s beautiful illustrations brought to life through modern animation techniques.
As with 2022’s Urusei Yatsura, Yokohama’s Shopping Log could appeal to long-time fans and newcomers to the anime fandom. If fans loved Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End for its stance on loneliness and the passage of time, they’ll adore how Yokohama’s Shopping Log tackles these ideas in its tale.
Future Boy Conan
Hayao Miyazaki is known for creating highly imaginative tales with doses of action and drama. However, only some folks know that he once worked on a lovely anime called Future Boy Conan. While this anime is fine as it is, a remake would entice newer audiences to give its tale a view.
Future Boy Conan offers a rich post-apocalyptic world with excellent takes on environmentalism and societal responsibility. This anime offers a solid blend of action, mystery, and adventure, and with modern technology, can bedazzle audiences with its glorious landscapes and character designs. On top of having a phenomenal lead protagonist, Future Boy Conan would make for a stellar remake someday.
Aim For The Ace!!
Aim For The Ace!! is a beloved 1970’s sports anime. The show centers around Hiromi, a girl who embarks on a journey to become a professional tennis player like her role model, Reika. Aim For The Ace is a female-driven sports anime done right. However, due to how long it’s been since its release, viewers may find its current visuals unappealing.
Having said that, a remake could bring life to this classic sports anime, making it more appealing for old and new sports fans alike. Additionally, Hiromi is a great and inspiring protagonist. She breaks through barriers and strives for excellence like most anime sports protagonists adored today.
On top of offering viewers valuable takes on sportsmanship and hard work, Aim For The Ace would be a great retro anime to see remade in modern times.
Ranma 1/2
Rumiko Takahashi’s fans cheered when news broke out that Urusei Yatsura (one of her tales) would receive an anime remake in 2022. While the story has its issues, long-time fans adored the effort and heart David Productions put into Urusei Yatsura’s remake. That said, another work of Takahashi’s that deserves similar treatment is Ranma 1/2.
This martial arts-themed romance anime contains a wonderful cast, enjoyable narrative, and entertaining humor. Additionally, newer audiences will love how Ranma 1/2 interweaves elements of Japanese Folklore, martial arts, and gender identity in its storytelling.
Despite its achievements, many fans weren’t pleased with the original anime’s vague finale. Therefore, a remake would not only give Ranma 1/2 a much-needed visual overhaul, but a conclusion that’ll satisfy hardcore fans of the original.
Ashita No Joe
While many influencers, celebs, and manga enthusiasts cite Hajime No Ippo as the greatest sports anime, others claim Ashita No Joe holds the crown.
Those who have watched Ashita No Joe cherish it for its realistic portrayal of boxing, mature storytelling, and outstanding character growth. Many anime old and new often reference it today, with Bocchi The Rock being one of the recent ones.
Moreover, Ashita No Joe tackles complex ideas like poverty, social class, and redemption well. It presents viewers with a harsh portrayal of life through Joe’s experiences, allowing audiences to develop a deep affection for his character. A remake could bring this anime’s iconic moments to life in ways the original couldn’t.
Although the original is worth watching, many wouldn’t blame you if you’re waiting for an Ashita No Joe remake.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Unfortunately, 2023 took the lives of many beloved actors, directors, and celebs. Space Pirate Captain Harlock’s creator Leiji Matsumoto was one of these individuals. Therefore, it’d be great to see Space Pirate Captain Harlock receive a remake as it’d not only make more folks aware of Matsumoto’s work but would be a nice way to honor his legacy.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock follows the adventures of Captain Harlock and his crew who spend their time fighting menacing foes in the galaxy. Harlock’s character embodies feelings of freedom and rebellion.
The expeditions he embarks on with his crew are fascinating to observe and evoke sensations similar to other well-established crews like the ones found in One Piece.
Although Space Pirate Captain Harlock’s animation and visuals are fine as they are, a modern studio could bring new life to Matsumoto’s work that’ll appeal to older and younger anime fans. With its incredible themes and potential, a Space Pirate Captain Harlock anime remake would be incredible to watch.
The Rose of Versailles
The Rose of Versailles is a phenomenal shoujo anime. It features a great blend of drama, romance, and historical elements. It revolves around Princess Marie, whose forced to marry Prince Louis XVI because their marriage would strengthen the alliance between their families. At the center of this foray is Oscar, a female commander who wishes she could experience the female lifestyle.
Through our characters’ experiences, the anime tackles interesting concepts like gender identity and freedom in nuanced ways. Additionally, the anime is filled with rich, historical details from the French Revolution. These aspects will appeal to those who value world history and anime that tackle complex subjects.
Additionally, Oscar, Marie, and the rest of the cast are wonderfully explored throughout the anime’s 40-episode run. You’ll adore seeing them clash physically and mentally throughout the work. Like other anime from the 70s-80s discussed in this piece, The Rose of Versailles will benefit heavily from a new coat of paint.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena is a classic Studio Shaft anime that could benefit from having a remake. Its animation, while decent at best, is bothersome to observe due to repetitious sequences and weird-looking still shots. Considering what Studio Shaft’s cooked up recently with works like Puella Magi Madoka Magica, they’d do a killer job reanimating Revolutionary Girl Utena for today’s anime fandom.
For example, the fights in Revolutionary Girl Utena, though intense, feel purposeful and dramatic. Seeing Shaft or another animation studio bring new life into those fights from a visual standpoint, would elevate the tension felt in each battle significantly. Moreover, this anime offers a nice stance on sexuality that can resonate with today’s audience.
Battle Angel Alita
If Battle Angel Alita can have a live-action reimagining, then an anime remake doesn’t sound out of the question. For those who missed this one, it follows a young female cyborg named Alita, who gets discovered in a scrapyard by Doctor Ido. Ido revives Alita and the story examines her journey through an unfamiliar and dangerous world.
This anime contains content from the first two volumes, offering fans a 2D animated portrayal of some of Yukito Kishiro’s manga. From its dark alleys to its towering structures, sci-fi enthusiasts will feel immersed in Battle Angel Alita’s universe. Coupled with its rich fights and emotional character moments, a Battle Angel Alita anime remake has a lot of potential.
So, there we have it, our picks for 10 retro anime that deserve a remake!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!