24 Japanese Cartoons That Were the Best of Our Childhood (Just Nostalgia)

Childhood is one of the stages we remember most fondly. The toys, the items we collected, school and friends are some of the best memories. Everything was simpler and full of fun.

And cartoons are not far behind (especially Japanese ones), as they have given us unforgettable moments. Here is a list of anime that were the best of our childhood.

#1 Candy Candy

This Japanese manga was illustrated by Kyōko Mizuki. It later became an internationally known animated series. It consisted of 115 episodes and was produced by Toei Animation.

The series tells the story of a little girl who is abandoned in the snow as a baby, at the gates of the orphanage known as ‘Pony’s Home’. Despite the adversity, Candy is a very happy and optimistic girl, who wins the affection of those who know her.

#2 Ranma ½

This story was created by Rumiko Takahashi. It was one of the most popular cartoons in Japan, and although it was criticized for its subject matter, it was very successful.

It tells the life of Ranma Saotome, a 16-year-old boy who trained in martial arts from a young age. During one of his training sessions he accidentally falls into an enchanted pit, called the Lake of the Drowned Woman. After the incident, he acquires a curse that turns him into a woman whenever he comes in contact with cold water.

#3 Super Champions

It is one of the favorite animated series of our generation. It was the work of Yōichi Takahashi and also started as a manga, but was later adapted for television.

It tells the intrepid adventures of Tsubasa Ōzora, (better known in Latin America as Oliver Atom) and his best friends. Oliver dreams of playing for the most famous team in this city: Sutetsu.

#4 Naruto

Naruto is a manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. Despite the years, the cartoon remains very popular among adults and children.

The protagonist is a young would-be ninja named Uzumaki Naruto. He is a boy who dreams of one day becoming the leader of his village (Hokage). His goal will not be easy, because when he was just a baby he trusted within himself the power of an evil being.

#5 Yu-Gi-Oh!

This manga was created by Kazuki Takahashi. It has spawned a large franchise, spawning card games, movies, video games, and of course the popular animated series.

The story revolves around Yugi Moto, a high school student who receives from his grandfather an ancient Egyptian artifact known as the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi and his friends usually play with cards, but everything changes when they become part of reality.

#6 Cardcaptors Sakura

This anime series was created by the mangaka team CLAMP. The anime adaptation was directed by Morio Asaka. In 2018 there was a new adaptation called Sakura Cardcaptor: Clear Card.

The cartoon is about Sakura Kinomoto, an ordinary girl, whose life changes when she discovers a book full of Clow cards. Now she will be responsible for collecting all the letters, with the help of Kero.

#7 Mazinger Z

‘Mazinger Z’ marked the childhood of many children in the 80s Created by screenwriter and artist Gō Nagai, who was influenced by ‘Astro Boy’. . The success of the manga was immediate and in the same year as its release, the adaptation for the animated series was made.

It’s about two archaeologists who find the remains of an ancient civilization that was capable of building giant robots. One of them, Dr. Hell, believes he can build similar robots and thus dominate the world. But the other, Dr. Kabuto, does not intend to support his evil plans, so they become enemies.

#8 Pokemon

Few series have managed to be as successful as ‘Pokémon’ has succeeded. The franchise is managed by The Pokémon Company, a Japanese joint venture between Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures. The story’s fame returned to its peak after the augmented reality game, ‘Pokemon Go’.

“Pokémon” is about Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old boy who dreams of becoming the best Pokémon trainer in the world, so he visits Professor Oak. The first step is to choose a Pokémon, and Ash chooses Pikachu, who will become his best friend.

#9 Sailor Moon

“Sailor Moon” is one of the most beloved Japanese cartoons. Even Sailor Moon Day is still celebrated by adults and children alike. It is a series that is considered iconic.

A very distracted and reckless 14-year-old girl named Usagi Tsukino will have her life changed when she meets a cat named Luna. She tells him about her mission as a Sailor Scout and saving Earth from future evil invaders.

#10 Heidi

This animated series dates back to 1974 and is inspired by the book of the same name by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. The cartoon consists of 52 episodes that managed to stay in the taste of the public.

Heidi is a little girl who was orphaned by her father and mother. She is sent to live with her grandfather, a grumpy old man who lives in the Swiss Alps. Little by little, the old man and his granddaughter will fall in love and she will have many adventures with her new friends.

#11 The Knights of the Zodiac

The “Knights of the Zodiac” or “Saint Seiya” marked an entire generation. The first season of the series began airing in 1989 and had a total of 114 episodes. It was the creation of Masami Kurumada.

It tells the story of 5 mythical warriors who have adopted various constellations as their guardian symbols. They must save the goddess Athena from the forces of evil.

#12 Rummy

This anime series was created by TMS Entertainment in 1977. It is based on the novel “No Family” , by the French writer Hector Malo. The cartoon had 51 episodes.

Remi is quite a sensitive and intelligent child, with a great talent for music. His stepfather gives him against his will to a street musician, with whom he will experience many hardships, but also adventures. You’ll need a box of tissues when you see her again.

#13 Hello, Sandybell!

It is an anime series produced by Toei Animation and broadcast on TV Asahi in 1981. It was extremely popular in Latin America, but its success grew mainly in Europe.

Sandy Bell lives in a beautiful Scottish village surrounded by castles, flowers and lots of friends. Without expecting it, you will have to face big challenges that could make your life difficult.

#14 Digimon Adventure

Digimon has also become a successful franchise, created by Akiyoshi Hongo. The fever started after the release of a virtual pet. Later it was the turn.

The story focuses on 8 children from Japan who are transported to the Digiworld to save it, arriving on File Island. There they will also find their fellow digimon and their Digivice (digital devices).

#15 One Piece

It is one of the longest anime, as it consists of 800 episodes. Additionally, he has 13 movies and 12 television credits. It is also one of the most popular.

It is a manga written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda, the series was made after its success. Gol D. Roger, a man known as the pirate king, is executed. Before he dies he mentions that he has a great treasure and will give it to whoever finds it.

#16 Dragon Ball

But the animated series that came to impose itself more than all the previous ones is ‘Dragon Ball’. It is the creation of Akira Toriyama. In addition to the cartoon, many films and video games have been made.

Its plot describes the adventures of Goku, a Saiyan warrior whose goal is to protect the Earth from other beings who want to conquer it and exterminate humanity.

#17 Dumpster

This series was no longer part of the 80’s and 90’s boom as it was released in 2000. Even so, it became a very special cartoon for many kids.

Laura, a sweet girl, has a pet golden hamster named Hamtaro. Hamtaro’s curiosity is insatiable and he longs to be Laura’s secret assistant. This will lead him to live thousands of adventures with other adorable hamsters.

#18 Beautiful treatment

This cartoon series managed to influence the culture of Japan and the world. Although years have passed since his show, he still gives a lot to talk about.

The story revolves around two girls, Nagisa Misumi and Honoka Yukishiro, fighting against the Dotsuku Zone (an evil dimension that usurped the Garden of Light).

#19 Samurai Cats

This anime series was created in 1990 and created by Tatsunoko Productions and Sotsu Agency. In 1991 it reached the Western public.

It’s about three top martial arts cats whose mission is to protect a futuristic Tokyo. But apart from their fight, they also work in a pizzeria.

#20 Samed, the magical elf

This anime is part of the golden age of the Japanese genre in Mexico. Its charm lies in the fact that it is a highly entertaining series that goes beyond the conventional.

It ran from 1985 to 1986 and consisted of 78 episodes. Based on the 1902 novel Five children and that by English author Edith Nesbitt. Samed is a grumpy elf capable of granting one wish per day. A group of children find him.

#21 Fullmetal Alchemist

“Fullmetal Alchemist” was written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. Its first anime adaptation was directed by Seiji Mizushima and the second by Yasuhiro Irie.

It tells the story of the Elric brothers, who have a special ability in alchemy and who lost their father in the war. His mother died of an illness. After his mother’s death, Edward decides to resurrect her through alchemy, one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man.

However, the attempt fails and as a result Edward loses his left leg and Alphonse his body. After that, an alchemist named Roy Mustang visits the Elric brothers and suggests that Edward join the State Armed Forces and thus find a way to make it. their bodies back.

#22 Doraemon, the cosmic cat

The Fame of ‘Doraemon’ it still exists today. Even in Japan it has not stopped being televised since its inception. Created by Hiroshi Fujimoto.

Doraemon, a blue earless cat, comes from the 22nd century and is actually a robot cat. He is sent by a young man named Sewashi Nobi to improve the conditions of his great-great-grandfather, Nobita, so that his descendants can enjoy a better future.

#23 Transformers

“Transformers” is an entertainment franchise co-produced between toy companies Hasbro and Takara Tomy. Long before the movies there was a popular cartoon series.

A long time ago, on a distant planet called Cybertron, a civil war broke out between giant robots, capable of transforming into all kinds of objects. Four million years later the war has reawakened.

On one side are the Decepticons, who intend to grab Earth’s energy resources to return to their world. On the other side are the Autobots, who try to protect the human race.

#24 AstroBoy

This famous Japanese manga was written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. It was adapted into a TV series in 1963 and was the first Japanese cartoon to become popular overseas.

It is a science fiction series set in a futuristic world where robots coexist with humans. The story centers on Astro Boy, a powerful android created by Dr. Tenma in order to replace his son Tobio, who died in a car accident. Astro begins to fight crime, evil and injustice using his various powers.