Five 90’s and Early 2000’s Animes That Could Still Use a Reboot
Lots of older animes seem to be getting the reboot or remake treatment lately; here are five shows we’d like to see a new take on.
Despite the stigma in other media, anime reboots are by and large decent to good. They don’t happen often, but when an anime gets the reboot treatment it’s usually for a reason or with a much-needed update for a new generation. We always feel a little apprehensive to hear about an old favorite coming back around again, but I can’t remember ever being disappointed with the newest version. The latest anime to get a reboot is Trigun Stampede, and while I’m not without my notes, I can’t wait to see where it’s headed. But what other favorite animes from yesterday would benefit from a 2020’s reboot?
Bubblegum Crisis
Thanks to a certain RPG-inspired video game and anime series, the cyberpunk genre has been especially popular lately. I think an updated, or even just reanimated look at Bubblegum Crisis would do well right now. The series enjoyed a full season, a few OVAs, and a tabletop RPG, and in its heyday, it was a far-reaching and popular title. New Bubblegum content hasn’t come out since the early 2000s, but I’d love to see what this brand of Cyberpunk would look like in art style and story.
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk is regarded by many as one of the best sports animes ever made. It ran for a hundred and one episodes back in the early to mid-90s and is still one of the titles associated with the sports anime genre. But to a modern eye, the animation is… difficult. I’ve heard it described as “nearly impossible to watch,” which is a shame for such an otherwise great show. Slam Dunk deserves a reboot with fresh, new, watchable animation so a whole new generation of sports anime fans can enjoy this modern classic.
Outlaw Star
Outlaw Star was good the first time and doesn’t need a reboot. But neither did Trigun and I’d still like to see more of this one with a few small upgrades. The pacing of the original wasn’t fantastic and could have used a few minor fixes, and a short OVA sequel was supposed to happen but never made it to fruition. Overall though, Outlaw Star was a pretty solid show that would be a lot of fun to see new life breathed into.
Ouran High School Host Club
Way back in the days of the mid-2000s, Ouran High School Host Club was one of the most popular shojo series out… But it never got a second season. It’s popular enough that fans are still interested in a second season, but I think it deserves more than that. Ouran should get the full Fruit’s Basket treatment, just make it again. It was good the first time, but now that the manga is complete we can get the closure we never got before and this time it can be great.
Ranma 1/2
Ranma 1/2 was simultaneously a show that was very ahead of its time and very of its time. Some parts have aged like hilarious fine wine… and others like milk. But between the remake of Urusei Yatsura and the revisit to Inu-Yasha, it’s clear that Rumiko Takahashi’s work is still relevant today. And Ranma specifically has the potential to be very relevant. I’d love to see an ever-so-minorly modernized version of Ranma 1/2.
What animes would you like to see remade or rebooted? Are there any shows you’d like to never see remade ever? What is your favorite and least favorite reboot? Let us know in the comments!
Ja Ne, Adventurers!
