This Collider feature runs down ten anime series from the 1990s that the writer considers genuine masterpieces of the decade, judged against criteria including influence, originality, animation quality, writing, entertainment value, fan opinion and critical acclaim. The 1990s marked a pivotal era for anime, as the medium broke into Western markets and cemented visual and storytelling conventions that persist today, even though the decade was largely dominated by lighter shounen action, comedy and romance titles.

The list highlights standout entries such as Berserk, praised for its bleak narrative and striking art despite the anime falling short of its acclaimed manga source; Trigun, noted as a rare and effective blend of Western and science-fiction genres; Yu Yu Hakusho, credited with shaping future shounen storytelling despite a weaker final arc; and Slam Dunk, described as the anime that sparked Japan's basketball craze. Sailor Moon is also mentioned as a defining series of the era, with the article's structure suggesting further entries beyond the excerpt provided.