The Best Animated Series of the 80s
The 80s marked a golden age for animation, bringing together series that blended adventure, humor, fantasy, and action.
Japanese and Western productions transformed popular culture and defined generations.
This overview highlights the 34 most iconic series of the decade, from galactic heroes to beloved classic characters, ordered by release year.
1980
Heathcliff (USA)
A series about a mischievous stray cat who lives adventures and causes disasters in his neighborhood.
1981
Danger Mouse (UK)
A spy parody starring a secret agent mouse and his clumsy sidekick.
Urusei Yatsura (Japan)
A romantic comedy where a boy is “trapped” by a whimsical alien princess.
The Smurfs (USA)
Small blue creatures who live in a magical forest and face adventures while confronting the evil Gargamel.
1982
Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Japan)
Science fiction with mechas, music, and romance during a galactic war.
The Mysterious Cities of Gold (France-Japan co-production)
Children travel through South America in search of legendary cities.
1983
Inspector Gadget (USA/Canada)
A clumsy cybernetic detective solves cases with the help of his niece and dog.
G.I. Joe (USA)
An elite team of soldiers fights against the terrorist organization Cobra, in adventures full of action and moral lessons at the end of each episode.
Captain Tsubasa (Japan)
A revolutionary sports series about soccer, friendship, and effort.
Dungeons & Dragons (USA)
A group of children is transported to a fantasy world full of magic and creatures, living adventures while trying to return home.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (USA)
An action and fantasy series where Prince Adam transforms into He-Man to protect Eternia from the evil Skeletor.
Gulliver's Travels (Spain/Italy)
Animated adaptation of Jonathan Swift's classic, narrating Gulliver's adventures in fantastic lands inhabited by tiny and giant people, combining fantasy and adventure.
1984
Voltron: Defender of the Universe (USA/Japan)
Young pilots control robotic lions that combine into a large mecha.
Transformers (USA/Japan)
Autobots and Decepticons wage an interstellar war on Earth, with robots that transform into vehicles and machinery.
1985
Thundercats (USA)
Feline alien warriors survive on a strange planet and fight the evil Mumm-Ra.
M.A.S.K. (USA)
A team fights crime with transformable vehicles and helmets with special powers.
Robotech (USA/Japan)
Adaptation of several Japanese mecha series into a single intergalactic story.
Care Bears (USA)
A group of colorful bears with special symbols on their bellies who spread love, friendship, and positive values.
1986
Dragon Ball (Japan)
Goku begins his adventure searching for the dragon balls, mixing martial arts and humor.
Jem and the Holograms (USA)
A musical series about a young woman who lives a double life as a pop star thanks to holographic technology.
The Real Ghostbusters (USA)
Animated sequel to the movie Ghostbusters, with new paranormal adventures.
Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) (Japan)
Young warriors with sacred armor fight on behalf of the goddess Athena against divine forces.
Mofli, the Last Koala (Spain/Australia)
An animated series centered on a koala and his human friend, which transmits ecological values and respect for nature, very popular on Spanish television in the 80s.
1987
DuckTales (USA)
Scrooge McDuck and his nephews live adventures around the world searching for treasures.
City Hunter (Japan)
A skilled detective protects innocents in the city, with humor and action.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (USA)
Four mutant turtles trained in martial arts fight villains in New York.
1988
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Japan)
Political and military space opera about the struggle between democracy and empire in a distant galaxy.
Garfield and Friends (USA)
Adaptation of the popular comic strip about the lazy and cynical cat Garfield.
Gunbuster (Aim for the Top!) (Japan)
Mecha series where young pilots fight giant space creatures, blending science fiction and personal drama.
1989
Ranma ½ (Japan)
A romantic comedy with martial arts in which a young man transforms into a girl when in contact with cold water.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (USA)
Chip and Dale form a detective agency with their friends to solve cases.
The Simpsons (USA)
Released as shorts in 1987, its first official season arrived in 1989, marking the beginning of the world's most famous animated family.
Patlabor: The Mobile Police (Japan)
Japanese police use giant robots to fight crime in the near future.
Despertaferro (Spain)
Historical animation production set in the Middle Ages, inspired by the feats and military conflicts of the Crown of Aragon, with an educational and informative focus.
These series demonstrate why the 80s remain a creative pillar in global animation.
Their variety of styles, memorable stories, and iconic characters consolidated a decade reigned by pure imagination.
Even today, they influence new generations and keep alive the spirit that made them legendary.
