10 Best 70s Anime, Ranked

Anime has changed a lot over the years, so let's take a look back.

The groovy 70s gave birth to genres, icons, and the artistic ambition that allowed anime to bloom. Those early petals would go on to blossom into an era we now know as the Golden Age of anime. Many anime fans and critics consider this period to fall between the late 1980s to the late 1990s.

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So while the 90s boasted higher budgets and global breakouts, the 1970s were a formative period for anime. This decade was a psychedelic swirl of trippy animation, mind-bending sci-fi, and angsty antiheroes. The 70s attitude of punk-rock rebellion and social commentary also infiltrated its animation.

Anne of Green Gables is an anime adaptation of the classic Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The anime was directed by Isao Takahata, who later went on to co-found Studio Ghibli along with Hayao Miyazaki. It follows Anne's experiences growing up in the close-knit fictional town of Avonlea at the turn of the 20th century.

Anne of Green Gables is fondly remembered by 1970s anime fans as being heartwarming and full of charm. It's a coming-of-age story that touches on themes of family, friendship, imagination, and the joy and sorrow of growing up.

Aim for the Ace! is widely regarded as one of the most influential sports anime of the 1970s. Its influence can be seen in later landmark sports anime like Attack No. 1 and Captain Tsubasa. The anime eschewed popular mahou shoujo tropes of the time and instead created a riveting story through Hiromi's journey to become Japan's #1 tennis pro.

With the guidance of her stern yet supportive coach, she pushes beyond her limits through rigorous training that has her literally bleeding and collapsing. It's this unwavering dedication that makes you want to cheer Hiromi on with each bruising rally.

With over 100 episodes, Galaxy Express 999 pioneered more serialized, episodic anime storytelling, with ongoing story arcs that built up suspense and character growth over time. However, for all its sci-fi trappings, Galaxy Express 999 succeeded most when tapping into raw human emotions.

We follow young Tetsuro as he boards the titular train, traversing the stars in search of a machine body to avenge his mother’s murder. But this journey isn't about nonstop action or space battles. Some of the most memorable moments happen during Tetsuro’s philosophical debates with the mysterious Maetel, who becomes his guide.

Candy Candy showcase the 1970s shoujo aesthetic with the sparkling eyes, flowing hair, and soft pastel backdrops. The orchestral soundtrack enhances the sense of grand emotion. It tells the story of a young orphan girl named Candy, who grows up in America during the early 20th century.

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The drama spans years, allowing viewers to witness Candy mature from a headstrong girl to secure young woman. From working as a pony handler to training as a nurse, Candy throws herself into each new challenge. Even decades later, iconic scenes like Candy's tearful goodbye on a snowy train platform remain unforgettable.

Following a team of young superhero ninja scientists, Gatchaman mixed sci-fi, action, and drama in a way never seen before. Produced by Tatsunoko Production, it's also known by the name Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.

The anime is considered to be a pioneer in the super team sub-genre of anime. Each team member possesses a Science Ninja Tool and a vehicle. When they combine their vehicles, they can form the Gatchaman's primary weapon, the God Phoenix, a supersonic plane capable of underwater travel and limited space flight.

In Lupin III, each episode is a new adventure, a new heist, and a new chance for Lupin to show off his extraordinary skills. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, no treasure is safe, and no scheme is too outrageous.

The main character Lupin III (the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of novels) is often described as someone who is always ready to use his cunning and resourcefulness to outwit the law and his rivals. The series is known for its blend of comedy, action, adventure, and occasionally even elements of the surreal. It’s a classic anime that every anime fan must watch.

Gamba no Bouken is an anime series based on the children's novel series of the same name by Atsuo Saito. It’s a classic adventure anime aimed at kids featuring a mouse and his friends traveling the world and having various escapades. The writing also impresses with sophisticated themes uncommon in children's stories.

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Gamba explores environmentalism through the mice's battles against polluting humans. There are nuanced messages about the cruelty of social hierarchies. Thus, the series deserves nostalgic revisiting and a revered place among the best retro anime.

Future Boy Conan is a post-apocalyptic anime series that’s directed by Hayao Miyazaki himself. The series is notable for its detailed and imaginative world-building as well as its themes of existential wisdom.

This was bold territory for what was considered children's entertainment as the series is loosely based on The Incredible Tide, a novel by Alexander Key. Miyazaki has mentioned he was inspired by European children's literature, and this influence is evident in his work.

For shattering anime conventions in its time, as well as introducing viewers to a key era of history through bold storytelling and beautiful animation, Rose of Versailles remains one of the finest anime series of the 1970s. Lady Oscar's (a woman raised as a man to serve in the French military) character is often hailed as a feminist icon, a woman strong in a man's world, yet unyieldingly compassionate.

Oscar becomes torn between her loyalty to Queen Marie Antoinette and the revolutionary forces seeking to overthrow the monarchy. She also has a complex romantic relationship with her close friend André Grandier. Thus, every lover of opera drama should add Rose of Versailles to their watch list.

Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the highest-grossing anime franchises of all time. It spawned a franchise that includes numerous sequels, spin-offs, model kits, video games, and more. Its influence extends beyond anime to influence Western works as well.

It was one of the first real robot anime series that portrayed giant robots (mobile suits) as machines with some level of real-world scientific plausibility rather than as completely fanciful super robots. This made the technology and battles seem more realistic. The shift helped redefine mecha anime as a genre that could have broad mainstream appeal.

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Omar is an Evergreen Writer at DualShockers. His love for anime sparked a lifelong fascination with the Japanese culture. And even though he doesn’t want to admit it, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has messed up his fashion sense.