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    Home/Browse/TV Shows/1980s TV Shows/1980s Animation TV Shows

    1980s Animation TV Shows

    The 40 most popular 1980s animation TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

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    The Simpsons
    TMDB4.0

    The Simpsons

    1989

    country: United States

    Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    TMDB3.9

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    1987

    country: United States

    Four turtles fall into the sewers and are befriended by Hamato Yoshi a Japanese man sent to New York who was forced to live in the sewers. One day he sees a strange green glow which transforms the four turtles into human-like creatures. Hamato (now Master Splinter) changes into a giant rat from the green glow and teaches the turtles the skills of the ninja as they team up with news reporter April O'Neil to battle against Yoshi's arch enemy Shredder and Krang, an alien warlord from Dimension X.

    Dragon Ball Z
    TMDB4.2

    Dragon Ball Z

    1989

    country: Japan

    Now happily married and with a son, martial arts champion Goku must defend Earth from a series of extraterrestrial invaders bent on destruction.

    Ranma ½
    TMDB4.3

    Ranma ½

    1989

    country: Japan

    Ranma Saotome, a teenage martial artist, and his father Genma travel to the 'cursed training ground' of Jusenkyo in China. There, despite the warnings of the Chinese guard, they fall into the cursed springs. From now on, whenever Ranma is doused in cold water, he turns into a girl and a cute, well-built redhead at that. Hot water changes him back into a man again, but only until the next time. To make matters worse, his father engages him to Akane Tendo, a girl who hates boys.

    Rua Sésamo
    TMDB3.5

    Rua Sésamo

    1989

    country: Portugal

    No overview available

    Obake no Q-tarō
    TMDB4.0

    Obake no Q-tarō

    1985

    country: Japan

    Q-taro, a monster, is living with the Ohara family. He can fly and make his body transparent, but he cannot turn his body into other things like other monsters do. He is a scattered mind, and he always makes mistakes and causes trouble. Sequel of Shin Obake no Q-tarou.

    Kiteretsu Daihyakka
    TMDB4.0

    Kiteretsu Daihyakka

    1988

    country: Japan

    The main character is a scientific genius boy named Kiteretsu, who has built a companion robot named Korosuke. He frequently travels in time with his friends and Korosuke in the time machine he built. Miyoko is a girl in his neighborhood who is basically his girlfriend. Tongari is his rival, who happen to share some similar traits of Honekawa Suneo. Buta Gorilla is a typical neighborhood bully, who also share similar traits of Gian except that he often antagonizes Korosuke (though they are in grade school).

    Yawara!
    TMDB3.3

    Yawara!

    1989

    country: Japan

    Inokuma Yawara is just another young high school girl. Well, not quite - for Yawara is being raised by her grandfather, 7th dan Judo master Inokuma Jigorou, to be Japan's great hope for the women's Judo competition at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. All the same, Yawara just wants to live a normal life...

    The Smurfs
    TMDB3.5

    The Smurfs

    1981

    country: United States

    Classic Saturday-morning cartoon series featuring magical blue elf-like creatures called Smurfs. The Smurfs, named for their personalities, inhabit a village of mushroom houses in an enchanted forest. These loveable creatures are led by Papa Smurf and live carefree... except for one major threat to their existance: Gargamel, an evil but inept wizard who lives in a stone-built house in the forest; and his feline companion, the equally nasty Azrael.

    Thomas & Friends
    TMDB3.4

    Thomas & Friends

    1984

    country: United Kingdom

    Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.

    Armored Trooper VOTOMS
    TMDB3.5

    Armored Trooper VOTOMS

    1983

    country: Japan

    The story of stoic Armored Trooper pilot Chirico Cuvie and his quest for answers after a sudden betrayal leaves him on the run from his own military.

    Spaceship Sagittarius
    TMDB3.3

    Spaceship Sagittarius

    1986

    country: Japan

    Uchūsen Sagittarius is a 77-episode Japanese science fiction anime series directed by Kazuyoshi Yokota and created by Nippon Animation and TV Asahi. It aired from January 10, 1986 to October 3, 1987. The series is based on Altri Mondi, an Italian comic book drawn by physicist Andrea Romol.

    Dr. Slump
    TMDB4.0

    Dr. Slump

    1981

    country: Japan

    Senbei Norimaki, known by his nickname Dr. Slump, a genius yet under-respected inventor and roboticist, creates an android by the name of Arale, and poses her as his little sister. What starts as an experiment in robotics turns into an adventure every day for the residents of Penguin Village, a wacky rural community with several colorful characters interacting with Arale and her creator.

    Sebaj Tóbiás
    TMDB5.0

    Sebaj Tóbiás

    1984

    country: Hungary

    No overview available

    Garfield and Friends
    TMDB3.6

    Garfield and Friends

    1988

    country: United States

    The animated stories of Garfield the cat, Odie the dog, their owner Jon and the trouble they get into. And also Orson the Pig and his adventures on a farm with his fellow farm animals.

    Fist of the North Star
    TMDB4.0

    Fist of the North Star

    1984

    country: Japan

    It's the year 199x, and Earth burns with the fires of a nuclear holocaust. On the charred remains of the planet's surface, humans struggle desperately to survive a fearful world. The young wanderer Kenshiro rises to stand against the violent reality. Upon his chest are seven scars in the shape of the North Star!

    SUPERKID
    TMDB4.0

    SUPERKID

    1983

    country: Japan

    Mitsuo encountered Superman, an alien who is a part of a federation that tries to maintain peace in the galaxy. He then received a helmet (that also serves as a mask) that gives superhuman strength, a cape that enables the wearer to fly, and a badge that allows him to breathe underwater and communicate with his fellow comrades whom he met soon after he utilized these gifts. Superman made it clear to all Permans that their identity must be kept a secret or their brain will be destroyed should it ever be revealed and they are given a special doppelganger robot that can replace them while they are away to achieve this feat, although it is not entirely foolproof nor is it free from potential problems. These equipments then allowed them to be young Permans who try to maintain peace and help the people who are in need.

    The Transformers
    TMDB3.9

    The Transformers

    1984

    country: United States

    The Transformers is the first animated television series in the Transformers franchise. The series depicts a war among giant robots that can transform into vehicles and other objects.

    G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
    TMDB3.8

    G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

    1983

    country: United States

    An elite team of soldiers thwart the evil Cobra organization's desire for world domination at every turn, cleverly stopping them from controlling the weather, creating unstoppable weapons, and genetically engineering super-warriors.

    Robotech
    TMDB4.3

    Robotech

    1985

    country: United States

    Robotech is an 85-episode adaptation of three different anime television series made between 1982-1984 in Japan; the adaptation was aired in 1985. Within the combined and edited story, Robotechnology refers to the scientific advances discovered in an alien starship that crashed on a South Pacific island. With this technology, Earth developed giant robotic machines or mecha to fight three successive extraterrestrial invasions.

    Urusei Yatsura
    TMDB3.6

    Urusei Yatsura

    1981

    country: Japan

    The invasion of an alien race known as the Oni begins a new life for Ataru Moroboshi, a lecherous trouble-making tenth grader in the small town of Tomobiki. After unwittingly proposing to the Oni princess Lum Invader instead of his sweetheart Shinobu, Ataru becomes a conduit for aliens arriving on Earth, causing all sorts of havoc for him and his companions, not to mention his own reputation!

    Saint Seiya
    TMDB4.2

    Saint Seiya

    1986

    country: Japan

    Ages ago, the goddess Athena was served by fighters called Saints who channeled the power of the Cosmos within them. Now a youth named Seiya has trained to become a Saint himself by earning the mystical Cloth of Pegasus. He is joined by other Saints with Cloths of their own to fight for Athena.

    DuckTales
    TMDB3.8

    DuckTales

    1987

    country: United States

    Scrooge McDuck finds his hands full at home when nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie move to Duckburg. Joined by their loyal pals Launchpad McQuack, Gyro Gearloose and Mrs. Beakley, the DuckTales gang never fails to deliver a wealth of adventure. Get ready for a fortune of fun with DuckTales!

    Ninja Hattori-kun
    TMDB3.2

    Ninja Hattori-kun

    1981

    country: Japan

    11-year-old Kenichi Mitsuba is an average kid who goes to secondary school and struggles with his studies, he is very stubborn and is very lazy and therefore always ends up frustrating his parents and teacher. He loves to find an easy way of things. He befriends Hattori Kanzo, a ninja from the Iga Clan, and he becomes part of the Mitsuba family along with his brother, Shinzo and his ninja dog, Shishimaru. Hattori helps Kenichi with his problems, and constantly keeps an eye on him, as a good friend. The main antagonist Kemumaki, a Koga ninja and his ninja cat, Kagechiyo always troubles Kenichi, mainly because of their feud over one girl, Yumeko. Kenichi asks Hattori to take revenge as a recurring storyline in many episodes. Although Hattori is a good friend, Kenichi sometimes fights with Hattori due to misunderstandings created by Kemumaki. Sometimes Jippou, Togejirou and Tsubame help him.

    Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
    TMDB3.7

    Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears

    1985

    country: United States

    Join the world’s sweetest heroes for high adventure in a mystical land of giants and wizards, ogres and dragons, and wondrous creatures both good and evil. Meet Gruffi, Zummi, Cubbi, Grammi, Tummi, Sunni, and all the legendary Gummis as they laugh, play, foil dastardly plots, and fight for what's right.

    Benjamin the Elephant
    TMDB3.3

    Benjamin the Elephant

    1989

    country: Germany

    On the show, the eponymous main character resides at the Newtown Zoo, with friends Otto and Stella. The adventures Benjamin gets involved in often require slipping into various roles, learning new jobs, or discovering new and distant places.

    The Tracey Ullman Show
    TMDB3.6

    The Tracey Ullman Show

    1987

    country: United States

    The Tracey Ullman Show is an American television variety show, hosted by British-born actress and onetime pop singer Tracey Ullman. It debuted on April 5, 1987 as the Fox network's second primetime series after Married... with Children (1987–1997), and ran until May 26, 1990. The show is produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television. The show blended sketch comedy shorts with many musical numbers, featuring choreography by Paula Abdul. The show also produced The Simpsons shorts before it spun off into its own show, which was also produced by Gracie Films and 20th Century Fox Television.

    Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers
    TMDB3.8

    Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers

    1989

    country: United States

    Chip and Dale head a small, eccentric group of animal characters who monitor not only the human world, but the animal community as well, solving mysteries wherever they may be. The "Rescue Rangers" take the cases that fall through the cracks.

    The Real Ghostbusters
    TMDB3.9

    The Real Ghostbusters

    1986

    country: United States

    The continuing adventures of paranormal investigators Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, their secretary Janine Melnitz and their mascot ghost Slimer.

    Fireman Sam
    TMDB3.1

    Fireman Sam

    1987

    country: United Kingdom

    Follow the adventures of fireman Sam and his colleagues as they protect the citizens of the Welsh town of Pontypandy. Whenever the alarm sounds, brave Sam and his co-workers can be counted on to jump into a fire engine, hop onto a helicopter, or even launch an inflatable lifeboat to battle blazes, mount rescue missions, or provide medical attention to those in need.

    Mashin Hero Wataru
    TMDB3.5

    Mashin Hero Wataru

    1988

    country: Japan

    Mashin Hero Wataru is a comedy/adventure Super Robot multimedia franchise originally consisting of 45 episode anime series created by Sunrise first aired on April 15, 1988. Sunrise credited "Hajime Yatate" for the storyline and Shuji Iuchi directed the series. The series employs a kinetic visual gag style, often employing characters running with their feet over their shoulders derived from Sunrise's previous Super Robot anime series Choriki Robo Galatt.

    Rambo: The Force of Freedom
    TMDB3.7

    Rambo: The Force of Freedom

    1986

    country: United States

    Rambo: The Force of Freedom is an animated series based on the character of John Rambo from David Morrell's book First Blood and the subsequent films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. This series was adapted for television by story editor/head writer Michael Chain and the series even spawned a toy line.

    BraveStarr
    TMDB4.1

    BraveStarr

    1987

    country: United States

    On the planet New Texas, people live in futuristic conditions reminiscent of the Wild West. Here, Marshall Bravestarr fights for justice and righteousness with his supernatural abilities.

    The Mysterious Cities of Gold
    TMDB3.9

    The Mysterious Cities of Gold

    1982

    country: Japan

    The adventures of a young Spanish boy named Esteban who joins a voyage to the New World in search of the lost Cities of Gold and his father.

    City Hunter
    TMDB3.9

    City Hunter

    1987

    country: Japan

    Ryo Saeba works the streets of Tokyo as the City Hunter. He's a "sweeper" and with his sidekick Kaori Makimura, he keeps the city clean. People hire the City Hunter to solve their dangerous problems, which he does with a Colt Python. When Ryo's not working on a case, he's working on getting the ladies, and Kaori must keep him in check with her trusty 10 kg hammer.

    He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
    TMDB3.7

    He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

    1983

    country: United States

    When Adam, Prince of the planet Eternia, raises his magic sword he transforms into He-Man (the most powerful man in the universe). With his allies and friends, he battles the evil Skeletor and his minions to protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.

    Blue Comet SPT Layzner
    TMDB4.3

    Blue Comet SPT Layzner

    1985

    country: Japan

    Blue Comet SPT Layzner, sometimes translated as Blue Meteor SPT Layzner, is an anime series produced by Sunrise and Tatsunoko Production between 1985 and 1986. Its original creator was Ryousuke Takahashi of Armored Trooper Votoms fame who served as the writer and wrote the scripts for such shows as Panzer World Galient, Tetsuwan Atom, Zero Tester, Fang of the Sun Dougram, Cyborg 009, Gasaraki and Blue Gender.

    Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
    TMDB3.6

    Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

    1986

    country: Japan

    The year is Universal Century 0088. Directly after the end of the Gryps War, Haman Karn and her army of Zeon remnants on the asteroid Axis begin their quest of reviving the lost empire of the Zabi's, and proclaim themselves as the Neo-Zeon. With the Earth Federation as hapless as ever, only the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) is able oppose the plans of Neo-Zeon. In need of all the help it can get after being decimated in the previous war and losing many of its key members, the AEUG ship Argama enlists the aid of a young junk collector from the Side 1 colony of Shangri-La named Judau Ashta to pilot its newest mobile suit, the ZZ Gundam.

    ThunderCats
    TMDB4.1

    ThunderCats

    1985

    country: United States

    The inhabitants of the planet Thundera evacuate just before it is destroyed. They were pursued by a band of mutants. All but one of their escape ships was destroyed. Only a small group of Thunderians (Thundercats) remained. With only half engine power, the group, which was led by Jaga, had to set a course for the nearest planet. Jaga commanded their ship while the other seven were in their stasis tubes. Jaga died on their journey to Third Earth and their ship crashed there. Soon they made friends with various groups in the area and they designed a fortress. Mumm-Ra the centuries-old embodiment of evil, along with the mutants that destroyed the rest of the Thunderians are a constant threat. But Lion-O, the new leader of the Thundercats, with his weapon the "Sword of Omens" will help the Thundercats to have a standing chance.

    Alvin and the Chipmunks
    TMDB3.4

    Alvin and the Chipmunks

    1983

    country: United States

    Three chipmunk brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are adopted by human, Dave.

    About 1980s Animation TV Shows

    The 1980s

    1980s television saw the serialized primetime drama take hold and cable begin to fragment the audience that networks had held uncontested for thirty years.

    Animation

    Animated television covers everything from long-running adult satire to prestige anime. It's a format where a distinctive visual voice can survive far longer than in film, and where some of the sharpest writing on TV lives.

    In this list

    Best reviewed
    Ranma ½ (8.6)
    Often also
    Kids, Comedy, Action & Adventure
    Longest run
    38 seasons

    Common questions

    What are the best 1980s animation TV shows?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dragon Ball Z. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any show for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    1980s animation TV shows are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these TV shows?
    Every show page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

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    1980s Animation Movies