90s Anime Memes for OG Otakus Who Grew Up with Goku and Usagi on Toonami (April 30, 2025)

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
May 1, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Kids nowadays have no idea what it was like to be an anime fan back in the day. Anime is incredibly popular now; you can hear famous, grammy-winning artists, such as Billie Eilish and Megan Thee Stallion, referencing their favorite Japanese shows and movies in their songs. You can go to any popular clothing store, like H&M or Zara, and find a collection of anime-themed T-shirts and hoodies. No longer are these sorts of things found exclusively at Hot Topic or Spencer's. 

Western audiences have more access to anime than ever before thanks to Netflix's vast catalogue of both old and new anime. The days of downloading sketchy files for a fan-made dub or watching incredibly low-quality episodes uploaded to YouTube are officially over. Also, being perceived as a weirdo for liking Japanese cartoons and comic books is no longer the default reaction. However, if you grew up trying to get your friends to play Sailor Moon with you at recess instead of The Powerpuff Girls, or Dragon Ball instead of Power Rangers, scroll down for some nostalgic memes!

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  • 01
    When you find a cute outfit in your closet and it doesn't fit anymore.
    via @sailormoon_hd
  • 02
    Me, watching my phone ring till I miss the call
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 03
    You know stuff is about to get real When you see these girls come Von the scene
    via @sailormoon_hd
  • 04
    No one Literally no one Anime characters with glasses:
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 05
    77 WHEN YOU GO BACK FOR THE SAME FREE SAMPLE AT COSTCO 尖 MMChau Art HOLOGENDER
    via HOLOGENDER, @NMCHAUART
  • 06
    When you can't remember if you turned the oven off @sailormoon.memes
    via @sailormoon.memes
  • 07
    When you can take an earth-shattering punch but still wear a seat belt 00
    via @anime_otakumemes

  • Honestly, he was a pretty good role model for kids back in the day!

  • 08
    Gonna need some ice after that This is perfect. That cliff is the perfect spot for our first meeting. Yeah. As soon as she meets you, she can jump right off.
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 09
    How shonen characters used to train: All right! You'll stay just like that for another 12 hours! How shonen characters train now:
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 10
    How Anime Characters Used to Get Strong: How They Get Strong Now: snakeanime.me Eat this.
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 11
    I miss the "Hold em off just until Goku gets here " Squad
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 12
    Pikachu is literally me at the gym
    via @bestofpokemonmemes
  • 13
    Friend: You have Netflix, right? Me: No Friend: Then how do you watch stuff? Me: I'm a pirate.
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 14
    30 years later and 1995 is way better looking how did we devolve 1995 2024
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood

  • 90s anime just had something incredibly charming about it. It's a shame that it can't seem to be recreated. 

  • 15
    D = mcat-s-(E-K) AIC AIB =1 тр E=15km fo = 2πVCL MOME POOL Fv=5° 4π EET F PA "हिम हिस्सा wh 24rme Mo R J= 4523 S 872 M= Fd cos #Baš m = N.m₂ = ve Me =gh Ash trying to figure out why he keeps losing battles with his team of mostly unevolved Pokémon 2m Ball-juΣI Φ 2π Sin C Bas- AD 入 V=C/ λ*T=b Q=NBS H₂ AM AN XL 1 AV Fg= Sho Hm 2 BILMII BIL = 2nd лилиг k² m +2 -J Sind Фе Sinß V₂ A 4
    via @bestofpokemonmemes
  • 16
    When you wake up late and only have 5 mins to get dressed Moon Prism Power Make Up!
    via @sailormoon_hd
  • 17
    half of dbz is just a room of people doing this UG newyorksjojo the other half is people doing this but outside
    via newyorksjojo
  • 18
    Me at 11 pm after eating healthy all day @sam_gainss
    via @sam_gainss
  • 19
    Me after doing my only task of the day
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 20
    how i sleep after a long day of doing the bare minimum I missed my bed.
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 21
    Barber: What you want? Him: I need to defeat Frieza Barber: Say no more FFK
    via @anime_otakumemes
  • 22
    Love when he does a little peace sign
    via @bestofpokemonmemes
  • 23
    Time traveller: *sneezes* The timeline: R R
    via @bestofpokemonmemes
  • 24
    I accidentally typed in pokermon instead of Pokémon I was not disappointed
    via @bestofpokemonmemes
  • 25
    We gonna just forget that time Pokemon just straight up had a real mongoose?
    via @bestofpokemonmemes

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Tags

1990s dragon ball Pokémon anime millennials nostalgia japanese animemes Dragon Ball Z sailor moon anime memes 90s kids Japan 90s cartoons otaku television
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