90s Anime Memes for OG Otakus Who Grew Up with Goku and Usagi on Toonami (June 17, 2025)

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Jun 17, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

If you grew up watching anime in the 90s, I have nothing but respect for you. Up until rather recently, being a fan of anime wasn't exactly considered "cool." Because Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon were pretty mainstream, being a fan of either as a kid back in the day wasn't unusual. However, if you wanted to delve any further into the world of Japanese animation, not only did you have to work hard, but you also had to keep it on the down-low – lest you be branded a "weeb."

It's so easy to be a casual anime fan these days. Everyone and their grandmother has a Netflix account, and the website has a really good selection of shows – from 80s classics to the hottest series of the season. Back then in the 90s, you had to download anime from sketchy websites – and even then, you might end up with questionable, fan-made subtitles. If this was your childhood or adolescence, scroll down for memes curated just for you!

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  • 01
    When you sleep on top of your arm all night
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 02
    Them: "How do you cope with stress?" Me:
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 03
    half of dbz is just a room of people doing this UGH newyorksjojo the other half is people doing this but outside
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 04
    The group of water bottles in my room when I bring in another one ANIMESYNS
    via @animebewilin
  • 05
    1993 was the best version of Gohan, hands down. 2023.00 8 1993...
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 06
    Kids today will never understand 7/1
    via @animebewilin
  • 07
    WE Z MADE YOUR Adults Who Love Seiler Moen CHILDHOOD AWESOME, RIGHT?!
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 08
    Her: I like guys that go to the gym Me: ME
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 09
    They say iPhone is better than Android but i've never seen an IPhone save the universe lol MIR
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 10
    Bae: Come over Me: I can't, Dragon Ball Z is on Bae: My parents aren't home Me: I'm watching DragON BALL Z I CAN'T
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 11
    how i sleep after a long day of doing the bare minimum I missed my bed.
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 12
    Me 2 minutes into exercising @sailormoon.memes I can't do this anymore!
    via @sailormoon.memes
  • 13
    We gonna just forget that time Pokemon just straight up had a real mongoose?
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood

  • This is just as strange as the time that Avatar: The Last Airbender featured a real, normal bear. No, not a platypus-bear or an gopher-bear. Just a bear.

  • 14
    It doesn't matter how many Pots of Greed you have, Bender's on a hot streak. What can I say? Must be the Heart of the Cards
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 15
    The '90s 2000s Pokémon era was unmatched 4 Gotta calci Poké Ball Blaster whale Dr. 729 PokeMON POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME TRADING CARD GAME N POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME pocket Hindendo POKEMON Welch's Grape Jelly ADDIMONAL CANIDHIS _
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 16
    This episode was crazy.
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 17
    when all 2 of your friends are busy
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 18
    My mental health as soon as I turn 30: What's for breakfast? Breakfast? You're having an existential crisis for breakfast! That's what!
    via @ouchrightinthechildhood
  • 19
    Not Gonna Lie. I miss watching this after school FYBALL
    via @animebewilin
  • 20
    real My inner kid being happy Me buying cool stuff I would have liked as a kid
    via @animebewilin

  • What a great visual to encourage everyone to stay in touch with your inner child! Don't lose your spark, people!

  • 21
    Me talking to my gf about my love for something Her not fully understanding but happily listening anyway
    via @animebewilin
  • 22
    Me before coffee vs. me after coffee @sailormoon.memes
    via @sailormoon.memes
  • 23
    Me as a parent @sailormoon.memes
    via @sailormoon.memes
  • 24
    Me when the slightest inconvenience happens @sailormoon.memes I'm in a very bad mood tonight!
    via @sailormoon.memes

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Tags

millennial memes anime millennials nostalgia japanese animemes Dragon Ball Z sailor moon cartoon network anime memes japanese entertainment 90s kids Japan 90s manga otaku
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