Set in the dystopian city of Neo-Tokyo, it follows teenage biker Tetsuo as he grapples with newfound telekinetic powers that threaten to consume him – and the city. Okay, we're technically cheating here because 'Akira' is a film, but this groundbreaking anime masterpiece has had more influence than most series.

Interestingly, despite being one of the most analyzed anime series, the creator Hideaki Anno claimed it had no profound meaning and was 'just a robot anime.' This mind-bending series, set in post-apocalyptic Tokyo, explores the existential dread of the young pilots tasked with saving humanity from the mysterious 'Angels.' It's as much a coming-of-age story as it is an apocalyptic narrative, masterfully interweaving the human psyche with science fiction. If your idea of a good time is giant mechas, psychological drama, and a good old existential crisis, 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' is the anime for you. Although its run was short-lived, just 26 episodes, it achieved cult status and has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The series is highly stylized, fusing western film tropes with anime sensibilities, creating an atmospheric fusion as heady as the jazz tunes that pepper its soundtrack. Set in a distant, dystopian future, it follows bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his ragtag crew as they navigate their way through galactic bounty hunts and existential crises. Kickstarting our retro journey is none other than 'Cowboy Bebop,' the jazz-infused space western that still kicks more ass than a mule in a bad mood.

Heart of the wild classic