Let’s Get Retro-Active: ’80s & ’90s Anime Goodies

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Lately, I’ve been noticing a growing interest in ’80s and ’90s anime. While the Algorithm rules all, and some of the retro anime things I’ve seen on social media can be attributed to me, the responses I’ve been seeing to the material always seem to lament how much better the artwork for anime movies and shows was 30 and 40 years ago.

On the one hand, I think part of this has to do with a sort of modern-day exhaustion. Many times, a lot of a particular medium may have pieces that are very similar. It’s these similarities that, a few years into the future, may define the particular era they were apart of. Looking at past works can give consumers a respite from what feels like the monotony of what they’re used to seeing. I think this is very apparent in music, but of course, it also happens with anime.

On the other hand, though, there is something to say about the more personal, hand-drawn anime of the ’80s and ’90s compared to the modern-day digital rendering. Add to that the fact that a lot of ’80s and ’90s anime had a certain kind of edge to them, and it starts to make sense why some may want to seek them out especially.

That brings me to my latest bout of nostalgia, which had me on Etsy finding all manner of goodies from legendary and classic anime, like Sailor Moon, Akira, Perfect Blue, and Revolutionary Girl Utena. If you, as an anime lover, are in a particularly nostalgic mood, these goodies from ’80s and ’90s anime are right on time.

Image via dokino on Etsy

I feel like this sticker would even appeal to people who aren’t familiar with the classic movie. $4

Akira Poster
via
JessicaShopComb on Etsy

Akira has always had a very particular and pleasing aesthetic, and this poster’s clean lines and spare placements make it a perfect blend of ’80s film and more modern design. $17+

Sailor Moon pastel shirt
via HirayaApparel on Etsy

This Sailor Moon shirt is adorable with a cute color palette. It also goes up to size 3X. $32+

Sailor Moon in the city acrylic art
Image via MoonLightStudioX on Etsy

I’ve never seen acrylic art made with stickers, but the vibe of this is so on-brand for Sailor Moon and just works. $40

Sailor Moon VHS Lamp + Remote
Image via MediaMadnessDesign on Etsy

I have also never seen a VHS lamp, but I’ve now learned that Sailor Moon fans are nothing if not creative. $50

Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 1 Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 1 Product video Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 2 Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 3 Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 4 Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip image 5 Report this item to Etsy In 20+ carts  Price:$16.20+  Original Price:$27.00+  40% off Sale ends in 11:15:23  Free shipping eligible  Shop the sale  New markdown! Biggest sale in 60+ days Sailor Moon Silver Crystal Inspired Popsocket Phone Grip
image via DynamicSparkle on Etsy

Keep your Sailor Moon fandom in your hand with this crystal popsocket. $27

Revolutionary Girl Utena Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya sticker
Image via MakirasOtakuShop on Etsy

This darling sticker features Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya from Revolutionary Girl Utena. Choose between different finishes for $4+.

Revolutionary Girl Enamel Pins image 1 Revolutionary Girl Enamel Pins image 1 Revolutionary Girl Enamel Pins image 2 Report this item to Etsy In 11 carts  Price:$25.00+  Revolutionary Girl Enamel Pins
Image via popoalu on Etsy

More Revolutionary Girl Utena! This time in the form of enamel pins, which will run you $25+.

Perfect Blue T-Shirt
image via Cinemaforlife on Etsy

This Perfect Blue T-shirt perfectly captures the mood of the movie. Its sizes go up to 2XL for $29.

Perfect Blue Film classic movie canvas poster
Image via TTsocutes on Etsy

More moody Perfect Blue realness — though, maybe I should say “struggles with realness,” considering the movie’s plot. The poster is $20+, depending on size.

Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 1 Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 1 Product video Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 2 Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 3 Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 4 Late to the Party 80s style Anime Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker image 5 Report this item to Etsy Only 1 left and in 3 carts  Price:$5.70  Late to the Party 80s style Animebrown-skinned Girl Boombox Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker
Image via DeluxeRetroDeluxe on Etsy

The next four items, including this one, aren’t from a specific anime, but just encapsulate the art of ’80s and ’90s anime — and the general mood of the ’80s and ’90s overall — so well. This one is $6.

Super Drift Sherri Holographic Sticker
Image via Mizucats on Etsy

We really loved random triangles and squiggles in the ’80s and ’90s, didn’t we? This cute ‘n’ squiggly holographic sticker is $6.

80s style anime girl sticker pack
Image via MrInterest on Etsy

I love love love this kind of anime art style and wish it would make a comeback. Just a little. As a treat. $2+ for this ’80s-style anime girl sticker pack.

Happy Hour 80s style Anime Office Lady Retro Pastel Vinyl Sticker
Image via DeluxeRetroDeluxe on Etsy

More ’80s anime girl cuteness in sticker form for $6.


After you’re done stocking up on ’80s and ’90s anime goodies, head over to this list of X-Men merch to keep it semi-retro. Then, you can read about why a certain ’90s manga holds up.

– Erica Ezeifedi

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Let’s Get Retro-Active: ’80s & ’90s Anime Goodies