Best Comedy Anime of 1998

Ten-year-old Sakura Kinomoto is an ordinary fourth grader living in Tomoeda until she accidentally discovers a mysterious book of cards called "The Clow." While examining her find, she inadvertently unleashes a magical gust of wind that scatters the cards across the town. This incident awakens the Beast of the Seal—Keroberos, nicknamed "Kero"—who informs Sakura that she has released the mystical Clow Cards, created by the sorcerer Clow Reed. Because each card can act independently and possesses immense power, Clow had sealed them away. Now that they are free, the cards pose a serious threat to the world, and it falls upon Sakura to stop them. Appointing Sakura as the "Cardcaptor" and giving her the Sealed Key, Kero charges her with finding and recapturing all the Clow Cards. With her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji at her side and Kero's guidance, Sakura must balance her new secret responsibility with everyday life as she embarks on magical adventures as Cardcaptor Sakura.

Bullies frequently pick on those who are frail and weak—someone exactly like Yuugi Mutou. His childhood friend, the beautiful Anzu Mazaki, often defends him, but he cannot rely on her forever. Katsuya Jonouchi, usually accompanied by his verbal sparring partner Hiroto Honda, does not seem like a bad person either, even though he always brings Yuugi trouble. Above all, Yuugi longs for a true friend who understands him and would never betray him. Yuugi treasures his Millennium Puzzle, an ancient Egyptian artifact that ended up in his grandfather's game shop. Believing that solving the puzzle will grant his wish, he completes it, unleashing a new personality within him—the soul of the "King of Games." Dark, twisted, strong, and dependable, this new personality, named Yami Yuugi, is the complete opposite of Yuugi. Whenever an injustice is done to him, Yami Yuugi takes over Yuugi's body and forces the opponent into a "Shadow Game." The stakes are high, as the loser must taste the darkness that resides within their own heart.

Yukino Miyazawa serves as the female class representative and is the most admired freshman girl at her high school. Excelling in both academics and athletics while maintaining an elegant and sociable demeanor, she has been the subject of admiration throughout her life. However, beneath this facade, she is extremely vain and works tirelessly to uphold her high grades, athletic prowess, and polished image. Her greatest desire is to be the focus of attention and praise—which is why she despises Souichirou Arima, the male class representative and the only person more accomplished than her. From the first day of high school, she has tried in vain to steal the spotlight from her new rival. Finally, on the midterm exams, Yukino achieves the top score, surpassing Souichirou. To her surprise, he congratulates her on her success, making her question her own deceptive ways. When Souichirou confesses his feelings for her, Yukino rejects him and boasts about it at home with only a slight twinge of regret. Yet the next day, Souichirou arrives at Yukino's house to deliver a CD and witnesses her true, unrestrained self; armed with this secret, he blackmails her into helping him finish his student council duties. Forced to spend time with Souichirou, Yukino discovers that she is not the only one hiding secrets.

Gene Starwind has always dreamed of flying his own starship into the vast reaches of space. However, that dream remains out of reach as he spends his days taking odd jobs alongside his partner James Hawking on the small planet Sentinel III. Everything changes when the pair accepts a job from Rachel Sweet, a treasure-hunting outlaw in disguise. Tasked with protecting a mysterious girl named Melfina, this encounter irreversibly alters their lives and sends them hurtling into the unknown aboard the highly advanced vessel Outlaw Star. Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star follows Gene and his motley crew as they brave the final frontier, traveling among the stars to uncover the secrets surrounding Melfina. Along the way, they clash with dangerous bounty hunters, space pirates, Taoist mages, and even catgirls—ensuring a thrilling adventure lies around every corner.

Six years prior, a catastrophic incident occurred at the Tower of Fang magic school concerning the magical sword Baltanders and the sorcerer Azalie. Because Azalie could not master the blade’s power, they were transformed into a massive dragon known as Bloody August. Krilancelo, a young magician at the Tower who held deep affection for Azalie, was disgusted by the elders’ refusal to save Azalie and their desire to erase the accident from history. Enraged by their indifference, Krilancelo vowed to restore Azalie to their original form. He abandoned the name Krilancelo, adopting the name Orphen instead, and left the Tower and his magical studies behind to roam the world.

This is a large collection of short episodes featuring the Goddesses from the Ah My Goddess anime and manga. The series is filled with parodies of other works and a wide array of jokes, as the Goddesses spend their time both tormenting and relaxing with their rat friend Gan.

Millie Nocturne's single greatest ambition is to become the best in the universe at absolutely everything. Yet when she tries her hand at being the "best detective," she finds herself reluctantly partnered with two people who will change her life forever: Kane Blueriver, the psi-blade-wielding master of the starship Swordbreaker, and Canal, the sharp-tongued holographic form of the ship's computer. Follow this mismatched trio as they race through space, taking on intergalactic crime lords, rogue starships, and hijackers dressed as chickens—and that's just the start of the chaos.

In the year 2023, extraterrestrial entities called Lucifer Hawks launch an invasion of Earth from a parallel dimension. The sole barrier against their subjugation of humanity is the Attacked Mystification Police Department, an elite Tokyo Police unit composed of female officers possessing extraordinary supernatural powers.

Set a few months after the events of the Saber Marionette J OVA, this new chapter in the Saber Marionette saga follows Otaru and his devoted, possessive marionette girls as they face fresh challenges. The villainous Faust has returned, once again meddling with forbidden Marionette technology. The Saber Dolls reappear, caught between their budding affection for Otaru and their unshakable allegiance to Faust. Can Otaru, Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry thwart Faust a second time, or will they all end up on the scrap heap?

Team Warrior operates as a specialized anti-terror unit within the Neo-Tokyo Police force. Its members include Rio, who is perpetually broke; Maya, who has an obsession with guns; computer expert Lillica; technology specialist Nanvel; Yuji, a pilot with voyeuristic tendencies; and their enigmatic leader, Maki. The team handles various assignments such as bodyguard details, dismantling robbery and arms trafficking operations, and guarding a highly formidable tank. Rio and the others consistently foil the schemes of Ruby, an agent working for a mysterious coalition of influential figures. In the lead-up to the final confrontation, the story uncovers how Team Warrior was originally assembled, how the clever Rio came to be part of it, and the painful history that Maki carries.

Okometsubu Fujiyama has just transferred to Wakame High School, where his goal is to make 100 friends—until he crosses paths with the bizarre Masaru Hananakajima. Masaru is a martial artist specializing in the "Sexy Commando" fighting style. He establishes a club around this art, bringing in Fujiyama, whom he dubs Fuumin. The club soon fills with odd, offbeat characters. Along the way, the group encounters aliens, mustaches, and cute fuzzy animals as the club gains popularity.

Miho Shinohara is a carefree third-grader who dreams of becoming a manga artist. One day, she meets Mogu and Pigu—two lost fairies disguised as stuffed animals. In exchange for letting them stay at her home until they can return to their own world, the fairies give Miho a special sketch pad and pencil that let her turn anything she draws into real objects. With the pencil, Miho can also transform into Lala, a beautiful teenage girl based on her manga art. As Lala, she is discovered by a talent agency, and her adventures begin as she goes from an ordinary schoolgirl to a model and then an idol singer.

Miz plans to step down from her role as the Great Priestess of Water to marry her beloved Fujisawa, and as her replacement, the young Qawoor Towles arrives in Floristica. Seeing Qawoor's initiation ceremony as an opportunity to sneak into Makoto's laboratory, Jinnai accidentally activates a mysterious device that transports all of them across dimensions to a gray industrial city protected by a massive castle in an alternate world.

Ryo, Gawl, and Koji are three youths who journey to the past with a single goal: to alter the course of history. In their own era, they discover that their nation, Kubere, employs genetically enhanced individuals known as generators as military weapons. These generators trigger the Third War, which wipes out most of humanity. So Koji, Ryo, and Gawl have arrived to prevent those events from happening.

In the 25th century, a dark lord has contaminated history with time-devices that could cause irreversible damage. Genshi and his father once lived in prehistoric times before being fossilized. After their discovery, Genshi is restored to his original state. With assistance from his father, a boy named Tony, and a girl named Sara, he must journey through time to return the time-devices to the land of time and save history.

Tasuke Shichiri's friends are jealous of him—since his parents are always traveling, he gets to do whatever he likes. To keep him from feeling lonely, his father sends him a surprising present: a strange ring called the shitenrin. From it emerges a moon goddess named Shaorin, who is devoted to protecting her "master"—no matter how big a mess she makes in the process.

Based on a four-panel comic, this anime keeps the same fast pace by tracking its regular cast of vivid characters through separate but interconnected story lines in each episode. From Ms. Shitara's persistent yet always futile sexual pursuit of young Takagi to the exploits of the heroicly foolish but endearing Sushi Cat, you will be baffled by the sheer silliness but end up laughing for that very reason.

Each episode follows Nuku Nuku's high school adventures and mishaps, along with her interactions with fellow students. The overarching plot involves the villainous Mishima Industries trying to dominate the globe with their products. Opposing them are the eccentric Kyuusaku Natsume and Nuku Nuku, an android who serves as a companion to his young son. Nuku Nuku's classmates are all peculiar: class president Futaba is a domineering control freak who can't stand losing authority at school. Chieko Shirakaba is a wealthy snob accompanied by two sycophants who always back her up. There is also a bookworm, a mystic, a scientist, and a pop singer. Each lives up to their label: the mystic constantly predicts doom using tarot cards, spirits, or other occult methods; the pop singer communicates only through song; the bookworm always has her nose buried in a book. These quirks contribute to the show's humor.

Fuguno Matsuo has spent all 24 years of his life without a girlfriend, and a fortune teller's prediction that he never will only adds to his misery. Everything changes when he catches sight of Nagisa-sensei and falls head over heels, immediately beginning to court her earnestly. Into this situation steps Hamaoka, a coworker who has developed a crush on Fuguno, leading to the formation of a love triangle.

Esumi Fuuka is an elementary school student who stands 163 cm tall with a slender physique. Although her adult-like figure suggests she is a university undergraduate, she actually possesses the mindset of a young child. This stark contrast between her physical appearance and her mental maturity leads to numerous misunderstandings surrounding her.

Milk-chan is a girl living in a house that is stuck on the side of a building, accompanied by her two sidekicks: Tetsu-ko, a paranoid robot shaped like a bottle, and Hanage, a green blob with a mustache. Milk is too poor to pay the rent, especially after her failed attempt to extort a local ant family. However, she is saved when the president himself offers her a job—some kind of secret mission. Milk-chan answers the phone to receive these missions from the president by saying something like, "Hello, Bank of Hokkaido. Just kidding!" After receiving her mission, Milk-chan and her sidekicks take off in the "Milk-6" helicopter to carry it out. Did I mention this is a spoof of 1970s spy thrillers or some sort of Bond movie?

Licca Kayama considers herself an ordinary ten-year-old girl residing in a tranquil Japanese neighborhood with her mother and grandmother, spending her days at school and hanging out with friends. However, her guardians have concealed a crucial truth: she is actually a princess of the secret Doll Kingdom. During a school trip to a local museum, Licca and her classmates are ambushed by the menacing Scarecrow and his subordinates. Hired by the villainous new leaders of the Doll Kingdom, these evil followers will use every magical trick available to capture the young princess. Licca’s sole salvation arrives in the form of the Doll Knights, former powerful protectors of the royal family who now stand as the only force capable of combating the darkness that has overtaken her ancestral home.

By the year 2010, radio broadcasting in Japan is experiencing a downturn. In an effort to boost their falling listener numbers, a radio station run by a group of chronic underachievers decides on a bold strategy: bringing on the very first android announcer. Maico may be adorable, but simply being a novelty isn't enough to capture the unpredictable audience's attention—especially when her colleagues are so incompetent.

In ages past, the Dark B-Da, or dark beings, assaulted B-Da City in an attempt to seize control of the entire Blue Solar System. Utilizing their legendary might and clever technology, the valiant B-Daman managed to defeat the Nol Arc Empire and bring tranquility back to the cosmos. A millennium later, the Dark B-Da have resurfaced to subjugate the Blue Solar System and expand their rule. Shirobon, a young B-Daman driven by a fierce sense of justice, steps up to protect B-Da City. Teaming up with his companions, they engage in combat against the Dark B-Da, who have arrived to obliterate their homeland.

Momoko is a high school student striving to live up to her older sister Sakura. Sakura works in an office alongside numerous colleagues. Together with their friends, the two sisters navigate the daily challenges and situations encountered by women.

Follow the wild antics of the Osawagi household. Young Kotetsu, likely the liveliest kid in Urayasu, constantly causes trouble alongside his eccentric group of friends. The series showcases distinct, finely crafted characters combined with rapid-fire action and comedy.

Futarigurashi follows Kenji Aoyama, an aspiring erotic mangaka. To help with rent, his friend's younger brother, Hikari Satou, offers to become his roommate—but it turns out that Hikari is, in almost every way, a girl. The series revolves around Kenji and Hikari getting involved with various women.

In the Heian period, roughly one thousand years ago, a young noble boy named Ojarumaru grows weary of his sheltered, luxurious life. Meanwhile, three demons steal the power-stick belonging to Enma, the demon king, only to later misplace it. Ojarumaru discovers the stick and uses it to travel to the present day. There, he becomes friends with a boy named Kazuma and is taken in by Kazuma's family. As time passes, Ojarumaru forms many new friendships while evading the comedic attempts of the three demons—Akane, Kisuke, and Aobee—to reclaim the stick.

Haruka Nishikikoji is a portly physician who never has any luck attracting women. Fate intervenes when he secures a post as a doctor at an elementary school, where his workplace is perched atop the building's roof and the actual clinic resembles a medieval castle. Just as everything appears to be heading downhill, a surprise arrives: his first love, Koizumi Miyuki, applies to become his soon-to-be nurse.

The space travel company YAT finds itself drifting into uncharted regions of outer space. Meanwhile, the group meets the psychic Maron and the scientist Note. Soon after, they are attacked by the evil ruler Ganon. Note is taken away after being assaulted by one of Ganon's followers, Baras. To rescue Note, the team must use the instantaneous portable device that Note invented in order to reach Ganon's planet. However, the planet's location remains a mystery.

In the Kagami household, a small Western-style mirror had been passed down through the generations. Akko-chan was taught about the mirror's importance, and when she finally received it from her mother, she treasured it with all her heart. One day, during a disturbance caused by Taishou and his gang, Akko-chan accidentally broke the mirror. She dug a grave and buried the shattered pieces in the backyard. That night, Akko-chan was awakened by a flash of light and a gentle voice belonging to the Queen of the Mirror Kingdom. The Queen expressed gratitude to Akko-chan for valuing the mirror so deeply and offered her a gift—a magical compact mirror. Whenever Akko-chan sings the magic words, she can transform into anything she desires.

The story revolves around Kanipan aiming to be the best inventor and his adventures while trying to accomplish this.

Matsuzawa-sensei’s debut work features an elite soldier nicknamed the God of Death who gets reassigned to the PaPaRa Army, a unit notorious for its brilliant yet absurdly eccentric members. The story lacks a serious narrative, relying entirely on comedy, slapstick violence, and sheer absurdity.

To defend Earth from alien invaders, the god of Takoyaki created the five warriors of justice: Takoyaki Mantle Man. They risk their lives for justice. Each hero has a round face, wears a white cape, and bears an octopus belt as their symbol. Red serves as leader, with a special attack called Pickled Ginger Clash. Green is an energetic and impulsive boy whose special attack is Green Onion Nunchaku. Pink is a precocious girl whose special attack is Okaka Flash. Blue is a sweet crybaby whose special attack is Seaweed Buster. Yellow is a cheerful boy whose special attack is Tenkasu Beam. Takoyaki Mantle Man are cute and strong heroic characters, friendly toward children. Their enemies are too silly to hate. The story is very lively and amusing.

A foolish clumsy angel came to the human world to help a very unlucky boy. But more accidents are then created...

Based on a manga by Fujinami Toshihiko, serialized in Weekly Spa! between 1998 and 1999.

A children's series about the daily lives of funny insects.

The Haruba family is a wonderful family with three children. The main character is the youngest of the three siblings, who is secretly a spirit. Set against a nostalgic Japanese backdrop, the story portrays the life of this remarkable family.

Based on the manga by Sasaki Takemaru.

Miiko lives with her parents and her brother Mamoru in the Yamada household. Because both of her parents are employed, they are often away from home during the daytime. Most of the problems that arise within the Yamada family stem from Miiko's lazy nature and her clumsiness.