Best Drama Anime of 1995

Fifteen years after the catastrophic Second Impact, humanity is under siege from colossal angelic beings known as Angels, who attack Tokyo-3 one after another. Despite deploying their most advanced weapons and military strategies, mankind is powerless against them. The only hope lies with NERV, a secretive organization led by the cold-hearted Gendou Ikari. NERV operates giant humanoid robots called Evangelions, equipped with cutting-edge weaponry and protective barriers called Absolute Terror Fields, to fight the Angels. After years of abandonment by his father, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari returns to Tokyo-3. He constantly struggles with deep-seated trauma from losing his mother and the emotional neglect from his father. Afraid to form connections, Shinji's life changes when he meets 29-year-old Misato Katsuragi, a high-ranking NERV officer who offers him the maternal warmth he has never known. A sudden Angel attack forces Shinji into action, revealing Gendou's true reason for summoning him: Shinji is the only one who can effectively pilot Evangelion Unit-01, a new robot that syncs with his biological signals. Despite the severe psychological torment of piloting an Evangelion, Shinji defends Tokyo-3 from the angelic threat, unaware of his father's dark schemes.

The United Earth Sphere Alliance has maintained harsh control over Earth and its space colonies for decades. After the colonies voiced opposition, their leader was killed. In the year After Colony 195, rebellious colonists initiate "Operation Meteor," dispatching five powerful mobile suits to Earth for retribution. These "Gundams," constructed from nearly indestructible Gundanium Alloy, launch an offensive against the Alliance and its subordinate organization OZ. One Gundam, piloted by someone using the name of the slain colony leader Heero Yuy, crash-lands into the ocean after an atmospheric duel with OZ's top pilot Zechs Marquise. Upon reaching shore, he is discovered by Relena Peacecraft, the daughter of a politician advocating for peace, who witnesses Heero's descent. Though neither understands it yet, this meeting will deeply influence both their lives, along with those on Earth and in the space colonies.

Romeo is a gentle and brave boy residing in a Swiss village with his family. His life changes when Luini, known as the God of Death, targets him. Luini is notorious for kidnapping children to sell them as chimney sweeps in Milan. During a visit, Luini sets fire to Romeo’s family cornfield to force Romeo into his service. With the field destroyed and Romeo’s father injured while fighting the flames, Romeo sells himself to Luini so his family can pay for medical care. Traveling to Milan, Romeo befriends Alfredo Martini. When Alfredo is sold to another master, the two promise to remain friends and reunite. As a chimney sweep, Romeo endures significant hardship and abuse, particularly from his master’s household and a gang called the Wolf Pack. After reuniting with Alfredo, they establish a brotherhood of sweeps named the Black Brothers. Together, they learn to combat the Wolf Pack and support one another through difficult times.

Only a short while has elapsed since the Magic Knights faced Princess Emeraude’s "Mashin" in their final battle. Still troubled by the princess’s death, Hikaru Shidou returns to Tokyo Tower. There she reunites with her friends Umi Ryuuzaki and Fuu Hououji for the first time after their sudden mission to rescue Cephiro. Haunted by dreams of the realm she left behind, Hikaru is comforted to discover that her companions also wish to go back and serve the kingdom they once worked so hard to protect. The Magic Knights’ desire is granted, because atop Tokyo Tower, the three are dazzled by the same intense light they witnessed on the day they first met. Once again riding a flying fish, they return to Cephiro—a land now barren and shattered. With the Pillar’s power broken, monsters wander freely, and three nations try to annex Cephiro in hopes of claiming the Pillar for themselves. Adding to the difficulty is the mysterious Lady Debonair, who declares she is the true successor of the fallen country. Facing even greater dangers and completely different foes, the three Magic Knights set out anew to rescue Cephiro and restore peace. United by the bonds they have created, the trio stands strong against this immense challenge.

Sixteen-year-old Mikako Kouda dreams of launching her own clothing line, so she studies at the prestigious Yazawa Art School alongside her childhood friend Tsutomu Yamaguchi. Their constant teasing and close bond lead those around them to suspect romance, but both insist they view each other purely as friends. Everything shifts when Tsutomu begins to resemble Ken Nakagawa—the lead singer of the popular band Manbou—and suddenly attracts attention from girls. This development forces the childhood friends to reconsider what love, friendship, and their true connection really mean.

Ryu and Ken Masters share a close friendship and are both skilled martial artists. To improve their abilities and master new techniques, they journey around the world, encountering various fighting styles and making new acquaintances. During their travels, they become entangled in a scheme by the mysterious organization Shadowlaw, forcing them to face their greatest challenge and fight for their survival against the evil M. Bison.

After the Dark Joker annihilates Queen Earth, their evil forces turn their attention to our world. Ten-year-old Moriya Ririka, aided by her childhood friend Seiya and the enigmatic Kanon, must transform into the Nurse Angel to locate the elusive Flower of Life. This vital bloom, which once covered the globe, has appeared in an unexpected place. To obtain it and permanently eradicate the darkness threatening the universe, Ririka faces the most difficult choice of her life.

During a school yachting trip, fifteen children of various ages are mysteriously carried off to a different world where dinosaurs still roam. In their efforts to return home, they come across talking dinosaurs, revolutionaries, pirates, a princess, and primitive scientists. These strange allies help them evade soldiers, bandits, ferocious dinosaurs, and zealous priests. Tension between the two oldest boys causes a rift in their group, setting up a deceitful scheme of betrayal. Unexpected romances develop in this strained environment, and the children come to understand that each of them holds strengths that can help everyone get back home, provided they cooperate. Loosely inspired by the 1888 novel Deux ans De Vacances by Jules Verne.

Compiler and Assembler have only three days to go back to the 2-D world; if they fail, the council has sworn to annihilate it. How will they spend their final days on Earth? Can they muster the courage to confess their love? If only it were that straightforward. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure is erasing other beings from the 2-D world. Can Compiler and Assembler stop this new menace and reunite with the ones they care about?