Best Drama Anime of 1996

Similar to the R Season, Sailor Stars is split into two segments. The first part addresses lingering conflicts from SuperS and features the return of the Outer Senshi: Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru, who has been reborn as a child. In the second part, Usagi says goodbye to Mamoru, who is departing for America to study. Concurrently, the Three Lights, an idol trio comprising boys Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten, appear. The new antagonist is Galaxia, a woman seeking to rule the galaxy by collecting human Star Seeds. Three new Senshi, the Sailor Starlights, emerge with their own motivations to defeat Galaxia, though they initially act without Sailor Moon’s assistance.

Sixth grader Sana Kurata seems to have it all: her mother is a reasonably successful writer, a young man is employed to keep her happy and safe, and she shines as the star of the children's TV show Kodomo no Omocha. Yet one thing ruins her perfect life—Akito Hayama. Akito, a classmate of Sana's, has been causing trouble in class, and the other boys have followed his lead. Every day, the girls and their teacher struggle to maintain order and get any learning done. That rotten Akito… Sana refuses to put up with it! The hyperactive Sana decides to investigate what makes Akito tick, hoping to restore normalcy to the classroom and stop the teacher from spending every day crying instead of teaching. However, the more she discovers about him, the more she realizes there might be more to Akito than meets the eye.

Tsukushi Makino, a student from a humble background, simply wishes to survive her final two years at the elite Eitoku Gakuen without incident. However, her attempt to defend a friend against the F4, the school’s four wealthiest and most influential boys, results in her receiving a red card, signaling a declaration of war from the group. When she refuses to back down and begins to develop feelings for one of them, Hanazawa Rui, she discovers that the reality behind their polished facades is far more complex than it initially appears.

The declaration of independence by a single space colony ignited the 7th Space War, a total conflict between Earth and the orbital settlements. In response, the Earth Federation deployed mobile suits known as Gundams against the Space Revolutionary Army. However, the revolutionaries unleashed a devastating trump card by dropping hundreds of colonies onto the planet, triggering a nuclear winter that lasted seven years. While the Federation regime fell, the Space Revolutionary Army found itself incapable of mounting an invasion during the subsequent devastation. Fifteen years later, in the year After War 0015, a New Federation has risen on Earth to reestablish order, while colonial leaders in space are simultaneously rebuilding their military strength. Fifteen-year-old Garrod Ran stumbles upon an old Federation mobile suit, the Gundam X, and begins piloting it to aid the Freeden, a ship operated by the Vultures, in their fight to prevent those in power from repeating the catastrophic errors of the past.

Takuya Enoki, a fifth grader, carries a heavy burden after his mother dies in a car accident months before. He must now care for his baby brother Minoru while their father works long hours as a typical Japanese salaryman. Takuya sacrifices his childhood to cook, clean, worry, and discipline Minoru, all while neighbors blame him for the baby's constant crying. As he watches his friends enjoy their carefree lives, the path ahead is full of obstacles, but along the way, he might discover the true meaning of family.

In a distant future, Earth's population has grown too large, prompting humanity to seek new worlds for colonization. One colony ship, the Mesopotamia, suffers a critical failure, killing nearly everyone aboard—only six people survive. They manage to reach a nearby planet called Terra II, which closely resembles Earth. However, all six survivors are male. To ensure their efforts are not wasted, they establish six nations and continue their species through cloning and genetic engineering. But without any women, they create highly realistic female androids known as Marionettes to handle daily chores and labor—emotionless machines that lack true feelings. One day, an ordinary boy named Otaru discovers and activates three special battle-type Marionettes that possess emotions thanks to a Maiden Circuit installed inside them. He must guide them and help their emotions develop. When a neighboring country threatens to conquer the world, Otaru and his "human" Marionettes must rise to defend their nation.

Remy, a cheerful and kind-hearted girl, lives with her mother in a small French country town. One day, her father returns home after a long period of working in the city. He tells Remy that she is not their biological daughter, and she is nearly sold to a cruel slave trader. It is Vitalis, a wandering entertainer, who comes to Remy's rescue. Vitalis recognizes her talent for singing and decides to take her in as part of his troupe.

Trouble erupts one day in Staccato. Demons appear and begin terrorizing the townspeople, and the entire country appears to be under threat. The problem stems from the weakening "barrier" that has until now prevented demons from crossing into the human world. The barrier's keeper, Queen Horn of Sforzando, is losing strength after maintaining it for so many years. Hell King Bass is attempting to break through the barrier and free their "supreme leader," Kestra (Orchestra)—a being of unmatched power who remains trapped somewhere in the human realm.

Shy middle schooler Yuuko harbors romantic feelings for her childhood friend who lives next door. However, she faces a dilemma when she discovers that her best friend also has a crush on him, leaving her uncertain about how to proceed. The narrative delves into the dynamics among these three individuals as they navigate the typical challenges of junior high life.