Best Action Anime of 1980

Professor Tenma builds a robot boy in the likeness of his late son Tobio, believing that nothing could possibly go wrong now that his beloved child had been "brought back to life"... at least until he realizes this creation can never truly replace his boy. Not long after, though, the robot is snatched away and taken to a robot circus in America, where he is eventually rescued by Dr. Ochanomizu and taken under his care. Tobio is renamed Tetsuwan Atom and becomes Japan's hero against crime, even though his pacifist, non-violent nature and his innocent, childlike outlook frequently come into conflict with the battles he faces.

In a future where Earth has become uninhabitable and been renamed Terra five hundred years after its environmental collapse, humanity now exists within a space society governed by supercomputers. Children are raised in artificial wombs and assigned to families at random. When each person turns fourteen, they must undergo an Adulthood Exam. The greatest threat to this system is the Mu—humans who have developed psychic abilities. On his fourteenth birthday, as Jomy Marquis Shin prepares for his Adulthood Exam, he learns with horror that his childhood memories will be erased. Then he hears the voice of Soldier Blue, the leader of the Mu, urging him to hold onto his past. Jomy escapes on a Mu vessel and discovers that he too has psychic powers, and that the government has sentenced him to death. As Soldier Blue nears his end, he transfers his memories to Jomy and appoints him as the Mu's new commander. Jomy must now decide whether to keep the Mu hidden or to declare war on the human authorities to achieve their goal of reclaiming Terra.

When a stray missile from a clash between the Galman empire and the Bolar Federation strikes the sun, the star transforms into a ticking radiation bomb. The Star Force once again launches into the cosmos, embarking on a desperate quest to find a new world where humanity can survive.

After the Black Nebula Empire attacks Earth, the planet is held captive by the threat that a planted bomb will be detonated if anyone resists. The Yamato crew embarks on a perilous voyage to the Black Nebula Planet, determined to locate and disarm the device before the deadline runs out, striving to avert humanity's total destruction.

After stepping away from their responsibilities, the cyborgs enjoy a peaceful everyday existence. This calm is shattered when an alien spacecraft suddenly crashes on Earth. The sole survivor from the vessel alerts them about Zoa, a terrifying conqueror who seeks to dominate the entire universe. Confronted by this threat, the cyborgs are forced to take up their protective mission once again.

This series is not connected to Moby Dick at all. It actually marks TMS's first original production without any source material. The plot: In antiquity, Atlantis and Mu waged a war that ended with Atlantis losing. Following this defeat, Atlantis turned itself into a small planet and traveled through time to the present day in an attempt to once again conquer Earth. In response, five warriors from Mu gather on Easter Island, and alongside a giant cyborg white whale that contains the brain of Mu's ancient queen, they fight off Atlantis at various famous ruins across the world.

Driven by their individual dreams of becoming the most beautiful woman, the most celebrated scientist, and the mightiest hero history has ever seen, the three villains Atasha, Sekobitchi, and Duwarusuki band together. Publicly, they operate as Time Patrollers, sworn guardians of the historical record—but this is merely a front. In truth, the trio serves a shadowy mastermind bent on reshaping the past to fit his own agenda, and under his directives, they leap across the centuries to sabotage recorded events. Standing in their way are Hikaru and Nana, who fight back while hiding their identities as the Otasukemen.

Twelve-year-old Linn Youki stood by his father when the rest of the world mocked the scientist for claiming that an alien invasion of Earth was imminent. But Linn never imagined he'd become directly caught up in the action—until he encountered Takoro, a peculiar young "deputy sheriff" from another dimension who was hot on the trail of notorious space criminals. Though only four in number, the Kurodako Brothers schemed to use their extraterrestrial technology and innate shape-shifting abilities to become the hidden rulers of Earth. With Takoro's assistance, Linn transformed into the mighty superhero Muteking, determined to thwart their plans. This lighthearted comedy-drama delivers plenty of action and laughs, revolving around a roller-skating costumed hero, his friendly yet bumbling alien partner, a gang of clumsy would-be world conquerors, a beautiful police chief, an obsessed scientist, a sarcastic dog, an officious flying saucer, and more. This unusual but endearing cast will win over viewers' hearts while keeping them thoroughly entertained.