Best Action Anime of 1988

In 1988, a young boy with psychic abilities triggers a catastrophic explosion that destroys Tokyo and ignites World War III. To avert future disasters, he is captured and hidden from the public. Thirty years later, the reconstructed Neo-Tokyo is ravaged by gang violence and anti-government unrest. Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a notorious gang known for their oversized custom motorcycles and their bitter feud with "the Clowns." During a confrontation with their rivals, Kaneda's best friend, Tetsuo Shima, collides with an esper escaping a government facility. This incident awakens Tetsuo's dormant psychic powers, which quickly spiral out of control. As authorities struggle to contain this new threat to the city, Tetsuo becomes increasingly powerful, transforming into the epicenter of the escalating chaos.

In "Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure," the disappearance of Emperor Chiaotzu's wife leads Master Shen to disclose that gathering the seven Dragon Balls can call forth the eternal dragon, who can grant wishes to bring her back. While the Emperor arranges the World Martial Arts Tournament, where Goku and Krillin take part, Bora and his son Upa conceal a Dragon Ball they discovered from the emperor's forces, commanded by the villainous Shen and General Tao. At the same time, Bulma sets off on her own quest for the Dragon Balls, joined by Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong.

Before the legendary clash between Count von Lohengramm of the Galactic Empire and Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance at the Battle of Astarte, a four-month interval occurred. At this time, the future count was known as Reinhard von Müsel. As the youngest admiral in the Empire's history, he endured ridicule and skepticism from his peers, who were jealous of his connection to the Kaiser’s concubine. When Reinhard was dispatched with his fleet to Iserlohn Fortress, he received orders from the cunning and ambitious Fleet Admiral Gregor von Muckenberger to confront an enemy fleet in a nearby star system. Realizing these instructions were a covert attempt to eliminate him, Reinhard nonetheless directed his weary forces into combat within the atmosphere of the gas giant Legnica. Little did he know, this engagement would mark the beginning of numerous encounters with the Hero of El Facil.

Ryo Saeba operates as a private detective by day and takes on the role of a sweeper to fight crime in the city during other hours. Though highly skilled, he is prone to being distracted by beautiful women. His partner, Kaori Makimura, frequently finds herself shielding their female clients from Ryo's unwanted advances.

While looking into a series of gruesome murders where the victims have been completely drained of blood, spiritualist Himiko Se meets Miyu Yamano, who reveals herself to be a true vampire. Yet Miyu acts as a guardian, keeping humanity safe from the dangerous Shinma—supernatural beings with godlike demonic power. These Shinma cause chaos among people, and one of them has infiltrated the noble vampire bloodline. As Himiko continues her investigation, she finds it hard to believe Miyu's claims of innocence and wonders why a vampire would defend humans against the Shinma.

Otokojuku is a unique private academy that enrolls juvenile delinquents expelled from other schools. There, students are instructed in the virtues of traditional Japanese honor and courage through methods derived from feudal and military practices. The instruction is harsh and frequently brutal, resembling an action film. Only those who endure this demanding regimen truly earn the right to be called men.

Yo Hinomura was once a simple Japanese potter before a confrontation with the Chinese mafia forever altered his path. Now serving as an assassin for the 108 Dragons, Yo is a flawless killing machine. As a display of remorse for his victims, he weeps after completing each assassination. Because of this, he is notoriously recognized by the Dragons and every criminal syndicate worldwide as "Crying Freeman."

This animated feature brings the Urusei Yatsura saga to a boiling point by adapting the final story arc of the original manga, though it is not the series' concluding film. Lupa, another of Lum's suitors, arrives on Earth, forcing Lum and Ataru to rekindle their game of tag to stop the planet from being obliterated. Ataru's only path to victory is uttering the three words "I love you," which he has stubbornly refused to say to Lum. Will he finally confess his true feelings to save the Earth, or will his pride lead to the world's destruction?

A failing school receives the "Ultimate Teacher" Ganpachi, sent to instill discipline and prepare students for the real world. However, the students, led by Hinako, resist his attempts to dismantle their gang. To oppose Ganpachi, Hinako uses her unconventional secret weapon: her lucky cat-print panties. The situation grows even more complicated when it is revealed that Ganpachi himself is the result of genetic experiments.

The Iron Fist Chinmi, also known as Tekken, is a kung-fu adventure following a teenage boy who will master the art of kung-fu at a temple called Dairin Temple. The adventure is set against the backdrop of a vast China Kingdom with a rich history and enormous territory. This teenager’s name is Chinmi, and he is accompanied by a funny monkey commonly called Go Ku as he travels through the wide world of kung-fu. Chinmi is an orphaned teenager who has only an older sister, Mei Lin. Before Chinmi set out to explore his talent in kung-fu at Dairin Temple, the two of them lived near the Choko River in a small restaurant they owned. It was Master Yosen who first gave Chinmi an inner-power kung-fu style, which becomes the primary technique Chinmi relies on in every fight during his adventure.

Sonic Soldier Borgman is a science fiction series blending super sentai elements with non-combining mecha technology. The narrative follows a trio that resembles a sentai team in their fight against the Youma organization. The group consists of three members associated with the primary ranger colors of pink, blue, and green. The main characters are Chuck, Ryo, and Anise, with Ryo serving as the leader. Chuck and Anise also work as teachers at a public school. Their students frequently assist the Borgman or cause problems, and some even learn their secret identities. Ryo rides a modern blue motorcycle capable of self-upgrading and speech. The transformation phrase is "Borg. Get On." Each team member wields a personalized cannon matching their armor color, used exclusively to defeat the monsters encountered.

The girls find salvation from none other than Catty Nebulart herself! Now the clock is ticking as Catty struggles to finish her greatest achievement: a massive machine that will bring life to a barren world.

In "Spirit Warrior," Kujaku, a young mystic with a mysterious past, possesses remarkable supernatural abilities stemming from a dark omen at his birth. Brought up by priests, he uses his powers for good. However, the malevolent Siegfried von Mittgard seeks to steal Kujaku's birthright and rise as the Regent of Darkness, intending to rule the world. To stop this, Siegfried has sent ruthless agents to destroy Kujaku before he can achieve his full destiny. As danger closes in, Kujaku must uncover the truth of his origins before his inner power becomes uncontrollable.

Otokojuku is a special private academy created for juvenile delinquents expelled from ordinary schools. Here, pupils receive instruction in classic Japanese samurai ethics using strict feudal and military disciplines. The curriculum is severe and frequently brutal, resembling a high-octane movie. Only by enduring these tough trials can the students transform into genuine men.

This is the story of a young girl and a young dragon. Unsurprisingly, they are the closest of friends, and just as predictably, the rest of the world is against them both. However, when demons decide to destroy their world, they take the side of those who have always opposed them.

When Kenichi Kokuhou was a young child, he became lost in the mountains and was never located. Yet, unbeknownst to everyone, Kenichi was raised in the wilderness by his adoptive father. Upon turning 15, Kenichi learns the truth about his origins from his foster father. After discovering this, he resolves to venture into civilized society where his biological parents reside. Every encounter Kenichi has in the town fills him with amazement and bewilderment. His family is overjoyed to see their son alive, but taken aback by how wild and unlike other children he has become. Now, a new chapter of his life is about to start. His untamed behavior and physical resilience create numerous disruptions in the town. Kenichi approaches situations in his own unique manner, but it is so foreign that most people cannot grasp his intentions. Will he manage to adapt to life in the town?

In a world where many fighting traditions clash—Chinese Kung Fu, Japanese Karate, South Korean Taekwondo, and others—there are Shaolin-trained warriors and fighters strong enough to slice the side off a mountain. Yet among them, Victory Ramenman is reputed to be the mightiest. As a child, he watched the Cobra Gang murder his father, Somenman, and that gang still terrorizes the land to this day. Taken in by the wise elder Chen Sou-Mei, Ramenman spent twelve years training under his master, mastering the great Essential Battle Dragon (闘龍極意書, To Ryuu Gokui Sho) style of Choujin Martial arts. Now, accompanied by his young sidekick Shao-Mai, Ramenman roams the land in search of revenge for his father, battling many villains along the way.

Kosuke-sama Rikimaru-sama: Konpeitou no Ryuu is a 45-minute anime television special created by J.C. Staff and broadcast in 1988 on Japanese TV. Like Dragon Ball, this martial arts adventure pits its heroes against antagonists reminiscent of the Red Ribbon Army, features mecha designs typical of Toriyama, and includes a dragon that closely mirrors Son Gohan's Haiya Dragon.

The main character, known as Ryuu or the Crying Dragon, is an enigmatic man who frequently plays games with gang members. He only secures victories through "ron," a mahjong move where one waits for an opponent's tile to complete a winning hand. The term "ron" is also called "naki" in mahjong, which shares the same pronunciation as the Japanese word for "crying." This mahjong anime is based on a manga by Nojo Junichi from the 1980s and 1990s.

During the Genroku period of feudal Japan, a young warrior named Yoshiyasu Yanasawa embarks on a quest to find Takakaru, the chieftain of the Hazuki clan, hoping to gain the power of the Golden Dragon. What he does not know is that this legendary strength actually belongs to the maiden Orie.

A film version of Tatakae!! Ramenman adapts the manga chapter titled "Strike the Darkness." Released in Japan on July 9, 1988, the movie picks up where the two-part Mongol Tiger arc left off.

This sci-fi anime is inspired by the actual tale of Kinshiro Toyama (1793-1855), a figure who initially achieved renown through the 1893 kabuki play "Toyama no Kinsan."

This second film in the Bikkuriman TV anime series takes place beyond heaven in a vast dark region known as the Unrelated Zone (Muen Zone). Head Rokoko and the six god-emperors journey there alongside Saint Big Bird. They come to the aid of a girl named Suisai, an omamori who works with angels and is under attack by Kuuma. During the fight, Yamato black out but eventually regains consciousness. At the same time, a hidden danger threatens both the celestial and earthly realms. This movie depicts an incident that never appeared in the later part of the TV series. Within the Bikkuriman world, the story focuses on the omamori, the third race after angels and demons.

First Bikkuriman film.