Best Action Anime of 1996

After years of searching, Emperor Pilaf at last obtains the Black Star Dragon Balls, artifacts rumored to possess twice the power of the ordinary Dragon Balls found on Earth. Just as Pilaf is on the verge of wishing for total world domination, Gokuu Son barges in and disrupts the ceremony. The interruption causes Pilaf to botch his wish, and instead of ruling the world, he accidentally reverts Gokuu to the body of a child. No sooner is the wish fulfilled than the Black Star Dragon Balls fly off to distant corners of the galaxy. Gokuu soon learns that these special Dragon Balls come with a terrible catch: unless every last one is recovered within a single year, the Earth itself will be destroyed. Joined by his granddaughter Pan and a now-young-adult Trunks, Gokuu embarks on an intergalactic quest to track down the scattered Black Star Dragon Balls and keep his home planet from exploding.

During the twilight of the Bakumatsu era, the dreaded assassin Hitokiri Battousai instilled fear throughout the land with his unmatched lethal prowess before vanishing into obscurity amidst the Japanese Revolution. Although a decade of tranquility has followed, the mere mention of Battousai still sends shivers through former soldiers. Unbeknownst to them, Battousai has forsaken his violent path to pursue redemption, now living as Kenshin Himura, a cheerful and spirited rōnin. Having sworn never to claim another life, Kenshin dedicates himself to shielding the weak. On one destined day, he encounters Kaoru Kamiya at her kendo dojo, which faces a threat from an imposter posing as Battousai. After Kenshin aids her, Kaoru extends an invitation for him to reside at the dojo, where the former killer stays for some time. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan chronicles Kenshin's journey to assist those in need. Yet, as adversaries from both his past and present begin to emerge, can the reformed warrior maintain his new principles?

In the world of Xoana, Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev encounter their former companions, Zelgadis Graywords and Princess Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune. They quickly put a stop to the evil schemes of Xoana's king and his daughter, who sought global domination. Shortly afterward, Zelgadis speaks of his search for the Claire Bible, a powerful magical tome that he thinks can return him to his human form. Despite some reluctance, the party decides to accompany him on his quest. While puzzling over how to find the hidden book, they come across an enigmatic priest called Xellos, who offers his help in their endeavor.

A different version of the early Dragon Ball story presents a fresh perspective on Goku's first encounter with Bulma and Kame-Sen'nin. The narrative returns to the struggle against the Red Ribbon Army, featuring a twist where the military organization discovers Goku first rather than him finding them.

In Angel Densetsu, Seikichi Kuroda, the feared "guardian" and top tough guy at Hekikuu High School, catches wind of a new first-year transfer student named Seiichirou Kitano who is supposedly picking on his classmates. Seikichi sets out to intimidate and scare Seiichirou into submission, but is thrown for a loop when he sees Seiichirou's horrifically disfigured face—it's so terrifying that even Seikichi runs away in panic. Despite his monstrous appearance, Seiichirou is actually gentle and kind at heart. His inability to express himself clearly and his frightening looks have caused him to be shunned his entire life. Now stepping into the role of the new guardian, Seiichirou learns that true friendship can blossom from the most unexpected situations and connections.

The fate of the universe hinges on a single decision by Kamui Shirou, who must choose to destroy either the Dragons of Earth or the Dragons of Heaven—two opposing armies. His choice alone will decide whether humanity should be wiped out to bring about a purified universe or safeguarded to preserve civilization. Two oracles, the sisters Hinoto and Kanoe, foresee the arrival of the Dragons and each predicts a different outcome. They each gather allies and resources to ensure their own vision of the future comes to pass. Yet neither sister realizes that one man wields power even greater than the Dragons, and that he will ultimately decide the planet's fate. Which sister's prophecy will come true, and what role does Kamui play in their conflict? The answer will shape the destiny of all humanity.

In "You're Under Arrest" (1996), the story follows Tokyo Highway Patrol officers Natsumi and Miyuki, whose partnership begins badly when Miyuki gives Natsumi a ticket for reckless moped riding. Their conflict grows after they discover they will be working together as partners. Continuing from the OVA series, this television adaptation explores more of the two policewomen's experiences at Bokuto Precinct. They encounter various criminals and a group of attractive but reserved male officers, with the precinct's most adorable resident hiding an unexpected secret: they are not human.

Tsutomu is an ordinary high school student cramming for his entrance exams when he accidentally wanders into an ongoing police operation. In the chaos, he gets caught in the line of fire and is fatally wounded. Just as he is about to die, a young woman named Birdy appears at the scene. She merges her consciousness with his, saving him from certain death. Now the two share a single body and must adapt to coexisting as Birdy continues her work as an interplanetary law enforcement officer, pursuing criminals and protecting lives.

In a far-off region of the galaxy, the escaped convict Kain breaks out of prison and causes massive destruction by demolishing the Galaxy Police Headquarters. Delighted by the turmoil he has unleashed, Kain turns his attention to a larger objective on Earth. Back on Earth, Tenchi Masaki and his friends are viewing old home videos featuring his mother, Achika. While the footage plays, Achika slowly starts to vanish from the screen, and shortly after, Tenchi himself begins to fade. Fortunately, a device created by Washuu Hakubi prevents Tenchi from disappearing entirely. The group quickly deduces that Kain is responsible for Achika's disappearance and suspect he has meddled with the timeline. To protect his own existence and the future, Tenchi travels through time with his companions, aiming to prevent his mother from suffering a fatal fate.

After their journey through the magical book Fushigi Yuugi, Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo have returned to everyday life, and Miaka was able to bring Tamahome out of The Universe of the Four Gods. But their happiness is soon threatened by new obstacles. While visiting the graves of the other girls who once entered The Universe of the Four Gods, Tamahome vanishes after being consumed by a red light, leaving Miaka heartbroken. Having witnessed this, Miaka's brother Keisuke and his friend Tetsuya Kajiwara promise to help her find Tamahome. Meanwhile, Tamahome is pulled back into the book, where he learns that fifty years have passed since he left and that his former enemy Nakago has taken over his identity. Can Miaka and Tamahome overcome these difficulties and be reunited, or are they destined to stay apart forever? Also, the priestesses Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo, together with the Celestial Warriors of Suzaku and Seiryuu, take a bus trip to a hot spring resort for some relaxation. Despite the long ride, the group stays cheerful with playful tricks, unaware of the surprises that await them at their destination.

In "Garzey's Wing," Christopher "Chris" Senshuu, a carefree man in his mid-twenties who repeatedly fails his college entrance exams, spends his days practicing kendo, visiting the family shrine, and looking forward to his high school reunion. Suddenly, his spirit is transported to the realm of Byston Well, where he takes on the identity of Garzey's Wing, a legendary holy warrior summoned by the Metomeus tribe to free them from oppression. Despite his new role, Chris has no idea how to be a holy warrior and only wields a very dull sword he found on a dead body. Adding to the complexity, another version of Chris remains in the real world, unable to affect events in Byston Well but still linked to the destiny of his alternate self. This young man must navigate a world filled with mystical beings and mysterious outsiders, setting out on a difficult journey to find his way.

In "Shamanic Princess," Tiara, a powerful sorceress accompanied by her familiar Japolo, is dispatched from the Guardian World—a realm inhabited by strong beings tasked with preserving the balance of magical energy—to Earth. Her objective is to recover the Throne of Yord, a vital magical artifact that serves as the Guardian World's power source, and must be secured to prevent it from being misused. While chasing the Throne, Tiara meets Lena, a former acquaintance and fellow sorceress who is also hunting the same relic. The situation grows more complex with the arrival of Kagetsu, a man Tiara once had deep feelings for. Kagetsu, who can negate magic as a negater, shares a significant connection to the Throne of Yord. Tiara now faces a difficult journey, struggling to balance her mission's requirements with her personal ties and emotions.

In the land of Archanea, the kingdoms of Dolhr, Grust, and Gra unite to launch an invasion and conquest, ultimately overthrowing the Kingdom of Altea. King Cornelius perishes in the conflict, but his son, Prince Marth, narrowly avoids capture thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of his elder sister, Elice. With a small band of loyal followers, Marth seeks refuge on the island of Talys, where he spends three years hidden and protected by the local royalty. During this period, Marth leads a tranquil existence, appreciating Talys’s natural splendor and forming a bond with Caeda, the pegasus knight princess. Despite these peaceful moments, Marth harbors anxiety over the impending need to fight again. His fears are realized when Caeda urgently alerts him and his companions to an assault on the castle town. Through a series of intense skirmishes, they successfully repel the attackers and safeguard the city. Acknowledging that his continued presence may endanger Talys, Marth resolves to depart and begin assembling forces to retake his homeland.

Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon board a mini-helicopter and fly toward the mysterious Drifting Island, drawn by rumors of a treasure hidden somewhere on it. As they explore the island, the trio comes up against the lethal Nanomachine, the island's security system. Their presence trips an alarm, bringing the Nanomachine to life. The key to unraveling the island's mystery lies in the small nation of Zufu, once a prosperous country now ruled by the ruthless, knife-collecting General Headhunter. Fujiko does her usual probing, hacking into General Headhunter's computer in hopes of uncovering vital information. Zenigata receives a video message from Lupin, in which Lupin declares his desire for the priceless treasure. Oleander, a fiery blond officer with hidden secrets of her own, steps in to aid Zenigata. Armed with the intel they've gathered, Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko return to Drifting Island—but this time, General Headhunter is following them.

James McGuire's ambition is to become president of Guinam and deliver his people from the military rulers who have held power for so long. But his past is starting to catch up with him, threatening both his political hopes and the safety of the daughter he lost long ago. To protect her, he hires the City Hunter, Ryo Saeba, and his partner Kaori to guard Anna, a Secret Service agent who has been assigned to protect the presidential hopeful herself.

During a business trip, cereal salesmen Osamu and Jay come across a strange roadblock. Investigating, they witness a secret government operation where two mysterious demon-like beings attack military personnel who had responded to a crash involving a vehicle carrying classified research. In the debris, Osamu finds a stunning hermaphrodite with one gold eye and one crimson eye, sealed inside a frozen chamber. Before fleeing, Osamu presses a kiss to the glass between them. Later, Osamu and Jay confront Jay's father, a high-ranking scientist at a government lab. He reveals that what they saw is top secret and that without his intervention, they would face prison. Jay wants to move on, but Osamu is determined to learn more. By stealing a security badge, Osamu locates the facility where the person he kissed is held and learns their name is Kimera. Driven by an inexplicable urge, Osamu dreams of escaping with Kimera, even though the reasons for Kimera's captivity and the nature of such a relationship remain unclear.

The secret behind the Twilight diamond is on the verge of being exposed. As Lupin's mentor Don Dolune nears death, he entrusts the master thief with a gift: the jewel known as Twilight. However, only half of the treasure is in his possession—the other half lies waiting in Morocco. The search is far from a simple treasure hunt, as a civil uprising rages between two factions in this desert paradise. Lupin must navigate his complicated relationship with his occasional partner Fujiko, manage his growing attraction to the beautiful brunette Lara, and contend with the relentless, whip-wielding madman Sadachiyo.

Take two stunning women armed with whips, include a magician and a muscle-bound fighter, then tie everything together with a lusty young man who flirts with anything that breathes, and what do you get? Simple: the most hilarious, steamiest adventure series around! That's right—Chocolate, Tira, Carrot, and the rest of the Sorcerer Hunters crew return for three tantalizing episodes. When Carrot attempts to charm a lovely older woman (while Chocolate tries to charm Carrot), a steamy hot springs getaway becomes even hotter... and more comedic. Next, our heroes dive into battle against the Death Master, an evil necromancer who has turned an entire town into his willing zombie thralls! Finally, an ancient tree with legendary matchmaking powers turns a relaxing picnic into a love-mad free-for-all! Can even the Sorcerer Hunters withstand this level of heat?

A rogue scientist in San Francisco has devised a method to create a new type of creature known as Neo-Aragami, removing the need for Susanoo's energy. When these monsters begin wreaking havoc across California, the U.S. government seeks assistance from the former members of the Terrestrial Administration Center (TAC).

On the eve of the grand millennium celebration in the Kingdom of Guardia, as humans rest in eager anticipation, monsters emerge to have their own fun. Nuu and Mamo, a pair of enthusiastic but not too bright young monsters, are determined to launch their own cross-time-and-space adventure crew, Nuumamonjaa. They set off to find new members, but their lack of sense leads to a string of blunders—including a drinking contest, running into a robot cat, and a wild ride in a vehicle. Their journey proves far more exciting than they ever expected!

Lady Sheru is plagued by recurring dreams of her past life as Pirotesse. In these visions, her beloved Ashram is being tortured by the soul of Barbas, who is masquerading as their former king, Beld of Marmo. Interpreting this as a desperate call for aid, Sheru sets out to rescue him by using the Chaos Ring to enter the realm of chaos. Meanwhile, Redon and his companions are once again summoned to fight as ancient creatures, sealed away for centuries, begin to reappear. Their paths will intersect anew, and the fate of Crystania will rest upon their shoulders.

During the 1920s, Inaho resurrects the vampire Mosquiton by feeding him her blood. Upon awakening, he becomes her slave. Inaho is now searching for the O-Part, a relic that can give her immortality. However, various supernatural monsters try to stop them from achieving their objective.

Variable Geo depicts a savage competition in which waitresses fight fiercely, blending potent energy attacks with deadly martial arts techniques. In this setting, underpaid but physically capable contestants view VG as a fast track to money. Those who win collect substantial cash prizes, while those who lose endure utter degradation, frequently having all their clothing taken away. Lurking beneath this high-stakes entertainment are dark influences and crooked practices. Performance-enhancing drugs surpass steroids in strength, and demonic possessions take the place of pre-match rituals. The sponsoring companies seek not only profits but also hidden, evil schemes. All these factors are essential to the warped nature of the game.

Amid a war-torn world ravaged by deadly conflict, a small band of heroes fights the forces of darkness, wielding only two tools—their steadfast commitment to righteousness and the superhuman fighting style called the Shadow Skill.

Sexy superagents Kei and Yuri get into serious trouble while searching for Kei's godson, and come up against a murderous ski patrol. This episode collection also shows the crime-fighting duo battling seagulls and assassins. The two anime agents never get a break, always putting themselves in harm's way to successfully complete their important missions.

For a year now, master swordsman Eiji Shinjo has been tormented by the memory of his clash with the rogue champion Gaia—a fight cut short by the forces of the evil syndicate known as "the Organization." Denied a proper conclusion, Eiji left the tournament while his opponents' laughter echoed behind him. Worse still, he departed without any closer to locating his missing brother, Sho. But now a mysterious warrior is tracking down the champions from that previous tournament, turning their own techniques against them—and it appears that fighter might be Sho. Who is this powerful new adversary, and who will be his next target? Eiji and his closest friend and greatest rival, Kayin, struggle to solve the puzzle before they too are added to the list of the defeated. The answer lies deep within the Organization and its schemes for global conquest. At last, the ultimate showdown among the world's strongest fighters will be decided. But if Eiji loses, his friend Ellis may die.

While taking a stroll in Tokyo, Linn Suzuki discovers a strange device buried in the ground. She is suddenly attacked by assailants but rescued by an enigmatic, handsome stranger who quickly defeats them. Linn had fled from Deep Kyoto to escape her abusive guardian and journeyed to Edo in search of her missing brother, who is rumored to work at the Kuon Detective Agency. The stranger is revealed to be Miho Kuon, who invites Linn to stay with her and gives her the nickname Kotetsu, a diminutive of Tetsu, after Miho's sibling Tetsujin. As events progress, a secret organization called the Syndicate begins pursuing Miho, drawing Linn further into their dangerous chase.

Ancient tales speak of a Dark Tower where a legion of dragons slumbers, awaiting the signal to rise and bring devastation. Kyle once dismissed these as mere myths—until the Black Dragon abducts his beloved Alita. Forced into an uneasy partnership with Blau, a blue dragon, Kyle must race against time to save her before she becomes the key to the Dark Tower's ultimate directive: the annihilation of the world itself.

After receiving Mutastones from Crys-Mu, the spirit of light, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gain the power to enhance themselves into Super Turtles for a three-minute span. Meanwhile, the evil Shredder and his cohorts Bebop and Rocksteady stumble upon the Dark Mutastone, which transforms them into Devil Shredder, Supermutant Bebop, and Supermutant Rocksteady, respectively. But the Turtles still hold a final trick within their shells: by uniting all four of them, they can assume their ultimate form—Turtle Saint.

A revival of the classic superhero series Hurricane Polymar. From Tokyo Plus, a cutting-edge research facility, comes a groundbreaking "Man Machine" system (Polymar) created by the late Dr. Oregar. Tragically, Dr. Oregar and his work are erased from existence when the Catsharks, loyal agents of Nova, steal this new technology for their sinister schemes. Miraculously selected as the next Polymar, Takeshi is thrown into the midst of the conflict as he learns his new role and mission—to eliminate Nova and his followers. He applies his karate skills, which include spinning kicks and backfists combined with flight techniques, to defeat the Catsharks, only for them to return stronger than ever under the cunning leadership of Nina. It is a desperate race against time for Takeshi to save Earth.

This is a re-telling of the first series. One episode is seen from Momiji's perspective, and the other is seen from Kusanagi's perspective.

Once every hundred years, the legendary Pai—ten mahjong tiles said to grant any wish to the one who possesses them—become obtainable. A strange assortment of individuals pursues the Pai, including a rabbit-shaped alien aiming for "uniform" domination of Earth, a dominatrix who uses black magic, a pop idol who is secretly a witch and wants to return to the magical world, a cyborg desiring to become human, and a schoolgirl who is actually a superhero. When they all locate the same monster holding one of the tiles, they realize only one solution exists: since not all of them can have the tile, a battle must decide who gets it.

The story of "Hard", a bounty hunter living in New-York and seeking revenge.

The adventures of Arus's childhood.

Four billion years ago, in the Andromeda Nebula, an ambitious venture was set in motion. An ancient extraterrestrial race, recognizing that no other intelligent life existed in the universe, directed their massive supercomputers to seed additional species capable of developing sentience. This endeavor was called the Omega Program. Humanity emerged as one of its outcomes. But humans were not the sole species spawned by the Omega Program, and looming ahead is the gravest menace humanity has ever encountered. In due course, the offspring of this Program are fated to clash in violent conflict. Overwhelmingly outmatched by a foe with superior technology, Earth’s sole hope lies in the Omega Program’s hidden contingency—the Delta Boy, the living embodiment of the supercomputer that ignited life on Earth. His sole challenge is surviving long enough to rescue his own future—and that of all humankind.

A menacing threat, Comet Warrior God Tsuifon, hurtles toward Earth from the northern reaches of the galaxy, annihilating everything in its path. The planet's legendary protector, Fighter Ultraman, prepares to confront this danger, setting the stage for a fierce battle.

The story provides a realistic depiction of a Japanese biker who aims to fulfill the social expectation of becoming a 'legend'.

Hanabishi is an unruly delinquent recognized for his brutal violence and sense of chivalry. He gets into fights with yakuza, other miscreants, and occasionally the police, building a fearsome reputation that gathers a few followers but also creates dangerous rivals among the school gang heads.