Best Award Winning Anime of 1998

By 2071, humanity has spread across the stars yet remains plagued by terrestrial issues such as addiction and crime. The narrative centers on Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, bounty hunters who traverse the cosmos tracking down felons for a living. Beneath Spike's carefree demeanor hides a troubled past, while Jet struggles with his own painful memories as he tends to both Spike and the Bebop, their ship which doubles as their home. They are eventually joined by Faye Valentine, a charming con artist; Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, a quirky child; and Ein, a genetically modified Welsh corgi. As the Bebop crew develops strong bonds and apprehends various criminals, they face a looming threat connected to Spike's dark history. Confronted by a rival's perilous plot, Spike must decide between seeking vengeance or valuing his new family.

In Serial Experiments Lain, fourteen-year-old Lain Iwakura is an introverted girl who struggles with social interaction until she unexpectedly receives an email from Chisa Yomoda, a classmate who has already died. Despite having little experience with technology, Lain opens the message and is drawn into the Wired, a digital network akin to the Internet. This event transforms her life as she confronts mysterious puzzles. Figures known as the Men in Black begin appearing around her, questioning her with intimate details about her life that even she does not fully grasp. As the boundaries between the physical world and cyberspace grow indistinct, Lain becomes entangled in increasingly surreal scenarios that challenge the nature of identity, consciousness, and reality. Directed by Chiaki J. Konaka, the creator behind Texhnolyze, this psychological and avant-garde mystery follows Lain's critical choices, which impact both the real world and the Wired. Only through Lain can the full significance of these interconnected realities be understood as one realm fades and another emerges.

Two years after the J-pop idol group CHAM! first won over audiences, member Mima Kirigoe chooses to leave the band to pursue an acting career, a decision that draws mixed reactions from her fanbase. Despite the uncertainty surrounding this move, Mima clings to the hope that her supporters will stay loyal. As she steps away from the group, her life takes an unexpected turn. Eager to shed her idol image, she secures a role in a crime drama, a project that quickly becomes demanding and stressful for both her and her manager, Rumi Hidaka. At the same time, Mima's mental state begins to deteriorate under pressure from a persistent stalker who refuses to accept her exit from the idol world, a mysterious new website that uncannily mirrors her experiences, and CHAM!'s continued success without her. These disturbing events slowly erode Mima's grasp on reality, blurring the line between what is real and what is not.

Scientists splice the genetic material of the mythical Pokémon Mew to engineer Mewtwo, intended to be the most powerful Pokémon in existence. Refusing to remain a lab subject, Mewtwo lashes out with its psychic abilities, annihilating its creators in a fit of fury. It later seeks to master its abilities under Giovanni, the backer of the original research, only to realize it is being exploited once more. Determined to carve out its own destiny, Mewtwo vows revenge on humanity and unleashes a catastrophic storm to wipe out all life on Earth. Ash Ketchum and fellow trainers receive Mewtwo's summons to a battle, yet quickly learn the true motive: Mewtwo intends to clone their Pokémon to serve its own agenda. Ash races to thwart Mewtwo's scheme before it reaches fruition. The theatrical cut ran 75 minutes; a year later, a "complete version" aired on television just ahead of Pokémon the Movie 2000, expanding the runtime to 85 minutes with a retold sequence of Ash and Pikachu's first encounter.

Famed scientist Zorndyke has created a new breed of aquatic life forms designed to consume the oceans and wipe out humanity, convinced that humans have forfeited their right to rule the Earth. Determined to stop Zorndyke's madness and eliminate his lethal creations, the crew of Blue Submarine No. 6 and the rest of the Blue fleet embark on a critical mission to save the world.

Two years have gone by since the conclusion of the original Nadesico conflict, and both Akito and Yurika have vanished without a trace. In that time, former adversaries have become allies—the Jovians and Earthlings now stand united, with Ruri commanding the Nadesico B as its new captain. Boson Jumping has skyrocketed in popularity, giving rise to a sprawling transportation infrastructure known as the Hisago Plan, built around a network of Chulip portals. This system is believed to conceal the secrets behind Bose particles and the tremendous power they wield. If that knowledge were to land in the wrong hands, the fallout would be immense—and trouble is already brewing. A renegade Martian faction has launched an attack, leaving the United Forces baffled and scrambling for a response. In their desperation, they've recalled the original crew of the Nadesico for a covert, off-the-books mission with everything at stake. Can this oddball assortment of former heroes rise to the occasion? Who will seize control of the Boson technology? And what in the world has become of Akito and Yurika?

In a small village, twin siblings Tatara and Sarasa are born. Prophet Nagi predicts that Tatara is destined to liberate Japan from the oppressive rule of the King and his four sons. However, tragedy strikes when the cruel Red King kills Tatara. As a result, Sarasa must assume her brother's identity and purpose, setting out on a journey to free Japan and seek vengeance for Tatara's death.

In a realm where time has frozen, a colossal whale rises from a smooth, glassy sea and gracefully soars across the sky for twelve hours. The visual brilliance comes from a distinctive technique: the artist employs the transparency and solidity of 3D computer graphics solely for the motionless ocean and icy glaciers. Meanwhile, the people, the whale, and the boats are drawn by hand, creating a sharp visual contrast that immerses viewers in a surreal world. This animated short unfolds as a poetic fantasy, weaving a true sense of wonder. Though the process demands immense effort, the outcome is truly breathtaking.

In the Heian period, roughly a thousand years in the past, a young noble named Ojarumaru grows weary of his sheltered, indulgent existence. Meanwhile, three demons accidentally misplace the power-stick belonging to their king, Enma. Ojarumaru discovers this enchanted object and uses it to journey to the present day, where he encounters Kazuma and becomes a member of his household. As time passes, Ojarumaru forms many friendships and evades the comedic attempts of the three demons—Akane, Kisuke, and Aobee—as they strive to reclaim the power-stick.