Best Drama Anime of 1992

After a curse transformed former World War I pilot Marco Pagot into a pig, he took on the alias Porco Rosso, a well-known bounty hunter who chases sky pirates over the Adriatic Sea. Living on a secluded island, Porco ventures out mainly to collect bounties or visit Gina, a captivating singer who runs the Hotel Adriano. On a trip to fix his faulty engine, Porco is ambushed by the ambitious young American pilot, Donald Curtis. Eager for recognition, Donald boasts that he will end the flying pig's career. To avoid disappointing Gina, Porco flees to the prestigious Piccolo S.P.A., an aircraft manufacturer, where he secures a substantial loan to refurbish and upgrade his fighter plane. Surprisingly, he finds that the company's lead engineer is Fio Piccolo, a 17-year-old aspiring aviation genius. With Fio's modifications, Porco is ready to confront Donald and restore his reputation.

After a crushing rejection, a disheartened Youta Moteuchi finds a dimly lit video store and buys a "video girl" tape meant to comfort lonely people. When he tries to play it on his broken VCR, a girl named Ai Amano emerges from the television and lands on his bed. Though she initially appears to be Youta's ideal partner for experiencing real love, the faulty device has warped her personality. Despite her shortcomings, Ai earnestly vows to help Youta find true happiness and love. The story centers on the everyday life of a teenage boy striving for a meaningful relationship, with Ai acting as his virtual guide as Youta sets out to win over the girl he adores.

In a future age of unprecedented prosperity, driven by Dr. Shizuma's invention of the clean, renewable Shizuma Drive, humanity enjoys a golden era. However, this peace is threatened by Big Fire, a sinister organization seeking world domination. Opposing them is the International Police Organisation, which deploys a team of superhuman fighters and martial artists, as well as Daisaku Kusama—the guardian and pilot of the mighty Giant Robo. When the IPO seizes an irregular Shizuma Drive vital to Big Fire's schemes, a fierce conflict erupts between the two forces. This battle tests Daisaku's determination, reveals the disturbing truth behind the Shizuma Drive's origins, and risks the destruction of human civilization. Giant Robo is a character-driven adventure set in a retro-futuristic world, blending elements of opera, kung-fu cinema, wuxia tales, and classic mecha anime. Although it features characters originally created by manga artist Mitsuteru Yokoyama, the story stands on its own as a unique narrative.

Set in the year 2300 AD, Tekkaman Blade begins when the Radam launch an assault on Earth. Just months into the invasion, a mysterious Tekkaman named Blade emerges. Teaming up with the Space Knights, Blade takes up the fight against the Radam forces. However, Blade keeps several secrets regarding his own past hidden from his allies.

In "Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf," Jeff Bogard, a master of Hakkyokuseiken and guardian of its secret techniques, is killed by Geese Howard, the powerful ruler of South Town, who sought to acquire these skills. Witnessing their father's death, Jeff's adopted sons, Terry and Andy Bogard, vow to avenge him under the tutelage of their mentor, Tung Fe Rue. Ten years later, Geese organizes a martial arts tournament known as the King of Fighters. Terry, Andy, and their friend, Muay Thai champion Joe Higashi, participate in the tournament with the intention of facing Geese and seeking revenge.

In "Mama is Just a Fourth Grade Pupil," fourth-grader Natsumi Mizuki is placed under the care of her aunt Izumi while her parents are away in London. Izumi, a manga writer trying to make it big, is frequently too busy to pay attention, which only makes things harder when a baby named Mirai mysteriously appears on Natsumi's first night alone. Mirai turns out to be Natsumi's own child from fifteen years in the future. With Mirai having traveled back in time, Natsumi must balance raising the baby with keeping up with schoolwork and hiding Mirai's existence from everyone else. With occasional help from Izumi and a few futuristic baby-care gadgets, Natsumi manages this strange situation.

A narrative set on a future Earth serves as a cautionary tale for humanity: in the years to come, the planet becomes an alien landscape where people endure an Earth devoid of rain and seas, replaced by endless, arid deserts. Two young individuals struggle to survive on this barren world and discover hope. After humanity fully contaminated the sea, sky, and land, enigmatic objects descend from the sky. Those colossal vessels crash into Earth, absorb the air, water, and the majority of living beings into their interiors, robbing the planet of its natural essence. The handful of survivors battle both the harsh environment and a tyrannical dominant species called the Rodo. A spirited young man named Ran opposes the Rodo and a reality where rain is nothing but a myth. He aims to enlist in an anti-Rodo faction known as the Hazzard, seeking not only to vanquish the Rodo but also to track down the man who murdered his father.

A prequel of the Maison Ikkoku TV series focusing on Kyoko's relationship with her husband.

The narrative opens in a small Pennsylvania town in 1838. Jeanie MacDowell is a cheerful and attractive girl with light brown hair who delights in playing the piano and taking piano instruction from her mother. Her close companions include Steven, a skilled harmonica player, and Bill, a black boy exceptionally talented at playing the banjo. The three enjoy making music together, forming a small band. Jeanie's joyful existence takes a sharp turn when her mother suddenly dies. Through numerous hardships and a growing understanding of life's value, she resolves to dedicate herself to aiding those afflicted by illness. This series is a deeply emotional love story centering on the bond between young Stephen Foster—who later becomes a renowned composer and creator of children's songs—and the young Jeanie MacDowell, who eventually becomes Stephen Foster's wife.

A baby girl named Candice White was abandoned on the steps of the Pony Home orphanage during a blizzard. The nuns named her after the doll left with her—which had "Candy" written on it—and gave her the surname White in honor of the snowstorm that brought her there. Life at the orphanage is generally calm and happy, though it's never truly peaceful with Candy around. She has a habit of getting into mischief, climbing trees, and roughhousing with anyone who challenges her. But soon, a series of tragic events begins to unfold.

The 11th Cyber Formula World Grand Prix is underway, and Hayato Kazami finds himself burdened by high expectations and pressure as he strives to regain the championship form he showed a year earlier. Meanwhile, Osamu Sugo, known as Knight Schumacher, has returned to the competition and openly declared Hayato his rival. With the new Super Asurada AKF-11, Hayato must now overcome someone he once deeply trusted in order to claim his second championship.

In "Rokudenashi Blues," Maeda arrives at Teiken High School as a new student. Because of his nervous stutter and clumsiness, he draws attention when he accidentally hits a teacher during the entrance ceremony. Several clubs try to recruit him, viewing him as a valuable addition against rival teams. But Maeda stays isolated, focused on his sole goal: becoming a boxing champion.

Jackie Rhodes, a young British girl living in Kenya with her family, discovers an injured Bushbaby and takes it in, nursing it back to health and naming it Murphy. As Jackie and Murphy bond, they, along with Jackie's family and their friends, experience a series of adventures with local wildlife and confront dangers posed by poachers. When Jackie's father is ordered to return to England, she must get ready to leave her African home. Before their departure, Jackie, Murphy, and Tembo—a friend of her father—cross the perilous savanna to evade poachers and corrupt authorities who are chasing them. During this trek, Jackie teaches Murphy how to survive on its own in the wild, so it can thrive after she is forced to leave it behind in its natural habitat.

Tsuyoshi Ikawa resides with his attractive and well-liked sisters. However, despite their many good points, both his sisters and his mother are terrible at domestic tasks like cooking. Consequently, Tsuyoshi handles all these chores, especially since his father is currently working in a different city due to a temporary job transfer.

A boy named Nello loses his mother when he is two years old and becomes an orphan. His grandfather, living in a small village, takes him in. One day, Nello discovers a dog that has been nearly beaten to death and names him Patrasche. Thanks to the grandfather's careful nursing, the dog recovers, and from that point on, Nello and Patrasche become inseparable. As they are very poor, Nello must help his grandfather by selling milk. Patrasche assists by pulling the milk cart that Nello uses to deliver milk in the town.

The teacher of Sakura Momoko's third-grade class tasks the students with creating a drawing inspired by their favorite song for a contest. Momoko has taken a liking to a tune she just learned in music class and feels nervous about producing a quality illustration based on it. While traveling to visit her relatives in Shizuoka, she encounters Shouko Kimura, a college student who often sketches portraits at the local train station and intends to enter an art competition herself. Captivated by Kimura's artwork, Sakura runs into her once more. Shouko finds herself moved by Momoko's sincerity and compassion. The two quickly form a bond and end up motivating each other in their respective endeavors.

In Itsuki Natsumi's manga, which takes inspiration from L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz," a nuclear war has ravaged most of humanity, splitting the United States into six warring factions. By 2021, rumors circulate about a legendary city called OZ, where life carries on as normal. Scientist Felicia sets out on a journey alongside mercenary Muto and android 1019 to find this city. Their quest eventually leads them to a military base controlled by a madman. At the same time, a young girl hires a mercenary to take her to the mythical OZ, which she believes is a utopia where her missing brother lives. A cyborg sent by her brother joins their group. However, OZ is far from a paradise, and her brother proves to be both brilliant and unhinged.

In a different version of feudal Japan, the tengu named Kabuto sets out on a quest to save a princess imprisoned within a stronghold defended by hybrid creatures that are part monster, part mecha.

Kenichi Akizuki and Misako Watanabe work together to unravel the mystery behind the sudden disappearance of their classmate Ryouko Miyazaki in the After School Series light novels. The sole clue they have points to Koushin Okazaki, a former classmate who took his own life in pursuit of eternal youth, aspiring to a Peter Pan-like existence. The kidnapper left behind a clue bearing Okazaki's signature.

What a shock Tottoi experienced when he came across the tiny creature inside the hidden cave! The elegance and self-respect of wild animals captivate those innocent souls who still hold a deep appreciation for nature. Sardinia is filled with lovely beaches and secret caves, known as the home of a rare type of seal that is nearing extinction. After relocating to this island, Tottoi, who is fascinated by the natural world, explores different beaches and caves each day. When he stumbles upon a seal pup and its mother in a secluded cave, he is amazed by the playful antics and innocence of the baby and the majestic presence of its mother. Tottoi quickly grows fond of the seals, but his hidden discovery is exposed to callous adults. Under the guise of conservation, a scheme is hatched to catch them for an aquarium. Now the honor and pride of the wild seal are at risk. No matter how difficult it is for Tottoi to part ways with his little companions, he must stand up for the well-being of these wild animals and allow them to return freely to the ocean.

During the mid-19th century, Japan remained isolated from foreign influence. Only faint stirrings of change could be seen in the long-established rule of Shogun Tokugawa. In a remote rural area on the island of Shikoku, a young boy named Ryoma grows up in a low-ranking samurai household. A decade later, he will become one of the key figures who overthrow the Shogun's authority and open Japan to the Western world. Our tale begins with Ryoma, a dreamy seven-year-old child. He is honest and gentle-hearted, despising any form of violence or cruelty. So sensitive and somewhat naive is he that he often bursts into tears out of compassion when witnessing even a minor act of harm, like another child stepping on a tiny insect. The other children and even his own family call him a "crybaby." Yet he is not a coward—not at all a "chicken." His sorrow stems from a deep desire to prevent unjust actions and wrongdoings in life. Only his older sister truly understands the depth of his character. She recognizes that her brother possesses a unique gift, and she does everything she can to protect him and lift his spirits.

Adapted from Akagawa Jirou's popular book series, this story follows the bumbling detective Katayama Yoshitaro, who shares a home with his sister Harumi and their cat Holmes—a feline with a mysterious sixth sense for solving crimes. In this standalone OVA, the after-show party for Harumi's theater troupe turns into a scene of murder and tragedy. Fortunately, Yoshitaro has brought Holmes along.

In "Don: Gokudou Suikoden," Date Bukishi, a member of the influential yakuza clan Date-Gumi, keeps his distance from the criminal world and prefers handling matters on his own terms. His life changes drastically when he is imprisoned and forges a deep connection with Hyoroken. Together, Bukishi gathers a loyal group of followers and slowly steps into the yakuza arena. Their efforts are hindered by Muroto, the merciless head of Bando-Gumi, who aims to bring every Japanese yakuza organization under his control. Bukishi, fated to lead the Date-Gumi, resists Muroto's schemes.

In 1753, catastrophic floods hit Senbon Matsubara in Shizuoka, leading the community to unite in efforts to prevent further flooding along the Kiso, Nagara, and Yuhi rivers. Residents of Satsuma (Kumamoto Prefecture) endured severe suffering when forced by the central government to undertake this work, a scenario that hinted at their growing discontent, which would later break out into rebellion in the next century.

The narrative is set in Kanazawa and follows Yasue, an elderly woman who falls gravely ill without warning, leaving her completely paralyzed. Her doctor informs her that she has merely two weeks left to live.